back to search results

Behind Your Back

1950 , Norwich (Norfolk)

Cat no. 121

The story of what goes on behind the scenes at cinemas.

The film opens with a still of a certificate: "This is to certify that this film has been specially commended by Amateur Cine World". It shows in detail the work in the projection box at that time, opening with the films arriving at the projection box in transit cases. The projectionists are shown unloading films and spooling them up, including making a join by hand. The Ross projector is oiled and then the projectionist takes out and cleans the mirror. New carbons are inserted. Ken Smith, the chief projectionist, is shown switching on equipment outside the projection box, then a man is shown cleaning the screen with a long brush. A close-up shows that the screen is perforated. Inside the box the projectionist switches on amplification equipment, then moves the knife switches underneath the box. He tests the sound track, then adjusts more switches. The batteries of the secondary lighting system of the cinema are shown. Houselights and footlights are faded, and the introductory music put on the record player. The projectors are laced up, lights lowered and the film starts to run. We see the curtains opening and the picture on the screen. The second projector is laced up and a reel change is shown. The first reel is rewound by Ken Smith. A caption explains how the process continues, and then we see the film being broken down into its 1000 ft reels. The crowd is seen leaving the cinema.

Featured Buildings

The Regent Theatre, Norwich

Keywords

Ken Smith; Projectionist; Regent Theatre

Intertitles

...and so, until the 'picture' reaches the end of it's run, the film runs through - at ninety feet per minute; and so as you leave we hope you recall a very good show. That's All.

Background Information

This film was made by Ken Smith, who was the chief projectionist at the Regent Theatre, Norwich (subsequently the ABC) for many years. This film gained a special commendation in the Amateur Cine World Intermediate Film Competition in 1951. It was praised for its construction and body and mildly criticised for its lack of explanatory captions. Ken Smith retired as chief projectionist in 1975.

Manifestations

Behind Your Back

  • Barcode
    INV317803
    Canonical Title
    Unknown
    Carrier Type
    MP4 H264 digital
    Dimension
    Duration
    0:12:16
    Modification Date
    26/09/2011
    Parts
    Reference
    728819
  • Barcode
    INV336315
    Canonical Title
    Unknown
    Carrier Type
    MP4 H264 digital
    Dimension
    Duration
    0:12:16
    Modification Date
    31/08/2011
    Parts
    Reference
    724733
  • Barcode
    INV361843
    Canonical Title
    Unknown
    Carrier Type
    MP4 H264 digital
    Dimension
    Duration
    0:12:16
    Modification Date
    31/08/2011
    Parts
    Reference
    723934
  • Activities
    Barcode
    INV383106
    Canonical Title
    Unknown
    Carrier Type
    DV digital
    Dimension
    Duration
    0:07:51
    Modification Date
    10/05/2011
    Parts
    Reference
    710642
  • Activities
    Barcode
    INV280950
    Canonical Title
    Unknown
    Carrier Type
    master digital
    Dimension
    Duration
    0:07:53
    Modification Date
    01/10/2010
    Parts
    Reference
    693071
  • Activities
    Barcode
    INV208898
    Canonical Identifier
    TB 1963
    Canonical Title
    Unknown
    Carrier Type
    DVD disk
    Dimension
    Duration
    0:58:00
    Has Sound
    Y
    Identifier
    Modification Date
    12/02/2009
    Parts
    Reference
    678026
    Sound
    sound
  • Activities
    Barcode
    INV151471
    Canonical Identifier
    TB 1280
    Canonical Title
    Unknown
    Carrier Type
    BetacamSP tape
    Dimension
    Identifier
    Modification Date
    30/07/2008
    Parts
    Reference
    674485
  • Activities
    Barcode
    INV168895
    Canonical Identifier
    TB 334
    Canonical Title
    Unknown
    Carrier Type
    MII tape
    Dimension
    Identifier
    Modification Date
    22/07/2008
    Parts
    Reference
    673294
  • Barcode
    INV271935
    Canonical Identifier
    VP-335
    Canonical Title
    Unknown
    Duration
    0:12:00
    Identifier
    Modification Date
    25/06/2021
    Parts
    Reference
    562861
  • Activities
    Barcode
    INV261084
    Canonical Identifier
    A-631
    Canonical Title
    Unknown
    Carrier Details
    Carrier Type
    16mm film
    Colour Type
    bw
    Has Sound
    N
    Identifier
    Image Polarity
    negative
    Modification Date
    25/06/2021
    Parts
    Reference
    560721
    Sound
    silent

Copyright restrictions apply.

Please see our terms of use. Films on this website are provided for personal viewing. Should you wish to use the films in any other way please contact eafa@uea.ac.uk

terms of use
The data for this page was generated on 26/04/2024 23:51:18+00:00. Click to regenerate this page .