8mm Forum: Walton Laurel & Hardy

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Posted by Steve Carter (Member # 4821) on June 08, 2015, 09:34 AM:

Why are Walton Laurel & Hardy shorts so bad in quality? admitted I only have three prints, 'Hog Wild' is so dark even on outside shots and contrast is faded grey, 'The Hoosegow' is not too bad but soft focus and 'Busy Bodies' I have mentioned on another thread, features on faces are none existent.I have a silent 'Tit For Tat' and that is much better than the sound prints, is it worth me getting other Walton Laurel & Hardy's or should I look for Blackhawk prints?...

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on June 08, 2015, 11:32 AM:

My first L&H was a Walton "Perfect Day" off the Derann used list. The print quality has a lot of room for improvement and it turned out to only be the last half of the film.

-but getting Blackhawks is no guarantee either. Depending on the year of printing they used different source material and the sharpness in particular isn't consistent.

I have the 2x400 ft. "Music Box" spliced on a single reel. After the splice the sharpness softens considerably. It might have gone un-noticed if the last owner left it as original, but this way the change is obvious.

They are still a lot of fun to collect, and screening one for the first time is always a real treat.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on June 08, 2015, 12:11 PM:

Steve's right, Blackhawk, while top of the crop in most regards, (and film preservationists in they're own right, as they were instrumental is rescuing many a silent film print!), did vary. To they're credit, they did they're absolute best to, as time progressed, to put out better and better copies of they're big hits. Many of the Laurel and Hardy silent and sound classic shorts were better as they got closer to closure (especially the "silver box editions").

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on June 08, 2015, 02:11 PM:

Yet, even the silver-boxed MEN O WAR was about the same as the pink and green-boxed editions - I have a 200' HOOSEGOW (Walton), not bad, good sound, focus is off some - Blackhawk, by far did the best work they could with what they had and acquired after - Shorty

Posted by Joseph Randall (Member # 4906) on June 15, 2015, 08:14 PM:

That supports my theory that not all the L&H negatives were upgraded for the silver box.

Posted by Steve Carter (Member # 4821) on June 16, 2015, 06:24 AM:

Blackhawk pink box 'The Chimp' complete...
web pageThe Chimp

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on June 17, 2015, 09:14 AM:

I've always avoided Walton prints of L&H two reelers, having heard that they had edits. If any are known to be NOT edited and decent quality, I'd welcome the information.

Posted by Joseph Randall (Member # 4906) on June 17, 2015, 08:40 PM:

THE FLYING DEUCES, while not a short, was issued by Walton in a slightly edited form, but it has a nice picture quality.

Posted by Barry Attwood (Member # 100) on June 18, 2015, 12:42 AM:

I think some of you guys have been very unlucky with your Walton L&H's, as I've had many (many) prints through my hands over the years, and on some titles I think they actually have a better (if slightly shortened) print than the Blackhawk equivalent. Unfortunately Walton (like Derann) sold of their sub-standard prints cheaper, although these were labeled as a 'second' unless you have the original box, there is no way to tell on the leader etc. What I do like about the Walton L&H releases was the fact they kept the original titles, whereas Blackhawk have substituted new ones on some titles.

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on June 18, 2015, 07:13 AM:

Barry, I emailed you a few times about some films - Shorty

Posted by Barry Attwood (Member # 100) on June 18, 2015, 11:41 AM:

Dear Joe,

For some reason I'm not receiving PM's via the forum, email me direct at indi8films@aol.com .

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