Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

Page 30 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW May 27, 1939 SELECTING SCREEN —'Factors To Be Considered PERFECT projection depends on the selection of the right type of screen. A wide house will require different screen surface than a narrow house. When purchasing new screen, it is advisable to test several samples first before finally deciding. Use large pieces for testing in order to tell which surface is best for your particular theatre. To make further intelligent selection, have the manufacturer send j^ou data on the reflection powers and characteristics of the surfaces of their screens. The holes or perforations must be uniform and of correct diameter in order to secure good sound reproduction as well as good light reflection. If the perforations are too small the sound will not come through properly and it will be necessary to raise the volume more than should be necessary. The sole duty of your screen is to reflect light, and where speakers are placed behind the screen, which is universal practice now, the screen must pass the sound through perfectly, of course. Just because some surfaces reflect more light than others does not mean that they make the ideal screen. How well the screen reflects light to ALL seats in the theatre; how well the picture looks from the balcony; how well the picture looks from the sides must be considered. To give general information of particular value for each screen installation is rather difficult, but we will give a few tips that will assist you in making the proper selection. Location of Projectors Important The location of the projection room is important, and the distance from the screen to the first row of seats is also of paramount importance. The source of light, such as Suprex arc, Mazda, low intensity or high intensity arcs, is another important point in determining screen selection. The screen must deliver uniform distribution of light over a wide angle without the loss of brightness. In a narrow house with low intensity lamps, the metallic or "so-called" silver type of screens, will give best results, and can be used with Suprex lamps; but the wide house requires a plain white surface. Using a metallic surface in too wide a house means loss of light to the side seats. To overcome some of this loss of light it would be necessary to increase your amperage, which would make the picture too bright to those sitting in the center and waste current. Metallic surfaces show contrasting pictures, the high lights being, in some cases, glary. With the indirect type of reflecting surfaces, the highlights are more subdued. All necessary features cannot be incorporated in any one screen and the exhibitor has to select, by testing, the one best suited for his theatre that will give fairly pleasing results. Size of the screen is of paramount importance. Too small a screen in a v/ide house will cause eye strain if too brilliant a light Intermittent Movement and HARDENED Star, Cam, and Sprocket Specialists Since 1908 La Vezzi Machine Works 180 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago is used. If too large a screen is used in a small theatre, this will cause eye strain as it will be necessary for the eye to move more to keep up with the action in the picture. Theatres with a balcony should not have a screen much over 16 to 17 feet; houses seating around 300 to 400 should use not over a 12-foot picture. A house seating 600 to 700 people should have a picture from 16 to 18 feet. Picture size, of course, depends on number of seats, width of theatre and whether or not it has a balcony. When deciding on screen size, make allowance for frame, which is usually about 1 to IJ^ feet wider all the way around. Loss of Volume Caused by Dirt Loss of volume after a screen has been in use for some time is caused by dirt filling the perforations. A dirty screen will cause considerable loss of light and definition. A screen should be replaced or refinished after it has been in use two years. It will give better definition and more light. If the screen is used on a stage, it should be about 18 inches off the floor. A black border should be placed around the picture for most pleasing results. A sound screen should be capable of transmitting frequencies from SO cycles up to 15,000 cycles. A curtain should be installed so that it may be closed over the screen to protect it while the house is being cleaned. A good screen brush should be used frequently and the screen cleaned at least once a month. If using mazda lamps, a metallic type screen will give the best light. If projectors are located in the balcony it will be necessary to slightly tilt the screen until you secure fairly sharp focus top and bottom. Wes'ey Trout Neon Auditorium Lighting A Novel Feature of Miami House LTnique ideas in decoration and lighting are an outstanding feature of the remodelling job recently completed at the Ritz Theatre, Miami, by Wometco Theatres circuit, owners of the Ritz. The auditorium has been completely done over, using indirect power neon, entirely concealed, for all lighting. The walls have been treated with decorative Celotex. The lobby walls have been covered with vari-colored linoleum, and glass brick, with neon lighting from behind, separates built-in illuminated display frames — designed for 40 by 60 transparent blowups. Some of the ideas introduced at the Ritz are to be incorporated in remodelling work planned by Wometco for another theatre in the circuit. New Theatre In Calif. A new theatre to be known as the Harbor will be constructed at Newport, Calif., by Earle E. Strebe, recently of Palm Springs, who has purchased the Pacific Boat Co. building jointly with Ray G. Burlingame, president of the Balboa Beach Amusement Co. A feature of the new house will be a sloping floor to afford perfect visibility from each of the 1,000 seats to be installed. Equipment Steals Show At Allied Convention Exhibits of theatre equipment took the lead as a focal point of interest for theatremen visiting the New York Allied Convention held at the Astor Hotel, New York, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week. A total of 19 equipment manufacturers and dealers were represented with displays, with home television commanding particular interest as an attraction at the RCA Photophone exhibit. The RCA display featured the company's sound equipment but included a home receiving set on which local television broadcasts were picked up. The RCA display was in charge of Ed. Jones, advertising manager. Vallen, Inc., manufacturer of curtain control tracks and motors, displayed two new devices, the Streamline, Jr., and the intermediate M 2 Track, in addition to the several other track and curtain control devices which the company has developed and marketed to the theatre field over a period of many years. E. J. Vallen, head of the company, was in charge. One of the largest displays was that of Joe Hornstein, equipment dealer of New York. Several manufacturers whose products Hornstein distributes showed their wares in conjunction with the Hornstein display. They included: Ideal Seating Co., represented by Wm. Gedris, president of the company; Brenkert Light and Projection Co., with Wayne Brenkert in charge; Raytone Screen Co.; Motiograph, represented by Mr. Davee; A. & M Karagheusian, Inc., manufacturer of Gulistan rugs; Benwood Linz Co., manufacturers of Brenkert-Westinghouse rectifiers ; J. E. Robin. National Theatre Supply Company displayed the International Projector Company's Simplex E-7 projector and sound system. Peerless Arc Lamps and Irwin Seating Company chairs. National Carbon Co., had a display with Wm. Kunzman on hand to greet exhibitors. American Seating Co., was represented with an individual display with Mr. R. Hunter in charge. National Screen Accessories had one of the most elaborate displays in the hall, featuring the lobby display service offered by the company. Armand Cohen supervised the display. Hollywood Advertising Co., represented by J. Steinberg; Dictograph Products Co., Inc., represented by Harry Willson and Walter Smith; Dennis Games, Inc., featuring the game Lucky, was represented by Russell Cohen; Sanitary Automatic Candy Co., displayed a new candy vending machine, and was represented by Sam Ross; Premiere Scenic Studios, decorators, and National Committee for Education, featuring a Book Nite for theatres, were among the equipment and accessory exhibitors at the convention. WB May Build In Sandusky Warner Brothers are considering plans for a theatre to seat 1,200 people to be constructed in Sandusky, Ohio, it is reported. Possible sites for the proposed venture are being investigated, and if and when the house is built it is expected to be ready for opening on Labor Day. Warners also operate the Ohio and Plaza Theatres here, for which J. J. Scholer is the resident manager.