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Author Topic: Umit & Son
Brian Hendel
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 902
From: New York, New York
Registered: Jun 2003


 - posted August 11, 2017 11:07 AM      Profile for Brian Hendel     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Does anyone know if this quirky film shop is still open in London? I'm here on holiday and wanted to stop by - but everything online seems like it's from years ago. I didn't want to get all the way there (it's not exactly central London) and find out it's long gone. Any info on this or any other store in London that would still have super 8 for sale would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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Brian Fretwell
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1785
From: London, UK
Registered: Jun 2014


 - posted August 11, 2017 11:18 AM      Profile for Brian Fretwell   Email Brian Fretwell   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
It is still up on Yelp guide here https://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/umit-and-son-london, but no updates for a while.

I last passed the shop in December last year and all was well then.

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012


 - posted August 11, 2017 11:47 AM      Profile for Andrew Woodcock         Edit/Delete Post 
It's only a few miles from Euston Brian. A forum member elsewhere visited the shop only a few months back so I am certain it will still be there and open.

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Brian Hendel
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 902
From: New York, New York
Registered: Jun 2003


 - posted August 11, 2017 01:50 PM      Profile for Brian Hendel     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
The crazy thing if memory serves from when I visited a decade ago - he doesn't like to sell his films. It's more of like his personal library where he likes to do film shows. I think I even left empty.-handed which is very unlike me!

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Panayotis A. Carayannis
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 969
From: Athens,Greece
Registered: Jul 2008


 - posted August 11, 2017 02:40 PM      Profile for Panayotis A. Carayannis     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
There was recently talk about Umit on the "other forum". Yes,he is alive and kicking. Yes,sometimes when you choose a film he says it is from his personal collection and not for sale. Yes, he is a fair dealer and O.K. person

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Adrian Winchester
Film God

Posts: 2941
From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004


 - posted August 12, 2017 02:21 PM      Profile for Adrian Winchester     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Brian - your recollections are absolutely right as a lot of the films on the shelves are essentially the 'library' of the owner, that he uses when presenting shows, and he seems to do quite a lot of these as a result of hiring out his services. Quite a few of the intriguing-looking films that look like unusual Super 8 releases turn out to be shrink wrapped empty boxes with artwork applied, so it's wise to be prepared to find less films than initially appear to be the case, but it's a unique shop. I dropped in a few months ago and also left empty handed!

If you plan a UK trip in August again, heading north to visit the CHC sale weekend could be worth your while, as the stock of film there is astonishing.

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Adrian Winchester

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Winbert Hutahaean
Film God

Posts: 5468
From: Nouméa, New Caledonia
Registered: Jun 2003


 - posted August 12, 2017 09:12 PM      Profile for Winbert Hutahaean     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
So if he is not much selling from his shelves, curios to know, what he made for living through his shop?

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Winbert

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Brian Hendel
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 902
From: New York, New York
Registered: Jun 2003


 - posted August 15, 2017 05:25 PM      Profile for Brian Hendel     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Just got back to New York from London... and on my last night of my trip I actually made it to Umit's shop. If you are visiting London, I strongly recommend paying Umit a visit- it's not that easy to get to... sort of off the Tube line... Lower Clapton Road, etc. As we kept saying to each other, we are part of a "dying breed." We talked and talked and talked about the glory days of super 8 collecting. His shop is stacked to the ceiling with films... 16, Super 8mm and Regular 8. In his own words, he is a collector first and a salesman second - so very few of the pieces in his collection are actually for sale. He's VERY proud to show off his uncut 'Texas Chainsaw' and his four reel 'Enter the Dragon' - things he will NEVER part with - no matter what the price. It's fun to look at all the boxes -original and homemade. It's an odd business he's got going... not sure how he pays the rent - kids pop in and out buying candy and sodas... I think he makes most of his cash by doing film shows at local churches, groups, etc. who hire him to show his 16/8 features at get togethers. He's doing a 'Death Wish' coming up that he is VERY excited about (it's one of his favorites). I was having a ball just sharing memories with another collector. In the end, I picked up a mint 400' of Dracula with Lugosi (mine is a bit scratched)... and as I was about to say goodbye he asked if I collected regular 8mm films, to which I said, 'Of course!' Then he started listing some regular 8 features he was willing to part with and then he said it: "Would you be interested in a feature sound print of 'The Phantom of the Opera'? - First, I thought he meant the Chaney version, which of course I have... then he said, 'No, the Hammer version with Herbert Lom - sound' Having had the 400' digest for years, the feature is something I have literally been looking for for decades. 'Yes - Yes - Yes!!!!' I couldn't believe my search was over. Needless to say, I bought the feature for a very reasonable 30 pounds. As I write, I am on reel 4 of 5. It is mint and absolutely gorgeous! Generic boxes, but I happen to have an empty box with the artwork that is just waiting for a feature print to complete it As a collector there is nothing like a decades-long search coming to an end. It made my whole trip to the UK, totally worthwhile. A dream come true. It made me so happy. I am giving it a good clean with Film Renew since it looks like it hasn't had a bath in 50 years. I took a photo of us in the shop but don't know quite how to post it. It's amazing when a Super 8 (Regular 8) dream comes true. Stay on the hunt everyone... and go say 'hi' to Umit. We are all part of a dying breed that needs to stay in touch. There's a short film on Vimeo called "The Way of the Do Do" that gives a great insight into how he's keeping the hobby alive... check it out!

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012


 - posted August 15, 2017 06:52 PM      Profile for Andrew Woodcock         Edit/Delete Post 
Fabulous tale there Brian and as you say us "Dodo's" have to stick together!

So very pleased your trip to our Capital was made all the more worthwhile by visiting Umit's shop and you now have a cherished print to carry these memories through to your entire lifetime from your visit.

I am really pleased you apparently thoroughly enjoyed your visit to the UK and hopefully next time it will include a visit to Manchester for a night time Euro City game and Super 8mm extravaganza in Woodyrama!

Simba, It's to die for!

[Big Grin] [Big Grin] [Wink]

--------------------
"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Brian Hendel
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 902
From: New York, New York
Registered: Jun 2003


 - posted August 16, 2017 06:40 PM      Profile for Brian Hendel     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Thanks for the invite... maybe someday I will make it to Manchester again. I was there about 25 years ago. Spent the night while on my way to the Blackpool film show. My memory is a bit foggy, but I remember being happy to be in the town where one of my favorite singers at the time, Morrissey, got his start. Glad you are keeping the film hobby alive there!

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