Midget Movies and Drop Card machine

[wrkey]

I recently acquired these two machines and looking for any information I can find on them.

The Midget Movie machine was made by Capitol Projects out of New York around 1947 it is about 70% working (motor, lights work) and it appears the projector will function with some major cleaning.  I have one film 'reel' that appears to be Mickey Mouse.  I am looking for historical information, user / owner manual and 16mm films that will work with it.   This machine was obviously used at one time as a 'peep show' machine as there were a couple of 'Bathing Beauties' photos behind the Cartoon marquee.  I am just now beginning the restoration process so ANY information would be great!

The Drop Card machine was made around 1946 and I know very little about this machine other than it was made in England.  I'm pretty sure that is correct as the motor is a Klaxton model that was made in England and the coin slot is labeled "1d".  This machine works 95% but needs a good cleaning and adjustment.  I would love to find more 'drop card' sets (G rate stuff only).  Also looking for anyone who might know the maker/model/etc. for it.

I will be creating a 'project page' on my website for these machines in the very near future so if you are interested in it or any of my other projects, just go to my website and click on the projects link.

Thanks in advance for any help or comments you can provide!

Rusty
www.rustykey.com

[wrkey]

Here's the inside of the machines.

[poppo]

Good luck on your project.

What does a 'drop card' machine do?

[wrkey]

Drop cards are kinda like the Kinetoscope or 'Flicker' machines... but a lot slower!   The flicker machines had a bunch of cards in them with progressive movement images (mostly animation) and the machines would 'flip through' the cards quickly giving the appearance of a movie (simple animation).

This "Drop Card" machines simply shows a single image for a set duration and then the card holder is rotated slightly causing the next 'card' to 'Drop' into the viewing area.  In my machine these cards are like a comic strip with each card showing a panel.  I believe there are 12 cards in my machine.  The drop card machines were also known for their 'peep show' reputation as they would show the bathing beauties of the day in various (at the time) suggestive poses.  Some were R rated while most would give the appearance of becoming 'R Rated' but only have the machine cut off before the complete exposure.  My machine actually had two photos of ladies in bathing suits (full length, one piece) on a set of panels behind the Marquee of Mickey.  My 14yo son thought that was way cool!

[StatFreak]

Thanks for posting about these unusual machines.

I've often thought it would be cool to own a Mutoscope. They used to (and may still) have them in Disneyland's penny arcade.
I have never seen a working Kinetoscope.