Hello Fellow Members!
I was invited to join this forum by Chris Smith, whom I met in person a few months back. So, I joined
![[set5_b/set5_b/coolgleamA.gif]](./images/smilies/set5_b/set5_b/coolgleamA.gif "coolgleam")
Some of you may know me from the other forums (16mmFilmTalk, and 8mmFimTech). I have been active on the forums about a year now, but my interest in the hobby goes back 35+ years. For those that don't know me, I'll bore you with some useless info (and you may have read this on other forums, if so I apologize in advance):
-Been into 16mm for close to 35 years (I'm now 40). My father was into 16mm since HE was a kid, going back to the 50's (and obviously my mentor). He passed on in 2009, and I inherited his collection. He once had over 500 features at the height of the hobby, but due to recessions, and films started to go pink, he unloaded most of his stock in the 90's. Currently I have over 100 features, plus about 45 cartoons, and some 3 Stooges/Laurel & Hardy shorts. My interests (and collection) range from the 40's through the early 90's.
-I was around during the FBI raiding days, recalling how my dad talked in "code" on the phone when making deals with other collectors. To protect himself, he spread storing his collection around to various family member houses in case he ever got raided, so they wouldn't get everything at one shot.
-My father had his own actual movie theatre at age 13, and it was featured in the Philadelphia Daily News!
-I had (earlier this year) 11 projectors. Gave one to Chris Smith for parts, and going to be getting rid of a few more soon. Currently I have (4) B&H (including (2) that are the NOS military ones from MagnaTech on Ebay), (4) Kalart Victors (70-15, 75-25, and (2) 80-25's). I also own an Eiki RT-0, and brand new, never been used Elmo (8mm) ST-1200 HD. Have a variety of lenses for each projector, too.
-I absolutely positively, completely hate slot load (C Channel) machines. Probably as much as others hate B&H Autoloads
-I service Regal and U/A theatres nationwide with my company, going back to the 60's (3rd generation/current owner). If you are from the Philadelphia area, and remember theatres like the Duke & Duchess, we used to manufacture all of the outdoor signage & movie marquees (my grandfather was employed with the SamEric corporation, thus how we got our foot in the door). Also acquired a lot of film-related items from the theatres.
-Every year I put on a massive outdoor double feature showing, on a custom built 12' x 16' screen, with 2 projectors (for changeover). Also run a full blown snackbar, too (I have an industrial popcorn machine, industrial hot dog rolling machine, industrial cotton candy machine, nacho cheese dispenser, etc). Thankfully I am blessed with a wife who doesn't strangle me with my interest in this hobby, and has come around to appreciating it and enjoying almost as much as I do (almost)
And that's the short of it. Hopefully this post didn't come off as boasting or bragging, but rather to inform and introduce. Hope to become a valuable member of the forum :-) Feel free to ask questions if you'd like to know more!!
