8mm Forum: SONS OF THE DESERT FUZZY

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Posted by Roger Shunk (Member # 2836) on March 11, 2013, 10:02 PM:

Hello,
I just received a Blackhawk library copy of "Sons of the Desert"
and it's not real sharp & clear and a bit grainy. The sound is loud, clear & booming but the picture is fuzzy. Is this the norm for this particular feature?
Thanks,
Roger

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on March 12, 2013, 01:49 PM:

Are you speaking of the Super 8 feature, as I have this on Super 8, (from Blackhawk) and your right, this film definitely has a softer focus to it. Lovely contrast to the print, OK sound, (well it is a 1930's film) but definitely fuzzy.

I wonder if the standard 8mm sound prints of this title faired as badly. Anybody have a print of this on standard 8mm from Blackhawk?

I ask as, I have found that standard 8mm prints of the L&H films tended to be a good deal sharper on standard 8mm than the super 8 prints of the same titles, (from Blackhawk)

Posted by Christian Bjorgen (Member # 1780) on March 12, 2013, 03:51 PM:

Roger, can you post some screenshots of it?

If you get a new print, and this one aint too bad, I might be interested [Smile]

Posted by Roger Shunk (Member # 2836) on March 12, 2013, 11:15 PM:

Yeah Osi it's a super 8mm print and it has excellent booming clear sound but a bit on the fuzzy side. I may be a little too critical but my other L&H features are not fuzzy like this one?

So the standard 8mm blackhawk prints are supposed to be much better? I would think it would be quite the opposite?

Christian I will try and take some screen shots but if I can't get a better copy I might as well keep it.
Thanks,
RS

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on March 13, 2013, 07:01 AM:

Roger, I have read several times on this forum that the Standard 8mm Blackhawk prints were often far superior to the Super 8 prints. Same thing for the Castle/Universal Films prints.
Just goes to show that picture area is not everything in print quality.

Posted by Zechariah Sporre (Member # 2358) on March 13, 2013, 07:12 AM:

Hi Osi, I have had this Blackhawk title on both standard 8mm and super 8 and I would say that my standard 8mm was a little sharper. However, I thought my super 8 wasn't to bad either.

Posted by Bill Brandenstein (Member # 892) on March 13, 2013, 12:53 PM:

Mine is watchable but soft. Neither sharp nor great contrast. Still hilarious.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on March 13, 2013, 01:40 PM:

It's truly great. Alongside "Blockheads", this is the best paced of the Laurel and Hardy shorts and feels more like an extended short subject.

I know folks will differ with me on this point, but I think "Way out West" is probably the lads most overated feature.

Posted by Christian Bjorgen (Member # 1780) on March 14, 2013, 03:17 PM:

I find their shorts being the best, such as "The Music Box" or "That's My Wife!". "Bonnie Scotland" is great tho, I'm glad to own a print of it!

Posted by Jonathan Trevithick (Member # 3066) on March 14, 2013, 04:04 PM:

Honolulu Baby! Where d'ya get those eyes? A classic moment!

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on March 15, 2013, 10:34 PM:

This just made up my mind; Super 8 or 16mm with this title.

Posted by Bill Brandenstein (Member # 892) on March 16, 2013, 01:43 AM:

Osi, both from audience attention and my own 2c, I agree that "Sons of the Desert" plays out better and with more interest than "Way Out West," which has some REALLY long setups, the last of the saloon being the best...

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