16mm sound \"WHITE CHRISTMAS\" (1954) Bing Crosby/Danny Kaye IB TECH For Sale

Up for sale is the 1954 classic \"White Christmas\" starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. Kind of a remake of Crosby\'s \"Holiday Inn,\" but also amovie that stands on it\'s own. With support from character greats Dean Jagger and Mary Wickes, this film has become a holiday tradition as much as \"It\'s A Wonderful Life.\" Why bother recapping the plot, you have to know it alreadyor you probably wouldn\'t be looking at this listing.

The good news--this is a 100% IB Tech print mounted on three 1600 foot reels. From my personal collection, I\'ve had this print for 42 years and although it has had a great many showings, it is still in very good condition. Here is the splice breakdown--

Reel 1--12 splices

Reel 2--8 splices

Reel 3--8 splices.

This print has original IB Tech leaders and tails (one exception--the leader on reel 3 is not original, but it IS IB Tech)and was made in 1961, which means there are physical splices at the \'A\" and \"B\" sections together with a splices at the theatrical reel change. This means that in each of the three reels, 3 of the splices are at lab sections. At 7 theatrical reels, this was originally on 4 reels, but when I first got it, the film was already on three reels. The breakdown is

Reel 1--Lab sections 1A to 3A

Reel 2--Lab sections 3B to 5A

Reel 3--Lab sections 5B to 7A

Take a look at the screen caps as they are from the actual print being sold. There are no major lines or scratches in the picture area. There are, of course,occasionally some VERY light hairlines on the left and right picture edges--absolutely nothing major. The density sound track is loud and strong. The IB Tech as you can see is outstanding. Absolutely complete at 120 minutesfrom the opening VistaVision announcement to the Paramount logo fade out at the end.

Now the bad news--although not bad for the serious collector. The A/D strips indicate the first stage of vinegar syndrome. Look at the last screen cap. There is a awful lot of mis-information going around when people sellingfilm say ithas vinegar or not. Ask any lab worker or tech--film startsbreaking down as soon as its processed. How long it takes depends of its care and storage. Some printscanonly last a fewyears due to improper storage--others can last indefinitely. I myself have a mint print of Frank Sinatra\'s \"The House I Live In\" which has a Kodak date of 1950 and it is still stable. Why? Refrigeration/cold storage (or freezing in extreme cases) is the answer. I first detected a slight odor about 12 years ago and have not had any change of degradationsince. In the case of this print of \"White Christmas,\" two factors are in play. First, every 5 years or so since I\'ve had it,I soak the printin VitaFilm--a great preservative a any film new or old. Second, in between showings, I refrigerate the print. Once again, serious collectors know what I\'m talking about. Cold storage (with low humidity) can lengthen the life of any film from 10 to25 years.The lower the temperature the longer the life.I can enclose a copy of the Rochester Institute charts on temperature and storage if you want. Level 1 is an indication of some degradation but is not yet serious.

At this stage 1, there is no physical property change in the film The picture is sharp from edge to edge and the film takes up tightly on my B&H 2592. All the splices have just been remade with my Maier-Hancock hot splicer with fresh Kodak cement. Another myth, don\'t let anybody tell you film cement is no longer made. Just call Kodak at their 800 number in Rochester and they will sell you a fresh pint. There is probably a slight vinegar odor, but frankly,the VitaFilm smell eclipses any other smell.

Onceagain, I recommend this print for the serious collector who knows about the care and maintenance of film prints. Please, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to e-mail. I will give you a money back guarantee with this film.

AND, once more, those screen caps are from the print being sold. I will ship via media mail in a fiberboard shipping case with a cardboard liner. U.S. buyers only. I only accept PayPal as payment. Payment is due within 2 days of sale\'s closing. Thanks for letting me be so long winded, but I\'m a fussy collector and I would think you would like as muchinformation as possible.