‘Bootlace Cinema: Collecting Horror, Science Fiction & Exploitation Movies on Super 8!’ by Mark Williams.

Bootlace Cinema: Collecting Horror, Science Fiction & Exploitation Movies on Super 8! by Mark Williams. 

I don’t often post too far off subject, but felt compelled to help promote this glorious book – and is not entirely without Eastwood…

Many years ago, I contributed an ‘adequate’ chapter in a large book. That chapter provided a general overview on classic Horror and Sci-Fi movies on the beloved Super 8mm format. Like many, as kids growing up in the 1970’s, if you were a real movie fan - a projector and a 200ft reel of genuine celluloid, was enough to satisfy our needs. It was a beloved throwback; your own darkened cinema (or bedroom) which became a theatre of dreams. Whilst I was completely satisfied with my own contribution to that specialist book, I always felt there was more to be said – a lot more in fact. 

Then, this morning, completely out of the blue, I took delivery of this wonderful, self-published book. ‘Bootlace Cinema: Collecting Horror, Science Fiction & Exploitation Movies on Super 8!’ by Mark Williams. 

‘Before Laser Disc, before Video 2000, before Betamax, before VHS, before any Home Entertainment format there was … SUPER 8! You are holding the first and only available book to spotlight the history and graphic artwork used to market this highly collectable format.

BOOTLACE CINEMA features an explosion of the rare, lurid and dynamic sleeve and box art used to sell Super 8 movies to discerning movie collectors. Also featuring film reviews and technical/release information on all films.

This book illustrates the overall popularity of the hobby with a legacy of amazing and wholly original artwork, most previously unseen in print before’.

I have to say I had no advanced knowledge of this glorious publication. A real quality book in full colour and spread over 130 pages, it is lavishly illustrated throughout. Set out in an uncomplicated, A-Z style, with plenty of information on the sheer tonnage of films, it immediately flicked the nostalgia switch – and waves of memories instantly came flooding back. The book is also littered with plenty of vintage, long forgotten adverts – the likes of which once graced our favourite film magazines and dedicated Super 8 publications. As well as a deeply researched book, it really is a solid encyclopaedia on the subject and will satisfy a great deal of enthusiasts – whether you’re a Horror / Exploitation fan, an old Super 8 devotee or just have a love of a bygone era and the birth of home cinema – it all began here, and it was bloody marvellous. 

An essential volume, which I’d highly recommend to likeminded friends.

Mark’s Book is published by Amazon HERE