Goldberg Bros., Denver Co. Film Cannister

This is a multi-reel 18 MM or 35 MM film canister from the time after the nitrate film was replaced with Cellulose acetate formula. That time span is 1920s-1970s, but this cannister likely dates from the 1940s. It was used to ship films from Hollywood to The Iola Theatre. Built in 1931 in the classic Mission Revival style, with nearly 900 seats and state-of-the-art technology for its time, generations of southeast Kansans enjoyed films at this beautiful movie house---including several of Martin + Osa Johnson's features.

The container was supposed to be light tight but not fire proof and insulated. We have left it in rustastic "As Is" condition since the value is accented by the patina on it. There is no label specifying which film this cannister was shipped with last, but it appears to have been well-used before being taken out of circulation. The hinges and latch are still in working order, and the interior is in good condition (see photo).

Background on the cannister:

Through much of the 20th century, Goldberg Brothers was best known for making steel and aluminum film reels and shipping boxes for both Hollywood and amateur filmmakers. They were based in Denver, Colorado.

Things had been going pretty well for Goldberg Brothers up until a 1944 conflagration. A producer of theater equipment since 1913, it had signed a valuable contract with the Johnson's sponsor, George Eastman's company Kodak in 1940 to produce film reels and was significantly expanding that side of its business. The fire was a devastating blow, but it wasn't the end of the story. Despite losing its factory and a chunk of history, the company survived and continued to specialize in movie theater hardware.

In fact, if you catch Oppenheimer on 35mm film on a screen anywhere, there's a good chance you'll be watching it on Goldberg Brothers reels.

The last film's name on the cannister is "Bermuda Triangle" (see photo).