By Erwin K. Roberts
Over the last few years readers of the Gazette got to
know Vince Koehler through his writing on theater, the
arts in general, goings on in the community, and
especially the movies. Outside of his friends, his
faith, and his family, Vince's great passion centered
on what began as Edison's Magic Box. He loved the
movies, and everything about them.
My wife and I were introduced to Vince and Marieann
Koehler by mutual friends a bit over twenty years ago.
Then I was involved in various CableTV projects on
what was American CableVision. One was a show called
Entertainment Spectrum. Of course the fact that I was
reviewing movies caught Vince's attention. We kept
meeting at various events and social gatherings.
During his lifetime Vince owned more movie cameras and
video recorders and camcorders than some major TV
stations. He became a very early adopter of eight
millimeter video.
Until then Entertainment Spectrum stayed in the studio
doing reviews and discussions. We could check out the
company's equipment, but only with a "you break it,
you bought it" agreement worth many thousands of
dollars. Piece of junk that it is, footage captured on
VHS could not be used. When Vince agreed to shoot in
Video 8 for us, Entertainment Spectrum really got
moving.
Most people knew Vince as very outgoing and
self-confident. Yet he was initially reluctant to go
in front of the camera to do openings, bridges, and
closings. Do an interview?!? Of course the National
Guard kept sending me out of town when we needed to
talk to someone on camera. Vince was nervous, but
game. Early on legendary comic book editor Julie
Schwartz turned an interview into a near ten minute
monologue. Of course he got better and better as time
passed. He soon became my partner and the co-producer.
Press night at the American Heartland Theater became a
tradition as we interviewed each new cast, and even
the author a time or two. We went to many science
fiction, comic book, Star Trek, and even one Sherlock
Holmes conventions. Our genuine interest in the
subject matter and respect for the fans landed us tons
of footage. We interviewed actors, authors, and
Klingons! Oh, my!
When Time Warner Cable converted the Community Channel
to Metro Sports, the video version of Entertainment
Spectrum came to an end. Vince went looking for new
venues. He found the Gazette. Eventually I joined him.
Vince's love of the movies was no secret. At the
funeral service, his Parrish Priest said he could
imagine God asking Vince, "Do you want to see MY
projection booth?"
Yes, I can see that. Then, after he checks up on
family and friends, Vince will start looking for the
local version of the Map To The Stars' Homes. He'll
want to chat with Buster Keaton, John Ford, Carol
Lombard, and many others. If he can find a camera and
microphone, look out! I can see it now. The camera
rolls. Vince greets his first guest, "Thanks for
speaking to us today, sir. Let me ask you this. Now
that you have some free time again, are you going to
write another play, Your Holiness?"
We miss you, Vince.
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