International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1939)

particularly on problems arising in the case of school children who have impaired hearing and demonstrates the correct procedure for discovering hearing deficiencies by means of audiometric test. Included in this film is an interesting animated sequence which demonstrates clearly how the human auditory system functions. The film is available to theatres without charge. A Layman's View of Television Programs' Worth NOTE: The appended statement was contained in a letter by one W . E. MUSSETT to the editor of the N. Y. Times. The article in The New York Times Magazine of Oct. 1 "Television From Backstage" proved interesting and informative. In fact, The Times has kept its readers excellently informed on the progress of television ever since the beginning of this industry. The "vicious circle" type of reasoning cited by Mr. Schwarz — evidently it is widespread — should be punctured. The first premise is, "We can't sell sets because we haven't enough good programs." Instead it should read, "We can't sell sets because they're too costly." And by too costly I mean that television receivers are liable to rapid mechanical improvement, thus making their purchase something of a speculation. Also, in proportion to the cost, the quality of programs is hardly high enough and their quantity is too small. Comparative Merits of Media "We can't get enough good programs because there aren't any advertisers to pay for them." In answer *to this second premise Mr. Schwarz quotes a television program director. Although this man's answer is true, it isn't enough. There's still the question of whether advertisers will bother to use television for many years. It will prove difficult to prepare and present a television advertising message. Besides this, there is the question of how effective this medium will be in comparison with other media. If, for example, the complete cost of a 15-minute television program were equal to that of a 15-minute radio broadcast, could the advertiser be certain that the* impression made on his audience by his television commercial would be as deep as that of his radio commercial? Here is a question for psychological research. WARNER 'SOUND TRANSMITTER' Warner Bros, studio technicians have invented an "invisible sound transmitter" which enables a player to hear music, cues and instructions which must not figure in the completed picture. Sound of any sort is sent into an offscene microphone and is conveyed to the actor through a tiny bone conductor attached to his spine under his clothing. In turn, the bone transmits the sound to him. It permits transmission of inspirational music to the player in a highly emotional sequence as in pre-sound era. N. T. S.'s NEW P. A. LINE National Theatre Supply Co. has a new exclusive line of public address systems developed by Radio Development and Research Corp. It will be the first such line to be sold with an unqualified 1-year guarantee and installation supervision by PROJECTION FORECAST Clear and Sharp B&L Super-Cinephors, the first true anastigmatic projection lenses, are fully corrected for color. No matter how large the screen you use, whether the film you are showing is black-and-white or color, pictures will be clear and sharp from center to edge when they are projected through a SuperCinephor. And with screened pictures like that, box office prospects will always be brighter. One new patron a day pays for a Super-Cinephor in a year. BAUSCH & LOMB OPTICAL CO., 616 ST. PAUL ST., ROCHESTER, N. Y. BAUSCH & LOMB SUPER-CINEPHOR Altec. The line ranges from a portable system rated at 8 watts to sell for $79.50 to a de luxe theatre type with an undistorted output of 35 watts listing at Any part of the basic systems may be re-adapted and combined to take care of any special installations. A manual giving technical and other data is now in preparation. FILM FREIGHT SHIPMENTS Recent ruling of the I.C.C. permitting motion picture film to be sent by freight will save many thousands of dollars yearly in shipping prints to exchanges. New ruling went into effect Dec. 6. It is estimated that from |150 to can be saved in sending prints from the laboratories to the distributors' branches in key cities, although time in transit will be 10 days from Coast to Coast compared with four days by railway express. Advantage can be realized only when there is no great rush in getting prints to exchanges. Railway express can transport films almost as quickly as the fastest passenger trains. EXCHANGE WORKERS PACT Increases granted recently to the exchange employes union members throughout the country provide for a head inspectress where three or more inspectresses are employed, with a minimum of $18.50 per week for all inspectresses. Where two or more shippers are em DECEMBER 1939 27