Motion Picture News (Aug-Oct 1920)

3060 (Equipment Service) Motion Picture News Invents Change-Over Signal George Behlan, an operator at a Greenville, S. C., movie theatre, has just perfected a device for synchronizing the operation of two projecting machines so that when one reel of film is used up, another can be started and the audience not be aware that a change has been made. The device invented by Behlan enables the operator to know when the reel is nearing the end, and he can start another machine in time to catch the picture in the middle of a scene. Instead of the picture being broken and showing a line of white dots on the screen, the picture, as the audience sees it, is continuous. Behlan expects to apply for letters of patent on this invention, as well as on another invention that he expects to have completed within a short time. One of his inventions is expected to be shown at the Southern Textile Exposition next month. Projectionist Invents Reel According to an item appearing in the Macomb (III.) Daily Journal, Ira T. Rouch, projectionist at the Grand Theater in that town, has applied for a patent on a unique reel for motion picture projectors. The idea of the reel: A study of the somewhat meagre description indicates that Mr. Rouch's reel embodies a nonrewind feature. Its use makes it unnecessary for the projectionist to rewind the film after each showing, since it is so designed that when applied to the lower magazine of the projector the film is automatically reversed. A FULCO SAFETY WASTE CAN For the Projectionist's Room, Stage, and Box Office. Made of heavy Metal. Self-Closing. Price, $5.25. is the Brand. Sold the world over. InXjUUij/^ sjst on them. It is your guarantee of the BEST. If your dealer does not supply them, write E. E. FULTON CO. 3204 Carroll Avenue Chicago Manufacturers of M. P. Accessories Note — Send for our new 16 page folder, Illustrating and describing our complete line Makes Additional Suggestions C. W. Bennewitz, projectionist at the Strand, Sioux Falls, S. D., believes that he can help out Carl Wright in the latter's trouble with his projection. Mr. Bennewitz's letter follows: Just took a glance at this week's News and noticed the trouble that Mr. Carl Wright of Sac City, Iowa, is having. I think that the following will help him locate and overcome his difficulties. He says that he pulls about 50 amperes so will give him the line up for 45 and 50 amperes. For 45 amperes D.C. use a 6y2 and 6y2 piano convex condenser spaced 1-16 in. apart, with I7y2 in. between center of condenser combination and aperture. For 50 amperes D.C. use a 6l/2 and 7y2 piano convex condenser spaced 1-16 in. apart, with 16% in. between center of condenser combination and aperture. Lenses may have been cleaned with some liquid that has left them hazy, which would cause the trouble that he mentions. Check over your lenses and see that the combinations are properly placed and see that they are free from finger marks and oil. If oily clean with a little gasoline on a soft rag and then polish. Go easy on lense cleaners put out by supply houses until you know that they are approved by lense makers. Stick to the old way "and play safe. Breath on them and then polish with a handkerchief that has been washed several times or a soft rag that will not leave them covered with lint. Unstable arc may be caused by many things and here are a few. Loose and dirty connections, variations in line voltage of motor, poor contact at generator brushes, commutator dirty and out of true, dirty carbon jaws, poor connections on lamp leads. Trim lamp leads and check all connections from generator to arc, No. 75104A Hanging Basket 27" x 20" filled with Nasturtiums, Sedium Plants and Ferns each, $6.50 Our Catalogue No. 75 illustrated in colors, free for the asking Frank Netschert, 61 Barclay St., New York also have line voltage tested. As to R. P. M. of drive wheel I presume he means fly wheel or crank shaft. At 60 feet a minute the crank shaft will revolve at 60 R. P. M. and the fly wheel at 960 R. P. M. Always place the shutter at the aeriel image of the condensors which in this case will be about thirteen inches from the aperture. And don't just place it there but trim it down as much as possible without injuring screen results. Make a shutter out of cardboard and trim a little off at a time until you get a little travel ghost both up and down. Then cut your metal shutter a little larger than your test blade. New Lucas Catalogue Is Out The Fourth Edition of the Supply catalog of the Lucas Theatre Equipment Co., of Atlanta, has made its appearance. Practically everything that would ever be needed by a theatre, large or small, can be found in its 180 pages. The book is plentifully illustrated and bears a complete index. One of the most interesting points in connection with the catalog is the fact that it was printed stitched and bound in the publication department of the Hakilu factory. There are few equipment firms in the industry able to turn out this sort of work. Dead Men Tell No Tales You Need a TRANSVERTER The Motor-Generator that produces perfect arc for Picture Projection. You can make a perfect dissolve with two-arc Transverter The Hertner Electric & Mfg. Co. 1908 West 114th St.,Clevelaud, Ohio Exclusive Canadian Distributors PERKINS ELECTRIC CO. Head Office: Montreal, Can. 16 PLAN BOOK REVIEWS IN THIS ISSUE. Dead Men Tell No Tales