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Topic: Strange Drive-in story

Carl King
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 199
From: Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Registered: Mar 2000

posted 06-12-2000 09:59 PM

Hey guys:

All this talk of drive-ins is making me nostalgic. I remember well working in old skytops here in New Brunswick.I live near the Bay of Fundy and we used to get fogged in on occassion. Let me tell you..it's hard to keep a print in focus when you can't see it because of the fog. Those were the days.
Not many skytops left around these days.. Just memories

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Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays

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

posted 06-13-2000 08:10 AM

>>Thanks for allowing me to participate in your forum.

------------------
Dave Bird<<

HEY, whatdayaknow! Welcome to the group, Dave!

------------------
Better Projection Pays!

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Bruce McGee
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1776
From: Asheville, NC USA... Nowhere in Particular.
Registered: Aug 1999

posted 06-13-2000 11:09 AM

Hey Ken:
Where do we find Nu-Trol cleaner? I used Channel Master "Shield" for eons until they quit making it. I'm just about out of my second-to-the-last-can. Does NuTrol do a good job, and cure those noisy pots?

I think just by going through and at least taking care of the shorted lines and poles I can make the whole speaker system sound at least a little louder. It was fun hearing that far-away sound the other day all over the field while the test reel was running.

The owner and the homeowners in view of the screen are happy. He went to each of them and tuned their FM radios to the right frequency so they could sit on their porches and watch the movies!

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Ken Layton
Phenomenal Film Handler

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

posted 06-13-2000 08:05 PM

Bruce:
Nu-Trol is made by M.G. Chemicals in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and is widely available from most local electronic supply houses and wholesalers. The manufacturer can be reached at 1-800-201-8822 (voice) or 1-800-708-9888 (fax) or on the web at www.mgchemicals. com
Nu-trol is cat no. 401B-140g. I have found it to be excellent on volume controls. Just spray into any hole in the pot and turn the shaft a few times. Works great!
If you need help on the internal wiring of the Eprad speakers, let me know as I have closeup photos of the wiring.

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Russ Kress
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 202
From: Charleston, WV, USA
Registered: May 2000

posted 06-13-2000 08:23 PM

Hey guys, I use two contact cleaners depending on what is available at any given time. One is called "Electra-Clean" and the other is called "Big Bath". They work great on potentiometers and do good job on grease too. No residue.

Russ

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Bruce Hansen
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 847
From: Stone Mountain, GA, USA
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 06-14-2000 05:35 PM

Be careful about useing some cleaner that you have never tried before. Over my many years or cleaning pots and switches, I have come across several cleaners that will melt the plastic parts inside some pots and switches. Try it out on old parts that are not in use first.

Bruce Hansen

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John Wilson
Film God

Posts: 5438
From: Sydney, Australia.
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 06-23-2000 04:50 AM

Hey Bruce,

Any news? Any pics yet? Can't wait to see them.

John

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John Wilson
Film God

Posts: 5438
From: Sydney, Australia.
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 07-08-2000 07:22 AM

OK, so I'm impatient... any news Bruce? The sweet old couple haven't hacked you up and stuck you in a large coffin under the screen, have they? If they have, don't bother answering that.

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Bruce McGee
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1776
From: Asheville, NC USA... Nowhere in Particular.
Registered: Aug 1999

posted 07-08-2000 08:05 PM

John: I'm not dead, yet.

I have been allowed to visit the theatre twice now for the show. I have not been allowed to do, or touch anything. Mr. Clark does everything. He will talk to me while he works, but wont let me help at all. Its strange.

I located an intermission clock and told him about it. The only answer I got was that he was not buying anything at this time. I never mentioned buying anything. A really nice guy that posts here offered me one to try out on the patrons. Another guy here offered a policy trailer (dont forget to replace the speaker, etc.) again the answer was no.

I'm wondering if I will ever get to do anything.

The list of speaker parts companies that Ken Layton posted is still laying there on the bench. I'll wager that none of them have been contacted.

So far, 2 of the concession people have quit. I'm beginning to understand why they have so much trouble there....

More to come, I hope.

How's the weather in Australia?

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John Wilson
Film God

Posts: 5438
From: Sydney, Australia.
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 07-09-2000 01:36 AM

>>So far, 2 of the concession people have quit. I'm beginning to understand why they have so much trouble there....<<

Methinks you may be right there...what a shame. Some folks just can't pick when someone is trying to help them and not there to rip them off.

The weather here in Sydney is pretty crappy for the poor old Drive Ins. We still have two twins in operation in Sydney, Blacktown Twin and Bass Hill Twin, both operated by a major chain...Greater Union. It rained all of last Summer and now it's fine weather mostly but pretty darn cold. I don't know how much longer GU will put up with them. They sure aren't in it for the memories anymore, it's all about the dollar and those sites, Bass Hill in particular, must be worth a small fortune.

My old DI has gone the way of the Dodo which is a bit sad as I spent so much time there. I've just finished helping Buddy with his page dedicated to The Westline Drive In at http://www.drive-insdownunder.com.au/australian/qld_mackaywestline.htm . Take a look. I've sent other photos on its sister DI The Grove but I've yet to send the base of the text. She's a goner too...

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Aaron Sisemore
Flaming Ribs beat Reeses Peanut Butter Cups any day!

Posts: 3061
From: Rockwall TX USA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 07-09-2000 07:29 PM

With assholes like that running the place, I bet it makes it to the end of summer, then 'closes for the season' never to reopen, as this guy will have already sold it to Wal-Mart or Home Depot, et al... Tragic.

Aaron

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John Wilson
Film God

Posts: 5438
From: Sydney, Australia.
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 09-15-2000 08:13 AM

As usual, Buddy's doing a great job. Here is the link to the Grove I mentioned 2 posts above...

http://www.drive-insdownunder.com.au/australian/qld_mackaygrove.htm

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Bruce McGee
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1776
From: Asheville, NC USA... Nowhere in Particular.
Registered: Aug 1999

posted 09-15-2000 03:29 PM

Just wanted to let you know the latest on the drive-in. After being told that I would be used as the relief projectionist months ago, I was there exactly 3 times, never allowed to do anything, and never called to work there.

I rode through Waynesville today for work. I rode by the theater. It's closed for the season. The gate is up and locked.

I really feel like I just wasted my time and gas going out there. If the place gets put up for sale, maybe I could get into it then.

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