These work pretty good but the gears have a tendancy to slip, like most things made in china. If you can find an old one, late 70's or older, with the crank on top, buy it. It will last forever and can also be used to make caramel corn or just about anything that needs to be stirred while cooking. Makes me remember an old mixer i bought from an estate sale. The thing had to weigh close to 15 lbs and when using it you had 2 options, hang on and let it do it's job or let it go because that thing would mix cold peanut butter and never bog down. Kek
The other anon is correct about good fresh butter. The kind that is hard to find because farmers are not able to sell fresh milk in a lot of places. Fresh, where you need to dip the cream off the top.
You are correct about the popcorn. I personally prefer the lady finger popcorn.
Here's to the show with popcorn and a beer!