Omaha daily bee., 1917-01-07
new MACHINE FOR
SHOWING PICTURES
Ledaux of Omaha Invents De-
vice that Will Greatly I'm
prove the Exhibitions.
SAVES TIME FOR ALL

Omaha, rapidly taking its place as
an important film exchange center,
now comes to the front with an idea
in motion picture projection that may
reyolutionize the motion picture bust
ness. Such at least is the belief OF
Wilfrid Ledoux, manager of the En-
press thcater, in whose mind the idea
was born and who has filed patent
claims for the "Twinoscope.'
AT first thought it may be tritie
difficult to understand just how the
Twinoscope will operate, especially
when it is stated that the idea is to
show two pictures relating to the
same subject on the same screen at
the same time But in reality there IS
nothing difficult about it. In fact, like
most inventions, it is so simple that
the wonder is someone has not
thought OF it before
1t Holds the Attention.
The thing that producing directors
strive for in photoplay is action
something that will keep the speeta-
tor busy--hold his interest and not
permit him to tire while watching the
details Of any particular scene and at
the same time carry the story inter
est throughout. Thus in order TO
show scenes in story that occur at
one and the same time it is necessary
to put d scene on the screen and take
it off suddenly to substitute another
scene which occurs concurrently. This
in measure limits the scope of the
producers work in carrying out a
story and giving it all the action nee
essary, For example: A person
steps to2a telephone to call someone,
then the scene is taken off and the
person answering is substituted. This
occurs several times during the &C
ton OF telephoning. With the Twin
oscope the two pictures will be shown
at the same time side, by side on the
same screen.
Simple in Construction.
The apparatus for Twinoscope pro-
lection is very simple. The screen will
be made as ordinary, except wider.
! There will be no division in the
screen except that made by the rays
froA the projectors. Thus ordinary
pictures can be projected in the CEN
lter of the screen when the Iwino-
scope is not in use. For, the projec-
ton two machines will be used in
stead of one and these will be con-
nected by shaft to insure like speed
! with both machines. '
On account of the scenes being
practically doubled on the screen the
ordinary fve-reel feature will be
shown in almost the same time as it
now takes for three reels Allowing
| for the scenes having to be some
longer than ordinary it would still be
possible for the producer to take the
| big ten or twelve-reel feature and pro-
duce it with all the action and with
more scenes in from six to seven
reels.
! Preparing for Market.
A Nebraska corporation is now be-
ing organized for the purpose of mar
keting the Twinoscope. 1t may be
sold outright, as one of the large
companies have approached Mr.. Le-
doux on the subject, but if this is not
done arrangements will be made for
bigger organization to produce the
films, provide equipment and distrib
ute the product nationally. Thus may
Omaha become the birthplace Of a
great development idea in motion pic
lures, an idea that,hss plenty of nov
/; city to recommend it and seems more
practical than did wireless telegraphy
and other hip ideas at the outset.