Denis Gifford's British Film Catalogue

[Lord Brett]

The above book is one of the most useful reference guides I have ever come across for researching British movies made before the 80s, but copies are hellishly expensive.

A big city library will generally have one, but your very own second-hand copy will cost over 100 quid - until now!

I looked on abebooks.com, and found lots of expensive UK copies, then kept scrolling and found that American suppliers were stocking secondhand copies for about £20. Even with postage, that's a major saving, and my copy is on its way from Alberqueqe (or however you spell it) New Mexico.

Result!

[julian_craster]

<American suppliers were stocking secondhand copies for about £20>


Surely not the 2000 edition [in two volumes] which sells for over UK£200 ?

[penfold]

Originally Posted by julian_craster <American suppliers were stocking secondhand copies for about £20> Surely not the 2000 edition [in two volumes] which sells for over UK£200 ?

No, the 1973 or 1986 one-volume editions....

[Lord Brett]

Has anyone seen the 2000 edition? The libraries round my way don't keep it. Does it simply bring the earlier versions up to date or is there significany pre-1985 new material?

[Lord Brett]

I just found out that the retailer has canelled my order. They said the book is anavailable, so I've tried another seller - here's hoping, as it would be very useful for a project I'm working on.

[aphra]

Originally Posted by Lord Brett Has anyone seen the 2000 edition? The libraries round my way don't keep it. Does it simply bring the earlier versions up to date or is there significany pre-1985 new material?

The 2000 edition, which I seem to remember did not come out until about 2001 or even 2002 (and which Denis Gifford sadly did not live to see in print), contains a second volume devoted to documentary and non-fiction films, a very useful addition to the 1973 and 86 editions. I was very fortunate to buy a mint set via eBay for an inclusive £89.48 in March 2005 to replace my old '73 edition (which Denis had sold to me in 1994 for £50!). I notice the IMDb spells his name incorrectly with two 'n' s. I would like to correct this, but the whole palava of making a change is so wrought with difficulties, that I don't relish the thought of embarking on the edit.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by aphra The 2000 edition, which I seem to remember did not come out until about 2001 or even 2002 (and which Denis Gifford sadly did not live to see in print), contains a second volume devoted to documentary and non-fiction films, a very useful addition to the 1973 and 86 editions. I was very fortunate to buy a mint set via eBay for an inclusive £89.48 in March 2005 to replace my old '73 edition (which Denis had sold to me in 1994 for £50!). I notice the IMDb spells his name incorrectly with two 'n' s. I would like to correct this, but the whole palava of making a change is so wrought with difficulties, that I don't relish the thought of embarking on the edit.

I've submitted a name correction to the IMDb citing the BFI page about him & his collection

Steve

[Lord Brett]

My copy of the 1985 edition arrived from the states this morning, though I had to stump up a bit extra for postage, which I expected. The condition, especially considering the fact that it's a 22 year old ex-library copy, is absolutely marvellous. The copies I've been usijng in UK libraries are nearly falling to bits - I guess Christine is one of the few US-based fans of British films, so it hasn't been used much.

A shame in a way, but very good news for me and anyone else who wants to bag a copy.

[noglea]

I live near Swiss Cottage library which has good conditon copies of both recent volumes so I just pop in there if there is something I need to look up.

[orpheum]

I remember him giving a lecture at the NFT to introduce the book.However as i had Quinlan i did not to my regret by his book.However i do have the BFI montly bulliteins to cover the 60s and 70s.

[Lord Brett]

Now that's a good collection. I've got most editions films and filming from 1960 to 1976, but MFB, with it's comprehensive film reviews, is a real treaure tove.

[julian_craster]

with it's comprehensive film reviews, is a real treaure tove.


You can buy a complete run of MFB on microfilm ......(the cost, with home microfilm reader is about £1, 000)

[lemmycaution]

In the 60s, Peter Cowie edited a series of small reference books published by Zwemmer in the U.K. and Barnes in the U.S. In 1968, came British Cinema, An Illustrated Guide by Denis Gifford, a short (174pp) precursor to his magnum opus.

[TimR]

I just bought this last week on sale at a lending library clearance. It is the one volume edition, so I suppose it is not the best, but it was only 50 cents. It is in excellent condition. I was very pleased with the find. It appears to be a very comprehensive work.

[penfold]

Originally Posted by TimR I just bought this last week on sale at a lending library clearance. It is the one volume edition, so I suppose it is not the best, but it was only 50 cents. It is in excellent condition. I was very pleased with the find. It appears to be a very comprehensive work.

So you should be.....50c !! Very nice....