8mm Forum: Lone Wolf Super 8

This is topic Lone Wolf Super 8 in forum General Yak at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Mike Newell (Member # 23) on September 06, 2015, 03:31 PM:

Now that all the guilty persons have long left the cine party can someone confirm the existence of Lone Wolf who released a number of feature titles on Super 8. Was it just a cover name? A lot of recording work seem to be done by certain people but they always denied it was actually them. Even when we got them drunk they still kept to that line. A couple of names were mentioned as being the source of the negatives issued by Lone Wolf before they helped find lovely prints of the boys in the derbies [Eek!]

Posted by Brian Fretwell (Member # 4302) on September 06, 2015, 04:31 PM:

Well Lone Wolf had a stall at the BFCC at the Waterman's Arts Centre, I bought some second hand prints from him.
I also saw the same person (I can't remember his name off hand) at the NFT when they were showing a 70mm print of "Fall of the Roman Empire". Before the auditorium opened he was saying that his 8mm print was longer than the one they were showing that night.

The only film advert sheet I can put my hands on at present has an address in Twickenham, with a London phone number. I can't say if this was just a "front" though.

Posted by Mike Newell (Member # 23) on September 07, 2015, 06:41 AM:

I heard the story from an eyewitness that someone appeared at BFCC once. Did this chap have curly hair by any chance?

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on September 07, 2015, 07:09 AM:

Mike, Lone Wolf ran adverts in Film for the Collector in 1989.

The had a full address in Twickenham at the bottom of the ad. plus a phone number.

It seemed like a domestic address, but isn't one I'd associate with any other dealer.

El Cid had an introductory price of £395.00 + £3.00 P&P - Happy days!

Keith Wilton, whilst reviewing "The Fall of the Roman Empire" in FFTC December '89, described "El Cid" as, "a landmark in 8mm 'Scope print quality from Technicolor and Buck Motion Picture Labs"...commenting that with TFOTRE, Lone Wolf had, "done it again..." Print A*-A, Sound A.

Intrigued - what else do you know?

Posted by Paul Spinks (Member # 573) on September 07, 2015, 08:32 AM:

Lone Wolf Films was run by Trevor Willsmer.

Posted by Peter Scott (Member # 4541) on September 07, 2015, 08:46 AM:

Lone Wolf also done Circus World in scope, fantastic print.
He was totally independent.

Posted by Paul Spinks (Member # 573) on September 07, 2015, 09:17 AM:

I have the El Cid scope feature from Lone Wolf. The quality is amazing on that beautiful pre stripe polyester stock which is sadly no longer available and it is complete with all play ins, original intermission titles and exit music. It was a very limited print run. The negative this film was made from was absolutely stunning. These 1960's 70mm epics really show how good Super 8 was. I used to show it on an 8ft wide Widescreen Centre screen which I no longer have and it looked amazing. I must get it out and watch it again, but it will have less of an impact on my tripod screen. My print is in mono only but you could get it re recorded in stereo from the Laserdisc.

Posted by David Ollerearnshaw (Member # 3296) on September 07, 2015, 09:28 AM:

Did he also put out a short lived film magazine?

Posted by Keith Ashfield (Member # 741) on September 07, 2015, 01:53 PM:

Yes David. It was called "Movie Collector" and Trevor Willsmer was responsible for the publication, and an excellent magazine it was too. Some of the issues were supplied with a cassette of soundtrack music. It was released 1993 / 1994 and covered Super 8mm - VHS - Laser Dics - CD's - Books etc. It ran for 10 issues, which were printed bi-monthly.

I believe it ceased publication when the premises being used were damaged due to a flood.

I had a subscription for the magazine which was cut short by the cancellation of the magazine but Trevor issued a refund for the balance of the outstanding issues.

A real shame because there has not been a magazine of this calibre since.

I still have my copies and still read them occasionally.

There are copies of the magazine available on Ebay -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/dsc/Film-TV-/1145/m.html?_ipg=50&_sop=12&_ssn=trevor2813

Trevor still writes DVD reviews on Amazon.

I also have Lone Wolf release of "Circus World" in Scope - superb print.

[ September 08, 2015, 04:55 AM: Message edited by: Keith Ashfield ]

Posted by Mark Silvester (Member # 929) on September 07, 2015, 02:21 PM:

Interesting post Mike and a great reply from Keith..

I never had any of the "Lone Wolf" prints...but suffice to say - he must had a bit of cash behind him to turn out quality like that...Seriously!

Mark

[Smile]

Posted by Mike Newell (Member # 23) on September 07, 2015, 03:08 PM:

I had a few issues of Movie Collector but never knew the connection to Trevor. Any prints I saw of Lone Wolf films were superb like Kempski. I always got the impression it was cottage industry like Dave West of DCR. Negative used to produce 30 to 50 prints to cover costs then recorded on single basis and sold to collectors who had subscribed to have a print of that particular release. The name Trevor Willsmer sticks in my head somewhere did he feature on Armchair Odeons. Rob this is not the person I was thinking of although with his expertise he might have had involvement.. As Mark says a daunting task to undertake with deep pockets required.

Posted by Brian Fretwell (Member # 4302) on September 07, 2015, 03:45 PM:

Of course the magazine (I have a couple) wasn't only a subscription or mail order only, it was on sale in newsagents as well. That's where I bought mine.
On checking I have 3 600ft reels (1-3) of El Cid and, strangely a 400ft reel marked "reel 5 test print. slight flicker" so "White Box specials" from him too!

Posted by Mark Silvester (Member # 929) on September 07, 2015, 04:00 PM:

This is a most interesting thread - lets hopefully get..more info.

[Wink]

Posted by Mike Newell (Member # 23) on September 07, 2015, 04:07 PM:

Yes Brian thats how I got reels of El Cid from Derann and made an mini feature.

Well I did a little research on Trevor Willsmer. He seems to be amongst many things an associate producer on 3 documentaries I have The Making of The Searchers,Making of Casino Royale and Some like it Hot. He is a prolific reviewer on Amazon in fact number 89 of all times. Last review 7 August 2015 so hopefully still with us. Writing so many reviews he has actually let few things slip. He writes about being 13 when he saw Dr No for the first time so presuming first release was 1962 that would make him born in 1949 and would be make him around 66 now. Another interesting fact wait for it Trevor Willsmer may not be his real name but a stage name. This guy didn't pick Lone Wolf just at random. This is the only photo he has submitted must be young wolf days.

[ September 07, 2015, 05:08 PM: Message edited by: Mike Newell ]

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on September 08, 2015, 04:47 AM:

I discovered Movie Collector too late, finding some copies at Blackpool one year.

It was indeed a very professional publication and a great shame it didn't continue for longer.

Never knew the Lone Wolf connection though, thanks Keith.

The late 80's / early 90's were so exciting regarding super 8.

Posted by Mike Newell (Member # 23) on September 08, 2015, 09:58 AM:

Rob

The late 80's to the early 90's was the "Golden Era" of Super 8

Prices of existing films and equipment fell back with the video withdrawal then Derann starting with a few titles brought out virtually every title imaginable on Super 8 (except westerns lol) in full length in a quality undreamed of in low fade film stock. Take review of what they issued Hammer Horror, Science Fiction, MGM and Fox Musicals,Action Movies Goldfinger Die Hard Arnie Schwarznegger Modern trailers with or before cinema releases and daysets for your programme and every classic Disney Feature collectors had dreamed of owning plus a full array of Disney Character and Silly Symphony cartoons. Full length Tom & Jerry's that were not butchered by Walton, rare Tex Avery classics that even now are hard to get on DVD. Even the infamous Coal Black was issued. Laurel & Hardys on polyester that were sharp and had main and balnce stripes.

Mainstream TV appearances on BBC Film 86. A full calendar year of Film Conventions throughout UK , Open Days at Derann, Full colour magazines and collector club magazines plus official videos of collectors Home Cinemas and all their exploits!!

Can you imagine if we had the internet in those years.

Halcyon Days Indeed [Smile]

If it wasnt for Derann staying with Super 8 there would not be a film collecting world worth talking about.

Great days

[ September 08, 2015, 01:18 PM: Message edited by: Mike Newell ]

Posted by Peter Scott (Member # 4541) on September 08, 2015, 10:04 AM:

Spot on Mike and I am pleased to say I was their all the way.

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on September 08, 2015, 12:30 PM:

Yes, I remember Keith Wilton and the BFCC gang showing a clip from Fall of the Roman Empire at the Waterman's art centre, back in 1989 (I was 18...where does the time go???).

The quality was stunning, and being presented in a "real" cinema also helped.

Truly memorable stuff.

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