8mm Forum: A & C Meet Frankenstein question

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Posted by Gary P Cohen (Member # 4417) on February 09, 2018, 04:10 PM:

I finally got around to viewing my 400' U8 copy of A & C Meet Frankenstein and I was disappointed to find that the leader had been damaged and I couldn't salvage anything until the director's credit. Does anyone know if the headline edition has full opening credits or if the 200' version has them so I can repair this issue (the rest of the 400' reel is very good). I'm also curious if there is anything different about the 200' version that might prompt me to get that one anyway. Many thanks!
Gary

Posted by Carter Bradley (Member # 984) on February 09, 2018, 04:25 PM:

I spliced my Castle 200' and Universal 8 400' versions together and no longer have the Castle credits, but I am almost certain the Castle reel featured titles specifically created for the digest, while the Universal 8 reel features the original animated titles as designed by the Walter Lantz division (home to Woody Woodpecker) of Universal-International! The opening scene of the 200' reel is crucial to the storyline as Dracula explains that Costello's brain is perfect for a brain transplant into the monster. I feel it is worth adding this short scene.

Posted by Bob Furmanek (Member # 3734) on February 09, 2018, 04:36 PM:

Yes, the opening titles to the 1959 Castle release are unique and made specifically for that version.

The opening titles were not done by Lantz but either Dave Fleischer or Frank Tipper who were freelancing with Universal at the time. Lantz had a falling out and was not with the studio at the time of production.

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on February 09, 2018, 04:46 PM:

Unique...there is no animation in the opening 200' or 50'...only the 400', after the main title (which is eliminated) - Just your average consumer wondering why

Posted by Bob Furmanek (Member # 3734) on February 09, 2018, 04:56 PM:

By "unique" I meant titles done specifically for the Castle release. They are static text on a plain background.

The quality is bad but you can see the 200 foot edition here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zNgiTmyHtI&index=14&list=PL-vD4cYAozxm2cWmYzHrALFZ_lH8pByZo

Lantz refused to give up merchandising rights on his characters and left UI in late 1947. During production of the A&C film, he was working with United Artists.

[ February 09, 2018, 06:55 PM: Message edited by: Bob Furmanek ]

Posted by Gary P Cohen (Member # 4417) on February 09, 2018, 09:29 PM:

Thank you all - this is very helpful. I'm now on the hunt for the 200' sound edition

Posted by Bob Furmanek (Member # 3734) on February 09, 2018, 09:41 PM:

My pleasure and good luck to you, Gary.

You won't have too much trouble. That short was a VERY big seller for Castle for nearly twenty years. There are a lot of prints out there. If I spot one, I'll let you know.

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on February 10, 2018, 01:02 PM:

Oh...THAT background...yes, I have 4 of them...oops, shoulda kept that secret - Sound editions are not hard to locate, if I come across one will let you know - Shorty II

Posted by Brad Kimball (Member # 5) on February 11, 2018, 08:50 PM:

Why do you have four copies? I can see 2. I intentionally have backup copies of some favorites in case one gets destroyed. Just curious why four. Not judging.

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on February 12, 2018, 05:55 AM:

One my Dad bought me in 1963 (silent), then of course my kiddie-friends wanted to see it over and over (and act it all out), eventually, that got worn out a might - Then used my allowance to get another, this time in Std 8 (This and the first one I kept all these years) - 1966, big day for Super 8 Sound people, thought it was announced the year before, and went to the camera store and got a 3rd copy - School done, working, time goes on, I was still able to buy a 4th locally before CASTLE shut the door in 1976 - Naturally, kept all these in memory to the past - Some titles are hard enought to get one good one, much less an extra or more - "Live" shows are your best bet, such as CINEVENT in Ohio - Untie the boat, will ya please...Shorty

Posted by Brad Kimball (Member # 5) on February 12, 2018, 08:59 PM:

“and what about the brrrain? I dun vant to repeat Frankenstein’s mistake and unleash a vicious un-manageable brute. This time the monster must have no vill of his own. No fiendish intellect to oppose his mas-tor.”

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