Precious family films mislaid
If you bought a box of 8mm film from Trash Palace in Porirua recently, or know someone who did, Kapi-Mana News would like to hear from you.
Eighty- three- year- old Dorrie Cossey of Tawa inadvertently added a box of her father’s 8mm and 16mm film reels to a donation pile when she was moving house last week.
The films were mostly cherished home videos her father made and she is hoping whoever bought them will return them to the family.
‘‘I just got a bit carried away in the rush of getting everything packed, and must have put the box of film in the wrong pile,’’ Mrs Cossey said.
‘‘There are so many memories on those films that are precious to the family. We have Christmases, birthdays, and footage of my daughter when she was just two days old.
‘‘I had planned to give some away of the films to the film archives, but it would mean the world to me to get back the home movies.’’
Mr Garrett had cinema in the blood and as well as filming, he managed several cinemas, including Petone’s State Theatre.
As well as home movies, the box contained Mickey Mouse cartoons and special films he produced showcasing parts of New Zealand history.
Mr Garrett used his close political friend, Sir Walter Nash, to get special access to the 1954 royal visit to New Zealand and get closer than other cameramen.
Mrs Cossey’s daughter, Cathy Serrier, tried to recover the films when she discovered what had happened.
‘‘ I called Trash Palace and didn’t get an answer, so rushed down there. The man at the counter said he had just sold them.’’
Elizabeth Meaclem, chief executive of Mana Recovery, which owns Trash Palace, said the staff was working hard to recover the film.
‘‘We have placed a message on our Facebook page, which now reaches over 25,000 people.
‘‘The staff member who sold the film thinks he could recognise the customer – he’s been in several times,’’ she said.
‘‘We are offering a full refund and a $20 voucher for the return of the film.’’
Kapi- Mana News contacted archivists and collectors about the missing films.
John Bell from Time Cinema in Wellington is an avid collector of old films and said there was a good possibility the films would turn up.
He said he knew a lot of collectors and film hobbyists and would keep his eyes and ears open.
‘‘I’m sure that if whoever purchased the films was aware of their significance they would return them,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s possible I will even come across it because a lot of people turn over archive footage and old family films to me too.’’
The New Zealand Film Archives also alerted its collectors to be on the lookout for the films.