Time Tunnel Monster Movie Show

[Elizabeth]

*Contented sigh*

At last, we get to the gist of the matter.

What Gillman was saying was... it did not look great on screen.  Which is not irrelevant if it is a film fest.  (If this is primarily a collectibles show, then yes, it's irrelevant.)

But (judging by the quiet on his end)... I would think he has gone to bed for tonight... so this conversation may need to be tabled for another day.

[hammerfan]

Ah what tangled webs we weave.................

[ICEMANN333]

TO MY FANS THE SHOW WILL GO ON .  NEXT MONTH LINE UP IS GREAT I HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE ........AS FOR THE UNHAPPY TWO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE .MAYBE THE TWO OF YOU CAN RENT A MOVIE HAVE SOME JIFFY POP ........FALL A SLEEP WHILE THE REST OF US HAVE A GOOD TIME AT THE UNIVERSAL MOVIES NEXT AT THE PORTAGE.........GHOUL BYE ..........

[Barlow]

Elizabeth wrote:

What Gillman was saying was... it did not look great on screen.  Which is not irrelevant if it is a film fest.  (If this is primarily a collectibles show, then yes, it's irrelevant.)

Well, let's take a quick peek back at what Gillman Fan originally wrote. Here are his exact words:

Time Tunnel, the sponsor for many of these Portage events REALLY needs to clean up their act when it comes to the p!ss poor quality dvd's they choose to screen/project.

Rent a decent print once in a while or don't bother wasting peoples time and money.

He didn't say one movie was bad. His wording implies that all the movies screened were "piss poor quality" (ie "rent a decent print once in awhile"). Which is simply untrue. That's like saying "That barrel of apples are all rotten" when in fact just one had a worm in it. We know for a fact that most the movies screened were high quality. He makes it sound as if Time Tunnel were routinely screening poor quality prints, which is also demonstrably untrue.

As for showing rights, who in their right mind goes around wondering if the promoter obtained rights to screen the movie? One would assume such rights have been obtained (as they have been).  Again, look at my example that you keep ignoring. Even if the movie The Children (1980) were shown at one of the largest monster shows in the world, it would look no better than if Time Tunnel Toys screened it at one of their smaller shows, simply because no better print exists.  All of the existing prints are damaged, filled with dirt and pops, etc. Seems like unfair criticism to me.

[Toy Ranch]

There was a show here a couple years ago, the weekend of Halloween.  I set up a dealer table and stayed there all weekend.  I thought it was at a rec center, but it actually turned out to be at a church facility and was part of their Halloween (Methodists, they were doing full Halloween) party and rummage sale.  There were a handful of dealers, a couple of (very) minor celebrities, and they showed monster movies on a big screen using projected DVD's that I brought from my own collection.  I spent a whole day getting ready for the show.  $50 on my tables.  A whole day at the show, and a day putting everything back.  My total sales for the show were $25.  I had everything from expensive vintage monster collectibles to a box full of unused old stock monster masks, wigs, gorilla feet,  and stuff for a couple bucks each, used DVD's and VHS tapes, Halloween decorations, etc.  I think if it had been at a public rec center, attendance would have been much better.  Anyway, I came away wishing I hadn't spent so much time getting ready for it and all, but it was a cool event and I am glad I was part of it, spreading monster stuff around.  Just watching a bunch of little kids sitting in chairs watching Bride of Frankenstein on a big sheet hung on the wall, projected from a DVD projector made it worthwhile for me. 

There were some folks who were pissed, and I understand that too.  Some of the dealers were put in a back room where many people didn't even know they were there.  Personally, I was next to the door and it didn't make much difference.  Admission was free, so nobody paid $10 to enter and then be disappointed.  The Time Tunnel shows seem to be a little more ambitious.  I guess I can see both sides of it. 

[Barlow]

Toy Ranch wrote:

The Time Tunnel shows seem to be a little more ambitious.

I'd agree there. The shows I've been to have all been a blast! And I think the key is that Time Tunnel Toys seems to be trying to re-capture that sense of fun we all had as monster kids. If one of the films wasn't the best quality projection possible, so what? That didn't kill the fun at all. Whenever possible, the films were top quality prints, and the show area had tons of cool monster displays and items for sale. A while back there was a model making contest. I've seen one or two people come in costume (there was a giant robed skeleton at the last one for example).

Was the screening of Attack of the Crab Monsters not the best quality? I don't know. Is there a better print of it available out there? Again, I don't know. But I do know that the prints for Nosferatu, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Thing, Mad Monster Party, Brides of Dracula, etc were great prints. So if one movie had a lesser quality print, why would someone bash the entire enterprise and say "they should screen a decent print once in awhile" as if to imply that every print shown was terrible? That's just being dishonest.

I really don't see what more can be expected for a lousy $10. In June, they're having 8 hours of fun. First there's The Magic Sword with Basil Rathbone, then The Mole People, then Revenge of the Creature, then Werewolf of London. Plus all the exhibits and opportunity to buy cool monster items, plus meeting up with a bunch of other monster fans in a relaxed, laid back atmosphere. What more can anyone ask for $10? Plus, they have a club you can join (for free) and get a card that gets you $1 off admissions. So now you pay just $9 for 8 hours of fun. I just fail to see how anyone could condemn that.

I'm hoping more fans come out and support them, because nobody else is doing anything like this. As more and more people attend, it generates revenue for even better future shows. Isn't that something we'd all like to see?

[ICEMANN333]

HELLO TOY RANCH.  I AM TRULY SORRY ABOUT WHATS GOING ON YOUR SITE .. IM JUST LIKE YOU TRYING TO KEEP MONSTERS ALIVE....SOME JUST WONT BE HAPPY AND ENJOY ..  AS FOR THE UNHAPPY TWO ...WHAT CAN YOU SAY ..IF YOU DONT LIKE IT STAY AWAY FROM IT.........AS THEY WILL BE................IF ANY UMA FANS HAD A CHANCE TO HAVE A MONSTER MOVIE FEST 4 MOVIES AND MONSTER TOY DEALERS SHOW IN YOUR CITY FOR TEN BUCKS WOULD YOU WELCOME ME..........PLEASE REPLY.......THANK YOU GHOUL NITE  .....ITS ALIVE !!! WHAT MOVIE........

[Barlow]

Here's a scan of the flier for the upcoming event. Excuse the quality...I only grabbed one flier and it was folded in my pocket! 



Hope to see some more UMA members there! 

[hhwolfman]

TO MY FANS THE SHOW WILL GO ON .  NEXT MONTH LINE UP IS GREAT I HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE ........AS FOR THE UNHAPPY TWO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE .MAYBE THE TWO OF YOU CAN RENT A MOVIE HAVE SOME JIFFY POP ........FALL A SLEEP WHILE THE REST OF US HAVE A GOOD TIME AT THE UNIVERSAL MOVIES NEXT AT THE PORTAGE.........GHOUL BYE ..........

If one of the posters you are  referring to is  Gillman, I could care less he was a little rude and aggressive  in his posts. If the other poster, you are referring to is Liz, She was being nice, after rude comments were made to her and just giving her opinion.   She is well loved and respective among this group. I myself as an elder of the group,  Really like her , as the owner of this group does. When I first posted on this thread I respected, what you were doing and would love something like this in my city, but if  I were you,  I would advise you, to make an apology to her  and tread very lightly on this board my friend. HHW 

[Barlow]

Elizabeth wrote:

Barlow, based how much you enjoyed this event, I think you need to get thee to Wonderfest, my friend... although your head might explode a la Scanners from sheer joy!

I've been wanting to attend a huge, major monster show for some time now. Wow, it's been a lot of years since the last time I went to something of that size. I'd love to go see the Dark Shadows stuff they have every year out east. But I do also enjoy these little shows because they are close, convenient, and inexpensive. I just may go to the drive-in night thing they have in Pennsylvania this September though. 

[Toy Ranch]

I think one of the reasons this show has been controversial is because the promoter has a somewhat controversial history with many folks, and first became known to the UMA when he was selling a fantasy monster magic slate on eBay made by our friend and fellow UMA member Matt Jaycox, as a vintage monster item, knowing full well it was a fantasy item.  That was a big discussion on this forum, and has been referred to numerous times since as an example of eBay practices that are abhorrent to most monster collectors.  From what I understand, that was eventually settled to the satisfaction of the buyer, but only after the involvement of many UMA members.  Numerous other members have related tales having to do with "Big John" of Time Tunnel Toys (there is another Time Tunnel Toys located somewhere else, not to be confused with this one) coming away with much ill will.  So I imagine folks who have had some bad dealings with Time Tunnel in the past are less likely to cut them slack today, and has led to some of these comments.  Frankly, I've never seen quite so much controversy over a little monster show, but I think the source for some of that lies in the personalities involved.  As they say on eBay, caveat emptor...   buyer beware.

If you live in the Chicago area and just want to see some monster stuff and watch some DVD projections, seems like a fun thing to do.

[ICEMANN333]

UMA MEMBERS....***(((I DID NOT NAME NAMES HERE.**)))......SINCE THIS HAS STARTED LAST NITE OVER 25 PHONE CALLS TO ME ..IN WHICH THE TWO .WHO WILL STAY UNKNOWN AS I DID DO SO .**HAVE TRIED TO CONVINCE THESE MANY FANS TO STOP GOING TO THE PORTAGE THEATER FOR MANY MANY MONTHS..****.NEEDLESS TO SAY ITS NOT WORKING AND THIS IS ALL STARTED ON THIS SITE IN JUST A WAY TO TRY TO DO SO......THIS IS ONLY MAKING THE SHOW BETTER AND WILL GET BIGGER...PEOPLE WILL SEE THE REAL TRUTH FROM A LITTLE SHOW..ALL THE GOOD THINGS AND GOOD REMARKS ARE FROM FANS........LIFE IS ABOUT A DOLLAR....IF THIS SHOW WAS ABOUT A DOLLAR IT WOULD HAVE LASTED ONE MONTH.........THIS SHOW IS ABOUT WHAT THIS SITE IS ALL ABOUT LOVE OF THE MONSTERS......AS FAR AS LIZ SHE BEEN TO MY SHOWS WAS WELCOME WITH OPEN ARMS AS SOME OF HER FRIENDS GOT MONSTER ITEMS FROM ME IF SHE DOES NOT LIKE THE SHOW  ITS HER CHOICE AS WELL WITH ALL MY OTHER FANS..TO COME OR NOT....I GOT NOTHING BUT SUPPORT FROM THIS SINCE THIS STARTED YESTERDAY AND I DID NOT KNOW HOW MANY FANS IN 12 HOURS CAME TO CALL ME AND SAID JOHN .KEEP IT UP THE SHOW ITS PART OF THERE LIFE IT BLEW ME AWAY ..THIS IS LIKE A CHILD IN A CANDY STORE IF THEY CANT HAVE ALL THE CANDY THEY CRY AND WHINE....JUST LIKE WAS GOING ON.....WHY HAS SOME UMA MEMBERS CAME TO THE FRONT TO GIVE QUALITY REMARKS FROM THIS SHOW WHY THEY LOVE IT.....TWO APPLES DOES NOT RUIN THE BASKET  ........THANK YOU...UMA FANS......OH YES HAVE YOU BEEN TO A MONSTER SHOW AND GOT A 1966 KING KONG BUILT UP FOR TEN DOLLARS YOU WOULD HAVE HERE.......FAMOUS MONSTERS FOR TEN DOLLARS EACH YOU WILL HERE.....WOULD YOU GO TO A SHOW THATS TEN DOLLARS AND ONLY HAVE 4 DOLLARS AND GET IN YOU WOULD HERE........I REST MY CASE.........IF ANY ONE WHO WILL HAVE SOMETHING BAD TO SAY AFTER THIS I WOULD SAY ........I REST MY CASE...........TY.....

[Gillman-Fan]

For the record, I'm not a collector as such nor do I have any affiliation with local businesses who deal in these types of items.

I do have an axe to grind when it comes to DVD projection in this type of venue. I've had some amazing film experiences at The Portage over the years that have been hosted by a variety of different cinemaphile groups, particularly their silent film society that runs selections with live organ accompaniment.

Sadly, we live in a time where it's become commonplace to steal music online and plagiarize other peoples creative product without batting an eye. My disappointment over seeing a bootleg movie copy shown on a big screen (for profit) is clearly not shared here.

There are occasions when one bad apple does spoil the whole barrel and I don't see business ethics as a "tangled web".

[ICEMANN333]

TO THE UMA FAN WHOS NOT A MONSTER COLLECTOR........IM ALWAYS TRYING TO MY BEST SOMETIMES YOU JUST CANT FIND CERTAIN PHONE NUMBERS FOR TITLES YOU LEAVE MESSAGES TO RUN A PRINT FOR ONE SHOWING THE CALLS ARE NOT RETURNED.....AS FOR YOU GREAT CONCERN WHY DONT YOU TAKE A DIME AND CALL   UNIVERSAL NEED THE NUMBER ILL GIVE IT TO YOU.I HAVE THE RIGHT TO PLAY NEXT MONTHS MOVIES .........**OH YES THATS ALL READY BEEN DONE.**......I TRY TO GO BY THE BOOK BUT SOMETIMES THE BOOK WONT OPEN.........YOUR JUST ONE FAN WHO STANDS ALONE ON ONE MOVIE LIKE YOU SAY YOU ATTEND SOME WHY COME IF YOUR UNHAPPY.ARE WE A SPY SURE SEEMS SO.......GOOD LUCK YOU NEED IT .. NO NAMES HERE JUST TO ONE FAN WHO IS NOT A COLLECTOR.....TY

[Toy Ranch]

Icemann, people all have different expectations from a show.  Those who are accustomed to attending big, professionally run shows running film of old movies and having name celebrities and dealers from around the country and paid the same $10 to get into those as you are charging probably aren't going to be too impressed.  Others who pay $10 to go see a crummy new movie at the cineplex and endure screaming kids, cell phone texting distractions, and overpriced popcorn may appreciate what you are doing very much.  It's all a matter of perspective.  At the very least, anyone thinking about going has a good idea of what to expect, so you are more likely to get happy attendees in the future.