8mm Forum: Any sound films released in silent version by Blakhawk?

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Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on March 09, 2010, 12:15 AM:

Hi all,

I need your confirmation, did Blackhawk release sound film in silent version reel as were done by many companies like Ken or Castle (for selling at cheaper price).

If you are not sure the answer, OK, I am specifically addressing the question for Laurel & Hardy and Our Gang/Little Rascals series.

regards,

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on March 09, 2010, 09:27 AM:

For those theatres not yet equipped for sound transition, yes, Blackhawk did release several early Roach films in silent versions - Had a few myself, nice prints as always - Cheers, Shorty

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on March 09, 2010, 09:43 AM:

[ March 09, 2010, 01:19 PM: Message edited by: Michael O'Regan ]

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on March 09, 2010, 12:59 PM:

Thanks Joe,

I did ask this because I am only collecting sound films (I hate watching silent films, sorry Dino [Smile]

) and my most interest is L&H and Our gang/Little Rascals.

There are many of their films are now sold at Ebay, I always ask for the cat# which if it is started with 880* then it must be super 8 and sound.

But the difficult one is if the original box is missing and asking the seller to check the magnetic strip would create another headache.

Lately, I just go to imdb to check the title and find if the said film was made in sound or silent. But then I was afraid that Blackhwak might have released sound film in silent version.

So, Joe, because you are only confriming the theatre releases, can you or other members tell me if L&H and Our Gang/Little Rascals were all printed sound if they were made originally in sound?

thanks

Posted by John Skujins (Member # 1515) on March 09, 2010, 01:09 PM:

Yes, Blackhawk did release some films in both sound and silent versions. Sometimes the silent versions were longer because of added titles. I don't know about L&H or Little Rascals in particular.

Posted by Wayne Tuell (Member # 1689) on March 09, 2010, 01:26 PM:

I have a BlackHawk silent version of the sound short of The Little Rascals Hook And Ladder in S8mm. I tend not to watch it since I also own a sound version.

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on March 09, 2010, 04:17 PM:

Theatre releases, for those that had no sound equipment, Roach printed several sound films in silent to accomodate - When I am unsure of a film that has no accompanying box, I ask the seller to unravel the film and see if a brown stripe is running along either or both sides of the film - Usually this means a "scored" or "talkie", though on rare occasions, it can mean a blank sound-stripe with which one can record their own sondtracks. This is why I've long been a stickler for original boxes, which tell the tale more often than not - Since I've been with Blackhawk collecting many years, I pretty much know their releases and what was or wasn't scored (in the case of silents), so when there is no box, I go to work as a detective - Shorty

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on March 10, 2010, 01:10 AM:

Winbert, ha ha not a problem..That's just the beauty of films yet again.....The one to one relationship means I would NEVER press my love of silents on anyone, we just cannot be friends or even be in the same room at the same time. [Razz]

just kidding [Big Grin]

Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 67) on March 10, 2010, 08:44 AM:

My experience with silents is odd, to say the least. When faced with a choice, I seem to gravitate to sound vs. a silent film, and sometimes just don't want to mess with either a totally silent film, or one of mine that has a tape accompaniment score... and even when the print is scored , I still tend to be mentally lazy and put on the talkie. It does take more mental energy and patience and attention to sit through a silent film, ESPECIALLY, a non comedy feature. HOWEVER, I have found almost every time at conventions like Syracuse and Columbus that when I commit to sit down and watch a silent film, particularly with live accompaniment, I am so richly rewarded for the effort. The silents almost always pack a greater emotional punch that the talkies....almost always. After viewing one I enjoy I make a note to find a print for myself. When I do, it almost always is received with great joy...put on the shelf..and is never projected. Except for one and two reel comedies ......those I can take anytime.
Like almost any art form, it takes dedication, mental work and attention to enjoy the richness of some of the great silent features . I many times lack that dedication. When you, Dino, do one of those wonderful reviews of a silent film that may have in my collection, it triggers the thought, " oh, I should get that out and run it". But I rarely have the time or energy to do it. You can't watch a great silent like Sparrows or Sunrise...in 7 minute increments over two weeks. Really kills the whole experience.

Posted by John W. Black (Member # 1082) on March 10, 2010, 11:51 AM:

My collection is over 60% silent.Sometimes you can just lose yourself in a silent classic

Posted by Brad Kimball (Member # 5) on March 10, 2010, 03:11 PM:

I used to show silents to seniors at a nursing home and it went over well. Hearing impaired also appreciate subtitled versions of classic talkies so the old KEN, COLUMBIA & CASTLE silent editions come in handy from time to time and usually are much appreciated.

Posted by Bill Phelps (Member # 1431) on March 10, 2010, 05:24 PM:

I have the full length film 'M' by Blackhawk. It is a silent version of a sound film. (with super imposed titles that most of the time you can't even read)

Bill

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on March 11, 2010, 07:25 AM:

Silents required acting, real acting. With the advent of sound, voices downsided much of the emotional pull one registers with the face (though greater players could accomplish both) - Thing is, a silent with proper music/effects track is a notch above the rest - Gary, if you have any 8mm to bring, I'll see you

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on March 11, 2010, 08:36 AM:

I find the silent film visually beautiful, particularly into the 20's. The films are engrossing in a way that no sound film has ever been for me.
They contained visual poetry like no sound film has produced since.
Take a look at DW Griffiths Biograph short - A CORNER IN WHEAT from 1909 for a deeply moving final scene which is purely visual.

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on March 11, 2010, 11:49 AM:

I have a gorgeous Super 8 of WHEAT, scored too, - Magnificent ending

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on March 11, 2010, 12:34 PM:

Oh, nice.
Did Blackhawk release that?

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on March 11, 2010, 02:38 PM:

Michael, ...

You finally need to start collecting 8mm my friend ... [Big Grin]

cheers,

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on March 11, 2010, 02:42 PM:

I think I may be about to......

[Wink]

well, it would be a return to S8 - I used to collect way back in my early teens.

[ March 11, 2010, 04:58 PM: Message edited by: Michael O'Regan ]

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on March 11, 2010, 03:55 PM:

Hey, yet another convert! Yes, WHEAT and a representative number of Griffith's finest were released from B in Super 8, many with a fabulous music track and ALWAYS the clearest prints - Griffith negs were apparently second only to the Roach pre-print - Much Std 8 is equally absorbing

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on March 11, 2010, 04:57 PM:

What kinda prices do those Griffith Blackhawks fetch?

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on March 12, 2010, 02:38 PM:

Aw, crap!!
The Sankyo 800 I had my eye on has been sold [Frown]

Possible return to S8 delayed.....

[ March 12, 2010, 04:16 PM: Message edited by: Michael O'Regan ]

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on March 12, 2010, 03:44 PM:

Average, 20 and up

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