International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1951)

Industry Blasts FCC Ruling on Films, Talent for Tv New woes on the Tv front were piled on the film industry during the month via the pronouncement by the FCC that film companies may be barred from Tv and radio station ownership unless they make films, stories and talent available to existing Tv broadcasters. The general feeling in the industry was that the FCC had over-extended itself by an unprecedented usurpation of authority. The general attitude of the film indus try was perhaps best expressed by Abram F. Myers, board chairman and general counsel of Allied States exhibitor association. Said he: Typical Exhibitor Reaction "The report gives the impression that the commission, moved by some undisclosed impulse, hurled a rock at the film companies, but it struck the exhibitors. When a picture is shown on Tv, its ANSWER TO YOUR TECHNICAL PROBLEMS... ■■'■'■■■■& fl^HSnil^l i MM The Altec Service Man and the organization behind him The :^B Altec AITFP Service '^■V ALI lU Man 161 Sixth Avenue, New York 13, N. Y. PROTECTING THE THEATRE FIRST PLACE IN ENTERTAINMENT CLAYTON BALL-BEARING EVEN TENSION TAKE-UPS For all projectors and sound equipments All take-up* wind film on 2, 4 and 5 inch hub reels. Silent Chain Drives THE CLAYTON REWINDER For perfect rewinding on 2000-foot reels. CLAYTON PRODUCTS CO. 31-45 Tibbett Avenue New York 63, N. Y. box-office value in the area in which it is shown is destroyed. Certainly Congress never contemplated that the public interest could be served by tearing down an established industry in order to help a rival industry which, once the novelty has worn off, may not retain public favor." Another industry official made the pointed remark that "I don't see NBC making its stars available to CBS." Indication of trouble ahead for the FCC was a letter to the Commission from Senator Wiley (Rep., Wise.) in which he charged the FCC with "a gratuitous attack against the motion picture industry." Continuing, the lawmaker demanded an explanation "of just how you (FCC) can justify this, if at all. To my way of thinking, it is very unusual and an extra-legal approach to this question." Newspaper Condemns Ruling The N. Y. Times editoralized that the FCC had over-reached itself and was in effect "insisting that Hollywood must come to the aid and succor of its chief competitor. . . . Apparently the FCC is unconcerned whether Hollywood goes broke in serving as the involuntary sugar daddy of television." It appears doubtful that the FCC can make its order stick, although its past performances in favoring Tv broadcasters leave little room for optimism on the part of the motion picture industry. Craft Prime Spur to Sales of Strong Trouperette Projectionists in both America and abroad have contributed power impetus to the sale of the Strong Trouperette spotlight, utilizing "inkie" light, according to word from The Strong Electric Corp., Toledo, Ohio. This new spot finds application in many situations which could not use profitably the Strong Trouper spot which uses a carbon arc at 10 amperes. The Trouperette was designed especially for small theaters, schools, night clubs, Tv studios and industrial showings, where physical dimensions and economy are prime factors and where the great light output of an arclight spot is unnecessary. Salient Advantages of Trouperette Employing a variable focal length objective lens system, a 5V2-mch silvered glass reflector, and a standard 115-volt, pre-focused projection-type bulb, the Trouperette is not subject to the substantial light loss occasioned when a spot size is varied solely by irising. It gives sharp edges from a head-spot to a flood, with horizontal masking control up to 45 degrees in each direction. Other 28 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST • April 1951