| Welcome to In The Balcony. We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Plus, you'll be eligible for the monthly $1 million prize. (Not really.) Join our community! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| Lost Serials:; Which sound serials are considered lost? | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 24 2007, 05:58 PM (1,629 Views) | |
| The Batman | Nov 24 2007, 05:58 PM Post #1 |
![]()
Charter Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Another thread that is discussing early sound serials mentioned a couple that were lost. I am currently putting together a list of the best DVD source for each sound serial, so knowing which ones are lost would be good to know. Besides the following, are there any other sound serials considered to be lost? CLANCY OF THE MOUNTED THE JUNGLE MYSTERY Thanks in advance, RR. (I just know it'll be you that will come through with the answers - hopefully with some backstory on why each one is lost - sorry, but you spoil us) |
| Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman! | |
![]() |
|
| Don Daredevil | Nov 24 2007, 10:48 PM Post #2 |
|
Old Fart
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
"Daredevils Of The West" is partially lost ... to date there are only 4 chapters in circulation. |
![]() |
|
| Inspector Carr | Nov 25 2007, 07:10 AM Post #3 |
|
Charter Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
in addition to Jungle Mystery Universal seems to have suffered a loss of many of their early sound serials from the years 1930 -1932(either that or they are sitting in a vault somewhere) from what I have been able to research about them they seemed like fun Fingerprints (1930) The Jade Box (1930) Danger Island (with very young Andy Devine) (1931) Detective Lloyd (1930) They were also very prolific in the silent era as well....once again what survives is a mystery well beyond the Inspector's abilities. |
| "Life is a Crapshoot however you need a pair of dice to participate" | |
![]() |
|
| riddlerider | Nov 25 2007, 11:26 AM Post #4 |
|
Balcony Gang, Foist Class
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Seems like this subject pops up every few months, on one board or another. To the Universal titles already named I would add SPELL OF THE CIRCUS and THE AIR MAIL MYSTERY, although sources close to the studio indicate that some material on these two could still exist. Good-sized chunks of JADE BOX and TERRY OF THE TIMES (which had music and sound effects, like TARZAN THE TIGER) existed as recently as twenty years ago, but only as nitrate 35mm elements that were already showing signs of deterioration. Contrary to numerous reports and other lists of missing serials, HEROES OF THE FLAMES is not lost; Black Tiger and I saw a 16mm print some 30 years ago. And it's been said that the British Film Institute has DETECTIVE LLOYD. No Columbia serials are lost, but several -- including BRENDA STARR -- are missing pieces of picture and sound. The only lost Republic at this point is DAREDEVILS OF THE WEST, although some would claim that the lack of original material on the two Lone Ranger serials makes them lost as well. The only lost independent sound serials are VOICE FROM THE SKY and TARZAN THE FEARLESS. |
![]() |
|
| The Batman | Nov 25 2007, 02:15 PM Post #5 |
![]()
Charter Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Thanks, guys! I will mark each of those serials on my list with the appropriate note. There aren't as many sound serials "lost" as I thought there might be, which is good to know. And from the sounds of it, a couple that are listed as "lost" still might be floating out there, somewhere. I'll get back to you on the "lost" silent serials at a later time, and on another thread, RR.
|
| Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman! | |
![]() |
|
| The Batman | Nov 25 2007, 03:00 PM Post #6 |
![]()
Charter Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Any chance of a quick list of other Columbia serials that are missing portions of their picture and/or sound, RR? Thanks, in advance. Also, is the feature version of Tarzan the Fearless, that is available, all that is left of this serial? |
| Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman! | |
![]() |
|
| riddlerider | Nov 25 2007, 03:21 PM Post #7 |
|
Balcony Gang, Foist Class
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Chances are you've already seen them: THE PHANTOM, MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN, and TERRY AND THE PIRATES. Of course, by this time anything could have happened to the nitrate elements Columbia has on deposit at the Library of Congress. The 16mm prints we saw, owned, and in some cases mastered back in the day were struck forty, fifty or more years ago. At that time the original pre-print elements were in good shape. Now...who knows? In most cases, the material stored at LoC should be in usable condition, but nitrate is unpredictable, even under optimal storage conditions. Re: TARZAN THE FEARLESS. Until a few weeks ago, when a 35mm nitrate print of Chapter Nine was auctioned on eBay, the only footage known to exist was the currently available feature version, which is not to be confused with the "official" feature released by Sol Lesser in 1933. Lesser's feature was simply the first four chapters cobbled together, with a perfunctory resolution that hinted at further adventures to come. (Just like the feature RETURN OF CHANDU.) The feature we've all seen was edited and released over in Britain. When Lesser sold TV rights to TARZAN THE FEARLESS, he apparently couldn't come up with any pre-print material from either the serial or his own feature version, so he got hold of a British 35mm print and made a dupe of that for the TV package. (Which explains why those TV prints don't look as good as something made from original negatives.) I have a copy of the complete script to TARZAN THE FEARLESS, and there's lots of interesting material that never got into the British-edited feature, including a subplot involving Zar's high priestess, who was played by Carlotta Monti, W. C. Fields' mistress. She's barely visible in the feature version but had more to do in the serial, according to the script. |
![]() |
|
| The Batman | Nov 25 2007, 03:39 PM Post #8 |
![]()
Charter Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Thanks for all the info, RR, you've come through again. And your quote above shows encouraging signs that "lost" footage for other serials (and films) could be out there. |
| Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman! | |
![]() |
|
| KanSmiley | Nov 25 2007, 04:43 PM Post #9 |
|
Charter Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
There is a huge salt mine near Hutchinson, Kansas that is used for storage. Because of the depth it has constant temperature and humidity. I am told that Hollywood uses it to store millions of feet of film. Is there any possibilities there are any serials or old silents stored there? Kan |
|
http://www.saturday-matinee-memories.com/ intoxicated, adj.: When you feel sophisticated without being able to pronounce it. | |
![]() |
|
| The Batman | May 12 2014, 08:17 AM Post #10 |
![]()
Charter Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
This is a great question, from our good friend Smiley (RIP). RR, or anyone else, have any info on this site? |
| Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman! | |
![]() |
|
| Pa Stark | May 12 2014, 09:56 AM Post #11 |
|
Charter Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Supposedly Dr. Grood has access to chapter 9 of TARZAN THE FEARLESS, and is planning to eventually do something with it. At this point, he hasn't indicated how or when. |
| Honest and Lovable Pa Stark | |
![]() |
|
| riddlerider | May 12 2014, 02:52 PM Post #12 |
|
Balcony Gang, Foist Class
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I could suggest something he can do with it. ![]() As for the Kansas salt mine, I know that Hollywood studios have stored tons of nitrate film in the underground facility, but the impression I've gotten is that most of it consists of original 35mm elements to films that have already been restored. Could be some unrestored films down there, but the archives tend to keep such material where it's easily accessible and can be inspected regularly to see if deterioration has progressed. Actually, a good many sound serials now qualify as lost, if by "lost" we mean a film whose original 35mm nitrate elements (camera negative, release-print printing negative, protection fine grain) have deteriorated beyond salvaging. A good many Mascots, a couple dozen Universals, and most of the independents fall into this category. Some Republics and Columbias do too. Some of the old 16mm TV and rental library prints are all that exist of these titles. |
![]() |
|
| LaneCarson | May 12 2014, 04:27 PM Post #13 |
|
Charter Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
What about Republic's King of the Mounties - isn't it still "lost" in terms of "completedness"? Australian rumours of a complete version persist - most recently from Australia's capital, Canberra Canberra houses Australia's National Film and Sound Archive I've had several dealings with this group - mostly in the sound area (AU radio) I am of the opinion that King of the Mounties is probably not part of their Archive But several complete prints did do the rounds here in the late 40's and early 50s - and general policy was that such things were never repatriated back to the US - so the likelihood of a print gather dust in someone (projectionist's?) loft is always feasible (we don't have basements) Pretty solid rumours about complete Daredevils of the West, never came to anything Trev |
![]() |
|
| The Batman | May 12 2014, 04:32 PM Post #14 |
![]()
Charter Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Thanks for the info, RR. Would love to know what that salt mine does have. Yeah, when you put it that way, I guess there are more "lost" serials than one realizes. Having them on DVD, one forgets and figures it will always be available now. |
| Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman! | |
![]() |
|
| panzer the great & terrible | May 12 2014, 06:19 PM Post #15 |
|
Mouth Breather
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Why no basements in OZ, Trev? I thought it was kind of dry in those parts. |
| Life is just a bowl of cherries, it's too mysterious, don't take it serious... | |
![]() |
|
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · Continued Next Week · Next Topic » |






![]](http://z2.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)




6:52 AM Jul 11