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For those of you who have seen "The Smallest Show on Earth" (early B&W movie about a couple who inherit a broken down movie theater, now on DVD- Peter Sellers is the drunken projectionist), do any of you recognize the movie projectors they used? I'm familiar with vintage projectors, but I'm not sure what they are. Maybe they were customized for the movie? A hint- they spin a reel(?) in front of the lens to get it moving, like cranking a Model-T or spinning an airplane propellor. Thanks!

I have a copy on video tape. It's been a while since I last watched this, but I remember it being a front shutter machine.

Is it a Kalee 7? (See Pic 47):
http://www.cinephoto.co.uk/stills_page_16.htm

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John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
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Yes John, it appears to be a Kalee 7! Thanks so much for the link! Now if I could only find one for sale...

In this picture you can see the two-leaf front shutter and the circular light port that the leaves cover while the film is moved to the next frame. In this one you can see much of the film path.

From both of these pictures it would appear that the protective assembly in which the shutter spins was either a later addition or it was removed in the one used in "The Smallest Show on Earth" in order to get a more cinematic shot.

[This message has been edited by Alan_G (edited June 20, 2006).]

Thanks for the pics! The front shutter design is very interesting- I believe a few more elements were added for a more cinematic look for the movie as well- there was a pull chain, a couple of switches on the wall, and I believe an old knife switch as well.

It is a Kalee 7
the lamphous is a Kalee Vulcan and the soundhead appears to be a british accoustic
The booth and interior of the theatre were created on a soundstage and the front was a facade built between two local rail lines