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Topic: Umit & Son
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Brian Hendel
Jedi Master Film Handler
Posts: 902
From: New York, New York
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted August 15, 2017 05:25 PM
Just got back to New York from London... and on my last night of my trip I actually made it to Umit's shop. If you are visiting London, I strongly recommend paying Umit a visit- it's not that easy to get to... sort of off the Tube line... Lower Clapton Road, etc. As we kept saying to each other, we are part of a "dying breed." We talked and talked and talked about the glory days of super 8 collecting. His shop is stacked to the ceiling with films... 16, Super 8mm and Regular 8. In his own words, he is a collector first and a salesman second - so very few of the pieces in his collection are actually for sale. He's VERY proud to show off his uncut 'Texas Chainsaw' and his four reel 'Enter the Dragon' - things he will NEVER part with - no matter what the price. It's fun to look at all the boxes -original and homemade. It's an odd business he's got going... not sure how he pays the rent - kids pop in and out buying candy and sodas... I think he makes most of his cash by doing film shows at local churches, groups, etc. who hire him to show his 16/8 features at get togethers. He's doing a 'Death Wish' coming up that he is VERY excited about (it's one of his favorites). I was having a ball just sharing memories with another collector. In the end, I picked up a mint 400' of Dracula with Lugosi (mine is a bit scratched)... and as I was about to say goodbye he asked if I collected regular 8mm films, to which I said, 'Of course!' Then he started listing some regular 8 features he was willing to part with and then he said it: "Would you be interested in a feature sound print of 'The Phantom of the Opera'? - First, I thought he meant the Chaney version, which of course I have... then he said, 'No, the Hammer version with Herbert Lom - sound' Having had the 400' digest for years, the feature is something I have literally been looking for for decades. 'Yes - Yes - Yes!!!!' I couldn't believe my search was over. Needless to say, I bought the feature for a very reasonable 30 pounds. As I write, I am on reel 4 of 5. It is mint and absolutely gorgeous! Generic boxes, but I happen to have an empty box with the artwork that is just waiting for a feature print to complete it As a collector there is nothing like a decades-long search coming to an end. It made my whole trip to the UK, totally worthwhile. A dream come true. It made me so happy. I am giving it a good clean with Film Renew since it looks like it hasn't had a bath in 50 years. I took a photo of us in the shop but don't know quite how to post it. It's amazing when a Super 8 (Regular 8) dream comes true. Stay on the hunt everyone... and go say 'hi' to Umit. We are all part of a dying breed that needs to stay in touch. There's a short film on Vimeo called "The Way of the Do Do" that gives a great insight into how he's keeping the hobby alive... check it out!
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