Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

106 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No. 3. to make their expenses fit their admissions or to make their admissions fit their expenses. Obviously they were the small theaters, run by small exhibitors, content with small profit but unable to get that. The most ambitious scheme for the exaltation of the picture art must remember that small exhibitor, or it will be built upon quicksand. True ambition for the good of the industry will strive to make it fit all classes of exhibitors and all classes of patrons. The strength of the picture lies in that very flexibility and versatility. Sacrifice those qualities for the sake of making it the highest art, and the structure is unnecessarily weakened. It IS the highest art; it is the most humble art; it is the art universal. Keep for it all those separate spheres of usefulness. If the serving of aristocratic audiences with de luxe pictures is an attractive prospect, remember the poor whom we have always with us, and who need the picture more than do the rich. Remember the cheer that cheap pictures have brought into the lives of women — and men and children, too, — on the farms and in the slums. There are producers competent to make wonderful pictures worthy of their high prices — and they are making them. There are other producers who should be happy in making just ordinary pictures at low prices, so that the little exhibitor can give decent shows to his humble patronage, and make at least a living wage. Perhaps it is a producer's problem, after all. -T^ ^ ^ Getting Ready to Discard the Arc IT needs little argument to prove the superiority of the incandescent lamp over the arc, for all purposes where it will do the required work equally well. For plain and fancy illumination, most of our big cities have already made the change, or are making it as fast as finances and labor conditions will permit. The average motion picture theater man, having used both in different quarters of his house and for different functions, should be quick to appreciate any opportunity to discard the spluttering, hissing, unsteady and even dangerous arc forever. The subject of projection by incandescent lamps is not a new one to our readers, as we have followed the development of the plan quite closely. Our prediction some years ago that the project would be accomplished was followed by an editorial, March 25, 1916, and a progress report article, July 8, 1916. At that time it had become evident that success was within reach, and only technical perfection was necessary. The article we are presenting in this number promises early availability of the tungsten incandescent for practical projection, and the consequent retirement of the arc. Without entering here into an explanation of technical details which would but repeat the substance of the article itself, we would like to emphasize the points mentioned as advantages over the arc; namely, large reduction in operating expense; better pictures with less eye fatigue due to better color and greater steadiness; reduction in wear and tear on machines due to ash from the arc; less heat in the operator's booth, and simpler control. That these are improvements in fact, and not mere claims, will be understood by all who have handled the two kinds of light-source. And that they are important improvements, too, is apparent. Reduction of operating cost is interesting to all. Better projection makes the whole show better. And the safety and satisfaction of lower temperature and great simplicity are certainly acceptable accompaniments. It will take some little time to equip any number of the existing lamp-houses with sockets and reflectors for Mazda lamps, even after the new 750-watt 30-ampere lamp is marketed in quantities ; and there is an extra piece of apparatus to be installed in the shape of a compensator. But those enterprising exhibitors who see opportunity in every new development of merit should be able to capitalize the new system, as soon as they can get it, by advertising1 "Projection with Mazda lamps." The public is sufficiently interested in the developments of applied science to respond to such an announcement with increased patronage. P. H. W.