International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1950)

©C1B 227822 A <M 13 &l INTERNATIONAL _r \« RQPECTIONISI With Which Is Combined Projection Engineering HENRY B. SELLWOOD, Editor Volume 25 JANUARY 1950 Index and Monthly Chat 3 The 35-mm Projection Positive Film, III 7 Robert A. Mitchell Air Cooling of Motion Picture Film for Higher Screen Illumination 9 F. J. Kolb Theater Television: What, How and When (Concluded) .... 13 John Evans McCoy Harry P. Warner Looking Back — To the Future 15 "Language of Lighting" Magnetic Recording Now Ready for Standard Projectors .... 17 In the Spotlight 18 Harry Sherman IA Elections 20 Letters to the Editor 21 Sapphire Inserts to Reduce Projector Wear; IP's Views .... 21 Presenting: Morris J. Rotker . . 22 "Bargain" Film-Fire Misinformation 24 Richard D. Marks News Projections 26 Technical Hints Miscellaneous Items Published Monthly by INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST PUBLISHING CO.. INC. 19 West 44 Street, New York 18, N. Y. Telephone: MUrray Hill 2-2948 R. A. ENTRACHT, Publisher SUBSCRIPTION REPRESENTATIVES AUSTRALIA: McGills, 183 Elizabeth St., Melbourne NEW ZEALAND: Te Aro Book Depot, Ltd., 64 Courtenay Place, Wellington ENGLAND and DOMINIONS: Wm. Dawson & Sons, Ltd., Macklin St., London, W. C. 2 Yearly Subscription: United States and possessions, $2.50 (two years, $4) ; Canada and foreign countries, $3; single copies, 30 cents. Changes of address should be submitted two weeks in advance of publication date to insure receipt of current issue. Entered as second class matter February 8, 1932, at the Post Office"' at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Entire contents copyrighted 1950 by International Projectionist Publishing Co., Inc. International Projectionist is'not responsible for personal opinions appearing in signed articles in its columns. MONTHLY CHAT D A review of technological developments and other happenings in projection and allied fields during 1949. Number 1 J JUST one year ago in this column ap peared the following statement: "If the film industry is to continue as a healthy economic organism, it seems certain that the life-giving energy must flow from its technicians. . . . Three-dimensional pictures, stereophonic sound, and greatly improved color are but three of the advances long promised by the film industry; but it begins to look as though the Big Brass have become very coy about putting money into technological developments on behalf of an industry which, while the source of their opulence and personal power, might possibly be ill for a bit of rough going." Just how prophetic were these words is all too apparent a year later — and this despite the fact that while the aforementioned three technical advances have been available for not one but several years, no move was made to utilize them to bolster the sagging box-office. This much having been said, we may proceed to review the year's happenings in chronological order, as culled from I he pages of IP. January: Eased into its grave was the concave screen. This product of muddled technical thinking and smart promotion died a natural death after IP. alone of any publication in the field, exposed its deficiencies, the while other papers were shouting hosannahs in its favor. February: Announcement was made of the new Motiograph-Hall arc lamp. This high-intensity unit, rated at 75-115 amperes, employs a rotating arc and a 16inch reflector. . . . The first pension payment under the Local 110 welfare plan was made. This plan is the first of its kind in theatrical labor history. . . . P. A. (Better Projection Pays) McGuire was tendered a testimonial dinner by the 25-30 Club. The SMPE issued a 28-page booklet which, in outlining the status of Tv, warned the industry that the time to act was now. ... A comprehensive survey disclosed that among Tv set owners movie theater attendance dropped 25%. March: IP published an article on "matched" projection optics which created a furor and precipitated a controversial exchange of views among technicians on both sides of the Atlantic which was to last for months. . . . Altec-Lansing demonstrated its Mini-Mike which, no larger than a stack of six dimes, won technical approval. . . . National Carbon Co. released data on its uncoated 9-mm high-intensity carbon, which at 80% side-to-center screen light distribution produced 15.400 lumens (no film, shutter (■v filters used) . April: IP received reports from several (Continued on page 29) m INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST January 1950