DP70s back at work at the Paramount Theatre in Peekskill, NY |
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| Written and photographed by: Helge Bernhardt | Date: 01.05.2017 |
 DP70
# 1384 & #1408 at the Paramount Theatre in Peekskill (NY, US)Click to see enlargement I'm writing to you bearing exciting news! I've been working over the last months with the current operators of the Paramount Theatre in Peekskill (NY, US), on getting the projection booth up and running again! The theater hasn't run film in over 15 years and management is ready to give it another try. As you probably know, the theater has a pair of 1959 DP70s (57-174 and 57-175, picture attached) and I wanted to let you know, that these 2 beauties are back up and running, with a few minor tweaks left to do, and have passed test runs in both 35mm and 70mm with flying colors. Plans are already underway to put them back into service and we're now starting to program a series of screenings. I also had the honor today of meeting Mr. Robert Frischmuth, who has owned these machines and operated them for 17 years before retiring. He brought the machines over from the west coast and had them installed in 1987). After initial reservations ("A 'projectionist' is working on my machines???"), we parted today as good friends and he was relieved to have bestowed on me the future care and upkeep of his machines. It was an amazing day! He is mentioned in the opening paragraph of Richard Haines' book on the history of dye transfer printing. I suggested to him to recreate that 1988 Technicolor festival and I do have a pristine Cinestage mag IB Tech of "80 Days" sitting no less than 2m away from me as i write this. I also mentioned you and your comprehensive work on all things DP70 and 70mm to him and to the current operator of the Paramount today, and both were thrilled to know that someone out there is keeping the legacy alive and kicking. I truly hope you enjoyed this little excursion into history. |
More in 70mm reading: DP70 / Universal 70-35 / Norelco AAII - The Todd-AO Projector News About the DP70, The Todd-AO Projector DP70s in New York (NY) DP70 / AAII serial numbers Internet link: |
 Interior
shot of the theater alongside the moment that the DP70 is running 70mm for
the first time in almost 2 decades!!!Click to see enlargement |
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 The
24fps and 30fps motors from both machines.Click to see enlargement |
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 Front
of the theater (the tiny window was installed at the request of the
projectionist way back when, that's where the booth resides). The plaque
shows the year of the theater opening, it was designed by no other than the
Rapp Brothers!!!Click to see enlargement |
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 Close-up
of one of the original Philips 35mm mag heads and the water cooling control
valve. |
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 Mechanism
plate. |
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