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From Kev Franzi’s Journeys in time –
The MAGIC MOVIE MITE

Simplicity in design has always appealed
to me – and when it’s combined with
ingenious lightweight manufacture the
resultant product excites my
imagination.In the early 1950s a
catalogue for such a product arrived on
my table and my excitement grew as I
realized its potential for our latest
filmmaking enterprise.

The features of the 16mm Movie Mite
projector were exactly what we needed
and at half the price and half the weight of
a normal 16mm sound projector I was
soon in touch with the local agent.
We had setup a film production unit called
Film Production Associates with the long
term aim of covering elements of the 1956
Olympic Games. Prior to that, we had
produced a prototype free standing film
display unit using a 12 minute continuous
loop attachment to run 16mm advertising would make the films displayed by the
and promotional films in any pubic place units.
where power was available. We of course
We purchased the first Movie Mite
available and the delightful machine
was installed it the unit. Sadly, “the
plans of mice and men“ did not
work out, but that’s another story.

On cleaning out an old filing cabinet
recently the original Movie Mite
catalogue surfaced again, together
with some exciting memories of
people, places and events – now just
echoes of the past from my 80 years
working in our wonderful film
industry – how lucky can you be!
Kev. Franzi.

4 REEL DEALS March 2025