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SiLUCTANT DEBUTANTE
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On The Site Of The Theatre Royal,
A Showplace Since 1803 . . .
BRITAIN’S
MOST MODERN CINEM/
Embodying the most advanced ideas and techniques in cinema design, the ABC, Pres¬ ton, England, has been erected on the site of the Theatre Royal which, until it was de¬ molished two years ago, has provided enter¬ tainment as a theatre and a cinema since 1803.
The most outstanding feature is found in the projection booth. The revolutionary Philips FP-208 Projector, which incorporates the SPP Discharge Lamp — in place of the standard arc has been installed. This latest form of gas-discharged lamp is a miniature version of the mercury street lamp and consumes only 800 watts. It is about the size of a clinical thermometer and not unlike it in appearance; the light of intense brightness is emitted from the centre part of the tube, three quarters of an inch in length with its own built in mirror.
A unique feature of this lamp, which can
illuminate the widest screens, is that it is not continuously alight. Current is applied in brief pulses 72 times a second, by means of special circuits triggered by the projector mechanism. The lamp is pulsed three times for every frame and the film moves down during every third blackout.
This eliminates the conventional shutter and the visible flicker from the screen. The light is used more efficiently and considerable economy is effected. Additional advantage is that the picture on the screen is of unvary¬ ing quality since spare lamps automatically replace failing ones. The light source is built into a water cooled housing about the size of a desk telephone. The complicated venti¬ lation systems necessary for arc lamps are eliminated. The dominating feature in the exceptionally well equiped booth now are the 5000 spool boxes on the projectors.
The main problem facing C. J. Foster,
ABC architect, R. J. Westaway, deputy archi¬ tect, and A. B. McMillan, architect in charge of design and site operations, was the shape of the site — long and rather narrow. This is particularly evident in the circle which sweeps steeply back over the foyers and is further emphasized by the projection booth being virtually slung from the roof to allow for the maximum capacity.
The exterior of the cinema was planned with a view to reducing maintenance to a minimum. Large areas of terrazzo and vitre¬ ous enamelled panels are incorporated within the frame of facing bricks. A plaque style vertical ‘ABC’ sign has been integrated into the design of the building. Below the sixfoot-high illuminated canopy for program de¬ tails, are illuminated publicity frames and armored plated doors affording a clear and attractive view of the foyer. The under can
Continued On Page PC-13
PE-6
PHYSICAL THEATRE
EXTRA PROFITS DEPARTMENT of MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR
August 12, 1959