8mm Forum: Pinedean Films

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Posted by Terry Sills (Member # 3309) on September 03, 2015, 12:07 PM:

Has anyone seen or heard from Wally Smith of Pinedean lately? I visited his premises in Southampton years ago - a real eye opener. I have never seen such a collection of films and projectors, of all gauges. His house,garage and outbuildings were stacked with all things Cine. Is he still in business? He was no spring chicken when I met him last, must be 15yrs ago. I never see Pinedean advertised these days.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on September 03, 2015, 12:19 PM:

Wally inherited Pinedene Films from his late father. I understand that he is in very poor health.

Posted by Mike Newell (Member # 23) on September 03, 2015, 12:24 PM:

I actually thought he was deceased for a number of years. Mr Smith must be close or over 100.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on September 04, 2015, 06:43 AM:

They still advertise in Phils mag, does this mean they are not in business?

Posted by Kevin Clark (Member # 211) on September 05, 2015, 04:44 AM:

I sincerely hope Wally is still live and kicking and fully compos mentis as I have a £65 Pinedene credit note I've been trying to use up for years - will send for his latest lists today and let you know how I get on.

Kevin

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on September 05, 2015, 05:01 AM:

I have had an update from a Southampton collector.
Pinedene are still operating although Wally is now confined to a wheel-chair.
A couple of his friends visit regularly to help in clearing his stock of films.

Posted by Terry Sills (Member # 3309) on September 05, 2015, 09:14 AM:

Great to hear that he is still going. A real hardheaded character to do business with. You'd be lucky to strike a bargain price, but who knows - perhaps he's mellowed with age?

Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on September 05, 2015, 11:17 AM:

I remember it was a father and son team in later years. I bought films there in the 1980s and it was the father mostly. I can't remember the first names only the surname was Smith. So is Wally the Son? I spoke to the son at the 2007 Ealing and he was alive and well then, don't know about the father. That's the info I have...

I believe it is spelled Pinedene.

Posted by Mike Newell (Member # 23) on September 05, 2015, 12:16 PM:

I think Pinedene as a company effectively closed around 2012. If they are still operating in some form they are selling off the remaining stock which from eyewitness accounts is like an Aladdin's cave of all formats.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on September 05, 2015, 03:09 PM:

Another then that sadly now has closed its doors again for the final time.
Not many left at all now unfortunately [Frown]

Posted by Clyde Miles (Member # 4032) on September 05, 2015, 05:03 PM:

i use to his film lists, but there were never any features for sale

Posted by Terry Sills (Member # 3309) on September 05, 2015, 05:12 PM:

From what I understand Wallys father sold off some waterfront property in Southampton to a developer for a handsome profit which in part funded the accumulation of the extensive cine collection of Pinedene Films. As Maurice rightly says Wally inherited the estate from his father and it seems there are no descendants living, or willing, to carry on the business from Wally. I have seen first hand the collection of film and equipment and it is a veritable Alladins cave and I just hope that it is sold off while Wally is still in charge, rather than dumped when he is no longer able to continue, which would be a terrible loss to the cine community and future generations at large.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on September 05, 2015, 05:18 PM:

I sincerely hope so too Terry.

Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on September 07, 2015, 04:05 AM:

Sad to hear that the son is now using a wheelchair. I went in there many times in the earlier days of the hobby for me ( late 70s, early 80s ) and it was certainly an Aladdin's Cave. The father bought and sold at set prices so a reel of col sound was the same price whatever the subject. You could pick up a great title as I did when I got a nice 16mm print of the feature SCANNERS for £90, a few years ago mind, and I still have it. Even the colour is still good. But he wasn't so good to sell to of course because he wouldn't budge from a set price even for a classic.

The post above is right in saying they also owned a boatyard for many years and sold it to developers where it is now a large apartment building.

Posted by Mike Newell (Member # 23) on September 07, 2015, 06:39 AM:

I know he had a fixed rate for each reel size. I sold him my copy of The Rose with a bundle of other movies.Bit of a cheeek considering I had it thrown at me for free. I think I sent the Perry's complimentary copy there as well number 3684 that appeared on Ian's list for 23 years. Plain white box no identification marks on each occasion [Cool]

So be warned They are out there!!!

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