8mm Forum: U/8 Who's On First Question

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Posted by Brad Kimball (Member # 5) on March 22, 2011, 10:11 PM:

What is exactly missing between the full 200' version and the 100' version of this title from U/8?

Posted by Larry Arpin (Member # 744) on March 23, 2011, 02:45 AM:

Too much. I can't remember exactly but it is from the beginning that is missing and it is well into the routine. And it starts with a card, of all things.

Posted by Carter Bradley (Member # 984) on March 23, 2011, 06:51 AM:

Actually there is only 2 or so minutes difference in the 100' and 200' versions. Both have the "Who's on First?" routine in its entirety. The 200' version includes Costello interrupting Abbott's stage performance by selling food in the aisles of the theatre. Costello joins Abbott on stage and the routine begins. I hope this helps.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on March 23, 2011, 08:31 AM:

This was one of Castle Films all time best sellers, and an incredibly great print it is too. Always a great warm up short for a film show.

Posted by Tony Stucchio (Member # 519) on March 23, 2011, 07:48 PM:

Actually, this wasn't released until after Castle became Universal 8. I never saw the edited version, but I always assumed it removed more than what was stated above.

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on March 23, 2011, 09:08 PM:

Carter,

Sorry to disagree, but the 100' version starts a few minutes into the routine. Many buyers (including myself) were very unhappy with the shorter version, so U-8 released the longer, complete 200 footer. I'll try to screen them both to get the exact details.

Doug

Posted by Tony Stucchio (Member # 519) on March 24, 2011, 07:21 PM:

What possessed U8 to edit the routine? Even the full version is the shortest A&C release from U8/Castle.

Posted by Brad Kimball (Member # 5) on March 24, 2011, 07:34 PM:

I thought "Have Badge, Will Chase" was the shortest - running at a little over 6 minutes. I remember how disappointed I was when I came home from the store after having been so excited to have finally acquired the 'complete' version of it and the reel was no fuller than Castle's cartoon releases.

Posted by Tony Stucchio (Member # 519) on March 25, 2011, 04:53 PM:

HAVE BADGE, WILL CHASE is 8 minutes, 15 seconds, according to my U8 catalog from 1978. (U8 released the Castle versions in U8 boxes.) I've never timed my copy, but I never noticed it being exceptionally short. Maybe there was an older version? Mine is definitely from the Castle era.

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on April 29, 2011, 02:19 PM:

I just took a look at both versions. Carter wasn't far off....the 200 footer starts with Bud walking on stage singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame". Lou then enters on the lyric "Buy me some peanuts...." selling (and yelling) peanuts. The routine starts.

The 100' version begins close to 2 minutes afterward with Costello's line "When you pay off the first baseman every month, who gets the money?" to which Abbott replies "Every dollar of it".

Both releases are the same from then on, finishing with a freeze frame of the boys with the St. Louis Wolves lineup superimposed.

Both prints are grainy, probably from a 16mm master. The shorter version has a very annoying tone and audio ID that carries over the Universal 8 logo at the head. My 200' print has very low audio.

I'll add this to the Review section with some pics.

Doug

Posted by Brad Kimball (Member # 5) on April 29, 2011, 09:59 PM:

Thanks, Doug. I wonder if the audio issues are in all the prints or just in the one you got. I've been lucky in that all my U/8 titles have great audio.

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on April 29, 2011, 10:05 PM:

Brad-

I have the U8 200' version #2069 and the audio is fine. The video is grainy as Doug said. [Wink]

Tony-

Have Badge Will Chase was also on 50' reels and was given as a free film with some new projectors. That's why you see so many for sale. [Smile]

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on April 29, 2011, 10:29 PM:

Sure....I'm the lucky one who got the rare, extra special low audio level edition!

Doug

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on April 30, 2011, 08:21 AM:

Picture quality is superb on my print of the 'long version' and audio is fine. Excellent all round.

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