International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1947)

Prefab Theatre Projection Setup Novel Crest Theatre (Long Beach, Calif.) Tops in Design, Facilities THE Crest Theatre in Long Beach, Calif, is one of the first prefabricated theatres to be erected in the world. All of the units above the foundation are prefabricated. The projection room walls, partitions and ceiling are constructed of gypsum panels which are bolted in place and are of tongue-andgroove nature. Fiberglas is used to insulate the ceiling for noise absorption. The gypsum panels are 3 inches thick and have a 4-hour fire rating. The projection room is 12 feet deep 24 feet wide, with an 8V2-foot ceiling height. The equipment consists of two projectors, including E-7 mechanisms, Super Simplex bases, Magnarc projector lamps, special preview equipment, Brenograph effect projector and spotlamp equipment. The rewind bench accommodates a motor rewind and hand rewinds, also 22 film compartments with fluorescent lighting illumination above the compartments. There is sufficient storage space in this film rewind bench for tools, carbons, etc. In cities where rewinding is not permitted in the projection room, ample space has been provided adjacent to the projection room for this purpose. The projection room is located at the rear of the stadium section, with easily acces By R. H. McCULLOUGH Fox West Coast Theatres Design Engineer, Crest Theatre sible entrance and exit. A film elevator has been installed and is motor-operated to carry films from the first floor to the projection room., Switching Control Panels There are three switching control panels with full control over all house lighting, dimmer controls, switches for projector motors, dousers, stage curtains, rectifiers and effect machines. Three control panels are interconnected to a gutter, which includes the sound equipment wiring and also D.C. wiring for the projector arcs and effect projectors. All circuits which control the projectors and sound equipment are plugged in on the front wall panel. The entire front wall electrical panel is prefabricated and is merely set in place and connected to the main terminals. No fuses a e used in any part of the theatre or projection room, circuit breakers being used instead. The dimmers for the house lighting and curtain lighting are re motely controlled and are motor operated. Crest projection room, 12 ft. deep by 24 ft. wide, includes Simplex E-7 projectors, Super bases, Magnarc lamps. Simplex sound system (150 watts output), Brenograph effect machine, spotlight, and a separate p. a. system. Note rewind bench with recessed film cabinets illuminated directly above. Fiberglas ceiling is 8 ft, 6 in. high. Room is absolutely noiseproof, air conditioned, and has separate heating system. Projector circuits are plugged to prefabricated front wall panel. Lamps separately ventilated, with room having separate exhaust with outside air intake. Portable ceiling work light between projectors. Huff Orthoscope lens system and port glass. The 4-Star Simplex sound equipment has 150 watts output, with a link circuit connected to a fader control in the auditorium. The sound equipment has dual amplification to take care of any emergency which may arise in any one of the amplifiers. A specially built public address system has been installed with a two-way microphone hookup between the stage and the projection room. Propector ports are equipped with Huff optical glass, which eliminates reflection to a great extent. The projector ports are 10 x 10 inches in size, with the observation ports 12 x 15 inches. The throw from the projectors to the projection screen is 135 feet, with a 23foot picture, and the angle of projection is approximately 4 degrees. Heating, Ventilating System The projection room has a special heating and ventilating system, including refrigeration. A special exhaust system has been provided for the projector lamps independent of the main room exhaust system. The intake of fresh air has been estimated acurately to provide fresh air to this projection room ;i! all times. The fire equipment consists of two C-0 and four Pyrene fire extinguishers. Fire shutters are controlled by fusible links at the top of each magazine, and by a manual link at each entrance ai?d exit door. D.C. supply is provided by a new type rugged, dry-disc magnesium copper sulphide rectifier1, which is capable of withstanding shocks, vibrations, momentary overloads and line surges, and has superior ability to withstand high temperatures. This new type rectifier is a McColpin-Christie and has a 3-phase, full-wave bridge circuit, with 6-phase full rectification which gives a smooth D.C. output with negligible ripple. The D.C. output can be adjusted by a knob which operates a rotary tap switch connected in the primary transformer circuit. There is a magnetic contactor with overload protection and also thermal protection against overheating. There are four of these rectifiers in use, one ^'A 6-Phase, Full-Wave Rectifier"; I. P. for Dec., 1946, p. 16. 10 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST March 1947