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The projection suite consisted of  a number of rooms for the projection, decorative lighting, and secondary lighting of the building.

 The operating box at the Rembrandt contained two ‘Super Simplex’ projectors, plus a spare mechanism. The light source was provided by ‘Strong’ arcs, D.C. current of 75 amps at 45 volts was supplied by ‘Hewittic’ rectifiers. An R.C.A. sound system was employed, complete with a record player for Non-sync sound (background music).

On the left of the projector nearest the camera is the slide lantern, which is pictured below in 1988 after being overhauled. Not designed with modern health and safety in mind it was a interesting piece of kit to operate producing a murky picture on the screen. Probably used during the war for "Raid in progress" notices. In later years it was used for the purpose of informing "the owner of Ford Cortina Reg no ABC 123D that its lights are on". Its correct use was for showing glass slides for adverts and other publicity.

It was salvaged from the cinema before closure in 1998 and is now held by Bourne Hall Museum in Ewell.

The original Simplex projectors were replaced in June 1962 with Ross GC 2 machines. Peerless arcs were fitted in 1964. When the cinema was twinned in 1971, 16mm projectors were used in ABC 2, until August 1972 when a Ross GC 3 (35mm) was installed with a Westrex tower. The two Ross machines in box 1, and the single machine in box 2, were replaced by two Philips FP 30 projectors in 1979, with another Westrex tower for box 1. An automation system was put in box 1 to control all equipment.

After conversion to twin cinemas the projection box became known as Box 1 - do I really need to explain why!

After running on Ross machines for a few years a Philips FP30 was installed. The Ross projectors were worn out and spare parts for the  machines were becoming scarce.

The Rembrandt was the only cinema on the ABC circuit not to use cakestands, or Non-Rewind Units as they are more properly known. This was due to the size of Box Two. Westrex "Towers" were used instead

The necessity for rewinding after every show was inconvenient when running four show a day with single manning in two projection boxes. However the Westrex Towers proved reliable in operation and a show was never lost though their failure.

The only shot I could find of the OMA III amp. Built like a tank and could produce more volume than you needed and more with only 40 watts.

I don't know the history of these Westinghouse rectifiers. But I do know that they were BIG and the company also made washing machines and railway signalling equipment

The Secondary battery rectifier. For the emergency lighting circuit.

The Secondary lighting batteries. The Rembrandt had a 110v system

The boring bit between the front wall of the facade and the loo's. Not a good place to empty the acid from the batteries, Iain!