International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1948)

National Carbon Color Film on Arc For Projectionist Union Showing CARBON arc projection of motion pictures has been the topic of literally tons of literature in numerous languages, of a mountain of illustrative material and of countless hours of discussion; but it remained for National Carbon Co. to do a sort of double-take and come up with a graphical presentation of the anatomy and behavior characteristics of the carbon arc that communicates more basic information anent the art than could a hundred symposiums. Conceived, produced and edited especially for motion picture projectionists, among whom it will be distributed free of charge, the National Carbon Co. effort is a 16-minute motion picture, entitled "Carbon Arc Projection," filmed in gorgeous Technicolor and which, quite apart from the fact that its content is of such absorbing interest, stands as one of the finest color productions ever made. It is believed that this picture includes the first motion pictures ever made of the high-intensity arc in operation. Live Action, Animation Combined The picture is divided into three main parts of about equal duration. First there is a diagrammatic explanation of the mirror and the condenser optical systems predominantly used at the present time in motion picture projection. Next there is shown a live-action and animated sequence of the operating principles involved and the methods used in measuring the brightness characteristics of the carbon arc. The third section portrays the nature of light itself, and particularly the necessity for a light of the proper color balance for use with color film. This section ends the picture with a unique and color demonstration of the quality of light from the high-intensity arc. Live action and animation are about equally divided in this film, which is available in both 35 and 16-mm prints. Under no c'rcumstances should either size print be projected with anything but a carbon arc, because the color balance is so finely attuned and so demanding of a perfect light source to bring out its delicately-wrought shadings as to render impotent any light source other than a carbon arc. There has been to date no graphical interpretat'on through means of the motion picture of the relationship of the carbon arc to the optics of motion picture projection, nor of the arc's singular position in the broad science of light, sight and color. Since the project on light source is the primary factor in producing a bright and colorful screen, a motion picture is the ideal medium for this subject, since by its use brightness itself can be used to describe br'ghtness and color itself can be employed to describe color. So expertly contrived and beautifully executed is this film that it evoked gasps of surprise and appreciation from the group of seasoned technicians, all of whom have been viewing with a critical eye all sorts of motion pictures through the years, which was assembled for the premiere showing in New York. Although this film was made primarily for the benefit of projectionists and other workers in the art, its superb presentation of basic information makes it a certainty that it will enjoy wide distribution in many other fields, notably among scientific groups and in hundreds of schools and colleges. A Masterful Color Production IP regards this film as a masterpiece of its kind and it urges every projectionist group to immediately arrange for showing it to its members. National Carbon Co. will not only supply a print of this film free of charge to any Local Union requesting same, but wherever a large group showing before the member To Book National Carbon Film 'Carbon Arc Projection' Requests for prints of this film will be considered in the order of their receipt. Address Erwin Geib, National Carbon Co., P. O. Box 6087, Cleveland, Ohio, specifying number of viewers expected at showing and whether it is for more than one Local in a given area. ships of several Locals can be arranged it will bend every effort to provide one of its field engineers to supply background data and elaborate on any phase of the presentation. National Carbon Co. will spare no effort to obtain the widest possible circulation of this film among projectionist groups, and it is to be hoped that these organizations will cooperate in such fashion as to justify the really titanic effort that went into the preparation of this motion picture. The craft is indebted to National Carbon Co. for this enterprise, and National asks in return only the opportunity to screen it for every projectionist in the land. Canada's 1650 Theatres See Tax Cut Aiding B-O; '47 Profits Up At the beginning of 1948 there were 1606 motion picture theatres in Canada, 113 more than a year previous, with about 100 film theatres now building. Famous Players Canadian Corp. is building 18 theatres and is also engaged in an extensive modernization program, one of the largest replacement items being new soundprojection equipment from the U.S.A. No difficulty in acquiring this equipment is being had. This chain's profit in 1947 set an all-time high of $3,150,000 after all charges and taxes, which was $320,000 over 1946. Odeon Theatres, the J. A. Rank chain, opened 5 new theatres in 1947, and 4 more have been added thus far during 1948. This year's end will see 10 additional new units opened, giving Odeon 19 of the "most modern theatres in America". Odeon now owns 107 theatres in Canada and books 31 others. E. H. Amer, Chicago Film Pioneer, Dies Edward Hill Amet, 87, a partner of George K. Spoor in the early movie days in Chicago, is dead. He helped found the old Essannay Studios in Chicago, from where many players went on to Hollywood. Three types of carbon arcs which are most commonly used in American projection rooms: (left) high-intensity, d-c, con densertype arc with rotating positive carbon; (upper right) high-intensity Suprex a-c arc; (lower right) highintensity Suprex d-c arc. Both the latter arcs have non-rotating positives and use mirror reflectors. ]8 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST October 1948