8mm Forum: “Why Silent when you have the sound version?”

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Topic: “Why Silent when you have the sound version?”

Brad Kimball
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1171
From: Highland Mills, NY USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 12, 2018 09:08 PM

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Showed some relatives both silent and sound versions of various Castle and Ken titles. The question was raised why would you even bother watching the silent version of a title that you also have the sound version of. My answer was if the kids are asleep and I don’t want the noise to possibly wake them then I’ll often watch the silent version. Truth be told... I watch them strictly for nostalgic reasons, but I knew they wouldn’t get it. It is kind of silly when you really think about it.

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Winbert Hutahaean
Film God

Posts: 5468
From: Nouméa, New Caledonia
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 12, 2018 09:16 PM

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"Becuase I have only a silent projector...."

that is probably the right answer in 1970s [Wink]

[Wink]

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Winbert

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Phil Murat
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 671
From: Villeneuve St Georges, France
Registered: Dec 2015

posted February 13, 2018 01:18 AM

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Hi Brad,

A (very) long time ago, a collector told me; sometimes he prefered a Std 8 print for some early titles because root Negative used was supposed to be better than ones used for title in S8 format.

To be confirm ?

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Tom Photiou
Film God

Posts: 4837
From: Plymouth U.K
Registered: Dec 2003

posted February 13, 2018 01:31 AM

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I would also question today, why anyone would want a silent version of a sound film. Thats a bit beyond me, however, if someone is a collector of the early century films made silent then thats a different thing altogether. But a silent Tom and Jerry or movie excerpt would have me asking the same question.

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Brian Fretwell
Phenomenal Film Handler

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From: London, UK
Registered: Jun 2014

posted February 13, 2018 03:15 AM

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Tom & Jerry no, but Roadrunner cartoons are fun to show silent and imagine of produce yourself the sound effects of the disasters experienced by the coyote. Especially if the silent version has better colour. :-)

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Rich Malmsten
Film Handler

Posts: 41
From: White Bear Lake, MN, USA
Registered: Feb 2017

posted February 13, 2018 07:56 AM

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I agree with you, Brad. I started with silent films because all I had was a silent projector, but once I bought a sound projector, there was no going back.

Over the years I've replaced almost all my silent prints with sound versions. I will still buy silent prints if that's how they were originally released - like Buster Keaton or the early Laurel & Hardy films. Even so, if I can find a print with a musical soundtrack, I'll get it.

I must admit though, when my kids were pre-schoolers and we watched the silent cartoons, I loved reading the title cards out loud to them and adding my own sound effects. That was a lot of fun. But once they learned to read for themselves, that came to an end, and it was sound prints from then on.

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

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From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 13, 2018 08:35 AM

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My first instinct is always go for sound, but that's not always the smartest thing to do: I have a lot of really beautiful silent prints and when I decide to go that way I really enjoy them.

-still the same: If it was originally a sound film or for example a scored Blackhawk, I always make that choice if I can.

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Joe Caruso
Film God

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From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 13, 2018 10:42 AM

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Phil, absolute on that - Std 8, from 1923 used only choice 16negs (originals or top-dupes), and those of course culled from the 35 neg source, so there you have it - The Std 8 prints sparkled and still do - I strive for the earliest silent films, especially those from the mid-90's till about 1915 or so - As to sound or scored vs. silent, why not? - Twice the box pleasure and often you will discover something unusual in comparing 2 different prints, even an amber tint (that's a find) - Shorty

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

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From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 13, 2018 10:48 AM

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I got the Blackhawk silent "Cops": I liked it.

Then I found the scored one and now the silent is trade fodder for the next CineSea!

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Mark Mander
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1236
From: Dunstable ,Bedfordshire.
Registered: Jan 2005

posted February 13, 2018 11:43 AM

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I don't watch silent films but have a couple of music scored Laurel and hardy films which I find enjoyable. I don't watch black and white films that have colour releases either,Mark

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 13, 2018 12:39 PM

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I have a Niles "You're in the Army Now".

The opening title includes "In Technicolor!"

-in wonderful, grainy, black and white!

(I think the folks at Niles had a sense of humor!)

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Douglas Warren
Master Film Handler

Posts: 282
From: West Chester, OH, USA
Registered: Feb 2008

posted February 13, 2018 01:00 PM

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I collect silent films (as in old Ken Films & Castle / Universal 8) for the nostlagia factor as much as anything. Those (like for many) were the first films I owned. I still enjoy running them to this day. I still love my Standard 8 copies of certain titles as well.I consider it (in a small way) of preserving another portion of film history.

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Turn out the lights,the movie is starting!

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Dominique De Bast
Film God

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From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jun 2013

posted February 13, 2018 01:09 PM

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Shorty, I think you meant 1932 and not 1923.

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Dominique

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Joe Caruso
Film God

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From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 13, 2018 03:14 PM

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Sorry, yes - Was thinking '23 inaugurated 16mm, while '32 began Std 8 - Thanks, Dom

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David Hardy
Jedi Master Film Handler

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

posted February 14, 2018 04:14 PM

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I still have all my original silent ( mute ) 8mm versions in the original boxes because I don't have the heart to part with as those are the ones that were the foundation of my collecting.

Even though I now have the sound copies too.

Also a lot of early childhood memories go alongside them.
The Standard 8mm prints are always the best I have found.

[Smile]

[Smile]

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

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