Moving Picture World (Jul-Sep 1911)

8oo THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD then again clear edges. My operator has worked with a Powers, Motiograph or Edison machine, but has had no experience with a Standard. 1 have been wondering if through your valuable department we could not find some way to eliminate the trouble. The same shadow also appears on the screen, in a iii"dilicd form." No, the square on the shutter will not usually appear evenly illuminated all over. Often there will be a pretty good photograph of the crater in the center of the square, or rather the rectangle of light. In order that I be able to form a decisive opinion as to what is the trouble, and offer intelligent advice in matters of this kind it is absolutely essential that I know the throw and width of picture. I can then tell you the proper condenser lenses to use. As it is I can only guess at the difficulty. I think you are troubled with a ghost in center of screen due to either condensing lenses of wrong focal length or lamphouse being too close to or too far away from mechanism. Try moving lamphouse back as far as you can and, if that doesn't clear up the screen, move it ahead. Be sure your lenses are clean, that the projection lenses are tight in their mounts and that the lens system is in line throughout (see page 119, July 22 issue). If the solution is not found in these suggestions kindly send more detailed information as to throw, size picture, etc. As to the oil: there has been some complaint regarding the machine named, but the fault lies in the fact that operators use too much oil. As has been pointed out time and again in this department, one drop of oil is ample for any motion picture machine bearing. More than that not only does no good, but is a positive detriment in that it runs off and makes a mess. The trouble with the machine named is excessive oil in intermittent and flywheel shaft bearings. The surplus runs down on the apron, and gets on the film to some extent. Speed has little to do with it. The matter is now being taken care of by the manufacturers, I understand, and some method will be devised to prevent the surplus oil reaching the apron. Pertinent Poetry. — The editor just discovered, among his papers a poem given him by the Essanay Company's producer a couple of years ago. He would recommend it to the careful perusal of quite a number of operators he has met in the past. Particularly is the last line to be taken to heart. Cut it out, my brother, and paste it in your hat. LOQUACITY. The men who talk much and exceedingly well, Are numerous, courteous, affable, too. One finds that they've always a story to tell — It may be one finds that they never get through. They air every subject that's under the sun, To the wonder of whose who cannot get away — Keep telling of deeds they've triumphantly done; But what are such wordy men good for to-day? Grandiloquent talkers are everywhere found; They come in all models and classes and kinds. The deeds they have done are of sorts that astound; Their stories oft fascinate innocent minds. Still, talk's not expensive, as doubtless you've heard; It's easy to give to the fancy full play. Oh, far, far away these adventures occurred — But what are such wordy men good for to-day? The man who comes forward with something to say And stops when it's said to give others a turn, Who has some fair samples of goods to display. May not have a carload of language to burn": Perhaps he is silent on hazardous deeds Enacted on far seas, in tropical woods, But still he supplies our immediate needs, For he is the man who is there with the goods. Same Old Story.— On page 534. Aug. 26 issue, appears a lengthy description of the beautiful new Princess Theater. Denver, Colo. The house, says the article, cost more than $125,000. The charming interior, beautiful lobby, ventilation, walls and even the seats are praised. The one trifling detail omitted from the elaborate description is the operating room, trom whence comes the entire show and upon which depends the return from every dollar invested. The singer and each member of the orchestra is declared to be an artist, but the operator, on whose work the whole thing depends, is not even so much as mentioned. Presumably he is a cranktwister. I say presumably for the reason that while all others are named as artists he is, as I said, not even mentioned. Why not have an artist in the operating room too? purely a $125,000 investment dependent on what comes through the lenses would justify an artist there also. Maybe the operator of the Princess is an artist. I don't know; but if so why not also give him credit along with the rest? Anyhow in so elaborate a description of the house the fact that there really is an operating room might have been at least alluded to. Two Prizes.— Loosen your machine head so it can be lifted ind out of the way. Before moving it, however, strike an arc and adjust same so that field on screen is clear. Now remove projection lens, lift head out of the way and hold lens in position it occupied when in machine (you can measure from wall before removing head). N'ow move lens toward the arc slowly, until it is right up close to condenser. Note carefully what takes place on screen, as you move lens toward condenser. Now place it in position again and move away from arc, noting what takes place on screen. lor the best description of phenomenon observed and best <_ xplanation of its cause, one year's subscription to The World will be given. If the winner be a subscriber, his subscription will be extended one year. For the second best, one copy of the handbook, or six months' subscription will be awarded. The two best replies will be published. This is confined strictly to those actually operating machines. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. (With apologies to our own Trouble Department.) Perplexed Exhibitor: "What shall I do with a pianoplayer who played something like 'Carrie' and 'Marry' while Edward III was doing his best to shuffle off his mortal coil?" Take him, dear P. E., the aforesaid pianoplayer to the nearest vacant lot with a fence around it, carefully examine the fence and then tie the pianoplayer to it and leave him there without further comment. Sorely Puzzled: "You complain of your exchange because it refuses to give you what you want. When lately you asked for good educational and scenic reels they gave you large allopathic doses of fromage de brie comedy." Sorely Puzzled, you surely are wholly unfamiliar with the principles on which exchanges are run. Wire immediately to your exchange that you must have strong Western stuff or go out of business, and be certain the next express will bring you a choice assortment of educational subjects. Abraham Finkelstein, Chrystie St. — You inform us that you have accumulated $250 in the perambulatory trade and want it to go into "moving pictures." You have read an "ad." in a Sunday sporting paper: "First-class moving picture theater in city of 40,000, no competition, for sale at $250. No experience necessary. Reason for selling: Owner tired of counting small change." Really, Abraham, we ought to charge you for this advice. Keep your 250 oboli or use it to extend your distributing agency for suspenders, shoestrings, etc. Stop reading that kind of advertisements. Thalia Temple, Podunk Corners. — You write :"My singer, a man, has just got married and wants a raise. Shall I give it to him?" Emphatically — No. Presumably your singer was handsome, if not actually cursed with the fatal gift of beauty. By marrying he has alienated the affection and lost the nickels of the susceptible maidens, who heard him sing and maybe had hopes. Besides, a married man is in no position to ask for a raise. His wife will not let him leave his job. This may seem cruel, but business is business. Disgruntled Exhibitor says: "I showed a film the other day which the manufacturers in their circulars said was the best ever made, but the people here say it's rotten. What shall I do?" Sorry, but this is beyond us. We cannot assume that the manufacturer was mistaken; the modesty of manufacturers regarding their own products is too well known for that. \ou might get full affidavits from your patrons and we will print them for you, if that will do any good.