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I’m rather interested in the company, since I have some of their films, as well as being fascinated by their toy projector line in the 30s. Does anyone have a list of their products/film releases? Thanks.
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Greetings Silas!
My 1st 'toy' projector was an 8mm Excel. No films came with it so I got hooked on Castle Films Headline 50 footers. An Abbott and Costello
film was my 1st one.
The best 'history' of Excel is this link:
https://www.madeinchicagomuseum.com/...rojector-corp/
One would have to search catalogs from the large department stores or large photo shops of the time period you want.
Charlie -
One place to find Excel 16mm films is eBay. Search 'Excel 16mm films' and big listing pops up.Comment
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Thanks Charlie, and what was the model of projector you had as a kid?Originally posted by Charlie Peich View PostComment
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Silas,
I don't remember as it was a long time ago. I was just happy to have a projector.
The projector had a stripped gear, a very small gear, that disabled the take-up. So
I would turn the take-up reel with my finger when watching films. After a couple
of years I had it with that and moved up to a Bell & Howell 8mm projector. I
had also acquired an 8mm camera and was shooting home movies.
But, back to the Excel projector, it didn't have a shutter, so there were those
issues with streaking on the projected image. Again, it was considered a 'tin toy'.
A lot of Excel 16mm projectors didn't have a shutter.
Many years later, I saw a projector on eBay that looked exactly like the one I
had. That projector was listed as an Excel #98. So, that would be a good guess
for the one I had. The projector on eBay was a much later build, most likely
after Max Levey had sold the company to Elgin Watch Case Co. 1 difference on
it is the name stamped on the lamp house. Instead of 'Excel', it was
stamped 'Hollywood'.
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