To Bootleg, or not to Bootleg

[John Field]

I have the Giant 21 Disc Box. I have transfered my own mint 16mm print
of THE CHIMP with the original titles. I transfered my ownprint of
BLOCKHEADS to replace the missing footage on the mega set. I have
collected what I feel are the best masters on every L&H film made.
Members of my group are always asking for a "Set" of DvDs. I always
have to direct them eleswhere. Question is, should I transfer all of
the L&Hs to NTSC, in production order etc. etc. and offer them at my
cost? Reason being, I'm tired of the inactivity going on with these
films. As a Grand Shiek, I should be able to offer these to my
members.
What do you all think?
John
www.sapsatsea.com

[Eric SIlver]

Post by John Field
What do you all think?

I could tell you what the head of a publishing company told me when
we were talking about reprinting an "orphan" work: publish until you
get the cease and desist letter.

I would just do the films you transferred yourself. There you are
offering missing material and you might even be asked to contribute
to a commercial release. As for the other films, are you talking
about converting the region 2 discs? The DMCA will come down hard on
you if you offer NTSC copies of commercial PAL DVDs.

[Eric SIlver]

Post by Eric SIlver
As for the other films, are you talking
about converting the region 2 discs?

I re-read your post and now understand that this is not what you are
talking about. However, unless your prints are substantially
different and you document those differences, you might have a
difficult time proving that you did not copy commerical releases.

Region-free players are not that hard to get. Stick to unique
materials.

[Shark]

Post by John Field
I have the Giant 21 Disc Box. I have transfered my own mint 16mm print
of THE CHIMP with the original titles. I transfered my ownprint of
BLOCKHEADS to replace the missing footage on the mega set. I have
collected what I feel are the best masters on every L&H film made.
Members of my group are always asking for a "Set" of DvDs. I always
have to direct them eleswhere. Question is, should I transfer all of
the L&Hs to NTSC, in production order etc. etc. and offer them at my
cost? Reason being, I'm tired of the inactivity going on with these
films. As a Grand Shiek, I should be able to offer these to my
members.
What do you all think?
Johnwww.sapsatsea.com

What options are out there, as long as the material remains largely
unavailable in Region 1? (As long as you're just doing it for tent
members, I don't think it's a big thing.)

BTW...the original "Chimp" titles were released on a DVD by Kinowelt
in Germany (but not in the UK). How odd.

[Ray Faiola]

John - what is missing from the DVD of BLOCKHEADS? I haven't run the
whole thing - I was too excited to finally see (and hear) the scored
MGM logo!

[Derek Gee]

Post by John Field
I have the Giant 21 Disc Box. I have transfered my own mint 16mm print
of THE CHIMP with the original titles. I transfered my ownprint of
BLOCKHEADS to replace the missing footage on the mega set. I have
collected what I feel are the best masters on every L&H film made.
Members of my group are always asking for a "Set" of DvDs. I always
have to direct them eleswhere. Question is, should I transfer all of
the L&Hs to NTSC, in production order etc. etc. and offer them at my
cost? Reason being, I'm tired of the inactivity going on with these
films. As a Grand Shiek, I should be able to offer these to my
members.
What do you all think?
John
www.sapsatsea.com

Don't even think of it, it's illegal. With the recording industry suing
everyone in sight, the last thing you want is the movie industry to
knock on your door. The re-release of the silent L & H films in Agee's
box set is apparently due any day now. That just leaves the Halmi
controlled materials in limbo here in the US. You might try contacting
them to see if there's any interest in a low-volume license or something...

Derek

[Paul Fitzpatrick]

Post by John Field
Question is, should I transfer all of
the L&Hs to NTSC, in production order etc. etc. and offer them at my
cost? Reason being, I'm tired of the inactivity going on with these
films. As a Grand Shiek, I should be able to offer these to my
members.

I'm a Grand Sheik too, and I never felt it was my responsibility to
offer bootlegs to my members! It's not right; don't do it. We're all
frustrated with the lack of American DVDs of this material, but that
doesn't justify it.

God Bless --
PAUL