9.5mm Vintage Film Encyclopaedia
This is an amazing work. Many attempts have been made to list all the 9.5mm films issued, but until the advent of computer-aided scanning and editing it was impossible to produce a comprehensive version. The most comprehensive attempt was made by Garth Pedler and Dave Wyatt, but existed only as a manually-typed, much-annotated copy. Enter our hero, Patrick Moules, inspired to action, he admits, by a modest attempt on my part to scan and convert to computer text some pages of the Pedler-Wyattt "manuscript"
. From there it has been a gargantuan effort, with much help from other contributors, to research, check and expand as much information as possible on 9.5mm titles in whatever language (barring Japanese). Everything is referred back to the 35mm title whenever possible and there is in addition and extensive index of cast and crew. It has taken literally years to reach the point of publication, with huge amounts of new information being brouight to light and edited into a usable format. It is truly an astonishing feat, and I take my hat off to Patrick for his achievement which will be of enduring value and indispensible for the true 9.5er. Even now, new information is coming to light and may end up in a supplement at some stage.
But enough of me.
Here is the flyer Patrick has issued, which gives more detail and contact information.
The 9.5mm Vintage Film Encyclopaedia
This massive reference book provides a single-volume, comprehensive catalogue of all known 9.5mm film releases. It includes:-
- The main A-Z index of over 12,000 individual titles of original films, cross-referenced to the 9.5mm release titles and a listing of production information, cast and credits.
- The Personality index of all known actors and film crew, comprising 12,055 names, who are represented in 9.5mm versions of original films. Over 200 portraits, enlarged from 9.5mm frames by the late Gerald McKee, are also included.
- Pathé-Baby/Pathéscope and other distributors’ catalogue series and numbers, film length, release dates (where known) and the series in which the films were organised provide distribution history for 9.5mm film prints and each section is illustrated
with a9.5mm projector appropriate to the catalogue period.
- In the illustrated Foreword, in both English and French, eminent film historian and filmmaker Kevin Brownlow explains the importance of 9.5 and how it came to start him on his career. 9.5mm film was introduced in the early 1920s, backed by the huge resources of the
Pathé film empire and how, within a few years, the gauge became synonymous with Home Cinema throughout Europe and
also in much of the rest of the world, bringing high-quality, well-edited films into the home.
- A brief technical explanation, how 9.5mm films were produced, is also included in this opening section. Finally, there is a detailed History of 9.5mm, particularly Pathé-Baby and Pathéscope, which is a much-expanded version of the work started in the 1980’s by
Paul Van Someren. This final section is provided with relevant images and is again presented in both English and French.
The long- awaited ENCYCLOPAEDIA IS NOW AVAILABLE. It was delivered in early May and is now available direct from Patrick Moules
and it has already been particularly well received and is appreciated by 9.5mm enthusiasts and more
general home cinema cognoscenti alike. A typical unsolicited testimonial read:-
“Many, many thanks for receipt of 9.5mm Vintage Film Encyclopaedia. What a labour of love, what a marvel and worth every penny. It will remain one of my treasured possessions - useful, informative and entertaining. Very best wishes”
The book may also be ordered by contacting Patrick Moules direct and a quick turn-around is normally achieved.
The cost in the UK is £75.00 plus £10.00 Courier or Royal Mail 2nd Class Parcel Service. Cheques should be made payable to & sent to:
PATRICK MOULES, SEYMOUR LODGE, HIGH STREET, SEEND, MELKSHAM, WILTS SN12 6NY
Tel 01380-828952/07860-314469 Fax 01380 828737 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please contact Patrick Moules by email if you would like to discuss alternative BACS or cash payments or if you would like to organise “socially safe” collection from Wiltshire.
THE VINTAGE 9.5mm FILM ENCYCLOPAEDIA edited by Patrick Moules (Troubador Publications/Matador 2020) - 29cm x 22 cm x 6cm - approx. 3.5kg - 1136 pages – 490 images and illustrations - Hardbound stitched; buckram cover