Kinematograph year book (1944)

Film Exhibition and Kinema Technique. 209 E. G. Turner. — -This old-established specialist in all types of kinema screens reports an exceedingly busy 12 months. Their speciality is the supply of every kind of screen on hire maintenance, at the same time assuming the responsibility for all war risks. In spite of material and labour shortage they have been able to continue to meet customers' requirements whether it be white perforated screens, opaque, metal or rear projection. Service and amateur demands have also increased. W. 0. Friend, who markets "Ex-Brilliant," a recently introduced screen dressing which is being supplied to an increasing number of kinemas, has overcome threatened difficulties in respect to the supply of basic materials. Claims that one application of "Ex-Brilliant" gives a really good screen surface are substantiated by a large number of satisfied users. It is suitable for all types of surfaces, and can be applied by the theatre handyman in a few hours, and is particularly suitable for use with a spray gun ; it is washable and will not wash off. In addition to kinemas it is being supplied to service and industrial establishments. LENSES Notwithstanding heavy government demands upon the resources of makers of optical glass, the requirements of the projectionist have been satisfactorily catered for during the year. Circumstances have, however, prevented the commercial kinema from receiving any immediate benefit of the vast amount of research which is being carried on in furtherance of the war effort. Many of the principles upon which current scientific work and experiment is based will be ultimately applied to the kinema. This will result in the betterment of projection standards as now understood, and also in the development of new phases of popular entertainment which will have been precipitated by technical advances in other directions. The difficulty of replacing new projection lenses and the need for economy in current are two factors which have caused Taylor, Taylor and Hobson to start a lens servicing scheme which has been so useful that it has been urged that the example should be followed by makers or factors of other parts of projection room equipment. The service includes the inspection and cleaning of lenses and advising projectionists upon their upkeep. Taylor, Taylor and Hobson, Ltd.— Until normal manufacturing conditions return, effort cannot be directed to improvement and development in the field of projection lenses for the commercial theatre. The technical resources of the company are being diverted into other channels, such as the application of optics in the engineering industry, for such purposes as high accuracy projection equipment for examination of profiles of screw threads, gear teeth, form and press tools, etc. ; toolmakers and workshop microscopes and kindred optical inspection equipment. Important developments have also been made as regards highly corrected, large apertured lenses for use in radiography ; also in the surface treatment or " blooming " of interior surfaces of lenses. Hummel and Co. — No new developments figure among the products of this firm, who have been able so far as supplies permit to maintain their service to the Trade. Research, however, is being carried on in regard to lines of possible improvement. Meanwhile, inquiries are invited for Hummel projection, condenser and heat-resisting lenses, and their well-known spherical, eliptical and parabolic mirrors. HUMMEL 'Phone: HOLbern 17S2 SPHERICAL ELLIPTICAL PARABOLIC MIRRORS 94, HATTON GARDEN, LONDON, E.C.I. PROJECTION CONDENSER HEAT RESISTING LENSES