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screen in the film gate if the film was removed. processing of 28mm films. During the 1920s
Dimensions are 12" long, 6" wide height 10" the gauge enjoyed a measure of popularity such
and loaded it weighed 15 lbs. (See Figs 7 and that when Pathe were phasing out 28mm as a
8). A very similar camera was marketed in the home movie gauge following the introduction
USA by Willard Cook. (Fig 9). This was the of 9.5mm. Herschells are reputed to have met
New Premier Pathescope Camera. This camera the demand for entertainment films by making
used daylight loading spools the film being 28mm prints of some of the American feature
provided with paper leaders. In the original films that they were handling. A 28mm film is
Pathè Freres 28mm system while the projector reported to have been made in 1922 for the
used film with a different number of Victorian Education Department entitled "Fifty
perforations per frame on each side, camera Years of Education in Victoria". One scene of
stock was perforated with three perforations per which showed the massed children’s pageant at
frame on both sides. At this stage framing was
the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Extracts from
no problem. The same applied to 28mm in the
28mm home movies were copied for inclusion
USA except that the standard approved by the
in a film made in recent years to show the
American Standards Association allowed for
history of the State Electricity Commission, and
three perforations per frame on both sides of the
it is likely that somewhere in the Government
projection print as well as for the camera stock
archives are buried files detailing the early use
(Fig 10).
made in this country of 28mm film as an
education medium."
Subsequently Kinetopath Ltd of Film House,
251a Pitt Street Sydney, became agents for the
KOK and a library of 28mm films. (Ref 15).
Their brochure stated that "a complete outfit
which includes the following items being all
that is necessary for the successful projection of
pictures: -1 Cinematograph, 1 metal case for
cinematograph, 1 screen and stand with portable
case, 1 empty spool, 1 electric bulb. £18.18s.
The brochure contains an article taken from the
"Education Gazette and Teachers Aid" of 22nd
Fig 7. Film chamber of Pathe 28mm camera.
April 1914 giving details of a demonstration
given including the physical demonstration
given by children at the Melbourne C G, at the
Education Office (Ref 9) and extolling the
28mm reached Australia in 1914 and I can not virtues of the 28mrn system for educational
do better than quote the following paragraph purposes. Eulogistic letters in praise of the
from Ref 9: "Education Departments in KOK projector are reprinted in the brochure
Australia had seen demonstrations of the KOK including one from the Victorian Softwoods
given by Pathe representatives in 1914 and, in Association of Melbourne in which the
Victoria at least, authorities accepted it as a Association Secretary, Alfred R Moses, claimed
teaching aid. The Herschell Film Laboratories to have given a show to "considerably over 200
became Pathe agents and carried out local persons present and the views were distinctly