With a record of having shown over 14,000,000 feet of film, Frank B. Bettencourt, operator at Hart’s Peninsula Theatre in San Mateo, lays an easy claim to being the leading moving picture operator in the county.
Mr. Bettencourt went into moving picture business when it in its infancy. He began in San Mateo with Charles Hart. In the eight years that he has operated the cameras in Mr. Hart’s theatre, Mr. Bettencourt has projected over 14,000 reels which include all the important pictures that have been manufactured.
During his spare time Mr. Bettencourt has conducted extensive investigations and experiments. He is now waiting for patents on accessories to moving picture machines which he has invented. The two most important are an automatic shutter and a take up device which overcomes the flicker so bothersome to the eyes.
Mr. Bettencourt has given many private exhibitions in the county. He has shown pictures at the San Mateo Polo Club, the Burlingame Country Club, the Beresford Country Club and at many private homes.
He recently started with a brother, Mr. C. E. Bettencourt a pictorial news service of the county events for use in the moving picture houses of the peninsula.
Mr. Bettencourt was born in San Mateo on December 22, 3892 and has spent his entire life in California. He is endeavoring to secure a charter of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Moving Picture Operators of the United States and Canada, for San Mateo County, which will be organized shortly.