Hemisfair '68-The movie "US" (Houston, San Antonio: fit in, 2013)

[Stuck in Houston]

Hello,first time poster here.

Among the most best memories of Hemisfair was going to the US pavillion and seeing the movie "US". Does anyone know if there is a copy of this film in any format? I thought there was only one copy of it and it was either lost,misplaced or destoyed. Thanks, JC.

[Ripshin]

UTSA has the HemisFair archives, I believe. It is terrible, just how much memorabilia has NOT survived. Probably one of THE worst recorded World's Fairs. KLRN has a great special several years ago.

[Ripshin]

HAD a great special. It's available on tape. I have no idea if it mentioned the film that you reference.

[Taco-n-Beer]

there's some great youtube's out there keyword "Hemisfair 1968"

[Ripshin]

Here is the UTSA archive link:

HemisFair '68 Research Guide / Archives & Special Collections : UTSA Library

[Debfordougarts13]

Here is where the film is.
This is in response to your recent inquiry received on August 23, 2013, regarding the Francis Thompson film "US", created for the Department of Commerce for the Hemisfair Pavillion at Hemisfair68.*

As you may be aware, the production was a special venue film, produced in 70mm and designed specifically to be projected on three separate screens, or panels, for which the Confluence Theater was specifically designed. The National Archives does hold a copy of the film in 70mm. It is comprised of these separate projection reels for the images which appeared on the left, center, and right screens, respectively. There was also a single strand print created which combined each of the three separate panel frames into single frames and anamorphically compressed to fit in one 70mm frame.*

Unfortunately, the National Archives does not have the capability to print, scan, or project 70mm film, and as such, has been unable to make this film available the public for many years. In recent years we have explored the costs to preserve and make digital copies of the film but thus far the work has been cost prohibitive and our discretionary budget has not allowed for it. For these reasons, we are unable to fill your request for access to this film.*

The National Archives also holds a collection of outtakes related to this film, most of which exist in 35mm film reels and can be viewed in our Motion Picture Research Room in College Park, MD. If you would like more information about that process, please let me know.*

We regret that we were unable to be of further assistance in this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact the Motion Picture Branch should you have any follow up questions.*

With Best Regards,*

Dan


Daniel Rooney, Supervisory Archivist
Special Media Archives Services Division (RDSM)
National Archives at College Park*
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740
301-837-1995
[email]Daniel.Rooney@nara.gov[/email]

[Rapscallion]

Originally Posted by Debfordougarts13

Here is where the film is.

Unfortunately, the National Archives does not have the capability to print, scan, or project 70mm film, and as such, has been unable to make this film available the public for many years. In recent years we have explored the costs to preserve and make digital copies of the film but thus far the work has been cost prohibitive and our discretionary budget has not allowed for it. For these reasons, we are unable to fill your request for access to this film.*

Dear Dan, a Century model 70mm projector just sold on fleabay for $162, maybe you could pass the hat around the office?

There's a guy in Houston who (at least used to) retrofits projectors with LED replacement bulbs and adds a lens to focus the output onto a CCD. With the addition of timing circuitry he was able to scan film frame by frame. Of course, I'm sure they've got much grander plans involving tens of thousands of dollars.

I guess someone needs to write a juicy grant proposal before this will ever be shared with the community.

[Lee W.]

KLRN video:
Video: HemisFair | Watch San Antonio Remembered Online | KLRN Video

[Rustybolt]

Originally Posted by Debfordougarts13

Here is where the film is.
This is in response to your recent inquiry received on August 23, 2013, regarding the Francis Thompson film "US", created for the Department of Commerce for the Hemisfair Pavillion at Hemisfair68.*

As you may be aware, the production was a special venue film, produced in 70mm and designed specifically to be projected on three separate screens, or panels, for which the Confluence Theater was specifically designed. The National Archives does hold a copy of the film in 70mm. It is comprised of these separate projection reels for the images which appeared on the left, center, and right screens, respectively. There was also a single strand print created which combined each of the three separate panel frames into single frames and anamorphically compressed to fit in one 70mm frame.*

Unfortunately, the National Archives does not have the capability to print, scan, or project 70mm film, and as such, has been unable to make this film available the public for many years. In recent years we have explored the costs to preserve and make digital copies of the film but thus far the work has been cost prohibitive and our discretionary budget has not allowed for it. For these reasons, we are unable to fill your request for access to this film.*

The National Archives also holds a collection of outtakes related to this film, most of which exist in 35mm film reels and can be viewed in our Motion Picture Research Room in College Park, MD. If you would like more information about that process, please let me know.*

We regret that we were unable to be of further assistance in this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact the Motion Picture Branch should you have any follow up questions.*

With Best Regards,*

Dan


Daniel Rooney, Supervisory Archivist
Special Media Archives Services Division (RDSM)
National Archives at College Park*
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740
301-837-1995
Daniel.Rooney@nara.gov

That is some outstanding research. What a great cause it would be for San Antonians to get behind a project to restore and preserve this film, which I presume was only exhibited in our city.

[swahili]

Let's DO IT! I'm IN.

First things to determine:

1. Will they accept donations that are to be dedicated ONLY to the project of converting it to digital?

2. Do we need to start a non-profit to take donations?

3. What is the total amount estimated to make the conversion? If it's in excess of 25K, the non-profit will have to keep records. If it's less than 25K, no record keeping is required for the non-profit.

I'll follow up on some of this and report back. This SHOULD BE DONE and it also would make an excellent piece for one of the museums in town or the Tower of the Americas theater. Its premiere could also be a great "occasion" fund-raiser (FIRST SHOWING IN 50 YEARS!) for a deserving charity or one of the publicly funded radio stations, like the great jazz station KTRU 97.1 FM!

swahili