This is the first in a series in which film and video collectors relate their tales. [If you have a story to tell then send it to my email and a photo or two would be nice. GED]
Our first is from a collector and a kingpin of the original Derann workforce.
Memories of my life at Derann and how it started: Colin Malin.
First of all, I was like a lot more film fans, I had a Kodak silent 8mm projector, showing films I had taken… but all of a sudden there was Dixons…. you were able to buy Pyramid 50ft silent reels, and longer 200ft silent films and being a horror and comedy fan,I soon became addicted to 8mm films,,
Whats next? 8mm sound films and one of the first was Tell Tale Heart, followed by Laurel and Hardy and many Castle films,
Then came the Movie Maker with an advert for Derann. I looked at all the titles available in sound, so I traveled from Birmingham to Dudley and I was amazed at the shop and its contents.
Derek Simmonds was a real film fan and over time and many visits, I made the move to Holly Hall and joined the dream of a job. From typing the sales sheets, to later recording the 8mm films, traveling down to London to collect films from Mountain for the customers and the library and visiting Pinewood studios.
It was around the end of 1969 when I began work at 171 Stourbridge Road. Steve Wellings was already a regular worker and John Thompson was always dropping in to help out, David Hale and part timer Ron Hillman started shortly after me, and later Ged, Gary and Mark Rackham would all be added to the roster in the mid 70s. We had many happy times,with club film shows, waiting for the new releases to arrive and the excitement of a new film could be and always was amazing.
Super 8 was a problem in the library, with sprocket and scratched prints, but we carried on,
Then came the day we moved to Dudley, in a converted car sales room and repair shop, so we had plenty of room, Sales, recording, and so much more for the customers to see and do. We launched Carry on Camping at the new shops opening for which Barbara Windsor came to do the honours.
With Gary in charge of exports and Derek and GED getting the rights to the films the sky was the limit. It was a happy time, with most of us keeping in touch. It had a humble begining from a house in Wentworth road, becoming the UKs largest 8mm distributor. Now Facebook helps keeps the old staff in touch, but in those days it was Derek who was always there, the one in charge of the fantastic dream that was the home cinema.
Leave a Reply