Scopitones!

I could never hope to interest any of you here with my measly mug and decor "finds."

But I do have a pretty cool collection of Scopitones! And because these proto-music videos were being made at the height of Tiki culture popularity, several have Hawaiian themes.

Recently I was watching Princess Leilani in "Keep Your Eyes on Her Hands," and I took some screen shots with my digital camera. I thought I'd share. She's so pretty and has such a sweet smile.

Great shots TraderPeg.

Ah, Scopitones. Full of lovely dancing go-go girls and all kind of quirky campy coolness. Here's some screen grabs from one of my favorites, "Web of Love" by Joi Lansing....

Aaaah! Scopitones, my all time fave vintage medium! MTV before MTV. I have two VHSes full of them. Web of love is certainly among the top five. And I had no idea that the Hula Hands one was a Scopitone, a clip from it is in the BBC Tiki docu on my Tiki Archeology DVD.

The combination of American 50s/60s pop music spiced up by the French disposition for cheesecake, together with the minimalist /surrealist low budget sets is just unbeatable.

Here's the history of it all:

http://hjem.get2net.dk/jack_stevenson/scopi.htm

...and the best website:

http://www.scopitones.blogs.com/

...and, as link from that: http://scopitonearchive.com/scopitones/ads/us_ads.html

Damn....there goes my afternoon again :)

[ Edited by: bigbrotiki 2007-07-21 13:15 ]

I love Scopitones. They have some pretty bizzaro stuff. My favorite is "Leçon de Twist" by Les Dangers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ux_FQJ67PY

Oh, I'm so happy that Scopitones have their fans here!

Joi Lansing is one of my favorites. "The Silencer" is also available on YouTube -- go get it!

Don't know what is more scary... the boots or that guitar?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsKbX0bU_zQ

Scopitones rock.

Check out this quote from one of the links posted above:

"A sultry Barbara McNair (in an Eastman color film) also lords it over the men with saucy insolence in the all-black-cast THE BEST IS YET TO COME, filmed in San Francisco's classy Fairmont Hotel."

Fairmont hotel.
I wonder if there is any TONGA ROOM footage in this one?

[ Edited by: tikibars 2007-07-22 10:08 ]

Very nice. I just wish someone would upload the entire clip to YouTube so I could keep my eyes on her hands... :D

Here are a couple of Scopitone ads for Princess Leilani:

A little french cornyness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCG9lEp4bQQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiY3fAwiPb0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsL96xHbm6Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7SHAtwyor4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZTjSisCDvw&mode=related&search=

[ Edited by: Tahitiki 2007-07-23 08:40 ]

Hey, does anyone know anyone who can fix mine? My poor Scopitone has been without audio for years and it's high time I found someone who can get the amps working again! If anyone knows, please let me know who to call or write!

Mahaloz!

On 2007-07-23 22:19, Tiki Lee's wrote:
Hey, does anyone know anyone who can fix mine? My poor Scopitone has been without audio for years and it's high time I found someone who can get the amps working again! If anyone knows, please let me know who to call or write!

Pretty much any radio/tv/stereo repairman over 45 (like me) should be able to fix it for you, particularly if you have the schematics.

There are also a couple of things you can do yourself: if it's a tube amp, plug it in, turn it on, and take a peek inside to make sure you see a glowing filament in each tube. If you see one with no filament lit, pull it out and try to find a local electronic supply house or repair service with an old tube tester (this might be difficult nowadays).

Also, it could be something as simple as a bad connection. Very common with old electronics. With the unit unplugged, go through the audio circuitry and make sure there are no frayed or broken wires and loose connections to terminal blocks. If you know how to use an ohmmeter, you can easily check the continuity of the connections.

If none of that works, just invite me over for a couple of Mai Tais the next time I'm in Vegas, and I'd be happy to take a shot at it (before I start drinking, 'natch)...:)

Mr. BaliHai m'man,

You have an open invitation to come on by the house whenever your travels bring you back from Koala Lampur to Vegas. Drop me a P.M. in advance and I'll dig the machine out from the back of the garage and get 'er all dusted off and ready for exploratory surgery!

Mahaloz!

On 2007-07-26 00:40, Tiki Lee's wrote:
You have an open invitation to come on by the house whenever your travels bring you back from Koala Lampur to Vegas.

Sounds like a plan, but after this last trip, I'm hoping that KL isn't going to be on any of my future itineraries. My lower gastrointestinal tract can't handle it!