I have recently delved into the world of 35mm projection, with the help of a new friend in my home state. This guy ran movie and drive in theatres for years - he is like a living encyclopedia (anyone remember those?). Anyway, we spoke on the phone today, and somehow got on the topic of screens. Not screen sizes, mind you, but screen colors. He maintains that a silver screen is the way to go. Much better than white, because silver screens reflect the light back towards the source in a more direct pattern than white screens do, which apparently diffuses the light before reflecting it back (if I am understanding it correctly). He claims that black and white and ib tech films look amazing on a silver screen - said they shimmer.

Any thoughts or experience?

For black and white films, I'd certainly agree there Michael, especially early ones with a high Silver Nitrate content.

For lighter areas, black is supposed to be best. Search forum for it, was posted a few months ago

Link again
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UAxhMflrQs8