THE ISLAND OF MISFIT CAMERAS
DECOR ITEM / ITEM #9646
Tower Vari-Zoom Movie Camera
Approximate year: ca. 1960 • In-store price: $20
Film: 8mm movie film
Status: DECOR ONLY. Does not work
A chrome-and-black Sears movie camera with a giant zoom lens and a motor that has filmed its last home movie.
Tower was the Sears house brand, and the Vari-Zoom was its home-movie camera with a big, shiny zoom lens up front. Sears models like this were often made by big-name manufacturers; the Tower Varizoom in the Sixth Floor Museum's collection in Dallas was apparently built by Bell & Howell. That one has an unusual claim to fame: Tina Towner used her Tower Varizoom to film the presidential motorcade in Dealey Plaza on November 22, 1963. A camera like this is a small piece of how ordinary Americans recorded their history.
Why it's DECOR ONLY: this one does not work. The motor or film transport fails, and I don't repair movie cameras. It's sold purely as a display piece, and that big silver lens does most of the decorating on its own.
Display-only condition
This is a decor item. Sold as a display piece, not as a working camera. No warranty of any kind.
Cleaned and dusted, ready to sit on a shelf and look good.
Contact me directly with your questions (please do not contact store staff).
Vintage cameras rescued and repurposed by award-winning photographer Max Eremine.
For information only
This decor piece is available for in-person purchase at Mother Lode. Online checkout is not available.
Vendor #888 | Item #9646