8mm Forum: G.E. Show N' Tell

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Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on May 17, 2013, 11:03 AM:

Anybody here remember the General Electric Show N'Tell from the 1960'S. It was kind of like Vitaphone for kids! A series of still 35mm picture transparancies were mounted onto a plastic strip which was pushed into a slot on top of the player, and a record was placed onto the turntable. The picture was automatically advanced in sync with the story. My daughter had one as a kid and really loved it.
Primitive by todays standards of course, but somehow a lot more endearing.

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on May 17, 2013, 01:46 PM:

Yes- I love those units! I had one when I was about 5-9 years old. When my son was about 6 years old in the mid-90's, I naively went to Toys R Us, looking for one to buy my son. They thought I was crazy, and then I realized, I was about 10 years too late [Frown]

.

I finally got a nice used one a few years ago, and I love it. Unfortunately, my son is now 23! [Cool]

James.

Posted by Patrick McGrath (Member # 1210) on May 17, 2013, 03:01 PM:

I had one. The only story I remember watching is "The Fall of The House Of Usher"! Pretty scary for a 7 year old!

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on May 17, 2013, 05:27 PM:

I would get the programs as gifts every year (in the late 60's) from relatives, so unfortunately most were of an "educational" subject [Roll Eyes]

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The Show N Tell programs come up on ebay quite often. Unfortunately, most of the machines were quite cheaply made, so they are harder to find.

James.

Posted by Guy Taylor, Jr. (Member # 786) on May 18, 2013, 06:31 AM:

I had one of those when I was a kid... so began my obsession with audio visual equipment.

Posted by Brad Kimball (Member # 5) on May 18, 2013, 09:27 AM:

I still have one. I still have an extra bulb and needle for it, too. I own about 30 or so titles. The unit still plays perfectly. The quality of the records varies being that as a I was 6 or 7 when I first got it, but they all still play. The strips are actually 8mm frames and every one of them has pretty much faded to red. There are a handful that still have some blues and greens present. The best part is my 4 year old actually likes to watch them every now-and-again. I am so lucky. I have 2 daughters (10 & 4) who actually enjoy watching Dad's films and such. Hey, at least I have a nice collection of true rarities to leave them. Nobody else in our neighborhood has films or projectors so my hobby, to others, is both intriguing and entertaining to everyone who comes over for a showing. Imagine years from now if my girls can still use Dad's stuff. Sadly, the reality is it's highly unlikely the likelihood the projectors will really still be useable 30-40 years from now.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on May 18, 2013, 10:36 AM:

Hi Brad,
I think you are being unduly pessamistic about projectors not lasting another 40 years. My 1920 Pathe Baby, although admittedly a simple machine, still runs like new (actually better than new with its new halogen lighting). My Bolex 18-5 , circa 1960, is in mint, full operating, condition, as is my 1970's Eumig 810. I fully expect all these machines to be fully functional long after I am gone. As will be all the black and white and Kodachrome films that I have. The jury is still out on "low fade" color prints. So I really believe that your girls will still be able to enjoy your film stuff for decades to come, and that includes the little G.E. Show N' Tell. [Smile]

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