8mm Forum: Elvis Presley on Super 8

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Posted by Richard Harvey (Member # 3574) on 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.

Posted by Bill Phelps (Member # 1431) on February 28, 2013, 06:46 PM:

Hello Richard!

Welcome to the forum. I have a couple of the Ken digests (or cut-downs) and I find them to be very repeatable. I have G.I. Blues, Fun in Acapulco and Blue Hawaii. I can't answer most of your questions but I did want to mention that the Ken 400' digest Blue Hawaii was available both flat and scope. I have them both. My Ken 400'ers have very good color so there are nice prints out there although most have faded (as you described) or just turned red.

I have seen a beautiful print of Viva Las Vegas (3 X 400) so those are out there too. I don't much about the distributor questions but I'm sure someone who does will chime in!

Bill [Smile]

Posted by Richard Harvey (Member # 3574) on February 28, 2013, 07:02 PM:

Thanks for the reply Bill.

It's been a few years since I screened my super 8 collection, and I'm quite disappointed to see all the ones I've screened tonight, (except for the Tickle Me Derran digest) is almost like watching a B/W film through a red filter. This must have happened to my films in the last ten years, because I used to screen them regularly in the 90's. I even put on charity film shows for local Elvis fans with these movies.
I just put on Fun In Acapulco, the full movie on Viacom, which was as colorful a film as I'd ever seen on super 8. Now it's a ruddy-muddy mess. Shame.

Posted by Bill Phelps (Member # 1431) on February 28, 2013, 07:17 PM:

Well I do know that storage conditions can play a role in the color fade. It is best to keep films cool and dry. Although even in the ideal conditions films can still suffer fade due to poor film stock. I have recently watched my digests and they still look good. That really sucks that your feature has turned. [Frown]

Bill

Posted by Michael Beyer (Member # 1143) on 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 [Big Grin]

). 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 [Big Grin]

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

Posted by Richard Harvey (Member # 3574) on 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?

Posted by Michael Beyer (Member # 1143) on March 01, 2013, 06:33 AM:

quote:
I have a super 8 of the Aloha rehearsal show.

Hmmm...the rehearsal ?
I have the broadcasted show on Super 8, because Elvis didn't wear the famous "Aloha-Eagle"-suit at the rehearsal.

Posted by Richard Harvey (Member # 3574) on March 01, 2013, 06:51 AM:

Elvis wore the same suit at both, it was a full dress rehearsal with a full crowd, filmed in case the show on the 14th didn't come off.
A sure way to tell what show you have Michael, is to see if he's singing Johnny B Goode ... and later, Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On (both sung as a medley). These songs were performed in the Aloha broadcast show, but not the rehearsal.

Another tip, his hair was brushed down for the rehearsal, and quiffed up for the main show. In fact, in the rehearsal he says "we're going on worldwide TV tomorrow" or something.

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on March 01, 2013, 08:37 AM:

RICK

WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!!

PATD [Big Grin]

Posted by Mark Mander (Member # 340) on 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.

Posted by Richard Harvey (Member # 3574) on March 01, 2013, 04:36 PM:

I've noticed all my Red Fox Elvis films were from broadcast TV stuff - did they speacialise in TV footage?

Posted by Christian Orijola (Member # 4380) on July 26, 2014, 08:52 AM:

Found an old unsealed Super 8 Elvis Fun In Acapulco from my grandpa’s items in the storage, it still has a price but can't see the priceanymore.
Just asking how much is it in todays value.

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on July 26, 2014, 09:36 AM:

Christian,

Welcome to the Forum!

Assuming you have the 400' version (one 7" reel), the price would depend on whether the color has faded or not. I would say the value is in the $20.00 - $40.00 range. If the film has turned red it is worthless.

Doug

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on July 26, 2014, 03:31 PM:

I also.have four features of Elvis, all are Viacom and 3 out of the four still have fairly good colour, just a little warming on G.I Blues, Paradise Hawaiian Style and Blue Hawaii. Girls Girls Girls however is almost totally red disappointingly.

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 to mention the one or two tasty oriental ladies! ha ha)

[ August 03, 2014, 01:45 PM: Message edited by: Andrew Woodcock ]

Posted by John Hermes (Member # 1367) on 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.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on August 03, 2014, 01:44 PM:

Sounds fantastic John! Mine are still a great watch (especially G.I. Blues), but just wish they were all LPP. That would be the icing on the cake for me.

Still on the look out for the 3x400ft Derann LPP release of Viva Las Vegas, rarely comes up though nowadays and is a liitle dark I believe if you can actually get your hands on one.

Posted by David Ollerearnshaw (Member # 3296) on August 03, 2014, 02:01 PM:

I would say that Tickle Me was printed in the UK. I would also think that the Viacom! titles from Derann were also printed here.

I hired King Creole from Derann and you're right it was a excellent print, one thing on the copy I hired it had lots of black film on the end of one of the reels.

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