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REEL DEALS

PUBLISHED BY – MIKE TRICKETT 245 CHURCH ST. HERNE HILL VIC 3218

The years 1922 - 1923 were very significant in the history
of Home Movies and the development of what the
professionals like to call the sub-standard film gauges.

(Sub-standard referring to the comparison of the smaller
gauges to that of the “standard” 35 mm gauge.)

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December 2022 will mark the 100 anniversary of the
introduction of the 9.5 mm gauge by Pathè and the
release of their Baby / Home Movie projector and a
small number of films for home screening.

1923 was Kodak’s turn, with their 16 mm film size. Subsequent years saw the addition
of sound to both 9.5 and 16 mm. The war years saw 16 mm flourish as a low cost film
for educational and entertainment, especially with the (US) armed forces. Not so with
9.5 mm, being European based, war-time restrictions and activities took its toll. It was
the late 1940s before it started to make a come back.

The centenaries of both gauges will be marked in RD with special articles. Another in
the series “Kev Franzi's Motion Picture Scrapbook” articles is in hand, this time on sub
standard equipment, as well a special look at the full history of the 9.5mm gauge and
equipment will be featured.

The March 2023 issue will celebrate two important mile stones. One hundred years of
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16 mm. 2023 also is the 30 birthday of this little magazine. The first very small photo
copied issue was distributed in May, 1993. Thanks to long time subscriber Edward
Nicielnik, we now have a copy of that issue in the RD archives. I plan to reproduce that
edition as a special inclusion - it makes interesting reading, especially the prices of
films on offer at the time.

Best regards and happy screenings
Mike Trickett

2 REEL DEALS September 2022