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in70mm News |
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"in70mm.com" |
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Introduction |
Read more
at dp70.com and at
in70mm.com |
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| Written by: Thomas Hauerslev, editor | Date: 11 June 2005 | |||||
 The
editor and #2171. Picture by the editorThis web site is a labour of love. In 1982, at the age of 19, I started as a projectionist apprentice in a large cinema. The 3 Falke Bio in Copenhagen, Denmark. As a teenager, 3 Falke Bio was my favourite among cinemas and was "purpose built" for Todd-AO when it opened in 1958. One of my new interests became the history of the Philips DP70 projector which was installed at the 3 Falke Bio. I was intrigued by several things with the 3 Falke and I asked myself some questions: Why did the DP70 receive an OSCAR? What was Todd-AO? Why was the DP70 so special? To understand and learn, I started to collect information about the DP70 and the Todd-AO process. Soon I discovered how much the DP70 was appreciated everywhere. Beyond that, I found the whole the saga about Todd-AO incredibly fascinating. I have spent more than half of my life collection and recording the history of Todd-AO. The DP70 projector is a very important part of that story. I have documented the Todd-AO history extensively on in70mm.com and now this web site is dedicated exclusively to the history of one historys most remarkable projectors; the DP70. |
Additional dp70 reading here: Story Cinemas Serial numbers Go to Todd-AO on in70mm.com Internet link: |
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 I
remember finding the original European sales brochure, dated August 1960,
of the DP70. On the back cover a list showed all DP70 installations.I began collecting DP70 serial numbers from the Copenhagen machines installed at that time. The search was expanded to cover Denmark and soon to Malmø in Sweden and also a few machines in Hamburg (Germany). Just how many machines were made? An intriguing question which I have tried to answer here. I wrote lots and lots of letters to cinemas all over the world and soon answers arrived with serial numbers and pictures from fans all over the world. This was amazing !!! The list grew and I sent out regularly updated lists to all contributors in return for their help. Today, more than 23 years later, the lists are too long to do that, and instead you can find the information online. It would not have been possible to find all this data without the support from enthusiasts everywhere. To those who have assisted me [more than 190 individuals as of 15 June 2005] I am very grateful. Thanks everyone and keep up the good work. We still have a long way to go ;-) |
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 My
very own machine installed in my office. Image by the editor.It is very difficult to record all DP70 cinemas and serial numbers. Projectors are moved and often re-installed in new places. Cinemas open, close and sometimes the machines are destroyed when cinemas are demolished. When available those details have been included on the cinema lists. So far I´ve recorded DP70s in: 44 countries, 541 Serial Numbers and 908 Theatres Little did I imagine so many years ago what this interest, which has later turned into a lifelong hobby, would bring of wonderful visits to projection rooms, cinemas and unique historical places connected to the story of the DP70. Imagine the thrill to receive a letter from The Todd-AO Corporation in Hollywood with serial numbers and images of their machines. What joy to find 24 machines in one single day in Parisian projection rooms - not knowing a single French word to begin with [During that particular day, I learnt to say "70mm" and "DP70" in French and left enough time for my wife to do her shopping, by the way]. I have traced the story back into the home town of the chief engineer, met his son, shared memorabilia and information. I have seen the birthplace of the DP70 and photographed the Academy Award Jan Jacob Kotte won in 1963 for his achievement. I have seen American Optical in Southbridge in the United States, the birthplace of Todd-AO, and met with several key people from the early days of Todd-AO. I'm not an academic expert and I take no claim in knowing everything about the DP70; my interest is purely to put the DP70/Todd-AO story together based on available information and combining things into a comprehensive web site divided into three major chapters: The Story of the DP70 Cinemas Serial Numbers dp70.com is a labour of love and I have had great fun so far. It appears many others share the same interest. I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed putting it together. |
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