8mm Forum: Who printed the best quality B/W movies?

This is topic Who printed the best quality B/W movies? in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000139

Posted by Tony Milman (Member # 7) on September 26, 2003, 05:23 AM:

Just to change the topic away from doom and gloom, I wondered what your views are on which company made the most consistently good quality prints of black and white films? I have heard it said that DCR (whoever they were) are the best. For that matter are there any to avoid??

Tony [Smile]

Posted by Mal Brake (Member # 14) on September 26, 2003, 01:29 PM:

Tony, DCR was operated by Dave West on the Isle of Wight.
He released many b/w features and shorts. DCR titles were noted for their (usually) excellent soundtracks. Mr. West gave up the business a few years ago due to failing health. Classic Home Cinema are re-releasing some of the DCR titles.
Mal

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on September 26, 2003, 03:18 PM:

The very best Black & White film in my collection is "Goldiggers 0f 1933" from Derann. A beautiful print with razor sharpness and rich contrast. Blackhawk prints were generally excellent and processed with great care by people who loved and respected film. I have a stunning print of a Blackhawk Litle Rascals short called "Hook and Ladder". I also have terrible B&W prints from Derann such as " Calling all Girls", and several washed out L&H prints from Blackhawk. Columbia and Castle B&W prints were usually excellent. The ABC films B&W features that I have are quite good. All the Niles prints I have seen have been awful and I won't touch Niles prints. I still think the best black and white results when it is printed on colour stock (provided the color is balanced correctly) due to the much higher resolution of color film. One nice thing about B&W prints is that there is no worry about fading.

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on September 27, 2003, 06:43 AM:

My best B/W prints are from Columbia. They seem to be the most consistant with really good quality B/W. I have also have some very excellent Blackhawk prints, but they were not as consistant. One of my worst B/W prints was from Ken Films - 200 foot sound B/W "Screaming Skull". Nick.

Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on June 21, 2018, 08:20 AM:

Ivy Films HIGH NOON is the best black and white I have.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on June 21, 2018, 11:30 AM:

I would agree that on a "consistent basis", reel by reel, I would have to tip the hat to Derann, but there are other very good super 8 prints as well. I have that, "High Noon" print as well and it is top notch!

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on June 21, 2018, 12:28 PM:

Blackhawk in defense had some clinkers, but 90% were sharp, especially the Std 8 releases - I'll go with CASTLE and DERANN, STEEL VALLEY, DCR, GRIGGS, GLENN PHOTO and T-BIRD - Morecraft also handled many shorts quite nicely - Shorty

Posted by David Michael Leugers (Member # 166) on June 21, 2018, 03:36 PM:

Shorty's comment about Blackhawk 8mm prints I have to agree. In my experience overall, just about all of my 8mm silent era prints no matter who printed them are very good. I think they were made from materials closer to the camera original, some are truly excellent. I don't have enough experience with all the companies mentioned, but for S-8mm sound digests I am a fan of Columbia's prints.

Posted by Panayotis A. Carayannis (Member # 1220) on June 21, 2018, 03:44 PM:

For continuing exellence in b&w prints: DCR and Brakespear in England. Ivy,Columbia Castle and Blackhawk in the US.I will disagree with Shorty on Griggs,Glenn and Tbird. While they did issue a great variety of subjects and many rarities,quality was not always good.

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on June 22, 2018, 07:36 PM:

Somebody just resurected a 15 years old thread... [Razz]

Nothing wrong with that...but am happy to see those 4 guys posting in 2003 are still the loyal members in this forum. We are the 2003ers.... [Wink]

Only Milman who I knew sold his 8mm stuff recently. I don't know if he is quitting or still collecting.

Cheers,

Posted by Mike Brantley (Member # 6275) on July 05, 2018, 07:11 PM:

This is awesome. I just recently signed on as a member and was reading this thread with the same question in mind. Read right through the conversation without even noticing there was a 15-year pause.

Awaiting delivery on some B&W Castle 200-foot digests. Looking forward to seeing how they look.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on July 05, 2018, 07:40 PM:

Welcome to the 8mm Forum, Mike!

If you are who I think you are, your film forum was the very first one I ever joined!

-what was it: eighty or a hundred years ago?!

(-or maybe it just feels that way!)

Posted by Mike Brantley (Member # 6275) on July 05, 2018, 07:51 PM:

Hey, Steve. Yep, it’s me. About a hundred years later. Good to “see” you. My new apartment has two adjoining rooms separated with pocket doors, making a great arrangement for film projection. Am interested in B&W films because the faded red material is a bit heartbreaking.

Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on July 06, 2018, 01:43 AM:

Long live Black and White, truly the Silver Screen...

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on July 06, 2018, 06:31 AM:

I also love b/w films, would love to get a 16mm scope copy of the longest day.

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on July 06, 2018, 06:37 AM:

Pan, I agree with your disagree with me - Though the GRIGGS, GLENN PHOTO & T-BIRD weren't always superior, one must give them credit for acquiring the most obscure titles, and whatever negs were left, that's really the best we have - Grateful we have anything at all, really - Cheers all, Shorty

Posted by Panayotis A. Carayannis (Member # 1220) on July 06, 2018, 12:04 PM:

Shorty,I agree that you agree that I disagree with you! Especially Glenn and Tbird had too too many rarities that you never see today in second hand lists (and vdry few of us have [Wink]

)

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2