The Magic Box

[Lee Mannering]

I just wanted to revisit the Magic Box feature.

This was a short lived release by Derann Films but a blessing to serous film collectors who treasure movie history and where the industry has gone over the years.

My late father loved this movie and so do I. Projecting it is a magical experience for many reasons but showing it on Reel film is just a bit more special than the spinning fog.
As a home projectionist you can't help get involved with Robert turning the hand cranked projector even if is using my Elmo.

Printed in the main on high contrast Agfa film its a delight and I love the Reel look of it from reel to reel.

A precious memory how important film is to us and highly collectable.

Thank you Derek Simmonds.





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[Larry Arpin]

Lee-I was curious about this movie so I went to imdb to look it up and the review actually mentions the super 8mm print. Did you write this review? Here is the link:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043769/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

[Paul Adsett]

That's my review on IMDB Larry! I still have that print and it is excellent in every way- one of my prized possessions!😊 And I do agree with Lee that showing this film on reel film makes it a very special occasion.
Also see my review in this section of the forum.
https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/ubb/u...c;f=4;t=000071

[Brian Fretwell]

I heard that Derek thought this would sell well to movie buffs, but found it actually had very low sales. There can't be many copies around.

[Ken Finch]

I wonder how many forum members realise it was made as part of the 1951 Festival of Britain celebration and was part of the programme screened at the then Telekinema, now of corse known as the National Film Theatre on the South Bank site. This is where I first saw it. I did not realise it was once available on Super 8. Not that I could ever afford to buy it! I had to be content with the VHS version which I still have and is still very watchable via my Epsom. Poor old William Freise Green never recelived much credit for his contribution to the development of moving pictures in his lifetime, neither did his son Claude. Ken Finch.

[Lee Mannering]

Amazing reelly sorry really. 60 star names of the day in.one movie, it must have been pretty important at the time.

It's a shame Robert suffered so much with health issues, then his second marriage failing due to his poor health. Robert only made 2 more films but what a talent he was.

[Oliver Feld]

And I can assure, that my print looks much better than the DVD release. It’s really a Super-8-treasure.

[Paul Adsett]

Here is Pathe News coveraage of the premier of The Magic Box in London in 1951:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziBbIu7LxGE

And the iconic scene of the film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxHA9U8IHfM

Gaumont British News covers the visit of the Royal Family to Elstree Studios to see the film being made:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncPvyGdsMbw

[Larry Arpin]

Wow! I was really impressed by that iconic scene Paul gave a link to. I'll have to seek this out just to see it. Such a shame Robert Donat died so young.

[John Burgess]

I was fortunate to buy a 16mm print a few years ago, although the colour is starting to turn it doesn’t detract from the content of the film. Cameo appearances from loads of 50s stars. This one is definetly a keeper.
John

[Maurice Leakey]

.....I was fortunate to buy a 16mm print a few years ago, although the colour is starting to turn it doesn’t detract from the content of the film.....

My 16mm copy is in black and white, probably from a film library which years ago seldom hired out colour copies as they were much more expensive to hire for the mobile showmen than black & white copies. (I was one of those in the fifties.)
At least, my copy won't turn or fade.

[John Burgess]

To be honest Maurice I think I would have preffered it in B/W, more in keeping with the era.
John

[Paul Adsett]

My super 8 print still has plenty of color. The end credits list just about every star of the British film studios of that era.

[Lee Mannering]

Used to love watching the British classics with my Dad, what wonderful times we had never to be forgotten.

Yes the Super 8 print is pretty glorious with Technicolor, beautiful lighting and all those costumes go to make it a British Lion gem. Mines printed on Agfa my favourite emulsion for S8 film collecting having good black levels. As mentioned not so many prints were made so perhaps the lab damaged the negative or something who knows.

I'm part of the old crowd who collected many British Lion titles over a number of decades, such a shame they folded in 1954 but what a legacy of great films.

[Brian Fretwell]

I imagine it was more likely low sales and Derek not wishing to pay to extend rights for it.