Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Projector manufacturer histories

my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

»	Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE » Operations » Film Handlers' Forum » Projector manufacturer histories

Author

Topic: Projector manufacturer histories

Jeff Stricker
Master Film Handler

Posts: 481
From: Calumet, Mi USA
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 01-08-2000 03:32 PM

I enjoyed reading "From Magic Lantern to Stereo - Motiograph Story" available on the Manual Downloads section. Any other historical information available on some of the other projector manufacturers extinct and extant: Simplex, Century, Brenket, etc?

It would be great to read some more about these companies.

Thanks, Jeff

| IP: Logged

Chris Erwin
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 195
From: Olive Hill,KY
Registered: Oct 1999

posted 01-08-2000 05:56 PM

Jeff,

Check out the Simplex catalog from either the 1940's or 50's in the manual downloads. It gives a little idea where Simplex came from.

--Chris

| IP: Logged

Ken Layton
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1452
From: Olympia, Wash. USA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 01-08-2000 09:48 PM

I have the booklet called "This Is Strong International". It has the histories of Simplex projectors, Strong lamphouses, Ballantyne of Omaha, and Century projectors. It's very well written and I should photocopy it and send it in for posting.

| IP: Logged

Scott Norwood
Film God

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

posted 01-08-2000 10:57 PM

Ken--I recently got some propaganda in the mail from Ballantyine that has a similar thing--a history of the company, including its various brands. There are sections for Simplex (which is good)< Century (which is a bit sparse), and Super-Trouper follow spots. The quality of the writing is inconsistent, but the information is pretty good. I'm sure that anyone here could get a copy by writing a nice letter to Ballantyine of Omaha. If Brad wants a copy to scan, I'll send mine along.

| IP: Logged

Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays

Posts: 5246
From: Northampton, PA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 01-11-2000 02:31 PM

The "This is Strong..." piece is very good, indeed.

I have a copy.

| IP: Logged

Nicholas McRobert
Film Handler

Posts: 38
From: Belfast, N. Ireland
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 01-11-2000 08:15 PM

Kinoton have a nice, if small, history page on their website at http://www.kinoton.com

One fact that I learned there and wasn't aware of before: they developed the first non-rewind system (platter system) in co-operation with W Burth, and received an OSCAR for their work.... The basic design is still in production today and is copied (quite badly, if you compare) all over the world.....by Christie, Strong, Cinemecannica...etc...etc...etc...to name but a few.

| IP: Logged

Martin Frandsen
Master Film Handler

Posts: 270
From: Denmark, Europe
Registered: Jun 99

posted 01-20-2000 02:17 PM

Anywon no the history of Cinemeccanica from Milano? I have a Victoria 8 35mm/70mm projector.

I no many do not like the Cinemeccanica's or shall we say 'Shakeameccanica's' (vic5)

| IP: Logged

Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays

Posts: 5246
From: Northampton, PA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 01-20-2000 02:31 PM

Martin: I call them CinemeCHEAPicas, and that usually gets a guffaw.

I have an article somewhere, written by an American projectionist who was travelling through Italy during WWII. He visited several booths and, through an interpreter, spoke with the operators. He was able to come to the conclusion that, while all the various Italian projectors were actually copies of other projectors (like the German Ernemann), all the Italian projectionists were in agreement that Cinemeccanicas were the WORST copies!

I thought that was very telling.

| IP: Logged

Martin Frandsen
Master Film Handler

Posts: 270
From: Denmark, Europe
Registered: Jun 99

posted 01-20-2000 04:29 PM

Worst copies!! AHHHHH.....

Thanks for your short story Tim, does anywon else have something 'Nice' to say about Cinemeccanica.Is the vic8 the best projector they made or is it the vic10?

| IP: Logged

Chris Wootten
Film Handler

Posts: 50
From: Moonlit Cinema, RAAF Tindal, N.T. Australia
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 01-21-2000 06:01 AM

I trained on cinemecannica's early in my career and was impressed. I like em. The only thing I did not like was the motor start switch, which ,if you were too quick snapped the film. They were fitted with carbon arc lamphouses, and that was interesting too.... I regard my most memorable screening being a copy of Lawrence of Arabia in 70MM after the Cinema gad been totally refurbished......14 changeovers...no platters..... but what a picture.... audiences were blown away too... I use Bauer U3 now......a lot quieter...

| IP: Logged

John Walsh
Film God

Posts: 2490
From: Connecticut, USA, Earth, Milky Way
Registered: Oct 1999

posted 01-21-2000 02:12 PM

Well, I like Cinemeccannas. I learned on a V8, which I really liked. I would tell you all the good thing about them, but I think I'm out numbered here!

| IP: Logged

Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays

Posts: 5246
From: Northampton, PA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 01-24-2000 06:40 PM

Well, in all fairness, I'll be the first to admit the V-8 is a fine mechanism. They have much to be desired in the optical sound department, though. But on the screen they're rock-steady.

| IP: Logged

Gordon McLeod
Film God

Posts: 9532
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99

posted 01-24-2000 06:46 PM

UNless they have the new gates I have never seen a rock steady image from a shakemecanica
Especially on older v8 running 35mm

| IP: Logged

Martin Frandsen
Master Film Handler

Posts: 270
From: Denmark, Europe
Registered: Jun 99

posted 01-24-2000 07:39 PM

The gates on my v8 look very new, but i have never replaced them myself, so how new they are i don't no but the white text on the greenband in trailers looks so steady when projected it almost looks like a dias.

I've heard that it is the new v5 machines that bounce up and down in the picture.

| IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

Printer-friendly view of this topic

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.