DISSOLVING VIEWS
WITHOUT A MAGIC LANTERN
PREVIOUS to the introduction of the cinematograph, dissolving views
ranked amongst the most popular of entertainments. By means of a
specially-constructed magic lantern, a painted picture from a glass
slide is thrown upon a screen. Then, at the will of the operator, the
picture apparently dissolves into a haze, through which a second picture
gradually makes its appearance.
Subjects are usually chosen which specially adapt themselves to such an
optical illusion. For instance, a picture might be shown of a small
country village, which slowly dissolves into a view of the same place
several years after, when it has developed into a thriving and populous
town.
But the specially constructed magic lantern necessary for these
dissolving views is a very costly piece of apparatus, the purchase of
which would entail the careful saving of two or three years’ pocket
money. However keen a boy may be to provide some form of home
entertainment for the amusement of his friends, such an alarming
prospect would make his keenness dissolve as completely as the pictures
he hoped to display.
[Illustration: FIG. 1.--Show as seen by audience.]
It is the purpose of this chapter, however, to explain how an apparatus
may be constructed for a small sum that will bring about effects similar
to those of the special magic lantern costing many dollars.
Fig. 1 depicts the show as seen by the audience. It consists principally
of a framework not unlike that of a model stage, the dimensions of
which must be left to the decision of the reader. For the sake of
convenience, however, it will be advisable to explain the method of
constructing apparatus capable of displaying views about the size of a
picture postcard.
A stage front similar to that in Figs. 1 and 2 should first be cut from
either thin wood or stout cardboard. The size of a picture postcard is
usually 3¹⁄₂ inches by 5¹⁄₂ inches. Consequently the opening in the
stage front must be about 6¹⁄₂ inches by 8¹⁄₂ inches. This allows for a
nice margin around each dissolving view.
It will be noticed from the diagrams that both sides of the show are
fitted with two small rods, bearing miniature curtains. These are to
prevent the audience seeing what the showman is doing “behind the
scenes.” Their mode of fixture is explained in Fig. 3. Four pins, with
their heads nipped off, are bent in the shape of a horseshoe, and a pair
driven into each side of the stage front (A, Fig. 3).
[Illustration: FIG. 2.--Show from back view.]
The two rods, which can consist of thin pieces of cane, are then pushed
into the sockets thus formed, and the curtains threaded upon them by
means of a wide hem sewn along the top. The advantage of this method of
fixture is that when the show is packed up, the curtains can be easily
removed by merely pulling the rods from their horseshoe-shaped sockets.
[Illustration: FIG. 3.--Back view of partially constructed apparatus.]
The floor or base of the show must next be provided. Procure a piece of
wood about 10 inches long, ¹⁄₈-inch thick, and of the same width as the
stage front. A block of wood is then nailed or glued along one end of
this, and the stage front fixed firmly to it (Fig. 2).
Having done this, make a journey to the nearest glazier’s, and purchase
a piece of glass of about the same dimensions as the wooden base. This
should not cost more than ten cents. Clean the glass thoroughly, and
rest it against the top of the stage-front at an angle of about 60°
(Fig. 3). Next take a picture postcard, and lay it on the wooden base
between the end of the glass and the stage front. (See B, Fig. 3.)
If the room now be darkened, and a bright light thrown upon the
postcard, its reflection will be clearly visible on the glass, and to
those looking through the stage front it will appear exactly similar to
the view projected upon a screen by a small magic lantern.
Should the reflection be at all lopsided, the angle of the glass must be
altered until this defect is remedied. A block of wood, or an ordinary
cigar-box, must then be placed upon the wooden base with its edge along
the glass, and nailed securely in position. (See A, Fig. 4.)
[Illustration: FIG. 4.--Showing position of picture postcard and glass
screen.]
Three pieces of cardboard are the next requisites. One piece is to be
glued to the block of wood or cigar box at the back of the show; the
other along one side, and the last over the top, as depicted in Fig. 4.
It is now necessary to slide out the glass and paint the whole of the
interior dead black.
[Illustration: FIG. 5.--Lighting apparatus with serrated shutter.]
EXHIBITING
Whilst the paint is drying the young showman can turn his attention to
the lights. These merely consist of two lamps--photographic dark-room
lamps are most suitable, or a wax candle will serve quite well. Each
lamp is provided with a cardboard shutter serrated at the bottom, as
shown in Fig. 5. It is this serration that imparts the dissolving
effects to the various views.
When the paint is dry the first exhibition may be given.
The room in which the entertainment is to take place must be darkened;
the glass placed in position between the cigar-box and the stage front,
and the lamps lit. Two picture postcards must also be obtained; the
first being placed upright upon the cigar-box at the back of the show,
and the other on the wooden base between the glass and the stage front.
A glance at Fig. 4 explains this.
The two lamps must now be so arranged that the light from one, whilst
brightly illuminating the first postcard, leaves the portion of the show
behind the glass in complete darkness; and the light from the other
falls solely upon the card on the cigar box.
If the shutter of the first lamp is now closed, and that of the second
opened, the audience will see only the postcard at the back, set in a
frame of dead black.
The exhibitor should then slowly press down the shutter of the second
lamp, and simultaneously raise that of the first. The serrations--in one
case gently cutting off the light, and in the other permitting it to
stream forth gradually--will have the effect of making one postcard
slowly dissolve from view, and give place to the reflection of the
other.
The back of the show being in complete darkness, the glass acts as a
perfect mirror, and whilst the audience are gazing at the reflection of
the first card, a fresh view may be substituted for that at the back,
without their being aware of the change.
Having accomplished this, the showman must uncover the second lamp and
push down the shutter of the first. The result will be that the
reflected view fades from sight, and the fresh picture postcard is
displayed.
It is then a simple matter to slip the card already used from its
position between the glass and stage front, and insert another in its
place.
In this manner a succession of views may be made to dissolve into one
another.
As has already been mentioned, there is no limit to the dimensions of
such a show--the showman being guided by the size of the pictures he is
able to obtain. Picture postcards are always procurable, and no
difficulty should be experienced in obtaining slightly larger views from
magazines, art catalogues, &c.
Of course, in the very large shows a much brighter light is required,
and four lamps must be used instead of two.