Motography (Apr-Dec 1911)

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April, 1911. MOTOGRAPHY 19 by projecting two sets of pictures onto a couple of white screens, the reflections from which are then thrown on a piece of plate glass hung at an angle, in the front part of the little stage. Owing to these reflectors being fixed at slightly different angles, the reflections on the plate glass do not exactly coincide, and a stereoscopic effect is produced. The stage used in a recent demonstration had an opening of about six feet, and apparently a depth of about five feet. It was fitted with backgrounds, drop curtains and so forth, just like an ordinary theater in miniature. The images of the moving pictures were sufficiently brilliant for the back-ground not to be seen through them, although the stage was well lit. The figures are about twenty inches high, and have the appearance of living statuettes, made from alabaster. They moved over the whole of the width of the opening, but not to any considerable distance backwards or forwards. The stereoscopic effect was, however, certainly most realistic, one figure passing behind another in the most life like manner. They might well have been Liliputians in stone come to life, like Galatea. This is the first time it has been possible to see stereoscopic moving pictures without the aid of some form of spectacles (or similar adjunct), and the Kinemato graph believes we may reasonably look forward to a not far distant day when we shall be able to view all forms of moving pictures in the solid on a full-sized stage. Pepper's ghost, upon the principle of which Alabastra is founded, is explained in most books on physics or optics. It depends on the reflection of images from a plane plate glass at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Thus the spectator sees not only the image reflected from the glass, but also the stage background and scenery through the glass. That is why the images are white; they must be bright enough to kill the transmitted light of the background, yet the background must be bright enough to show distinctly around the images. It is evident that the apparent stereoscopic effect of Alabastra is due not to the superposing of images on the screen, but to the superposing of the image reflected from the glass on the image transmitted through the glass. We see the real stage and scenery, stationary; and imposed upon that vision we sec the little white reflected images, moving. The stereoscopic effect is not an effect at all. It is real perspective, since the stage is real. The reason the present figures of Alabastra are so small is that the apparatus and paraphernalia to project anything like life-size figures would be cumbersome and expensive beyond all proportions to the results. The miniature figures are very pleasing, — perhaps more so than larger ones would be, since there is little detail in the pure white images. Even if the system does not develop to the universality of the ordinary motion picture as an entertainment feature, it should find great use as an advertising novelty, and possibly for private exhibitions. But it shows great promise of bigger things than that. Film Reforms in Portland, Ore. The joint Committee representing societies interested in the improvement of the moving picture shows in Portland, Ore., reports a hearty co-operation on the part of the managers of the theaters. At the suggestion of Melvin G. Winstock, of the People's Amusement Company, a delegate has been appointed for each day in the week to visit the quarters of the two companies which control the films displayed in Portland. These delegates are to view the films before they are released. While this work is simply advisory the managers have promised the organizations that if at the end of six months' trial the standard is not raised to the point desired by the committee, an ordinance calling for an official censoring board will receive not only the approval of the managers but their hearty support. The delegates will meet once a week to compare notes and a report will be sent to each manager and to the National Censorship Committee, New York. The following letter has been sent the members of the two Portland film companies by the committee : "Dear Sirs: — The representatives of the various organizations that have taken up the matter of an investigation of the moving picture shows of this city, whose report was published some time ago, desires to express their commendation of the efforts being made by the companies engaged in the business to meet the general desire for a higher standard. "While we believe that there is still much room for improvement, particularly in the matter of ventilation, lighting and overcrowding, there has been a noticeable improvement in the character of the films. "We would especially commend such groups as those recently shown — 'Lassoing Wild Animals in Africa,' and 'The Tale of Two Cities.' We understand that the box office receipts fully justify our assertion that the public appreciates a high standard and prefers to patronize clean and decent entertainment. "The moving picture has come to stay and is of inestimable value, both as an entertainment and as an educational medium, but we believe that the public should indicate its preference for the better class of pictures either through the press or to. the managers. We have found that the managers are as anxious to conduct a clean business as the mothers are to have clean and decent pictures shown. It is from the point of view of mutual interest that it is ordered that a copy of this first letter be sent to each company and to the press. "Eleanor Colwell, for the Associated Charities ; Valentine Prichard, for the People's Institute ; Flora K. Lippitt, for the Council of Jewish Women ; E. M. Newill, for the Woman's club ; Millie Trumbull, for the Child Labor Commission." Another Asylum Gets Into Line The effect upon the insane of moving picture exhibitions will be tried at Dunning, 111., within a short time by Dr. J. P. Percival, the superintendent. James M. .Slattery, superintendent of public service, has entered heartily into the plan and has advertised for bids for machines for Dunning, the county hospital, and Oak Forest infirmary. Dr. Percival was formerly head of the state hospital for the insane at Norfolk, Neb., and experimented with moving picture machines while there. "The patients at the institution at Norfolk, Neb., thoroughly enjoyed the pictures," said Dr. Percival. "The effect upon the insane was soothing and the pictures tended to divert the minds of the patients. "It would have a bad effect to show insane patients pictures of tragedies, or highly exciting events. Comical films and pictures of scenery and cities are the kind of films which will be shown."