If gas is available, an asbestos log is used in the fireplace, and it has a connecting pipe to the footlights, where four or five jets are located on the floor just back of the screens. A narrow board, painted black, is placed in front of the lights, which should be wide enough to conceal the lights from the spectators and reflect the light on the tableau. If the light is thrown above the imitation brickwork, then it should be made higher.
In most halls, and some houses, electric lights are used instead of gas, and in this case ordinary logs are piled in the fireplace on the andirons, and one or more red globes are introduced to produce the effect of glowing embers. The gas is more effective, however, because it is not easy to get a gradual rise and fall in the glow of electric lights. Four or five footlights are sufficient.
Fig. 2
Fig. 1
Fig. 3
Frames Made of Light Material and Covered with Black Mosquito Netting Serve as Screens Which are Operated in Runs Located behind the Fireplace That is Made Up in a Like Manner and Penciled to Represent Brick
The working of the dissolving views can be best explained by an illustration from “Reveries of a Bachelor.” The gas log is turned low to make the stage dimly lighted, and the tableau to be shown is all arranged behind the chimney back and the screens. There should be barely sufficient light to reveal the bachelor on the hearthstone smoking in the gloaming. Then the chimney back almost imperceptibly parts, that is, the screens of the first pair are gradually pulled apart, the footlights and gas log are gradually turned on, and the tableau behind the fireplace, being more brightly illuminated, is dimly seen through the series of screens. Slowly the successive pairs of screens are drawn aside, and the tableau becomes quite distinct. Then the process is reversed, the screens are gradually replaced, the lights are lowered and the dream fades away; brightens and fades again; brightens and fades, till gone entirely. The screens are always slowly moving while the tableau is exposed, and this makes the illusory effect. It is evident that the success of this plan depends principally on the coördination with which the screens are operated. “Cinderella,” and many other tales based on the vagaries of the mind and having their source in glowing embers, can thus be presented.
Imitation-Celluloid Scales and Name Plates
Often the amateur turns out a very workmanlike piece of apparatus, which only lacks the addition of a scale or name plate to give it a truly professional appearance. I recently hit upon an excellent method of making these articles in a manner that will stand considerable wear and at the same time present a very good appearance. Simply take a piece of good Bristol board and letter it as desired with waterproof drawing ink, then apply a coat of clear varnish, such as is used on bird’s-eye maple furniture. After not less than 24 hours rub lightly with fine steel wool, wipe clean, and revarnish. Usually two coats are sufficient, and the last should be rubbed with a soft oily rag dipped in some abrasive material such as tooth powder, or one of the many powders used for metal polishing. Finally polish with a little oil, and the result will be a perfect imitation of celluloid.—Contributed by John D. Adams, Phoenix, Ariz.