Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Frankenstein (1931)--Request

This is topic Frankenstein (1931)--Request in forum Feature Info, Trailer Attachments & REAL Credit Offsets at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=002613

Posted by Dominic Espinosa (Member # 2122) on 09-02-2007, 09:55 AM:

Does anyone have information regarding this film?
I have a rental coming next month that wants this film so I'm really hoping there are estar prints available with optical sound.
Any info is much appreciated!

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 09-02-2007, 10:55 AM:

If it's not in commercial distribution in the US, you'll need to approach an archive for a print. Do you have a booking agent? If so I'd start with them first. If it is a case of going to an archive, I'd start with the UCLA Film and Television Archive, as they are specifically focused on preserving older Hollywood features. By all means email me off the list if you'd like a contact name.

This film should be shown in the 'early sound special' ratio of 1.15:1 (approx. - picture is virtually a square). The easiest way to do it is to use a 'scope plate and backing lens without the anamorph, although the matte is slightly smaller in most cases and will look cleaner with a specially cut plate.

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 10-23-2007, 08:34 AM:

Still distributed by Universal

1.37:1 - B&W
Mono Analog Sound
4 Reels
Printed in black cue marks
Polyester Film Stock

Posted by Jack Theakston (Member # 4484) on 10-23-2007, 02:51 PM:

quote: Leo Enticknap
This film should be shown in the 'early sound special' ratio of 1.15:1 (approx. - picture is virtually a square).

By the time that Universal had shot FRANKENSTEIN (and even DRACULA, which is also often wrongly cited as Movietone or even full-ap), the camera department had converted all of their cameras for SMPE's new 1.37 aperture (Fall of 1929, to be exact), save for one or two, which until they were fixed/put out of commission, had off-set viewfinders, but photographed full-ap (which was just blocked off in the printer).

So, FRANKENSTEIN is 1.37:1 for sure.

Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 07-02-2009, 02:45 PM:

It has been 617 days since the last post.

Posted by Jack Theakston (Member # 4484) on 07-02-2009, 02:45 PM:

Just as a follow-up, the correct aperture plate for films made from November 1929 to the adoption of the Academy standard ratio in 1931 should be .800" x .600". This applies to films made by the following studios: Paramount-Famous-Lasky, Metro-Goldwyn Mayer, United Artists, Pathe, Universal, RKO, Tiffany-Stahl, Mack Sennett, Darmour, Educational.

The Fox Studio markings are the same width but allow .04 inches more height.

Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 10-30-2011, 11:17 PM:

It has been 850 days since the last post.