The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (March 1898)

44 The Optical Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger. A Little Information about the Cinematograph.—No. III. By W. C. HUGHES. ig monstrous that people’s lives should be jeopardised, without some protest on the part of the general public, in order to preserve a safeguard. It is really astonishing, considering the inexperienced perae sons who are allowed sometimes to manipulate the limelight in theatres, music halls, etc., that there have been so few accidents, and in matter of cinematograph machines the hundreds that are used nightly with no casualties, augurs well for the safety of the show; nevertheless, it | Therefore, a few hints to | [ | technicalities, it will in many instances prevent is well to be careful. those interested in such work may be useful, viz. :—If an ether saturator be used, do not fill it near an open light; with regard to the celluloid films, the best plan is to allow them to fall whilst passing through the machine into a suitable receptacle, the best for the purpose being a water or fireproof sack—or better still, a metal box or upright case with a small lid which could, be closed immediately should by any chance whatever the films become ignited and so extinguish the flames at once. This should be fixed as close to the mouth of the | machine as possible, or wind each film automatically as it is unwound from the spool. An arrangement of this kind can be made and adjusted at a small additional expense. Keep lighted tapers and such like away from loose films, and, above all, do not smoke cigarettes or cigars while manipulating same. In conclusion, then, I may say the danger is reduced to nil; the whole thing, as a matter of fact, is exceedingly simple to manage, and that so delightful an optical amusement should be marred and spoiled by a few ignorant, careless, | itinerant showmen is distressing to think about. Pardon my apparent vehemence, but I feel constrained to speak in these terms. I am, and always have been, an enthusiast in the art of optical projection, and to live to see a good thing spoiled, mutilated and torn, so to speak, by a handful of inexperienced, so-called lanternists, is enough to make the angels weep, besides being a source of irritation to those interested in such matters. In consequence of these preventible accidents, which happily have been very insignificant in England, the London County Council have in the , ' rationale of the whole matter. their wisdom thought fit to impose certain restrictions wherever a cinematograph show takes place in buildings under their supervision. I commend the Council in doing this, for it is time that some attention was paid in this direction, particularly by such a body as the L.C.C., but still, for all that, a slight amendment might be made in some of the rules with much advantage, more especially Rule No. 7, where tle line is rather tightly drawn, and in my opinion unnecessarily so, i.¢., an asbestos shutter must be adapted or fixed in every machine to fall automatically between the condensers and the film in order to shield it, as they say, from the heat of the light. If they insist upon this rule being carried ; into effect, and competent exhibitors are to be catechised on this point by committee men or hall keepers who may be unacquainted with a show coming off at all, and lead to unpleasant consequences. This innovation means a new invention applied to every existing machine which may not be practicable to the proper working of the machine, nor within the reach for all to comply with ; besides, there is no need for it. All that is required to meet the necessity of the rule is to place an ordinary glass water trough in front of the condenser, and I will guarantee perfect immunity from danger. No film will catch fire under such circumstances, provided the trough is large enough and holds a quantity of water—such I make for my own machines. Remember also the film as a rule runs in a closed cage, and only that part of the film is in danger that is exposed to the heat rays through the opening in the cage. Very well, suppose then you are working without a trough and the film catches fire, what happens ? Nothing! Merely a little flare up and out again. Why? Simply thus :—The cage itself acts as an extinguisher if properly constructed ; the film in transit is pressed tightly between the doors of the cage: no flame can live therein—to be more accurate the life is squeezed out of it, so to speak, therefore it becomes harmless. For the same reason, when a piece of lighted paper is thrown upon the ground, if stamped on it is soon put out. This is the Simply precaution, that is all! Seeing this the L.C.C. should amend Rule No. 7, and insist upon a water trough being used in every machine instead of an asbestos automatic shutter; and that all machines should be constructed with a cage to hold the film. Also in the case of Rule No. 6