Posts: 163
From: Moeriken, Switzerland
Registered: Oct 2003
posted September 15, 2009 01:28 PM
Dear members of the forum, has anybody of you out there ever dealt with A-1 Video Services? And if so, how were your experiences? They have got a massive list of 8mm films. Thank you in advance for sharing. Michael
Posts: 1171
From: Highland Mills, NY USA
Registered: Jun 2003
posted September 15, 2009 11:44 PM
Alex Bartosh is the owner/operator. His service is outstanding. Alex was one of the collaborators on the Castle Films book released a few years back. He is a very pleasant man and a true devotee of the hobby of film collecting. His descriptions of what he is selling are right on the mark and I highly recommend using A-1 as a film source.
Posts: 963
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Registered: Feb 2006
posted September 15, 2009 11:53 PM
Michael, I have bought many films from him over the years including brand new 16mm prints when he still offered some of the old Blackhawk titles.
The prints of his used 16mm, 8mm and Super 8 have always been very high quality.
I have found Alex excellent to deal with on every occasion.
Posts: 193
From: San Antonio, TX
Registered: Aug 2005
posted September 18, 2009 12:11 AM
I got a beautiful 200' Castle "Bride of Frankenstein" in the original box and cheaper than trying to win on eBay. Also got "To Duck or Not To Duck" and "Corny Concerto" (both Niles prints, which were pink but I knew they would be). Good seller.
Posts: 963
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Registered: Feb 2006
posted September 18, 2009 01:48 AM
Winbert, I have asked questions on at least three occasions from the Surrey Hills (Sydney) seller with all the new old stock and never received a reply.
Posts: 5468
From: Nouméa, New Caledonia
Registered: Jun 2003
posted September 18, 2009 05:28 AM
David,
I have been my self visiting the store, but unfortunately the door always closed every time I was there. But the name of store and activity was still written on the door. It was a small apartment on the 2nd floor between 2 restaurants (if I am not mistaken).
The main activity nowadays is hiring 16mm projectors. Didn't you hear a voice prompt of an automatic answering machine when reached their numbers?
I think one of the members here has once succeeded to get in touch with them.
Posts: 1171
From: Highland Mills, NY USA
Registered: Jun 2003
posted September 18, 2009 08:21 AM
About the place in Australia (Films On Super 8 - Leyton House)..... I tried countless times to e-mail the owner using the link he provides on his site with absolutely no replies - ever. Now I totally understand that the monitoring of the site is probably not the primary source of his income, BUT, if you're not going to monitor at all - then pull it down. He had a number of U-8/Castle titles that I would have purchased from him and before sending out money I like to talk with a human being to discuss the particulars. Well, if you're this unavailable - then so is my hard-earned money. I'm sure he cares alot - NOT! Maybe the site is something he set up years ago in some moment of inspiration and decided not to pursue it and just left it twisting in the wind thinking eventually it would shut itself down. Funny how his copyright runs through '09, but perhaps this, too, is automatically updated.
Posts: 963
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Registered: Feb 2006
posted September 18, 2009 07:41 PM
Winbert, I only tried to email. Like Brad, I wanted some information before I sent off any money.
I think these films are left-overs from The Home Talkie Co. one of the major Super 8 sellers here back in the 70's and 80's.
I always dealt with The Eight Millimeter Film Centre here in Melbourne. They had almost every brand of film for sale and a large store packed with film. I can even recall buying brand new Standard 8 films there. Their service was excellent....the opposite to what this Sydney joint seems to be.
It is a shame, as even with the high prices I am sure all the stock would be sold by now if he answered emails. I doubt the emails are even directed to a monitored inbox, at least some answeres would result if that were the case......we want to buy the films after all!
Posts: 264
From: Fairfield, OH, USA
Registered: Feb 2004
posted September 22, 2009 07:32 PM
It seems like every year I buy some films from him at the Cinevent in Columbus. I have never been disappointed with any purchase. I believe most of the films are from his personal collection or he takes the time to only acquire great prints and he screens them before he sells them. Highly recommended.
Posts: 1535
From: Long Beach, CA USA
Registered: Dec 2008
posted September 24, 2009 01:33 AM
Yes I am fairly certain they are all from his personal collection, because I remember getting a Clara Bow feature from him and him commenting about how he bought it when it was released and was happy it was getting a good home....I figure I qualify
-------------------- "You're too Far Out Miss Lawrence"