Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1935)

84 MOTION PICTURE HERALD March 9 , 19 3 5 TECHNCLCeiCAL TALKS WITH MANAGERS ON PROJECTION By F. H. RICHARDSON In assisting theatre managers to determine the proficiency of applicants for projectionist duties, it would serve no good purpose to print a series of questions. Were this done, all projectionists and near-projectionists could quickly search out answers thereto and "learn them by heart." Ability to answer correctly then would be no indication of their knowledge, even of the matters the questions covered. It is not the propounding of any set series of questions that counts, but the determining of just how much knowledge the one being examined really has of mechanical action, lubrication, electrics, magnetism, optics and the proper care and adjustment of the various kinds of equipments he will be in charge of. Mere ability to dissemble any piece of equipment and put it together again proves nothing except that he knows where the various parts belong, and possibly their correct adjustment with relation to one another. Important, yes, but not by any manner of means a final test. That does not demonstrate his knowledge of the action of the equipment, either in part or as a whole. For example, a man may know perfectly well how to assemble electrical equipment, yet know little or nothing about its electrical action, or how to cause it to work at maximum efficiency. How, then, may a manager, who cannot be expected to know very much about projection himself, conduct a competent examination ? New Bluebook a Source Well, gentlemen, that is no easy task. However, it may to a considerable extent be solved by use of the new Bluebook, about to be issued. All text matter therein is laid out in a way that will enable even the uninformed to ask hundreds of questions pertinent to projection, and to know whether a substantially correct answer is given. It, of course, would not be fair to adjudge a man incompetent if he is unable to answer all these hundreds of questions. However, by intelligent, judicious use of the new book an excellent idea may be attained as to the applicant's range of knowledge. Managers should remember that lack of adequate knowledge in the projection room means inevitable loss, both at the box ofRce and through wasted power and rapid deFerioration of equipment. Such losses may amount to very substantial sums in a year, counting diminished box office receipts. I feel confident that this plan of procedure will be approved heartily by capable projectionists, or that at the least they will have no objection to it. Incompetent projectionists can be expected to protest. Unions cannot justly object, provided the examination is a fair one. I am now and always have been "'for" the projectionist. However, I have always demanded, and do still demand, that he be thoroughly competent, which means being equipped with all possible knowledge, both technical and practical. Public Also Has "Rights" The projectionist has his "rights," certainly, and I am perfectly willing to do any possible thing to see that they are respected. However, the industry, the exhibitor, the manager and the public also have rights, and those rights too should be respected. Moreover, I am quite willing to help see to it that they are respected. Failure of theatre managers to obtain for themselves all possible knowledge of the relative merits of various kinds of equipment is likely to be costly — perhaps very costly. The manager who studies and equips himself with competent knowledge of various types of equipment is a far more valuable manager than is one who does not. How to acquire this knowledge depends in part on location. For city managers it is an easy matter to visit other theatres, examine equipment of supply dealers, and consult with other managers and with various projectionists. In the case of small-town managers it is a more difficult problem, yet much may be accomplished if a real attempt is made. Whether city or small town manager, however, it takes effort to obtain worthwhile results. SAYS PROJECTIONIST MUST BE REPAIRMAN To THE Editor of the Herald: I startJed taking the Moving PictureWorld in 1913. I was hoping if I didn't renew right away you would send J. C. Jenkins up after me. I would sure like to meet the man, I get a great kick out of his writings. Please tell him I think he is a great scout. Ju.st as soon as the Herald comes in I read it through. "What the picture did for me" is real funny but good. I know if Bert Silver says a picture is good, it is good, and I book it if it is not already set in or shown. I like Mr. Richardson's writings but I can't always agree with him. He has always said a projectionist should not try to put in repairs. I say a man is not a projectionist if he can't do repair work; at least he couldn't run a show out in the country. I expect he will laugh when I say I made my first talking outfit, amplifier and turntables. I just saved $1,500 and that outfit ran perfectly until I put in track in 1932 and I had sound in the little town of Birtle in 1929, one of the first small towns to have sound, for the price of an outfit in those days was out of the question here for the small theatres. I have run the show in Birtle since 1912. I have a house there seating 250. I took over this theatre here in Virden in 1930. This house belongs to the town and is a lovely theatre. It is not so good for pictures ; it is more for stage shows. The house here seats 500. — Tom S. Laidman, Auditorium Theatre, Virden, Man., Canada, and Savoy Theatre, Birtle, Man. Paris Film Introduces New Projection Device Majestic Film, Paris producer, has completed "Napoleon Bonaparte," directed by Abel Gance, which has received favorable attention from critics of Paris newspapers. In the exhibition of the film, it is planned to make the first use of a new sound projection method, the development of Mr. Gance and Andre Debrie. It is said the apparatus may be attached to any regular projector, and is being handled by Western Electric. The device is termed the Sound Perspective. Van Schnnus Denies He Conferred with Schenck W. G. Van Schmus, managing director of the Radio City Music Hall in New York, returns from the Coast this week after a visit of two weeks in Hollywood when he watched production and conferred with officials of the Radio studio. He denied in Hollywood that his trip included conferences with Joseph Schenck, president of United Artists, who had preceded him east, relative to a proposed deal giving preference to United Artists pictures by the Music Hall. Bost Toothpaste to Aid Liebnnan with Darro Club M. B. Liebman, who merchandises to theatres the "Frankie Darro Movie Stamp Club," arranged this week with Bost Toothpaste for a national exploitation campaign in which newspapers, radio and the usual publicity mediums will be utilized, especially NBC's network on the Edwin C. Hill broadcast. The principal award in a contest which will highlight the campaign will be a trip to Hollywood visiting Frankie Darro, theatres working with the sponsors to put over the stunt. Monarch, 20 Others In Rockefeller Center Monarch Theatres, Inc., has leased office space at Rockefeller Center, New York, marking the twenty-first film company to take space at the midtown development. In all, these 21 companies occupy 80,000 square feet of space, the greater part of it taken by companies directly engaged in the production of pictures.