Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

1170 N. A. M. L. FORUM ( Continued from page 1168) shaft at the same speed. This invention will make it so that if the sprocket holes on a film are broken on each side for not more than three inches the film will go through all right. The worst trouble a projector has with condition of films are bad patches and sprocket holes torn on both sides. The parts for which I am making now for this invention are made out of wood. I hope to be able in a few weeks to send you a few blue-prints on them, and that in a few months I will have everything working satisfactory. If I get this through it will be the greatest improvement that could be put on a head to make better projection and less trouble for its projector. Hope that you will publish this as soon as convenient in the operators’ part of your Motion Picture News, and if any operator can give me any new ideas I will be glad to hear from them. I remain, Yours truly, L. C. Maire. Chief Proj., Fairfax Theatre. L. A. T. S. E„ Local 619. However, admitting that an extra intermittent would allow most film to run through regardless of the sprocket holes, it still remains a question if the idea is practical. Every time an added piece of mechanism is used the possible troubles with the machine magnify. An intermittent is not like an extra leg on a machine, but carries the probabilities of trouble. However much the editor dislikes discouraging the progressive projectionist, still he feels that the above idea is not at all practical. Dear Editor: Thanks for the info on Paramount condensers. Am enclosing application for membership for the N. A. M. L. Hope it goes in O. K. The inspectors in the film exchanges should work in the projection room for a while. Maybe they would take more pains to inspect the film and put leaders on the end of the reels. Have a little suggestion to make to Bro. J. W. Schmock, who, in the Jan. 28th issue of the News, asked for help on the upkeep of motor generator sets. See that the oil cups are full. Use a canvas cloth for cleaning commutator of generator. Get a piece of paraffin and touch lightly on commutator two or three times a week. Never use oil. When commutator gets black and dirty take brushes out and clean them and use a piece of “ 00 ” sandpaper on commutator (while generator is running and the brushes are still out). Do not press heavy on the sandpaper — just enough to smooth and clean the commutator. Excuse long letter and hope these suggestions will help Bro. Schmock. Sincerely, George E. Wise. Hipp Theatre, Williamson, W. Va. Brother Schmock can also secure some very valuable informatioi* on motor generator sets in the article appearing on page 647 of the Jan. 21 issue of the Motion FictTre News. Junior Seat Indicator A small electrical seat indicator now being marketed by the Guerin Theatre Seating System eliminates the old method of trying to signal with the fingers, just how many seats, and what their positions are, that are vacant way down a dim aisle, when there is an impatient crowd in the back of a theatre waiting to be seated. These indicators look somewhat like an ordinary camera, and hang from a strap which is slung about the usher’s neck, thereby allowing it to fit at about the waist, where it is in position to be used at any time without any inconvenience. The actual signaling as to how many vacant seats exist and whether they are singles, doubles or triplets, is produced by either a red spot on the face of the indicator, which means one seat is vacant, or a number of white spots, which correspond to the number of seats together that are vacant. By this means, an usher down the aisle looking for vacant seats can accurately signal the usher holding the crowd at the head of the aisle, just how many seats are vacant in any row, and whether they are singles, doubles, or whatever combination they are in, then the usher can allow waiting patrons to the number of vacant seats signaled, go down to occupy these seats. It can readily be seen how much confusion and inconvenience can be avoided by these indicators, as it is frequently almost impossible to tell by finger signaling how many seats are vacant and what position they are in, and when scveial patrons go down the aisle expecting to occupy seats together and find there is only one, owing to a mistake being made by the usher holding the crowd in the number of fingers that were held up signaling the number of seats vacant, it does not create the friendliest Motion Picture News feeling on the part of these disappointed patrons. . Another feature in favor of these seat indicators is when people begin crowding the rear of the theatre awaiting their turn to be seated, it becomes imperative that they be seated with the utmost dispatch, as time and again people on the outside about to buy tickets will imagine that the theatre is absolutely crowded, and go to another house, when, as a fact, more than enough seats are vacant throughout the house to seat this waiting crowd of standees, if there was only some way to quickly indicate where i the vacant seats were. This new evolution in the seating of patrons also furnishes another most valuable asset that can be exploited by the theatre installing them, “ the patron’s comfort,” as human nature follows the line of least resistance, and people will naturally show their preference and pay admissions to the theatre where they know they will be seated without confusion and noise, and what is more, the public is always looking for something new, that it can see being operated, and this is something they cannot only see, but appreciate as well, as it has a direct bearing on their comfort, as it is no fun waiting in a crowded theatre for 'seats. The indicator is very light in weight and can be easily carried about without any inconvenience by a girl usher. Film Moistener and Scraper A new and novel device is being offered by the Ott Sales Company. Namely a combination moistener and scraper which has at one end a tube for water and cap with felt insert for moistening, at the other end a blade for scraping. All the parts are interchangeable and it has nickel plated finish. This device is invaluable to all users of film. <•, In order to make a good joint Emulsion must be entirely removed and film properly scraped , before Cement is applied. Thus doing away with the old method of using razor blades, wet 1 cotton, and other means. The Ott Sales Company informs us that they will shortly put out other labor saving devices . and accessories. Make it a rule to gently but firmly refuse to allow standing in the exits. Post a sign to this effect, as it will stimulate business, patrons knowing they will not jeopardize their safety to accommodate the box-office. NO MORE RAZ^R BLADES, WET COTTON, ETC. To make a good joint the emulsion must be entirely removed and film properly scraped before cement is applied. All this the OTT COMBINATION MOISTENER AND SCRAPER does to perfection BE CONVINCED— ORDER NOW Price $1.00 by mail OTT SALES COMPANY 524 Fifth Avenue Room 1107 New York City, N. Y. Telephone Vanderbilt 9795 DEALERS WRITE Write Your Supply^ House for information concerning Belilen’s Film Signal Device Warns the operator the end of the reel Is at hand, allowing ample time to change over to another machine without showing part titles or white on the screen. It doe.’* away with punch marks, scratching or pasting paper on the film. Insures a smooth running show which Is the pride of all real projectionists. Anyone can attach It and the cost Is small. Made for Simplex, Powers and other machines. Works electrically and neter falls. When writing please mention make of projectors you are using. C. C. Rush Enterprises Greenville, S. C.