“Atlantis” - dished very badly on the first rewind (Tower spool system). Perforations appeared to be in perfect condition, however there was a very minute crease edge of perforations one side throughout. After treating with FilmGuard that covered the perforations only, projection and rewinding was perfectly smooth and flat throughout the rest of the two-week run.
“America’s Sweethearts” – 20 times throughout the film, focus would go out and back in very quickly, like as you would see in bad camera focus pulling on TV, though not overall as in one spot mostly left or right of screen. Although there were no complaints I changed the copy after the first showing.
“Message In A Bottle” – sometime ago I know, but I had poor Dolby SR analogue sound (tungsten excitors) on this copy. On examination the soundtrack appeared to be pinker than high magenta.
I have heard of problems from others a lot lately with imported prints. It must be time for an improvement with quality control.
I told him I was using a cleaning system that could make a second hand print look like new within a couple of days but could not use it if they were already treated. He said to me: Fine, then I'll just send you the crappiest print I have. My response: Fine! So long as you haven't had it coated with that smelly crap you put on it that covers over and seals in all the dirt I would send it back to him looking like new. I also told him that he must promise to actually LOOK at the print when I'm done with it.
Somehow, I don't think he was expecting that response.
BTW, our Sweethearts reel one had the same focus problems as yours seems to have. Almost as if the treatment was too hot at times as it was coating the print and melted it in places.
I haven’t experienced this type of focus problem on rejuvenated prints before. The copy I rejected after the first showing definitely did not look as if it was photoguarded, unless it was just ultrasonically cleaned or something.
Your line with Buena Vista was interesting, thank you for sharing that with us. 