Several members of the ONAR Facebook page have posted memories about the ex-rental tapes they bought from Bill Barounis but one thing we haven't really touched upon is that Bill also sold dvd-r bootlegs from his website. I only bought one of these: The Shaw Brothers film COBRA GIRL. It's on a great Celestial DVD now but altho I knew all along I was gonna keep Bill's bootleg as it offers an alternative dub and viewing experience I'm gonna treasure it even more now. I pulled it out yesterday and felt a bit sad again. Bill's handwritten title on the disc is something we're never gonna see again. The cover is a photo copied copy of the Greek VHS and it was originally too large for the case but Bill didn't take any notice of such abnormalities. He just sent it as it were. LOL. The print on the VHS (and boot) is a bashed up English dubbed print which gives the film a cool grindhouse feeling that I doubt you'll get out of the perfect Celestial DVD (which I don't own). Bill, you're much missed, my friend!
LOVE IT. Great article mate.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to ask Squonkamatic if the Greek tape of JUNGLE HEAT he sold me a while back once belonged to Mr. Barounis. It would be nice to know if one of my absolute favorites in my collection was once in the collection of someone so passionate.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brian!
ReplyDeleteIf Squonkamatic (also an Onar FB group member) bought it during the last 3-4 years I'd say there's a 50% chance it came from Bill as he and Miltos really were the only two ex-rental VHS sellers in Greece.