Kinematograph year book (1944)

Film Exhibition and Kinema Technique. 207 rectifiers, dimmers, shutters, carbons, lamps of all kinds, etc. Every effort will be made to meet as expeditiously as possible all customers' requirements both at Gerrard Street headquarters and their provincial branches. Morgan Slides Service. — The war has seen an increased use of slides, particularly where it is necessary to screen announcements, an urgent message to the audience or interlude commentaries. Morgans have made a special feature of the supply of such slides at the shortest possible notice, and as they are made without the use of sensitised photographic material are not controlled. Photographers who desire to employ slides comprising sensitised material have to make application to the Institute of British Photographers. Provincial Cinematograph Trading Go. — All forms of kinema equipment and accessories are handled by this well-known Leeds establishment, the proprietors of which are Electrocord, Ltd., the sound engineers. Not only does the firm distribute projection equipment, stage lighting, switchboard, rectifiers, curtain tracks, and the famous "Premier" apparatus, but they are also in a position to give an efficient service which emphasises the value of the comprehensive guarantee which covers all " Provincial " installations. British Arc Lamp (War Emergency) Pool.— It can be said with justification that where the arc lamp carbon situation has been concerned the assistance to projectionists which was a byword in times of peace has been maintained at something closely approximating to its pre-war level. As is well known the identity of the various brands of carbon has in the national interest been merged in the British Arc Lamp Carbon Pool, but it is of interest to note that this pool (in spite of the large demand which it has met for products other than arc lamp carbons) has nevertheless achieved some notable results not only in maintaining the peisonal seivice rendered to projectionists by service engineers, but also in the equally important directions of regularising and safeguarding the supply of carbons as a commodity. Harmonious working on a basis of complete mutual understanding has been secured between the "Pool" and the C.E.A., the importation of carbons from abroad has been eliminated, and a situation has been brought about whereby every theatre in the country has been enabled to hold on its premises a three months' stock against emergencies. Such achievements it will be agreed would have been creditable even had they been secured in normal times. As viewed against the background of disturbed conditions obtaining in these troublous times they represent not merely a solid achievement on behalf of the exhibitor and projectionist alike, but a substantial promise of the developments in technique and the progressive policy of assistance which is to make itself felt in the happier days ahead. It is a tribute to the organisation behind the Carbon Pool that notwithstanding the increased demand for carbon products by Government departments there has been no let-down of exhibitors. The new situation which arose, however, early last year necessitated fresh negotiations with the Ministry of Supply in order that the allocation of carbons for civilian use should be adequate, and for this purpose a questionnaire was issued to exhibitors to serve as a new basis of rationing. It was agreed that no ration vouchers should be issued authorising supplies during August and September, but before the end of the year any apprehension regarding supplies was allayed. As big efforts to recover salvage are being made everywhere, great importance is attached to the need of conserving copper from carbon stores. Droppings from carbons and the strippings from stubs should be rigorously preserved. George Palmer has been actively connected with the business since 1902, and his Wardour Street headquarters is the rendezvous for both London and Provincial customers for projectors, arc lamps, and spares of all kinds. His speciality of replacement parts for all makes of projectors is in great demand. Western Electric Co., Ltd.— In recent years, Western Electric has been giving much attention to the subject of screen picture quality. For the really