Dennis Chassis Used as Basis of Mobile Cinema to Show Religious Sound Films on Behalf of Methodist Church
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The "Church" on Wheels
rshow religious " talkies " in dayight or after dark, a special mobile cinema has been purchased by the Home Missions Department of the Methodist Church. Designed and constructed by Messrs. Harris Mobile Cinemas, 10, Wolseley Avenue, Wimbledon Park, London, S.W.19, it incorporates a Dennis Pax chassis.
To prepare the vehicle for a performance, part of the roof is raised into an upright position, with other portions folding outwards to form a shadowbox. The screen, which measures 6 ft. by 4 ft. 6 ins., is then visible.
The projector, which is at the rear of he vehicle, is a standard 35 mrn. unit. Sound is relayed by means of a 50-watt amplifier (a duplicate of which is part of the equipment) through four specially designed loudspeakers. Notice of cinema shows, etc., may be given by public-address apparatus.
Power is supplied by a self-contained plant situated in the front of the projector. Between this and the rear of
the driver's cab is a platform carrying piano; microphones and accommodation for pianist and speaker. An electrically operated hydraulic pump moves the platform to such a height as to afford the public a full view of the keyboard of the :piano, when this has been raised to occupy the opening in front of the screen.
The comprehensive range of equipment includes storage batteries, converters, a rewinding bench, film and record cabinets, and an electric gramophone.
When the attendance of an unusually large crowd or other special circum stances demand it, a full-size °screen can be employed after dark. In this case the front portion of the roof is raised to an upright position and then lowered over the front of the vehicle.
The body, which was built by E. A. Turner (Kingston), Ltd., Dennis agent and coachbuilder, of 163-165, London Road, Kingston, Surrey, is 23 ft. long, 7 ft. 6 ins, wide, and 10 ft. 6 ins, high at the front, tapering to 7 ft. at the rear. The finish is ivory and brown.