International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1936)

July 1936 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST 19 tribute no orchids, because in failing to formulate a national policy with respect to the long reel, the road was cleared for producers' representatives to walk in and make deals with Unions on a strictly local basis. The I. A. Bulletin did announce its unrelenting opposition to the longer reel, and asked that all Local Lin ions cooperate in opposing its introduction. Since that single blast — nothing. Even now the producers persist in repeating their earlier mistakes. Avoiding the one and only place where they can obtain an authoritative answer as to the attitude of Unions nationally — I. A. headquarters — producer agents continue to visit local authorities and attempt to discredit the Union stand. A recent case in point is the visit to Boston by producer representatives, where they raised merry Hell in general and did everything possible to force the introduction of the longer reel — all on a sub rosa basis and without consulting the Union. The shortcoming of the producers here is not their zeal in behalf of a pet project but their stupidity in running around corners on a proposition that should be, but isn't, shot full of light down to the most remote corner. Just a year ago, at a meeting of "master minds" in the Hays office in New York, the writer suggested that the first order of business in connection with the longer reel be to contact projectionist representatives and ascertain their attitude toward the project — not on any local basis but by a direct approach to national headquarters. This obvious move not having been made, any discomfiture experienced by the producers as a result of Union opposition is ' of their own making. Legislative Data A midWest projectionist organization, preparing for public hearings on proposed state-wide legislation, appeals to I. P. thus: "Have you any data regarding occupational disease legislation in any of the various states? There is now being held a series of public hearings on legislation of this type in .... , and we should like to supply our representative with all necessary information . . ." Fortunately, I. P. was not caught flatfooted, although the data it was able to supply was prepared in a great rush several years ago to make the deadline for another hearing, and it had only indirect bearing on the topic of the current hearings. Data on procedure in the other states was entirely lacking, as was to be expected in a work that had not been prepared specially for just such an emergency. All of this leads directly back to a question projected many times by this writer: why isn't there some sort of bureau in national headquarters for the collection and dissemination of information on all matters of craft welfare which might conceivably have some bearing on helpful legislation? True, I. P. should and does participate extensively in such activities, but its facilitities do not permit the best possible job under any and all circumstances. Moreover, this is not rightfully an I. P. function, however willing it has been and will continue to be to assist in such work. It would surprise the craft at large to know of the many and varied requests made of I. P. in this respect, by some of the largest I. A. units in the country. This is all pretty swell, and I. P. is glad to help, and even more joyful when its efforts result in success for a given Union. But, as often happens, I. P.'s facilities can be stretched to take in only so much area; frequently it is forced to admit its inability to be of service. Surely this a slipshod method of handling a matter which is of vital concern to every individual member of the Alliance. We know of no first-flight Labor organization that does not have a bureau for the collection of such data. For some time there endured the idea that such work could be done by a group of I. A. men banded together in a technical society of one sort or another, and some progress was made in this direction. Eventually, however, hopes for the success of such a movement were dissipated for reasons too well known to need recounting here. The only reason for the lack of such a bureau in national I. A. headquarters Hollywood Discovers Projection Before color films reach perfection all theatre equipment — both projection machines and screens — will have to be standardized, so that each color film will have the reproduction qualities for which it was made. Robert Edmond Jones Previously it was assumed that of the ranking production people in Hollywood only Cecil B. De Mille realized that there even was a projection process. is that no representative group of Union leaders has ever pushed the issue. This implies no severe criticism of I. A. leadership during the past decade, because things of great import have been happening and have diverted attention elsewhere: the introduction of sound pictures, the collapse of the legitimate stage, the depression years, the struggle to regain lost ground, the NRA and one thing or another. Eventually the I. A. will establish such a bureau, like all other progressive groups, and there apparently is no better time to act than now, with general conditions pretty well in hand. Projectionists are ever prone to water the leaves and neglect the roots, but this lackadaisical policy will net heavy dividends in lost opportunities to advance the welfare of the craft. This project is worth the best efforts of a representative group of projectionist leaders. Better Optics, Not More Juice The introduction of larger carbons drawing very much higher amperage is hailed in some quarters as proof of their contention that down this road lies the answer to more efficient projection, freely translated in their minds in terms of higher illumination. If this be true (and, of course, it isn't) let us go to 300 amperes, with suitable carbons therefor, and thus finally eke out of the set-up that amount of light which we need. Overall Efficiency Only 24% A. A. Cook, of Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., reports a total overall efficiency of 24% for the average projector optical system1. Now, does the introduction by National Carbon Co. of a new 13.6 mm. carbon drawing 180 amperes tend to increase the efficiency of the projector optical system and thus permit more efficient projection? Positively not. Proponents of larger carbons to be burned at higher amperages are merely citing the obvious but wholly wasteful method of raising screen illumination. They might well keep in mind the 76% light loss of average projector optical systems and throw their weight into the fight for long-overdue reforms in this direction. Color Motion Pictures "Dancing Pirate," thrust forward by proponents of color motion pictures as the finest flower of the art to date, appealed to us as a gorgeous flop. Why? For several reasons, including the following: (1) the print was dark throughout, and not as a result of insufficient projection illumination; (2) the color range was decidedly limited; (3) no given color stayed put upon the screen long enough to permit an opinion as to its tone; (4) what shadowing was apparent through a dismally dark picture overall was wrong, and (5) the color detracted from, rather than added to, the worth of the performance. We were told that "Becky Sharp" suffered from a weak story and poor lighting; and "Dancing Pirate" was ballyhooed as the means for putting to rout the opponents of color. To us, "Becky" was a better job than "Pirate"; but both efforts merely served to convince us that if these pictures, and particularly "Pirate," are the best color jobs the industry has to offer, we might just as well forget about color for quite some time. Color in itself is no potent box-office factor, the records will show, thus removing the only reason why production costs should be doubled or tripled. 1I. P. for May, 1936, p. 18. Question and Answer Q. I have before me literature on two analyzers and and am somewhat puzzled which to select. Can you give me some information based on practical experience? F. G., Calif. A. Only that both instruments are thoroughly reliable. Make sure that the one you pick is capable of testing the largest tubes and highest-voltage circuits in your installation. You do not mention what sound equipment you have.