120 minute version of the Gold Rush

One of world largest film collector's the Dutchman Fenno Werkman owns the only copy in the world lasting 120 minutes. During the easterweekend I spoke him, no it's not because of the wrong speed in the exactly right speed this version lasts 120 minutes. On this adress you read a Dutch article: http://www.filmkrant.nl/av/org/filmkran/archief/fk241/ iffr2003.html
scroll under in the page.
His archive is used for many TV programmes about pop music and DVD like many Beatles / solo DVD's they need his archive.

Johnny

I'm surprised no one reacted. Here's some more news.
The Chaplin family found out about this version, tried to claim it as theirs. But because of copywrite they couldn't claim it. When you talk to collector's like him there is so much material available in the hands of collector's. For example two years ago a 2 DVD came out containing material from about 15 Beatles concerts from their first US tour in august 1964. Their feb. 1964 visit was just for promotion. On the 2 DVD's there are about 5 hours of nearly 15 concerts and visits to town, press conferences etc. Nothing has ever been seen since 1964.
Mr. Werkman claims he has fantastic versions of the Chaplin movies, better than the DVD's.

Johnny

I am surprised no one reacted as well!
How do you go about seeing this collector collection. it sounds fascinating but unaccessible...

We can do something, I gave all information to Lobster in Paris. Perhaps they can make a deal.

And make it publicly accessible?
That would be wonderful.
Let us know how it develops

For commercial companies it is important to know there is commercial value for old material. Last december in my local town the 1940's Fox releases by Laurel and Hardy sold each day like hot cookies.Each shipment was sold out within a day. In 1 shop during october more than 100 Laurel and Hardy DVD's were sold. During july 2005 Chaplin's major films were on midprice. That saterday half the people in the shop were buying his CD's. After the month Modern Times had been the best selling no. 1 DVD in this major Dutch chain.
Fans have to continue writing to companies to release certain titles. I did in may to the BFI. Their reaction:

RE: [website] release date Keystones
Van: Bryony Dixon ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Contactpersoon toevoegen
Verzonden:maandag 12 mei 2008 14:41:00





Thanks very much. The Keystone DVD is planned for spring 2009. There is still restoration work to do on the last few titles and then work will commence on the DVD itself. We will be including as many Keystone titles as survive, which I think is 34. There are no out-takes for the Keystones. The out takes only exist for Chaplin's later films. I hope there will be plenty of extras though. You are so right about the statue - I don't like it either. Best wishes Bryony Dixon| Curator - Silent filmBFI National Archive | 21 Stephen Street | London W1T 1LNTel 020 7957 8951 | Fax 020 7580 7503 | www.bfi.org.uk

Wow! that sounds pretty good to me.
I guess for something like this the companies would need to invest in a lot of public relations and advertising to let people know that it is out there - because its not necessarily your average Joe that would go out to by something like this!

This weekend in the Netherlands is the International Laurel and Hardy weekend. It made Nationale TV about 10 minutes and the main journal. One of the still living kids from the Little Rascals who worked with them in The Hall Roach Studios was interviewed fantastic beautiful footage. Today in a 100 year old cinema the best of the country in Amsterdam was hired for a whole day of films and entertainment. Unfortunately nothing is done with Chaplin.

Johnny

Still sounds pretty cool....

Yesterday sunday afternoon Belgium TV showed The Great Dictator. It was great to see my 9 year old nephew enjoying the movie and looking to it. He also enjoyed The General by Buster Keaton very much much and has seen it numerous times. Thinking about it I go back to my first visit ever to a cinema with my father and another nephew. I could hardly breath because of the number of people going to a Johnny Weismuller Tarzan movie. These films are excellent to see on an LCD TV.

I just bought a new t.v. An LCD t.v. Great to hear those films can be best seen on this t.v. I just bought (but haven't connected yet)

I remember from my childhood a series called "Comedy Keepers". Ever heard of it?

Yes,

I remember the comedy capers as we called them in Holland. We also had a programma in the 1970 called: "Speaking is silver, silence is gold" with good old fashioned slap stick with pieces of fantastic humor. The Keystone cops. In the 1980's it was shown for the last time on TV in my country. Since than not many old stuff. Last year I emailed the nationale TV to remember Chaplin's 30 th anniversary and 2 or 3 Chaplin films were shown in december 2007.

How is the situation in your country readers?

Oooohhhh such a coincidence!! I also saw the comedy keepers (or capers as you wrote?) in the Netherlands. (I am originally Dutch). I remember many silent movies that time. There was a "retro" fashion and old movies and series (of any kind) were shown on Dutch t.v.

Here in Israel the silent movies aren't that much shown. Unfortunately

It's also the fault of movie companies. They wait a long time to release anything it takes years. Laurel and Hardy sold exceptional well in my hometown 1,5 year ago 150 DVD's in one month. The Fox film each shipment sold out. Now a little later nothing more for sale. Buster Keaton has 1 box and 2 DVD set,hard to find his classics you can't find them. Only in better DVD's stores or internetshop you find Chaplin. Last year the fantastic 10 DVD box by Harold Lloyd was released. His other work: nowhere to find. Other older artists: not for sale.

Ys, but I bet it also has to do with 'distribution rights' and such perhaps. Or, there just isn't enough demand for these types of movies... (which would be a pity).