THE MOBILE KINEMA AIDS PROPAGANDA.
Page 14
Page 15
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A Brief Description of an Interesting Vehicle to be Used by the L.G.O. Co., to Induce Residents in the Suburbs to Travel to London by Motorbus
TIIE use of the self-contained kinematograph outfit for propaganda purposes is not new,, although such • equipmentha$ hitherto been chiefly em. played at night-time, When conditions are more or less -at their best for the presentation of films. .When it comes to film projection by-daylight many natural difficulties are encountered, and we can best indicate the way in which they can be overcome by briefly describing a travelling kinema which has been designed by the " Underground" authorities at Electric Railway RouseWe gave first details Of this outfit a week or two ago, and we are now able to supplement these particulars after having been
B30 provided with an opportunity for inspecting the machine.
Let us say, in the first place, that the idea of utilizing a daylight kinema was conceived last year, and it has taken ten months of research and experiment to produce a suitable travelling theatre, which, it is hoped, wRI serve to Secure added patronage for the passenger vehicles yservices controlled. by the "Underground," chief amongst which, so far as the present object is concerned, are the bus services run by the London General Omnibus Co., LW.
The main idea behind the use of the travelling kinerna is to stimulate a greater interest in the historic and other associations of London itself, and thus to induce residents in the suburbs . and the rural areas surrounding the Metropolis to travel by motorbus.
Thevehicle will set out on its peregrinating. campaign in the early part of the presentmonth, and a prearranged schedule will be strictly adhered to. Each day, for five days a week, a town or village will be visited, and, by arrangement with the educational authorities, a performance will be given during the afternoon in the playgrounds of the local schools, while in the evening another performance will be given on the village green or other suitable spot for the benefit of adults
The films to be shown are mostly of an educational nature and include most of the " sights " of London, such as St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower, Westminster Abbey, and a hundredand one scenes depicting Many phases of London life. All the films .have been taken by the photographic section of the "Underground," and in many respects they are unique. Other pictures to be shown include many nature studies depicting insect and bird life, the growth of flowers, etc., whilst from time to time topical pictures will be added to the programme.
Having given some indication of the objects it is expected to achieve by the use of the touring kinema, we will now pass on to a description of the machine itself. The chassis is an L.C.O.C. Btype model, and it is fitted with a large rectangular body, which houses the projector, the necessary power plant for generating current, and the special type. of screen.
The projector cabin is immediately behind the driver's compartment, and to the rear of it a 16-20 h.p. CoventrySimplex stationary engine, driving the dynamo (made by the Electric Construction Co., Ltd.), which generates current for the kinema apparatus, is transversely disposed on the platform. This section if the body is restricted in height owing to the fact that the film has to be projected above it to the screen at the rear, and the two-piece body panel at each side is hinged top and bottom so that when the power plant is running a certain amount of air cooling can be secured.
Perhaps the most interesting feature of the body is the screen chamber at the rear. Considerable difficulty has been experienced in. endeavouring to' secure a satisfactory screen which will enable a sharp picture to be presented in strong ,sunlight, and the actual screen used is the invention of Mr. John Bulman. The screen is deeply recessed in a kind of dark room, the four parts of which are hinged and so constructed that when net in use they. fold over one another and form a protection for it The screen is 7 ft, wide and 6 ft. deep, so that the projected picture is of ample proportions to enable details clearly to be picked out.
The cowling of the dark room extends several feet beyond the body sides, and ita base is accordingly supported OD a hinged member, integral with which are two screwed rods which rest on the ground and are capable of adjustment. These rods also serve to steady the screen chamber and minimize the vibra
tory effect of the stationary power unit when it is running.
This problem of vibration has been one of the greatest difficulties encountered, for it promotes flickering of the picture, which is accentuated by die fact that the image on the film is only thrown a short distance on to the screen. Apart from the use of the rods already mentioned, it has been overcome by the use of two heavy lifting jacks, which are permanently attached to the rear of the chassis and are brought into use when a' performance is being given. These jacks also relieve the Michelin pneumatic tyres, with which the vehicle is shod, of much of the deadweight of the outfit,' which approximates 6 tons, and when not in use they are held in position by chains