Russ

I was fortunate enough to get hold of the book "Missing Believed Lost" published in 1992 and was wondering if any of the missing films were located. In particular the high number of early Michael Powell films.

Steve Crook

Yes, quite a few of the ones mentioned in that book have since been rediscovered in one form or another.

It was mainly that book, and the documentary that was made when it was first published, that led to quite a few of them being found.

Of the Michael Powell films mentioned:
Born Lucky - still missing
The Brown Wallet - still missing
C.O.D. - still missing
The Girl in the Crowd - still missing
His Lordship - found
The Man Behind the Mask - found
My Friend the King - still missing
The Price of a Song - still missing
The Rasp - still missing
Someday - still missing
The Star Reporter - still missing
Two Crowded Hours - still missing

All of the available Powell films were shown at a special retrospective at the San Sebastian film festival last year. They didn't show The Man Behind the Mask because that had only been found & made available a short while before the festival.

Since then, one of our group has also tracked down Smith (1939), another short film Powell made that hasn't been seen since shortly after its release.


But one that is still missing that I'd like to see is Squadron Leader X (1942) written by Emeric Pressburger & starring Eric Portman

Steve Crook

PaPAS

Russ

Thanks for that Steve, after watching the BBC Dads Army special on how two episodes were found in a shed, I'm intrigued as to how these turned up.

Steve Crook

His Lordship was one of the ones found by the BFI "Missing, Believed Lost" campaign. I'm not sure where it had been hiding, deep in an archive or in someone's shed probably.

As for The Man Behind the Mask, it had been known for some time that an American collector had a copy of the American version (almost exactly the same as the British version but with the title Behind the Mask). The campaign persuaded them to release their copy and it's now been shown at a few festivals and exhibitions and even released on video in the States.

His Lordship was booed on it's first release in 1932 and was hardly ever shown. But a lot of people seem to quite like it nowadays - the words "camp classic" have been mentioned :)

After all, how many films have a chorus line of parlourmaids, two comedy Bolshevicks and a heroine called Lenina?

The Man Behind the Mask is a more straighforward mystery/thriller.

As with all of these early films, we don't expect them to be masterpieces, but it's interesting to see how adventurous and innovative Powell was by the standards of the day. And he can often be seen trying out a few ideas that were used again (and done better) in the later films.

Steve Crook

PaPAS

Russ

Thanks again Steve, I agree that there may not be many masterpieces amongst them, but the thought and the fact that so many work of arts disappeared, is in my opinion obscene.
It just seems to sum up the way in which so many people dismissed film as a true art form.
Can you imagine the outcry if other art forms had been allowed to simply disappear Van Gogh, Dickens, Rodin.
As well as certain film production companies the BBC should be made to show all the material they have in thir possession, at least that way "us amateurs" will ensure that they are well looked after and preserved for future generations.

Steve Crook

There was a piece in the Guardian of Thu, 28 Aug 2003 about "Auntie's digital revelation" which said they did plan to open up their archives.

Now, if only the BFI would show more of what they've got stored away we'd be a lot happier.

Steve Crook

PaPAS

Hackett

The BFI letting US see OUR films when WE want?.
Don,t hold your breath Steve.

DB7

The Beeb will want to keep back the good stuff (Hancock!) for their own commercial arm, and there's copyright issues too.

Also, I suspect world demand would crash their servers unless there were severe limitations in place.

Hackett

Why not start a satellite channel to show Hancock ect?. They love to show Holby City, Emergency and Arsenders even two different episodes at the same time on the UK network. Whats the hardship in putting something better on? or perhaps a channel that shows just black and white archive material?.

DB7

I don't know. I'd love to see Hancock, Steptoe, The Likely Lads etc on Uk Gold but you're more lilely to see The Liverbirds.... and a zillion repeats of Oly Fools and Horses.

They don't seem to venture into B&W era sitcom.

smudge

I agree, I'd love the classics such as LIKELY LADS to be re-screened - but preferably without those irritating Interactive buttons, squeezed credits and fewer ads (ie uncut).

Watched a PLUS episode of SYKES in passing the other day and couldn't believe it when they started 2-3 minutes into the storyline ! The UKG prints were cut, but never that badly.

Ahh for the days before BRAVO became a 'lads' channel and went deep back into the monochrome 50s. PLUS used to show some B&W, but now even they have ditched monochrome.

And as for the BBC's "Best Of..." DVDs - WELL !! Obviously what's good for our American friends is no good for us...

Welcome to my house. Enter freely, and of your own will...

Russ

If memory serves all of the Sykes are due to be released on DVD very soon, I think it was advertised on www.play.com I'm just waiting for the episode starring Peter Sellers

DB7

Some have good extra's featuring Galton and Simpson talking.

smudge

Which discs have such extras ? Sorry to seem ignorant, but I have to confess that I've not been looking at them too closely. Thanks in advance.

Welcome to my house. Enter freely, and of your own will...

DB7

The Best of Hancock and Steptoe one's do, I don't think there's any extra's on the Likely Lads DVD.