Kinematograph year book (1944)

180 The Kinematograph Year Book. and material to put a " blitzed " kinema back in commission. The implications of some of the proposals which the Uthwatt Report may, if carried into effect, result in very serious burdens being placed on the Industry, and the C.E.A. is giving the matter close attention, particularly as regards possible injustices for resiting. Other factors which may affect post-war building are possible changes in the Cinematograph Act, 1909, and the future adoption of a national building code applicable to the whole country. These are additional to the more domestic requhements of the various local authorities ; all these matters may have a profound effect on post-war theatre construction and design. Acoustic Treatment. — -The provision of good acoustics is one of the biggest problems of the architect. Even were the stereophonic principle of sound control to be universally adopted, the ultimate quality of the reception by the patron will depend upon the perfection of acoustic line and surface and also to the selection of suitable materials. Meanwhile, something of this effect achieved without special apparatus is possible by structural planning so that in any part of the auditorium the sound shall be received direct from the speakers and not from reflection, otherwise the apparent spread of the sound service tends to lessen the intimacy which is fostered when directional reproduction enables the screen artist to put his personality across. It is also desirable that the period of reverberation over a wide frequency brush should be fixed at a suitable figure, which must apply to any part of the auditorium ; this implies that the cubic capacity must be retained at a minimum consistent with the seating capacity. As regards the shape of the auditorium, the expert acoustic view is that no two wall services should be parallel for the proper control of reverberation and echoes. An interesting example of this design is to be found in the new scoring theatre at Denham. Where existing theatres possess acoustic defects, they may be corrected by the installation of Acoustic-Celotex soundabsorbing tiles at predetermined points. Where Celotex Acoustic tiles, which are paintable and permanent, have been applied, conditions of sound reception have been greatly improved in truthfulness and range. Decoration. — -There is a tendency to assume that post-war decorative design will be on austerity lines but although limitation of labour and materials may enforce a certain simplicity, much will be possible to experts who can apply with artistry and knowledge whatever materials are available. A temporary abandonment of applied ornamentation and the greater use of plain surfaces will, possibly, emphasise the utility of illumination as a fundamental factor in decoration in the immediate post-war years. Subsequently, when conditions are eased, there may be a return to the ornate style generally associated with places of entertainment, upon which it must be admitted the architect usually frowns, but which also generally delights the patron who appreciates a little colour and even garishness in his kinema. Between ultra-modern simplicity and the flambuoyant conventionalism there is a happy mean which the exhibitor will be wise to cousider. Artistically applied light will always be a popular attraction but there will also be available a wide range of new materials to replace the anticipated scarcity of seasoned timber. These will include plastics in many forms. Sheet plastics will supersede fine grain veneers, and there will be many uses for moulded plastics — opaque and translucent. Glass, which was coming into its own before the war, will also be employed in decorative panels and in other features comprising fabrics, and etched and sand-blast glass. Meanwhile, such redecoration as may be possible generally involves merely painting or distempering, the latter is generally recommended owing to the restrictions on paint ingredients and consequent deterioration of quality, unless a licence is forthcoming. On the other hand, washable distemper is in fairly good supply and if applied to decorative tiles and borders will prove a splendid substitute for paint.