My first Blackpool film fair visit

[Phillip Campey]

For a few years I had always planned on attending the North-west film fair but something always got in the way like work commitments or a family gathering but this year I was able to attend. My wife said she would come along as I had told her there were lots of rare prints to be had not at silly ebay prices, she was worried I would end up spending the kids inheritance so she wanted to keep my spending in check. We set off early so we could get at the head of the queue which we manage with maybe only 5 people in front of us, we paid our £12 entry fee and waited to be let in. Would Star Wars be reasonably priced?, would we manage to get the sound of music, a film my wife loves. We were let in and all dashed to Phil sheards Table. I wanted Ichabod and mister toad but that was snapped up straight away, went for the little mermaid, a bit pricey at £350 as it’s not one of Deranns finest prints but I had payed £350 for a great print of Beauty and the beast from Phil earlier in the year so this must be a good one (it isn’t, has great colour and sound but a very bad lab mark coming into the centre of the frame them moving off repeatedly) I have emailed Phil about it. So what about the rare prints, well sadly you could only make an offer on them, so a 2 hour drive for a live ebay auction but the seller won’t have any fees to pay, not what I expected. Overall the event was well organised and well attended and we managed to chat to a couple of forum members. I was disappointed with the stalls as apart from Classics table and a few smaller ones, the only other large stall was selling DVD’s and blu rays. I’m sure the pandemic has a lot to do with this and hopefully next year there will be a lot more tables. Overall we had a good day, the weather was nice and sunny and we had a nice long walk on the promenade. A special shout out to Mrs Sheard who was very helpful when I attended classics sale earlier in the year and for helping my wife when she got lost at the film fair.

[Lee Mannering]

I could have stayed until midnight chatting, learning from others about film and I've still got long covid! Was very lucky to close the case book on a film I had been wanting to replace for some time and thankfully a domestic trader had it when the rush to the top end started. Thank you to that person for a pristine Mickey's Christmas Carol on Agfa then a very kind film man gave me some Agfa film stock at the end of the day...truly humbled

[Mike Newell]

Phillip, to be honest there are very few good prints of Little Mermaid. It is one to avoid. The quality on this Disney release was always very variable. Sharpness is poor and there are colour variations between reels plus negative marks. Derann had a lot of problems with the negative to the point where I dont think they released too many copies. In the end they gave it up as a bad job.

In regard to having an auction at a film convention outside the actual auction it shouldn’t have been allowed but no one is strong enough to stand up to him and his behaviour is par for the course for a dealer who thinks collectors are idiots to be milked for as much money as possible.

[Stuart Budd]

It's difficult to put a review of something you'd have looked forward to and pinned hopes on but only to fall short of expectations. I must say your views should be heard in a positive, moving forward with 8mm collecting, way. I just find it difficult myself, to air an opinion that's different or requests changes to a event thats been going for years. I think, thats it. An event. There's the hellos and introductions. Followed by some socialising then exchanges. A multi day event. A weekend. Going as I did, just to the Collectors Fair was a bit of a mistake. I didn't have time and I didn't know people, the etiquette. I missed two days! Those two days would have changed everything. Still glad I went, but I'll leave my critique till the next one. Over a gin. 😊 That's when I'll let rip 😋😇
I quite like gin!

[David Skillern]

I was told how much Mr Sheard paid for the collection he sold at Blackpool - I know he is a dealer and dealers are in this game to make a profit - but for the titles he had on sale and what he was asking for them - apart from the ones that had "OFFERS" on - which were still there when I left at 1pm - He should be ashamed of what he gave the seller.

[Mike Newell]

Usual £20-£50 for a feature. A few pounds for anything smaller and take those projectors to the dump for you. Bet I’m not far off the mark. Let’s guess the patter “They are not worth much these days” or “ All demand gone” and big smile when he drives off with his haul etc

[David Skillern]

I didn't touch the features he was selling - I'm lucky to have quite a few of them - someone offered him £400 - £500 for Star Wars but it was still there when I left at 1pm. I did buy 2 Universal 8 B/W Horrors from him - on 1x400ft - Dracula and The Mummy's Ghost - I was told he paid a £1 each for the Universal 8 digests he had for sale !! Which when I paid £65 for the two - is a hell of a mark up in the profit region !!

[Mike Newell]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 OMG His offer prices for new widows hasn’t changed. Can’t believe it. I really can’t believe it. Wonder did he pay £20-£30 for the Star War feature.

[David Skillern]

God knows Mike - but I didn't go anywhere near the features he was selling - he was open to offers on Star Wars, Goldfinger, Star Trek - Generations, The Sound of Music, Terminator 2 - they were still there when I left at 1pm

[Phillip Campey]

I’m pleased you got your Mickeys Christmas carole Lee. Regarding Phils films I have bought a few from him and on the whole I’ve been pleased with what I’ve purchased, if I’ve bought any that I’m not happy with he always refunds the money. My issue was having to make an offer for something that I thought would be priced.

[David Skillern]

I have always bought from Phil - but the shameful way he has profited from someone else's misfortune is in my humble opinion -wrong

[Mike Newell]

Watch eBay for the features in near future the only place those sort of prices being asked might be achieved. Yes, I heard good reports of Phil unfortunately my buying experiences were not good.

Just a taste.

New CHC releases I bought all had faults maybe bad luck but customer service was non existent.

New polyesters Laurel and Hardy. They were all bright pink quite an achievement apparently a white box special from Derann . He didn’t want them back I achieved a refund by contacting VISA.

[Mike Newell]

David who ever he bought from was not the first to receive this dynamic treatment

Reputable dealers rule of thumb would offer you 40-50 percent of what they would sell a film for later. Derann and CHC would just take the proverbial piss.

[Lee Mannering]

Thanks Phil. Yes my son and friends wore a groove in my original print God bless them. Nice to replace and enjoy as I remember it.

The bereavement thing is so sad and much of what I have been helping with myself has been a result of losses Yes I also have heard the stories Mike and I will not buy never from someone else's loss. It will be us one day...perhaps.
Others have done the same i know to help out. Those who came to my film fair last sept may remember me lifting all those 16mm usa naval projectors to help a family. My goodness it was a killer and post covid at that. Think a couple of guys carried me out at the end.

I don't know who drummed up the head for the top end probably someone in the entry line dont know, but it was a fab event and a credit to team Blackpool. Other than that charge 99.9% was fantastic.

Can I just add a small apology. I was hoping to project Jaws on my Hid projector but in the rush and a late day home Saturday after Blackpool and work forgot to grab a 600ft take up reel. I tried to find one in the room but nothing. Was so pleased to see so much interest in our Davids future release tho and will pop a clip on YouTube. It is a great 600ft and worth the wait. Hang in there it is a wonderful edit!

[Pete Middleton]

Overall it was a good day. The takings from our stall covered the price of the room, food and drinks along with the price of housing my dog at the kennel for a couple of days. It was basically a free holiday. They usually come round and ask if people would like to re-book their stall but they didn't this time. They may not be planning one for next year. Time will tell.