Motion Picture News (Jul - Sep 1929)

August 3 , 19 2 9 463 Projection Room Design and Future Developments {Continued from page 432) the installation — appears to be the most satisfactory one because the problems of the particular theatre are solved by men who are presumed to have expert knowledge of the work and who, later, will have to be responsible for its continued satisfactory operation. Unfortunately, projectionist assistance is not always available to the architect for a number of reasons. It may be that the owner has no faith in any of his projectionists and feels that they are incapable of sound judgment. Or, like "the poet without honor in his own land" the owner may actually slight him, mistakenly thinking that he is incompetent. Whatever the reason, the architect may well turn to the local supply dealer whose advice should be solicited even though the actual details of design and equipment are left in the hands of someone else. Reliable supply dealers are will fitted for such service and it is customary for them to furnish complete specifications and technical advice bearing on all phases of projection and back stage work. Under this arrangement, the architect is assured of a practical design and also that the theatre will be opened according to schedule and will then be kept open because the dealer is charged with responsibility of seeing to it that no failure of equipment will affect the theatre's operation. Each dealer handles — or tries to handle • — a distinctive line of equipment in order to place competition on something other than a purely price basis. It is the fond hope of every dealer to ht able to offer quality equipment at a figure which compares favorably with more cheaply constructed or poorly designed apparatus. If he can do this he stands a good chance of equipping the theatre. This will serve to prevent mistakes such as the one where an architect, at the dealer's suggestion, specified the use of half size projection lenses having a focal length of 4 inches, not knowing that the promised increase in screen illumination would be obtained through a great sacrifice in picture definition. Incidents, such as this, are not frequent occurrences, yet when they do happen they serve only to create annoyance and lack of confidence in the person making the recommendation. If such mistakes are not later corrected, they create more serious damage to the picture presentations and this, in turn, directly affects the success of the theatre. The projection room and its equipment is of sufficient importance to warrant the architect's closest attention and he should make it a point to solicit reliable recommendations in order to avoid the mistakes which often remain incorrected, once they are made. HUB PRODUCTS FROM SERVICE TO SOCKET Hub Switchboard 100% Perfect After Explosion and Fire 'TPHE photograph -'* to the right shows a Hub Switch board which remained in perfect working order after a terrific explosion and the subsequent fire had demolished the entire theatre building. The switchboard was intact and not a single piece of its mechanism was even slightly damaged. A test showed that the board still functioned at its customary lOU^o efficiency. Sturdiness and durability are built into every Hub product. Our long and varied experience in designing and producing motion picture theatre lighting equipment places us in a most favorable position to serve your best interests. We welcome an opportunity to discuss your theatre lighting problems with you. iLEcmieto Footlights Border Lights Stage Pockets Cove Lighting Exit Signs Complete Theatre Lighting Equipment Factory and General Offices 2219-2225 West Grand Avenue Telephone Seeley 6440-1-2 Down Town Chicago Sales Offices Suite 323—155 N. Clark SL Phone State 7986 New York City 1457 Broadway Phone Wisconsin 4843 Toledo, Ohio 1220 Madison Ave. Phone Adams 5518 Milwaukee, Wis. 123 Second St. PboDe Grand 1533 Spot Lights Service Boards Panel Boards Usher Signals Directional Signs Flood Lights Smooth Out Your Projection Problems with the Transverter Makes clear, steady and artistic projection possible. Changes alternating current into direct current, greatly increasing the candle power of an alternating current arc of the same amperage. If you show Pictures run Talkies — you — and especially if you need the Transverter. Sold in the U. S. A. by The National Theatre Supply Co. Canadian Distributor Perkins Electric, Ltd. THE HERTNER ELECTRIC COMPANY