Some of you may be interested to know that I've just (finally) updated my website about the Velvet Underground's film work.
Go here: http://www.mark-sturdy.co.uk/vu.htm
The page is an attempt to provide a definitive list of all the circulating film that includes contributions from the Velvets. I've also tried to list the various places it's possible to buy official releases of these films.
If anyone can offer any additions or corrections, I'd be most appreciative.
Here are a few things I'd love to know:
1. Is the Anonymous Film Archive release of Moe In Bondage complete? Does it show the two screens simultaneously or separately?
2. Is Hedy ever gonna be released on DVD?
3. Is there any difference in the VU content (either audio or video) between Walden/Diaries Notes & Sketches and Scenes From The Life Of Andy Warhol?
4. Does the Chelsea Girls DVD contain the full 33 minutes of VU music, or are parts obscured as per the original projection instructions?
5. Am I right in saying the Rock'n'Roll Heart DVD includes all of the WNET footage?
6. Does anyone know anything about the VU's contributions to Gerard Malanga's 'Mary For Mary'?
That'll do for now...
VU film page updated
VU film page updated
8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
1. These DVDs are just nth gen copies of the Afterhours videos recorded to DVD-Rs. Very poorly done.
3. Can't say, I only have Scenes from...
4. Rarovideo originally told me that the DVD set would have an audio bonus of the VU music alone. Once it was released, there was no mention of this bonus. When I asked, they said the film was presented per the museum's instructions and different bonuses were chosen (nothing interesting that can't be had elsewhere). I assume this means that not only is the VU music talked over, but it's also turned off at points per the instructions. This would mean that the BBC Peel Slowly broadcast would be the best available source for the music. The music is still talked over, but was left running. I did have a copy of this, but since misplaced it.
5. No, it's only about a minute of Venus.
3. Can't say, I only have Scenes from...
4. Rarovideo originally told me that the DVD set would have an audio bonus of the VU music alone. Once it was released, there was no mention of this bonus. When I asked, they said the film was presented per the museum's instructions and different bonuses were chosen (nothing interesting that can't be had elsewhere). I assume this means that not only is the VU music talked over, but it's also turned off at points per the instructions. This would mean that the BBC Peel Slowly broadcast would be the best available source for the music. The music is still talked over, but was left running. I did have a copy of this, but since misplaced it.
5. No, it's only about a minute of Venus.
RE:
Your page...
Cdjapan also has (had) "Dancing In The Street"
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=NSDS-5071
It is listed is out of print, however. Since Sazuma lists it as "on order," I think we can safely assume that any order through them would be pretty hopeless.
Anyway, just a public thank you for all your work on the films (particularly the 'where to get them' information).
Your page...
Cdjapan also has (had) "Dancing In The Street"
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=NSDS-5071
It is listed is out of print, however. Since Sazuma lists it as "on order," I think we can safely assume that any order through them would be pretty hopeless.
Anyway, just a public thank you for all your work on the films (particularly the 'where to get them' information).
The Japanese DVD of Dancing is just an NTSC transfer of the PAL VHS with added Japanese subtitles and narration. I have the PAL VHS and just checked the NTSC VHS version out of my library to compare. The PAL VHS has a better picture quality and the VU segment is a few minutes longer. This NTSC version has also been broadcast on PBS.
Thanks for all helpful input everyone. I think I'll remove the references to the Anonymous Film Archive stuff - I'd assumed they were official releases but it appears they're actually bootlegs, and seemingly not very good ones. There's very little on them that isn't available through official channels anyway.
Is the Moe In Bondage film available anywhere in better quality than the AFA disc? Is it on any of those bootlegs that pop up on Ebay?
Chelsea Girls - yeah, I think I've seen people's trade lists where a copy of the soundtrack is listed as being good quality but lacking a certain portion - I guess this must be from the recent DVD. Frustrating, especially if Rarovideo had been considering including the whole soundtrack as an extra. Wonder if this was kiboshed by the same hassles that have held up the Bootleg Series and suchlike?
Dancing In The Street - is there much on there in the way of worthwhile archive footage? I'd be especially interested to know whether it'd be possible to compile a complete, or near complete, version of the 'Making Of An Underground Film' piece or the Paraphenalia footage from the various clips that have been used in different documentaries.
Has anyone on here been able to view the two Jonas Mekas films and say definitively whethere there is differing VU content between the two of them?
Is the Moe In Bondage film available anywhere in better quality than the AFA disc? Is it on any of those bootlegs that pop up on Ebay?
Chelsea Girls - yeah, I think I've seen people's trade lists where a copy of the soundtrack is listed as being good quality but lacking a certain portion - I guess this must be from the recent DVD. Frustrating, especially if Rarovideo had been considering including the whole soundtrack as an extra. Wonder if this was kiboshed by the same hassles that have held up the Bootleg Series and suchlike?
Dancing In The Street - is there much on there in the way of worthwhile archive footage? I'd be especially interested to know whether it'd be possible to compile a complete, or near complete, version of the 'Making Of An Underground Film' piece or the Paraphenalia footage from the various clips that have been used in different documentaries.
Has anyone on here been able to view the two Jonas Mekas films and say definitively whethere there is differing VU content between the two of them?
8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1
My copy of the Moe film I'm told was 3-4 gens from a film transfer, but it's not that great. It's the same transfer used for the Afterhours video, but mine looks to be a couple gens better. The AFA disc was even further gens away from the Afterhours video. Don't know about any of the other DVDs on Ebay, but I've never seen a copy not from this same transfer. The main problem with it is that the whites are way too blown out and this looses a lot of detail. Anyway, on a side note there are a couple quick clips from the film in Andy Warhol The Complete Story that are not found in the circulating copies, so maybe we can assume they are from the other screen.
I'll have to check my Dancing video when I get home in about a week, but from what I recall it contains all the available clips of Making of an Underground Film. I haven't seen any different clips in other docs.
I'll have to check my Dancing video when I get home in about a week, but from what I recall it contains all the available clips of Making of an Underground Film. I haven't seen any different clips in other docs.
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Elvis Plebsley
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Chelsea Girls - one of the Afterhours tapes contains music from partway through the Pope Ondine/Nico Crying reels; instead of fading it continues with music, a rocking jam unlike the noodling that appears elsewhere on the film. This music does not appear on the BBC Peel Slowly transmission. Nor as far as I know does it appear anywhere else, which is a pity because while the jam is great, the Afterhours tape soundquality leaves a lot to be desired.
>ANDY WARHOL?S EXPLODING PLASTIC INEVITABLE (Ronald Nameth, 16 mm, colour and B&W, 22 min, >August 1966)
>AVAILABILITY: Complete film released on the ?Paul Morrissey - La Trilogie - New York Underground
>68-72? 4-DVD by Carlotta, France 2003
It's not complete. It's a shorter edit (12-14mins, I'd need to check) w/ the LP versions of Heroin & Venus in Furs rather than the live Cale sung versions. Not sure if this is the same 12min edit that's been around or a new one, I don't believe I have the old one to compare.
>AVAILABILITY: Complete film released on the ?Paul Morrissey - La Trilogie - New York Underground
>68-72? 4-DVD by Carlotta, France 2003
It's not complete. It's a shorter edit (12-14mins, I'd need to check) w/ the LP versions of Heroin & Venus in Furs rather than the live Cale sung versions. Not sure if this is the same 12min edit that's been around or a new one, I don't believe I have the old one to compare.