35mm Optical Track On 16mm Film

[Paul Adsett]

Well I thought that I had learned about all the weird film formats, but here's one I had no knowledge of. Its called the Harper 16mm films system which is kind of like a double run system where frames are printed alternately , so that when the projectionist gets to the end of the reel in one direction he just throws the projector in reverse and the film is rewound while projecting. The film used a 35mm optical sound track printed onto 16mm film!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDAo5I7x5qM

[Dominique De Bast]

Very interesting ! Thanks.

[Maurice Leakey]

Martin Harper applied for a British Patent on his idea and it was accepted on 4 July 1939.

Obviously, the war killed off his proposal, the DIN idea had gone to the wall, so the SMPE standard for 16mm reined supreme as it was immediately used for the wartime training of the armed forces.

You can click below for full details.

Martin Harper Projector (museumofberkshireaviation.co.uk)