Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Old newspaper article about imported equipment...

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Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 07-24-2004, 10:08 PM:

Hello everyone.

While I was researching some old vertical files, I came across an article from May 15, 1968 about the opening of a brand new theatre in Winnipeg. In fact, it was the first twin to open here. The theatre, by the way, was the Garrick Cinema. In the article they said they had imported a lot of the equipment.

The lightsource was from Japan (I'm guessing XEBEX), the projectors from Italy (Cinemeccanicas? Vic 8s maybe?), and the 2 sound systems and 2 screens were from England.

Do any of you know of any manufacturers of sound systems and movie screens in England that were probably around when this theatre opened? Are they still around?

Also, I was told by a manager at a theatre over in Winnipeg that movie screens only last about 15-20 years, and then need to be changed. Is this true, or have they been sold bad screens?

Thanks in advance for your information!

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 07-24-2004, 11:21 PM:

Screens can yellow slightly over time although that's not a certainty. They can also get generally dirty (and can be difficult to clean without leaving marks, especially the "gain" screens that have special coatings to make them more reflective) and that was certainly much more likely if smoking was allowed in the theatre. Also, the perforations that allow sound to come through can get plugged with dust. That's all in addition to whatever damage is done by people throwing things at them.

Harkness is a UK-based screen maker.

Besides Cinemeccanica another Italian projector maker is Prevost. Isn't the V8 a 35/70 machine?

Posted by Ron Lacheur (Member # 1126) on 07-25-2004, 02:49 AM:

for 35/70mm projectors the most common I've found in the major chains in Canada that they are in fact Vic 8s.

Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 07-25-2004, 08:50 AM:

My understanding was that, at least for the US market in 1968, the US dollar was very strong compared to the Itailan lire. This meant products from Italy were less expensive, and this is how Cinemecannica got a foothold in the US. Joe Hornstine, Inc. (sp?) was a well-know dealer in the New York area at the time, and apparently the 'Ashcraft lamp-Cinemecannica V8' was a very popular selling combination.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 07-25-2004, 08:58 AM:

When the Garrick was built Odeon will still part of the Rank group in canada and they used Vic 10's for there 35/70mm theatres rememebr the largest of the original Garrick wasa D150 theatre and had a pair of Vic10 with xebex lamphouses The smaller screens had 35mm vic 8s that some later got upgraded to 35/70
The original soundsystem was a cinemecanica system of plugin 100 watt amplififers with mag preamps on the back of the machines and a control cabinet with a nixi tube display and a motorized fader and at one point they had Dolby Mono 360 and E2
later of when dolby stereo came along they got cp200's I think during the Canadain Odeon period they also added Kintek KT30 systems there as well

Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 07-25-2004, 07:48 PM:

Thanks for all the help!

What exactly are Kintek KT30 systems? Are they film spool towers?

I believe the Garrick upgraded to platters with Potts. Cinema 2 and 4 (the 35/70mm houses?) upgraded in 1980... Cinema 1 and 3 in 1999.

Were the BTS Pegboard/Cinemation similar to any other automations?

Thanks!

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 07-25-2004, 09:14 PM:

The Kintek KT30 system(the yellow boxes of fun) were a stereo synthesizer system to create fake stereo from mono prints. In the early days of optical stereo many titles were still mono so Odeon installed the kinteks in most of the Dolby houses to provide fake stereo when mono prints arrived
The BTS pegboard was built in Montreal and was in effect a cinemation MK4 copy

Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 07-25-2004, 09:16 PM:

Gordon,

I believe you said that the XEBEX manuals were on the site, but I can't find them... Do you know where they are?

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 07-25-2004, 09:35 PM:

They were sent in and I thought at one point they might have been on the front page
I think I saved the file when I scanned them if not I have the xebex stuff burried right now in cardboard boxes

Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 07-25-2004, 09:46 PM:

If you still have a computer file that you can find, could you send it too grandcameo@yahoo.ca?

Thanks!

Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 01-21-2005, 04:46 PM:

Just bumping this:

I find it very fascinating to find out what kind of equipment the old theatres had in Winnipeg, so from one picture palace, I discovered it had (changeover) Bauer U2 35/70mm Projectors, Xebex lamphouses and Showman II automation. With the throw being 102', and the screen maxed in scope at 39'11" x 17'0", would a 3kw xenon be enough light? Thanks!

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 01-21-2005, 07:17 PM:

quote: Andrew McCrea
With the throw being 102', and the screen maxed in scope at 39'11" x 17'0", would a 3kw xenon be enough light?

Probably more than enough. I have lit similar screens with 2K xenons with few problems.

-Aaron

Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 01-21-2005, 10:07 PM:

Thanks Aaron!

Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 02-03-2005, 07:53 PM:

Well, just thought I'd bring up these newer Garrick pictures! [Frown]

Here's Cinema 1 (re-modelled for conferences):

Here's Cinema 3 (re-modelled for water slide):

Originals can be found in the picture forum.

I also have a picture of the lobby, but I don't think I'm allowed to post it, bacause there's already a picture page, but it says that you can only upload 2 pics.

Posted by Thomas King (Member # 2745) on 02-03-2005, 09:15 PM:

We only have a Cinemeccanica water slide. [puke]

I've heard that the Strong poolside equipment is vastly superior.

Posted by Warren Smyth (Member # 1838) on 02-04-2005, 06:53 AM:

Andrew, your enquiry regarding possible sound systems imported from England and Cinemeccanica projectors, prompts me to mention that until the late sixties, Cinemecannica projectors were distributed to some countries eg New Zealand and Singapore through Rank in England. The sound systems were valve rack and panel Gaumont Kalee units made in England.

Each rack consisted of three power amplifiers and accompaning power supplies. These racks were supplied in pairs to provide six channels for 70mm presentation. They were rated at 30watt each and used four KT66 valves in push pull parallel. The design dated back to their mono amplifiers developed for the Gaumont Kalee 21 projectors in 1946 by the British Accoustics company. I think this manufacturer was incorporated into Gaumont Kalee by Rank.

Twelve preamps were provided, a set for each projector and these used EF86 valves. Kalee made the fader, switching and patching provision, using Jones plugs for running 4 track 35mm from the system as well. Kalee never made a 70mm projector. This sound equipment was their only involvement in the manufacture of 70mm technology.

The equipment was supplied with Vic 10s but may have been used with 8s as well. The last of these valve installation here was in 1968. It now resides in my home theatrette and continues to give reliable service as well as plenty of heat in the winter from 48 valves.

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 02-04-2005, 10:02 AM:

Rank closed down the Kalee projector line when they signed an agreement to distribute Cinemeccanica in all the countries that they had a marketing set-up.

Posted by Dick Vaughan (Member # 540) on 02-04-2005, 10:43 AM:

In fact the Cinemeccanica Vic 8 was badged as R(ank)K(alee) 60 when it first went out to Oz and NZ.

Posted by Warren Smyth (Member # 1838) on 02-05-2005, 04:24 AM:

Just a point of clarification. I mentioned that Rank distributed Cinemaccanica projectors until the late sixties. I meant this in the context of mating them with the Kalee sound system as a complete projection plant. Naturally, Rank continued the distribution of Cinemecannic equipment including Cinemecannica solid state amplifiers into the seventies.

Does anyone know what year the Kalee projector factory closed and what circumstances led to Kalee manufacturing ceasing? One theory I heard was that their development of a horizontal Vista Vision projector was a factor. Surely there must have been other reasons for the demise of such a successful projector.

Posted by Peter Hall (Member # 695) on 02-05-2005, 06:58 AM:

I guess that the constant leak problems prevented Simplex from making waterslides ? Norelco (Philips) did make one but you had to upgrade the structure of the pool to take the weight.

Warren - at a guess i'd say you have the Westend's gear ? I ran these once with Terry Kerr - did they change to a single V5 before they closed ?

The older guys ex Rank here will tell you that Rank killed Kalee due to rising costs and the availability of a cheap deal on Cinemecannica bought in lira. Did Kalee ever make a machine that you could change the aperture on without stopping ? Or a turret ? I guess the V4 / 9 / 8 were attractive options..

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 02-05-2005, 09:37 AM:

quote: Warren Smyth
Kalee never made a 70mm projector.

I was told by several people that KAlee did produce a 35/70 prototype at Ranks request and that the development expense was very high.... ubn fact it took what was left of KAlees operating capitol to build the first machine. When Rank turned down the new Kalee in favor of the cheap Italian machines that in effect killed the company........ Does anyone know if this is really correct or did the folks in Miami just feed me another made up story?

BTW: I also heard that the Kalee pool slide kept rusting badly during trials and was never marketed.....

Mark

Posted by Bernard Tonks (Member # 809) on 02-05-2005, 11:43 AM:

I did read that Gaumont Kalee built a prototype 35/70 projector based on the ‘21’ model. No doubt the limited manufacture of the horizontal VistaVision projector did little to help the future of the company.

There’s some information on Gaumont Kalee in the Picture Warehouse.

Ian's big trip to Bradford, England

Posted by Andrew McCrea (Member # 674) on 02-05-2005, 03:15 PM:

Here's the Garrick's old equipment:
(Compiled from many various sources over the last few years)

Cinema 1:
2- Cinemecannica VICTORIA 10 Projectors
2- Xebex Supersol 4kw Lamphouses
Cinemation MKIV Automation

*A Potts Platter later replaced the right machine in 1999.
Dolby Digital Sound

Cinema 2:
2- Ballantyne VIP Pro 35 (35/70mm) Projectors
2- Strong Ultra 80 5kw Lamphouses
Cinemation MKIV Automation

*A Potts Platter later replaced the left machine in 1980.
DTS Digital Sound

Cinema 3:
2- Cinemeccanica VICTORIA 8 Projectors
2- Strong Super Lume-X 1.6kw Lamphouses
BTS Pegboard Automation

*A Potts Platter later replaced the right machine in 1980.
Mono Sound

Cinema 4:
2- Ballantyne VIP Pro 35 (35/70mm) Projectors
2- Strong Super 80 3kw Lamphouses
BTS Pegboard Automation

*A Potts Platter later replaced the left machine in 1999.
Dolby Stereo Sound

All had CP200s and 35/70mm capability. I don't know if or when the sound processors were updated.

Posted by Warren Smyth (Member # 1838) on 02-08-2005, 05:21 AM:

Peter - you're right. It's the Westend's amplifiers I have. Regarding the projectors, one of the Vic 10 projectors was replaced with a Vic 5 with the second Vic 10 retained for 70mm. This was probably when they went to platters from two machine operation. I had left the Westend some years earlier.

Regarding your question on turrets, I believe Kalee never produced a projector with a turret. I heard that someone managed to convert a 21 for this purpose as well as a side operated aperture plate, facilitated by some extensive modification and engineering.

The last model Kalee made was the GK37. This had an aperture plate which slid into the side of the gate block so it could be changed without unthreading. It was a smaller projector and the sound head formed part of the projector casting as a combined unit, rather than the separate component concept previously employed. The lamphouse was similar to the small Kalee Universal. The GK 37 was designed more for smaller auditoriums using 6mm neg and 7mm pos carbons. It was of lighter construction and used belts rather than a gear train to drive the film sprockets. A couple of pairs of GK37s are still in use here.

I supplied a couple of gears and a lay on roller for a GK 21 recently. It was originally installed in the St James Auckland with it's mate in 1946 and must have been one of the first off the assembly line. They ran 4 sessions a day, six days a week and seven days a week from the seventies there. In the eighties, they were installed in a twin plex at Thames. I was informed by the manager, they have each run constantly ten hour days seven days a week since. Nearly sixty years, still showing a good picture and now with rear scan and cyan prepared - how is that for service?