Movie Age (1927)

PAGE 24 MOVIE AGE Improved Condenser for Present Day Projectors Lubrication of Film is Necessary for Passage When motion picture projectors first were built, the optical parts used were, for the most part, such as were already in use for other purposes and for this reason easily obtained. Many of these were ill suited for this new use but would be made to serve in some fashion. An example of this is the condenser lens which collects light radiated from the light source and converges it onto the film whence it is imaged onto the screen. A comparatively small lens chosen years ago was adopted as stan¬ dard. Since the advent of the very large present day theatres, the motion pic¬ ture industry has been faced with the very serious problem of finding a way of getting more light to the very large screens. A number of improvements in arc lamps have effected greater ef¬ ficiency in ilumination. Recently a condenser of large diameter has been developed. This lens collects light from the arc within a much greater angle than previously and so uses much more of the light now available. Super Service Appliance Excellent for Cleaning The general trend in cleaning meth¬ ods for the modern theatre shows a tendency to relegate the broom and dust-pan, the oil mop and other kind¬ red household cleaning implements to the scrap heap. Unquestionably these are being replaced by more modern methods and appliances. For example, the vacuum method of cleaning theatres is universally declared not only more efficient but a good deal speedier and economical in the fact that it saves the life and preserves the appearance of expensive carpets and draperies. Among the newly improved cleaning devices that may be recommended is the Super Service Electric Suction Cleaner. This appliance may be said to fill the gap between the household cleaner and the heavy semi-portables or stationary types. Its initial cost is much less. In weight the Super Serv¬ ice cleaner is extremely light, can be carried up and down stairs by its handle and into places ordinarily difficult to reach. The device is carried by all the National Theatre Supply stores. It is necessary to apply some sort of lubricant to the surface of motion picture film in order to facilitate its passage through the projector. If this is not done an accumulation of hardened gelatin forms on the projector gate and the friction which results often entirely arrests the progress of the film. Present lubricating practice consists in applying a thin line of wax along each edge of the film. This is satis¬ factory but there is a tendency to ap¬ ply too much wax, which encroaches on the picture area and causes spots and blotchiness on the screen. Also the presence of too much wax in the gate is apt to cement the film to the aperture plate if the projector is thread¬ ed when warm and then allowed to cool, so that on starting the projector the film remains stationary in the gate and is apt to catch fire. The above objections have been over¬ come by applying a solution of wax dis¬ solved in carbon tetrachloride to the en¬ tire surface of the film and then buff¬ ing this. The result is to impart a high polish to the film surface analo¬ gous to that on polished footwear. This treatment insures sufficient lubrication and film so treated is impervious to the effect of oil, so that the trouble from patchiness and blotches on the screen caused by oils is eliminated. General Electric Has Successful Sound Film The General Electric Co.’s contribu¬ tion to the talking pictures field com¬ pleted its first week’s run at the State Theatre, Schenectady, N. Y., last week. The General Electric device is known as “Kinegraphone.” Officials of the organization expressed themselves as being more than pleased with the performance of the machine, and declare that it will be serious compe¬ tition for Vitaphone, Movietone, and Vocafilm. It is understood that the company is endeavoring to hook up with producers of recognized short subjects in order to organize a complete unit of sales for its product. BOX OFFICE REPORT BLANK Tear Out. Fill In Mail Today For the Next Issue If Every Exhibitor Does His Duty There Will Be No Inferior Pictures. Title _ _ Star _ Producer _ . n Remarks _ Title _ Star _ Producer Remarks Title ___ Star _ Producer Remarks Exhibitor’s Name House Name Kind of Patronage Town _ State