Moving Picture World (Sep 1916)

2108 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD September 30, 1916 The effects of the aperture lens upon the original condenser beam are shown accurately in the drawing ; ray aa is bent to the direction of aa1, bb to bb1, cc to cc1, etc. The total beam as delivered by the aperture lens is tinted to make the drawing clearer. It is thus found that the beam proceeds toward the objective with an over-all uniform cross-section as far as section XX, from which position it starts to diverge rapidly. Now in order to take full advantage of the narrow beam, especially with small diameter objectives, it is very evident that the B.F. cannot be made much greater than the distance from the aperture to section XX. But there is another, more urgent reason why it cannot be done, for it is observed that rays such as are typified by a1 and d1 strike the rear factor of the objective near the outer edge, and at a very oblique angle ; and if the converging power of the rear factor is not sufficient to bend such rays so that they will pass through the front factor, these rays will strike the inside of the lens barrel and be lost. In the ■drawing these rays have been made to pass through the front factor, but it is not known that this would always be the actual case with objectives in present use. Thus it is seen that the aperture lens gains the light that was formerly lost to the rear factor, then is the possibility of losing maybe an equal amount at the front factor. This discovery shows that the B.F. must be limited in length if all the light is to pass through both factors of the objective, and thus we are up against a probable conflict between the necessary E.F. and the desired B.F. But there is another final fault which puts the present design out of business entirely. If the rays are now traced through the objective, it is found that the ideal shutter position is located within the lens barrel at section YY, and the condition of the beam before the lens is entirely unsuited for the use of the revolving shutter. The present design therefore falls down completely and must be reconstructed. In reconstructing the design it is quite evident that the focus of the aperture lens must be made longer so that section YY will occur at least two inches in front of the front factor of the objective. It is also evident that lengthening the focus of the aperture lens will diminish the danger of loss of light between the two objective factors, and it will make the possible B.F. longer ; but it will cause the light beam at the rear factor to be thicker in cross-section. Furthermore, there may be advantages to be gained by placing the aperture lens farther from the film ; but this absolutely could not be attempted unless the aperture lens be duly corrected. The first thing to do seems to be the determination of a standard condenser system with a fixed minimum distance between condensers and aperture, for if this is not established there will be too many variables to work with, both in theory and in final practical operation. In other words, it must be fool proof. I can see at this point that there is a possibility of success for the idea, and if the distance from condensers to aperture and diameter of objective were once standardized the remaining problems of design would be comparatively simple. I don't know what to say to this so will not say anything, but pass it up to Griffiths, Deutch and Armstrong. It is a tough nut, but the Sabo Company has it at least partly solved, and I am sure we will finally get a satisfactory answer to the puzzle. Little Things That Mean Much. J. C. Hornstein, sales manager of the Picture Theater Equipment Company, New York City, contributes the following : How many operators really go to their job each day with the feeling that they will produce better screen results that day than they did the day before — screen results which spell results at the box office? Possibly there are those who cannot be wholly blamed for starting the day's work with a feeling that there is nothing for them to do but "turn the crank." In the course of selling supplies I have met exhibitors who are on the lookout for "something cheap," although well knowing that the cheap article will not fill the bill in any satisfactory way, or meet the expectations of the long suffering operator. As a matter of fact it is that same "something cheap" which really cheapens his house by cheapening the result on the screen, and in the end compels him to spend his last few dollars frantically looking for something better, which he has finally, through sad experience, learned means perfect projection and a profitable business. There are other exhibitors I have met who, when I have broached the subject of something now, which means better projection, look at me knowingly and conclude that I am merely engaged in an effort to separate him from some coin. How many of even the real, wide awake exhibitors are there who, when shown improvements which mean better screen results, improvments that have been brought Into being to the end that bettor results may be had with less labor and less light consumption, and which will bring more money to the cash drawer, will even listen to you for a moment, let alone allowing you the opportunity for an actual demonstration even when these artIclea have been endorsed by such eminent authorities as Nicholas Power, F. H. Richardson and others. Their number is few, and I say it with regret, but these few are the real foundation of the motion picture industry. They arc men whose praise should be sung in every convention hall, at every operators' meeting, and in the columns of every periodical of the motion picture industry. Thoy arc the money makers, but they make their money by spending some of it for those Improvements llio worth of which has been demonstrated. Take for instance such a simple article as graphite. This may be obtained at any first class motion picture supply house at as low a price as 10 cents, yet how many managers will purchase it, even after being shown its value in the operating room? I have actually had exhibitors tell me operators objected to using graphite because it makes the lamp dirty; others simply claim their operators "don't li*e it." I know, the editor of the department knows, and every one else who is posiea knows that the operator who really knows his business will welcome graphite in the operating room, literally with "open arms," because without it his lamp cannot possible be made to work in a satisfactory manner. Another worthy little device is the film cleaner. How many theaters are using a film cleaner, which means perfection to them in the showing of the reels which are not "first run"? The cost of maintaining this article is one cent per reel, or seven cents per day where seven reels are being shown — not even the price of a single 10-cent admission. And think how much better how much snarper, clearer, and more brilliant the picture would be if all theaters used a film cleaner every time the reel was rewound. Some exhibitors when told about these helpful devices have replied to the effect that they have gone to the expense of purchasing a cleaner only to have the operator use it for awhile and then discard it through pure, unadulterated laziness. My advice to that particular exhibitor was to get another operator, and get him quick. That advice has been acted upon too, and acted upon distinct benefit to the theater. I have had some operators tell me it is not their fault that such devices are not used in their operating rooms, because they are compelled to fetch the reels, eat a hurried lunch and start the show at 2 P. M. My sympathy is certainly with those unfortunates who are willing, if given a decent chance, to produce for their incompetent managers better projection. In such cases the fault lies not with the operator, but with the manager. The operator should in all cases be provided with a competent assistant to get the reels, examine and repair them, thread the idle machine, trim the carbons, thus leaving the operator himself with nothing to do but project the picture. It is quite true that projection can be remedied in almost every motion picture theater in the country, but this will never be done until the operators and exhibitors get together and co-operate. It would be hugely beneficial if managers and operators would spend one hour every week in discussing possible improvements. In fact the wise theater manager will make a practice of calling his help together once a week and discussing matters pertaining In general to the welfare of the house. There is a great deal of truth in Erother Hornstein's article — a very great deal, indeed. In particular I would call the attention 01 theater managers to the last paragraph. Such a meeting, if entered into in the right spirit, could not possibly result in anything but improvement. The most humble usher might be able to make suggestions which would be of distinct benefit, and most certainly if the discussion was carried on in the right spirit every one, from manager to janitor, would be benefited. The manager's end of such a meeting would be to discuss with his employes possible improvement in the conduct of their various positions ; the employes' part would be to point out to the manager anything and everything which would seem to be likely to improve the service, and it would, of course, be up to the manager to receive these suggestions seriously, give them due consideration, and act on those which seem to possess value. New Catalogue. G. A. Metcalfe, 119 Golden Gate avenue, San Francisco, Cal., and 1210 Fourth avenue, Seattle, Wash., has issued a very complete catalog of the supplies in which he deals, the same being bound In an unique way. The list of supplies shown is remarkably complete. Presumably these catalogs may be had for the asking, and they certainly would be a convenience to any theater. I find listed therein condensers of all kinds, such as plano-convex, meniscus bi-eonvex, arc controllers, standard projection machines, Preddy condenser mounts, home projectors, fans, film menders, Pyrene guns and, in fact, about anything and everything one would find use for in a moving picture theater. The catalog is of goodly size. It contains 176 pages. Nova Scotia Operators to Be Examined. On September 15th all Nova Scotia operators are to be examined at the Technical School in Halifax. I am informed that on that occasion an attempt will be made to organize the men. It strikes me that the government is not exactly fair when it compels operators to pay railway fare for two or three hundred miles in order to be examined. Nova Scotia operators are by no manner of means high salaried labor, and the loss of time and the payment of fare is going to bo a genuine hardship. Tenth Birthday. On my return from Canada one of the first things encountered was a nice, little box of sugar coated lunch, which was immediately and greedily devoured to the last crumb, after which the following card: was resurrected from the wreck of the package: We are giving a party today to celebrate our tenth birthday, and you are invited. Perhaps you are very busy and can't come. But I want you to celebrate with us. and so I am sending you herewith a piece of our birthday cake, hoping you will enjoy it. We have been in business just ten years today. Won't you drop us a line of congratulation? There is nothing that makes our hearts as glad as hearing from our