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Topic: White House Screening Room

Joshua Lott
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 246
From: Fairbanks, AK, USA
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-30-2002 01:04 PM

I was wondering if any one had pictures or stories about the white house screening room. I wonder how one would go about getting that job?

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Adam Martin
I'm not even gonna point out the irony.

Posts: 3686
From: Dallas, TX
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 09-30-2002 02:51 PM

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson inaugurated the brand new White House Screening Room in 1915 with D.W. Griffith's controversial film, The Birth of a Nation.

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Adam Martin
I'm not even gonna point out the irony.

Posts: 3686
From: Dallas, TX
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 09-30-2002 08:29 PM

I stand corrected from off-site. The current Presidential Screening Room was a part of the East Wing expansion in 1942.

However, Wilson watched the film with his cabinet staff, so they had a screening in a room in the White House.

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Joe Redifer
You need a beating today

Posts: 12859
From: Denver, Colorado
Registered: May 99

posted 09-30-2002 08:43 PM

So do they have Dolby Digital? CA21 automations? Kinoton projectors? Oops, they can only have "Made in the USA" stuff so it will probably be a Strong package. I hope it is at least a Century projector and not a Simplex.

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Scott Norwood
Film God

Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99

posted 09-30-2002 08:52 PM

Does anyone know if the White House is using carbon arc or xenon?

Joe: they could also be using Brenkerts or Motiographs! (But, yes, I hope they have Centurys.)

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Thomas Hauerslev
Master Film Handler

Posts: 451
From: Copenhagen, Denmark
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 10-01-2002 02:42 AM

Why don't you contact them? It's all here, or is the government to paranoid to answer such questions? Clearly they must have equipment suppliers and projectionists working there. Get in touch with them, and ask them. With the historically open nature of the US administration, it should be a simple task to find out.

------------------
Cheers, Thomas
www.in70mm.com
www.dp70.com
www.70mm.dk

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Robert Throop
Master Film Handler

Posts: 412
From: Vernon, NY USA
Registered: Jun 99

posted 10-01-2002 03:49 PM

Before Lester Isaac became Supervisor of Projection for Loew's in 1926, he'd been White House projectionist for presidents Wilson, Harding and Coolidge.

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Bob Throop

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David Stambaugh
Film God

Posts: 4021
From: Eugene, Oregon
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 10-01-2002 04:29 PM

OK, I accept your challenge Thomas.

I asked a number of technical questions, and suggested that my email be directed to whomever is in charge of that function there. If I receive any reply, I will post it here.

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Adam Martin
I'm not even gonna point out the irony.

Posts: 3686
From: Dallas, TX
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 10-01-2002 04:35 PM

I hope we hear from David again. National Security and all.

If I can get enough information, or maybe an invite, I'd love to do a profile on my website.

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David Stambaugh
Film God

Posts: 4021
From: Eugene, Oregon
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 10-01-2002 04:43 PM

I thought of that. I'm probably on some "list" now. The only faintly provocative question I asked was how many people the screening room seats. The rest of it was technical stuff. I also requested pictures. Will be interesting to see if they come up with anything. Will also be interesting if someone from the FBI comes knocking on my door tonight.

I just figure Peter's right -- it's not like any of this is a state secret.

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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)

Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 10-01-2002 06:05 PM

The White House Screening Room was handled by the US Information Agency. Most of their supplies use to be ordered from the Navy Motion Picture Service through a NYC Dealer. There is a lurker out here who can answer most of your questions..so I will be quiet for now and see if he will join in as he could become a valued member.

No Joke....

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 10-01-2002 06:30 PM

I know (Name blanked out)can answer these questions. I think he has worked there..........
Mark @ CLACO

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John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 10-01-2002 06:45 PM

A few links:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/facts.html
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/whtour/
http://ns.kreative.net/cooper/TourOfDC/tours/WhiteHouse/

AFAIK, the movie theatre is located in the East Wing.

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

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Adam Martin
I'm not even gonna point out the irony.

Posts: 3686
From: Dallas, TX
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 10-01-2002 07:03 PM

Come to think of it, Bill Clinton was a big movie fan and it is said that the screening room was one of his favorite perks. Maybe someone in his office would be able to enlighten us.

Or maybe the White House Historical Association, 740 Jackson Place NW, Washington DC 20560 202-737-8292

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Adam Martin
I'm not even gonna point out the irony.

Posts: 3686
From: Dallas, TX
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 10-01-2002 08:19 PM

Hot on the trail ... the following is from the White House History Association's website:

In 1942, Roosevelt ordered an East Terrace cloakroom called the "Hat Box" converted into a movie theater. Here the president enjoyed watching news reels and took special interest in the battles fought in Europe and Asia.

Source: William Seale, The President's House

The “Hat Box” as it appeared during the Reagan administration.

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