Abstract: A movie projector for narrow film with sound track is adapted to different operating conditions corresponding, for example, to different sound film types, by means of control inititated by the film itself upon insertion. The leader of the film is provided with markings being disposed outside of the sound track and characterizing the type of film that is appended to the leader. The markings are optically and/or magnetically readable by a pickup device that may be shared with the sound reproduction. The markings as read are counted or assembled and decoded for controlling the operating conditions of the projector concerning, for example, the picture frame rate, the type of sound track, and similar projector conditions. Such markings can also be used on the film proper to change the operating state of the projector automatically during projection.