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.
I am offering seven 400 feet reels from Universal 8 Films, Hells Angels (Howard Hughes production 1930)
As these seven reels are intended as a set, I will only supply all seven and not separate them (seems obvious but I get asked this question!)
Each part/reel is WITHOUT external slipcovers or other packaging, just inserted into those nice White Universal 8 special cases - each reel is labelled on the front of the case NOT on the reel.
Now, on with the full description ...
UNIVERSAL 8 FILMS - Super 8 Film
Commercial release for the Home Movie market
HELL'S ANGELS (1930) Feature Film
7x 400' 7 Inch reels
Contents:
This film is nothing to do with the motorcycle club, The Hells Angels! This motion picture was a very expensive undertaking by Howard Hughes, originally intended to be a silent movie but as the trends were moving towards having sound, release was delayed (and costs skyrocketed) while Howard sought his "talking actors/actresses". I believe that in the end, Howard Hughes didn't make a profit on this motion picture.
So, what is it about?
In general, it's a film set in war time (WWI) with two English brothers and their German friend involved in a love triangle with a lady. To cut the story short, events occur which put at risk a secret mission over Germany ... actually a very emotional and moving ending!
Film reel cases are original Universal White plastic cases, hinged style (2800 feet in total)
Film released 1980
Leader film fitted to both reels
7" 400' Blue PLiO MAGIC (USA) plastic reels
Black & White
Sound
Dialogue is primarily English although I noticed towards the end the dialogue is German, this is when the Germans are trying to get some information from the two brothers. I guess it adds authenticity!
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED
CLEAN
Film stock and the reel in each part is undamaged
Special Universal 8 White plastic cases are not discoloured at all
NO damage to the cases i.e no cracks or broken broken hinges
No sign of a "vinegar smell" from the film stock.
NO personal names or other writing on any of the cases or film reels
TESTING:
Test projector is the ELMO 1200 that I have on hand at the moment.
This motion picture too me quite some time to work through because I needed to play at least the first 5 minutes or so of each reel and I played reel #7 ENTIRELY! Why? Because these have not been sensibly labelled as Reel 1 of 7 (for example) I wanted to make sure this was a 7 reel film and so watched the entire length of reel 7 for that magical moment THE END - it happened and actually the film was pretty moving at the end as well.
All reels and films look to be clean and in good condition, sprocket holes are not damaged.
I ran ALL of the reels through the projector for the first 5 minutes or so, to observe the contrast and sound, with reel 7 being played entirely (roughly 17 minutes worth)
The contrast is very good, no problems at all on this score. Instead of Black & White, I think Sephia is a better description of the "colour" for this print.
Sound (English with some German spoken parts) is very good, crisp, clean and at a good level - not muffled at all
In my opinion, after this rather lengthy viewing and test, I am happy that the film is as stated on the cases and looks to be in very good "technical" condition.
Anyway, I am very fastidious and careful with these films and I have now packed each reel back into the original White Universal cases and then sealed every single reel individually and finally ALL reels together as a pack in the hope that this will prevent any further desgradation of the film while it waits for a Super 8 film enthusiast to give this classic Howard Hughes motion picture a new home
