The motion picture projectionist (Oct 1927-Sept 1928)

April. 1928 Why Flickering? By A. S. Dworsky . IN recent issues of some film papers there appeared several articles on the subject of flickering and poor lighting which caused bad effects on the eyes. Eyesight conservation is a subject of primary importance to everyone in the film industry, because it is the one remaining outstanding defect of motion pictures, considered from the standpoint of patrons of motion pictures the world over. After many years in show business, I would like to advance a few suggestions tended to alleviate, if not correct entirely, the above-mentioned condition. These recommendations are the result of experiments conducted by me over a period of many years. Flickering and cloudy effects on the screen are caused by oil which is unavoidably splashed on the film in the projector. In lubricating oil there is a certain amount of kerosene which soaks through the emulsion on the film, reaches the celluloid and then spreads, causing the disagreeable effect of flickering and a cloudy picture. It is easy to see the reason for this when one stops to realize that the frame on the film is but 1" x %", while the screen is 12' x 16'. Unavoidable blotches of oil are magnified in the same proportion as are the images on the film. The only way to prevent these blotches is to remove oil and dirt from the film by a liquid bath. Another defect is "rain marks" on the screen, which is caused by oil and dirt combined gathering in the scratches on the film. How and why does a film become scratched? The main reason is that the floors of inspection rooms and projection rooms are usually of cement and are therefore seldom free from grit. Film picks up this grit in various ways — either through improper rewind equipment (no control on the rewind), through carelessness, or by accident. An inspector, or a projectionist, while looking for a particular scene or title, will unavoidably spill the film over the floor. Then when the film is run through the projector and grit that may be on it will catch on top of the aperature plate — where there is room for less than two thicknesses of film — where it may cause a scratch of from fifty to a hundred The Motion Picture Projectionist WHAT thi 21 PROJECTIONIST and Electrician PRICE: $050 ^■^PER SET 6-8-10 Inches Have Been Waiting for: PRICE: $050 ^■^PER SET 6-8-10 Inches The Automatic Release Screw Driver That Solves the Problems of the Mechanic 8 LABOR SAVING ADVANTAGES: The Automatic Release Screw Driver that Solves the Problems of the Mechanic 1 — Holds screw tight while screw driver works. 2 — Only one hand is used for holding and tightening or removing of screw and washers, while other hand is free to perform any other work. 3 — Adaptable for inaccessible places. A — Prevents loss of screw. 5 — Indispensable for assembly work, projection machine trouble, motors, etc. 6— "SCROO-GRIPP" is the ideal screw driver and the only one having the automatic Illustrating the Simplicity of Operation releasing feature. -Made in three convenient sizes : 6", 8" and 10" long. 8 — Handle is made of insulating composition* material, thereby enabling "SCROOGRIPP" Driver to be used safely for electrical work. AMUSEMENT SUPPLY COMPANY, 729 Seventh Avenue, New York City. "1 Gentlemen : Please ship 1 set of "Scroo-Gripp" via P. P., C. 0. D., $3.50. DA-LITE SCREENS Include 4 different types for theatres of different size and light source. 6 different types for non-professional use, including our recently perfected Da-Tex (rear projection screen). Da-Lite Screens were the first screens ever built on heavy weight seamless duck. Write for 1928 catalogue and samples. DA-LITE SCREEN COMPANY 922-24 West Monroe St. Chicago, Illinois