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 ...
Film stock is on an ELMO (Japan) Creme/White 10.5" 800 foot reel - you will need a projector that can handle these larger reels.
This has been stored (and will be supplied) in a sealed clear plastic packet. After test playing a small part of this film, I have resealed the reel into a clear plastic packet along with some moisture absorbing gel, at the suggestion of a film enthusiast. This reel has then been inserted back into the original ELMO outer cardboard packaging which has a simple dynatape label on the spine
A NIGHT AT THE OPERA (Marx Brothers)
Super 8 Film
Commercial MGM release for the Home Movie market
Catalogue # Not Stated on packaging - in fact packaging is very "generic" - see above
A NIGHT AT THE OPERA (1935)
While this film was made well before I was born, I do remember folks talking about the Marx brothers and this film in particular. Absolutely jam packed with gags although (in my opinion) Groucho becomes just a bit too much! Groucho is a bit of a jackass/fast talker and if someone behaved today in the manner he does in this film, he would have ended up flat on the floor! Fascinating film to watch, not just for the gags but the social interactions of the time and gender imbalances.
The reel is housed in an original ELMO Japan (Code 2163-1) reel box
The White leader film is fitted but there is no film clip.
10.5" 800' Creme/White plastic reel is branded as ELMO product
I believe this reel will provide approximately 35 minutes runtime
Black & White
Sound
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED
CLEAN
Film stock and the reel is undamaged, straight and true
The plastic reel has no labelling to identify it
The outer cardboard box is in reasonable condition and the only identification is the small dynatape (Red) label which reads A NIGHT AT THE OPERA - nothing more.
NO unusual smells detected coming off the film i.e no vinegar odours
NO personal names or other writing on the outer cardboard case
TESTING:
Test projector is the ELMO 1200 that I have on hand at the moment.
Film looks to be clean and in good condition, sprocket holes are not damaged.
I ran the film through the projector for the first 15 minutes or so, to observe the picture and sound.
This is a Black & White movie and its really good from a visual and audio perspective. Slight Yellow tinting to the vision but the picture is sharp, clear and with good contrast.
The sound throughout is of good quality, and easy to follow the dialogues/jokes
SPECIAL NOTES:
I always include a couple of "off screen" snapshots ... now my digital camera is antiquated and it's limitations are definitely showing up in these sample photographs. The photographs do not do the film justice but my aim is to show that I have confirmed the reel contents and make a quick judgement about the condition of the film. In all cases, the actual picture is far better than my rather crude screen shots.
I take the screen shot in very low light levels, the camera flash is turned off (otherwise the picture is flooded with White) and the camera shutter speed is very slow.
This means I have trouble getting sharp photographs, especially when there is movement on the screen. I take my screen photographs in low light, the camera shutter speed is slow and it can be difficult to get a sharp photograph while the actors are running around!
In my opinion, after this relatively brief test, I am happy that the film is as stated on the outer cardboard case and the reel and it looks to be in pretty good "technical" condition.
As with all of the "open reel" film I am finding when I sort through the boxes, I am adding a couple of satchels of Silica Gel (for moisture absorption) and sealing the reel within clear plastic. I then also have sealed the outer cardboard ELMO box. This is done in an effort to preserve the current condition as much as possible.
