International projectionist (Jan 1963-June 1965)

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST Including a special Audio-Visual section relating to the operation and maintenance of A-V equipment in the educational and industrial fields. Volume 38 October, 1963 No. 10 FRANK W. COOLEY, JR. Editor and Publisher RAY GALLO Executive Publisher AL BLOOM Managing Editor TOM KENNEDY Equipment Editor RAY GALLO ASSOCIATES National Advertising Representatives 545 Fifth Avenue, New York 17, N. Y. Telephone Murrayhill 7-7746 (Area Code 212) IN THIS ISSUE Masking the Modern Wide Screen 4 By ROBERT A. MITCHELL SMPTE Convention 10 Strong Electric's Cover Story 16 Photokina Projection 14 News Notes — Technical Hints — Miscellaneous Notes INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST, published monthly by the International Projectionist Publishing Co. division of The Northern Publishing Co., Post Office Box 6174, Minneapo'is 24, Minnesota. Editorial offices, 1645 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis 3, Minn. Subscription Representatives: AUSTRALIA— McGills, 183 Elizabeth St., Melbourne; NEW ZEALAND — Wixon's, Ltd., 64 Courtnay Place, Wellington; ENGLAND and ELSEWHERE — Wm. Dowson & Sons, Ltd., Macklin St., London, W. C. 2. Subscription Rates: United Stages, Canada, and U. S. Possessions, $3.00 per year (12 issues) and S5.00 for two years (24 issues). Foreign countries: $4.00 per year and $7.00 for two years. Changes of address should be submitted four weeks in advance of publication date to insure receipt of current issue. Second-class postage paid at Minneapolis, Minn. INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST assumes no responsibility for personal opinions appearing in signed articles, or for unsolicited articles. Entire contents copyrighted 1963 by INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST PUBLISHING CO. MONTHLY CHAT THE SUPPLY DEALER IS ESSENTIAL This journal has consistently urged the recognition due the established equipment dealers, who deserve far more prominence than is given them in the film industry, and the theatre branch in particular. The theatre owner and dealers relations should be far better than they are now. The reputable theatre equipment manufacturer picks and chooses his outlet around the country for the sale oi his good product. So the exhibitor can be sure that the installation will be expertly done. The booth craftsman should be buddies with the dealer. He should call on the dealer's store and chat awhile with the dealer. They make a living in the same business. The dealer is up-to-date on the latest equipment. tfaybe llif projectionist could interest his theatre owner i" buj thai equipment. And just nun be the dealer can pass along lips that the projectionist could use profitably. There's remodeling in the theatre industry in several parts of the country. So the film houses face a severe competition with the well-equipped theatres. After all, Americans have autos ami the) use them. If their neighborhood theatre is shabbv and has bad projection and sound, they'l] go to another theatre of their choice. I he established dealer is the best friend of the theatre owner and the booth craftsman in this business. He'll stack his reputation on the line when he recommends a piece of equipment. And he can be called back if the installation is faulty. The manufacturers have put money on the line improving the theatre equipment with changes in film techniques — sound, CinemaScope, 70mm, Cinerama, lamps, screens, etc. The dealers have kept up with the manufacturers by their solving the operation of the complex machines with their top qualitv installations. Manufacturers and dealers are maintaining the theatre industrv with up-to-date equipment necessary for the film theatres' survival. The "house divided" in the film industry has lasted long enough, with exhibitors fighting the distributors and the other way around, and theatre owners' pennypinching on equipment. The theatre branch better go back to showmanship with improving their houses, advertising their forthcoming and current shows, courteous staff and good equipment so the booth craftsman has pride to work there. The supply dealer is a service organization, to service the theatre. If the booth machines themselves were that necessary for the exhibitor the dealer would be out of the picture. The dealer has to sweat his own profits on the deal, while satisfying the customer with all the manhours of skilled labor for installing and making the machine function properly as per the guarantee. The theatre supply dealer is a mighty important ment looks for, is that there will exist such a wholesome attion, servicing the equipment the dealer is essential to the theatre industry. One of the most important improvements this department looks for. is that there will exist such a wholesome attitude within the industry, particularly by the theatre owners and projectionists, for even more cordial relations with the supply dealers and equipment manufacturers. Intern vtional Projectionist October. V)G?