Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Switcheroos

This is topic Switcheroos in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 07-11-2009, 05:28 PM:

Who thought up this name as a term for film clamps? And are they still alive so that I might be able to inflict torture upon them? I have never heard the term "switcheroo" until a few days ago.

What's next, calling splicing tape "Stickymabobs"?

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 07-11-2009, 06:15 PM:

Roos were awesome! A pocket on your foot!

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 07-11-2009, 08:52 PM:

I thought they were called "Stick-a-poos" or "Scotcharoos."

Oh wait...film clamps. Never mind.

Posted by Matt Young (Member # 5327) on 07-11-2009, 09:36 PM:

We have to use those damn things at the 4 screen theatre we just bought about a month ago. The place has Pro 35's and old school Balco platters that wind so loose if we try to move a print without those it turns to jell-o [thumbsdown]

I heard someone refer to them and squee-gee's once... I just call them clamps. They're a pain in my ass lol

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 07-11-2009, 11:24 PM:

Years ago the multiplex I worked at had the clamps made by Christie and we called them the "Christie Grabbers".

Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 07-12-2009, 02:33 AM:

We got our first set of Christie film clamps in 1982, with no instructions on how to use them. I was working for UA then. Bobby Pinkston was the head engineer for Rowley United at the time.
When Bobby asked how we liked the clamps, the fellow who trained me for booth, Darwin, told Bobby quite bluntly that he hated them, that the clamps were not worth shit.
"I designed those!" Bobby says.
*Darwin looks to the floor, thinking "Oh shit."
Bobby then showed Darwin how they were used, and even autographed one of the clamps.
I wonder now if Bobby wasn't pulling Darwin's leg...
But if Bobby was telling the truth, Joe, then Bobby Pinkston would be the one to blame.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 07-12-2009, 02:47 AM:

I've met Bobby (got a THX and JBL jacket from him) and he doesn't seem like a guy who would coin a nickname like "Switcheroo". I think some dumbass in the field or a dealer coined the term. Maybe a two-bit manufacturer with a similar product. Film clamps are great and every booth should have at least one full set, but the term "switcheroo"?

Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 07-12-2009, 03:03 AM:

Your right. Bobby didn't call them "switcheroos." Back then, he was calling them "film clamps." I've called them film clamps ever since.
I misunderstood your comment.
Did Bobby Pinkston actually design the film clamps that Christie marketed in the early 80s?

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 07-12-2009, 07:54 AM:

Switcheraroos and Stick=a=poos were named and designed by TECO of Matthews NC. (Still available under those names, too!) Louis

Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 07-12-2009, 08:09 AM:

WAAAAHHH! WAAAHHH!!!! TEASER TITLE!!! I didn't know what "switcheroos" were until I opened this thread! BAN! BAN! LOCK! LOCK! CHANGE IT BEFORE WE ALL DIE!!!

[/sarcasm]

(You people know who you are, and you know you were thinking it)

[Razz]

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 07-12-2009, 01:23 PM:

I don't know if Bobby actually designed them or not. If he did, he never mentioned it around me. I have always called them film clamps as well. Direct, descriptive and to the point.

TECO must die. I think Monday or Tuesday would be a great day for them to file for bankruptcy.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 07-13-2009, 06:25 AM:

I didn't know TECCO was still around
They also made a xenon lamphouse, a platter, large reels, a rewinder, and a mono sound package

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-13-2009, 08:31 AM:

Let us not forget the Bevanpoo!!!

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 07-13-2009, 09:31 AM:

Maybe Tecco will bring out a D cinema machine with a server cobuilt by SMART [Smile]

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 07-14-2009, 10:12 AM:

[rofl]