8mm Forum: Question about A-1 Video Services

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Posted by Michael Scheck (Member # 114) on 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

Posted by Brad Kimball (Member # 5) on 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.

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on 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.

David

Posted by Michael Scheck (Member # 114) on September 15, 2009, 11:59 PM:

Thank you, David and Barry, for your answer.
I will phone Alex today.

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on September 16, 2009, 05:16 AM:

I see Al at every show, just emailed him, one of the best around - You can't go wrong - Cheers, Shorty

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on September 16, 2009, 07:16 PM:

Alex is a terrific seller.

Doug

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on September 16, 2009, 08:43 PM:

So what is A-1 Video Service ID on Ebay?

Or does he have a list out of Ebay?

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on September 16, 2009, 10:17 PM:

Winbert, he has his own massive site, mostly tape and disc but plenty of film. Search and you will find!

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on September 17, 2009, 10:18 AM:

David,

I have googled for A1 Video Service but that name is too common. So can someone give me the exact link please.

thanks

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on September 17, 2009, 10:54 AM:

http://www.a-1video.com/

http://www.a-1video.com/Film%20Archive.htm

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on September 17, 2009, 01:36 PM:

Thanks Steve..

Doug, why you haven't included this store in your Super 8mm Film Distributors and Sellers ?

I also actually recommended another seller in Australia (in this A request of the forum supervisors ..., but you haven't included that too)

cheers,

Posted by Kurt Gardner (Member # 440) on 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.

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on 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.

Have you?

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on 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.

cheers,

Posted by Brad Kimball (Member # 5) on 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.

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on 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!

Posted by David Michael Leugers (Member # 166) on 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.

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on 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

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