International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1955)

The Todd-AO Projector For Both 70 and 35-mm Film LATEST ENTRY in the widescreen sweepstakes is the ToddAO process details of which have until recently been shrouded in secrecy. In early February this veil of secrecy was rent and permitted the seeping through of those facets of the projection process which are appended. The Todd-AO system is unique among the current wide screen processes in that it utilizes 70-mm film for both photography and projection. The advantages of such a film size in terms of fine grain structure and additional screen light are obvious. Another feature of the system is that the projector can utilize both 35 and 70-mm film, this being accomplished by dual sprockets and the simple insertion of a different gate for 35-mm 25 Roadshow Openings The Todd-AO projectors were made by the well-known Philips organization in Eindhoven, Holland, the original order being for 50 which would serve for 25 roadshow openings in major cities in the U. S. A. The premiere public showing of the process will occur early in May in New York City when the Todd-AO film "Oklahoma" bows. All 70-mm films will be produced by the Todd outfit itself. Precise technical data anent this new 70-mm projector are lacking, thus the information presented here, which emanated from the Todd people, must be considered as exploratory in nature. Claims for Versatility Todd-AO avers that the new projector, designated the DP70, is suitable for: 1. 70-mm film with any number of magnetic sound tracks. 2. 7-mm film with separate sound film. 3. CinemaScope film with four magnetic sound tracks. 4. CinemaScope film with optical sound track or Perspecta sound. 5. Wide-screen films of any size, provided with either magnetic or optical sound tracks. 6. Standard 35-mm film. 7. 3-D films according to the singlefilm system. 8. 3-D films according to the twinfilm system. Such versatility sounds like a large order, but actually the switchover from one type of film to the other is easily accomplished by the use of the supplementary parts supplied by Todd-AO. For example, it is not necessary to change any sprockets for the changeover since all sprockets have two sets of teeth to accommodate both 35 and 70-mm film. The 35mm sprocket teeth are slightly recessed in relation to the outer 70-mm sprockets so as not to interfere with the wider film. Sound Reproduction Facilities The outer flange of the intermittent sprocket has 20 teeth; the inner flange has 16 teeth. All sprockets are universal, as are the firetrap rollers, and need not be replaced when switching from 70 to 35-mm projection. Incidentally, this switchover is said to require only ten minutes, with the mask for 35-mm film being inserted in a few seconds. Sound reproduction facilities have been mentioned previously. The Todd 70-mm film will have six sound tracks; and adaptation for other mediums of sound reproduction may be easily accomplished. The soundhead for the scanning of magnetic sound tracks is located on Full view of the Todd-AO all-purpose projector which will handle normal 35-mm film, 70-mm film, single and double-film 3-D systems, and any number of sound tracks. the top part of the projector. Either a scanning head for 70-mm film or a scanning head for CinemaScope film can be placed on two guide pins at the top of two rotating sound drums. The guide rollers of the soundhead and all other guide and pad rollers that are in contact with the magnetic soundtrack are made of nylon. The soundhead may be removed as one unit by simply loosening four screws. Drive, Dual Sprockets, Speed The driving mechanism is housed in an oil-tight casing, sealed hermetically by means of a large cover to protect it against dust. The cover is fixed with five screws which may Parts which have to be suited or added for projection of other than Todd-AO 70-mm film. Modification requires only 10 minutes. The mask of the gate for 35-mm film projection can be replaced in a few seconds for CinemaScope or other wide-screen ratios. €3 TOmm PROJECTOR TO 35 mm FH-M It 'v FOR CINEMASCOPE INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST FEBRUARY 1955 11