**I'm not going to look at how long it has been since the last one of these. I'll feel way too old if I do.**
What is the Story of this Film?
The Story:
Released in 1943, the Film was played at Roadshow Theaters and Drive-Ins. It was apparently notorious for lots of early walkouts. As such, Theaters were allowed to keep 75% of the Revenue as a show of good faith for playing it at all.
It was a loose collection of Film Clips from stuff that *likely* didn't belong to the Producers.
Of course, it was 1943, so that's alot more viable than today.
Of course, it was 1943, so that's alot more viable than today.
According to IMDB, Films used in Clip Form include White Zombie, The Return of Chandu, The Living Dead, Vampyr, The Man of Stone and The Flaming Signal.
For a modern equivalent, see the 'Clip Shows as Films' that Full Moon has been putting out like Puppets Gone Wild, etc. Of course, they *own* those Films...
Was It Found?:
Sadly, no.
Thankfully, no.
Simply put, you can watch all of the Films that actually were poached for this one. It isn't a Lost Film like London After Midnight in that regard.
On the flip side, it is a piece of Film History- for better or for worse.
True story: you can buy Lobby Cards from the Film online and even a Poster for it from Sears.
No joke.
Part of me does still want to see it.
Is there a merit to this kind of thing, in spite of the apparent theft and lack of copyright?
I think there would be historical merit in finding and preserving a copy. Yes, it was copyright violation. But we're well past the point where those who may have been finally harmed are still being harmed. I think it would be a cultural relic worth preserving if found. ... The history of the midnight spook shows is pretty fascinating. .... Also, to take an extreme example, ALL of the copies of Murnau's Nosferatu were, by fully binding court order, supposed to be destroyed. I don't think you'd find many people who are upset that some copies of that copyright-violating film survived!
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