International projectionist (Jan 1943-Dec 1944)

IN THE SPOTLIGHT By HARRY SHERMAJS A SALUTE to the Canadian I. A. locals for their untiring efforts to bar women and girls from working in the projection rooms of motion picture theatres. Despite the many attempts made by theatre owners to introduce female projectionists in their theatres, the Canadian unions have steadfastly blocked all efforts to grant them licenses as full-fledged projectionists (or projectionettes). Although in some instances women and girls have been employed as apprentices, their chances of becoming licensed projectionists are very slim indeed. We can understand the anxiety of the exhibitors to place women in their projection rooms, for it would be but a first step toward the breaking down of all gains made by the organized craft during the past years. No, our Canadian brothers are wide awake and on the watch for all subterfuges resorted to by these wily exhibitors. # The establishment of a national school of electronics in connection with the Engineering College of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis., is the result of arrangements recently concluded between the University and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. This school will give free courses in all phases of the electronic arts to qualified members of the I. B. E. W. The first of the eight courses scheduled, each one to last about six weeks, will begin November first and will be in charge of two union instructors. Each local union is expected to send at least one member to the school, paying for his transportation and keep while there. This member will be trained as an instructor in the rudiments of electronics and upon his return to his local will organize and conduct classes for the other members. It is expected that these courses will cost the International office about $30,000 per year, in return for which the membership will be prepared to branch out into other fields upon which the union has long cast covetous eyes. # We received a very interesting letter from Ralph Ruben, son of the late Max Ruben, former business agent of Local No. 199, Detroit, Mich. Ralph is now serving as an army projectionist with our forces overseas, and he writes that his work is not in the line of amusement but is a very important contribution to the war effort. His working partners Frederick T. Perron, Lisbon, N. H., and Johnny Evans, Columbus, Ga., were projectionists in civilian life and are a couple of the very few really competent projectionists in service. Ralph writes that the projection room he works in is well equipped, well ventilated and quite roomy. The men work an eight-hour shift, three men to a shift. Young Ruben visited these offices shortly before leaving this country and looking at him took us back many, many years — more than we care to admit. As a matter of fact, when we first made his acquaintance he was but a "twinkle in his father's eye." O Congratulations to our working partner at the Paramount Theatre, Joseph V. McCarthy, on the birth of his first child — a boy weighing 7% pounds. Joe is doing very nicely, thank you. O Father Robert A. Boelcke, head of the Science Department of St. Mary's College, North East, Penna., paid us a visit several weeks ago. We had a most interesting talk with Father Boeleke who is very much interested in the art of projection, having dabbled in it since 1916, and is a first-class projectionist in his own right. We invited Father Boelcke to the projection room of the Paramount Theatre and he was very much impressed with the equipment on hand, cleanliness and ATTENDING THE RECENT CONVENTION OF THE NEW YORK STATE PROJECTIONISTS' ASSOCIATION The Projectionist Staff of U. S. N. T. C, Sampson, N. Y., left to right: P. T. Rossomondo, E. M. 1/c (L. V. 376); Sidney Siegel, E. M. 3/c (L. V. 306); Moe Schuchman, S. 2/c (L. V. 306); J. Spanier, F. 2/c (L. V. 306); H. Diechman, E. M. 2/c; Childs, S. 2/c; S. Salvino, S. 2/c (L. V. 306); R. G. Y eager, S. 2/c; H. Whirlley, E. M. 3/c (L. U. 353); S. Quinn, S. 2/c; Shannon, S. 2/c; A. Imperati, E. M. 3/c (L. U. 306). In the background, wearing a gob cap but betrayed by his civie tie, can be seen Morris Kravitz, L. U. 306 business agent, and in the center is I. P.'s Harry Sherman. Top row, left to right: /. P.'s Harry Sherman; Glenn Humphrey, L. V. 337, Syracuse, N. Y.; P. A. McGuire, International Projector Corp. Bottom row, left to right: James J. Brennan, 4th I. A. vice-president; Chas. F. Wheeler, L. U. 108, Geneva, N. Y., and D. F. Harrington, L. V. 592, Saratoga Springs, N. Y. 18 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST