International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1936)

24 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST July 1936 wise applies to their so-called HI type of high-intensity arc spot, which is especially valuable in color photography and is finding a place in black-and-white photography also because of the reasons mentioned above. Their 120-ampere spot has an intensity equivalent to that of the 24inch Sun arc; and their 150ampere spot is claimed to equal the 36inch Sun arc in intensity. In both lamps the beam may be varied from parallel to a 44-degree angle. Color Movies Forge Ahead Color. — The revived interest in color processes noted in 1934 continued throughout 1935, stimulated no doubt by the introduction of the Kodachrome process previously mentioned. The first three-color, feature-length motion picture was released in June, 1935. It was entitled Becky Sharp, and was made by the Technicolor imbibition process. The picture was made entirely by artificial light; but a second feature, Trail of the Lonesome Pine, released in the Spring of 1936, was made almost exclusively outdoors. Technicolor made great advances with their three-color process, with pictures now showing or in production that will no doubt revive color interest in the industry. Good definition, depth of focus, and a conservation of color values make the process the only practical one to date in the 35-mm. field. Color. — The outstanding event in the amateur motion picture world during 1935 was represented by the introduction of the Kodachrome Process by Eastman Kodak Co. This is a process of amateur cinematography in colors. It is a threecolor subtractive process, the dyed images being incorporated in coatings upon one side of the film. It has an advantage over earlier amateur motion picture color processes in that the image is not broken into small units by screen elements or lenticular embossings. In the Kodachrome Process the film is coated upon one side with five layers. Next to the support is a red-sensitive emulsion; upon this, a layer of gelatin; then, a green-sensitive emulsion; then, another layer of gelatin; and upon the top, a coating of blue-sensitive emulsion. The upper layer carries a yellow screening dye to prevent the blue light from reaching to the two lower emulsions. The film is exposed in any 16-mm. camera at approximately one stop larger than used for black-and-white pictures, without filters or other attachments, and can be run interchangeably with black-andwhite film without any appreciable loss in screen brightness. In processing, the images are developed by a reversal process which converts them into positive dye images that are complementary in color to the spectral regions to which the layers respond. Processing can be done only in the Eastman Kodak stations. The film is supplied in 50 and 100-ft. spools, and in magazines, and in 16-mm. width only. Sound Recording Advances The past year has been marked by a renewed interest in improving both sound recording and reproduction. The invalidation of the Tri-Ergon patents by the U. S. Supreme Court opened the way for intensive development of sound equipment which had been barfed previously by the claims of these patents. A demonstration of push-pull, variable-density recording was given by Douglas Shearer, of the M-G-M Studios. The sound was projected with the Fletcher two-way ,horn system previously mentioned. M-G-M used the pushpull method for all original recording at the studio during the past year, rerecording to standard width track for the release prints. Recording Equipment — RCA made several improvements in their studio recording equipment during 1935. A lightmodulating system was produced and installed in several studios which utilized a beam of light only 1/6 of a mil. thick for exposing the film. An improvement in the efficiency of the optical system and a new recording lamp made it possible to realize the increase in highfrequency response and the reduction in distortion. The recorders are equipped with apertures for either push-pull or single-track recording. Reproducing Equipment. — Continued progress was noted in improvements in sound reproducing systems, attention being given to the film motion and to extending the frequency range of reproduction by the introduction of novel horn designs. Erpi lias announced a new high-quality reproducer set which forms part of a low-priced system recently announced, and has been designed with particular attention to the requirements of the small theatre, high quality, economy, and simplicity being emphasized. The type 209 reproducer set, as it is designated, may be attached to the picture projector with unusual ease, as all gears or other forms of drive have been eliminated between the picture mechanism and the sound reproducer. This avoids difficult alignment problems and "shimming." Sprockets are not required in the reproducer set, as the film is propelled only by the sprockets of the projector mechanism. The new "Kinetic Scanner" controls the film motion and prevents flutter. The scanning system includes a prefocusedbase exciter lamp, a high-efficiency optical system, and a p.e. cell of greatly increased sensitivity. A special transformer is included for connecting the reproducer set to the system main am Clayton Quality Products • Clayton even tension take-ups are made for all projectors and sound equipments. • Also the maker of the Clayton combination even tension winder and brake. CLAYTON PRODUCTS CO. 31-45 Tibbett Avenue New York, N. Y. For Perfect Projection REFLECTORS and CONDENSERS EXTRA HEAT-RESISTING FSC condensers are ground and highly polished to precision accuracy in curvature and focus. They will not discolor. Made of Pyrex type glass to withstand the heat. FSC reflectors are accurately made for correct focus, individually tested before shipment, and protected by a I heat-resisting backing that is non peeling. All FSC quality optical goods are, of course, guaranteed to give satisfactory performance. See your dealer about the FSC service on resilvering and repolish ing reflectors and condensers. FISH-SCHURMAN CORPORATION 230 East 45th Street New York N. Y.