8mm Forum: A Few "Firsts" For Me !!!

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Posted by Melvin England (Member # 5270) on December 30, 2017, 07:43 AM:

Just before Christmas, I was lucky enough to secure a full length copy of Ben Hur on super 8.
Since Boxing Day I have managed to view it. On hindsight it dawned on me that the presentation created a few "firsts" and records for me in all my years of film collecting.

Here they are......

1. It was the first full length Scope film that I have ever projected.

2. It was the first full length film with a stereo soundtrack I had either projected or presented in stereo.

3. It was certainly the longest film I have ever projected / owned.

4. It was the first time I have ever screened a feature over 2 nights.

5. It was the first time I have ever projected a film to an audience (wife) without checking the condition of it beforehand.

6. Possibly this was the biggest thrill..... it was the first time I have viewed a full length film on super 8 without ever seeing it before.... ever. Fortunately, I loved it !

A lovely way to occupy the space between Christmas and New Year !

.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on December 30, 2017, 09:14 AM:

That is a very good film in scope and stereo to be your firsts there Melvin, a great classic and it certainly fills the scope screen full of action. Well done all accounts there Melvin. [Wink]

Posted by Clive Casey (Member # 6202) on December 30, 2017, 10:21 AM:

Hi Melvin, What a lucky guy you are having a full length print of Ben Hur. One of my favourite films of all time, along with Doctor Zhivago. Im afraid I only own the Blu Rays of both, but what 2 fantastic films. I remember showing both films on 35mm at the Opera House in Buxton when I was a projectionist. Two Westar Century projectors, Westrex sound system, Peerless magnarc and change overs, those were the days, sadly gone forever.
You will have to organise an evening for Forum members to come and view
[Big Grin]

Regards, Clive

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on December 31, 2017, 09:07 PM:

Melvin - congratulations, you seem to have struck lucky, and if every reel matches perfectly with no significant picture or sound faults, that in itself is worth celebrating, particularly considering the length and the stereo sound. Was your wife similarly impressed?

Posted by Melvin England (Member # 5270) on January 01, 2018, 07:02 AM:

Adrian - Would you believe it, but it is my wife that is asking when will we be seeing it again!!! She r e a l l y enjoyed it. I must admit, I am very lucky as she is a willing participant of my film shows, unlike, I seem to feel, a lot of the wives of us gents in this hobby. A couple of weeks prior to Ben Hur, we watched the Blu Ray of "Gladiator" which she also enjoyed, so I was hopeful in advance that she would like this one that is set in a similar era.
(Now to track down that full length copy of "Spartacus" if it exists).

As far as this copy of Ben Hur is concerned, the excellent picture and sound quality is consistent throughout the film. As you can imagine, it made for wonderful viewing.
I must point out here, this film was bought on Ebay from a very reputable member of this forum, so I kind of knew in advance that the print would have been good.

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