Classic Mid Century film studio lights made by Bardwell and McAlister, Inc. of Hollywood, CA. Repurposed Vintage Hollywood Movie Light rewired with standard Edison E26 socket and bulb as a standing lamp. Mounted on a 1950's B&M rolling baby Stand (adjustable height from 4' to 8' feet). Thick metal housing, cast iron details, brass parts, 6" inch Fresnel lens. It was entirely refurbished while keeping an aged vintage look intact.
Disassembled, Stripped, Restored, & Repurposed. All functions working properly Tilt, Pan, and Spot / Flood
Personal Notes:
Dark grey slightly hammered metal finish: very industrial/military 1940s look, sanded high-sots for an aged look.
Bardwell & McAlister
(B & M Lighting) has been in the business of manufacturing motion picture lighting and production equipment since 1926. Although the company has changed hands several times throughout the years B&M has always maintained the respect of professional filmmakers, providing television and major motion picture studios with quality products and services. During the 1940′s B & M had over 200 employees in five separate plants here in southern California and published it’s own in house newspaper called the Spotlight. B&M dedicated three of those facilities to producing bomb loaders and other military equipment for the war effort based upon the design of their camera dolly and other production products.
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“But for purists like John Scarpati, a Virginia photographer who restores and sells these lights in small batches, the only way to showcase them is in their original form – dents and all. “I still disassemble every part and do a complete off-frame restoration; I just don’t over-polish,” he says. “These lights exude an unparalleled sense of aesthetics.” His collection consists mainly of Hollywood classics: Mole-Richardson, Otto K Olesen and Bardwell & McAlister, whose imposing keg lights with metal roller stands and 6in Fresnel lenses are particularly sought-after.”
- Financial Times
“American photographer John Scarpati has taken to scouring old Hollywood studio supply warehouses in search of restoration-worthy examples. made between the 1920’s and 1940’s, each light is a one-of-a-kind original, complete with vintage stand or tripod.they exude the sort of patina that can’t be matched by cheaply mass-produced repros, yet ironically, the lights in his etsy shop actually cost less than the replicas available in upscale malls. ‘my personal favorite finish is a heavy, industrial, vibe,’ explains scarpati. ‘completely refurbished, but still keeping its vintage look intact. less of a polished finished and more real deal.’”
- Designboom
“Restoring these old beauties is definitely a labor of love for Scarpati. After tracking down one or two of these rare creatures stashed in a forgotten corner of some cavernous L.A. warehouse — a feat in itself — he gets them to his personal workshop, where he completely breaks down each to its individual parts. Every knob, lens and metal component is cleaned, stripped and refinished, with impossibly rare missing parts found and fitted.
Often, lamps and stands are discovered separately. Scarpati is a stickler for detail, so he actually insists on matching every light to a stand made by the same manufacturer. New wiring, a fresh bulb suitable for home use, and you’re good to go. If by now you’re realizing that all this entails a tremendous amount of sleuthery and hard work, you are correct. Occasionally, the internet will offer up a similar example of industrial hardware from Hollywood’s golden age. But nobody, nobody, even comes close to this level of restoration.”
- Royal Circus
“Vintage Hollywood lights re-purposed as modern works of art.
Over the three decades music photographer John Scarpati’s lens has chronicled rock, metal and punk acts including Poison, Circle Jerks, Social Distortion, New York Dolls and Rush. Scarpati has most recently taken to scouring old Hollywood studio supply warehouses in search of restoration-worthy lights to restore for domestic use. The lights were usually made between the 1920's and 1940’s, each is a one-of-a-kind original, complete with vintage stand or tripod. They exude the sort of patina that can’t be matched by mass-produced reproductions.”
- the/HeaveyCurrent
Vintage Cinema Light
Vintage Theatre Light
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Industrial Studio Spot Lamp
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