International projectionist (Jan 1943-Dec 1944)

may be encountered. The film is not going to warp or buckle in the same way or magnitude throughout its entire length. It will be worse at some points than at others, so we may say that the sound will be modulated by such a film and it will not be a desired modulation. Therefore it will be well nigh impossible to position such a film so that good quality will be obtained throughout. You may say that the above applies only to badly warped or buckled film and that the film is positively guided at the scanning point. That is true but, after all, badly buckled film may occasionally be encountered after it has been run in houses not having up-to-date equipment. There also are instances on record where such film actually has forced open the guide roller or sound gate and so displaced itself. In fact, it not only forced the roller open, but actually has "jumped the track," so to speak. If the film happens to jump off a sprocket serious trouble might be encountered. The only cure for a warped or buckled print is to obtain another one. Cracks in films, in general, are the result of rough handling. Films are not designed to be bent sharply, creased or kinked. If this happens only once the film definitely is weakened although it may not appear so to a casual observer. That is why we previously recommended the careful examination of any film that has been piled up in the projector for any reason. A good splice is much better than a weak film, so any such points should be cut and spliced. Evidence of creases or kinks occasionally may be found in film just received in the theatre, so in making up the show careful examination of the film may save trouble later on. To get down to cases let us see how film damage may occur during the normal course of events after it is received from the exchange. First we have the making up of the show which involves rewinding and splicing. Theatre reels should be kept clean; that is, free from dust, grit and oil. We already have gone into the necessity for using only straight reels. In the rewinding, a uniform tension should be kept on the film. Otherwise, as the reel is wound there will be loose and tight spots which will tend to equalize themselves, which means that one layer of film will slide over the other. Even though the film is carefully cleaned to remove oil and dust particles, a certain amount will remain and the sliding of the film will produce scratches. These scratches should be small, but on the sound track may lower the quality. Then the film is threaded in the projector and soundhead. Here many things can happen. If the upper magazine fire rollers and the upper feed sprocket and pad roller are dirty or clogged with emulsion we have the possibility of more scratches on the film in addition to torn edges or sprocket holes. The upper loop should not be too long or the slapping action against the upper part of the projector also may add to your scratches, and crack the film if it is old. You also may find that your fire shutter has dropped. The film slides through the picture gate with suitable guides, guide rollers and the guiding action ot the intermittent sprocket. The frames and sound track are not in contact with any of the metallic surfaces if the gate and sprocket are clean. But suppose it is full of emulsion or a small piece of film has lodged in the gate? The film then may break or be deflected from its normal path so that it actually rubs against one side of the gate. Here we have more scratches in the making. Film Damage in Soundhead The lower loop between the intermittent and the lower feed sprocket again must not be any longer than required for proper operation or scratching and possible film cracking may occur. When the WE 211 type Reproducer Set is used a long loop may cause an unnatural bend of the film as it enters the film chute. With the WE Universal Base a film chute is also employed. Here the rollers tend to equalize the loop, but they must be kept clean or the same old troubles will appear. In the soundhead itself we may encounter either the rotary stabilizer or the fixed gate type. In the rotary stabilizer type, a dirty felt roller on the guide roller assembly will scratch the picture. Remember that the felt roller rotates by virtue of the film being pulled between it and the stabilizer drum. It therefore rotates only by virtue ot friction and so there is slippage. In the fixed gated type, the film slides between guides and tension shoes. The picture and the sound track do not normally touch the metallic surfaces, but the same precautions should be exercised as in the case of the picture gate above. The sound and holdback sprockets in the soundhead may be the source of the same sort of troubles as the sprockets in the projector. The operation of the takeup is extremely important. It must be smooth in action and have sufficient tension to take up the largest reel of film used in the theatre. But if the tension is too great more than normal strain is placed on the film and the sprocket holes, the result being torn sprocket holes or maybe a torn film. Here again cleanliness is important. A dirty takeup cannot be expected to function smoothly; on the other hand, its operation probably will be jerky, which adds a very unnatural strain to the film. If it seems that the picture portrayed above precludes the possibility of ever being able to run a film again after it has once been through a projector, this was far from the intention of the writer. (Continued on page 18) Walter Green Urges Strict Compliance With WPB Regulations THE need for one hundred per cent cooperation with the regulations ot the War Production Board was stressed by Walter E. Green, president of National Theatre Supply, division of National-Simplex-Bludworth, Inc., in an address at the annual meeting of the Allied Theatre Owners of New Jersey. The appointment of A. G. Smith as Chief of the Amusement Section, Service Equipment Division of the WPB, and Lester B. Isaac as Special Industrial Consultant to the Amusement Section was highly commended by Mr. Green. ''The fine reputation of these two gentlemen," he said, "and their long and varied experience in this field is an assurance that regulations which affect all of us will be made and put into operation without fear or favor, that they will give a broadminded consideration of the greatest good for the greatest number. Confidence in such men gives valuable support to our government at a time when it is greatly needed. "Time after time," continued Mr. Green, "theatre operation is dependent upon some small part, which we are able to supply, but can only do so provided formalities preliminary to obtaining that part as outlined by the government are fully complied with. Not to conform with what may appear on the surface to be seemingly unimportant regulation, causes delays and unnecessary embarrassment. If the regulation or restriction works a hardship, instead of ignoring it or failing to obey it, we ought to take immediate steps to correct it. But just so long as it is on the books and is known to everyone, strict compliance saves time and money. "The job of WPB and its desire is to help you by regulation, not hurt you by unwise restrictions. The situation as applying to supplies and equipment parts is better and in my judgment will continue to improve." JULY 1943 17