The Moving picture world (December 1920)

924 Florida on the Map A. D. Hotaling, Chief Projectionist, the Grand Theatre, Orlando, Florida, arises to remark : It has been some time since I last wrote our department, so, not having seen anything; from the Florida men lately, I write in the hope of keeping our state on the projection map. I noticed a recent letter from a New York projectionist claiming that if a carbon is placed in the lamp with the trade mark toward the condenser, the results are better. I, also, have found this to be the case. The only possible explanation I am able to offer is this: I assume him to be using National carbons, on one side of which are a series of dashes, interrupting which, at regular intervals, is the name trade mark "National." My theory is this: these dashes cut more or less deeply into the wall of the carbon, thus forming a path of a trifle less resistance, which tends to hold the crater to the condenser side. Some years ago, while using A C, I had more or less trouble holding a steady arc, because of it traveling around the outer edge of the carbon, as you know an arc sometimes will, particularly if it be a bit too long. To remedy this I filed a flat strip on one side of both upper and lower, which same I placed toward the condenser in trimming the lamp. By this scheme I succeeded in giving old man Ride-around a well earned vacation. It is this experience which prompts me to believe that the aforenamed solution of the D C matter may have merit. Presently I will send you photographs and description of my lay-out here at the Grand. Some equipment, I think you will agree, for a small town. Editor Doubts The editor doubts the "path of less resistance" idea, as applies to the length of the carbon, because the core would or should more than offset any effect there might be of that sort. However, we think it is possible that, as applies to the crater itself, the slight added compression of the carbon, caused by the indentations made by the printing wheel (as we remember the matter the imprint is made after the carbon leaves the die) might have some such effect as is described. Frankly this theory seems a bit far-fetched to us, but still it is possible. Anyhow if there really is such an effect, then that apparently is the only possible explanation. As to the photographs, why yes, send them along. Incidentally why not have photos of some of the many fine, modern projection installations. We think likely our readers would enjoy seeing just what the "other feller" has to work with, and in many instances projectionists can secure copies of photographs from the management or from the architect with very little trouble. For the next few months we would not mind printing one photograph a week, provided they be accompanied by adequate description. Send 'em along. And, by the way, what has become of all our old Miami friends. Have not heard MOVING PICTURE WORLD KEEP $10 IN YOUR POCKET Buying MOVING PICTURE WORLD on News Stands at the new price, 25c. a copy, will cost you Thirteen Dollars a year. SUBSCRIBE AT ONCE By sending Three Dollars today you will save Ten Dollars and will always be sure that you will not miss an issue. from them in a coon's age. Where is Barnhill — um, yes, and Mrs. Barnhill too. Good scouts, both of 'em, but silent as a pair of cocained oysters. Handbook Too Cheap Our old friend Uncle Sam has, through his postal department, delivered the following message from Projectionist Charles Oldham, Plainfield, Connecticut : Dear Mr. Richardson: I have been a reader of the department for three years, but this is the first time that I have written. Two months ago my employer installed Mazda on the Powers and Motiograph projectors, of which I have charge. The lamps are 30 amperes, 30 volts — 900 watts. My trouble is this: Since the installation of the Mazda the reading on the screen has been blurred. It is all on the first line. The letters converge at their tops. The rest is O. K. The lenses are Gundelach 4.75 E. F., twoinch diameter. Working distance four inches. Size of picture 13 feet. Distance of projection 70 feet. Prismatic condenser. Mazda globe 2.5 inches from the condenser. Have Tested the Lenses I have tested the lenses for distortion, as per handbook, page 100, and they are all right. Also I stopped the lenses, which takes a little of the distortion away, but it will not remove it all. The diameter of light cone from aperture to lens is 1.75 inches. Have tried the lamps at different distances from aperture, but cannot remove the troublo that way. I get best results with the Mazda globe two inches from the condenser and the condenser eight inches from the aperture, but still the trouble shows, though not so bad. Move the lamp further back and I cannot make the spot small enough. As an experiment I put in the lenses we had when we used the arc. They gave the same result. Before closing let me say that I would December 18, 1920 not be without the handbook for any money. My only criticism in relation to It is that $4 Is too cheap. I am at the Lilly theatre. We W ere at Loss We had never heard of such an effect, and were at loss to account for it. We consulted able Mazda men who also were unable to offer any solution and called up the Nicholas Power Company and laid the matter before them. They were of the opinion that the trouble was due to the lamp being out of alignment, so we gave them your address and asked them to take the matter up with friend Oldham direct, which they agreed to do. We would like to know what the trouble is when it is finally located for, with all due respect to the N. Power man we are skeptical as to the correctness of his diagnosis. Mebby so, but it strikes us that if the lamp were sufficiently out of line to produce that effect you would get danged little light on the screen, because when a Mazda is out of line, even so little as onesixteenth of an inch it raises merry sheol with the illumination. And anyhow we fail to see just why the lamp being out of line would produce such an effect, or if that were the seat of the trouble why stopping down the projection lens would have any particular effect on it. Well, we shall see what we shall see, so please report the final finding, if you will be so kind. Descriptions Wanted John H. Dariott, presumably a projectionist, Gordon's Old South Theatre Company, Boston, Mass, wants to know if a description of the "Weaver" automatic douser or a description of the new safety film device invented by one Nicholson, of Johnstown, Pa., has appeared in the department. Wants to know where descriptions may be had if we have not printed them. No these devices have not been described, for the very simple reason that the inventor has not as yet presented them to this department for examination and test. Inventions of this chaiacter, which have been galvanized into brief life, but have quickly fallen by the wayside and expired, would form a procession of very respectable length. We have examined the good Lord only knows how many ourselves during the past ten years. Some were elaborate, costly and very efficient mechanisms, which, in case of film fire, did about everything except actually appear on the stage and request the audience to file quietly out. Others were simple, inexpensive and quite efficient, performing the duty assigned to them with certainty. But regardless of what they were they seemed to all of them to fail to reach the point of successful marketing. We do not know where you can get the desired descriptions. rTl^ELARGEST MOTJoTnpicriJR^ s boston mr ^^^.^^^^ omaha § NEW YORK J mm CHC,rA?0LAND fi PHILADELPHIA M M M M J CHICAGO 1 PITTSBURGH M M f* M M* #7 MINNEAPOLIS § CINCINNATI M M v OKLAHOMA CITY § 8 DETROIT JK mi I " I g — ^^^^^ KANSAS CITY, MO. g EVERYTHING FOR THE MOTION PICTURE THEATRE EXCEPT THE FILM S United Theatre Equipment Corporation § I H. T. Edwards Executive Offices: j „ Hm|Ib I Pres. and Treas. 1604 BROADWAY, NEW YORK CITY Vlce-Pre.. and Secy |