International projectionist (Oct 1931-Sept 1933)

24 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST March 1932 NEWS and VIEWS A collection of random thoughts, and some not so random; fact, fancy and opinion pertaining to the projectionist and projection matters. The free-for-all forum. Another Contribution on Film Mutilation THE article on film mutilation which appeared in International Projectionist for February elicited the following interesting comment from James L. Caddigan, a member of Boston Local Union 182 and contact man for Paramount Public Corp. on film mutilation problems : "Another bum print," an expression common in the vocabulary of projectionists, is usually voiced to a brother projectionist whose solution for the situation is summed up in his answer — 'Oh Yeah!' ■ "Dependence is a poor trade to follow and projectionists who rely solely upon the film exchanges to furnish them good prints may find their confidence misplaced. Projectionists are neglecting a great responsibility. Every poor print received in the projection room should be reported immediately to the theatre manager who, in turn, should forward the report to the film exchange in question. The film exchange Inspection Department is in a sense like a dam in that it holds back from the theatres a flood of bad prints. The Inspection Department being a combination of mechanical and human elements, its perfection cannot be guaranteed and occasionally a weak spot develops in its structure. "Hydro-power companies throughout the world keep a constant watch on their source of power (their dam), and an immediate report is made of any sign of weakness. A poor print is a warning of weakness in the structure of the exchange Inspection Department; and unless the exchange receives immediate notice of this condition, a serious leak might develop and flood the theatres with bad prints and bring disaster to the box ofiice and to projectionists. Cooperation with Exchange An idea prevalent among projectionists and managers is that the reporting of poor prints is void of results. This is in error. If the report is addressed to the proper person in the exchange, the sender may be sure it will receive immediate attention. A leak is of no value to anyone and the projectionist should never hesitate to report a poor print, as he may find his neglect to do so a boomerang. Bad reels and damaged film cases — in fact, any agency that tends to cause film mutilation and damage — should be included in these reports. The film exchange is desirous of serving good prints. Theatre and audiences are entitled to them — and with the exchange Inspection Departments and the theatres cooperating, poor prints would soon become a memory. Mr. Corrigan's theme is that old yet ever new one of cooperation. He has done splendid work for Paramount on the film mutilation problem, and his allaround service in the cause of better projection is a credit to Local Union 182. But, we can see no reason for withholding now our oft-repeated statement that "cooperation" is very good as a banquet word but utterly futile when applied to film mutilation problems. Our stand is the same as ever : when and if the leaders in all branches of this industry get together and map out a sensible plan of procedure, and include in this plan a rider fixing a definite penalty for nonobservance, then, and then only, shall we see progress made. These skeptics who doubt the necessity for such action need only make a few inquiries as to the working of the S.R.P. in order to be convinced. Thanks, Mr. Corrigan. Re: Intermittent IN the fifth paragraph of the article "An Improved Method of Removing Intermittent" in your February issue, writes J. M. Rugino, the reference in the third line to S-446-G should have read "C-192-G," and the reference in the following line to G-1346 should have read "G-134-G." I don't know whether or not these are typographical errors, proceeds Attention! HOW many projectionists have acted on the suggestions contained in the item relative to lower insurance rates which appeared in I. P. for February? Investigation has definitely established the fact that working conditions in modern projection rooms warrant a reduction in life insurance rates. If you have not already done so, examine your policies now and make application to the issuing company for a reduced rate. The facilities of I. P. are at the service of any subscriber desiring aid in this matter. Mr. Rugino, but the fact remains that the article is valueless unless these corrections are taken into consideration. For the information of Mr. Rugino and all others who may have pondered on this maze of gears, we should like to state that one error was in his original copy (he wrote the article), and the second error comes right home to our door via a typographical error. A standoff. After re-reading this article, we should like to supplement Mr. Rugino's statement by pointing out the need for making absolutely certain that the "O" on G-12 and the "0" on the flywheel are parallel with each other before insertion. After this has been checked, both these parts are put in together. Mr. McCullough Speaks Up RH. McCULLOUGH, enterprising • director of projection for Fox West Coast Theatres, writes in to say that we show a marked tendency to gloss over the more important (to him), field of sound reproduction and concentrate on "straight projection" topics. He feels that there is much of interest yet to be said about sound reproduction, and goes on to point out that the major difficulties of projectionists today lie with, the sound equipment rather than with the "straight projection" 'equipment. He suggests an earnest effort on our part to establish projectionists' preferences in this respectl Mr. McCullough is bpth right and wrong — after the manner of an organization official who so adeptly blows hot, and cold. He is right in saying that we have neglected sound projection articles; but he is wrong in ascribing the reason therefor. Most of the sound stuff offered to us these days reminds us of the story of Mrs. 0'Leary"s cat which promptly changed color with every rainstorm: the same old cat, yet with a new dress. And so it is with the sound projection hash tendered to us these days. It's just hash — the old bromo offered in a new dress, with a new title and with new subheads. When and if we see something really worth while, it will be printed. Until then — a return to first principles. As for ascertaining our readers' preferences, now that we have tried unsuccessfully for lo! these many years to do just that, we hereby appoint Mr. McCullough a Committee of One to handle the assignment. These 'GoodwilP Parties THE beginning of March marks the end of the social season for most local unions — ^that is, it is the time when all the really "big" parties have been thrown. If we attempted to weather all those parties to which we are invited during the course of one winter, we are cer