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Topic: John Black R.I.P
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Joe Caruso
Film God
Posts: 4105
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted June 13, 2011 12:01 PM
I'm simply numbed by this, one of my best friends, I just heard from Lou FRanchetti he was in hospital, but what happenend? We met in 1985 via phone, due to an ad I placed in Steve's REEL-IMAGE, caught up in Cherry Hill at the old Barlow shows, later Jay Dubin - I broke bread at his home, we shared films and laughed so much. I'm really having a hard time to place into words what a dear person he was - He began the CINSEA shows, we talked about that for a long time before, we were speaking of expansion and all. He was writing a book on Blackhawk Films...wow this has really thrown me for a loop - Miss him so much already, folks give me time to colelct thoughts on Johnny Black, this is very hard right now for me - Shorty
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Joseph Morrison
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 106
From: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Registered: Nov 2004
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posted June 13, 2011 08:07 PM
Wow, I might even be a bit more stunned than anyone else on this board. John and I had been on the phone a couple of times lately, a little more than a month ago, because he was getting ready to move to and settle down in New Kensington, PA where I have recently purchased a building. We never met in person, but I was thrilled to have a film friend in New Ken. We had plans to revive a theater, put on shows, etc. So I am very saddened by the news. What a bummer.
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Douglas Meltzer
Moderator
Posts: 4554
From: New York, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted June 14, 2011 11:43 AM
I first met John Black at the Richard Stockton Rest Area, between exits 7 and 7A of the New Jersey Turnpike. This was the agreed upon halfway point between Manhattan and John’s Clementon, New Jersey home. It was October 2008, and we were trading features for projectors. I brought 9 titles (mostly horror since John loved horror flicks, the cheesier the better) and John brought four projectors. He was incredibly personable and had an absolutely stunning encyclopedic knowledge of all things related to film collecting. We talked for hours in the parking lot, where he mentioned he was working on a book about Blackhawk Films.
On the Forum, Shorty Caruso had long been asking why we couldn’t have a film collectors convention here in the US, similar to the BFCC and Blackpool gatherings in the UK. In September of 2009, John, who had organized collectors shows in the 90s, started working with Shorty to make this happen. As a musician (John was a terrific guitarist/vocalist) he often performed in Wildwood, New Jersey. He used those connections to secure hotel and convention space and announced the first “Film Collector's Club International” show would take place on December 5th and 6th at the Bolero Resort.
While the show didn’t break any attendance records, the gathering of 8mm and 16mm dealers and collectors had such a warm, cordial atmosphere that John organized two more, changing the name (now CineSea) and the location (Ocean Holiday Resort, Wildwood Crest). The turnout increased with each show, with 8mm fans travelling from as far away as California to join in on the fun. One of my fondest memories is the night before the second CineSea when John entertained a group of us by performing 1960’s and 70’s songs near the hotel pool.
The fourth show was scheduled to take place on May 7th & 8th 2011, however John had to cancel for numerous reasons. He was selling his NJ house and moving to Virginia until he bought a place in Pennsylvania. He also had an extended hospital stay at this time. In his last email to me he wrote how much he was looking forward to the fall CineSea show.
John was only 54 when he passed away. He could go on forever about Blackhawk Films, but had a soft spot for the company that was their polar opposite, Atlas. John’s first ever film purchase was an Atlas Chaplin release.
He thought Elmo projectors were overrated and always raved about the Keystone K109, saying it was the finest regular 8mm projector ever built.
He told wonderful stories, many about his adventures from organizing those 90’s shows and dealing with the celebrities whom he had booked.
He lit up when discussing bad films. John was so happy when he found a DVD of the 1964 cult film “Spider Baby”.
I hope his Blackhawk Films book will be published. He had done so many interviews, including one with Martin Phelan, Blackhawk’s founder with Kent Eastin. What a shame if all that research ended here.
I hope we can have at least one more CineSea. We owe it to John.
CineSea 3: Gary Crawford, Shorty Caruso, Harold Doebel, Lou Franchetti, Gary Sloan (hiding), John, John Capazzo, Tom Stathes, Brad Kimball and daughter Gillian.
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I think there's room for just one more film.....
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Joe Caruso
Film God
Posts: 4105
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted June 14, 2011 01:26 PM
Doug, perfect tribute. He would have liked that. He wouldn't want us to grieve over him, but hey, he'd say, get together, thread the projectors, dim the lights and dream. We can celebrate both the film and the man. Back in the 80's i always mentioned a book should be writen on Blackhawk, well, I'm full of talk, John had the vision/decision to do it - I also hope we can get his book published, and at lweast we can meet in Wildwood, then who knows, we might continue the tradition he started - Helluva guy, my phone is awfully quiet now...Shorty
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Joe Caruso
Film God
Posts: 4105
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted June 15, 2011 02:11 PM
I thought You (Osi) were there at the first one, recall a tall fellow with glasses - Anyway, Google Wildwood NJ - It's almost at the southern tip of the Garden State, lovely beachfront area - Of course, meeting once more is speculation contingent on time, logistics, etc - Back of my mind says continue the shows, then I feel one more gathering to remember what Blackie always said, thread the projector, dim the lights, and dream...that might be it, cameras ready and friends around - Shorty
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