Universal Studios Fire 6/1/08

[Mysterypez]

Ron Meyer has some 'glass half full' comments about the recent fire.

Universal Upbeat in Studio Fire Aftermath

Universal Studios chief Ron Meyer says no irreparable harm to film/TV library from June 1.

By Robert Marich -- Broadcasting & Cable,
6/20/2008 10:44:00 AM

In an email to employees, Universal Studios president/COO Ron Meyer said that the June 1 studio fire at Universal Studios—the result of a worker accident—did not cause irreparable harm, especially to NBCU’s valuable film/TV library.

“Although our video vault was destroyed, losing thousands of tapes and hundreds of duplicate film prints that we are now in the process of recreating, the vault in which we store our library of films was untouched,” Meyer said in the Thursday memo. “The teams are still assessing what was lost and what may have been salvaged, but we do know there will be minimal long-term impact on what we do, as our company has taken film preservation very seriously and adhered to a policy of geographically separating elements that ensure our film and video legacy can continue.

“We are focused on bringing back our historic back lot tour, developing a replacement for King Kong and rebuilding (production backdrop) New York Street. I will keep you posted as we progress.”

Meyer also said news reports suggesting that the studio’s fire sprinkler system had inadequate water pressure are not true.

The fire erupted in the wee hours of Sunday morning June 1, burning several square blocks of movie sets on the blacklot and the King Kong studio tour attraction. A huge plume of smoke from Universal Studios, which is the sprawling 415-acre film lot at the north end of Cahuenga Pass in Los Angeles, was visible for miles away.

The Universal Studios Tour was closed that day, but reopened the following day and NBCU executive offices opened normally Monday.

NBC Television intends to re-locate activities to the sprawling Universal movie/TV studio lot from its nearby 34-acre Burbank TV studio by 2011 or later, to make way for real estate development. However, The Tonight Show will move to Universal Stage One in 2009, when Conan O’Brien takes over as host.

NBCU operations scheduled to move in the 2011 time frame are local NBC and Telemundo stations, NBC Network News on the West Coast, newsmagazine Access Hollywood, NBC Television Entertainment Group, NBC Agency and all in-house promotional productions, as well as some smaller departments.

The Burbank lot is much smaller, but its flat landscape is valuable because it is part of the San Fernando Valley urban sprawl.

[unclehulot]

No news on the reported audio masters lost, still, and the subject is not brought up in this statement.

[tryavna]

“Although our video vault was destroyed, losing thousands of tapes and hundreds of duplicate film prints that we are now in the process of recreating, the vault in which we store our library of films was untouched,” Meyer said in the Thursday memo.

"Hundreds"? Is this a much smaller -- and thus more easily replaceable -- number than was previously thought? In other words, is this estimate good news or bad?

[Adam]

Well, they are striking new prints, and quickly. Here's today's announcement from Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theatre in Los Angeles:

Last month, we were deeply saddened to hear of the accidental fire on the Universal lot, one which managed to destroy a large percentage of their 35mm release print archive. We were doubly saddened when we found out that Three O' Clock High, which we initially had booked as half of a double feature with Massacre At Central High for June 13th, had been one of the titles lost in the fire. Thankfully, Universal just notified us that they've struck a brand-new 35mm print of Three O' Clock High, which we're showing tonight as half of a double feature with tonight's screening of Lindsay Anderson's 1968 classic If..., starring Malcolm McDowell. The print just arrived at our doorstep last night, and, man, is it shiny and new! It's even got a date sticker on the can, which says "06/16/08". Watching it will be just like seeing it upon its premiere in 1987, so come get in the time machine with us and check it out! The debut feature of Spielberg protege Phil Joanou, Three O' Clock High is one of the most underappreciated comedies of the '80s, and features an unforgettable anxiety-laden turn by Casey Siesmaszko as the hapless nerdy lead forced into an inescapable schoolyard fight with perfectly-cast bully Richard Tyson (Two Moon Junction!).

[mikeohhh]

haha Three O'Clock High... at least they've got their priorities straight!

[jaredsap]

I heard somebody finally lost it and ran amok w a flamethrower after not being able to see Island of Lost Souls...

That would be ironic since I've confirmed Universal's new 35mm print of ISLAND OF LOST SOULS was one of the prints that got incinerated. But Universal is striking another new 35mm SOULS print to replace it.

All this means that the elements must be in place for a good DVD release somewhere down the line.

[Cinephrenic]

Fuckers, they should have either licensed this out or released it already on DVD. Why don't the corporate headquarters ever burn.

[miless]

Why don't the corporate headquarters ever burn.

because there's less insurance money in them?

[jaredsap]

Fuckers, they should have either licensed this out or released it already on DVD. Why don't the corporate headquarters ever burn.

Relax bud. For all we know the restoration was only recently completed.

[What A Disgrace]

From Belcourt Theatre's webpage...

SULLIVAN’S TRAVELS (1941) Tue-Thu, Sept. 16-18

This is both a filmmaker’s film and film for the masses, and that’s the point. Director John L. Sullivan wants to make a social-problems film, portentously called 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?'. When his producers point out that he knows nothing about trouble or poverty, he goes on the road as a hobo. Dir. Preston Sturges, 1941, USA, 90min – The only 35mm burned in the recent fire at Universal Pictures!! Presented in 16mm

[Antoine Doinel]

The only 35mm burned in the recent fire at Universal Pictures!! Presented in 16mm

I wonder how long it will be until we find out that there are many more that were burned that Universal hasn't told us about yet. It seems very odd to me that only one print would've been destroyed in that fire.

[HerrSchreck]

I heard somebody finally lost it and ran amok w a flamethrower after not being able to see Island of Lost Souls...

That would be ironic since I've confirmed Universal's new 35mm print of ISLAND OF LOST SOULS was one of the prints that got incinerated. But Universal is striking another new 35mm SOULS print to replace it.

All this means that the elements must be in place for a good DVD release somewhere down the line.

Did you read this post, David?

35mm.. hmm... wondering if this is a 16 blowup or a genuine fine-grain.

But again-- I never thought that the print on my MCA Uni vhs was a 16mm in the first place. But my eye is far from perfect.

[jaredsap]

Did you read this post, David?

35mm.. hmm... wondering if this is a 16 blowup or a genuine fine-grain.

But again-- I never thought that the print on my MCA Uni vhs was a 16mm in the first place. But my eye is far from perfect.

I doubt it's a blow-up. I'm watching it tonight and will let you know.

I wonder how long it will be until we find out that there are many more that were burned that Universal hasn't told us about yet. It seems very odd to me that only one print would've been destroyed in that fire.

Tons of prints were destroyed, but as I alluded to above, Universal has been fantastic so far about striking new ones. No way in hell is something like SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS going to be out of circulation on 35mm for long. Universal has already struck new prints of infinitely more obscure titles (like THREE O'CLOCK HIGH, as noted above).

[davebert]

Somewhat off topic, but since people seem to have dealt with Universal's repertory booking before, I was wondering if anyone could PM me their contact info?

I've spent a long time trolling the various Uni websites, but can't seem to find anywhere that offers even a clue as to who to contact over there. Then again, since I'm contacting about trying to track down a 16 or 35mm print for a November date, I'm assuming what I'm looking for could well be in ashes now, anyway.

[Adam]

It seems like the truly valuable loss will be the recording masters - metal parts from Decca & other labels from the 1930s & 40s, things like that. Original recordings, alternate takes of things never on CD or LP, best quality sources - Billie Holiday, etc etc.

[jaredsap]

I am totally confused about which if any first gen negatives also went in the fire

Allegedly none.

35mm.. hmm... wondering if this is a 16 blowup or a genuine fine-grain.

But again-- I never thought that the print on my MCA Uni vhs was a 16mm in the first place. But my eye is far from perfect.

I doubt it's a blow-up. I'm watching it tonight and will let you know.

I'm told restorative work was performed over the last few years. The first reel (on the water) is still a little soft -- though some of that is probably intentional gauziness -- but overall the new print (first time it'd ever been screened) looks excellent. The elements are clearly now in place for a DVD release. Wonderful film -- too bad Criterion said it's not on their plate.

[HerrSchreck]

I always reserved a faint hope that CC would put Lost Souls out. It's just such a fabulous title.

Wonderful to know there was solid restoration work done which is now complete, and that we're now at the first exhibition stage of these new positives... certainly routine would dictate that the dvd s/b forthcoming.

Don't doubt that Uni telecine will hold its own against any potential transfer CC could produce... I just would love to see some contextual extras... if any film has an allure & mystique of obscure creepiness aching to be pierced, it's this one. Not to mention it's rocky exhibition history (banned, bestiality, s&m, etc).

[whaleallright]

It seems like the truly valuable loss will be the recording masters - metal parts from Decca & other labels from the 1930s & 40s, things like that. Original recordings, alternate takes of things never on CD or LP, best quality sources - Billie Holiday, etc.

Is there any article or other source that specifies the losses to the recorded-sound materials?

[Adam]

Apparently there has been talk on the AMIA list serve, but I'm not a member. Let me see if I can get it from someone.
AMIA = Association of Moving Image Archivists

[Adam]

Yeah, I check with an AMIA member friend, but they just had the original posting about the film print losses.