BACKGROUND INFO:
I am not a 'film enthusiast' and my past working life has revolved around electronics (many fields including communications, industrial and audio) and "The Arts", more specifically, creative arts such as handcrafted fine china, ceramics and landscape artworks.
An associate has asked me to help find new owners for HIS large collection of photographic and film items ... this is yet another one of those items. I am frequently asked "THE QUESTION"
So how many films do you have, Russ?
My response is ... boxes and boxes of them, perhaps 350+ films are now left for me to look through ... plus a few projectors
Another question I am often asked "Can I come and have a browse through the films?" Sorry, but the answer has to be a flat NO!
ALL film stock is safely away in my storage units, nice n cool and out of harms way, each day (or so) I will retrieve a few films, take a look (and smell!) at each film ... absolutely NO ONE can just casually "browse" the collection. My associate wouldn't like that and neither do I.
There is a lot of detail on this page plus even more HERE ... I strongly suggest anyone who is interested in this film to read everything carefully, including looking at the link. To not do so is at your own peril!
Vinegar Syndrome "smell test" ☑= Negative
EARTHQUAKE
Universal 8
Home Movie (Selected Scenes)
Title: EARTHQUAKE (1974)
Catalogue # 4206
400 Feet Blue PLiO MAGiC (Made in USA) reel
Two part library case (with front graphics insert)
Leader film is fitted
Colour
Sound (Mono)
Drama on both human relationship levels and "the big one" (very very big) which hits Los Angeles leaving the city looking much like a war scene that is coincidently currently quite common on television with the tensions in Middle East.
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED
CLEAN
The original two part case has some light top side handling/scratch marks but no cracks. While the front graphics insert is fitted, the owner also used Green dynatape to place a film title on the side of the case.
The reel is not cracked or damaged
NO personal writing on the film reel or the library case, in fact there is no identification on the reel at all.
NO film clip is fitted
TESTING:
Test machine: ELMO 1200ST
The projector film path has been completely cleaned prior to running this film through the machine. I now have a "running sheet", my maintenance schedule if you like - I record when each maintenance is performed because I am running a lot of films through the machine.
Film stock on the reel, including the sprocket holes, appears to be physically undamaged - at least on the first section that I examined and ran through the projector for testing (about 5 minutes duration of the film).
I ran the film through the projector for approximately the first five minutes, to observe the picture and check that the sound quality.
The colour representation is acceptable, to those who love Sephia tones, the Blues have pretty well "left town" which means the colouring tends to be a Brownish/Sephia tone overall, with other colours such as Yellow, Red, Greens showing their presence from time to time.
Not a hint of any Blues that I could see, at least it is not full of Pink-Red's but the mixing of the Greens and Red gives this overall Sephia look. Still a good picture to watch (if you like a heavy emphasis on the Sephia, almost monochrome like) - plenty of action, falling buildings, loud screams and Oh, those "bedroom scenes" at the beginning with Charlton being quizzed about his love making techniques.
Good news at least on the sound, the audio is crisp, clear and of a good level ...
SPECIAL NOTE: I felt I needed to add this little note ... whilst viewing the film on the screen, it actually looks "less Red" than the photographs would indicate. My antiquated digital camera (very old, one of the very first 'point n shoot' models!) just isn't up to the task in regard to colour representation nor the ability to portray contrast properly. The screen shots I take are now taken with the film on pause which gives an improved image but the light is dimmer and sometimes quite blurry as it is difficult to stop the film at "just the right spot" These photographs are only a very rough guide for what to expect in any case.
This film is now stored in a cool, low humidity environment while it awaits a new owner to consider bringing to their home ...
