Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1931)

April 11, 1931 Motion Picture Herald 63 lamphouse is larger, increasing ventilation, and the two condensers are incorporated in one holder, with fixed spacing of the two lenses in the mount. The mounting Rear vieiu of thi condenser mount shoiving the inside dower raised to indicate general construction of the condenser holder ring. and condensers are readily removed from the lamp as one unit. Hall & Connolly has also designed a mounting for the special condensers for their use with all types of lamps. This mount, or holder, is attached to any of the older type of lamps and is furnished in one complete assembly unit which utilizes the original screw holes in the lamphouse w^hen the old mounting, in its entirety, is removed. New Motor Line A NEW line of fractional horsepoAver motors has been brought out by the Century Electric Company of St. Louis. The motors have interchangeable mounting dimensions Avith respect to Repulsion Start Induction Single Phase, Split Phase Single Phase, Squirrell Cage Induction Three Phase, and D. C. types. The bearing brackets are designed to give special protection against falling objects, dirt and dripping water, and the motors themselves have rolled steel frames and welded steel feet slotted for belt adjustment. The bearing are of phosphor bronze. The Century wool yarn system of lubrication is used. Filnn Cleaning Process A NEW process of removing dirt and oil from film has been brought out by the Rex Film Renovator Manufacturing Company of Columbus, O., ostensibly in direct response to the need for immaculate film if the sound-on-filra print is to be properly reproduced. The process involves the use of a liquid wax that acts to absorb the dirt and oil, and of a renovating machine through which the waxed film is run. The system varies for old and new stock. According to the manufacturers, film from 30 to 90 days or more old is waxed and allowed to dry from two to four hours, then run through the renovator. New film is dried about ten hours after waxing before being renovated. The treatment of new film is for the purpose of curing the film of greenness and eliminating any danger that the emulsion will adhere to the tension springs, or that the sprocket holes will tear. Triple Lens Turrei A LENS turret combining the three types of projection lenses now more or less commonly in use, has been brought out for all models of Simplex projectors by the International Projector Corporation. Each of the mounts may be separately adjusted both vertically and laterally, and also separately focused. Accommodation is for all makes and focal lengths of either half or quarter-size. One mount is for the silent or disc-sound film, another is for sound-on-film prints, while the other is for the large ("magnascopic") image, or any other special effect. For the purposes of precision with quick operation, the turret itself is mounted on grooved rollers with exact position indicated not only by the force with which the turret slips into place for any lens, but also by a little clicking sound. Lenses are brought into position by pressing a lever which easily turns the turret through a 120° arc. Along with the turret, a new film protector and gate latch assembly are provided so that the projectionist does not have to place his hand inside the mechanism when closing the gate while threading. A mirror arrangement is also provided on the rear of each lens chamber, permitting the projectionist to observe the aperture for framing. Metallic Surface Screen A METALLIC Surface screen has been developed by the WalkerAmerican Corporation, manufacturers of the Walker Soundscreen. Marketed through the National Theatre Supply Company under the trade name of Silversheet, the screen is designed to effect increased illumination without glare, a matte finish being employed. Any increase in illumination qualities of a screen, of course,, means economy in projection lighting. Regarding the possibility that the metallic surface would be inclined to oxidize rapidly and therefore bring about an impaired surface, the manufacturers assert that this has been taken care of by coating the surface so that it is not exposed to the air. The manufacturers also claim fire resisting qualities for the screen. The material is by DuPont. Console Light Control AN unique switchboard installation has just been completed at a noncommercial hall which has similar application to the motion picture theatre, since it provides for illumination control (preset dimming) with an extremely high degree of sensitivity. The installation Avas made by Westinghouse at the Severance Memorial Hall in Cleveland. The switchboard is built into an ordinary organ console, which is operated from in front of the stage, and it has 4,000 light combinations Avith 36 main control drums projecting three-quarters of an inch above the keyboard panel through which 110 circuits are brightened or dimmed. The controls are spaced only 15 sixteenths of an inch apart. There are also nine foot controls, which may be used in lieu of the hand controls. Illumination of Severance Memorial Hall, Cleveland, nvith console control.