How I watch my Odd/Missing Reel 16mm Films?

[Janice Glesser]

I have bought a few odd reel 16mm prints in the past. Generally these prints are sold at bargain prices and if it’s a film I really like I will try and get it. My criteria is that it is only missing one reel. I prefer the existing reels are in consecutive order for example Reels 1 & 2, Reel 3 missing...or Reels 2 & 3, Reel 1 missing. This is because I can show the missing footage with a DVD from my digital projector with only one setup change.

Last night I screened my IB Tech print of Curly Sue (1991). Unfortunately I only have the first two reels. Reel #3….the final 20 minutes of the movie... is missing. I have the DVD of the complete movie...but I don’t want to cue up just the ending every time I run this film. So I made a DVD that was just the footage that would have been on Reel #3. While I’m rewinding Reel #2... I set up the digital projector with the DVD input. It projects a title screen and just waits from me to press OK. The DVD movie starts where the last reel left off.



BTW...Steve Carell had a walk-on part in this movie.


Video of threading up the Elmo 16CL for Curly Sue.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/YavGU2sdARQUpwmt6

[Steve Klare]

I like this, Janice! It's certainly a lot better than living without.

I do plenty of mixed film/video shows, but it never occurred to me to do it within the same film.

[Janice Glesser]

Steve Klare

I do plenty of mixed film/video shows, but it never occurred to me to do it within the same film.

I go by the old adage, "Necessity is the mother of invention."

[Steve Klare]

You can't go wrong quoting Ben Franklin! "Do not confuse motion with action." (One of my favorites.)

Do you have any issues with changes in brightness between film and digital? When I do a combined show I often have a slight intermission between the two. Even 30 seconds does the job.

[Janice Glesser]

Brightness is not a problem, but then I have a very old digital projector I bought from the Goodwill There is always a break. I don't have a mixer so I always have to move the audio output cable plug from the projector to the DVD audio output and change the attenuation filter level on the direct box to the speakers. This takes a little time. I also never start the DVD until the reel prior is completely re-wound. Time-wise ... I pretty much treat the DVD as it was a reel of film...I'm in no hurry.

[Mitchell Dvoskin]

As far as I know, there was no IB Tech 16mm in 1991. Are you sure? Picture of the film? This is one of those I’ll believe it when I see it.

[Janice Glesser]

Mitchell Dvoskin All I can say is don't get so lost in petty details that you miss the whole point of a post. I've presented a solution for how I can enjoy my odd-reel prints. The type of film is irrelevant in this situation. Since I'm unable to change my post...just replace "IB Tech" with "absolutely gorgeous." I hope that make you feel better...I wasn't trying to sell you the print. ... just trying to share ideas.

[Mitchell Dvoskin]

Hi Janice, I was not trying to give you a hard time over a minor technical point. Our posts on the internet will most likely outlive all of us, and when I see things posted in error I envision that some historian decades from now, doing research, will spread incorrect information as fact because it was posted "back in the day".

Don't laugh, I have already seen this happen.

Take Care, Think Movies.

[Brad Miller]

That threw me for a loop too when I read that. For the purpose of proper terminology years from now, that print of Curly Sue from 1991 is on LPP or "low fade" stock.

[Dominique De Bast]

Clever solution, Janice !

[Janice Glesser]

Dominique De Bast Thank you! I hope you are well and staying safe these days. It definitely is giving us more time with our film hobby.

In checking my collection it looks like I only have one other incomplete film now, They Call Me Bruce (1982). To avoid being pulled over by the film type police... I'll just say that this film is of excellent quality...just missing reel #1. I haven't gotten around to taking any screenshots of this print yet...but here's the reel #1 DVD I made to make my viewing experience complete.

BTW...This is one of those "it's so bad, it's good movies."

[Dominique De Bast]

I'm fine, Janice, thanks.

You always make great things.