In my experience if you back up and replay a skipping section several times it will often clear up.

Yes same with a record as usually its just dust or whatnot in the groove..

Missed a chance to get one for free, trying not to kick myself.

Ah man!!! -- Was it a mono one bud??

I had a Toshiba player and about 25 disks. The damn thing was completely
reliable and the picture was far better than videotape. Unfortunately I
didn't use it for a while after disks stopped being sold and it stopped working,
so I stupidly threw it and the disks out. I never again have collected movies
in any form, though I do have a dvd player and a few iconic disks.

:sigh: