8mm Forum: Mighty Joe Young ending part

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Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on September 17, 2012, 03:18 PM:

I got Mighty Joe Young 4 reels but the story ends when Joe was taken out from the cage by Jill after those 3 drunk men gave Joe with alcohol.

So the film end abruptly.

My kids love this film more than King Kong because the reel 1 of MJY is already into the action, while on Kong reel 1 & 2 were to heavy for them (too many dialog).

It is too bad when seeing their sad faces watching film without the ending. I knew MJY came in several version, i.e:

- Ken 200' (silent only)
- Mountain digest 400'
- Mountain mini feature 4 x 400'
- Mountain (supposed to be) full feature 5 x 400'
- Nostalgia full feature 6 x 400'

ps: Looking to the point where the film ends, I guess my print is 5 x 400'

There are at least two sequences after Joe is taken out of the cage. One is the trio being chased by cops, so they are all in vehicles, and, a building on fire sequence.

I at least need a closing whatever is the story. Buying Ken version will be out of question because it is silent.

So my question:

1. Can I use 400' digest to close my film?
2. If I got the reel 4 of 4 x 400' version will that be OK to end my story?
3. Akhsay who has 6 x 400' say that the last reel (#6) is very short, around 200'. Can I use this to end my story? Or do I need reel #5 & #6?

thanks for your help.

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on September 17, 2012, 03:42 PM:

Hi Winbert,there was also a 2x400' version of "Joe" released by
Mountain/Portland.Regarding your missing footage,I'm not
Familiar with the 400' version,but I would think it must contain
the orphanage/fire sequence, it might be an idea to find out and
add this to your film to give it an ending, or better still,just get
the feature, Mountain's is nicely edited and has superb print quality.

Posted by Joe Balitzki (Member # 438) on September 17, 2012, 04:57 PM:

The Mountain 400' Digest does not contain the footage you seek. It ends when Joe Young is on the Moving Van making a getaway. I have the 400' version which is now going to a Good Home where it will be kept, loved, and not bought as a rental and subsequently sold or traded away. The way it is edited it ends logically but you will have to purchase the feature to get the missing scenes. Mountain Films did not release MJY uncut. The longest version is slightly abridged. Most of the RKO titles were that they released. They did release a few titles uncut, but MJY is not one of them. The chances of you finding the missing odd reel(s) are very minute. The former owner likely kept them because of the content since the special effects are so well done. Find another print (if you can) and keep what you have for replacement footage or sell it.

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on September 17, 2012, 05:19 PM:

Thanks Joe,

Your explanation helps me to limit the search. So I will put aside the digest 400'.

Now I have to put in wanted section for this very title either from Mountain 4 reel version (reel #4) or 5 reel version (reel #5), I think either one will fit to my reel.

Hugh, I never knew the 2 reel version. Any more infos about the ending?

Posted by Joe Balitzki (Member # 438) on September 17, 2012, 05:30 PM:

The two reel version is nearly impossible to find because it was produced at the very end of Mountain Films and few prints were sold. And since its a cutdown, you likely will still be missing key scenes. Your best bet is to replace the print but that is easier said than done. In any film format, finding odd reels is and has always been difficult if not impossible.

Posted by Laksmi Breathwaite (Member # 2320) on September 20, 2012, 12:41 AM:

Hey any body got the 2 reel version of Mighty Joe Young ??

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on September 20, 2012, 02:27 PM:

Unfortunately Winbert I have no knowledge of the content of the
Double Album, which incidentaly is a 4 reel edition,as a reel is
no more than a 10 minute run of film.I can't personally see the
point of it, when there are the feature length versions more
readily available, even the trimmed 8 reeler which to my knowledge,has all the animation intact.If I were you,put out the
feelers for a replacement copy, it can be done for you in the UK
but postage is prohibitive. Just another point,Mountain didn't
release a 5x400' MJY, The 8 reeler being supplied on 4x400' spools.

[ September 21, 2012, 04:06 AM: Message edited by: Hugh Thompson Scott ]

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