Valve Man DVD - BVWS - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

DoctorWho · 1st Jul 2007, 11:41 PM

I was fortunate enough to see the Valve Man DVD when visiting Gerry Wells last year, and read about it with interest in the latest BVWS Bulletin.

I just wondered how those of us who love a long way away from the museum are going to be able to obtain a copy though, as I'm too far away to easily be able to get to the museum and for the same reason cannot make the swapmeets and similar events.

Is there any system being set up where copies can be ordered by post? I do hope so as I would very much like to have a copy of this superb DVD.

Any information appreciated.

Thank you.

Peter.

murphymad · 2nd Jul 2007, 08:33 PM

Peter, All,

VALVEMAN the DVD will be available through the BVWS by post from the membership Secretary, as are many books and now the Capacitors.

I am expecting the masters to be sent for production of both the discs and the covers in the next 3 weeks.
Production takes about two weeks and then they will be available (and not until).

Look out for them being advertised in the Autumn BVWS Bulletin, which will give details about ordering by post. Also the BVWS Website.

The DVD will also be available to purchase directly from the Museum, but they will not be handling any postal orders.

Mike...

jay_oldstuff · 2nd Jul 2007, 09:05 PM

thats very good to know.
like Doctor Who i would love to see this but live much to far away from London.

Jay

DoctorWho · 3rd Jul 2007, 08:41 AM

Thanks for the update Mike, glad to know we'll be able to order by post.

I was just curious as to what you meant about condensers now being available from the BVWS. I've been right through the Bulletin and I can't find this anywhere. Could you elaborate please?

All the best,

Peter.

jcaines · 3rd Jul 2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorWho

I was just curious as to what you meant about condensers now being available from the BVWS.

They are listed on the loose sheet for members ads.

John.

DoctorWho · 3rd Jul 2007, 03:53 PM

I didn't get one of those

Any chance of posting the details here please? i thought it was odd that this issue didn't have a page of Wanted and For Sale adverts!

Thank you.

Peter.

jcaines · 3rd Jul 2007, 04:08 PM

I've got my copy here, but I don't think I should put it on the forum as its a BVWS member only benefit, and I expect it should come from a committee member.

John.

Dave Moll · 3rd Jul 2007, 06:52 PM

Peter,

If you like, I will scan mine and email it to you. I have your email address.

DoctorWho · 4th Jul 2007, 11:07 AM

Thanks Dave, that's very kind of you.

All the best,

Peter.

Paul Stenning · 14th Aug 2007, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murphymad

Peter, All,

VALVEMAN the DVD will be available through the BVWS by post from the membership Secretary, as are many books and now the Capacitors.

I am expecting the masters to be sent for production of both the discs and the covers in the next 3 weeks.
Production takes about two weeks and then they will be available (and not until).

Look out for them being advertised in the Autumn BVWS Bulletin, which will give details about ordering by post. Also the BVWS Website.

The DVD will also be available to purchase directly from the Museum, but they will not be handling any postal orders.

Mike...

Not long to wait now! The DVDs are complete and details about how to obtain copies should be posted here by Mike in the next few days.

Mikey405 · 14th Aug 2007, 05:36 PM

Perhaps I'm missing something, but what is "Valve Man"?

From Mike.

dave walsh · 14th Aug 2007, 06:01 PM

It's Gerry Wells The Movie Mike!

Paul Stenning · 14th Aug 2007, 07:10 PM

http://www.valveman.co.uk/

Mikey405 · 14th Aug 2007, 07:43 PM

Ah. Okay. Thank you.

DoctorWho · 15th Aug 2007, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Stenning

Not long to wait now! The DVDs are complete and details about how to obtain copies should be posted here by Mike in the next few days.

Thanks for the update Paul, I'm now eagerly awaiting more information. Thanks to all who have made the release possible.

ianj · 18th Aug 2007, 05:58 PM

"The Valveman" dvd is now available from Gerry Wells, on 0208 670 3667, telephone after Midday any day-- price is £9.99, plus p&p (to be announced)

Paul Stenning · 18th Aug 2007, 06:36 PM

I am still waiting for ordering details through the BVWS, but expect them within the next week. Price should be £9.99 again, plus postage (TBA).

I received a copy today. It's nicely presented in a proper case with a smart insert, cellophane wrapped. I haven't watched it yet.

Paul Stenning · 19th Aug 2007, 12:13 PM

I watched it last night. It is very good, though obviously nowhere near as informative as his autobiography.

There are a couple of places where what Gerry is saying seems scripted and not his words. There are also some continuity/placement errors (Gerry as a child playing with yellow polyprop capacitors, and a couple of sets that are too recent for the scenes). The kid who plays Gerry at age 11 is good, though he is obviously unfamiliar with the components he's handling. Perhaps if they had asked for more assistance from Gerry they could have avoided these.

The film does dwell on his childhood more than his adult life. It's as though it should have been a bit longer to continue the story (60 minutes rather than 40), as it seems to rush towards the end somewhat.

I think the special effects are a bit excessive (TV programme makers do not seem to like static images), though thankfully not as much as I had expected from the previews on their website.

Overall though I think it portrays Gerry and his life favourably, and in a manner that the general public will enjoy and appreciate. It is well worth the £9.99 price, especially as proceeds go to the Museum.

DoctorWho · 19th Aug 2007, 10:41 PM

Brilliant news!! Can Gerry take orders over the telephone and post it out, or do we have to order direct from the BVWS for that?

I can't wait to see this again and am very happy to contribute to the museum.

Thanks for keeping us all up to date.

Peter.

murphymad · 23rd Aug 2007, 01:11 PM

Hello All,

The New DVD "VALVEMAN" which tells the story of Gerry Wells' life is now available for purchase directly from The BVWS membership Sec. see below:

Mr Graham Terry
26 Castleton Road
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN5 5GD

The price is £11.50 inc P&P made out to BVWS (the full £9.99 goes to the Museum)

They are also available from the Museum directly but NOT by mail order, you will have to go to the Museum to get it!

The film lasts about 45 mins, which with the current amount of crap on TV will probably be the best 45 mins of material you will see on your screens for a long time!

Mike...

1st Jul 2007, 11:41 PM	#1
DoctorWho Octode Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Devon Posts: 1,515	Valve Man DVD - BVWS I was fortunate enough to see the Valve Man DVD when visiting Gerry Wells last year, and read about it with interest in the latest BVWS Bulletin. I just wondered how those of us who love a long way away from the museum are going to be able to obtain a copy though, as I'm too far away to easily be able to get to the museum and for the same reason cannot make the swapmeets and similar events. Is there any system being set up where copies can be ordered by post? I do hope so as I would very much like to have a copy of this superb DVD. Any information appreciated. Thank you. Peter. __________________ Logic merely enables one to be wrong with authority - The Doctor.

2nd Jul 2007, 08:33 PM	#2
murphymad Pentode Join Date: May 2003 Location: Devizes, Wiltshire Posts: 240	Re: Valve Man DVD - BVWS Peter, All, VALVEMAN the DVD will be available through the BVWS by post from the membership Secretary, as are many books and now the Capacitors. I am expecting the masters to be sent for production of both the discs and the covers in the next 3 weeks. Production takes about two weeks and then they will be available (and not until). Look out for them being advertised in the Autumn BVWS Bulletin, which will give details about ordering by post. Also the BVWS Website. The DVD will also be available to purchase directly from the Museum, but they will not be handling any postal orders. Mike... __________________ Mike Barker, BVWS Chairman at your service.

2nd Jul 2007, 09:05 PM	#3
jay_oldstuff Heptode Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hyde Cheshire Posts: 714	Re: Valve Man DVD - BVWS thats very good to know. like Doctor Who i would love to see this but live much to far away from London. Jay __________________ The light at the end of the tunnel is probably the headlight of an oncoming train

3rd Jul 2007, 08:41 AM	#4
DoctorWho Octode Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Devon Posts: 1,515	Re: Valve Man DVD - BVWS Thanks for the update Mike, glad to know we'll be able to order by post. I was just curious as to what you meant about condensers now being available from the BVWS. I've been right through the Bulletin and I can't find this anywhere. Could you elaborate please? All the best, Peter. __________________ Logic merely enables one to be wrong with authority - The Doctor.

3rd Jul 2007, 03:53 PM	#6
DoctorWho Octode Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Devon Posts: 1,515	Re: Valve Man DVD - BVWS I didn't get one of those Any chance of posting the details here please? i thought it was odd that this issue didn't have a page of Wanted and For Sale adverts! Thank you. Peter. __________________ Logic merely enables one to be wrong with authority - The Doctor.

3rd Jul 2007, 04:08 PM	#7
jcaines Hexode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Southport Posts: 460	Re: Valve Man DVD - BVWS I've got my copy here, but I don't think I should put it on the forum as its a BVWS member only benefit, and I expect it should come from a committee member. John.

3rd Jul 2007, 06:52 PM	#8
Dave Moll Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Cumbria (CA13), UK Posts: 2,022	Re: Valve Man DVD - BVWS Peter, If you like, I will scan mine and email it to you. I have your email address. __________________ Mending is better than Ending (cf Brave New World by Aldous Huxley)

4th Jul 2007, 11:07 AM	#9
DoctorWho Octode Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Devon Posts: 1,515	Re: Valve Man DVD - BVWS Thanks Dave, that's very kind of you. All the best, Peter. __________________ Logic merely enables one to be wrong with authority - The Doctor.

14th Aug 2007, 05:36 PM	#11
Mikey405 Octode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Solihull, West Midlands and Beaford, Devon Posts: 1,150	Re: Valve Man DVD - BVWS Perhaps I'm missing something, but what is "Valve Man"? From Mike. __________________ G7TRF

14th Aug 2007, 06:01 PM	#12
dave walsh Octode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ramsbottom [ Nr Bury] Lancs or Bexhill [Nr Hastings] Sussex Posts: 1,761	Re: Valve Man DVD - BVWS It's Gerry Wells The Movie Mike!

14th Aug 2007, 07:10 PM	#13
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hereford, UK Posts: 7,056	Re: Valve Man DVD - BVWS http://www.valveman.co.uk/ __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Committee Member

14th Aug 2007, 07:43 PM	#14
Mikey405 Octode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Solihull, West Midlands and Beaford, Devon Posts: 1,150	Re: Valve Man DVD - BVWS Ah. Okay. Thank you. __________________ G7TRF

18th Aug 2007, 05:58 PM	#16
ianj Heptode Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cheltenham Spa Posts: 578	Re: Valve Man DVD - BVWS "The Valveman" dvd is now available from Gerry Wells, on 0208 670 3667, telephone after Midday any day-- price is £9.99, plus p&p (to be announced)

19th Aug 2007, 12:13 PM	#18
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hereford, UK Posts: 7,056	Re: Valve Man DVD - BVWS I watched it last night. It is very good, though obviously nowhere near as informative as his autobiography. There are a couple of places where what Gerry is saying seems scripted and not his words. There are also some continuity/placement errors (Gerry as a child playing with yellow polyprop capacitors, and a couple of sets that are too recent for the scenes). The kid who plays Gerry at age 11 is good, though he is obviously unfamiliar with the components he's handling. Perhaps if they had asked for more assistance from Gerry they could have avoided these. The film does dwell on his childhood more than his adult life. It's as though it should have been a bit longer to continue the story (60 minutes rather than 40), as it seems to rush towards the end somewhat. I think the special effects are a bit excessive (TV programme makers do not seem to like static images), though thankfully not as much as I had expected from the previews on their website. Overall though I think it portrays Gerry and his life favourably, and in a manner that the general public will enjoy and appreciate. It is well worth the £9.99 price, especially as proceeds go to the Museum. __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Committee Member

19th Aug 2007, 10:41 PM	#19
DoctorWho Octode Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Devon Posts: 1,515	Re: Valve Man DVD - BVWS Brilliant news!! Can Gerry take orders over the telephone and post it out, or do we have to order direct from the BVWS for that? I can't wait to see this again and am very happy to contribute to the museum. Thanks for keeping us all up to date. Peter. __________________ Logic merely enables one to be wrong with authority - The Doctor.

23rd Aug 2007, 01:11 PM	#20
murphymad Pentode Join Date: May 2003 Location: Devizes, Wiltshire Posts: 240	Re: Valve Man DVD - BVWS Hello All, The New DVD "VALVEMAN" which tells the story of Gerry Wells' life is now available for purchase directly from The BVWS membership Sec. see below: Mr Graham Terry 26 Castleton Road Swindon Wiltshire SN5 5GD The price is £11.50 inc P&P made out to BVWS (the full £9.99 goes to the Museum) They are also available from the Museum directly but NOT by mail order, you will have to go to the Museum to get it! The film lasts about 45 mins, which with the current amount of crap on TV will probably be the best 45 mins of material you will see on your screens for a long time! Mike... __________________ Mike Barker, BVWS Chairman at your service.