The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

When I was a kid, in the early 1970’s, there was this show that was produced in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, for CHCH TV. It was called The Hilarious House Of Frightenstein. It became a classic Canadian thing. As a phonograph enthusiast, I’ve never been able to identify the gramophone/phonograph they used as a prop in the show. It’s always hard to find a good photo of it but here’s one. I’m pretty sure it’s a European machine and not a made up machine but I can’t be certain. What do you think phono experts?

Daren,

I'm sorry, I have no answer on the machine. However, your posting rerminds me of the kid's show from the early 70's, "The Friendly Giant", which made it's way across the Detroit River from CBET, Windsor 9. I loved that show. (No phonogrpahs though)

Looks very much like a Lindstroem/ Parlophon to me.

A close example:

Maybe this helps? ...

Here is my guess: a Sonorophone.
Mine shows marks where there used to be a medallion/wreath on the front. The base is quite wide compared to the top, though the sides of the base on mine were broken off. I replaced the base parts with something not exactly as original and am using a Pathé horn and elbow, which has the same 40mm small opening.

A Sonorophone sure looks like it.

Thank you everyone!

There was a time when there were many european companies (German & Swiss primarily) making components, and other companies in many locations buying these components and creating generic looking machines.

If the machine was from the Parlophone company, it would be easy to identify as Parlophone is fairly well documented.

The diversity of pressed steel horns is huge. This particular style horn I have seen on an Apollo machine, but looking at 1912 / 1913 Apollo catalogues, the horn styles in these catalogues were different!

Pictured is the right horn style - but unfortunately repainted.