Crankshaft by Tom Batiuk and Dan Davis for December 22, 2024

Well, Ralph used to own Centerville’s Valentine theater (“Come for ‘The Phantom Menace,’ Stay for the Stale Popcorn!”) before he unloaded…er, sold it to Max and Hannah, so at least it makes sense that he would have a 16mm projector as opposed to the more common for home use Super 8.

Ed should still brace him for what’s on the tape, though.

Tells Ralph Merry Christmas yesterday and again today.

Say where you gettings spare parts for all that and who is repairings thems for ya?

Luckily it wasn’t on 4K Blu-Ray, because Ralph would never be able to watch those horrible memories.

Surprised he didn’t mention his Victrola.

Play the happy memories!

A real friend would’ve converted it to DVD.

I find it a bit weird that Ralph said it’s a Bell & Howell 16mm projector. That’s mighty specific. Is Batty hoping for product placement kickbacks?

B&H is long gone, but like Schlitz beer its name lives on, adorning all sorts of cheap Chinese “security” lights and other doo-dads marketed on late-night UHF TV.

I have an 8 mm projector. Nit Super 8, just regular, plain, old 8…

My dad still has his. The camera too.

If my fellow villain Gru is reading this, I’m sure he’s thinking “Why are they so ooooold?”

Yes, he’s still got a VHS player, and the display is still blinking “12:00.”

“Ball and Hammer film projector”…. What?

Gotta watch those stag films on something.