Boxoffice-January.07.1950
URGES USE OF LIGHTER PRINTS FOR BETTER DRIVE-IN PROJECTION The rapid growth of drive-in theatres, particularly within the past year, has resulted in a need for consideration of the requirements peculiar to drive-in projection in planning and producing films, according to Don Kennedy of the Town Drive-In, Detroit. He goes on to assert that an increased use of light areas in black and white prints is imperative for successful drive-in screen presentation. Kennedy, a veteran of some forty years in the booth, is a specialist in the field of drive-in projection and has previously contributed articles on this subject to The Modern Theatre. Adequate attention to the projection quality of films will pay off, says Kennedy, in reduction of print damage. The marked increase in damage and warping of prints used at drive-in theatres is not generally realized Kennedy says, adding, "I understand that some film exchanges are even refusing to ship their better prints to the drive-ins so that these houses get only the already-damaged prints to show their patrons." "The increased damage is caused by the high intensities of 170-180 amps at which projection arc lamps are operated. This is not necessary if we can get pictures with a decent proportion of lighter tones in them. On such pictures we can i-un lamps at 150- 160 amps and, with standard shutters and proper paint on the screens, we can get acceptable projection," Kennedy asserts. Film warpage became practically unknown some 20 years ago, Kennedy says, with the development of improved light sources, rear projection shutters, and reduced lamp amperage. At that time, he points out, exchanges generally destroyed the familiar "Don't Ship" tags formerly reserved for their better prints, and projectionists began to leave the focusing device on the projector in a fixed position. "With vast increases in the size of screens as drive-ins have developed, equipment manufacturers have started a race to higher and higher amperages," Kennedy comments. "One company has reduced the size of their shutter blades in order to permit more light to pass through to the projector aperture," he adds, "which means, they might as well revert to the old front shutter again. To keep the film from boiling, they direct a stream of air on the projector aperature. "At considerable expense one manufacturer has developed a new carbon which, with proper alignment, will produce a bluish-white light to soften the projected picture to the eye. "And still some projector manufacturers not only turn their backs on the rear shutter, but also change carbon aligimients to produce a yellowish-white light with a carbon developed to produce soft bluish-white light." For best projection films should have a ratio of 50-50 black and white, Kennedy said, but even a 70-30 ratio is acceptable. With 90 per cent of the film area black, however, the images of the actors cannot be seen on a large screen. The result may be a bedlam of tooting horns demanding the picture back. As a solution Kennedy proposes that drive-in owners use their combined efforts to secure lighter prints which would reduce light amjjerage. film damage, carbon costs, and would result in better projection." He pointed out, incidentally, that Technicolor films rarely, if ever, give trouble of this sort, because the nature of this medium is such that intense light is required on the set in the first place. NEW CALIFORNIA DRIVE-IN OPENED W iRTUALLY EVERYTHING is done in a big way out in the Golden State, and the colossal approach applies also to outdoor theatre operations. This is exemplified by the recently-opened Whittier Drive-Jn, a unit in the Pacific Drive-In Theatres chain. Located in Pico, Calif., the Whittier is the second largest open air theatre in the world with a capacity of 1,225 cars. Architect J. Arthur Drielsma made dual use of the lofty screen tower, which is equivalent in height to a five-story building, by making the rear of the screen into an office building containing business offices, maintenance rooms, shop storage space and dressing rooms, and camouflaging it with a spectacular theatre front. Operating equipment, installed by the B. F. Shearer Co. of Los Angeles, includes complete Motiograph projection equipment, with a 300-watt multiple amplifier system. A high power generator and Motiograph -Hall lamps of large reflector type, operate at 85 amperes with increases of power to 115 amperes possible. Such unusually powerful equipment is necessary to provide proper illumination for the giant screen, with a picture measuring 51 by 68 feet. In the "auditoriiun" proper, 1,225 Motiograph
LARGEST UMPHOUSE FULL BALL and ROLLER BEARINGS Distributed by: INDEPENDENT THEATER SUPPLY DEALERS CANADA: DOMINION SOUND EQUIPMENTS, LTD FOREIGN: WESTREX CORP. Approved and lisfed by Underwriters' Laboratory Write for latest data on this lamp SIMPLE-STURDY • PROVEN BY CONTINUOUS USE IN LARGEST DRIVE-INS • THE STANDARD OF COMPARISON c. S.A MANUFACTURING COMPANY 36-32 Thirty-Eighth Street Long Island City 1, N. Y. BOXOFFICE :: January 7, 1950 49
- Page 104 and 105: . . Edgar —— — — — MONTRE
- Page 106 and 107: . . . Heavy . . . Micky . . Joan .
- Page 108 and 109: iilU'iiniiiiii lliBlliBNW foasm Res
- Page 110 and 111: , Ask the man who SHOWS one! > If,
- Page 112 and 113: SEE THIS I COLOR EFREEI This fiftee
- Page 114 and 115: ELEGANCE WITH ECONOMY By HANNS R. T
- Page 116 and 117: importance to the refreshment niche
- Page 118 and 119: CANADIAN THEATRES of the Odeon chai
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- Page 126 and 127: As the First in a Cross-Country Ser
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- Page 132 and 133: Soft Drink Vender Offers a Choice o
- Page 134 and 135: . DETROIT SUBURB GETS NEW THEATRE R
- Page 136 and 137: — AT THE DROP OF With Coins for C
- Page 138 and 139: . ANOTHER ( ACHIEVEMENT and the Map
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- Page 142 and 143: — — Elegance With Economy (Cont
- Page 144 and 145: — — life Theatres First to Inst
- Page 146 and 147: . AB READERS' BUREAU For literature
- Page 148 and 149: PARK-LIKE AREA in center of develop
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- Page 152 and 153: — LOUISE GRAVES, HAS SWITCHED TO
- Page 156 and 157: — Rustic Atmosphere Maintained At
- Page 158 and 159: EQUIPMENT Sr DEVELOPMENTS Vacuum-Ty
- Page 160 and 161: The Drive-ln Deal you've been waiti
- Page 162 and 163: Counter Signs Added To Lamolite Lin
- Page 164 and 165: — NEW! GOLDE MOD-URN SAND URN ent
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- Page 180 and 181: FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Adl
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- Page 184: next month ...youHl see it next mon
LARGEST UMPHOUSE<br />
FULL BALL and ROLLER BEARINGS<br />
Distributed by:<br />
INDEPENDENT THEATER SUPPLY DEALERS<br />
CANADA: DOMINION SOUND EQUIPMENTS, LTD<br />
FOREIGN: WESTREX CORP.<br />
Approved and lisfed by Underwriters' Laboratory<br />
Write for latest data on this lamp<br />
SIMPLE-STURDY<br />
•<br />
PROVEN BY CONTINUOUS USE<br />
IN LARGEST DRIVE-INS<br />
•<br />
THE STANDARD OF COMPARISON<br />
c. S.A<br />
MANUFACTURING COMPANY<br />
36-32 Thirty-Eighth Street<br />
Long Island City 1, N. Y.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: January 7, 1950 49