8mm Forum: Easy Street - Mountain and Walton Versions

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Posted by Melvin England (Member # 5270) on August 08, 2018, 11:39 AM:

I have just been comparing the Walton and Mountain 200' "sound" versions of this classic Chaplin movie and am quite astounded at the variations of each edit.

The Walton version starts off with Charlie deciding to apply for a job at the police station, having been kitted out he comes out of the front door and promptly clobbers a man with his truncheon stick for laughing at him. He then proceeds down "Easy Street."

This is where the Mountain version starts. Both versions feature the telephone box / gas lamp and chase routines but the Mountain includes more footage including footage of Charlie inside what appears to be a children's home. At the point where Charlie pushes a piece of furniture out of the window and it lands on the bully's head is where both versions go off in different directions completely. The Mountain, after an on screen title, fast forwards to a now smart and redeemed ex bully accompanying his wife to the Mission Hall. Charlie meets up with his lady,they link arm and walk off into the distance. The End.

The Walton version then features the lady being kidnapped,and taken to a cellar where Charlie eventually rescues her and the final shot is of them hugging each other.

Undoubtedly, the Walton version is the better of the two, even though some of the shots have been shortened slightly, (EG plate hits the head of a man hanging out of the window,this version doesn't show the next 3 seconds where he is knocked out.) There is much more content, a slightly longer running time, and MUCH better music which includes the sound effects of the truncheon hitting various heads. Mountain is just a generic piano piece that could fit anything.

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on August 08, 2018, 02:32 PM:

What you want to get and listen to is the Van Beuren-Scored edition from Blackhawk - 400' complete duration - I've never had either Walton or Mountain versions, but as to your depiction, I just might try for a print or two at the show, though I'm still after the Mountain FISH FEATHERS (Edgar Kennedy) and the Walton MONEY MUDDLERS (A&C) - Cheers, Shorty

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on August 12, 2018, 10:17 AM:

With only a 200ft run the editors at Maintain and Walton had to do quite some condensing.
We would assume they both started with the full length film and each obviously had different ideas on their edits.
Perhaps by combining (and editing) the two prints you could get a film more in keeping with the original full length version.

Posted by Melvin England (Member # 5270) on August 13, 2018, 04:32 AM:

Maurice - I see where you are coming from but, quite honestly, I would end up with a bit of a mess. Basically, the Walton version is the better of the two as it starts earlier in the story, and finishes later. Some small portions of the Mountain could be spliced in but it is only short sequences, some lasting a couple of seconds, which would only make the print heavily spliced. That isn't even taking into account the different musical soundtracks which would make it more obvious, or, dare I suggested it, potentially different frame lines.
I will just have to keep both copies.
.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on August 13, 2018, 06:02 AM:

Good points. I forgot these are sound versions. [Embarrassed]

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