Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Renting Older Movies

This is topic Renting Older Movies in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Tom Wienholt (Member # 1510) on 05-09-2003, 01:13 AM:

I am interested in renting a print of the original Back to the Future movie released in 1985. Do any of these prints still exist? If so, where could i get a hold of one? I have had trouble getting any information from Universal Pictures on the subject. Thanks.

Posted by Barry Floyd (Member # 385) on 05-09-2003, 09:07 AM:

Call your booker...

Go over to www.bigscreenbiz.com and ask the same question over there. You'll find more independant owners over there that participate on a regular basis than you will here.

Posted by Patrick McDonough (Member # 1363) on 05-09-2003, 09:12 AM:

I know you can get older films, I dont know an exact list but I do know some studios have added some to there web sites so you might want to check there. hope this helped.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 05-09-2003, 09:29 AM:

I'm pretty sure that there is (was?) some issue with BTTF and print availability, but I don't know the details. You might be able to book it in 16mm, but it's probably not worth the bother, unless you can find a private collector who has a print and is willing to allow you to run it in lieu of the 16mm print (which you would still have to rent in order to ensure that the screening was properly licensed).

Most older films are indeed available, however, and some distributors (Warner Bros. in particular) have some beautiful prints in their rental inventory. Of course, there are also lots of splicy, faded, and abused prints out there, too.

Posted by Tom Wienholt (Member # 1510) on 05-11-2003, 10:32 PM:

Does anyone know the name of a company that deals with older prints?

Posted by Donna Sylvester (Member # 726) on 05-12-2003, 12:28 AM:

I'd start by calling Universal and asking them if they have a print.

Posted by Jeff Taylor (Member # 443) on 05-12-2003, 08:56 AM:

Criterion and Swank are two of the major sources of repertory / revival titles for both theatrical and non-theatrical venues in 35mm. Both are on the web.

Posted by Bob Peticolas (Member # 328) on 05-12-2003, 01:36 PM:

We have used these:

Sony Pictures Classics
Fox Searchlight
MGM/UA
Empire Pictures
Milestone Film + Video
Wellspring

All can be reached via Google.

bob

Posted by Joe Morris (Member # 1553) on 05-23-2003, 01:03 AM:

We show old movies for a midnight show on Friday and Saturday nights. This is at an art theatre near college campuses. It took a while to build a following but is doing very well now. Matrix, Willie Wonka, Goonies, The Shining, Mony Python etc. See our sight for list www.dundeetheatre.com. The manager at that theatre makes a list of movies he wants and then finds out who the distributor was. Gets on the phone and starts calling. He is usually very good at getting the ones he wants.