8mm Forum: Mystery of the Mary Celeste

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Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on January 20, 2016, 08:01 AM:

My own memories of this Bela Lugosi gem was that back in the 80's it was near impossible to locate a Super 8 feature of this, at least in our green a pleasant land thus the title was deemed a treasure indeed if you owned a print.

Way back then we had a small group of Lugosi fans who met regularly showing each other our Bela collections of photos, films and loving every minute of it. I was fortunate to be offered the Super 8 sound feature and vividly recall the first screening to our merry band of cranks, um fans.

Blackhawk Films issued this on Super 8 and it happily sits on two 800ft reels and has done so for many a year. The film itself was produced in 1935 starring Bela Lugosi, Shirley Grey and Arthur Margetson amongst others and is perhaps the ultimate collectable for Hammer Film fans looking for a early example of work from them. The storyline basically revolves around having a murderer on board and before long everyone has died bar one.

Filming started July 12th 1935 off Falmouth at a time when Britain was reviewing its horror censorship but this very early effort from Hammer trundles along with perhaps the last 400ft reel holding the most interest for the masses, although as a Lugosi fan I could watch the whole thing on loop. Shirley Grey although under used in this movie has a some nice screen moments and brings much to the part of Sarah Briggs.

The original running time was around 80 minutes and much discussion has taken place over the passing of year as to if we will see the restored full version as typically versions you see are cut to the 60 minutes mark. Although also available on DVD cut and at poor quality for the best part the Blackhawk Super 8 print stands above anything else, at least for the moment. The film print is just about as good as it can be with the master material available to them I would say and collectable.

Its also nice the Super 8 film retains the main title Mystery of Mary Celeste and not the USA title The Phantom Ship (1936) as found on the dvd's making for another plus for 8mm.

For me Lugosi was king of horror and he could easily play a romantic role I am certain as well. After this film he would move on to other greats including The Invisible Ray, Son of Frankenstein and perhaps his greatest later role Ghost of Frankenstein also to be found on Std 8mm sound thanks to Derann.

So, is Mystery of the Mary Celeste a good film?
Taking everything into consideration and the rarity of it included yes and I would recommend it to anyone looking to add that early piece of Hammer Film history to any Super 8 collection.

As a footnote. I have various DVD and VHS issues of this title in the Lugosi collection but the Super 8 sound film is certainly the best to have and you can also physically project it..

Print quality B+
Sound B+
Not bad for 1935.

Filming aboard the Mary B Mitchell

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Prince Howard Theatre

[ January 20, 2016, 09:21 AM: Message edited by: Lee Mannering ]

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on January 20, 2016, 01:02 PM:

Lee... thanks for the nice review. Many things I didn't know about it. I too have this film in the Blackhawk 4-reel boxed set.

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on January 20, 2016, 02:25 PM:

Cheers Lee!

Great review. I just purchased this 4x400' version from a forum member. Bela was the best. However, the one I bought has about 3 minutes missing from the beginning. But I take what I can get. I am just getting back into the hobby and starting out from nothing. Let the games begin!

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on January 20, 2016, 07:28 PM:

-actually based on a true story.

Mary Celeste was found in calm seas with nobody aboard and her lifeboat missing. All the crew's personal effects were still there, right down to food out on the tables. There was water in the bilge because wooden ships leak and nobody had been there to pump it out for several days.

For some reason they suddenly decided to leave a perfectly sound ship mid-ocean. We'll never know why because none of them were ever heard from again.

I'm glad you got this film Pat, it sounds like a good one!

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on January 21, 2016, 04:26 AM:

Bela having a break during filming.

A nice Sup 8 film for you to have Pat [Smile]

I wonder if anyone has any Blackhawk printed material advertising the film?

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on January 21, 2016, 11:03 AM:

I've always been tempted to get this one ... now, I am more tempted!

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