Page 20 - RD_2015_12

DeVRY ‘Theatre in a Suitcase’ John Fleming

This very unusual 35 mm motion pic-
ture projector first came to my attention
way back in 1964, being demonstrated
by my employer of the time, photogra-
pher John Shingler. He arrived at the
studio one morning with this interesting
looking ‘suitcase’, proclaiming ‘This is
the old cinematograph my father used to
help him sell Model T Fords!’ (Pic. 1).
John’s father had been in the motor
trade all his life and in the mid-1920s
had worked with Melford Motors.

Cautiously examining the vintage look-
ing (and smelling!) device, I noted with
considerable alarm a length of fraying
cotton-covered mains cord terminating
in an old Bakelite 3 pin plug. What
came next was even more interesting as
John opened the lid to reveal two 1000 Pic. 1:The DeVry Model C3 Suitcase Projector,
ft film reels side by side on a common lens cover open, lamp on. Front knob is focus,
shaft and a huge, ancient projection top knob is for framing.
globe plus a few exposed mechanisms.

(Pic 2) Then came the scary part as he uncoiled from the innards another length of
fraying cotton cord which had a smaller early globe in a brass socket attached. This he
connected to the back of
the projector, explaining
‘Because it’s an Ameri-
can 110 volt, the extra
carbon filament (!!!)
globe drops the 240 volts
mains down’. I took a
few steps back as he
plugged it in.

Pic. 2. Coaxial reels re-
moved to show the inter-
nals. Film feeds through
the mechanism & gate
via the front reel to the

20 REEL DEALS March 2018