Small part of my Laurel & Hardy collection; I originally wanted to own a copy of every film they made, but owing to trying to build an all round collection of features, newsreels, cartoons, etc, I never made it.

Robert,
I know your focus is 16mm, but do you still watch your 8mm films too? The boxes here look to be in excellent condition!

Hi Tim, very rarely now, I need to start watching them again. They are in a cupboard with my 16mm projectors in front, so I have a bit to move to get access to them. All but one of my films were bought new, and I have looked after the boxes.

Walton made great covers, but unfortunately they cut the films. American Blackhawk Films had as complete versions as possible, but their boxes had all the same layout on the L&H films. I have over 50 films with the Boys, most of them Blackhawk Prints. Screening L&H films, seems to be the only way to make my wife spend some time in my home cinema.

What I don't like about Blackhawk, same as Walton, is replacing all or part of the original titles with Blackhawk or the Walton logo.

I agree Robert, but were there anyone who released their fims on 8mm, with the original logo and intro?

I have a print of Berth Marks with original titles, it came in a plain box; I don't think there is any clue on the leader.

As many L&H films that are still available, I should pursue one or two perhaps. What titles do you guys HIGHLY recommend for a beginner?

Robert, it's terrific that you have kept these in such nice condition all these years.

I agree with Mats, the Walton boxes are well designed. I like Blackhawk prints, but it would've been nice to see unique boxes for each title. I'm assuming that those were often made-to-order (hence the generic boxes with the typed labels on the spine). Their way of packaging them would've kept production costs down for sure.

I would consider The Music Box, one of my favorites. Dirty Work I have a soft spot for too

Some early Blackhawk prints ( standard 8 mm ), had unique boxes. At that time a two-reeler was sold on 2 200ft reels in one box. I can highly recommend their silent films LIberty and Big Business.

I will remember those titles Vidar. Thank you. I've only seen two of their films in an unmentionable format. One being "Flying Deuces" and the other being "Babes in Toyland" a.k.a. "March of the Wooden Soldiers" in a modern colorized presentation.

Thanks for those recommendations Mats! I have never seen any standard 8mm Blackhawk prints for sale. Only the super 8 titles released during the 1970's and perhaps later.

Got those features myself. 5x400' on Babes in Toyland. Both fairly worn. They are not suppose to be colorized. Hate that. Worst colorization I've seen were Night of the Living Dead. They say in the start that they look just like us .... They're green faced in that version. Destroyed the movie for me

Timothy! There are many better features than the two you mentioned. I love Our Relations, where the are mixed up with their twin brothers. I agree with Vidar. The Music Box is great and their only Oscar winner.

I agree with all points made, the only feature I have is "Babes In Toyland" 4x400' std 8mm ( reg 8 ) which is very good, and a few shorts, horror/ fantasy film
taking first place, but lets face it, whoever released what, the boys talent shows through, Phil at CHC is the man to ask on best versions,
he is renowned as the L & H Expert, and wrote many great pieces on them in various magazines, including "Super 8 Film Collector". I love
their comedy, timeless, and unlike many comedy duo's, these men were friends, maybe that's the magic that shows through.

Robert, I have the same Walton print of 'Busy Bodies', is your print very soft focus and the faces have no features over-bright except for close ups. 'Hog Wild' Walton very dark even with 150w lamp on full, it seems Laurel and Hardy super 8 films vary so much.

Hi Steve, and welcome to the forum. I think 'Busy Bodies' was the first L&H sound film I bought from Walton, and the image quality is superb. The whole family was amazed by how sharp it is.

All my Walton sound films were consistently good.

Tim, there are some great L&H silent films as well; some made before they were officially a team; there is one I like, but I don't remember the title just now; it involves a diamond thief on board a ship, he is a midget disguised as a baby, and the diamonds are stuffed into the back of a teddy bear.

Robert, when you can remember the title, let me know. Thanks!

'Sailors Beware' is the film with the midget. I must have a bad print of 'Busy Bodies'. it's almost like the print has a sort of outline to the detail like it had moved in the print process, it's like comparing it to colour printing, the print is out of registration, that sort of effect but in B&W.

Sorry about that Steve, you were very unlucky there. I had only seen L&H on TV before and was amazed at the quality of the print.

Tim, here is a clip from the film; I like the scene where Stan throws the Teddy Bear down a shute, and the baby (midget) dives after it. Many of these films I had never seen until I got them in Super 8. TV used to frequently show the Robert Youngson films 'When comedy was King' and 'Days of thrills and laughter', so people of a certain generation were familiar with names like Fatty Arbuckle, Harold Lloyd, Chester Conklin, Ben Turpin. I think most people under 40 wouldn't have a clue who these people are.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc92p0PIEHQ

I have only found British prints of Sailors Beware. My first one was a standarsd 8, Mountain films print. It was a very full 200ft reel. Later I found a 400ft copy. As far as I know this title was never released by Blackhawk.
About Walton L&H. I have had a couple of these. All were great prints.

Mine is 400ft Mountain. I also bought 'Love and Hisses', this was sent on 2x200ft reels and I put them on a 400ft reel.