Showmen's trade review (Jul-Sep 1944)

48 SHU vv M h; N ' s r k a d i: k e v i e w September 9, 1944 "SMOOTHRUNNING'' INTERMEDIATE GEAR for All Standard Projectors (Patents Pending) Use Wenzel smooth-running, precision projector replacement parts to keep your present equipment operating smoothly till victory is won, and our new projectors are again available. Send for our catalog S-9. Mention name of dealer who serves you. ^1 ASK ANY THEATRE OPERATOR o r SOUND EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER WHY HE PREFERS PHOTOTUBES The Answer is Complete Dependability, Prompt Deliveries on most types WRITE FOR CATALOG CONTINENTAL ffilCTRIC COMPANY GENEVAyltL. GET YOUR NAME IN NOW For the Fall Bargain Bulletin 505 DIFFERENT ITEMS at Unusually LOW Prices S,O.S, CINEMA SUPPLY CORP.;'.tv";.S"».¥: Inventor Details Features of New 'Orthoscope Lenses' Walter E. Green, president of National TheatreSupply, announced early in August that his company would be the sole distributor of a radical new lens named the Orthoscope and manufactured by the H & H Optical Co., Hollywood, Calif. The announcement has created widespread interest among projectionists particularly and in the field generally. The announcement described the new lenses as "the greatest scientific improvement in projection optics since the birth of motion pictures," a not too extravagant statement in view of some of the details released in connection with the new optical instrument known as the Orthoscope Lenses. For among these features are : utilization of light that would otherwise be lost and direct it so that it passes through the film aperture and projection lens to the screen; further removal of the crater image from the film gate ; improvement of light distribution all over the screen to provide 50 per cent more light on the sides, 70 per cent on the corners and elimination of dark edges ; elimination of the "hot spot" ; elimination of side and front-seat distortion, thus making every seat in the auditorium a "good seat" ; perfect background focus on longshot scenes ; elimination of rainbow effects ; cooler running for the film and elimination of buckling. The Orthoscope is the result of the research of Hal Huff, Optic Engineer, who has been chief projectionist of the Producers Association (MPPDA) on the coast. The Orthoscope was submitted to extensive tests by engineers of the International Projector Corp. It is already in use in several theatres, including Grauman's Chinese, United Artists, Orpheum and many other houses as well as at the studios on the coast. The cost of the Orthoscope Lenses is $100.00 per set or $200.00 to equip two machines, with the estimated installation set at about $25.00 per theatre. The Orthoscope is described in the following article by Hal Huff. Why do projctionists like to work with the Orthoscope lenses? First, they seldom have to re-focus a picture once it is set, even in changing in black-and-white to color. They scarcely ever need to change the mirror adjustments, even when burning stubs, allowing more freedom for other necessary work. They know that the light is even and the focus sharp. And they are getting cooler running film. Ordinarily when looking at any picture from the projection booth with opera glasses, any white object on the screen will appear to be rimmed with a rainbow effect — but with the Orthoscope Lenses this chromatic aberration is eliminated, whether the film be black-and-white or color. The Orthoscope Lenses are made of glass which has a very high melting point. Each set of lenses is constructed to fit individual specifications. An Information Card, completed by the projectionist, is put into the hands of a lens designer who calculates from the figures the correct design and curve required. Special tools must be made in order that the grinding machine will turn out the precise curve specified by the designer. The polishing step is an intricate one, requiring much time and skill. Each lens must be edged on a diamond cutting machine and many hours of work are necessary to perfect each set of Orthoscope Lenses. In case of breakage, exact duplicates can be supplied for replacement at any time, since all Information Cards are kept on permanent file. The Orthoscope Lenses consist of a positive lens placed, in most cases, 1J4 inches from the film, and a negative lens placed 6 inches from the film. The principle of the negative lens is to increase the carbon crater seven to fourteen times its normal size, depending upon the type of lamp in use and other contributing conditions. The positive lens collimates the light on the film at the aperture plate, enlarging the film image to cover the rear combination of the objective lens. This gives an equal distribution of light all over the screen. The result is a clear, flat field in which the hot spot of ordinary projection becomes a soft light. In most cases the over-all light has been increased as much as 61 per cent. In walking toward the screen from the extreme rear of the theatre to the front row seats no variation in projection is apparent. Motiograph Receives Army-Navy 'E' Award Motiograph, Chicago, manufacturers of Motiograph projectors and Motiograph-Mirrophonic sound systems, has been awarded the ArmyNavy "E" for the excellence of its war work. Formal presentation ceremonies took place in Chicago on August 1st. The awards of the "E" flag and the employes' pins were made by Major H. C. Robson of the Army and Lt. Comdr. William P. Rock of the Navy, with Francis E. Matthews and a selected group of employes acting in behalf of the company. Motiograph employes have expressed their determination to see that stars are added with regularity to their "E" flag. St. John's Station, Mo., Theatre Swept By Flames Fire of undetermined origin swept through the Gem Theatre, St. John's Station, St. Louis County, Mo., leaving only four blackened walls. Loss was estimated at $60,000, original cost of the nine-year-old building. It was covered by fire insurance. The 700-seat house was owned by Henry J. Halloway, of St. John's, who also owns the Beverley, University City, St. Louis County, and the Overland, Overland, St. Louis County. It was empty at the time of the fire. During the fire the roof collapsed and most of the seats were destroyed. The building was situated in the main business section of St. John's Station. S. 0. S. Cinema Supply Expands Two floors in the building at 450 West 42nd Street, directly across the street from its present location, have been leased by S. O. S. Cinema Supply Corp. The concern has been expanding during the past two years, now occupying two floors at 449 West 42nd Street and a manufacturing plant at 452 West 46th Street, which is devoted 100 per cent to war production.