Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1946)

SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, December 7, 1946 E-5 MOTIOGRAPH'S latest, the Model AA mechanism here shown, features unit construction, double cylindrical shutters cutting the light beam within essentially the same plane, sealed ball-bearings lubricated for life, a modified "splash" lubrication of driving gears, framing lamp and framing aperture, and many other important developments. One of them, clearly shown in the upper picture just above the left end of the lens barrel and at the top of the opened gate, is the cam-type tension control by means of which gate tension can be set, while film is running, for either 225, 350 or 675 grams. The Model AA is completely interchangeable with older types of equipment; it can be used with any modern soundhead and any make of upper magazine. INTERMITTENT SPROCKET of the new Motiograph AA, although of the doublebearing type, can be removed, reversed or replaced without taking out the movement. The movement itself can be removed from the mechanism from the operating side, without disturbing any other components except the movement balance wheel. The lens can be taken out for cleaning and restored and locked into place without any need for refocussing. The front of the mechanism mounts the lens focus and locking knobs, and shutter setting knob. relates to the provisions for maintenance. The mechanism is so built that it can be taken apart completely with only five Bristo w^renches for tools — not even a screvif-driver is needed! Lubrication arrangements are such that only semi-annual oiling is necessary. Throughout most of the mechanism sealed ball-bearings, lubricated for life at the factory, need no oiling at all. The few places where oil must be added, once in six months, are all so sealed that no lubricant ever reaches the film compartment or soils the film. The Motiograph AA has double shutters, rotating within Vsth inch of each other — practically speaking, in the same plane. Shutter timing can be set accurately by means of a knob at the front of the projector; and can be re-set by the same knob at any time, while the mechanism is in operation. The intermittent sprocket, although of the double-bearing type, can be replaced without taking out the intermittent movement. The mechanism fits any modern soundhead and upper magazine without need for adapters. The new Motiograph magazines, upper and lower, are of 2,000-foot capacity and unusual depth. This latter feature allows even bent exchange reels to be used without danger of the reel rubbing against the side or door of the magazine. Cue Markers Standard Hollywood changeover cues, lost because the film was patched and the frames carrying the cue marks were cut out, can be replaced on any print by means of the products of Reeves Instrument Corporation and Fontaine Manufacturing Corporation. Both are devices fitted with sprocket hole studs, into which the film is inserted and properly "framed," after which the cue marks are applied mechanically to four successive frames. In the Fontaine product, which retails for $7.75, the projectionist inscribes the four cue marks by manipulating four knurled knobs; in the Reeves device, the four scribers operate simultaneously when the projectionist slides a ratchet. No theatre is left with any excuse for presenting its second-showing patrons with lipstick smears or paper-punch holes. Box Office Safe The Ballam box office safe, made of V4" machine steel, with welded construction, bolts to any convenient wall by means of five heavy bolts. Its door has a lock with two keys (one of which may be retained by the manager) and cannot be opened until both keys have been inserted in their respective keyholes. Paper money is dropped in through a slot at the top, and there is a model with a coin chute that will take rolls of coins up to half-dollar size. Money once put inside through the currency slot or the coin chute will stay inside until the manager and cashier both use their keys. JVo N ,0 Nitrous oxide is not generated with the Electroaire Corporation's new ozone machines. Ordinarily, when these machines oxidize the Oo of the air to 0,^ (ozone) they also oxidize some of the nitrogen of the air to N„0. In Electroaire's new devices the conventional copper electrodes are replaced by aluminum ones which, the manufacturer asserts, produce ozone without its nitrogen by-product. An additional improvement lies in a mechanical design change which eliminates accumulation of condensed moisture. The electrodes are arranged vertically, in such a way that any moisture that condenses runs down and does not remain on the electrodes. Wall Material Thabet Manufacturing Company showed a new wall material — an aluminum base on the outer surface of which various colors and designs (such as wood patterns and marble patterns) have been reproduced by a photographic method. These panels can readily be cleaned with soap and water and the designs resist abrasion. They also resist flame; they proved completely impervious to the flame of a match, although they will char at more elevated temperatures than a match can generate, ilie manufacturer says. They are available also in tiles, which can be applied to any wall with mastic. Fluorescent panels of unusual design, planned for use with a simple General Electric fluorescent tube, were displayed by Gull Industries, Inc. The tube is concealed in a recess below each panel, and floods the panel above it with invisible black light very much as any poster may be illuminated witli visible light by means of an ordinary fluorescent tube concealed below it. The Gull Industry panels, however, are made of lucite, which transmits the ultra violet energy very readily; and are painted in fluorescent materials. Other ]%eiv items Two companies. Atlas Products and Compco Corporation, showed sand urns. Colors, decorative patterns and general appearance of difl'erent models provided for harmonious use in any theatre area. Tops were of stainless steel or chromium plated steel. Lawrence Metal Products, Inc., also showed sand urns in several colors and in bronze, brass and satin chrome finish. Strong Electric Corporation displayed (^Continued on Page E-20)