Close Encounters trailers?

[Osi Osgood]

I know about the approximately 6 minute trailer for the original 1977 CE3K, and this was released by Animex/Cineavision, but that was more of a behind the scenes trailer. Was there ever a regular two or three minute theatrical trailer to this 1977 release?

[Barry Attwood]

Yes there was, Derann released a trailer as part of there deal to bring it out F/L, I had one last year, but like the feature not many were printed, I think it was flat, but great quality though! That was the only one I have ever had (so far!).

[Brian Fretwell]

I think there was one on an LA films Sci-Fi trailer reel (Flat), possibly for the Special Edition though.

[Osi Osgood]

Barry, being that Derann released the Special Edition, I am betting that the Derann trailer was from the Special Edition. I thought that LA Film did release one, but I am not sure as to whether it was the 77 version or special edition. My question actually enveloped the whole.spectrum if film, 35mm, 16mm, ect.

[Melvin England]

Osi - I have an unusual 50' edit of CE3K. I assume it is a trailer, but it has no voice over or beginning or end titles. It is, as you can imagine, a very brief "highlights" reel that gives no indication of whether it is the original or the special edition. I assume it is the original version as there is nothing in it that features the extra footage.
It is also certainly NOT just a chunk from the 400' version because A) There is slightly different dialogue and footage not in the 400'. B) No splices so is a bona fide edit.
It is also NOT a chunk from the longer 6 minute promo as I have that one, too, and this 50' is also flat.

This is certainly becoming a Close Encounter of the Mysterious Kind !

[Osi Osgood]

Most interesting! Does it have original leader beginning and ending? Does it have the title of the film anywhere? I think I remember hearing of this little reel years ago.

[Rob Young]

Melvin, I too have this rather odd trailer. Mine arrived on a reel of other trailers, each spliced together, so no idea where it originated. This was the late 1980's.

Osi, it doesn't have any titles at all.

It is a real oddity. Maybe it was a kind of tease dropped into theatrical trailers at the time, to get people talking??

I also have a Derann trailer for the Special Edition, which is in scope and a nice print too with lovely colour. Barry, I know memory plays tricks on the best of us, but I'm sure I bought it from you about 2008 or so...could be mistaken. Although of course it is for the SE and not for the original version.

[Barry Attwood]

Rob,

You may be right, but I definitly had one last year, I always remember this title, as it's my favourite film of all time, I remember seeing it about 5 times in one week at the Odeon Marble Arch back in the day, (where have all those years gone!).

[Melvin England]

Rob - Thanks for your contribution. At least now I know that it is some sort of pre trailer teaser.

Osi - I can't really offer much more info on this. Suffice to say, it does not have its original start leader but as Rob has confirmed to us, there are no titles on it anywhere, which is reassuring to know I have not got a copy where the opening title ended up in someone's rubbish bin. A short piece of the end leader is present but contains no extra info on it. The only thing I can tell you is that is was printed on Kodak SP safety film and the colour is still pretty good.


Now to track down the Derann scope trailer for the Special Edition......... !!


........ or the Holy Grail!

[Brian Fretwell]

Having just watched it I can confirm the L.A. Films trailer is for the Special Edition and is on the "Blockbusters" reel with Superman I, II & III finishing with The Dark Crystal, as I thought it is on LPP stock.

[Osi Osgood]

I would personally love to track down a good color copy of that Cineavision release of the six minute "documentary style" trailer released by Animex, but finding one with good color is fairly difficult, as that Animex release was printed on fairly quick fade Eastman ... Sigh!