Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Audiophilander (A) on November 10, 2005 at 10:18:47

In Reply to: I had no idea you were that kinky posted by late on November 10, 2005 at 07:26:20:

This serial was featured at Houstoncon, a function put on by fans who alternated the annual events between Dallas, Houston and Oklahoma City during the late 60's and early 70's. Houstoncon was the first convention I attended, waaaay back in the summer of 1969! Not only did I become a rabid fan of chapterplays following this encounter, but nostalgia conventions as well for a number of years!

Back then regional conventions were relatively small, with several hundred people attending from around the country. Functions were centered around a dealers room where collectors could visit and barter comics and pulps. The dealers room would be shut down at night, the tables covered and a projector brought out to screen films.

But within a couple of years they'd grown in popularity to the point where several thousand fans would attend Houstoncon and other conventions nationwide every summer. By 1972 Houstoncon had increased in length from 3 days to 5 days, and multitrack programming (5 film rooms in addition to a massive dealers room and speakers forums) was provided 24/7 featuring rare films and guests (stars of classic film, television and radio, and highly regarded comic artists of the golden age).

BTW, this was before the advent of home video and popularity of cable and satellite television. Large function space was set aside for film showings. Screenings were usually packed, the rooms set-up with 16mm and occasionally 35mm projectors for projecting movies and serials folks could not see anywhere else. These were MAJOR fan events that continued to grow in popularity, expanding to other cities until the home entertainment revolution took hold and priorities changed.

One year I remember the convention committee had managed to negotiate with 20th Century Fox to obtain among other rare films a print of the SF classic "Just Imagine" freshly struck from the original 35mm negative, which was awesome, ...and kinky, in a manner of speaking, as Just Imagine is an SF musical comedy with pre-Code sexual overtones. Originally released in 1930, prior to Fox becoming 20th Century Fox, Just Imagine hadn't been shown publicly in 40 years. Naturally, I had to catch that!

These early conventions also introduced me to silent films, long lost "B" films if the 40's & 50's, film noir, the classic Paramount Marx Brothers features and of course, serials. Great memories, all! If reminiscing about old serials and conventions is "kinky" ...well then, I guess I'm Ray Davies. ;^)

AuPh