8mm Forum: It's A Gift (1923)

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Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on May 30, 2019, 11:03 AM:

It's A Gift (1923)
Blackhawk Films
B/W 250ft

This iconic little 12 minute one reeler, produced by the Hal Roach Studios, is a silent comedy short starring Snub Pollard as an inventor who is hired by an oil company magnate to produce a gasoline substitute for automobiles. Pollard appeared in many Roach shorts but this is probably his most famous one. From the first frame to the last the gags never stop coming, with Snub's many weird inventions producing hilarious results throughout the film. I guess the one that people always remember is the magnet car, kind of the ultimate "green" car which requires no power of its own!

I first saw this film when I was about 14 years old and rented it to run on my hand cranked 9.5mm Pathescope Ace. In fact it was a staple of the Pathescope film catalogue for decades, so there are surely many 9,5mm prints still around. It was a big hit with me and my parents then, and is a silent short that you never forget once you see it and never fails to get laughs with all audiences, even people who don't like silent films!
The Blackhawk super 8mm print is very good with a sharp image and good contrast. It has some vintage 1920's music recorded on the magnetic track. I redubbed mine with period music that I preferred. Like many of the Blackhawk films it also includes a short silent 'prologue' of background information on the film. Hardly a 'special feature' but nevertheless a nice touch appreciated by film collectors.

Recommended
Print B+

[ May 30, 2019, 12:16 PM: Message edited by: Paul Adsett ]

Posted by Brian Fretwell (Member # 4302) on May 30, 2019, 11:35 AM:

I have the Collectors Club UK release of this. A good film especially how he keeps the car in a Garbage container which becomes a Garage when he covers the "b".

Posted by Leon Norris (Member # 3151) on May 30, 2019, 12:57 PM:

This sounds like a petty good comedy! I never had this one! So I'll be on the lookout! Snub did some good work at the Half Roach studios!

Posted by Melvin England (Member # 5270) on May 30, 2019, 01:02 PM:

I have still got my Collectors Club copy of this superb film from way back in the '70's.

I recently stumbled over a sound copy (theoretically music and effects) so invested in a second copy. Oh dear, sepia picture slightly off centre, and the sound was just organ music that just did not relate to the picture, not to mention the lack of sound effects. Not sure if this wasn't just a feeble amateur attempt.
I have been told there ARE sound copies out there so I assume they would be far better than this?

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on May 30, 2019, 02:53 PM:

This was big seller on 9.5mm as released by Pathescope, number SB600.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czpnKHRRXwQ&list=UUyApXb3L11bzoD-6rA-_5IQ

Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on May 31, 2019, 05:53 AM:

Its absolutely fantastic what is getting on to youtube these days.

Thank you Maurice.

I am a cine twit who really enjoys watching real film on there.

Oh dear etc !!!!

Best Mark.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on May 31, 2019, 12:55 PM:

Mark you will find a lot of the Pathescope 9,5mm films, sound and silent, on YouTube thanks to Grahame Newnham and Lee Mannering.

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on June 01, 2019, 08:41 AM:

I brought my scored print to that most-recent CINESEA, went over quite well - Shorty

Posted by Melvin England (Member # 5270) on June 01, 2019, 08:58 AM:

Shorty - I assume your scored print held some relevance to the activities and tempo of what was going on on the screen, similar, if not the same, as the copy on YouTube that Maurice so kindly posted? As I mentioned earlier, mine was just irrelevant organ music.

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on June 02, 2019, 01:52 AM:

Yes always a popular Collector Club release and also on 9.5mm film

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on June 05, 2019, 08:20 AM:

No Melvin, actually this contained a very precise Blackhawk score, courtesy of Gaylord Carter - Cheers, Shorty

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on June 05, 2019, 03:54 PM:

I definitely want a scored print of this one!

-something to look forward to.

The Blackhawk scored silents pretty much spoiled the silent-silent versions for me.

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on June 06, 2019, 10:47 AM:

Well, you can always find a silent version, yet the scores enhances your viewing and Blackhawk never disappointed

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