Interview with Ira Belfer of Captain Video

01/07/22 • 20 min

Rental Return: Tales From the Video Store

During the Rental Return Season 2 Preview episode, several video rental themed newspaper articles from the '80s were discussed which included the small chain of California based stores called Captain Video. A quick google search by Adam found one still in existence and planned a trip to visit the store and interview the owner of 37 years, Ira Belfer. Listen to the interview and watch the video version including a walk through of the store on TRN TV. You can also visit Captain Video on Facebook.

Thanks to our monthly supporters

Chad Droze
retrodolls77
Tim Heasley

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Thanks to our monthly supporters

Chad Droze
retrodolls77
Tim Heasley

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Previous Episode

S2: Rewind the Grind

Season 2 of Rental Return - Tales From the Video Store continues with "Rewind the Grind!" In Episode 2, we asked our Video Heroes why they were motivated to work at a video store and how they got the job. Now in Episode 3, we get more into their daily routines at the store like what were their favorite parts of the job and on the flip side, what was their least favorite things to do. We'll also find out some of the perks that our Heroes received including Mark's unique position as an operator to score concert tickets from local radio stations when he purchased ad time. We'll also ask our heroes about some of the mundane tasks they had to perform like rewinding tapes and shrink-wrapping previous viewed movies for sale. You'll also hear some things they didn't anticipate having to do like when the store owner's put a cappuccino bar inside Matthew's store and he had to learn how to use a cappuccino machine.

Our "Video Heroes" for Season 2 include Mark DeWitt (@Mark_DeWitt), Brian B. (@InnerDemonsGR), Joe Corey (@YourCanadianGF), Matthew Corey (@rollerdogNC), Bob O’Rourke (@constrictionpix), William Lanham (@deadly_dinosaur), Colin Fitzpatrick, Alan Smith, W. Axel Foley aka Billy Foley, and Brandon Meyers.

Follow @TRNsocial on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more from Rental Return visuals and VHS memories.

If you are a former rental store employee and would like to be interviewed for an upcoming season, please contact Adam @hojukoolander on Twitter or email [email protected]

Visit The Retro Network podcast page for every show on the network.

Thanks to our monthly supporters

Chad Droze
retrodolls77
Tim Heasley

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Next Episode

S2: Video Land Maniacs

Season 2 of Rental Return - Tales From the Video Store continues with "Video Land Maniacs." This episode is all about the craziest customer interactions our Video Heroes had to deal with as well as regular customers that were quirky or they tried to avoid. Billy tells about the time Quentin Tarantino and Sophia Coppola visited the store. Alan and Joe talk about some customers they suspected were dubbing rental tapes. You'll also hear some of the most ridiculous things that customers would do or complain about like paying late fees. William remembers a customer who just wanted to find a copy of Bossin' Up starring Snoop Dogg. Finally, each of our heroes recollect particular days at the store that are just ingrained in their memories. Bob and Brandon remember how 9/11 impacted their jobs.
Our "Video Heroes" for Season 2 include Mark DeWitt (@Mark_DeWitt), Brian B. (@InnerDemonsGR), Joe Corey (@YourCanadianGF), Matthew Corey (@rollerdogNC), Bob O’Rourke (@constrictionpix), William Lanham (@deadly_dinosaur), Colin Fitzpatrick, Alan Smith, W. Axel Foley aka Billy Foley, and Brandon Meyers.

Follow @TRNsocial on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more from Rental Return visuals and VHS memories.

If you are a former rental store employee and would like to be interviewed for an upcoming season, please contact Adam @hojukoolander on Twitter or email [email protected]

Visit The Retro Network podcast page for every show on the network.

Thanks to our monthly supporters