8mm Forum: The Magic Box

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Topic: The Magic Box

David Hardy
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 955
From: Johnshaven Village , Montrose, Scotland
Registered: Jan 2015

posted May 25, 2017 11:28 AM

That is quite a good print for Super 8mm.
Very nice indeed. [Smile]

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" My equipment's more important than your rats. "

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Michael O'Regan
Film God

Posts: 3085
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Oct 2007

posted May 25, 2017 12:24 PM

That is a really nice looking print.

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted May 25, 2017 01:41 PM

Thanks gents. I am more than happy with it I have to say.
The image quality surpassed my expectations to be honest for this title.

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Guy Taylor, Jr.
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 606
From: Galveston, Texas, U.S.A.
Registered: Mar 2007

posted June 01, 2017 02:16 PM

We watched a beautiful low fade color print of THE MAGIC BOX at the Cinevent on 16mm. The Technicolor was stunning.

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Guy Taylor

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted June 01, 2017 04:11 PM

Glad you enjoyed it Guy. What's not to enjoy? [Wink]

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Brian Fretwell
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1785
From: London, UK
Registered: Jun 2014

posted May 01, 2019 09:57 AM

Ged has recently said that sales for this title were poor and may not have made enough money to cover negative costs and rights. So if you have a copy treasure it, there can't be many around.

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Leon Norris
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 958
From: Elkins Park, PA, USA
Registered: Jun 2012

posted May 06, 2019 02:46 PM

I used to have a Derann print of this film! It was nice and sharp! I ended up selling it! I just did not care for it! I did not know it would become so rare!

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Mike Newell
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 826
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Jun 2003

posted May 06, 2019 05:32 PM

Have to concur with your opinion Leon. I managed to struggle through this film once and that was with a few fast forwards. In a darkened cinema I suspect most would be in the land of nod 💤💤after the first reel. In terms of repeatability once every 20-30 years viewing would be optimistic so you were wise to sell title.

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted May 06, 2019 11:47 PM

Nonetheless, Martin Scorsese has many times cited it as one of his favourite films, and one that inspired him.

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Mike Newell
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 826
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Jun 2003

posted May 07, 2019 02:21 PM

An much over rated director Paul.

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Stuart Hilliker
Film Handler

Posts: 79
From: London
Registered: Dec 2006

posted May 07, 2019 04:39 PM

Each to their own. I love the film. Beautifully shot, hugely sentimental, historically questionable but a faultless celebration of the romanticism of film......which is why this forum exists isn’t it?
Great Derann print as well.

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Lee Mannering
Film God

Posts: 3216
From: The Projection Box
Registered: Nov 2006

posted May 08, 2019 05:36 AM

I could be the odd one out having a great love for this beautiful 1951 movie and to have it on reel film is wonderful especially with the subject matter.

This is a deeply emotional film for me especially when he triumphs and rushes out in the street to break the news. As a boy I was fascinated by it all no doubt contributing to my love of film making and the workings of the intermittent, something no video projector enjoys. To have the honour of projecting the 8mm film is priceless even though it is a little variable, but I have always felt it captures his own struggle to make camera film and perfect it. When I project the movie its very much a case of white gloves on and the white technicians coat 40's projectionist style.

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Oliver F. R. Feld
Master Film Handler

Posts: 447
From: Berlin, Germany
Registered: Jan 2010

posted May 10, 2019 11:10 AM

In fact, my Derann print of THE MAGIC BOX looks much richer and more colourful AND SHARP than the DVD.
And in my opinion it’s the magic that counts: screening a celluloid feature about the development of the moving image; in one word amazing!

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted May 10, 2019 12:04 PM

Exactly Oliver. This film is really a must have for 'reel' film collectors.

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Leon Norris
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 958
From: Elkins Park, PA, USA
Registered: Jun 2012

posted May 26, 2019 09:37 AM

Did this film come out as a digest? Derann did this with there features!

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted May 26, 2019 02:59 PM

No digest of this film that I am aware of Leon. Too bad, because a 600 footer of this title could be really good.

--------------------
The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
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Mark Silvester
Master Film Handler

Posts: 282
From: England
Registered: Oct 2007

posted May 27, 2019 03:21 AM

Hi all

I too have to concur with Mike Newells comments...I can understand why many may like it to a degree..I thought it overrated and of course... a lot of artistic and historic license/contrivance was most definitely used and attributed to Friese- Greene concerning the "invention" of the moving image!

I have seen clips of the print and its not bad 8mm wise.. - its interesting though how film brings us all together yet divides us on opinion...that the great thing about the "magic" of the movies.

[Big Grin]

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Mark Silvester

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Mike Newell
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 826
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Jun 2003

posted May 27, 2019 10:42 AM

There is no digest but Derann released a trailer which due to the subject of the film required it to be quite long. It is a edited highlights of the main events.

Surprisingly the print in trailer was quite stunning although a little blue due to colour stock being used. This prompted a fellow collector to buy feature as he thought quality would be the same as trailer. Whilst the feature print is very good it does have issues with marks and variations in print quality between reels.

This prompted the buyer who was fussy about what he bought to reconsider the purchase and he specifically showed Magic Box at his home cinema with a view to sell to another collector at a greatly discounted price. After no takers he made some kind of deal to return to Derann. It did rankle him a lot as he made a financial loss and he was very careful with other purchases to quiz Derann staff before purchasing new features as he felt he had been lied to by them.

It wasn’t available for long and I wouldn’t think it was a big seller for Derann. I remember Derann showed a clip of it at Blackpool that year and Derek was teased by us by saying to him we know who’s print that is!!

Personally, I think it is a bore. Robert Donut 🍩 has a much charisma as a wet lettuce and I am eternally grateful he didn’t play Captain Blood or Robin Hood.

If others were honest it would be a film they watch once every 20-30 years so it certainly couldn’t be regarded as repeatable film under any circumstances.

If you want a film about film and projecting Smallest Show on Earth with Peter Sellers sums up the perils and problems of this hobby and is much much funnier!

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted May 27, 2019 11:29 AM

Rated 7.1 on IMDB by 1,026 viewers.
Mike, I don't think The Magic Box is a comedy film. It is a serious biography with some amusing moments.
My print is generally excellent, and I have watched it several times over the past 15 years. Certainly not as repeatable as Singin' in the Rain, but then what dramatic films are?

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The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
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Mike Newell
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 826
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Jun 2003

posted May 27, 2019 11:34 AM

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Mark Silvester
Master Film Handler

Posts: 282
From: England
Registered: Oct 2007

posted May 27, 2019 03:53 PM

Hi all,

it is so interesting the way movies affect us and in general - and this may be the case with the "Magic Box"...our own film experience as to what we like reflects our opinion and judgment.

I do have to agree with Mike...it is a nice film in a snmaltzy way..and I also know it struggled to be sold (Derann wise) as I knew Derek well. But for me - it was the fact that so much about Friese-Green was contrived and not true..sorry...just my factual research. So..it is a film I watched a couple of times.

I think its a personal memory film..which is good..and thats what makes movie collecting great.

Mark

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Mark Silvester

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Mike Newell
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 826
From: United Kingdom
Registered: Jun 2003

posted May 27, 2019 04:36 PM

Oh Paul , 7.1 rating on IMDB is based on 32 reviews including a very lengthy one from your own self. Still does not make it a classic more a curiosity. 2 screenings in 15 years says it all I’m afraid 😟 who knows I might have triggered another screening. I’m glad your print is excellent but being a fan I think rose tinted projection 📽might be involved.

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted May 27, 2019 05:32 PM

Well I just re-read my original post reviewing this film at the top of this thread. I think it gives a fair and impartial account of the print quality and sound of the Derann release, as well as a good summary of the film story and content. That is what this 8mm print review section is all about, not so much to argue the artistic merits of the film, which can be found in plenty of other places.

--------------------
The best of all worlds- 8mm, super 8mm, 9.5mm, and HD Digital Projection,
Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
Eumig S938 Stereo f1.0 Ektar
Panasonic PT-AE4000U digital pj

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