Reel and Slide (Mar-Dec 1918)

REEL and SLIDE 11 Non-inflammable Film—How and When? The Leading Makers of Projection Machines Will Voice Their Views on This Important Question in the Columns of REEL and SLIDE. This Is the Second Article By A. E. Gundelach, (Sales Manager, De Vry Corporation) THE situation relating to the use of inflammable and noninflammable film has passed through a natural stage of evolution in those countries in which motion pictures were first used to the greatest extent. In the early days, motion pictures were used for entertainment purposes only and in places suitably prepared for their showing. When it was found that a natural hazard existed in the use of inflammable film, the possibility of making film non-inflammable was regarded as a most desirable solution. With the perfection of non-inflammable film, France prohibited, by legislative measures, the further use of inflammable film, making the showing of motion pictures safe regardless of when and where given. In spite of the precedent so established, a very peculiar mental attitude has been taken toward the film situation in this country. Just what the interests are which hinder its progress it seems almost impossible to ascertain. There is a popular prejudice against the adoption of non-inflammable film on the supposition that it is not as satisfactory as the inflammable ; and this is the basis of the contention made by a great many people that it is useless to attempt any substitution of the former for the latter. If this were true, then what explanation is here for the use of non-inflammable film in off-standard widths? If it is satisfactory in the off-standard widths, as has been adequately proven, then why should it be less satisfactory in the standard? * * * THERE is nothing to be said in favor of inflammable film — there is everything against it. In Chicago alone we have had close to $2,000,000 losses by fire in theaters and film exchanges. Of the fifty-five fires in theaters which have gone to make up this loss, the majority have been caused by pure carelessness on the part of the operator in handling the film outside of the projector. Those occurring in other buildings and film exchanges are, it seems, attributed to the same reason. There have been numerous fires in other cities, resulting in the loss of life and much damage to property — all due to the hazard of inflammable film when handled carelessly. Inflammable film is no more dangerous than a box of matches or a bottle of naptha cleaning fluid, if used with the proper care. That is the only argument which may be advanced for its continued use. Non-inflammable film can be made to serve as satisfactorily, if not more so, than inflammable film, so far as its lasting qualities are concerned; and it is just as good in every other respect. There are a number of interests which would like to control the film market with special films, of special widths and special perforations. Not only is this apparent among manufacturers of projectors, but also among manufacturers of film. A selfish aim of this kind is bound to destroy itself. If film is to be made safe for the school and the church, then let us also make it safe for the theater. There_ can be no alternative nor compromise— either it is right or_ it is wrong. Personal element should not be allowed to enter into it at all; personal prejudice should carry no influence; material motives must be suppressed. We are at the dawn of a new era in which every man serves his fellow-men and succeeds in proportion to the value of his services — not by domination, not by monopoly, but wholly through co-operation. And it is this co-operation which is necessary in reaching the solution of a question of such momentous importance as motion This Is the Label attached to Slozv Burning Films, Examined and Approved by the Under-mriters' Laboratories picture film — which, after all, is but a step in the evolution of mechanical thought dissemination and should rightfully be put in a position where it could fulfill its function unhampered by any restrictions. * * * THE only plausible or logical solution — the only complete solution and the best for all concerned — is to prohibit the manufacture and use of inflammable film, and make nothing but the standard, non-inflammable film. It is a logical solution and the only thing which stands in its way is the selfishly inspired individuals and concerns who, in an endeavor to shape conditions to suit their own interests for material aggrandizement, etc., are interfering with and impeding the progress of what will be the natural outcome in spite of their shortsightedness. Non-inflammable film had been very successfully used up to the time of the outbreak of the war. Since that time, non-inflammable celluloid has been used very largely for war work purposes, for windshields, in surgical dressings, etc., and to fill innumerable phases of war needs, where the acetic base is essential, not only for the manufacture of celluloid but for other uses where a composition of that nature is desirable. Indications from all sources are that after the war a great impetus will be given to the manufacture of non-inflammable film in the United States. At the present time there are a great many departments of the Government working to bring this about. The National Board of Underwriters has recently passed a resolution to encourage the prohibition, by legislation, of the manufacture of inflammable film. Educators everywhere have addressed appeals to the Government and to the President setting forth the necessity of having film in the schools for educational purposes, and calling attention to the difficulties with which they are beset through the differences between inflammable and non-inflammable film; standard and off-standard. Anything that can be done to bring about the standardization of an article in an industry so all-important to the welfare of the people at large must be given the utmost consideration, and as speedily as possible. Compiles Report on Motion Pictures as Applied to Municipal Work THE social value of motion pictures is beginning to be universally recognized, and it is probable that before long organized and comprehensive machinery for developing it to its full usefulness will be in operation. The movement in this direction has received encouraging impetus from the work of Ina Clement, who recently made a survey of civic motion pictures, which has been published as Special Report No. 2 by the Municipal Reference Library of the city of New York, of which Dorsey W. Hyde, Jr., is the librarian. Miss Clement outlines the power of the screen in dealing with problems of Americanization, public health, social service, child labor, regulation of employment for women, and good government, and, after an informative discussion of the kinds of films that have been most effective, comes to what would seem to be the first step in the deliberate development of the motion picture as a social factor, the establishment of a film library. She says that one of the most striking results of her study was the discovery of "the continuous plea for a public film library," and, as voicing this plea, she quotes the following from "Motion Pictures a Problem to Be Co-operatively Solved," prepared by the Social Centers Committee of the People's Institute: ' 'HPHERE is more need for a public library of films than M. there ever was for a public library of books, and for the following reasons : The book is an individual property ; it can be read in solitude; the individual can purchase it if he wants it. But the motion picture is essentially a collective commodity. The individual can have a desired motion picture only on condition that a large number of other people want the same picture at the same time. The public film library would be able to draw on the world's supply for its wants and to ransack (Continued on page 12) Make Your Dollars Fight