International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1936)

News of the Month Brief mention of men and events associated with the motion picture industry of particular interest to projectionists is published here. BETWEEN eighty and eighty-five million persons attend weekly the 15,378 motion picture theatres operating in the U. S. (calculated on a total admissions basis), according to the Motion Picture Almanac for 1936-37, just published. Other interesting facts contained in this volume: About 80% of these patrons buy their tickets between 7:30 and 8:30 p. m., and they spend between 720 millions and one billion dollars annually therefor. Out of this, ultimately, comes the weekly Hollywood payroll of $1,500,000, received by 28,000 persons employed in production, by 8,000 in the distribution end and by 236,500 in the exhibition field. The new edition of the Almanac contains 1,384 pages, 742 of which are devoted to biographical sketches of 13,112 persons in and closely related to the industry. The corporate structure of and statistical data pertaining to 66 film companies is also included. Ousted Cincinnati Men Sue Union, ex-I. A. Head Damage suits totalling $54,000 have been filed in the Common Pleas Court of Cincinnati by former officials and members of the old Local Union 165 against William C. Elliott, former I. A. president, 18 members of the succeeding organization, now Local 327, and their counsel. The petition recites that charges growing out of personal animosity precipitated by internal political strife, were brought against the plaintiffs, which resulted in revocation of the charter without reason, impeachment of the officers and the subsequent formation of the present Local 327 from which the plaintiffs were excluded. They have since been unable to obtain union affiliation or recognition, and have for four years been deprived of their earnings as operators, it is claimed. The plaintiffs and the damages asked are: Harry Schwartz, former president, $14,000; William Hahn, former business agent, $16,000; John King, $12,000 and James Curtis, $12,000. The salaries at the time were fixed at $3,500, $4,000 and $3,000 respectively. New Tube Visualizes Electron Phenomena To augment theoretical discussion with a practical demonstration, a new type WL-787 triode tube for visualizing the electronic effect when changes are made in the grid and plate voltages of a vacuum tube, is announced by Westinghouse Lamp Co. The filament consists of several parallel oxide-coated wires, all of which are located in one plane so that the plate current will be uniformly distributed. The anode is the funda mental flat plate mounted parallel with the plane of the filament. The grid comprises a fairly open and conventional structure mounted between the filament and plate. The side of the anode facing the grid and filament is coated with Willemite, which shows a bright greenish fluorescence when bombarded with electrons of the plate current. A pronounced and clearly visible glow shows up at all points where the electrons strike, resulting in a definite pattern of the grid on the plate. Plate size is such that the action can be observed by everyone in a room of reasonable size. Either a. c. or d. c. power may be used to heat the filament and to supply voltages for the grid and plate. New Associate Members in Independent Dealer Group Associate memberships in the Independent Theatre Supply Dealers Assoc, have been granted to Wil-Kin Theatre Supply Co., Atlanta; Falls City Dealer Equipment Co., Louisville, and the New England Theatre Equipment Co., of Springfield, Mass. Associate membership is a prelude to full participating membership within a short time. Brazil 3-Dimension Process Three-dimensional motion pictures have been "perfected" by Dr. Sebastiao Comparato, of Sao Paulo, Brazil, according to his own announcement. From the meager details supplied, it appears that the third-dimension effect is accomplished through the use of a special screen, about the size of a standard screen, which is built of copper sheeting mounted on a structural steel frame. This copper surface is first coated with a layer of gelatin, then another layer of absorbent fibrous material is applied which is treated with silver salts. The screen is mounted at the rear of a domeshaped structure made of the same materials. Dr. Comparato explained that the variance in depth of absorption of light rays by the screen gave the effect of depth in the projected image. Apparently no modification is required in either the film or projector, although the sound apparatus had to be changed in minor respects in order to conform with the odd construction of the screen. South Africa Latest To O. K. S.M.P.E. 16 mm. Standards The 16-mm. sound-film standard of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers has been adopted for South Africa by the S. A. Standards Assoc. The American standard was preferred to the German, the report points out, because the British Standards Institution will follow the [22] American and requested its South African affiliate to adopt the same standard. Neumade Prod. Rewinder For Standard 2000-Foot Reels A new rewinder for the standard 2000foot reels, due Sept. 1, has been announced by Neumade Products Corp. of New York. Known as the Neumade Dynamic Rewinder, this unit is made either with a 2y2-to-l or a 4-to-l ratio, having either a two or three-point base. It is equipped with four finest quality precision ball racers and steel-cut gears. The rewind made up for three types of action, namely, the standard-geared end, extension arm brake, or a handle brake. The spindle or reel shaft is equipped with a large reel bumper collar, perfectly balanced throughout. The bearings are the sealed type, packed with grease, and are self-lubricating, the only rewinder made that need not be oiled. These rewinders carry a three year guarantee, and have already been adopted by major producing companies. Color and Recording Advances Cited in SMPE Report (Continued from page 14) the replacement of the four-lens turret by a single lens with bayonet Jock. Outside the camera proper the finder has been arranged to focus and parallax automatically in conjunction with changing the lens focus in follow or followfocus shots. All this mechanism, together with the magazine and motor, and with the exception of the finder and followfocus mechanism, is in an insulated housing, the function of which is to absorb the sound. The operating controls are all on the outside, so that it is necessary to open the outer housing only to thread the camera. All other operations, such as focusing, changing the magnification on the focus tube, changing the filters in the focus tube, the hand dissolve and the automatic dissolve, are all accomplished from the outside. The weight of the whole equipment with 1000 feet of film is 135 pounds, which is considerably lighter than the lightest blimp in use. The camera is adapted to use either the W. E. interlock motors or the regular synchronous motors. Lenses and Shutters. — No exceptional advancements have been made in camera lenses during 1935. A faster series of Speed Panchro lenses (7/1.3, 2^-inch focus) has been put upon the market. Altman has described a revolving panoramic lens that has unusual