Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Simplex Prototype

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Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 05-09-2005, 08:47 AM:

There is a Simplex Portable, or more accurately compact, on eBay at the moment (not my auction).

Auction Link

Auction Text:

This a used 35mm Simplex motion picture projector w/ 2000' magazines, picture and optical sound contained in the same housing (has photo electric cell sound pickup and can be changed to a solar cell). The exciter lamp requires a power source which is not included. The Lamphouse has a 1000W Mazda bulb. The Lens is a Bausch & Lomb Cinemascope combination (141mm). This projector was used in a private screening room only by the original owner. It is a prototype projector manufactured in the 1950's. The projector runs smoothly and is relatively quiet as compared to other theater machines and it is relatively compact.

I have never seen this type before, it is listed as a prototype. Where these ever marketed? If so, what model did it become?

and

[ 05-09-2005, 12:36 PM: Message edited by: Mitchell Dvoskin ]

Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 05-09-2005, 11:01 AM:

But it has (what looks like) a Century intermittent. In fact, it looks more like a Century than a Simplex. The only 'Simplex' part is the square sight glass. Very interesting, though, especially with the motor mounted on the back.

Posted by Robert Throop (Member # 61) on 05-09-2005, 11:33 AM:

That movement is single bearing which Simplex stopped making in the twenties.

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 05-09-2005, 12:17 PM:

Simplex continue to make single bearing units for their SI projectors which where mostly an export product.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 05-09-2005, 09:05 PM:

You know...it kinda looks like what the Simplex SP (I think that was its name) would have evolved into in the near XL era. The SP was very Super in appearance.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-09-2005, 10:39 PM:

quote: Steve Guttag
You know...it kinda looks like what the Simplex SP (I think that was its name) would have evolved into in the near XL era. The SP was very Super in appearance.

So what you're actually trying to say is that the X-L is actually from the later precambrian eon. The SP was definately from the slightly earlier paleozoic era as fossils of them have been found in the Utah desert.

P.S. it wasn't SP actually, as the SP is the "Suitcase Portable" model, also known as the Shit Pile!. Its the model SI (Shitty Insides) you're thinking of that had the SP mechanism and was produced in small numbers during WW-2. They were built around the same time we learned to control the atom(pretty scary ha?). There was still a shelf full of those at Lee Artoes place in Chicago back in the 80's. Rounded corners and that same crappy SP mechanism sans the sound repeoducer, the SI actually went on top of an SH-1000 so you didn't have to throw the whole thing in the dumpster after the war. I think theatres woulda been better shutting down than installing them just to save face. It looks nothing like the projector in the photos above.

Mark

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 05-10-2005, 02:41 AM:

The only Simplex portable I've ever seen was a thing built into a square box, about two feet square, and about ten inches deep I think, with the feed spoolbox on top, and the take-up one inside the main box. I've seen three of those over the years, none of them in working order. What model was that? What date? I would guess that it was '30s sometime.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 05-10-2005, 03:41 AM:

quote: Stephen Furley
The only Simplex portable I've ever seen was a thing built into a square box, about two feet square, and about ten inches deep I think, with the feed spoolbox on top, and the take-up one inside the main box.

Hi Steve - would it be this Simplex-Acme portable (which this one was configured to be in front of a carbon lamphouse)?

My friend has two of these Simplex-Acmes in excellent, and working condition. These, as by themselves use an internal 1000w "Mazda" bulb. As portables, these are "hernia-inducers" (lol - Mark, stay away from these..lol)

quote: John Walsh
But it has (what looks like) a Century intermittent. In fact, it looks more like a Century than a Simplex.

Wanna see a "green" Century Portable?

quote: Richard Fowler
Simplex continue to make single bearing units for their SI projectors which where mostly an export product.

..and a pict of those "ghastly" SI machines. One opens the soundhead door, and the sound drops out, being that the photocell was in the door itself.

I've only seen one of these machines in person back in the early 70's down in a basement of a small "mom and pop" theatre. I can see why these things died quickly due to the shutter being front mounted only.

-Monte

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 05-10-2005, 05:30 AM:

Wouldn't the sound sync be too early on that Century "portable"? It looks like the solar cell is closer to the gate than it would be in a standard Century R-3 soundhead. Is the owner using some sort of delay unit to correct for this?

Also, what are "mazda bulbs"? Is it just a term for a standard incandescent light bulb (err..."lamp"), or does it refer to something more specific?

Posted by Robert Throop (Member # 61) on 05-10-2005, 07:53 AM:

Monte-
That soundhead is WE. Either a 209 or 211. The PE cell was mounted in the door so you did lose sound when you opened it.
Bob

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-10-2005, 08:03 AM:

Yea, thats a 211. Northern electric made an equivelent version as well.

Monte... I woldn't want those Acmes. I've turned down many pairs of them. I have basically zero interest in any U.S. made projectors except for VistaVision stuff, there just are not any U.S. made projectors that are really worth the time of day. Frankly, if it doesn't say Phillips or Bauer in it then it doesn't belong in my collection. That Century portable was made by a fellow in either Belgium or France and is very well done, I've contemplated doing a similar mod over here as the SA is a good "home" projector for the serious type film collector. Now all he needs to do is to add a basement digital reader and its done.

Mark

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 05-10-2005, 09:02 AM:

Mazda was the trademark name that General Electric used for projection and stage bulbs. the initial use was in the early part of the last century.

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 05-10-2005, 09:13 AM:

While I don't think highly of Simplex SP projectors, I have a friend who runs one in his basement. It features a 2000' magazine mounted on top, takeup inside the "suitcase", and a western electric style sound gate (instead of sound drum). He has access to a machine shop, and made a number of custom modifications including analog stereo. His only problem is that the projector does not have changeable aperture plates. He has a catalog that indicates that Simplex made a replacement gate in the 1950's with changeable plates, but he has never been able to locate one. It runs quiet, and is rock steady, but still I'm not sure this was the best choice of projector.

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 05-10-2005, 09:45 AM:

That green Century portable has a bottom of a Bell & Howell TQ1 16mm projector (the part with amplifier and motor controls).

Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 05-10-2005, 08:29 PM:

I have noticed that the term "Mazda" (when used with film projectors) usually referred to a incandescent lamp where the filament was run in an up and down 'zig-zag' pattern, forming a sort of square area of illumination. This lit the aperture opening better than a regular single straight filiment (which OTOH, was perfect for lighting optical sound slits.)

That 'mean green machine' is pretty cool, but I agree with Scott; it looks like a lot of film has to be 'lost' within the head to get the right sound sync distance.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-10-2005, 09:26 PM:

The sound drum has been moved back as far as it would normally be located down. This does indeed take up that slack film you are thinking about....... Have studied this quite a bit and its within one frame and that can be delt with in the lower loop on a Centiry if need be. A digital delay line would also serve equally as well for you "all-digital" analog playback fans.

Mark

Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 543) on 05-11-2005, 12:12 AM:

Where is the shutter on that Century portable?
Looks like a lamphouse where the shutter would be. [Confused]

Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 05-11-2005, 12:24 AM:

quote: Richard Fowler
Mazda was the trademark name that General Electric used for projection and stage bulbs. the initial use was in the early part of the last century.

Initially it was also the screw-type base, which is still called a 'Mazda base'. GE revived the name for some bulb lines a few decades later, some of which had bayonet-type bases; it sort of blurred the 'Mazda' background, but probably was a good idea for maintaining a brand identity.

It is not commonly known that 'Mazda' is named for a mythological god of light, not because the bulbs screw in with a rotary motion.

Edit:
Of course, there's a web page about Mazda lamps.

Posted by Lindsay Morris (Member # 1430) on 05-11-2005, 04:32 AM:

Geez, That "green" Century is certainly one very compact and innovative "home cinema" unit.
Like to see a close up of just how that sound head all works but maintaining sync should not be much of a problem... just have a nice big fat loop after the intermittent holdback sprocket. Gonna bounch around a bit though.. a bit like a very early Raycophone J1 so called portable often used in OZ years ago.
The amp unit is not a TQ1 base but either a B&H 666 or 555 base which have switches for Projector Motor, Amplifier, Bass & Treble controls plus Optical Vol and Mag/Mic volume and the far right hand switch is the projector Monitor switch.
The power supply attached to the front leg is a 666 Marc 300 power pak and I am betting that the lamp inside is a Marc 300 and in which case the screen lighting for a home cinema will be magic but expensive as when we can get them here in OZ the Marc 300 lamps cost around $200 Aust and last about 50 hours if you are very careful with them!!!!
A very compact and well thought out modification.. hang a double MUTT off it and it would be a very good performer.
The B&H 666 with a new Marc 300 lamp installed can light up an 8m wide screen quite comfortably.. certainly not quite as bright as the Xenon in a 35mm unit but pretty damn good for 16mm.
I still have 3 666 units one of which sits in the Kookaburra bio box and gets used from time to time running the odd 16mm special interest short prior to a 35mm showing.
The change to 35mm is quite noticable and so it should with a much bigger hole to squirt the light thru plus a far bigger lamp behind that again... like a 2kw xenon as compared to 300 watts on the B&H 666.
It has given me food for thought in my home screening room where space is VERY tight and I have exactly 50mm between the front wall and the inching knob on the RCA 1050 soundhead. The rear end is slighty roomier with about 75mm between the rear wall and the behind of a cut down Calder 10" ex carbon arc lamp with a 36 volt 400 halogen lamp in front of the mirror and acceptable light but somewhat yellowish as compared to the Marc 300.
Is there any contact details available for the designer of the "green" Century??... love to know some more.

Lindsay

Posted by Scott Balko (Member # 438) on 05-11-2005, 08:14 PM:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't those NAB hub tape reels on the "green century"? Are they just there for looks or do they actually serve a purpose? They're at the most 14 inch reels. They look pretty cool, but I've never seen NAB hub reels used for film.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 05-11-2005, 08:40 PM:

Yes, they are - 1/2inch, 14 inch NABS. I thought that was kinda funny seeing tape reels up on those spindles. Can't answer why these were mounted up there..maybe for looks.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 05-12-2005, 08:12 AM:

It appears they are using only one flange of the reel as there is an exposed core viable and I beleive a standard guide post as is often used on dubbers

Posted by Fred Georges (Member # 505) on 05-16-2005, 08:05 AM:

I got to see the gear train of that prototype "Simplex". It looks virtually identical to a Model "C" Century right down to the flyball governor operated safety shutter. So the question is Did Simplex re-work a Century or vice-versa?