International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1939)

7/f)//ef/nof//o/na// OJECTIONISl With Which is Combined PROJECTION ENGINEERING Edited by James J. Finn Volume 14 FEBRUARY 1939 Number 2 Index and Monthly Chat 5 The Language of Lighting .... 15 An Analysis of Brush Operation on Commutating Equipment National Carbon Company 7 Projectionist + Serviceman = A Star Show Business Team . . Leroy Chadbourne 16 Try These Canadian License Ex amination Questions 10 The Zeiss Ikon Stereoscopic Some Television Problems from Motion Picture Process .... 18 the Motion Picture Stand Z. I. Technical Bureau point 11 G. L. Beers, E. W. Engstrom News Notes and I. G. Maloff Fifth Subscription Contest Dia Technical Hints gram; Many Winners on Broadcast Amplifier 14 Miscellaneous Items Published Monthly by JAMES J. FINN PUBLISHING CORPORATION 580 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y. Circulation Manager, Ruth Entracht Subscription Representatives Australia: McGills, 183 Elizabeth St., Melbourne New Zealand: Te Aro Book Depot, Ltd., 64 Courtenay Place Wellington England and Dominions: Wm. Dawson & Sons, Ltd., Pilgrim St., London, E. C. 4. Yearly Subscription: United States and possessions, $2 (two years, $3) ; Canada and foreign countries, $2.50. Single copies, 25 cents. Changes of address should be submitted two weeks in advance of publication date to insure receipt of current issue. Entered as second-class matter February 8, 1932, at the Post Office at New York, N. Y. under the act of March 3, 1879. Contents copyrighted 1939 by James J. Finn Publishing Corp. International Projectionist is not responsible for personal opinions appearing in signed articles in its columns. Monthly Chat RELIABLE estimates place the number of theatres still using low-intensity projection at about 8,000. Granting that this figure is correct, indictments are in order for both the merchandisers and the ultimate users of the Suprex arc. Equipment distributors report that the cost of two lamps plus conversion units represents a sum which most small theatres are unable or unwilhng to expend. Exhibitors add still another objection, that relating to increased operating costs for Suprex over l.-i. equipment, their contention being that the advertised "'few cents per hour" extra cost actually may run as high as ten cents. This matter of operating costs merits examination by some impartial group — and the basis for such investigation should be not the minimum but the ideal operating conditions. Whatever the reason for the failure of Suprex to make a deeper dent in the exhibition field, it is an industry disgrace that 8,000 theatres catering to the largest number of steady moviegoers are offering projection the result of which is highly unsatisfactory with black-andwhite prints and positively horrific with color prints. Incidentally, we notice in our travels that many Suprex arcs are being operated far above approved ratings. About 48 amps, for the smaller and about 60 amps, for the larger trims are the correct figures. We've seen these figures exceeded by more than 10 amperes — all to no purpose other than the waste of juice and carbons. OUR presentation over the past few months of copious data relative to the present status of television seems to have cooled many a projectionist brow that has been highly feverish as a result of foreseeing the passing suddenly of the motion picture theatre. Not that any attempt was, or will be, made to minimize the probable unfavorable effect of television upon the exhibition field; not at all. But the facts as set forth herein did serve to dispel in great measure the widely-held view that "television just around the corner" constituted a death warrant for the film exhibition field within a very few months. That television is a potential formidable competitor for the motion picture theatre there can be not the slightest doubt (although it seems likely that the studios will be busier than ever providing network product) ; yet the exhibition field can do much to improve its present position and thereby minimize the ill effects of television competition if it will only take the necessary steps. Meanwhile it is again in order to warn projectionists against the numerous television "schools" which are sprouting all over the country. Those men who know their sound-picture stuff should have no difficulty in grasping the what, how and why of television when the proper time arrives. That time assuredly is not yet. FEBRUARY 1939