Hollywood Filmoscope Stereoscope
Hollywood, CA, USA, 1920s
Before Tru-Vue made its first 35mm 3D film viewer in the early '30s, Andre Barlatier, a member of the International Photographers organization, applied for a patent for his collapsible metal 3D filmstrip viewer in 1928. In 1929, he organized the Filmoscope Company of America to market the viewer. He called his films “Filmograms” and the subjects were primarily film stars, although he had scenic, industrial, and scientific film subjects planned.
The Filmoscope Company of America was located at 423 Markham Bldg, 6372 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood. Boeger Brothers was the company chosen to manufacture and distribute the viewer. They were located nearby at 666 North Robertson, Blvd in Hollywood. On March 24, 1929, an ad on page 13 of the L.A. Times announced:
"The first showing of the Hollywood Filmoscope, a new device that moves series of views on motion picture film before your eyes in plastic relief. The third dimension in picture solved. Machine with one roll of film $2.50, extra films 50c each. Free demonstration Walker's Main Floor."
The two features promoted were that when collapsed, it could be carried in one’s vest pocket, and that the film could be advanced quickly with a drop-pin mechanism. The patent was granted in 1931. The viewer is rare, and the films are extremely rare.
Around 1933, there was a report of Andre Barlatier inventing and patenting the Hollywood Stereo-Camera to more easily take stereoviews for the Filmoscope, but we don’t have any additional information on the camera or whether it was ever manufactured.
Our collection has the Filmoscope in 4 colors: matte brown, orange, purple, and black. We also have 8 of the extremely rare filmstrips.
Brown Filmoscope
This dark brown Filmoscope was the first in our collection. It has a smooth, matte texture and came with two films: Reginald Denny and Scenic Hollywood.
Orange and Purple Filmoscopes
These colorful Filmoscopes were a surprise to discover and we were excited to add them to our collection. The purple Filmoscope came complete set with the box, brochure and two films: Little Drops of Water and Castles in the Air.
Black Filmoscope
This black Filmoscope was the most recent to join our collection. It has a textured finish similar to the orange and purple versions.
Filmoscope Films in Our Collection
No. 1 Scenic Hollywood
No. 2 How Not to Play Poker
No. 3 Flirtation
No. 5 Castles in the Air
No. 6 How to Make Up
No. 11 Reginald Denny
No. 12 Universal City
No. 13 Little Drops of Water
Filmoscope Filmroll Box
The label indicates that this box was designed to hold multiple rolls of the single film “Famous Faces of Filmdom - Series No. 3.” However, the abbreviation “Asst.” is handwritten across the top and indeed, it came to us with an assortment of films in it — none of them were the film on the label, though.
