This is topic What's the oldest 35mm projector in use? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=008406

---

Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 12-05-2006, 09:26 AM:
 
For all you lurking corporate office folks who are considering as a replacement to your film projectors, here's a thread I'm starting just for you.

Question for the seasoned folks here... What is the oldest 35mm or 35/70 projector you know of that is currently in common every day use? For me, I haven't been around that many old projectors. The ones we used at the University of Md seemed a little old. Maybe 20 years or so when I was there, I'm not sure. The theaters that I am currently familiar with have projectors that are pushing 20 years old, which still run fine for the most part. But I'm sure there are folks here who have worked on much older machines that are still running like tops, so let's hear the stories.
 

---

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 12-05-2006, 09:44 AM:
 
Just for starters, any Motiograph is before 1956; any Western Electris is before WWII, any Brenkert is before 1956, etc.

Louis
 

---

Posted by Floyd Justin Newton (Member # 1316) on 12-05-2006, 10:03 AM:
 
At one time, years ago...about 1957,I had a pair of Simplex
Regulars that were built in about 1925 that ran like a top.
I sold tham to a friend and they are STILL running like they
were brand new! They are a true "work horse". Hard to beat.

 

---

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 12-05-2006, 10:40 AM:
 
There are theatres still running Simplex E-7's, and I don't doubt that there are a few Simplex Super's still in operation.
 

---

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-05-2006, 12:26 PM:
 
Where's Mark Gulbrandsen on this one? There are plenty of oldies-but-goodies in Montana! Even our "new" projector here is 26 years old. (Simplex)
 

---

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 12-05-2006, 01:47 PM:
 
I believe the Stanley Theatre in Utica NY is still running Super Simplexes from the 1930's. I ran them at several theatres in the DC area during the 70's and 80's and ran Motiograph AAA's until about 1995, which we then replaced with probably 25 year old Simplex XL's.
A better question would be: What's the oldest digital system still running;>
 

---

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-05-2006, 01:58 PM:
 
Plenty of Supers still running in E.Idaho .. know of one Drive-In that has one in operation - Monte
 

---

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 12-05-2006, 02:17 PM:
 
When I worked at the New Angola Theatre in Angola NY (1967-1970), we had a pair of Standard Simplex with Peerless Magnarcs. Leaked lots of oil, but were real workhorses. As far as I know, they still are using those old projectors:

http://www.newangolatheater.com/

quote:

---

An early 20 th century landmark, “The Theatre Angola” opened on November 25, 1924 as a silent movie house. Considered a credit to the progressive spirit of Angola, the up-to-date modern movie house constructed by Mr. & Mrs. Frank Wiatrowski offered moderate cost movies as well as 3-act vaudeville shows along with local entertainment.

The theater was converted to sound in 1929 in the early days of “talkies”. The management was leased in the early months of 1930 and operated as “The New Regent” Theater. When the lease terminated, the owners returned to management, re-opening on April 24, 1930 using the original name “The Theatre Angola”.

To remain competitive with movie houses of surrounding communities, a group of local businessmen leased the theater, made improvements in the sound system and opened on November 11, 1930 under the name “The New Angola Theater” featuring the movie “Good News”, a prophetic title as it turned out. The theater contributed to the cultural and economic stability of the community as it became an entertainment center, frequently used for a variety of public functions such as local theatricals, home-town talent shows, minstrel shows, essay contests, Christmas parties, musicals and graduation ceremonies, all of which contributed to the well being of the community.

Following previous management of Sylvester J. Graff, the property was transferred in 1948 to Mr. Richard Geitner who operated the “New Angola Theater” until his retirement in 1995, at which time the building was put up for sale.

Being closed for nearly seven years contributed to a negative impact on the business community and quality of life of the residents of this small community.

The desire of Claddagh Commission Inc. to give something back to the community which embraces them, and at the same time provide meaningful work opportunities for the individuals they serve, resulted in their decision to purchase, re-store and re-open the vacant theater.

Significant to this reality is the fact that under Claddagh's positive and sensitive leadership, the theater, as the cornerstone of the business district will survive, providing not only needed employment, but wholesome entertainment once again thus enriching the lives of all in the community. Claddagh re-opened the New Angola Theater with a grand opening on the evening of May 17, 2002 featuring dinner and a movie.

---

quote:

---

Just for starters, any Motiograph is before 1956; any Western Electric is before WWII, any Brenkert is before 1956, etc.

---

The Clayton Theatre in Dagsboro, Delaware has two Motiographs still in use daily.

www.theclaytontheatre.com
 

---

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 12-05-2006, 04:02 PM:
 
Until it closed this fall, the York Beach Cinema in York, Maine was using its original Kaplan (Simplex Standard clone) projectors, which dated from 1926. The Western Electric bases came later, when they converted to sound in the 1930s. I believe that the Peerless lamps were original as well. I don't know if this counts, however, as the theatre was only open seasonally.


 

---

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-05-2006, 05:45 PM:
 

quote: Mike Blakesley

---

Even our "new" projector here is 26 years old. (Simplex)

---

quote: Martin McCaffery

---

I believe the Stanley Theatre in Utica NY is still running Super Simplexes from the 1930's.

---

The Stanley is running XL's that were installed in 1960. They're backed up by Core Lite 135's.
Bob
 

---

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-05-2006, 08:09 PM:
 
There are lots of old machines running on my service area but the key for me is oldest original booth and that is the Washoe Theater in Anaconda. The booth is a triple compliment of Supers on 4 stars with Magnarcs. Only one machine has been converted to xenon and feeds from a platter. The arc machines share duty for previews... alternating projectors for each show.

More importantly the Washoe is on the National Register of Historic Places. Constructed in the art deco style, the Washoe Theater is ranked 5th by the Smithsonian Institute for it’s architectural value.



Mark
 

---

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 12-05-2006, 08:41 PM:
 
What a gorgeous theatre! Do they run film every day, or does the building function more as a performing-arts center? Do you have any more pictures of it?
 

---

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-05-2006, 09:22 PM:
 
They run film at least on weekends. They're usually about 6 weeks behind the break, or they were last time I checked. It's in a town of about 5000 people.

The outside of the building looks outright bland (complete with non-working neon marquee), but then you get inside and it's this spectacular art-deco trip back in time.

It's amazing there aren't more pics of this great theatre on the web. (If I owned it there would be!) Mark, next time you're there you should shoot a dozen or two pics.
 

---

Posted by Ian Woloschin (Member # 3709) on 12-06-2006, 10:02 AM:
 
I run two DP70s on a weekly basis, as far as I can tell they are from sometime in the 50s. The sound readers were just changed out last year for red light readers, and I'm unsure of if the original projectors were carbon or xenon, but they're both xenon now. We don't have a platter system, so we do changeovers.

The DP70s are actually setup in the "new" booth on campus (new meaning about 17 years old), the old booth was gutted when the building was renovated. Out of that booth came two Simplexes used during WWII to show recruitment films, and I assume they are much older than that. One is in pieces, but if reassembled should work, the other is assembled, but in the campus library and obviously not running. I really would love to set them up and run something on them, but I think it's beyond my capabilities.
 

---

Posted by Paul Gordon (Member # 3320) on 12-11-2006, 10:39 AM:
 
We run two Century C's daily that date from about 1942...
 

---

Posted by Marin Zorica (Member # 1716) on 12-11-2006, 12:30 PM:
 
I service one open-air running Iskra NP-2 from 1948
 

---

Posted by Aaron Mehocic (Member # 15) on 12-11-2006, 02:24 PM:
 
I've got a Simplex soundhead in my booth manufactured in 1939. Just changed the oil last month . . . golden amber with not one speck of brass .
 

---

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 12-12-2006, 07:34 PM:
 

quote: Ian Woloschin

---

I run two DP70s on a weekly basis, as far as I can tell they are from sometime in the 50s.

---