Hello My name is Jay Pregent. I maintain a collection of film that ranges form 8mm up to 35mm. I run them on a variety of projectors which include a pair of Holmes model 8 for the 35mm prints. As if this hobby isn't enough, I am also a manager/projectionist/service technician at several theaters.
If you haven't visited in a while you were probably surprised by the first screen. That is because I am now providing full time technical service for the theater industry. This is also a benefit to you the film collector since I am now in a better position to fill your needs as well as devote more time to the collecting hobby.
Things are moving with this update. There are more items for sale including several 16mm features. There are a few promotional items such as standes too. There are some new pictures in the photo album section and more will be on the way. The Castle Films list has even been updated thanks to some donations of copies of catalogs and box art work.
So please look around, leave some ideas, advice, or questions. You can even E-Mail me some of your war stories. I am sure if any of you worked at a drive-in, you'll have some butes.
Recently I have gotten several international orders from all over the globe. I would like to thank all the customers from far off places. You don't have to live in the USA or even North America to place an order here at the Club House, the only thing to remember is that all prices are in US Dollars. That's pretty easy isn't it?
Here's a little observation I have made as to the importance of our hobby. So often people are at first amazed when I tell them I am a film collector. The conversations usually turn towards the fact that maintaining and showing films is allot of work. Then there is the usual comments that videos are easer and many of them proudly proclaim that they don't even go to the movies but wait until they are available on video. But deep down we know the difference and so do they.
The film companies know the difference too. In recent years we have seen the successful reissuance of several films that have long been available on video. Many midnight showings at theaters are drawing crowds for films such as "Raiders of the Lost Ark" which is not what most people would consider a cult film. Reissued in limited release have been several Alfred Hitchcock films and when "Giant" was re-released several prints served as the first test bed for the updated Technicolor IB process. By the way, "Giant" was not released in IB Technicolor the first time out.
The most recent example of this true love of movies as movies were meant to be is the recent re-release of "Grease". This is more than just a 20th anniversary memory lane ticket. This film that not only has been available on video for years has also been fodder for Sunday afternoon cable channel programming for almost as long. I am in no way implying that it is not a great film because it is. But I only want to point out that it has long been available in the convent home size. So when Paramount did it's research, they found that there was enough interest to strike over 2,000 prints! That is a sizeable investment for anyone to make unless they are sure that it will do business. That people love the way films look as they were meant to. That they are willing to plop down as much as 3 times the amount that they did the first time they saw it. Despite what they say to you and me when we talk about our hobby, we know the truth.
The truth is that preservation of these images is still vitally important and we may be at the front lines. People at the film libraries of Ted Turner, truly one of if not the biggest collection of film in the world, have said that they are not interested in prints. If they have it on D2 then they have it! D2 for those of you who don't know, is a digital video tape format, and not the best one at that!
Don't take for granted the images you collect. You never know when a decision to restor a film will be made only to find that there is no negative or pre-print material available. You may hold the key to part of that restoration. It wouldn't be the first time. And more than once a film collector has been found to have a print that was thought to be lost forever.
Projection Booth - Ideas and maintenance tips on theater related equipment.
Film Vault - Tips ideas and instructions to keep the colors bright and the cans free from vinegar.
Swap Meet - I am looking to buy, trade or sell and this is what I have to offer off the top of my head.
The video store - I have opened my film library to offer copies of my films on video. Look around you never know if you will find just the thing you have been looking for.
Soundtracks - Here's a little explanation for all those questions that seem to come up about 35mm soundtracks
Video Department - You have that favorite film that you would love to share on video? Film to Video transfers are available at a reasonable cost.
Compact Disc Cover - Yes take a look at he album cover that PVP and this web page played a part in creating.
Photo Album - Here is where you can see where I work and what I work on. Hopefully some of you will have your pictures here too.
Classic Boxoffice Magazine - Here's a chance to look back at theaters of the past and how we got to where we are today.
Other People's Pages - A link to other collector's web pages.
jaytp@capital.net - E-Mail me with any ideas, stories, or suggestions you may have.