Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Looking for good Booth Supply/Tech company in the midwest.

This is topic Looking for good Booth Supply/Tech company in the midwest. in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Tom Kroening (Member # 201) on 12-16-2002, 03:53 PM:

Does anyone have any recommendations? The company that used to service us has gone out of business. We have 4 theatres in Wisconsin (Two in Janesville, one in Beloit, and one in Pewuakee) for a total of 42 screens. We are looking for someone at least for emergencies and regular supplies and possibly a yearly service contract if the price is right (I would love to get some of these houses EQ'ed). If someone in the area has some suggestions please let me know!

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 12-16-2002, 09:47 PM:

Tom, is Melcher out of Milwaukee still in business?

I have heard that some of the good techs that worked for the company that went out of business spun off on their own to form a little company. If this is true, it should be easy to contact them. Whether they would come to Wisconsin, I don't know...but it is worth a shot to contact them and find out.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 12-16-2002, 10:09 PM:

Entertainment Equipment Corp would be happy to quote service
1 800 448 1656

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 12-17-2002, 12:06 AM:

Without Becky at the Rock one quickly loses enthusiasm...

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-17-2002, 12:06 AM:

Ah yes, Becky! She had a great peronality and b.....
Paul,
Harry Melcher passed away on the operating table at about age 90 or so. I think he was having his gall bladder removed. His son Dick took over and ran it into the ground in about 3 years time. There was a neat old guy at Melchers that was the shop tech and he made his own Hammertone and Wrinkle paint. He was really a master at rebuilds and they looked and ran great. A few neato things I got out of the Melcher basment in past years were a pair of Strong Jet Arcs which are now owned by sprockethead James Bond, and the first of many Century R-8 Warnerphonic mag soundheads which I used for dailies at Steve Kraus's insistance. Indeed he was right as I went on to convert many R-3's into R-8's for other directors/cinematographers that bought dailies projectors from me. Who says it doesn't pay to rummage through someone elses junk......
For service in the midwest, especially your area contact the IATSE local in Madison. They have several good service guys. You are close enough to them that it won't cost any more than flying someone in. I know they take care of AGT's screens.
Mark @ CLACO

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 12-17-2002, 01:12 AM:

Mark, do you suppose those XL's that that "other" vendor rebuilt for Peewaukee are bringing more joy now... ...or back when they cranked out pornos for their prior owner? [Razz]