Moving Picture Age (Jan-Dec 1922)

April, 1922 MOVING PICTURE AGE 35 J "The Veriscope" The only really high-grade, low-priced professional projector in the world. Not a toy or an experiment, but has been in constant service for ten years in various theatres, churches and schools. Height, 6 feet — Net Weight, 193 pounds. Quantity production now permits us to name a price of $297.50 for this modern motor-driven projector fully equipped with either our improved Mazda outfit as above illustrated or with a very large lamp house and arc lamp, including projection and stereopticon lenses, reels, rewinder and all appurtenances complete and ready for operation. Built and guaranteed by C. R. BAIRD COMPANY 243-245-247 East 151st Street NEW YORK aids, but the plans followed by several institutions and organizations, in having classified lists of subjects available, allowing a proper selection of films or slides together with short description or subtitles of each reel, enabling the selector to determine the actual contents, a written abstract or synopsis of what is shown, a brief resume covering the general background of the subject, and a list of other reading references, greatly facilitates matters. It is said that the greatest thing lies in possibilities. The realization of these possibilities lies in a service based on mass interest and successful experiments. There was never, therefore, a greater educational medium for advancement than visualization. Organization, co-operation, and right action in building up a service place at hand for all time to come an instrument for popular education that rivals or surpasses any other. Concerning the Community (Continued from page 14) slow to patronize the many worthwhile pictures shown at the local house. This term we have even published a list of good pictures screened at the local theatre, and thus have proved our desire to help. As a result of the conference we have found the local exhibitor one of our supporters. I have found the labor leaders and the American Legion splendid to work with, and my efforts with these organizations have been most satisfactory. Providing the Music The music work has been a problem. During the first weeks we used a violinist and pianist. They served without pay. As they were put to some expense in buying music, we agreed to give them $1.50 each for the two afternoon and evening shows. They gave fairly good satisfaction. The only objection was the fact that they played the same pieces of music week after week and no effort was made to follow the picture. This could hardly be expected from high-school pupils, so this year we decided to hire professional musicians, pay union wages, and demand good service. Our music for the first part of the term was of very high grade, as in the evenings we had one of the best violinists in town, as well as Petaluma's finest cornetist. The music cost us $15 a day. Soon after the local theatres decided to put in an orchestra, and they took our violinist and cornetist away. The high-school boys who played in the afternoon took their places. Here our experience was the same as with the operators, which I'll presently narrate — we could not get the boys to take the work seriously. Fortunately the school board instituted work in band and orchestral music, and the director was secured to take charge of the moving-picture work. Now the highest grade of music is played ; in fact, few small theatres rander as fine a grade of service. Regarding the Projectionist Last year, when the motion-picture exhibitions were instituted, two high-school boys operated the machines. In a few weeks they asked for a dollar an hour, in spite of the fact that they were not expert operators. The one who knew the least would hold tete-atetes with his fair friends outside of the booth as soon as a reel was placed in the machine. On account of the boys' irresponsibility, the poor service, and the fact that they were not covered by compensation insurance, the janitor was trained to operate the projector. The service quickly improved. The twelve reels of "The Clansman" were recently shown to 700 people without a mishap of any kind. But this man left the school system, and his assistant was broken in. Having little mechanical ability, and with eyesight that was not of the best, this operator spoiled performance after performance. In spite of the fact that our bookings were excellent we began losing money. The problem seemed insurmountable. In desperation I mentioned the difficulty to a firm of local electricians, who took charge of the problem. They have received some of the finest kind of advertising for rendering this service. The operator now being trained under their supervision will receive five dollars for the two performances, when he has become thoroughly proficient. This is only a fair price for good service. One must recognize the fact that the public has been "fed up" on motion pictures ; in order to have your programs draw, the manager must give the public variety. Here are some of the features we have used to round out our programs : Community singing once a month ; chalk talks by a cartoonist, who drew prominent business men of the town; on November 11 the American Legion chaplain talked on "The Meaning of Armistice Day" ; preceding "The Bluebird" were used a fancy dance and an act in pantomime entitled "The Quest of the Bluebird" ; a four-minute talk by the