Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

1288 Motion Picture News ( Continued from page 12 77) lost in competition with the huge orchestra. We pointed out in a previous article that we see things by reflected light, but that to get a maximum impression of color, we must have a relatively large light colored area on which the tinted light can be thrown. One way of accomplishing the desired end would be to flood the entire auditorium with tinted light, so that one “ feels ” the atmosphere. This can be accomplished by the use of concealed lamps in inverted reflectors placed in a cornice for indirect lighting. Again the curtain and draperies at the front of the house might be of a light neutral tint and colored light from concealed sources thrown on this or, as mentioned in one of the previous articles, the orchestra itself, could be clothed in white suits and beams of colored light projected on this area. Suitable connections of circuits of the three primary colors red green and blue with dimming devices will permit the use of any combination or mixture desired. Having the means at hand to get color effects on a large scale, it will be up to the musician to co-operate with the man who has observed the effect of color on our emotions (the psychologist) and with the man who knows how to produce the lighting effects (the electrician or engineer). The musician will outline to the psychologist the impression which the music is supposed to create. The latter will determine what color is most likely to be associated with this emotion and the * engineer will see that the right color is available at the proper time. One can visualize the time when sufficient information has been obtained from experiments to lay down certain definite fundamental rules and then still further to the time when these effects will be appreciated by the general public. This will not be a difficult matter, for most of us are affected by music. We are stirred at the sound of the military band, the soft soothing strains of the Humoresque or Kamennoi-Ostrow rest us and quiet the nerves, while the modern jazz tune has still another effect. Some of us experience the whole gamut of human emotions, listening to the wonderfully descriptive music of Massennet, Puccini or Wagner. Particular phrases promote sorrow or joy, depress or exuberate us. Light has a similar effect, the colorings of nature as expressed in sunrise or . sunset give one a thrill, the cool, restful green of the wood has its effect, while the changing blues and white caps of the sea also promote an impression. Certainly these can be combined. In many of the larger Motion Picture houses it is a regular practice to vary the lighting while the orchestra plays the prelude or special numbers. Observations indicate that while some of the effects obtained are excellent, at times there is apparently little connection between the music and the lighting. Even though the lighting is most artistic, it should most certainly be in harmony with the music. Careful forethought along the lines sug gested should produce the desired result. It is going somewhat out of the province of this article to lay down detailed programs for various selections. There are certain descriptive numbers which are particularly susceptible to color treatment, for example, Wagner’s “ Ride of the Valkyries,” “ Siegfried’s Funeral March,” “ Good Friday Spell,” Tschaikowsky’s “ Marche Slav,” “ Overture 1812,” Rimsky-Korsakow’s “ Scheherazade,” “ Sadko,” “ Ballet Music from M’lads,” Rachmaninoff’s “ Island of the Dead,” Ros • sini’s Overture “ William Tell,” Von Suppe’s Overtures, and so on. The numerous themes offer great possi j bilities for changing colors. Flashes of one color can be superimposed on another. A shrill, piercing note can be accentuated by a brilliant, momentarily exposed light. ■ At times, the change from one color to another will take place gradually, at other parts abruptly. We can all look hopefully to the future for great advances in combining the arts of music and light. Plans for New Theatre Plans for the construction of a new moving picture theatre at 608 Main street, Houston, Texas, are being drawn up by local architects for H. Silverberg and S. Abrams, present managers of the Crown theatre here. The plans call for the expenditure of approximately $30,000 on the building, which will have a seating capacity of 450. A name has not been chosen for the theatre and a contest may be held to select one. SERVICE Projection — Ventilating — Heating — Fire Prevention Theatre Furnishings — Construction Material — Music Motion Picture News is in a position to advise any theatre owner on any equipment problem. We are in contact with all the manufacturers. Our Technical Department is at your service. Cons ult us if you need advice or help.