International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1946)

INDUSTRY'S SAFETY PROGRAM {Continued from page 24) extend from the top down and the bottom up. The key man, however, is the foreman or supervisor, the man who is actually responsible for a comparatively small group of men. He can observe them at their daily task, and by education and close supervision keep them from injuring themselves or their fellow-workmen. Safety engineers know that a high percentage — estimates run as high as 90% — of accidents are caused by carelessness. As indicated previously, people need not so much to be told as to be reminded. The foreman is the man who by a word here and there can keep his men reminded and prevent accidents with their resultant suffering. Throughout our industry we have set up intelligent safeguards. The human element is our chief danger. Every man in the industry, whether he knows it or not, is a link in the chain. It is up to him individually to do his part. The motion picture industry has a tradition of intelligent, comprehensive and cooperative safety endeavor, of which we may well be proud. Carry on! BOOKS RECEIVED OKAY FOR SOUND! edited by Frederick M. Thrasher. 303 pp., profusely illustrated, buckram binding, 8% x 11. Duell, Sloan and Pearce, New York; $3.75. This ambitious effort attempts to tell the story of how the motion picture found its voice. Profusely illustrated, "Okay for Sound!" places heavy reliance upon the picture-caption technique to get its message across — which, after all, is not such a bad idea considering the subject matter. One cannot escape the impression that this book is a panegyric for the brothers Warner, tied in somehow with the current observance of the 20th anniversary of sound pictures. Practically all the stills used are from the Warner file, and a great deal of the copy is devoted to the WarnerWestern Electric fusion. Important contributions these two companies did make to sound pictures, of course, but the truth of the matter is that many minds and many hands, not accorded mention herein, contributed mightily to the development of the sound recording and reproduction art. For example, the now familiar myths anent Edison's contribution to the making and the projection of silent movies, no less than his fancied chores in the sound-on-film field, are repeated herein. Vastly more important was the work of men such as Eugene Lauste, Louis Le Prince, W. K. Laurie Dickson and, last but certainly not least, Lee DeForest. The work done on the contributions of these men, while important, was strictly of a refining nature. The Warner brothers certainly displayed both nerve and verve when they pushed through the Vitaphone development 20 years ago, but it is a well-known fact that it was either swim with Vitaphone or sink with the Warner silent films of that era. Apart from the aforementioned inadequacies, "Okay for Sound!" represents a mildly interesting commentary on the progressive development of motion pictures from their early beginning down to and through the sound-picture phase to the training films of the war years and the documentary, industrial and educational pictures of today. But one shouldn't confuse this contribution to the literature of the art with history — not because of what it contains so much as for that which it omits. Order Your Copy of Projectionists ' $3oo SERVICE MANUAL BAUSCH & LOMB OPTICAL SYSTEMS for More Effective Presentation of Sound Motion Pictures TO HELP increase audience appreciation of sound motion pictures, Bausch & Lomb makes available a wide selection of lenses and optical systems. B&L camera lenses, optical systems used in sound recordings and reproduction, projection lenses, condensing systems, and reflectors incorporate the newest developments in optical science. A typical example of B&L research and skill in precision optics for motion pictures is the Super Cinephor /:2.0 projection lens. Balcote surfaced, it gives maximum brilliance, contrast, and definition on the screen. Offers a 70% total gain in speed over the previous series when used with an illuminant of sufficient angular aperture. Focal lengths from 2" to 5 ' in y4" stops. BAUSCH & LOMB Whatever your projector, filming, or recording optical require establish e d 1853 ments, consult Bausch & Lomb. Bausch & Lomb Optical Company, 616-9 St. Paul Street, Rochester 2, New York. INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST • September, 1946 29