HISTORY:
My "world" is 'the arts' and more specifically, music, artwork and hand crafted/decorated chinaware's.
I am not a film enthusiast but an associate has asked me to find new owners for THEIR large collection of photographic and film items ... this is one of those items.
While the world of 8mm/Super 8mm is not my area of expertise, I am doing my best to establish the condition of each item that I am listing.
I tend to be quite detailed in my item descriptions, please READ all the details to decide if this item may interest you.
Now, on with the description ...
RANK ARENA ORGANISATION - Super 8 Film
Commercial release for the Home Movie market
Catalogue # Unknown
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER (1958)
Epic recall of the events the night before the RMS Titanic sank after striking an iceberg, this event was afterall still fresh in many people's minds as it had happened just 40 years earlier.
Producer, Patrick Macquitty actually saw the Titanic launched and this film pays particular attention to the details of the events, not a romanticised "Hollywood version"
4x 8" (600') reels = approximately 2 hours run time
Leader film (Green) fitted on each reel with film title and reel number written on each leader
8" 600' EUMIG Light Grey plastic reels (4)
There is no film clip fitted to any of the reels so watch out for the dreaded unravelling film!
Black & White
Sound
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED
CLEAN
This film was found stored by the owner NOT in any original packaging but with each reel in a sealed plastic packet along with Silica Gel packets, all four reels being stored in an old biscuit tin!
I have carefully examined the reels and as much of the film as I was able to undertake in a reasonable amount of time.
Film stock and the four reels all appear to be physically undamaged ALTHOUGH I did note some "wear n tear" to a couple of the film leaders (crinkles and what looks like a slight sprocket hole damage)
This leader damage was confirmed as the ELMO ST1200 did not like a couple of the leaders but after some "persuasion" I fed the film through the projector correctly and played the print - once I got past the pesky leader film, all was good. No "gate noise" and the film image is stable and clear, if only Black & White (actually more like a Sephia)
No unusual smells detected coming off the film reels i.e no vinegar smells although the whole original package has that "Hey, I'm old!" odour to it
Each reel has a "reel number" sticker stuck to the side of the reel and each leader has the film title hand printed.
NO personal names or other writing on the case or the film reels
After my testing (see below), I have now placed each reel into a custom made bubblewrap "pouch" along with a new packet of Silica Gel and then all four reels are together inside an outer sealed clear plastic package which is wrapped in stiff cardboard. The idea is to create an atmosphere low in humidity and yet protects the reels from physical damage.
TESTING:
Test projector is the ELMO 1200 that I have on hand at the moment.
All film looks to be clean and in good condition, sprocket holes are not damaged EXCEPT my notes above about a couple of the leader films.
I only ran the film for the first five minutes of each reel observe the picture and sound.
Picture definition is fine (Sephia "like" colouring in monochrome) with no scratching or degradation noticed
Sound is good, crisp and easy to understand dialogue which is not muffled
In my opinion, after these relatively brief tests (this is around 2 hours run time of film afterall) I am happy that the film is in pretty good condition both technically and physically.
Quite frankly, even if the motion picture wasn't of interest, those 4x EUMIG 8" reels are very nice to use with other 8mm film. Of course this would mean having to run-off almost 3/4 Km length of film!
I am very fastidious and careful with these films and I have now packed each reel as described above, then provided an outer clear plastic seal before enclosing in a strong stiff cardboard box - while it waits for a new owner.
