So, let's get on shall we?

As I'm still new to the hobby a lot of my friends don't know I have projector yet and so I am having a lot of fun showing it off to visitors etc. Because of this I got to thinking what is the best thing I have to introduce people to the world of film projection- which film is the best "welcome".

My collection is very small so I think what I have that'd be best is a cartoon I only received the other day- a Silent black & white cartoon called "Puss in Boots" by Castle (i think). Simply because it's short, quite funny and very surreal which I think would hook/excite people.

So, of your collections, what's the best film to spring on newcomers?

I started my collection with Island of Mystery, which works fine for most. Do a Disney, Tom & Jerry with a Laurel and Hardy (The Music Box is a fun film). The 400' digest of Alien captures the film nicely in 18 minutes. I do not own the 200' Jaws, but that is also supposed to be a great digest.

I would suggest one of the many Castle Films horror classics, such as " Creature from the Black Lagoon" or " Frankenstein ". For sheer action digests of " Raiders of the Lost Ark" or " Disney's Greatest Chases". Ditto on "Jaws" as I used to own a copy and it's a fantastic little digest.

Classic Horror is always a good option!

Also, because you've brought up "Creature", you've got to see this



Dedication!

Now that is some serious body art!

Hi Tyler,
My 400' sound digest of "Superman" (1978) has been the film of choice for showing off my projector for the first time to anyone. At 17 or 18 minutes, it's not too long, but quite entertaining. It's also family friendly. A lot of it will depend on your targeted audience. For small children, a Disney short would most likely be a hit. "Mickey's Trailer" (1938) is a good one.

I like to start with something old, like some black and white Popeye cartoons, as this is kind of what people expect with this 'old' technology. Then I like to pop something more modern, with great color and sound, which seems to set the hook!

Timothy I use to use the SUPERMAN 400 footer as part of my kids programme shows when I was
and about doing shows at Sunday School Church Halls for the kids. It went down a treat along with
the rest of the show cartoons and of course Laurel & Hardy shorts.
I also used the same reels for Kids Birthday Party Shows at their homes.
In those days I was using the ELMO ST 1200 HD which was just perfect for such venues.
Oh Happy Days !

Tom will love you for that last comment David!

Andrew I know that already. I thought about him as I typed it.

I have just been thinking about how much I miss doing shows outwith the home.
So much that I may do one or two soon on 16mm and 8mm at the Village Hall this
coming Winter. Maybe as a fund raiser event.
I might open them with a print of WHISKY GALORE which is most suitable for
the old fishing village where I now live.

I am sure it would go down a storm David and I'd like to do similar in the junior schools around Christmas periods with my Disney collection. I think coupled with a brief history/science lesson of how we arrived at the streaming of films on I pads from our own childhood memoirs of growing up placing a 50 inch tripod screen in our living rooms twice a week to watch a movie, it'd be both interesting for the kids as well as thoroughly educational and enjoyable for them.

I am certain one or two teachers may think likewise for their future little next Nick Parks of the classroom!

CRB check already done from the DJing days, no obstacles whatsoever!
Happy Days ahead maybe.

When I worked in Birmingham in a 6th form college - i offered to show some real film to the film studies students who used to run a film club - it went down well but I felt in the end it was the teachers who looked forward to it - not the students - I used my Elmo 1200 hd and my fumeo to screen a selection of prints as diverse as Mary Poppins, Predator, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Curse of Frankenstein etc. Now that I am working back in South Wales - i haven't mentioned my hobby to my work colleagues - if i did - i feel an impromptu film show being organised.

Get on David.
A man of my own heart. Its difficult to know what films are best for starting a show to a new audience when you want to show off. For me its an all action trailer,followed by an ad reel,(they always seem to have top quality images and very good sound), followed up by a number of 400 ft reel.

Oh, all on me trusty Elmo HD

If you find Abbott & Costello's Who's on First? that usually creates laugh. I find this hilarious myself too and chuckle every time. Real nice how they play together