Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: 70mm on a tower can it be done?

This is topic 70mm on a tower can it be done? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Paul Gordon (Member # 3320) on 01-24-2014, 08:21 AM:

Came across some massive 70mm tower style reels at the Bytowne Cinema in Ottawa. They used to show 70mm off U2 Bauer's but did they run 70mm on a tower? Has anyone seen or heard of that? They have a bunch of Cinemeccanica towers in the booth. Check warehouse pictures.

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 01-24-2014, 08:55 AM:

Yes, CM towers will handle 70mm. The reel shafts have either double jointed latches that will close on 35 or 70 widths or spacer blocks for 35, I can't exactly recall. The only problem was finding a crane to get a loaded 70mm reel on or off.

Posted by Derek Martin (Member # 7657) on 01-24-2014, 08:57 AM:

Mine has the double-jointed latches and spacers.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 01-24-2014, 09:00 AM:

quote: Dave Macaulay
The only problem was finding a crane to get a loaded 70mm reel on or off.

You use a garage door opener... Cinerama Style!

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 01-24-2014, 11:09 AM:

Famous players installed towers in alot of their 70mm houses so there would only be one changeover per show
The 36" reel basicaly was full from 3 20min 70mm acetate reels
The eprad mut was available in a 70mm version and i modified a SWORD to handle 4' 70mm reels on a prevost favorite70 in the century lindsay ontario theatre

Posted by David Graham Rose (Member # 1450) on 01-25-2014, 07:21 AM:

Greetings All!

70mm was run from Cinemeccanica towers at the Odeon Theatre, Marble Arch in the 1970's and 1980's. 3 x 20mins on each, with a changeover controlled by a Cinemation MkII.

From a rather rainy Cambridge, I bid you all a good afternoon.

David.

Posted by Paul Gordon (Member # 3320) on 01-25-2014, 09:10 AM:

That would make sense Gordon as the Bytowne was a Famous Player venue (The Nelson) till 1989.

quote: Gordon McLeod
Famous players installed towers in alot of their 70mm houses so there would only be one changeover per show
The 36" reel basicaly was full from 3 20min 70mm acetate reels
The eprad mut was available in a 70mm version and i modified a SWORD to handle 4' 70mm reels on a prevost favorite70 in the century lindsay ontario theatre

Posted by Thomas Hauerslev (Member # 566) on 02-24-2014, 09:04 AM:

"Baraka" on a tower, voila: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5TIn5JmDk4

"Out of Adrica" on the same tower years later, voil: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6Z3nfuL5Ww

"Baraka" fits on the reel - 90 minutes, "Africa" does not - obviously - so it had to be shown with some breaks.

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 02-24-2014, 12:16 PM:

Was a tower manufactured with a powered takeup or, for that matter, a powered feed? The only ones I worked with had pressure-pad drives. Seems that would be very hard on 70mm.

I liked the MUTs, and Swords, for that reason.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 02-24-2014, 12:19 PM:

The Tower was typically a slip clutch feed and take up though i believe the Westrex used a torque motor
Ind Theatre Supply of Texas did make one that was servo driven like the Sword and Dblmutt called the Tall Texan