Although I've been working for 9 months now I still don't have a lot of bucks to throw at 16mm. So, when a cheap pink print of a decent title comes up for sale, I'm all over it like water on a plate. I recently picked up prints of "Operation Petticoat" and "Cat Ballou", 35 bucks apiece. Both are in mostly good condition, the former being extremely clean. Both have minimal splices, lines, and dirt. I thought the scope print of "Far From the Madding Crowd" I got for the same price was also clean. It does sport original leaders and minimal splices, but closer inspection with a magnifier shows this print actually has a million passes and is thick with base lines and thin emulsion scratches that come and go. But... still watchable... for an idiot
like me. For $10 I came up with a scope print of a 1965 dud called "A High Wind In Jamaica", starring Anthony Quinn in his first film since his triumphant performance in "Zorba..." and James Coburn. This one isn't really pink, it's like it's devoid of color. The image looks like it's actually faded and a bit milky. Have no idea what it will look like once it's projected.
I haven't projected any of these prints as I have just moved into my new digs and haven't gotten things situated yet.
Mr Lail offered up a free print of a musical called Golden Girl which I quickly pounced on. 1951 Twentieth Century Fox. Mitzi Gaynor's first starring vehicle. My brother's late mother-in-law, June Haver, had already left Fox at that point so who knows? Maybe this title was in development for June at the time she left Fox?
Anyway, except for "Operation Petticoat", I picked up these prints unexpectedly at a time when I didn't know I would soon be moving and would
have the ability to run 16mm sooner than later. Should happen in the next few weeks. It was fun just to un-box the accoutrements, set up the rewinds and inspect my new treasures.