The Lovable Cheat / Bell & Howell 202 Projector

THE LOVABLE CHEAT (1949) and BELL & HOWELL'S NEW FILMOSOUND 202 PROJECTOR (1952) THE LOVABLE CHEAT stars the always genial Charles Ruggles who turns in a delightful performance in the title role of this period parlor romp adapted from a Balzac play. Monsieur Mercadet (Ruggles), his wife (Iris Adrian) and daughter (Peggy Ann Garner) are living the good life in a lovely mansion staffed with servants and headed by a proficient butler (Alan Mowbray). But all is not well behind the scenes - as Mercadet has been left penniless by his business partner who may or may not return - and so he is forced to contend with creditors at every turn - a perpetual dance of which he has become quite masterful. Buster Keaton appears in a featured role as Ruggles chief creditor - whose new false teeth manage to put him at a constant disadvantage at inopportune moments. BELL & HOWELL'S NEW FILMOSOUND 202 PROJECTOR: Bell & Howell was long a trusted name in motion picture equipment - both in the professional field and the home market. This promotional film (clearly produced for "in-store" demonstration) touts the wonders of the new 16mm Filmosound model 202 projector. What set this machine apart from conventional home projectors was it's ability to allow the user to record - and if so desired, re-record - sound on any film (once striped with magnetic coating) while still retaining the film's original optical soundtrack! An innovative relic of another time.