Just mentioning this for us repertory theatre junkies. Apparently hundreds of film prints were destroyed in the Universal lot fire. According to the LA Times story on the damage none of these were original masters, which are stored in Philly, but who knows if Universal is going to make the effort to reprint some of the “lower quality” fare represented in those now ashen archives. As someone who used to book a repertory film series, I can tell you how hard it can be to get the film that you want, and that this fire may effect the efforts and programs of literally hundreds of great theatres, from coast to coast.
The New Beverly has already had to cancel screenings of “Prince of Darkness”, “Sudden Death” and “Bride of Chucky”, LACMA’s showing of “Hold Back the Dawn” may be affected (they’re looking for a substitute print) and American Cinematheque may have to cancel showings of “Her Jungle Love” and “Almoa of the South Seas.”
Technorati Tags: Universal Fire, film, fire, art damage