Raiders Of The Thrift Store

Once in a while, it is a good idea to ground yourself.  A reset of expectations can do wonders for the way we view films.  One way that we, as Film Warriors, tend to do this is to take a look back at our roots.  Where we've been can give us a better appreciation of where we are, and where we are going.

Revival screenings are great ways to do this...if you can find them, or live in an area where these are done.  However, sometimes even they don't cut it for getting us back to the real nuts and bolts of why we do what we do.  Of course, you can find a showing of the classics just about anywhere. Some cities even take this further and show some lesser known cult favorties ("Big Trouble In Little China," "The Monster Squad," etc.)  For instance, the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas is one of the most well known for this.

So, what is a Film Warrior without access to these types of places (or more importantly, with a craving for more 'eccentric' fare) to do?

That brings us to the point of our newest quest category, "Raiders Of The Thrift Store."  The idea behind this is quite simple...

First, you'll need a VCR (VHS or Betamax), LaserDisc player, RCA Selectavision VideoDisc player (or any type of CED videodisc player)...or in extreme cases, an 8 or 16mm projection system.  Next, take a trip to your local thrift stores.  (Goodwill, Salvation Army and second hand shops are great for this, but sometimes yard sales and flea markets net even better results.)  Third, look for titles which have either not been released to DVD or are extremely difficult to find (You can easily check this with an amazon.com or Netflix mobile app while on the go).

VHS Player Circa 1976

16mm Projetor

RCA Selectavision Player

Finally, watch the film in its native format.  You'll be surprised at what you experience.  Most likely, you will also reset your perceptions...at least somewhat.

Some fun things to watch for in your questing:

• Old school video logos, intros, promos, trailers, etc.
• Cast / Crew whom you never knew were involved in films from years past (This can get really fun).
• Modifications made to the films in subsequent releases. This can even be something as simple as a song changed on the soundtrack from the home video release to laterTV airings.

Remember, the point of this is to have fun re-living the past.  Hopefully, you will encounter some long lost quest items that you never even knew about (or just forgot).  It is also an inexpensive way to find new entertainment options, while using older technology that you probably still have lying around your home.

We will be periodically 'raiding' our local thrift stores and giving updates on our findings.  Sometimes we may turn up a lost treasure, buried much in the same way that the Ark of the Covenant was at the end of (non-chronologically) Indy's first adventure.  As we do this, we encourage you to do the same.  We would love to hear about the items that you are finding as well.  Who knows, if you find something that piques our interest...we may invite you to a roundtable podcast discussion about it.

In the end, you should find that this method is much more rewarding than simply buying a bootleg copy or paying exorbitant collector's prices on eBay.  More on that later.  In the meantime...

Happy Raiding!

"Lesson Number Three. Always Trust Centauri."