Author
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Topic: Elvis Presley on Super 8
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Richard Harvey
Junior
Posts: 5
From: UK
Registered: Feb 2013
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posted February 28, 2013 06:18 PM
Hi. This is my first post here. I’m a collector of Elvis Presley memorabilia from the UK. I’m trying to catalogue and sort out my 8mm collection, which I’ve been collecting for many years now, (since 1979). I’m hoping you guys might be able to help me out on a few questions I've got relating to my collection. Some of them not specifically Elvis related, but wider questions about the distribution and companies that made the films and stuff. Much of Elvis’ early TV shows were printed by Red Fox. I’d love to know how they came to release this stuff. At the time, it hadn't been seen before. Ken films released a series of 400ft cut-downs. First they came out in cardboard boxes (blue and yellow artwork), then clamshell covers with the same artowork. This series had these films (all Paramount) – GI Blues Blue Hawaii Girls Girls Girls Fun In Acapulco. I’ve got another Paramount cut-down, Paradise Hawaiian Style. It’s from ‘Movie Money inc’, and I’ve got another on order (Roustabout) that looks from the same company. Is Movie Money inc related to Ken films? I find it a coincidence they’ve both got New Jersey addresses on the boxes, and they both print Paramount Elvis cut-downs, (is that the right word for these prints?). I’ve got some full features. All Viacom prints, (there were UK versions of these, perhaps Derran? They were inferior prints). I have – King Creole (superb print) G I Blues Blue Hawaii Girls Girls Girls Fun In Acapulco Roustabout Paradise Hawaiian Style. Am I correct in thinking these are the only ‘legitimate’ complete Presley movies issued? I also have Jailhouse Rock and That’s The Way It Is (a concert film) and judging by the quality and packaging I think they’re bootleg. I have a ton of trailers and 200 foot reels of newsreel tuff. I can’t imagine how I’ll catalogue them, (I’m not selling them, just sorting them out). Derran Film Services was only a few miles from me. I bought a lot of stuff off them over the years. They did a Tickle Me 4x400,, and two cut-downs on 400ft. I also have a Viva Las Vegas 3X400 (disappointingly dark print) that I got from them. Did they print these or did they come from the States, anyone know? I didn’t realise what a big part they played in the 8mm world till I started browsing this forum a few hours ago. To me, back in 1979 when I was 13 and just starting collecting Presley stuff, it was just the nearest shop that sold cine film. I didn't realise it was the heart of the UK 8mm world (would that be true?). I’ve been watching stuff tonight after reading about the fading issue. Two of my cut-downs (Paradise Hawaiian Style and Girls Girls Girls) have a pink/red tint with no depth to the black, the blues are muddy. I suppose that’s the fading? The Universal cut-down of Change Of Habit was always my favourite quality-wise. I’ll put that on next. I hope that hasn’t faded. Right, that’s a load of questions for my first post, isn’t it? I’ll be most grateful for any responses. I get very particular about my collection. I like to know all about what I’ve got. It’s a boy thing, isn’t it? Cheers.
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Michael Beyer
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 233
From: Bingen, Germany
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted March 01, 2013 02:24 AM
Hi Richard and welcome to the forum,
you forgot "Aloha from Hawaii", which was released on Super 8, too. But they made only 12 copies of it (and I have one of them ). I don't know, who was the distributor.
Perhaps I can answer some of your questions: Well, why do someone release some stuff ? I don't know. There are different reasons. Perhaps, there were Elvis Fans at Red Fox, too
Derann didn't copied the Viacom-prints, they only sold them - as far as I know.
As Bill said, the storage conditions are playing a big role to colour fade. Never store them on the roof or on any places, where it's hot or the sun is burning on the items.
Even the film-stock can cause the fade.
If they are on Acetat (like my Blue Hawaii), the Viacom prints starts in all probability to fade. If they are on Polyester (like my G.I. Blues, Girls! Girls! Girls! and Aloha from Hawaii) they normally don't start to fade. Mine are fresh as new.
I have a 3x 400ft.-Version of "Viva Las Vegas", which was released by the UFA in Germany (in german language). It is a wonderful and colourful print. The picture source was "borrowed" by Ken Films.
Michael
-------------------- Just remember the time when Home Cinema was not a disc...keep perforated
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Richard Harvey
Junior
Posts: 5
From: UK
Registered: Feb 2013
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posted March 01, 2013 04:06 AM
Hi Michael. Thanks for your reply.
I have a super 8 of the Aloha rehearsal show. I think it's on 2x600. I don't know the distributor, (Elvis did two shows, one on the 13th Jan '73, one on the 14th. Both were filmed, and the rehearsal had a super 8 and an early home video release).
There were certainly inferior full prints of Elvis movies in the UK, as I remember sending one back to a seller in Cornwall, because it wasn't the Viacom release. Ironically, given that the Viacoms are liable to fade, I wish I'd have kept the other print now.
I'm going to plough through them anyway. They have been stored correctly, in a dark, unheated room. Just bad luck I suppose.
Anyone got any clue if Movie Money inc is related to Ken films?
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Mark Mander
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1236
From: Dunstable ,Bedfordshire.
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted March 01, 2013 02:19 PM
hi Richard and welcome to the forum,I got into super 8 because of a 400ft Fun in Acapulco,I built up quite a collection over the years of the king,I've sold quite a lot off now though but had Elvis on Tour and the 68 tv special(still got)That's the way it is will be faded now and very hard to find but the copies i've seen have been ok quality wise.
I'm sure they produced more than 12 copies of the Aloha concert on super 8,I've had three different copies over the years. The best print i've ever seen was a Roustabout print that the colours were outstanding and looked like I B Tech,wish i'd kept it now!! The Viva Las Vegas prints don't come up very often now and are worth getting,Some very nice Derann prints are out there.Tickle Me 4x400 seems to hold it's colours very well as most were printed on Agfa stock,the 400ft versions fade though normally (the Songs from Tickle Me is the worst),Mark.
-------------------- Elmo GS1200 1.0 lens Elmo ST1200HD 1.1 lens Sankyo 800 1.0 lens Elmo 16CL Elf NT1
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John Hermes
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 139
From: La Mesa, CA, USA
Registered: Nov 2008
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posted August 02, 2014 09:32 PM
"Elvis films were often mocked for poor script etc, but i just find the Charisma of the man fascinating and his voice and charm more than make up for the often lame scripts IMHO.(not too mention the one or two tasty oriental ladies! ha ha)"
Andrew, big Elvis fan here and I agree with you completely. I once had ten Elvis movies in 35mm, including Blue Hawaii, GGG, Fun In Acapulco, Roustabout, Paradise Hawaiian Style, and Frankie & Johnny - all IB Technicolor. No fading there! The blue of the Hawaiian ocean in Girls! Girls! Girls! was unbelievable.
-------------------- John Hermes
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