We run "art" and independent films. Over fifty percent of our trailers are "used". In fact, I would say that most are, new trailers are in the minority. Thats not to say that they are "trash", I get them with a once-in-a-while scratch, but the vast majority are in good shape and clean.

We return trailers every couple of months. With only one screen and a one week run, it take a couple of months for the trailer collection to build up. Then we box them up and send them back as a lot. If we get a request for a trailer to be sent back right after being taken down, we are happy to do it (the next day, in fact). (We just had a request to send the trailer for "Under the Sun" to the next theater and then ship the print to the same address when it came down.)

The forms for the $50 "prize" that we fill out state "home address only". My wife (our business manager and the one to ship trailers out) has won the $50 twice! The checks arrive in the mail like "money from heaven".

Lastly, if these trailers are so scarce, why not start a fourm here with "have / need" for hard to get trailers? While not all of the trailers on my shelf are "needed" (He Liu (The river), Lumumba, adventures of Felix, etc.) some of them might be. I have "The Man Who Wasn't There, Waking Life, Mullholland Drive" and others right now. If somebody needs one and can't get it, I would be happy to send it to them.

Also, what about 'scope trailers. We try to order both 'scope and flat, but 'scopes seem to be rare. It would be nice to find 'scope trailers for upcoming films when we discover that a film we are about to open is 'scope. I have two 'scope trailers in-house right now that someone could have if they need them - I don't have any 'scope features coming up that could use them. Again, a 'scope / flat exchange fourm might work.

The trailer did appear to be new, though (heads/tails not cut off). I suppose a significant number of returned trailers may have never been run though?

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