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Movie (and TV shows too) Collecting
Topic Started: Jul 30 2014, 11:54 AM (139 Views)
JazzGuyy
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Balcony Gang, Foist Class
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The recent discussion of LaserDiscs and postings in the past from people like RiddleRider is the impetus for starting this thread on the whole topic of collecting movies, TV shows, etc. I know a lot of people who post here are collectors and I would like to start a thread to discuss the whole hobby of collecting. Not specific movies or TV shows but more how people came to the hobby, the kinds of things they like to collect, the things they had to learn, the people they met along the way, and other things. This thread is meant to be the place for consolidating reminiscences and experiences.

RiddleRider especially has posted some things in the past about collecting in the days when that meant 16mm film with all of the limited resources, costs, equipment issues, dangers to the films from overheated bulbs and tears or breaks, and so on. There were even a handful of the super-rich and well connected in those days who could collect and exhibit 35mm material. Today we live in a world where the are literally tens of thousands of movies, serials, shorts, documentaries and TV shows available to us at what are relative bargain prices these days and that we can see on relatively big screens with superior sound at home. But it wasn't always that way. So, if you want to contribute about your experiences or of those you know, please feel free to develop this thread.
TANSTAAFL!
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Don Diego
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For me the point of entry into movie TV show collecting was the VCR - there are many films that stand up to repeated viewings. 16mm was a cost issue BUT the library had a selection (limited) and was a source - that is how I first saw the Dick Tracy serial - it was difficult trying to get the chapters in sequence though. With the VCR you could record movies and shows while editing out commercials the came the commercial tapes.
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The Batman
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Don Diego
Jul 30 2014, 01:59 PM
For me the point of entry into movie TV show collecting was the VCR

With the VCR you could record movies and shows while editing out commercials the came the commercial tapes.

Same here. Though I never really amassed a huge collection, maybe 100 tapes, giver or take, before I gave it up for DVD. I was definitely more selective in my VHS purchases. I mostly had movies that I really loved and wanted to re-watch whenever I want. No picking up a random movie that I hadn't seen, like I've done with both DVD and Blu-Ray. I also had a few random episodes of TV shows that were of specific interest to me. I had a tape that had two I LOVE LUCY episodes, including the one with George Reeves as Superman (still have that one, the painted artwork on the VHS case is really cool). And as a OT Star Wars fan, a tape with the perfect three episode collection of THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY: the pilot, a random episode (that guest-starred Mark Hamill) and the final episode. I never need to see another episode of THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY.

And of course, serials. Managed to amass a whopping collection of about 8 serials, during my VHS days. But I knew I wanted to see more. Along with comic book/super-hero movies, those were the things that began my movie collecting passion.

I also recorded movies and TV shows, editing out the commercials. I probably had more recorded tapes, than commercial releases.




Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman...then always be Batman!
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rodney
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When I was a kid in the early 80’s, I was fascinated with old pop culture for some reason. I guess I was a weird kid, although old cartoons and old sitcoms were pretty much on TV all the time. I discovered old-time radio on a local public radio station when I was six or seven, and a friend of my parents had maybe ten or twelve cassette tapes which they must’ve loaned to me a hundred times.

We had no cable TV or VCR, and I remember poring over the listings in the TV Guide wondering what it would be like to be able to see so many of the vintage movies that I would read about. I’d also get books out of the library, particularly one with stills and descriptions of all of the Laurel and Hardy films, and read it and wonder if I’d ever get the opportunity to see any of them.

Eventually we got a VCR (my parents waited to get cable until I moved out), and I started renting tapes of old stuff whenever I got the chance. Eventually, against the wishes of my folks, I started compiling a small library of cartoons and favorite movies (I believe that the argument was that ‘pieces of plastic’ are a waste of money). At the same time my interest in old-time radio was growing, and I had discovered a local convention with about 50 dealers, most selling tapes of radio shows and VHS tapes of vintage movies. This event was a godsend to me. I had not been exposed to kindred spirits like this before, only those that were tolerant of my peculiar tastes.

I made close friends and trading partners, several of which have passed on, but some have become close friends. We’re always generous with each other, sharing programs, movies and research information. We’re lucky enough to get together a few times a year at various events and catch up. I’m extremely appreciative of the pioneers in my hobby, the ones that ensured that film prints and transcription discs didn’t wind up in the dumpsters. Without them, I’m sure I wouldn’t have my collections of media. I’m pretty grateful. This stuff brings me a lot of joy after all.
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JazzGuyy
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As I said elsewhere, I came to collecting via LaserDisc. I had a VCR (in fact, both a VHS and a Betamax) but only occasionally rented movies or recorded them from TV but I generally didn't keep any copies except for a handful of musical shows recorded from TV. I just didn't consider the quality good enough to keep or to try collecting compared to what I saw in a theater. But I was into audio at the time and some of the publications I read were talking about LaserDiscs and the tremendous quality they offered. So finally, after several years of reading, I bought a LaserDisc player. The first two movies I actually purchased were the Criterion editions of two of my all-time favorite movies: The Adventures of Robin Hood and The Wizard of Oz. These were a revelation on my pretty good TV (for the time) -- a top of the line Sony Trinitron. Well, I was hooked. I thought that there might be 100 to maybe 200 movies that I would ever want to own. Well, I ended up with something over 600 LaserDiscs. Eventually I moved on to DVD and Blu-Ray. As well as movies, a lot of documentaries and musical discs have also ended up in my collection. I won't say how many discs I have accumulated (and that I would be reluctant to part with) but the number is far beyond anything I could have imagined when I started out.

Various postings here have led to me acquiring a lot of items and I have regretted very few of those purchases despite their impact on my bank account. Fortunately, I am lucky enough to be able to afford to indulge in this hobby (within reason :P :P ).
TANSTAAFL!
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panzer the great & terrible
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I started with 16mm. Keaton's "Cops" was my first, and then Lifeboat, which I got cheap because it was forgotten then (about 1961). The first VHS tape I got was Perils of Nyoka. I bought maybe 40 more, almost all serials, which I loved then more than I do now, plus a few music vids I still occasionally watch. Skipped Laser altogether. I bought The Indian Tomb on DVD when it came out, even though I could only watch it on computer. It wasn't long before I bought a DVD player and the race was on. When Blu happened, I held out for several years. I shared many of ML's concerns. But then I really wanted a Blu-Ray of Hugo so I got it and then, maybe a month later, a player. Now Blu-Rays are maybe 1/10th of my collection. One shelf's worth.

What saves me from financial ruin is that my main interest is silent film, and the Blu releases are few. I get everything Dave puts out and I always will. Most of them are regular DVDs, but his Blu-Ray of The Late Mathias Pascal is absolutely spectacular. I wish there were more silent Blus, because the music is so much clearer. Modern Times is another great silent Blu-Ray.
Life is just a bowl of cherries, it's too mysterious, don't take it serious...
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