Manley Popcorn Machine Web Site Goal
This web site has been developed to gather and share information about Manley
and Burch popcorn machines, and their related products and operations.
Burch popcorn machines date from 1922 to 1940. Manley machines were made
from 1940 to 1993.
Of particular interest is information related to the various model and
restoration of them. However, information related to other products
that they sold, their operations, their advertising, and their employees is
also of interest.
Many of the images and information on this web site has been provided by
various people. Their contribution is greatly appreciated.
Before this web site, very little information existed on the Web on Manley. For a
company that in the late 1940s dominated the theater popcorn machine market,
this is disappointing. However, this web site hopes to fill some of
this gap. If you have any additional information or photos that you
would like to contribute to this web site, please contact us--rf@bradley.edu.
About Its Owner--Ross Fink
Many people ask how I became interested in Manley popcorn machines.
It began rather simply when I purchased a M-47 Manley on eBay. I had
wanted a popcorn machine for a theater room. After looking at some new
machine, I decided that a vintage popcorn machine would be a better option.
Shortly thereafter, an M-47 that was located within easy driving distance
appeared on eBay. I ended up winning the machine. This popcorn
machine began its
life at the Lincoln Theater in Robinson, IL. The Lincoln Theater
closed many years ago, and its building was demolished.
My original idea was that
the machine would need just a little clean-up and I would have popcorn.
However after closer inspection, I realized that it was in need of a
complete restoration. For the detail of the restoration process,
please visit:
http://rossfink.com/Manley Model 47/. It is now in complete
operating condition providing popcorn to family and friends.
While I was restoring it, I created the restoration page to share the
restoration process with my friends and family around the world.
Interestingly, I started to receive e-mails from various people asking how I
was doing various parts of the restoration process or if I knew of the
availability of replacement parts. It also served me well as I was
contacted through this web site for the one part that was missing on my
machine--the cash drawer. At this point in time there was very little
information available on the Web. As a result, I decided to start this
web site and shortly thereafter the Forum, located at
http://forum.manleypopcornmachine.com/. At the beginning, the
Forum consisted mainly of Eric Eggers and I talking about Manley popcorn machines.
We wondered if anyone else would join us. Eventually they did.
Although not the busiest of Forums, many people look at it daily. If
you have questions about Manley or their machines, please feel free to post.
Also if you are interested in selling or buying a Manley machine, please
feel free to post.
My personal goal has been to help anyone that is interested in Manley popcorn
machines in any way I can. Sometimes I have been successful.
Other times, I have not been able to help, but I tried. If I can be of
any assistance to you, please let me know. You can contact me by e-mail at:
rf@bradley.edu.
