825 COLLECTION
Archive of 500 16mm films formerly in circulation by the Chicago Public Libraries.
THE STORY:
In summer, 2016 I received an email out of the blue asking if I would be interested in picking up a lot of 500 16mm films that the Chicago Film Archive no longer had space to store. The Chicago Film Archive had opened in 2003 in response to the Chicago Public Library's plans to get rid of their 16mm collections.
A friend of mine worked for CFA at the time and thought I might be willing to take them in. Two weeks later, I showed up with two friends to collect the films. It took 3 car loads to collect all the films.
THE FILMS
- The collection consists of: Educational films, home movies, screen tests, disney shorts, TV programs, misc. footage
- Highlights: sex-ed films, screen tests for a young actress, AIDS education, "Farmers in Holland," "How to be a Man," "Hoarders," "Roots," "Civilization" Parts 1-7
- Almost all films contain a sound strip.
ARCHIVAL STATUS OF FILMS
Most of the prints are in very good condition.
They are currently being stored in a dark and cool makeshift storage area. Humidity and temperature are monitored and meet basic standards, but are not under my control.
Orphan Status: Many of the prints can be considered Orphan films. The copyright holders have abandoned the films, are indeterminate, or uncontactable. The Chicago Film Archive maintains the only known duplicate of many of the films. Obvious exceptions to orphan status apply to the Disney short films and other works with continued commercial potential such as "Roots."
IN PROGRESS:
I am working on starting a non-profit, traveling, screening series to show these films.
A full list of all films will be added to this page.
NAME: "825 Collection"
- 825 is the number of the address at which they are currently stored.
- This is not an archive. But it is a collection.
page last updated: March 16, 2017