Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Aug 1943)

104 BETTER THEATRES July 24, 194 3 and packed the case with a light grease and (with amplifier volume on full) gave the rotary stabilizer unit a good spin. Result— no extraneous noise. "I remade the faulty ground connection to the photocell to insure that no other foreign noise would be picked up by the cell, and gave the unit a test run. The resultant sound reproduction was normal. I told the unit handling the projector to make a lubrication chart for it (type of lubricant and frequency of application obtained from manufacturers instruction book) and to see that it was carefully adhered to, to insure against recurrence of the trouble, worse, a costly mechanical failure. "By the way, the other ex-projectionists in my outfit and I (there are three of us) greatly enjoy your columns ; it is our connecting link with the profession we love and hope to return to soon. "May I congratulate you on the 7th Edition of the Bluebook? When the 6th Edition was published I felt that it was your criterion, but you have even surpassed this truly great work in the new edition. The trouble-shooting charts are quite complete and when properly used will greatly expedite the clearing up of all types of sound troubles." Brother Limmroth has given us an interesting discussion and I thank him for it. In closing he said that it has been as warm as "all get out" where he is and that he will take the dry climate of Texas any time. Well, Friend Limmroth, we all hope you get to return to your native state in the very near future. Saying "Aye, Aye" to the Complaints of Bad Prints the protests against bad prints continue; those published in recent issues find ready response among projectionists and exhibitors alike — and this is especially significant in these days of conservation. Here's one from Earl Rupple, Excelsior Springs, Mo. : "I have never written to you before. I do have several of your books on projection and I always read your articles in Better Theatres. The recent articles concerning trouble with prints interested me very much. I certainly can sympathize since I have had the same trouble — only more so from some of the films sent out by exchanges. "Recently I had a Paramount band short with 42 splices in the 10 minute run! It was certainly swell for sound, I don't think. My worst trouble is from Warner Brothers and Universal. Their inspection departments must be very poor. I once had a W.B. feature that was so badly cut you could scarcely understand the picture, so much had been cut out. Prints are scratched and covered with oil, and of course both the scratched and the oil pick up dirt, making both the sound and picture very poor indeed. "The exchanges naturally blame the projectionists; naturally I do not. Most projectionists try to do good work, but that is difficult with the exchanges falling down on their end. I have had cans that could only be opened by using my foot on one side and pulling with all I had. Also film comes wound unevenly and this of course bends and tears it. "There are some exchanges, in my opinion, who are still giving good service, but the majority of them seem to feel that it is the projectionist's job to do their repairing for them these days — and the projectionist will do it to avoid having trouble. "Most of the exchange reels I receive are in bad condition. If they could only take as good care of their merchandise as the projectionist does for them I feel sure we would all be better off in the long run. But enough of this and just a few words about my workshop. "This town is a health resort, its population about 5,500. This theatre, the Fox Beyer, is the only house in town. We boast of 1,000 seats, the entire theatre including the projection room is air-conditioned. We have Peerless Magnarc lamps, Super-Simplex heads, Western Electric sound, large Transverter generator. Screen is 25', 4" wide, throw 85 feet; we pull around 42 amps or better. "I am having trouble with the new Victory carbons. Feeding unsteady. Can you tell me anything to do along that line? Checked 45 volts across the arc. Use size 7x14 post, 6x9 negative. "We run single features, one matinee and two shows at night, continuous on 3fie IransVerteK in your projection room asks for no vacation! It is willing and ready to keep right on serving you with constant current control. Merely keep giving your Transverter the customary service and it will continue to give you years of service. CONSULT: National Theatre Supply. Division of NationalSimplex-Bludworth, Inc., in the U.S.A.; or General Theatre Supply Co. in Canada. THE HERTNER ELECTRIC COMPANY 12690 ELMWOOD AVENUE CLEVELAND, OHIO, U. S. A. Exclusive Manufacturers of the Transverter ★