Entrance
The screening room occupies a small chamber, approximately eight meters by six, maintained at constant temperature and humidity. The walls are dark—a deep grey that absorbs rather than reflects. As your eyes adjust, a pale glow appears ahead: a Zenith monitor, its screen the only significant light source in the space. The air carries the faint mineral smell of controlled climate, of equipment kept in precise suspension. Shelving along three walls holds the collection, spools and cassettes and discs arranged in neat rows. A projector stands mounted on a steel cart. Everything is still. Everything is waiting.
The Equipment
The display equipment represents the mechanical apparatus for moving image exhibition spanning six decades:
The Zenith Television. A wood-grain cabinet model, approximately 48 centimetres diagonal measured across the screen face. The cabinet is walnut-finish veneer over particleboard. Rabbit-ear antenna still attached at the top, aluminum elements extended at ninety-degree angles. The screen itself exhibits light clouding consistent with age—brightness is intact, contrast stable. The cabinet shows no structural damage; the rubber feet have not deteriorated. This unit was recovered from a residential collection in Portland, Oregon, and has been verified in working condition. It receives broadcast signals through a restored UHF converter.
The 16mm Projector. A Bell & Howell Filmo projector, steel housing painted black. Total height approximately 40 centimetres. The projector is mounted on a wheeled steel cart that allows positioning toward the retractable screen. The carbon lamp is functional. The lens—a 50mm f/2.5 unit—shows minimal dust and excellent optical clarity. A take-up reel is mounted and ready; films are threaded by hand through the gate following standard projection protocol. The device represents the primary exhibition method in the collection.
The LaserDisc Player. A Pioneer LD-1000, silver metal chassis with brushed aluminum faceplate. The front-loading mechanism operates smoothly; discs are inserted horizontally into the tray. The display shows green LED numerals indicating track and time information. Condition is excellent with no visible wear to the exterior. The player connects to both the Zenith monitor and to external audio equipment.
The Reel-to-Reel Recorder. A Sony VO-1600 video recorder, designed for open-reel two-inch tape format. This unit is substantially heavier than the other equipment—approximately 35 kilograms—and sits on a dedicated wooden stand. The magnetic tape mechanism shows normal wear consistent with age. Condition is fair; the unit requires alignment verification before operation. This represents early magnetic recording technology for moving image archival.
The Projection Screen. A retractable canvas screen mounted on the far wall, approximately 1.5 metres wide when fully extended. The fabric shows no tears or mold growth. The mechanism operates smoothly with a spring-loaded return. The screen is positioned directly opposite the projector mounting.
The Film Collection
The collection comprises approximately 214 individual items across multiple formats, spanning from 1927 to 1982. Each item is catalogued by format, runtime, production date, distributor information, and a condition assessment of the physical artifact.
16mm Prints. Approximately 34 reels house 16mm film stock recovered from projection booth storage, residential collections, and archival donations. The prints represent theatrical release copies and educational distribution versions. Many show evidence of previous theatrical use—splice marks from reassembly, slight embitterment of the film base in some cases, dust embedded in the sprocket perforations. Several pristine prints remain sealed in their original distribution canisters. Each reel is labeled with handwritten cataloguing information detailing runtime, distributor, and date of entry into the collection.
LaserDisc Formats. Approximately 60 discs, 30 centimetres in diameter, stored vertically in archival sleeves. The collection represents both CAV (constant angular velocity) and CLV (constant linear velocity) pressings. These discs were recovered from electronics retailers' remaindered stock, estate sales, and storage facilities. The discs are susceptible to delamination; each has been visually inspected and gently cleaned.
VHS Magnetic Tape. Approximately 120 cassettes, standard VHS format, stored horizontally to prevent oxide shedding. These represent broadcast recordings, home video editions, and direct-to-tape productions. The magnetic tape itself degrades slowly over time; viewing assessment notes are recorded after each use to document degradation progression.
Notable Specimens in the collection include:
- Metropolis (16mm print, Paramount release, 1927 production, 103 minutes). The print exhibits major splices and shows fading consistent with age. Recovered from a defunct cinema in Milwaukee. Condition: fair. The title sequence and several early scenes show horizontal scratches in the emulsion.
- Forbidden Planet (16mm print, MGM release, 1956 production, 98 minutes). A pristine rental print sealed in original canister until 2019. Color separation remains excellent. Recovered from a projection booth archive in Los Angeles. Condition: excellent.
- 2001: A Space Odyssey (16mm print, MGM release, 1968 production, 149 minutes). Three separate prints exist in the collection. One shows moderate vinegar syndrome affecting the first reel. Another is a complete theatrical print in good condition. Recovered from film schools and projection facilities. Condition: good to fair.
- Solaris (16mm print, Mosfilm release, 1972 production, 167 minutes). A Soviet theatrical print, Cyrillic labeling on the canisters. The print shows careful handling—minimal splices. Recovered from an art cinema in Portland that closed in 1996. Condition: good.
- Blade Runner (LaserDisc, The Criterion Collection release, 1982 production, 117 minutes). CAV pressing. The disc shows light surface scratching consistent with careful use. Recovered from a video rental store's clearance sale in 1998. Condition: good.
- The Time Machine (16mm print, MGM release, 1960 production, 103 minutes). Color print showing slight color shifting in the red channel. The physical reels remain in original MGM canisters. Recovered from a university film archive. Condition: good.
- Planet of the Apes (16mm print, 20th Century-Fox release, 1968 production, 112 minutes). Two copies exist—one theatrical, one television format. The television version is slightly shorter and shows color timing adjusted for broadcast standards. Recovered from cinema storage facilities. Condition: excellent and good.
- Destination Moon (16mm print, Eagle-Lion release, 1950 production, 91 minutes). A single pristine copy sealed until entry. The Technicolor separation remains vibrant. Recovered from a personal collection in San Francisco. Condition: excellent.
The Viewing Station
Within the room stands a single wooden chair, upholstered in faded grey fabric, positioned approximately three metres from the Zenith monitor and four metres from the projection screen. A small table beside the chair holds headphones—spiral cord, vinyl ear cups, black finish. The table surface is worn smooth from decades of use. A logbook lies open on the table, bound in cloth with ruled pages, approximately 30 centimetres tall. Visitors who operate the equipment are invited to record their viewing: the date, the title of the film or program, the format used, the duration watched, and any observations regarding the condition of the physical media after viewing. The logbook currently contains entries spanning three years. Handwriting varies—some entries are careful and thorough, others hurried. All are recorded in blue or black ink. The equipment can be operated by visitors following the written instructions posted on the wall beside each device. The operation is self-directed, undertaken in isolation, as one might use a microfilm reader in a library.
Collection Notes
- Zenith Television, wood-grain cabinet 48cm diagonal screen. Broadcast-capable with UHF converter. Recovered Portland, Oregon. Condition excellent.
- Bell & Howell Filmo 16mm projector 40cm height. Carbon lamp functional. Lens clear. Mounted on wheeled steel cart. Take-up reel fitted.
- Pioneer LD-1000 LaserDisc player Silver chassis. Front-loading mechanism. LED display. Condition excellent.
- Sony VO-1600 reel-to-reel video recorder Two-inch magnetic tape format. Approximately 35kg. Condition fair. Mounted on wooden stand.
- Retractable projection screen Canvas fabric, 1.5 metres wide. Spring mechanism operational. Mounted on far wall.
- 16mm film collection 34 reels. Science fiction theatrical and educational prints spanning 1927–1982. Conditions range fair to excellent.
- LaserDisc collection 60 discs, 30cm standard format. CAV and CLV pressings. Stored vertically in archival sleeves.
- VHS cassette collection 120 cassettes. Broadcast recordings and home video editions. Magnetic tape, horizontal storage.
- Headphones Spiral cord, vinyl ear cups. Positioned on small viewing table.
- Viewing logbook Cloth-bound. Approximately 30cm tall. Ruled pages. Entries span three years. Blue and black ink.
- Operating instruction cards Posted wall-mounted. Written instructions for each device. Laminated paper stock.
- Climate control system Maintains 18–21°C and 40–50% relative humidity. Essential for magnetic and film media preservation.