Grahame N's Web Pages


9.5MM MOVIES ON DVD

Many cinema films which had been issued (normally shortened) on the 9.5mm amateur movie gauge by Pathéscope Ltd. / Pathé-Baby (and Peak Films) are now appearing (usually full length) on DVD. At the end of this page is a pretty full list which hopefully will be regularly updated. I have been writing articles about these DVD releases in the Group 9.5 magazine - samples appear below, naturally somewhat in arrears. Join Group 9.5 to get the quarterly glossy magazine and read the latest articles!


9.5mm MOVIES ON DVD - 1

by Grahame L. Newnham B.Sc.

Although many of the 9.5mm printed films issued by both Pathé-Baby in France and Pathéscope in the UK were not classics, especially in the later years when film rights were being snapped up for television transmission, they still provide fond memories for those who grew up with 9.5mm films as the main source of home entertainment before the days of multi-channel television. Nowadays with actual 9.5mm film prints being difficult to locate and often in poor condition, it is good to see that quite a number of the films are now arriving (usually full length) on these little silver DVD discs. Even if you currently don't have a DVD player, quite serviceable models can be found in your local supermarket at under £20. As long as your TV has a 'scart' input then you are up and running. (Maybe more about fancier set-ups another time).

Sadly rare vintage films on DVD are not always likely to turn up in the local HMV store or supermarket as DVD sales for obscure films must be quite low. Generally one needs to use one of the specialist DVD suppliers, most of them are to be found on the internet, but some still produce mail order catalogues and accept orders by letter or telephone, although a credit or debit card is useful for the actual purchase. Internet sources I suppose begin with: www.amazon.co.uk ; they have other internet sites worldwide, but the UK site will provide free (for Amazon purchases over £5) or the cheapest (for Amazon partners worldwide) UK postage. In addition they provide purchase protection if the goods are faulty or just don't arrive. An excellent source of specialist DVD titles is Moviemail - a long standing UK company (although they now partly trade from the Channel Islands for tax purposes I suppose!) - whilst they have an effective web-site, they do produce a monthly printed catalogue and provide telephone and postal ordering, although I think their internet prices are a bit cheaper. The Moviemail internet web-site is at: www.moviemail-online.co.uk or telephone them on 0844 776 0900.

Supposedly for reasons of copyright, but in my opinion more to do with international product pricing policies, DVDs are generally region coded. This basically means that a 'Region 1' DVD from the USA or Canada will not play on a UK DVD player or computer. UK and European DVDs are coded 'Region 2' and will not play on American players or computers. This means that although often American DVDs from the big studios are better quality, contain more extras and are cheaper than the equivalent UK version, to play them in the UK you will need to 'doctor' your DVD player to be 'multi-region'. Often details can be found on the internet or from a friendly dealer.

So where to start with collecting these 9.5mm movies on DVD? As sales are quite low and companies are unlikely to re-issue these slow moving titles, I suggest going first for titles that have been around for a few years, and to buy them whilst stocks are still available. One good source of vintage UK films on DVD was DD Video - sadly they went into receivership a year or so ago, and whilst another company have bought their warehouse stocks, supplies of some titles appear to have already dried up. One excellent DD Video DVD release was "A Fire Has Been Arranged" made in 1935, issued by Pathescope on 9.5mm sound as a 6 reeler in 1939. The story revolves around a gang (Flanagan and Allen) who bury their loot in the countryside before being caught by the police. On release from prison, they discover that a department store has been built over their stolen money. Apprehended by the dodgy store owners (Alastair Sim and Robb Wilton), the gang are persuaded to burn down the store for the insurance money. Whilst the 9.5mm print retains part of the Flanagan and Allen song and shots of Brooklands motor race course - the full length DVD version also includes some excellent song and dance routines. Copies are still around, although I would give the copy I saw on the internet at £99 (yes £99!) a wide berth unless you are really desparate to see the Buddy Bradley girls in their short frilly skirts.

This brings me neatly to another point about vintage films on DVD - the price. Whilst after a few weeks you can find the latest cinema releases being dumped in HMV and other stores at under a fiver, prices for the more obscure vintage films tend to be fairly firm at around £9.95 or even more. This is really because sales are quite low and the distributor does need to make a living! Incidentally another Pathescope 6 reel 9.5mm sound release "Down Among the Z Men" still appears on the HMV DVD browser racks priced at £15.95! Whilst you may want to see the Goons - Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe and Michael Bentine on film, this price seems a bit steep. The DVD is decent quality and is full length (is that good or bad?) - the story of a secret formula and escapades in the army provides an excuse for a Bentine variety routine with part of a chair back, some dancing from the BBC Toppers (more frilly skirts), and a Peter Sellers comedy routine.

The British Film Institute have been a bit slow getting some of their treasures onto DVD and in some cases 'restoration' really only means 'preservation', but I guess sales don't merit the American computer restoration which often gives one a weird feeling that the film can't really be old at all! In addition BFI DVDs have a recommended retail price of £19.95. Whilst this often includes a useful booklet, and sometimes an extra disc, it does make BFI releases a bit expensive. However I must mention one silent classic originally released as three reels 9.5mm by Pathéscope; - "Piccadilly" made by British International Pictures in the UK in 1929, the full version on DVD runs 108 minutes, maybe a little long for modern audiences. Directed by German émigré A.E. Dupont who had made "Varieté"/"Vaudeville" (also on 9.5mm) in Germany in 1925, with stylish sets by Alfred Junge, and starring Anna May Wong, it tells the story of Shosho, a washer-upper in a London West-End nightclub whose sensuous dancing eventually gets her top billing, but arouses jealousy from former dance star and nightclub owner Valentine Wilmot's (Jameson Thomas) lover Mabel (played by Ziegfeld Follies star Gilda Grey). There is an excellent new music score by Neil Brand (but a pity we can't also hear the original) and pity the DVD doesn't include the re-released part talkie version (it does include the talkie version prologue), but it is a nice sharp print, with the original colour tinting, certainly a worth while purchase, especially if you can get it at a discount. Ignore the BFI marketing of a nude Anna May Wong - it's not in the film, and their write-up 'seething with racial and sexual passion' is perhaps a bit over the top, but get the DVD and find out!

Finally cartoons, I love the early Fleischer Betty Boop and Popeye offerings, many of which were released on 9.5mm, including excellent quality one reel sound versions. In the USA, all the early Popeye cartoons are now available, nicely restored, in three DVD sets from Warner. For the Pathéscope 9.5mm Popeye releases, one needs to buy the "Popeye the Sailor" Volume 1 DVD set. This boxed set includes on four DVDs, 60 of the early Popeye cartoons. Here are all the favourites - "I Am What I Am"; "Blow Me Down"; "Seasin's Greetinks"; "Wild Elephinks"; "Sock A Bye Baby"; "Dizzy Divers"; "Brotherly Love" etc. etc. There is also extra material in the form of full documentaties, plus commentaries and short 'Popumentary' featurette intros for some titles. Quality is excellent and the films are complete. The only minor problem, which only ninefivers with the original films will spot, is that some of the main titles and soundtracks have been redone, presumably by computer techniques. When the Fleischer cartoons were sold for TV presentation, the new distributor chopped all the Paramount titles and ends and refilmed new ones - hence Turner's attempt to restore them to their original Paramount appearance. Luckily although an American DVD set, and despite the note on the box, the discs are multi-region so will run on any player. Incidentally beware any UK Popeye DVDs - these are quite poor quality - get the proper Warner American DVD set (available via Amazon UK)!

(Originally published in the Group 9.5 magazine No.137 Spring 2009)

95ondvd/gln/12.01.2009


9.5mm MOVIES ON DVD - 2

by Grahame L. Newnham B.Sc.


I do hope my DVD article in the last issue was of interest. Maybe more of you have ventured into the world of DVDs, hopefully having sourced copies of some of the 9.5mm titles I mentioned. Many DVD collectors not only show them via their TV set or computer but use a modern digital projector. Many models can be found at well under £500, but like most things you do get what you pay for. Currently there are two basic types of digital projector - DLP (Digital Light Processing) and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). LCD projectors start with a bright light source which is split into three beams each passing through an LCD panel. These panels have hundreds of thousands of tiny pixels, the higher the number the better the definition. The input signal controls which pixels allow light to pass through. One panel has a red filter, another green and the other blue. After the LCD panels and filters, the light is recombined using a dichroic prism. The combined result , in full colour, passes through the projection lens and onto the screen. DLP projectors again start with a bright light source reflected off the DLP chip which has hundreds of thousands of tiny mirrors to modulate the light. The light then shines through a fast spinning colour wheel fitted with the red, green and blue filters. Driven by electronic timing the colour wheel allows the light to come out in the correct colours via the projection lens onto the screen. In fact a sort of high-fi version of the original Baird type television system.

Both can give excellent results - one can compare a number of parameters like brightness, contrast ratio and definition for example. Sadly sometimes manufacturers use slightly different standards for these measurements so it isn't always a case of just comparing numbers. Many models have very short focus lenses - meaning the projector has to be placed very near the screen even for a largish picture. Do make sure the model you choose was designed for showing movies or TV, most are really designed for computer training. It may be useful to consider reliability, service facilities, guarantee periods etc. and ask existing users for their views. Because of the cost it isn't easy to find a local showroom where digital projectors can be compared. The DLP type are generally rather cheaper, smaller and lighter for similar specifications, but some people are more prone to be affected by a 'rainbow' effect which can be visible on moving images or when you blink or turn your head, mechanical noise from the spinning disc and poorer colour saturation escpescially on reds and yellows. LCD types are generally heavier and bulkier and often with more visible pixels. Earlier designs gave less contrast and greyish blacks.

Whether LCD or DLP, always ensure the projector has inputs to match your DVD player. For the best definition and to anticipate future developments check there is at least one HDMI input - this enables a high definition digital signal to be directly input to the projector. Remember except for a few digital projector models with in-built DVD player, amplifier and speakers, these items will also be needed.

So back to actual DVD titles - sticking to the philosophy of catching up on older titles which may soon disappear from dealers' lists, let's look first at some silent movies. The late great Alfred Hitchcock started his movie career in the UK and in the days of silent films. After odd jobs in various companies Hitchcock arrived at the newly formed British International Pictures based at Elstree and headed by John Maxwell, a canny Scot. At twenty-eight years old Hitchcock was Britain's most promising director and earning the unprecented salary of £10,000, rising in three years to £15,000 a year. Already influenced technically and visually by German cinema, he directed a number of films that although initially considered too radically 'different' by the distributors, were soon acclaimed by the critics.

Pathéscope issued a few of these Hitchcock films on 9.5mm and we can now see the full length versions on good DVD transfers provided by Studio Canal. They have issued a boxed DVD set entitled "The Early Hitchcock Collection" which contains nine early British Hitchcock films, together with stills, film introductions and a French produced documentary. Four of the nine titles are of interest to us ninefivers - all were issued on 9.5mm by Pathéscope as two reelers - heavily cut from perhaps 85 minutes or so. Yet amazingly, having viewed the 9.5mm print you feel you have the whole story, although naturally with many scenes lost. In fact when viewing the full length film it is often difficult to decide what exactly is missing from the 9.5mm version. In "Champagne" GB 1928 (issued by Pathéscope as 2SB.30036 in April 1933) we see Betty Balfour as an American millionaire's daughter who chases after her lover across the Atlantic by plane; her father pretends the slump has wiped him out, whilst arranging a friend to keep an eye on her whilst she is in Paris, initially partying madly, later trying innocently to get a job in a dodgy restaurant cum night club once she thinks she is broke. The 9.5mm version starts with the same view through a champagne glass (Hitchcock had a giant glass made for the purpose), but every shot is carefully shortened or cut, still leaving the succint detail and perhaps anticipating modern editing where we certainly don't bother to see someone approach, open and go through a door. For example, as Betty climbs up into the cruise liner, Hitchcock shows the whole effort as she climbs the ladder (maybe so we can see Betty Balfour's legs in detail!) from the bottom to the very top; the Pathéscope editor cuts from her climbing out of the plane into the rescue boat straight to her reaching the top of the ladder and stepping into the ship. Pathescope were always careful to avoid any impropriety, so naturally later in the film the 9.5mm editor cuts away as an impressario lifts Betty's skirt with his foot, and scenes of couples going upstairs in the nightclub are totally cut!

The other ninefive titles are "The Ring" GB 1927 (released by Pathéscope as 2SB.30029 in Jan. 1933) which is a love triangle set in the world of boxing starring Carl Brisson and Lillian Hall-Davies with the screenplay written by Alfred Hitchcock himself; "The Manxman" GB 1929 (released by Pathéscope in June 1934 as SB.30070) another love triangle set in the Isle of Man, starring Carl Brisson, Malcolm Keen and Anny Ondra, Hitchcock's last silent film; and the classic "Blackmail" GB 1929 released as 2SB.30027 in October 1932 by Pathescope on 9.5mm. Starring Anny Ondra as a girl who kills a man in self defence when he tries to have his wicked way with her and John Longden as her policeman boyfriend who tries to cover things up, culminating in an exciting scene on the roof of the British Museum, "Blackmail" was begun as a silent film, but later extra scenes were shot so that it could also be released as a talkie. The DVD gives us the silent version, plus a clip of the special introduction filmed for the talkie version. Incidentally, although "Clue of the New Pin" (also on 9.5mm) was claimed to have been filmed (but probably never distributed - see Jeremy Jago's excellent article about this in the previous issue), with a non-standard 78rpm record soundtrack before "Blackmail" - this Hitchcock classic is usually quoted as the first British full length sound film.

Although nothing to do with 9.5mm, Hitchcock afficienados may be interested to learn that Universal have issued a decent print of "Waltzes From Vienna" ( a 1934 musical with Jessie Mathews, Esmond Knight, Fay Compton and Edmund Gwenn) on DVD - as a bonus there is also a silent Hitchcock - "Downhill" from 1927 again as a very decent transfer. Not available in the UK, just look on the internet on www.amazon.fr for "Le Chant Du Danube" - main titles and sound are English, just switch off the French sub-titles!

An old favourite on 9.5mm sound is "No Limit" (GB 1935) the first half decent George Formby feature film made on location in the Isle of Man around the annual T.T. motor bike races. Here George plays a gormless motor bike enthusiast who takes his home made machine to enter the race. By the end of the film he has been selected as a T.T. rider for one of the major motor bike companies, and won the race and the girl (Florence Desmond). The 9.5mm sound feature T.9119 (shortened to 6 reels by Pathéscope) omits a couple of songs and shortens another, although bits can be cut back in from Vox Reviews. The DVD from Studio Canal/Optimum is a decent transfer and full length. It is (or was) available in a boxed set with seven other George Formby films, but if you can't face that many Formby films in one go, "No Limit" is now also available as a separate DVD. By the way, as sharp eyed John Stocks spotted, the credits on the box are wrong - "No Limit" was made by Associated Talking Pictures (A.T.P.), directed by Monty Banks and produced by Basil Dean - just shows you can't always believe all that is written and probably almost nothing that is on internet sites like U-Tube, My Face and Wikipedia!

Internet sources include www.amazon.co.uk or www.moviemail-online.co.uk or ring Moviemail on 0844 776 0900. More next time.

(Originally published in the Group 9.5 magazine No.139 Autumn 2009)

95ondvd2/gln/18.02.2009


9.5mm MOVIES ON DVD - 3

by Grahame L. Newnham B.Sc.


Sadly, I notice that the various DVD producing companies appear to have increased their recommended retail prices - Optimum for example up to £15.99, Network to £12.99 and many Fox/Paramount up to £19.99. Naturally there are discounts to be had, but I fear this is the result of the government's 'easing' process - ie printing more money that we don't have assetts to match, will eventually make everything up to a third more expensive in real terms. So maybe we should buy up those desirable DVDs whilst we have spare cash!

What of the future for film releases for public use? Well I suppose it can go two ways - either the introduction of a solid-state replacement for DVDs (and Blue Ray) - no doubt incompatible with USB or other recognised current connections, to force the purchase of new equipment or a gradual fade out of the sale of physical data carriers, relying just on electronic data delivery via cable or wireless connections. My guess is that 'downloading' will be the future; audio, certainly for youngsters, has already moved to this method. For myself, I still prefer to actually own a 'hard copy' of a film - on any film gauge or DVD.

Right, now back to 9.5mm films available on DVD! Let's start with a silent classic, the German UFA classic released by Pathescope on 9.5mm on 3 reels SB.754 in 1932 as "The Sacred Mountain". The original German title was "Der Heilige Berg" and the film is now available on DVD from Eureka as "The Holy Mountain". The film was made by German filmmaker and doctor Arnold Fanck (1889-1974) in 1926, one of the first in a series of 'bergfilm' or mountain films. Supposedly written in three days and nights, especially for the star Leni Riefenstahl, "The Holy Mountain" took over a year to film in the Alps using a group of expert climbers and skiers. A love triangle between Reifenstahl's portrayal of a young dancer and two climbers she encounters, provides an excuse for filming exciting climbing and sking with a backdrop of the glorious Alpine landscape. The DVD box contains a useful booklet and two discs, one with the full film, restored from tinted nitrate prints and original negatives; the other disc has an excellent 1993 documentary by Ray Muller "The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl" which includes clips from many of her other films, extensive interview material and investigation of her involvement with the Nazi party. Recommended!

Possibly the most famous comic of our time was Charlie Chaplin - his early films were the mainstay of all package film companies on 8mm, Super 8mm, 16mm and of course 9.5mm (Chaplin comedies even appeared on 28mm and 17.5mm!). Naturally most of the titles came from Chaplin's early days at companies like Keystone, Essanay and Mutual, particularly as these had been 'public domain' (no copyright problems) from the 1920s. Chaplin rigourously protected his later comedy shorts although some arrived on 9.5mm around 1959 ( "Shoulder Arms"; "The Pilgrim"; "Pay Day" and "A Day's Pleasure") when Pathéscope had detached itself from the French parent company and was reformed as Pathéscope (Great Britain) Ltd by a British business man. It appears Pathéscope got the rights via E.J. Fancey (or thought they had) who in turn had sourced material from Germany for a compilation feature film. The story goes that Chaplin happened to be in London and spotted the film running in the West End - he went ballistic and his legal team got the film withdrawn. Pathéscope had to immediately withdraw the 9.5mm prints from sale but no mention was made of this in their house magazine, in fact they were far too busy going into receivership!! Anyhow if you want to see superb full length versions of these four last Pathéscope Chaplin releases plus "The Idle Class"; "Sunnyside" and "A Dog's Life" then look for the DVD from Mk2 Editions in "The Chaplin Collection" series - "The Chaplin Revue", a two disc set which includes this Chaplin (official) compilation feature and other short comedies. Quality is superb, with the Chaplin composed music, all sourced from original family vault material. Even if you don't really enjoy Chaplin, this set is recommened just for the superb film print quality.

Going back to mountain themes, I must mention the British post war 1949 romantic drama - "The Glass Mountain". Just before World War 11 a budding composer (Michael Denison) and his wife (Dulcie Gray) (actually married in real life) find their dream house by the Thames. In the war as an RAF pilot, he is shot down over the Italian Alps and nursed by an Italian girl. (Valentina Cortese). Whilst he learns of the story of "The Glass Mountain" they begin an affair. After the war, the airman returns home and resumes life with his wife. She senses something is wrong and suggests he return to the Alps to finish his opera based on The Glass Mountain legend. Naturally the affair resumes but he finishes the opera. During its first performance (with Tito Gobbi singing the lead) news comes that his wife's plane has crashed over the mountains. He rushes to her side and realises that long-term love is better than short term lust! A very popular film at the time of release, specially with the ladies - because of the war, a large proportion of the UK population had had extra marital relationships of varying intensities, so I guess they could identify with this basic story of love and illicit lust! The music is good too, by Nino Rota (not 'Rita' as on the DVD box!). "The Glass Mountain" was released by Pathéscope Ltd. in December 1951 on 9.5mm optical sound as T.9697 (9 reels). One of the first 9 reel features issued by Pathéscope in the UK (first was "Candlelight in Algeria" in August 1951), the 9.5mm optical sound print runs about 74 minutes. Part of the series of better quality titles released on 9.5mm sound to help the sale of the new Pax 9.5mm optical sound projector and in preparation for the launch of the new UK made "Son" 9.5mm optical sound projector a year or so later. Despite being issued as a nine reeler, the 9.5mm sound release of "The Glass Mountain" had to be cut by about 20 minutes. The story goes that Pathéscope optimistically printed more than a hundred copies of this title (it was a very popular film at the cinema and had been re-issued in 1950), but when the rights expired some five years later, not all the prints had been sold, the remaining forty or so copies having to be destroyed.

A full length, 95 minute (says 86 minutes on the box!) version of "The Glass Mountain" is now available on DVD from Renown Pictures Ltd / Simply Home Entertainment in the UK. Despite the pack stating 'restored and remastered' - the source is obviously a rather average tape master. (A credit says "Photography: BFI". I hope this just refers to the photos on the DVD pack!) Whilst the image is fine for a TV it was sadly a bit soft on my 6 foot screen (that is 6 foot x 4 foot), but OK at 4 foot. Although rock steady vertically (computer corrected?) and quite clean, there are frequent horizontal picture distortions, very obvious in places which presumably indicates tape stretch or a knackered replay deck. So whilst it is worth getting this DVD to see it full length don't sell your 9.5mm sound film copy!

Internet sources include www.amazon.co.uk or www.moviemail-online.co.uk or ring Moviemail on 0844 776 0900. More next time.

(Originally published in the Group 9.5 magazine No.140 Winter 2009)

95ondvd3/gln/04.09.2009


9.5mm MOVIES ON DVD - 4

by Grahame L. Newnham B.Sc.


It's great to still see a steady stream of DVDs, of both new and old films, being released for us enthusiasts to create a private collection. In my youth, never would I have dreamed that I would actually be able to own so many classics of the silver screen and at sensible prices. In those days collectors could really only legally own 9.5mm prints, and a very few std 8mm silent releases; 16mm features changed hands very privately for fear of copyright reprisals (and they weren't cheap!). Nowadays it's not the availability of classic feature films, but in my case at least, the space to store them! Even though DVDs are quite compact, once the total runs into thousands, storage does become a problem. My daughters tease me by saying I'll not live see all the DVDs in my collection, but I am doing my best!

Anyhow onto another batch of DVD film releases that exist as 9.5mm printed films. We were lucky when soon after the second war, Pathéscope did a deal to release a number of Hal Roach items on 9.5mm. On 9.5mm sound there are a couple of Laurel and Hardy features plus five shorts. Some were also edited for release on 9.5mm silent. Now, thanks to an excellent Laurel and Hardy DVD boxed set we can see these Pathéscope releases full length. The set includes 21 DVDs with 68 hours of entertainment (or so the label says). It contains most of the Hal Roach Laurel and Hardy silent comedies, talkie shorts and features. The main omissions being the features "Bonnie Scotland" and "Babes In Toyland" (aka "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers"). For 9.5mm collectors the features T.9698 "Swiss Miss" (1938) and T.9715 "Our Relations" (1936) are included, plus the shorts T.9642 "Another Fine Mess" (1930), T.9636 "Brats" (1930), T.9637 "Live Ghost" (1934), T.9638 "Men O'War" (1929) and T.9639 "Thicker Than Water" (1935).

This Laurel and Hardy 21 DVD box set can be found at bargain prices - Amazon and HMV have them at under £50, (for a set retailing elsewhere at £199!). If you want a full index of the titles on each disc there is one to download from my web-site in the Celluloid magazine section at www.pathefilm.uk or drop me a line or e-mail. The DVD boxed set also includes colourised versions of many films - I still can't decide if this really works.

As well as the sound film releases Pathéscope made the most of the Laurel and Hardy's by issuing extracts and shortened versions as 9.5mm silent releases. "Our Relations" yielded a 60ft "Happy Returns"; and 100fts "Bowled Over", "Hot Heads", "How To Sell A Carpet" and "Sorry Spectacle"; whilst "Swiss Miss" yielded 100fts "Cheese Heads" and "Cookoo" and the 200ft "Sliding Scale" where the boys attempt to shift a piano on a rope bridge across a ravine aided by a gorilla. The sound shorts yielded more silent 9.5mm releases - "Brats" - a 300ft one reeler "Boys Will Be Boys"; "Another Fine Mess" - a 2 x 300ft "Vacant Possession"; "Live Ghost" - "Panghaied" (200ft) and "Spook Ship" (300ft); "Man O'War" - 200ft "Rowing Around" and "Thicker Than Water" - 60ft "Washing Up". I can recommend this excellent boxed set which comes with full notes in each DVD case.

In my youth, my friends and I always listened to The Goon Show on the radio, so early on in my 9.5mm film collecting days I searched for the feature "Down Among the Z Men" and the three reeler T.9780 "Let's Go Crazy" (1951) which features Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan (they also wrote the script). Set in a night club, there are various variety acts plus comedy sketches by Sellers and Milligan - Sellers appears in various disguises, including a rather good Groucho Marx, whilst Milligan fools around as a waiter with a nice line in haircuts. Music is provided by Freddie Mirfield and his Garbage Men. Amazingly an American Peter Sellers fan, Laura Camuti decided to pay the British Film Institute to restore two of his early films "Penny Points To Paradise" and "Let's Go Crazy".

Now this is where Group 9.5 members Tony Saffrey and Dave Wyatt come into the frame. Whilst the BFI were supposed to have some of the material and the grand-daughter of Adephi Films boss Arthur Dent found further footage in the family garage (as you do); the material for the BFI DVD release of "Let's Go Crazy" actually appears to be the 35mm Pathéscope master fine-grain positive material (loaned by Tony Saffrey), plus missing bits added from Dave Wyatt's 16mm print. If you view the film on DVD you can see the point where the quality drops slightly (16mm section) - this is the bit with the weird Apache type act of Manley and Austin with her jumping on him! This item appears in the 9.5mm sound copy, but Pathéscope also issued it as a little 60ft 9.5mm silent short D.30780 "Dance Little Lady" - obviously the Pathescope editor didn't put that bit back in their 35mm master material after it had been hacked out and extra titles for the silent release added! The DVD also contains another feature from 1952 "The Slappiest Days of Our Lives" (originally a French production, repackaged by Adelphi) - a rather haphazard compilation of silent comedy clips with narrration from Peter Sellers and Graham Stark. Although not issued complete by Pathéscope on 9.5mm, they used it to source a number of 9.5mm silent 30ft, 60ft and 100ft releases - D.30726 "Penmanship"; L.30727 "Overcoat Overture"; D.30728 "Holding the Dummy"; C.30749 "False Alarm"; L.30750 "Tram Frolics"; D.30751 "Foot Sore" (Laurel & Hardy from "Them There Hills"); C.30752 "Iger Get Eager" (has anyone actually seen a copy of this?); D.30753 "Tea Time Capers" and D.30754 "Ghost In The Post" (both with Stan Laurel). Although BFI DVDs are a bit expensive, there is much to interest ninefivers on this "Penny Points To Paradise" disc, plus a useful booklet.

Ninefive's main claim to fame with collectors was the classic silent films issued by Pathéscope over the years. A bone of contention was the shortening of these items and maybe 'a cut too far' was the issue of "The Wrecker" in 1932 as just one reel, initially as S.30003 (notched), later re-released with running titles. The story revolves around an unscrupulous coach company proprietor who decides to wreck his competitor's train service. And by wreck I really mean a massive train crash! Now thanks to Strike Force Entertainment we not only have a DVD of the restored 68 minute full length "The Wrecker" from 1928, with a newly composed track by Neil Brand, but it also includes the 9.5mm version, a Kodak trailer (for their 16mm library version), plus various featurettes and a booklet bulging with related articles. The transfer is excellent from a nicely graded (but well worn and spliced) print. Starring Carlyle Blackwell, Benita Hume and Joseph Striker, this full version includes some light relief from Gordon Harker and Leonard Thompson. I won't reveal the baddies or the full plot, but a classic line occurs when the glamourous 'Mata Hari' spy (Pauline Johnson) brings the latest report and proceeds to reveal a shapely thigh almost to her waist as she stashes the £50 reward in the top of her stocking - the baddie naturally a little aroused (even in a British film), is repulsed with "I don't go for that pettin' stuff"! (Prudes will be relieved that this scene is not in the 9.5mm print)

Naturally the DVD is targeted at train enthusiasts because the film includes a fair bit of rail footage, filmed on the then Southern Railway with location shots at Waterloo and other locations. The actual rail crash was filmed on the Basinstoke to Alton Light Railway on a Sunday (19th August 1928), using a scrap engine and rolling stock. The media hype at the time mentions 22 cameras and hundreds of technicians etc. If you check the footage there are actually only three separate shots of the crash, used oddly without intercutting, in various parts of the feature, two real long shots one from the rear and one from the front (filmed it appears from a convenient bridge) and another rather effective frontal shot, filmed I guess using a decent telephoto lens, as everyone no doubt had to be well away from the track for the effect of the crash was really unpredictable.. All other crash footage was filmed later the same day, once the train had been made safe and the actors assembled. The other 19 cameras were no doubt a few box brownies and the press - although trades descriptions legislation was non existant in those days! There are a number of excellent moving rail shots, some achieved presumably from platforms built ahead of the engine and another which moves slowly from an exciting outside shot along a carriage to a dialogue scene inside the carriage. I say dialogue, but despite claims of its release as a part talkie, it finally arrived as a silent. The confusion and even chaos in the UK motion picture industry during the late 1920s can be seen with the filming speed of various shots in the film varying from silent speed through to a full 24 frames per seccond. Unable to afford perfected sound systems from the USA, various experimental systems were used in desperation by UK companies. In the case of "The Wrecker" it seems a 20 frames per second optical sound system using separate 35mm film had been tried for some scenes (there are a couple of obvious dialogue scenes which run slightly fast), but a proper sound version would have to wait till 1929 and a trip to the USA for expert (and no doubt expensive!) assistance. The atmosphere of the silent version of "The Wrecker" on the DVD is enhanced immeasurably by the really superb music track composed and played by Neil Brand - in a documentary on the DVD Neil admits there was no money for an orchestra (no change there for UK productions then!) so it was all done on computer. He has added a bit of dialogue, but I won't spoil the fun - you will have to buy the DVD to find out - worth the price just for Neil Brand's contribution. Incidentally talking of contributions, a number of Group 9.5 stalwarts turn up on the booklet credits including Bob Geoghegan, Dave Wyatt, Tony Fletcher, Pat Moules and Alex Gleason. Another recommended DVD!

 

Internet sources include www.amazon.co.uk or www.moviemail-online.co.uk or ring Moviemail on 0844 776 0900. More next time.

(Originally published in the Group 9.5 magazine No.141 Spring 2010)


95ondvd4/gln/08.01.2010


 


                                   9.5mm  FILM  TITLES  NOW  RELEASED  ON  DVD
                                   --------------------------------------------
 FILM TITLE                       PROD.COUNTRY/DATE/RUN TIME//DVD - DIST./REL.  DATE/PICTURE QUALITY
 ARGENT (L')         ("MONEY" 4SB.723) B/W  FR 1928 164m     Eureka Video            2008  VG 

 BLACKMAIL                 (2SB.30027) B/W  GB 1929  82m  2  Early Hitchcock set     2007  VG
 BETTY BOOP  (all Fleischer titles)    B/W USA 193?          FSF (France)            2004  VG
 BLUE LIGHT (THE) (+silent version)    B/W GER 1932  79m     Pathfinder              2006  VG

 CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI (THE)         B/W GER 1920  73m     Dark Vision             2001
 CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI (THE)         B/W GER 1920  82m     Alpha Video (USA)       2002
 CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI (THE)         B/W GER 1920          Kino Video  (USA)
 CABINET DES DR CALIGARI (DAS)         B/W GER 1920  72m     Eureka Video            2000  VG
 CALLING PAUL TEMPLE         (9T.9744) B/W  GB 1948  89m     Renown                  2010  VG 
 CANDLELIGHT IN ALGERIA      (9T.9690) B/W  GB 1944  82m  8  Odeon Entertainment     2008  VG
 CAPITAINE FRACASSE (LE)               B/W  FR 1942 103m     Studio Canal (France)   2010     
  (French 9.5mm sound release - DVD has extras, but French sound & no English sub-titles!!)
 CAPTAIN KIDD                (9T.9726) B/W USA 1945  83m     Alpha Video (USA)       2002  FG
 CAPTAIN KIDD                (9T.9726) B/W USA 1945  88m     Elstree Hill            2010
 CHAMPAGNE                 (2SB.30036) B/W  GB 1928  85m  2  Early Hitchcock set     2007  VG
 CHAPLIN REVUE (THE)                   B/W USA 1920s      3  Chaplin Collection      2005  VG
  (Shoulder Arms/The Pilgrim/Pay Day/A Day's Pleasure)
 CHARING CROSS ROAD (9.5mm transfer)   B/W  GB 1935  46m     Presto                  2007  G  
 CHARLIE CHAPLIN AT KEYSTONE           B/W USA 1914 4 DVDs   British Film Institute  2010  VG 
  (34 titles including Between Showers/The Rounders/The Property Man/His Favourite Pastime)
 CHARLIE CHAPLIN-THE ESSANAY FILMS-VOL 1   USA 1910s 204m    British Film Institute  200?  VG
  (His New Job/A Night Out/The Champion/In the Park/A Jitney Elopement/The Tramp/Work)
 CHARLIE CHAPLIN-THE ESSANAY FILMS-VOL 2   USA 1910s 198m    British Film Institute  200?  VG
  (A Woman/The Bank/Shanghaied/A Night In the Show/Carmen/Police/Triple Trouble)
  Incidentally many of the Chaplin Essanay titles only appeared on French 9.5mm
 CHARLIE CHAPLIN-THE MUTUAL FILMS-VOL 1    USA 1910s 141m    British Film Institute  200?  VG
  (Behind the Screen/The Rink/Easy Street/The Cure/The Immigrant/The Adventurer)
 CHARLIE CHAPLIN- THE MUTUAL FILMS-VOL 2   USA 1916  150m    British Film Institute  200?  VG
  (The Gallant Fireman/Gipsy Life/The Count/Shop/and others)
 CHINESE BUNGALOW (THE)      (6T.9660) B/W  GB 1940  72m     Alpha Video (USA)       2009  G
 CLEANING UP (with Strike It Rich)     B/W  GB 1933  35m     Presto                  2008  G  
 COTTON QUEEN                (6T.9108) B/W  GB 1937  77m     Renown                  2013     
 COMEDY COCKTAIL             (2T.9719) B/W  GB 1951  16m     Renown "Comedy Coll 2"  2017  G  2017
 COURAGE OF COLLINS (THE)  (2SB.30183) B/W USA 1927  21m     Grapevine Video         2006  G
  (on 'Films of Edmund Cobb' - 9.5mm transfers)                          
 CRASHING THRU'              (6T.9758) B/W USA 1939  55m     Alpha Video (USA)
 CRASHING THRU'              (6T.9758) B/W USA 1939  53m     Panamint Cinema         2012    

 DANGEROUS LADY              (6T.9686) B/W USA 1941  64m     Alpha Video (USA)       2005  FG
 DANGEROUS YEARS             (8T.9781) B/W USA 1948  63m     20th Century Fox        2012     Nov2013
 DEATH AT BROADCASTING HOUSE (5T.9013) B/W  GB 1935  66m     Presto                  2008  G  
 DEATH AT BROADCASTING HOUSE           B/W  GB 1935  69m     Studio Canal/Network    2013  G/VG 
 DEATH DRIVES THROUGH      (3SB.30201) B/W  GB 1935  60m     Studio Canal/Network    2013  VG 
   (included on Ealing Studios Rareties Collection Vol 3)
 DESPERATE CARGO             (6T.9684) B/W USA 1941  62m     Alpha Video (USA)       2003  Poor
 DEVIL BAT (THE)             (6T.9662) B/W USA 1941  67m  5  Alpha Video (USA)       2002  G/VG
 DISNEY - CHRONOLOGICAL DONALD VOL.1   Col USA 1939-1941  9  Disney DVD              200   VG
 DISNEY - SILLY SYMPHONIES             B/W/Col USA 1929-1938 Disney DVD              200?  VG
 DOOMED CARAVAN   (+ 4 other films)    B/W USA 1941  62m  7  Platinum    (USA)       2004  G
 DOUBLE CROSS                (6T.9659) B/W USA 1941  66m     Alpha Video (USA)       2005  FG
 DOWN AMONG THE Z MEN        (6T.9753) B/W  GB 1952  68m  1  Second Sight            1999  G/VG

 EAGLES BROOD (THE) (7 films 2 DVDs)   B/W USA 1935  54m     Passport Video (USA)    2007  G
 EAGLES BROOD (+ four other titles)    B/W USA 1935  54m     Platinum (USA)                VG
 EDGE OF THE WORLD (THE)     (6T.9038) B/W  GB 1937  74m  7  British Film Institute  2003  VG
 EMERGENCY LANDING (as Robot Pilot)    B/W USA 1941  66m     Alpha Video (USA)       2007  FG
 ENFANTS DU PARADIS (LES) (PatheFR)    B/W  FR 1945 183m     Second Sight            2000  VG

 FAUST           (2 discs - extras)   B/W GER 1926 110m     Eureka                   2006  VG
 FAUST                       (4SB.740) B/W GER 1926 114m     Kino Video  (USA)
 FIGHTING BACK                (8T.9757)B/W USA 1948  61m     20th Century Fox Archives(USA)VG 2016
 FIRE HAS BEEN ARRANGED (A)  (6T.9135) B/W  GB 1935  67m  1  DD Video (now reissued) 2003  VG
 FLANNELFOOT                 (9T.9764) B/W  GB 1953  70m     Presto                  2009  G  
 FLANNELFOOT                 (9T.9764) B/W  GB 1953  70m     Renown                  2014  FG 2014G 
 FUGITIVE VALLEY                (Peak) B/W USA 1941  61m     Alpha Video (USA)       2004
 FURY BELOW                (3SB.30278) B/W USA 1936  66m     Alpha Video (USA        2007  FG 

 GAIETY GEORGE               (9T.9755) B/W  GB 1946  93m  5  Odeon Entertainment     2009  VG
 GANGS, INC.                 (6T.9656) B/W USA 1941  73m     Alpha Video (USA)       2003  G
 GHOSTS IN THE NIGHT / ON THE LOOSE    B/W USA 1943  63m     Alpha Video (USA)
 FLYING SCOTSMAN (THE)     (2SB.30032) B/W  GB 1929  57m  8  Optimum                 2011  VG 
 FORCES SWEETHEART           (9T.9765) B/W  GB 1953  71m     Simply Home Ent.        2010  V
 GLASS MOUNTAIN (THE)        (9T.9697) B/W  GB 1950  86m  3  Simply Home Ent.        2008  G/VG
 GREEN PACK (THE)            (5T.9037) B/W  GB 1934  72m     Presto                  200?  G 

 HERE COMES TROUBLE          (6T.9778) Col USA 1948  51m  9  Alpha Video (USA)       2005  FG/G
 HOLD THAT WOMAN             (6T.9652) B/W USA 1940  64m     Alpha Video (USA)       2004  FG
 HOLY / (SACRED) MOUNTAIN (THE)        B/W GER 1926 106m  3  Eureka -2 disc/booklet  2004  G/VG
 HOLY / (SACRED) MOUNTAIN (THE)        B/W GER 1926          Kino Video  (USA)

 IN OLD COLORADO (+ 4 others)(6T.9727) B/W USA 1940          Platinum (USA)                VG 
 ITALIAN STRAW HAT (THE)      (2S.661) B/W  FR 1927 105m  7  Flicker Alley (USA)     2010  VG
  (on 9.5mm as "The Leghorn Hat" - original title "Un Chapeau de Paille d'Italie")

 JERICHO                     (5T.9042) B/W  GB 1937  72m 10  Odeon Entertainment     2012  G/VG 
 JUGGERNAUT                  (6T.9056) B/W  GB 1936  62m     Alpha Video (USA)       2004  FG/G
 JUGGERNAUT                  (6T.9056) B/W  GB 1936  59m     Renown                  2018  G    

 KID'S LAST RIDE (THE)          (Peak) B/W USA 1943  55m     Alpha Video (USA)       2006
 KING KONG (9.5mm French Pathé-Baby)   B/W USA 1933  96m  6  Universal               2001  VG
 KING KONG (9.5mm French Pathé-Baby)   B/W USE 1933 104m  6  Warner 2 disc set (USA) 2005  VG 

 LAND WITHOUT MUSIC          (6T.9103) B/W  GB 1936  80m     Presto                  2006  G  
 LET'S GO CRAZY              (3T.9780) B/W  GB 1951  32m  4  British Film Institute  2009  VG
  (on the BFI DVD "Penny Points To Paradise")
 LITTLE MEN                  (7T.9688) B/W USA 1940  83m     Alpha Video (USA)       2004  FG/G
 LORNA DOONE               (4SB.30246) B/W  GB 1934  83m     Studio Canal / Network  2014  
    (included on Ealing Studios Rareties Collection Vol 11)

 MAN IN THE MIRROR           (6T.9100) B/W  GB 1936  78m  8  Renown                  2011  VG 
 MAN TAMER (THE)            (SB.30207) B/W USA 1927  11m     Grapevine Video         2006  G
  (on 'Films of Edmund Cobb' - 9.5mm transfers)
 MANXMAN (THE)             (2SB.30070) B/W  GB 1930 101m  2  Early Hitchcock set     2007  VG
 MARKED MEN / I TAKE THIS OATH         B/W USA 1940 71m/66m  Alpha Video (USA)       2005  Poor
 MARSHALL OF SANTA FE        (3T.9702) B/W USA 1938  55m     Alpha Video (USA)       2009  G
   (as "Where the Buffalo Roam")
 METROPOLIS                  (5SB.745) B/W GER 1927 124m     Kino Video  (USA)
 METROPOLIS                            B/W GER 1927 150m     Eureka + doc/52p book   2010  VG
 METROPOLIS (2 disc set)               B/W GER 1927 119m     Mk2 Editions (France)   2004  VG
 MIDSHIPMAN EASY             (4T.9041) B/W  GB 1935  73m     Studio Canal / Network  2013  VG  
   (included on Ealing Studios Rareties Collection Vol 2)
 MOULIN ROUGE              (2SB.30008) B/W  GB 1928 122m     Studio Canal / Network  2017  VG  
 MURDER ON THE YUKON         (6T.9654) B/W USA 1940  56m     Alpha Video (USA)       2009
 MYSTERY LINER               (6T.9658) B/W USA 1934  63m     Alpha Video (USA)       2003  G/VG

 NANOOK OF THE NORTH         (SB.5062) B/W USA 1922  49m     ?? (see Amazon.co.uk)   2010  G/VG 
  (this is a Chech. DVD release of a French archive VHS? release - titles in French)
 NIGHT ALARM                 (6T.9661) B/W USA 1934  60m     Alpha Video (USA)       2008  
 NO LIMIT                    (6T.9119) B/W  GB 1936  78m  2  Optimum/Studio Canal    2007  VG

 OUR MR SHAKESPEARE          (4T.9763) B/W  GB 1944  35m     Strike Force            2012  VG 
   (included on a Harold Baim DVD set - "This Sceptred Isle"
 OUR RELATIONS (Laurel&Hardy)(9T.9715) B/W USA 1936  74m  4  Universal               2004  VG  

 PASSING SHADOWS             (6T.9057) B/W  GB 1934  50m     Presto                  2006  G  2016
 PAUL TEMPLE'S TRIUMPH       (9T.9742) B/W  GB 1950  76m     Renown                  2011     
 PICCADILLY                (3SB.30030) B/W  GB 1929 108m  1  British Film Institute  2004  VG
 POPEYE THE SAILOR - VOL 1             B/W USA 193? 416m  1  Warner - American set   2007  VG
 PORTRAIT (THE)            (4SB.30170) B/W  GB 1935  66m     StudioCanal / Network   2014  VG 2018
    (included on Ealing Studios Rareties Collection Vol 13 as "It Happened In Paris")
 PUBLIC NUISANCE NO.1        (5T.9134) B/W  GB 1936  42m     Presto                  2006  G  2016

 RADIO LOVER                 (6T.9105) B/W  GB 1936  64m     StudioCanal / Network   2015  VG 
    (included on British Comedies Of The 1930s Collection Vol 5)
 RANGEBUSTERS (THE)             (Peak) B/W USA 1940  56m     Alpha Video (USA)       2007 Poor
 RENDEZVOUS 24               (8T.9759) B/W USA 1946  66m     Presto                  2015  G  2016
 RING (THE)                (2SB.30029) B/W  GB 1928  85m  2  Early Hitchcock set     2007
 ROUE (LA)            ("WHEEL (THE)")  B/W  FR 1923 273m     Flicker Alley (USA)     2009     

 SCROOGE                     (6T.9003) B/W  GB 1935  59m  5  Alpha Video (USA)       2004  G
 SCROOGE                               B/W  GB 1935  75m     Brentwood               2004  FG
 SECRET EVIDENCE             (6T.9666) B/W USA 1941  61m     Alpha Video (USA)       2006  FG
 SECRET LIVES                (6T.9007) B/W  GB 1937  78m     Studio Canal / Network  2014  VG 
    (included on Ealing Studios Rareties Collection Vol 13)
 SECRET OF THE LOCH          (6T.9002) B/W  GB 1934  73m     Studio Canal / Network  2013  VG 
    (included on Ealing Studios Rareties Collection Vol 4)
 SEND FOR PAUL TEMPLE        (9T.9737) B/W  GB 1956  83m  6  Simply Home Ent.        2010  G/VG
 SHE SHALL HAVE MUSIC        (6T.9136) B/W  GB 1935  77m     Renown                  2016  G/VG
 SILVER BLAZE                (6T.9006) B/W  GB 1937  70m  6  Delta (USA) (deleted)   2004
              (also as "MURDER AT THE BASKERVILLES"  75m  6  Alpha Video (USA)       2003  FG
 SILVER BULLET               (6T.9745) B/W USA 1942  58m     Psnamint (Scotland)     2005  VG  
 SING, BING, SING            (2T.9341) B/W USA 1933  12m     Kino Video (USA)        2006  VG 2016
           (on "CAVALCADE OF COMEDY - Paramount Comedy Shorts 1929-1933")
 SKY BANDITS                 (6T.9749) B/W USA 1940  55m     Alpha Video (USA)       2005  FG/G
 SOFT LIGHTS AND SWEET MUSIC (6T.9347) B/W  GB 1936  52m     Presto                  2008  G  2016
 SOMETHING IN THE CITY       (9T.9724) B/W  GB 1950  74m     Renown                  2010  VG 
 SOUTH OF PANAMA             (6T.9667) B/W USA 1941  61m     Alpha Video (USA)       2014  G  2016
 SPOOKS RUN WILD             (6T.9687) B/W USA 1941  65m     Alpha Video (USA)       2002  G
 STEVE THE HORSE CARTOONS              B/W  GB 1930s         Chroma Video (see my sales lists) G 2016
 STRIKE IT RICH (with Cleaning Up)     B/W  GB 1933  37m     Presto                  2008  G  
 SWISS MISS (Laurel & Hardy) (9T.9698) B/W USA 1938  72m  4  Universal               2004  VG

 TALKING FEET                          B/W  GB 1937  68m 10  Renown                  2012  G/VG 
  (9.5mm sound one reelers - T.9704 "Concerto"(Mark Hambourg & his Twelve Piano pupils) /
   T.9713 "Gathering of the Clans"(Dagenham Girl Pipers) / T.9703 "Dancing Feet"(Hazel Ascot) )
 TARZAN AND THE GREEN GODDESS(6T.9665) B/W USA 1938  72m     Alpha Video (USA)       2007  G
 TEN MINUTE ALIBI            (6T.9048) B/W  GB 1935  50m     Presto                  2008  G  2016
 THINGS HAPPEN AT NIGHT      (9T.9717) B/W  GB 1948  77m     Odeon Entertainment     2008  VG
 TIGER BAY (with JAVA HEAD)(3SB.30172) B/W  GB 1933  65m     Optimum/Studio Canal    2011  VG 
 TOM BROWN'S SCHOOLDAYS      (7T.9672) B/W USA 1940  82m  5  Alpha Video (USA)       2004  G/VG
 TOMORROW WE LIVE            (9T.9699) B/W  GB 1943  85m     Odeon Entertainmemt     2008  VG
 TOO MANY WOMEN              (6T.9747) B/W USA 1942  67m     Alpha Video (USA)       2010
 TOO MANY WOMEN                        B/W USA 1942  66m     Presto                  2010  G  
 TRAILING DOUBLE TROUBLE        (Peak) B/W USA 1940  54m     Alpha Video (USA)       2011  G  2016
 TRAIL OF THE SILVER SPURS      (Peak) B/W USA 1941  58m     Alpha Video (USA)       2006  FG
 TUMBLEDOWN RANCH IN ARIZONA    (Peak) B/W USA 1941 ~57m     Alpha Video (USA)       2008  FG
 TWO FISTER (THE)          (2SB.30198) B/W USA 1927  21m     Grapevine Video         2006  G
  (on 'Films of Edmund Cobb' - 9.5mm transfers)

 VARIETY JUBILEE             (9T.9731) B/W  GB 1943  88m     Renown                  2011  VG 

 WEST OF INVERNESS            (T.9664) B/W  GB 1939   9m     Panamint Cinema         2012     
  (on "West Highland" with other Scottish travelogues)
 WEST OF PINTO BASIN            (Peak) B/W USA 1940    m     Alpha Video (USA)       2008
 WHEN KNIGHTS WERE BOLD      (6T.9101) B/W  GB 1936  72m     Presto                  2011  G  
 WHITE HELL OF PITZ PALU (THE)         B/W GER 1929 133m     Kino Video  (USA)       2005  VG
 WRANGLER'S ROOST               (Peak) B/W USA 1941  57m     Alpha Video (USA)       2006  G
 WRECKER (THE)              (SB.30003) B/W  GB 1928  68m  4  Network                 2009  VG
                                                                (approx. 123 titles)
 Notes:
 Running times quoted are the DVD times, the 9.5mm version was normally heavily edited; 
  in silent releases to often 2 or 3 reels, whilst the 9.5mm sound releases were 
  originally cut to just 4, 5 or 6 reels (approx. 34m/42m/52minutes).
  Post-war 9.5mm sound releases were often 8 or 9 reels (approx. 68m/76minutes).
 The number (1, 2, 3 etc.) after the running time, refers to the '9.5mm Movies On DVD'
  article (published in the Group 9.5 magazine) in which the DVD is discussed.

 The 'G' - good/'VG' - very good etc. refers to my own opinion of the DVD print quality,
  not the actual film content! 
 Unless noted otherwise, all the titles listed were released on the 9.5mm 'home movie' 
  film gauge in the UK by Pathéscope, most as talkies. I have tried to include the
  Pathescope reference numbers - SB.xxxxx for silents; T.xxxx for talkies.

 A number of titles are available on my sales lists found elsewhere on these web-pages.
 Now included on these lists are 'Presto' titles, privately produced from 16mm & 9.5mm prints,
 'Presto' titles only appear on my own sales lists, found elsewhere on these web-pages.
 (Sadly my 'Presto' releases are being pirated all over the internet, whilst the films
  themselves I consider 'public domain', my own DVD transfers are certainly my copyright, sad
  to think this is someone I know, who buys my DVDs avidly at film fairs etc. ready to sell on 
  'pirated' copies. I may consult a solicitor - another well known dealer is already in prison!
  (At leasr my copies come in a proper case with sleeve notes etc. and now cost only £5.95
   compared to his cheap plastic sleeve, unreliable blanks and price over £7!)

 The DVD information includes the producer/distributor and year of DVD release where known.
  'USA' indicates the DVD is available from the USA. 'R1' means that the DVD will only
  play on an American or Multi-Region player. Try Amazon.co.uk for the UK DVD releases and
  Amazon.com for the USA DVD releases if you can't find them in the UK.
 The 'New' marker usually just refers to when I spot the DVD and add the title to this list
 This DVD list last updated:- 07October2017  @Grahame L. Newnham

Please notify additions/corrections to (Grahame Newnham) at:- presto @ pathefilm.uk
(no gaps in actual e-mail address)


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Created 10Jan2010 - Last updated: 18 October 2018 .... 95ondvd.htm .... ©MMX Grahame L. Newnham
13Mar2016 - some catching up-this page forgotten for a year or two! / 28Aug2016 - Silver Bullet added
10Feb2017 - Radio Lover & Secret Lives added / 08Aug2017 - Moulin Rouge added
07Oct2017 - Comedy Cocktail added / 10May2018 - 9.5mm Movies On DVD parts 3 and 4 added
10May2018 - She Shall Have Music & The Mutual Films - Vol 2 added / 18Oct20178 - The Portrait added