Ever hear of this film company?

[Douglas Meltzer]

I recently picked up a 2x400' documentary From Africa With Love. I don't recall seeing this type of packaging before (reels in styrofoam inserts) and I've never heard of the distribution company, Normak Film Services. Is anyone familiar with them?






Doug

[Lee Mannering]

Absolutely no idea but you sure learn something new every day on the 8mm forum 😎

[Eberhard Nuffer]

Doug,

I heard from this company only once. In "Coming Attractions" #25/Fall 1988, Mark Rollie did a review of "Horror Express" (1971), starring Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and Telly Savalas. Apart from a feature release by Niles Films, Mark mentions "a 400' digest encased in an oversized cardboard box (with glossy finish) and a styrofoam packing" by a British distributor called "Normak". Mark wrote: "...no address for them, and I have no idea on what other releases they may have had."

So the secret behind "Normak Film Services" remains to be revealed...

[Maurice Leakey]

Also may confirm British by the spelling of Eastmancolour, as opposed to Eastmancolor. But as a UK collector, I too, have never hear the name. But many obscure little Super 8 companies did spring up here in the mid 70s era.

[Jason Moffatt]

In the early days of video there was a company called normak here in the UK, they distributed around 20 titles including quite a few martial arts films.No idea if they were related though.

[Maurice Leakey]

Here are the videos of Normak :- http://www.pre-cert.co.uk/search.php...=336&sort=Year

[Douglas Meltzer]

Fascinating! Thank you all for your replies. Eberhard, I have a 400' digest of Horror Express, unfortunately not in the original packaging. I'll have to take a look at the leader on that one.

Doug

[Lee Mannering]

Fascinating all above. I also have the 400ft Horror Express but mines in a plastic clam shell box with movie magnetic colour restoration. Quite good now once again.

[Douglas Meltzer]

I checked the 400' digest and there is no information on the leader. On the subject of Horror Express, I also have the 2x400' UFA release which still has nice color.

Doug

[Jason Moffatt]

Here are the videos of Normak :- http://www.pre-cert.co.uk/search.php...=336&sort=Year

Maurice, thats them but it’s not a complete list, its just the VCL distributed ones.There are a few more mainly martial arts films which are just normak.I have the list but have no idea how to add it here.

[Osi Osgood]

There were a lot of distributors that got a good start by marketing those very low budget martial arts films from the 60's and 70's! I was not able to see the video of article linked above, if it's a video, is there anyway that it can be put up on youtube? I could see that. Or, if it's a photo or just a file, that someone could put it up on here?

[Douglas Meltzer]

Jason,

I've sent you a PM about uploading pictures.

Doug

[Mark Williams]

Normak also put out Larry Cohen’s blaxploitation film The Godfather of Harlem AKA Black Ceasar in a well edited 400ft version,Derann sold them off cheaply without the boxes for around £1.99!

They also put out several soft porn titles like ‘The Joy or Letting Go’ which was edited down from the USA hardcore version.

Perry’s Movies Wimbledon stocked these releases too.