Hollywood Fire Destroys Films Worth Millions

Hollywood Fire Destroys Films Worth Millions Dec 10, 2019 23:34:10 GMT spiderwort and BATouttaheck like this

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Post by Doghouse6 on Dec 10, 2019 23:34:10 GMT

Dec 10, 2019 22:40:42 GMT spiderwort said:

Dec 10, 2019 4:46:43 GMT BATouttaheck said:

spiderwort

One would hope to find mention of these films that were far enough advanced that they were "in the lab" being processed, assembled or copies being made for distribution and yet, so far, nada. It's got a be there on the net or in a book somewhere !

Would think that they might have had to re-shoot at least some of those pictures.

Bat, I researched this yesterday and was unable to find out anything more than what you've already mentioned. If that changes, I'll let you know. I'm curious, too.

EDIT: Oh, I just found this, which adds a bit more information and confirms my general assessment, especially in this: "It is believed that 75 per cent of Hollywood’s film companies stored their master films in this laboratory."

CFI fire (Headlines from yesteryear)

BATouttaheck

I'm glad you came across this, as it provides an opportunity to expand upon your extensive remarks upthread. Even when I was in the biz into the late '80s, it was common for the big labs all around town, including CFI, to serve as storage facilities for preprint materials as well as processing ones, which simplified handling when distributors ordered new prints stuck; they were already right where they needed to be.

A side note to that, and one to strike terror into the heart of any current-day film preservation professional: back in '29, original cut negatives were still used, often as not, as printing negatives for exhibition positives.