What 16mm Films Did You See Last Night?

[Steve Klare]

Dominique,

I think I have the exact opposite of your film: Zug der Zeit (Time's Train, 16mm). It was made in Germany not very long after World War II and it's basically encouraging the German People to rise up from their defeat and destruction and build a new, better society (-which they hadn't really started just yet: mainly just trying to keep the lights lit and food in the shops at that point) There are trains, but not so I can watch somebody shovel coal or shunt a siding (-the usual...), the train is symbolic of time passing and the opportunity to get on board and make progress and a future.

Some kind soul about eight CineSeas ago found himself with it and said to himself "Trains...German Language...Steve Klare" and decided it would be better in my collection than his.

My wife is very patient with these. You see: Sie spricht kein Deutsch (-yet our son does to at least an A1 level: I started him out!), but she doesn't mind our little theater going international here and there!

[Dominique De Bast]

A fascinating German documentary from 1933 : Deutschland zwischen gestern und heute (Germany Between Yesterday and Now). After a Google search, I found that my version (about 30 minutrs) is half of the original one. There is no narration or dialogue : only music and some live sound. The film consiste of various scenes of daily live of simple people 90 years ago. I did had the feeling to have taken a time machine. I bought that film in Calella for a song. Great found.

[Ed Gordon]

Hi I've always wanted to know what is a flat prnt. .

A simplified way of understanding the distinction between FLAT and SCOPE aspect ratios, has to do with their film projection roots. Historically, FLAT films were projected with spherical lenses while SCOPE films were intended to be projected with an anamorphic lens. While both are technically widescreen formats, SCOPE films could be projected considerably wider, filling an audience’s peripheral vision and making a film even more engrossing and larger-than-life. These aesthetic advantages can only be fully realized, however, with a screen optimized for SCOPE projection.
Digital cinema no longer uses anamorphic lenses except in very specific circumstances, but we still use FLAT and SCOPE terminology to distinguish optimal projection specs for each type of screen. Everything from construction of the theater to masking and automation ultimately get determined by this distinction.

Source: https://simpledcp.com/picking-right-aspect-ratio/

[Barry Webb]

Hi I've always wanted to know what is a flat prnt. .

[Dominique De Bast]

A very interesting (for me) archives film : La Grande Bretagne et les Etats-Unis de 1896 à 1900 (The Great Britain and the United States from 1896 to 1900). Early films from the United Kingdom (that included Ireland at that time) and the United States (and also Australia). The narration (in French) is instructive and well written.

[Graham Ritchie]

Flat version of "The Sound Of Music" three days ago

Screen shots from that night.

[Graham Ritchie]

Ran this one last night I posted it on a Christchurch Facebook page that got a amazing response in particular some who appeared in it. Its great to share some of those old films as it brings back memories to many of those long ago times.

[Nick Vermeirsch]

Strange indeed 🤔

[Dominique De Bast]

L'homme aux gants blancs (The White Gloves), a French 1908 film from Albert Capellani. Strange release : the first part has the title and the intertitles in French and the second part is in English, except for the final board, which is...fin.

[Graham Ritchie]

Screen shots from two nights ago, they show a bit more red than what is on the actual film, however I will watch it again soon, but this time with a blue filter which should take the edge of the red a little bit.

PS I should have said 2000 ft reel not 1600

[Graham Ritchie]

Its been a while since I last ran "The Snow Goose", but tonight it was the turn of my B/H 16mm slot loader to get a run, and what better way than to watch this film. My understanding is that to date it has never legally been released onto any home format. Years ago, and it must be at least 30 years a friend of mine had one of the best home cinemas in this city who invited all of us to a Sunday night film evening. One film that caught my attention, was the full length of "The Snow Goose". At the time I thought this is a really good film, and that night I certainly enjoyed watching it.

Sadly in later years the chap passed away and again sadly all his stuff was sold off. I did turn up much later, and was told that the only thing left was a film on birds, so I took the chance and bought it. On the first screening at home, and after the initial introduction, the title "The Snow Goose" came up, to this day I still think its one of the best, its full length on one 1600ft reel, not a mark on the print and runs through the B/H like a swiss watch. The down side to it being a perfect print, is the dreaded fade, in saying that it seems to have got to a stage where its still ok to project. In fact if I had used my blue filter on the lens tonight with the lamp on full, it would would still be fine. I will post a couple of photos later on, but until then here is a extract from a previous screening.

"The Snow Goose" was first transmitted by the BBC on the 15th November 1971, and stars Richard Harris and Jenny Agutter, music by Carl Davis. This particular 16mm print I am sure was used for television transmission sometime during the 1970s here in NZ.

[Steve Klare]

So I was downstairs (Theater II) last night and I found a 16mm reel by my wife's desk (The label-maker is one of her Magic Powers and when I buy a film that needs a label I drop it off to be done.) Typical of many 16mm prints in the modern era, the label on the can has absolutely nothing to do with the film inside! "Organic Chemistry"?...probably NOT!

The film was (actually) "Northern New England, USA", which I bought in early December. Given the hectic Holiday Season, I scarcely remember buying it, so I watched it again tonight.

It's kind of a travelogue on a mission: the United States Chamber of Commerce wants us to travel up there and leave our money behind, so they take us through the seasons. It's this wonderful film-stew: The Mount Washington Cog Railway, the leaves of Fall, skiing, maple syrup season, hiking, canoeing, parades, county fairs, lobster, clam chowder, lakes, rivers, campfires, forests, fishing, the beach, sunsets...etc.!

It's a stunning print: sharp image, beautiful colors and not a mark on it. It gives the vibe of being a print made and bought not long before somebody bought a VCR and a TV on a cart. (-and I am grateful!)

I really enjoy this film, but as far as its mission of getting me up to Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont and leaving my money behind, it's a couple of decades too late! I love it up there and have been going basically since I got a driver's license.

(Doesn't mean I can't watch it a couple of times a year and think about going back!...Actually, I'm thinking about it right now!)

[Larry Arpin]

Finally watched IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA. I've had the last reel for some time and in the past year I had the main title, ship attack, and beach attack printed from the blu-ray. At the head I had a clip of Talos from Jason and the Argonauts which is faded.

Also saw the first reel of SON OF FLUBBER which is all I have of the film. I noticed the feature showed up on Ebay but is too expensive. That company keeps listing items and lowers the prices when re-listed. Maybe it will come down to a reasonable price.

[Phillip Campey]

Tonight I watched my Technicolor print of 101 Dalmations.

[Steve Klare]

Kind of interesting I mentioned the Ostrich when I was talking about the Hummingbird film last night: Truth be told, I have a few other films about birds! (the British Robin, the Cuckoo, Foghorn Leghorn, Daffy, Donald, Tweetie,...those Pixar Birds)...and I DO have this other 16mm titled (simply) Ostrich, which I screened tonight.
.

Now, LOOK! -I know it's not my place as a Non-Avian to take sides here, and I'm NOT saying that the Ostrich is not impressive!
(Trust me, it is! Out in Arizona, people ride these in races like horses! You just don't DO that with Hummingbirds!)

-It's just the Hummingbird definitely pulls out front in the looks department! (-just saying!)

Gentlemen, Start your engines! (link)