The Optical Lantern and Cinematograph Journal (Nov 1904-Oct 1905)

THE OPTICAL LANTERN AND CINEMATOGRAPH JOURNAL. 103 LeBture by the Editor of "Photogram." —At Maidstone, Mr. II Snowden Ward, F.R.P.S., vice-president of the Dickens' Fellowship, delivered a lecture entitled : "With the Camera in Dickens' Land." With the aid of very beautiful slides, an interesting description was given of relics and pi ices immortalised by the great author. Subterranean Wonders.— A special public gathering, under the auspices of the senior branch of the Hastings Natural History Society, was held at the Holy Trinity Parish Room, where a limelight lecture, "Marvels of the Subterranean World : the Jenolan Caves of New South Wales," was given by Mr. Fredk. Lambert, F.R.G.S. The lecture was a description of a visit by Mr. Lambert and two friends to the Jenolan Caves situated in the heart of the Bluestone Mountains (New South Wales), a distance of 66 miles from Sydney, and were described by Mr. Lambert as the most beautiful caves in the world. Although very little known in England they are famous throughout the Australian continent, and are worthy to rank among the foremost natural sights of the world. Before reaching the caves themselves, the audience were afforded a glimpse of the beautiful Australian scenery. A unique feature of the lecture was a patent crystalline screen, the invention of the lecturer. It conveyed to the audience in a marvellous manner the dazzling nature of the limestone formations in the caves. Mr. A. Miles ably manipulated the lantern. Cinematograph Exhibition.— At the Salvation Army Citadel an exhibition of animated photographs was given recently by the Salvation Army's cinematograph. The building was packed. Nearly 3,000-ft. of films were put through the machine, including the General receiving the foreign contingents which took part in the great International Congress, beautifully coloured photographs of foreign S.A. bands, and the funeral procession of Mrs. Booth-Tucker. Captain Narroway, who is travelling the country with the lantern, was the operator. Theatre Services.— The use of the lantern and the cinematograph in religious services is becoming quite common. Not only in after-services, mission services, and special services in poor districts, but also in the ordinary services of the sanctuarv, pictorial teaching is coming into vogue. Whatever objection applies to the use of the lantern in the regular services of the Church, there cannot be any objection to its use in services held in theatres and other public buildings. Dr. Arthur G Rogers has achieved a striking success with a series of services of this kind at the Londesborough Theatre, Scarborough. The services are held on Sunday evenings, and the attendances have exceeded all expectations. Least Harmful Light for the Eyes.— The injurious effects of light on the eyes are found to increase with the number of ultra-violet or chemical rays contained. This is the conclusion of Dr. A. Staerkle, of Basel, who shows that petroleum is the least harmful light, and is followed in order by gaslight, electric light, incandescent gaslight, and acetylene, the last-named being most harmful. Thick coloured glass — gray-yellow, red or green— lessens the injurious rays. The Ipswich Camera Club had Mr. A. W. Green of (J. J. Griffin & Sons), lecturing to them recently on the subject of enlarging, with a very simple form of apparatus supplied by that firm. He also demonstrated the toning of bromide prints both with sulphur and with uranium. At the Anthropological Institute, accurate pictures of the corroborees of the tribes of the Torres Straits were given by means of the cinematograph. This is what is known as scientific corroboration. " The River Thames," is the title of a lecture by Mr. H. Gosling, L.C.C. The object being to interest people in the Thames, so as to encourage them to patronize a new service of boats to be run by the London County Council. The lecture is illustrated by a large number of beautiful lantern slides, showing various parts of the Thames from the Nore to Woolwich. Defects in Lantern Slides.— Some lantern slides have been sent to me, the views on which present a misty, matted appearance ; and I am asked to give the explanation for this occurrence. The sender states that the slides were all right until put into the lantern. The cause of these slides being spoiled is simply that they were bound up before the gelatine film was perfectly dry. It is not enough that lantern slides be apparently dry before the cover glass is secured in position, they should be treated to a gentle heat for some time before binding them up. It is surprising what a degree of heat gelatine will stand when, it is perfectly free from all trace of water ; but let heat be applied when the slightest degree of moisture is present, and the result is a sizzling or frying effect, which quite destroys the image, as in the case of these lantern slides. — Cliflon Chroni . At the London Polytechnic, Mr. Maiden has added the additional attraction of animated pictures to his lecture, and these are produced by the famous Polytechnic Cinematograph. The wonders of animated photography were first brought before the London public at this Institution, which has now added all the latest improvements, and the unanimous opinion of the Press has be:n, that the animated pictures of the Polytechnic are the best and freest from flicker of any exhibition. The triple lantern and cinematograph is under the direction of Mr. Tom B. Mercer, who has been connected with the Polytechnic pictures from the commencement. Another use for the CinematographMr. Charles Urban, never behind hand in seizing every opportunity that presents itself for making the Bioscope popular, has, by means of his splendid lens used on his recent trip to America, successfully photographed the ship scene in Mr. Tree's play, "The Temp;st.'' As the ompany now tour the country, there will be no need for them to carry the cumbersome stage property belonging to this scene. The Bioscope will do the work of depicting this scene by projections from behind the screen. The audience, however, will not be made painfully conscious that they are looking at animated pictures, as the colouring of the films and various other technicalities we need not mention, serve to produce the illusion of reality, equal, if not better than did the original mechanical contrivances.