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Author
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Topic: Reminiscing
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Maurice Leakey
Film God
Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007
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posted December 21, 2016 03:08 AM
As Christmas approaches, I think back seventy years to Christmas 1946 as if it were yesterday. That was when I had my very first projector. It was a few days before my twelfth birthday and my Christmas present (it's also for your birthday!) was a 9.5mm Hunter. I can still smell that large resistance unit as it reduced the 230 volt mains supply.
The cine shop in Bristol would not let me join their hire library explaining that the Hunter had no sprockets and it was their policy to protect their prints from possible damage, although they had been quite happy to sell the projector to my father.
New films to purchase seemed unavailable and the only film we could find to buy was a second-hand copy of M/5024 - "Tenth Olympiad", a record of the 1932 Olympic Games held in Los Angeles. I showed it time and time again!
So, for seventy years I have been collecting films gradually extending from 9.5mm to 8mm & 16mm. For fifty of these years I was a cinema projectionist, starting in 1952 with nitrate, and working for Odeon and Classic I saw many changes through the years until finishing in a five-screen Odeon multiplex.
Amongst the changes were:-
Large projection staff on duty reduced to single manning
Introduction of anamorphic CinemaScope
Carbon arcs replaced by xenon lamps
Introduction of 70mm
Valves in amplifiers replaced by transistors
Change-overs replaced by a tower and one projector
Intermission 78s replaced by LPs, then CDs
Introduction of non-rewind platters
Sound on disc, again! (DTS audio on CD-Rom, sync controlled by time code on film scanned by LED readers)
Clear exciter lamps replaced by red
Dolby Digital readers attached to projectors
Whilst with Classic I became a stand-by projectionist for their south-west cinemas, this was to assist when regular staff needed time off for holidays.
I have often been asked what are my favourite projectors if I could keep only one of each. For Super 8 it has to be the FujicaScope SH30 (mag & opt), for 9.5mm it is the Buckingham RM1, and for 16mm, the Bell & Howell 655QE with its ELC lamp conversion.
Films to keep are 16mm "Mary Poppins", "Sound Of Music" and "West Side Story" (IB Tech/Scope). And, as many as possible of my rare 9.5mm sound features.
I must admit that I have far too many films and projectors, but, as I live alone they are all my companions and provide hours and hours of enjoyment.
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Maurice
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Andrew Woodcock
Film God
Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012
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posted December 21, 2016 04:25 AM
You are doing remarkably well Maurice, you really are.
I had no idea you were now into your 80's.
When I think how my own mother, now of a very similar age, spends her days galavanting here and there still.
One day Chester, the next Southport by rail etc etc, I think it's truly remarkable how the well preserved members of this particular generation have continued to enjoy life to the full well into their senior year's.
You have a peaceful very warm and very merry Christmas Maurice.
You are an absolute credit to your generation and an example to all slightly younger ones, regarding self preservation and inner strength, just as my own Mum is.
I hope you continue to gain huge enjoyment from your films and projectors for many many years to come!
Hopefully, I may just be joining you soon in the SH 30 appreciation society! Lol.
I never realized previously, that they have built in pulse sync facilities. Something not highlighted in the Super 8mm Data specifications.
Lamps are becoming increasingly expensive now though I've noticed given their unusual rating of 21v 150w
[ December 21, 2016, 10:07 AM: Message edited by: Andrew Woodcock ]
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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"
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