8mm Forum: Night of the Living Dead

This is topic Night of the Living Dead in forum 8mm Print Reviews at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on November 13, 2004, 05:20 AM:

Several companies/distributors released prints of this 1968 B&W feature in the late 1970s(5X400'reels). I currently own the DiMaio Film Service version. Overall it has very good picture and sound quality and is complete, i'm very happy with it. The print I originally owned was from Red Fox; I was happy with that one also. I would be interested in knowing about other versions, as I remember some were not so good(dark, poor sound,focus, etc.)

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on November 23, 2004, 08:13 PM:

Hi-
I purchased my print through Blackhawk Films. It was printed by Hollywood Film Exchange. The first print I got was horrible- it was washed out, too bright. On the replacement print, the contrast was good but several reels had multiple scratches. Overall, I give the quality a C plus.

P.S.- Joe- On your print, does any other company logo come up on the screen before the movie begins and the picture opens on the road and says Image Ten Productions?

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on November 26, 2004, 09:13 PM:

Hi Nick, no logos before the film starts on my version.

Posted by Pierre Jean F. Dupuis (Member # 277) on November 30, 2004, 03:29 PM:

Bought an American print from Derann last year. Someone unfortunately replaced all the original leader with a 10 to 1 countdown strip so I have no idea who released it. Came in a soft box for seven or eight spools (print is only on six - blue - spools) that previously I've only seen used for '2001 a Space Odyssy'.

Print quality is fair but a little on the dark side in places. Contrast is reasonable.

Posted by Kurt Gardner (Member # 440) on August 16, 2005, 02:21 PM:

I have an original Niles Film Products print, mounted on two 800' and one 600' reel. It's a little washed out and the source material was certainly splicy, but I bought it in 1979 when I lived in the same town as NFP and it's like traveling back to my youth when I watch it.

A print just sold on Ebay for over $150! I wonder which company it was from. [Confused]

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on August 16, 2005, 02:54 PM:

You know, I've noticed that this is one of the few "old time" B/W super 8 features that ACTUALLY continues to go up in value!
I've seen one print, (I think) made by Niles that has been on and off on ebay, and it has went up in price each time. I've never actually seen the film, but it certianly has a well earned cult status!

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on August 16, 2005, 03:23 PM:

Hi Kurt- Welcome to the forum!

I have a question about your Niles print. After the front leader on reel #1, just before the movie starts and that "IMAGE TEN" title appears, is there another company logo that appears? I remember when I saw this at the movies way back in the day, and also numerous times in the 70's on TV, before that first scene on the road, there was a distribution logo, accompanied by some wierd music (like how most film company logos appear before the first scene of the movie fades in). I have been trying to see if any of the many super 8 companies that released this ever included this.

Thanks in advance for checking!

Hi Osi-

You are right about cult movies rising in price. There is nothing like watching an old classic horror movie like this on film. And being in black and white, you don't have to worry about fading [Smile]

.

Nick.

Posted by Kurt Gardner (Member # 440) on August 16, 2005, 03:25 PM:

Hmm... I'll look and get back to you tomorrow.

--Kurt

Posted by Kurt Gardner (Member # 440) on August 17, 2005, 08:55 AM:

Nick,

My Niles print just begins with the Image Ten title. It's also somewhat blown out. This problem was chronic with Niles' stuff. Their 16mm prints (I own "My Man Godfrey" and "The 39 Steps") look pretty darn good, but when they reduced to super 8, both picture and sound suffered.

Still, it's a great way to watch the film -- even though Elite's laser and DVD versions are amazing.

Posted by Marc Marti (Member # 404) on August 17, 2005, 10:11 AM:

I bought recently on ebay a print from "Hollywood Film Exchange". Contrast was not bad, but the sharpness... mhhh... my DVD copy is far better.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on August 17, 2005, 11:58 AM:

I'll tell you the rarest of rare "cult classics" that I've seen on super 8 ....

FREAKS!!

Classic Todd Browning feature from 1933 (I think), which actually starred real circus freaks in the movie. It's a bizzarre and WONDERFULLY DISTURBING film!!

I've seen only ONE print of this in the two years since I got back into collecting, and it sold for a little over 300.00 dollars, and that, for a super 8 copy! I'd love a print of that one!!

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on August 17, 2005, 08:44 PM:

"Freaks," now that's one movie I'd love to see! (Never have!) Incidentally there's a 16mm print of it on eBay right now, I think it's the second one I've seen... but to have this on super-8, why, that would be almost as good as a super-8 print of "Song of the South." [Cool]

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on August 17, 2005, 10:43 PM:

Song of the South?! Now there's one you won't see Disney releasing anytime soon, in any format! Such is our "politcally correct" world of today!

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on August 17, 2005, 11:38 PM:

I know, I know... but I've seen a 16mm print of SOTS on eBay. Sold for more than $8,000!!! [Eek!]

And for the record, the movie is available in the UK on PAL VHS videotape... it's here in the States that Disney is keeping it under wraps [Mad]

Posted by Kurt Gardner (Member # 440) on August 18, 2005, 08:53 AM:

Yeah, but check out this shameless guy offering VHS and DVD of the film here in the U.S. He's really asking for trouble. I know -- I worked for Disney Home Video for four years [Eek!]

http://www.songofthesouthdvds.com/dvd.htm

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on August 18, 2005, 06:20 PM:

Am aware of that site, too... [Smile]

and I agree... it's a shame Disney is too chicken to just release this movie and be done with it, and let everyone decide for themselves whether it's racist or not... but offering pirated copies of the movie is still a crime, regardless of what the reason may be. [Mad]

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on August 18, 2005, 11:42 PM:

I agree, and it's never the quality you really want, like those jerks who bring cam-corders into theaters and pawn off thier videos on the internet!

Besides, I've seen SOTS, and there's no real racism to it. I don't remember Uncle Remus going ape over Watermelon or Fried Chicken!! or going around going "Yassah Massah!"

Hey, what was the topic we were originally talking about? I'm laughing as I write, "I've honestly forgot!"

Oh yeah , Dead stuff!! (giggle)

Posted by Jean-Marc Toussaint (Member # 270) on August 19, 2005, 08:07 AM:

Lads, got words from insiders at BVHE. "Song of the South" might actually be released on DVD in the Fall of 2006 to mark the film's 60th anniversary. They're still weighing the whole operation. They don't wanna miss the '60th' marketing opportunity and think that, since the movie's been shelved for so long, people will actually be willing to buy the "last unavailable Disney classic". They might consider having a major african-american star introducing the DVD, telling the whole story, putting it back into perspective.
I saw the film again a few years ago (I had an old french VHS then) and, apart from a few cute animated scenes, the whole picture was rather boring...
Now, back to dead people... Bring out your dead... Bring out your dead...

Posted by Kurt Gardner (Member # 440) on August 19, 2005, 01:03 PM:

Quite right. I don't think any of the "Dead" super 8 prints are on par with the "restored" videos. HOWEVER -- I still get that same special chill watching my slightly blown-out and muffled print that I did when I was a kid at the drive-in. Anybody ever seen the Niles 16mm version? Is the contrast better?

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on August 19, 2005, 01:57 PM:

Hey Kurt-

You mentioned "My Man Godfrey" a few threads back. I bought a used copy of this feature a couple of years ago. It came in plain white boxes with only the reel #'s stamped on them. I could'nt figure out who released it. But it sounds like about the same quality as your print. The black and whites in my print arent bad, but focus is somewhat soft, which is mostly noticable in the long shots, whith lots of small details. Still, its nice to have this William Powell classic on super 8.

Oh yeah, back to NOTLD-

Oops- just remembered something else-

Osi, you mentioned a rare cult classic on super 8- "Freaks".

There's another cult classic that rarely appears on the super 8 used lists-

The German classic "M" with Peter Lorre.

Now, back to NOTLD...........I forgot what I was gonna say [Confused]

.

Nick.

Posted by Kurt Gardner (Member # 440) on August 20, 2005, 08:59 AM:

I met Russ Streiner ("Johnny") at the Hollywood Collector's Show in LA last year, and he was terrific. I told him about my super 8 print and how I'd originally seen it at the drive-in when I was nine. He apologized for warping my mind, but I thanked him for it!

And, of course, he signed my picture "They're coming to get you...Kurt!"

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on August 20, 2005, 01:56 PM:

That's awsome!
I've always wanted to meet some of the original cast. I keep saying I'm gonna go to one of those conventions when they come over here on the east coast, but I always find out about them right after the event [Frown]

.

Hey, this is like "NIGHT OF THE LIVING POST" ......

This thread appeared to have died back in November '04, but came back to life in August '05! Maybe when the Space Shuttle returned to earth this month, it may have brought back large traces of radiation or something! [Eek!]

Thanks for bringing this interesting topic back up Kurt, and thanks for starting it Joe!

Nick.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on August 21, 2005, 07:55 PM:

Yeah, your right, I saw a print of "M" on ebay a few month's back, went for a good deal of money. I hope another turns up. In many ways, Peter Lorre was never better. In many ways, his creepiest role!

Posted by Jan Bister (Member # 332) on August 21, 2005, 09:50 PM:

Heh... Look at the man's eyes, though. He was BORN to be creepy. [Eek!]

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on August 22, 2005, 01:01 PM:

Heh eh heh eh eheheh eh heh heh heh heh!

"Maybe I can use a Dog's brain, instead."

I didn't know leopold, could dance ..."

Excepts from a Daffy Duck cartoon in which Lorre plays mad scientist!

Now, with all I've read about NOLD, I really want to pick up a copy of this film, and sice it was shot in black and white in the foist place, I'm not missing anything! Are there some "edited versions" out there of this title? If so, I don't want to know about them. Which companies released full feature prints of this "Night" title?

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on August 24, 2005, 10:27 AM:

I remember seeing a 3 X 800' NORIS version of NOTLD on eBay a few years ago(I regret not bidding on it!). Did NORIS have a line of films along with projectors, etc.?, or was this particular classic film just for sale by them to promote their projector sales? [Confused]

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on March 21, 2007, 04:58 PM:

Nick, I recently acquired a nice RED FOX print of NOTLD, and it does have "A Walter Reede Organization Inc. Release" credit with music before the opening titles. Image Ten, etc. I like the DeMaio Film Service print better though, as the RED FOX print has a few jumpy (frame) cuts. Not the actual film, but must have been in the negative material used. [Smile]

Posted by Pablo Alvarez Roth (Member # 655) on March 21, 2007, 08:34 PM:

Wow, watching night of the living dead on super 8 must be a dream, THIS FILM IS NUMBER 1 IN MY WANT LIST!!!

gee anyone have an extra copy for sale.

cheers
pablo.

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on March 22, 2007, 06:22 AM:

Joe-

Thanks for that information! Can you describe the logo?

If its the same one, I'd like to try and copy it and tack in onto the front of my NOTLD feature. I know it sounds crazy, but this is how my friends and I watched it back in the 70's, so it has somewhat of a sentimental value [Wink]

.

Thanks Joe.

Nick.

Posted by James N. Savage 3 (Member # 83) on March 17, 2009, 12:35 PM:

Hi-

This is an update in reference to my LONG search for the original distribution logo for "Night of the Living Dead". I have FINALLY found it!

The "Walter Reade Organization" was the first company to take a chance on Romero's "new" film (after Columbia, American International Pictures, and others backed out). Unfortunately, Walter Reade made a few bad business errors, which caused the movie to fall into the "Public Domain" catagory, which cost George Romero and his associates alot of money down the road.

When television first got rights to air NOTLD in the early 1970's, the Walter Reade logo always appeared at the begining of the movie (I should know- I watched it every single time it came on in the 70's [Smile]

).

By the 1980's and on, this opening logo became vanished and became extinct, never to be seen on a T.V, video, or DVD print again. None of my super 8 prints had this opening either, much to my dissapointment [Frown]

. I've only known of one or two people who had it on their super 8 print.

So here, after years of searching, is the ORIGINAL opening logo, as it originaly appeared at the begining of "Night of the Living Dead", from 1968, to about 1980:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0fKAJgMSKM

Enjoy!

James.

[ March 18, 2009, 12:30 PM: Message edited by: James N. Savage 3 ]

Posted by Ronnie Sortor (Member # 1652) on July 02, 2009, 11:32 AM:

My first post! Like Joe, I also recently acquired a Red Fox print from eBay of NOTLD. It has "print by MOVIELAB" burned in the credits at the beginning. Way back in the early '80s when I was in high school I collected (and made my own) super-8 films. Digests mostly, NOTLD being the only feature. Local TV stations never aired it so the only way I could see it was to buy my own print from a local bookstore that had (I think, judging from my memory of the generic box) a Blackhawk version. As with much of my comic-book collection, all those films got sold off to fund my irresponsible young-adult lifestyle which I've lived to regret, natch'. But with age and responsibility comes money so I've been able to start rebuilding. Many years, many copies on many formats later and I've come full circle. NOTLD easily holds the record for the most "dips" I've purchased. Super-8, VHS, Laserdisc, many DVD versions.. If & when it gets a Blu-Ray release, I'll happily do it yet again!

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on July 02, 2009, 12:05 PM:

hi Ronnie, some posts started long ago keep coming back like Romero zombies! This is one of them! Welcome to the Forum! [Smile]

Posted by Ronnie Sortor (Member # 1652) on July 02, 2009, 01:16 PM:

Thanks Joe! I wish there more hours in the day so I could read all the posts on this forum faster! So how close is Mahanoy City to Pittsburgh? [Wink]

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