Tag Archives: LIFE

Bolex? Bollocks!

Posted on September 1, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. Bolex from Paillard of Switzerland, was indeed the preeminent movie camera maker for 16mm and later 8mm cameras, but this spread (pp58-60) in the December 2, 1957 LIFE magazine sucks since it lists ONLY American dealers in spite of … Continue reading →

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a camera for the common man

Posted on August 30, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. I first heard American composer Aaron Copland’s “fanfare for the common man” back in late 1957 when I picked up a Westminster LP titled “Copland“. And like Copland’s well covered composition, the little Minolta was indeed made for the … Continue reading →

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I don’t believe it!

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. This was the catch phrase the old curmudgeon Mr. Meldrew used in  the decade long British  sitcom “One Foot in the Grave“. Meldrew was played by the Scottish actor Richard Wilson. When I saw this page 9 ad from … Continue reading →

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… blinding me with science …

Posted on August 27, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. The second release of Thomas Dolby‘s CD “The Golden Age of Wireless” (after the song “She’s Blinding Me With Science” became a hit single in 1982 and was added to the CD) was the inspiration for this post.  In … Continue reading →

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a blast from the past…

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. … to borrow a line from a local radio station. Aires cameras were made in Tokyo, Japan. The Aires Camera Industries Company lasted less than a decade (1952 – 1960). While short lived, the company rode the wave of … Continue reading →

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faster than a speeding bullet

Posted on August 18, 2019 by Robert

Toronto, No, it’s not Superman – it’s Super Anscochrome colour film. Anscochrome touted its film as being “faster than standard black-and-white film” on pp32-3 of the June 17, 1957 issue of LIFE. With ads like this, the Binghamton Brigade set … Continue reading →

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a long shot

Posted on August 17, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. I saw this Exakta ad long ago. In fact, it was part of my mental background making me decide to go for an Exakta decades ago back before I was married, or a father.  The big selling point was … Continue reading →

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surprise!

Posted on August 14, 2019 by Robert

Toronto.  You do remember actress Mamie Van Doren don’t you? No? What about photographer Ralph Crane? No, again? Then you are either too young or never saw a movie last century in a theatre or on TV! Crane worked for … Continue reading →

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what the heck is a Darb?

Posted on August 6, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. In 1957, Polaroid tried a new means and a new medium to show how easy their system was to use. At the time Steve Allen was popular on evening American TV (competing for audience with Ed Sullivan). A demo … Continue reading →

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if you know this guy, you’re too damn old!

Posted on July 31, 2019 by Robert

Toronto. Another popular “coat-tail” ad stunt was to get then popular stars of movie, radio and even TV to promote the camera you imported, inferring if so and so who is so popular uses it, you should too. Typical was … Continue reading →

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