The Moving picture world (February 1920-March 1920)

1468 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD February 28, 1920 One Possible Solution of Problem of Locating the Projection Room DIOGEN'ES looking for an honest man, "super" actors looking for super parts at super salaries, thirsty citizens looking for tickets to Havana and an expectant public looking for definite action on the peace treaty have nothing on the anxiety of the writer who is looking for the reason why supposedly sane and rational exhibitors turn over the planning of a projection room to an architect who knows absolutely nothing about projection or its practical requirements. Why does not the owner of a projected theatre make it a requirement of his agreement with the architect that the architect shall consult a competent projection engineer as to the location and general arrangement of his projection room? Wouldn't that be merely common sense? Doesn't the income of the future theatre depend largely upon the excellence of the presentation upon the screen of good pictures? One has but to -enter almost any of the great Broadway picture theatres to see the damage done by well-meaning but ill-advised architects working without the co-operation of a competent projection engineer. Speaking of one of the most modern of them all, the man who made the projection installation said to me: "Richardson, I almost cried when I saw that projection room." Somebody should tell these architects that four-fifths of the time a little care and study on their part would result in the right location for a projection room. But that is not all. More often than jjot, not only is the location bad but the planning of the ports is worse and the interior arrangement makes highclass screen results impossible. Balcony Location Not Easy. From a Middle West city comes the following : "Your article in the issue of January 10 is timely, at least so far as I am concerned, for I am promoting a local company to erect a $200,000 theatre, though no mention of this is desired publicly as yet. The last theatre I built in 1910, and I located the projection room so high that it was necessary to tilt the screen. I have always maintained that the projection room should be located in the front of the balcony, and will be glad to know what suggestions you have in mind along that line." The location of the projection room in the balcony is not a matter which can be finally solved by any other than a competent architect. There are problems which must be met, but I am quite sure that can be met if there is the determination so to do. "Hiding" the Light Ray. As I see the matter, it would be necessary to locate the room within the balcony structure itself, and in such a way that the light ray would not come within sight of the audience during its first ten feet of high concentration. Taking a typical case of a seventy-foot distance of projection and an eighteen-foot picture, this would mean that at the point the ray became visible it would be about 22 by 30 inches in area, hence it would require two openings of that size. The plan explains my idea, but if you show it to an architect he will very likely elevate his nose at a dangerous angle and declare it impossible. But don't mind the indignation. Make him show you wherein the idea is not fundamentally right and entirely possible in practice. I do not mean the diagram to do more than show the crude idea. It is for the architect to work it out into form. It would mean the raising of the balcony vertically, as a whole, except for its under ceiling, four feet. Well, that is no killing matter is it, if by so doing we can get the projection room where we want it, and get it there without sacrificing anything at all in seating capacity or beauty? The only inconvenience would be the necessity for a bridge over the ray, as indicated in the front view, but what is that as against a level projection? Big Vent Necestary. Let me warn you against one thing. If this plan is worked out, be sure and provide ample vent flue area, so that in case of fire all smoke and gas will be carried away. Five hundred square inches should be enough, but the vent flue should be thoroughly insulated from all inflammable material. I believe I have given you a practical, workable idea. The rest is up to the architect. Raising the balcony seating by four feet is decidedly better than making forever impossible the best possible result on the screen, upon which the whole investment depends. Oh yes, one other objection is the flat ceiling below. Well, it need not be entirely flat except for the first ten feet, though it is better so, but save in exceptional cases I don't know that a flat balcony ceiling would be very seriously objectionable, especially if the back part can be sloped, as per dotted line. F. H. R. "The Copperhead" Praised by Confederate Veterans TH.\T tne Paramount .^rtcrafl Super-Special, "The Copperhead," is destined to achieve as big a boxoffice success in the Southern States as it has already demonstrated itself capable of in the North, is the conclusion of the Famous Players-Lasky executives following a recent showing of the picture before as critical a Southern audience as could be found below the Mason and Dixon Line. The showing was held at the State Confederate Home at .Austin, Texas, where a large number of veterans of the Confederacy reside. Here, natural'y, was afforded a test for the Civil War play quite as severe as it possibly could be subjected to anywhere in the South. Vigorous applause greeted many of the scenes of the picture and after the showing was over a score or more of the veterans crowded forward to offer their personal congratulations to the Famous Players-Lasky representative, who obtained written indorsements from Superintendent J. C. Loggins, of the Home; from Superintendent Thomas, of the Confederate Women's Home, a large delegation from which was also present; from Dr. W. D. Yett, Mayor of the city, and from Justice William E. Hawkins, of the Texas Supreme Court. The special showing was arranged by Leslie F. Whelan, exploitation representative at the Dallas exchange of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. Flint Regent Nearly Ready. The Regent Theatre. Flint. Mich.. W. S. Butterfield's fifth theatre in that city, opens March 10 with pictures. The house will seat 1,800. Jack Prescott, well known in the "legitimate" field, having been manager for Robert Edeson, Elsie Ferguson and other star.';, is to be in charge of the Regent. 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