My VHS Collection on PAUSE

I have been collecting VHS tapes since the age of 13, now 27, and i’ve gathered together a collection of well over 2,500 tapes. As most of you are aware, i’m a lover of post-certs more than pre but that’s largely down to my age, although i’m more about the movies themselves rather than their rarity or value.

My wife is due to give birth to our first child in March and as such my VHS library has to go into storage until such time as we can move into a bigger place.
Here are a few pics of my collection (as of end 2011):

My VHS Collection on PAUSE

As you can see from the pictures above, the room is a little cramped, with each shelf double stacked and jam packed with tapes. My hope is to have them all out on display one day, even the 600 or so I have in the attic. These are the few Video Nasties, DPP and ‘Unofficial’ Nasties that I have amassed so far:


Here are the pick of my pre-cert tapes:
Over the past two years I have invested more money in pre-certs as most are fading out. Charity shops have stopped stocking them, car boots have dried up and ebay seems to be the only place to purchase, if you are prepared to pay the prices.

My favourite label above all others is Medusa, a label that put out some of the most obscure but simply brilliant 80’s movies, most notably horror. Again, I have attempted to gather as many as I can but may have missed the odd 20/20 collaboration.

I have tons more on various labels that I just haven’t got the time to share at present, labels like Vestron, New World, CIC, CBS/FOX, New World, RCA, Warner and so on.My collection may be in storage soon but this does not mean that i’m not on the lookout for more titles, my wants list increases by the day. I may even post a copy of my wants on here. I’ve been given some great help this past year and hopefully it can continue.It will be a very sad day when the room is finally taken down but I know it’s only temporary.

24 thoughts on “My VHS Collection on PAUSE

  1. Rick Romanowski

    Oh man, this is a fantastic collection. I can only hope that one day I could have as many as you have. This is definitely a passion, man!

    Reply
  2. explosiveaction

    Great collection mate. Shame to see it going into storage but as you say, it’s temporary. Best of luck to you and your missus.

    Reply
  3. the-scandyfactory

    Life is nothing without obsession! Such wonderful images, and let me echo our friend EA’s best wishes to your family.

    Reply
  4. Lee Howard

    Dude, you fucking have an original pre cert copy of The Exorcist!

    What’s the pic quality like on that bad boy?

    Reply
    1. Viva VHS Post author

      Not great, sadly. The tape is a tad rusty at the start but recovers quickly.
      I own the film on Blu too but this is one of those that definitely benefits (terror-wise) from a touch of grain.

      Reply
  5. Andy Davies

    Hey, just discovered your blog. Fantastic amazing collection. I have approx. some 1500-2000 VHS, almost nearly all UK. I started late in the 80s when i was a teenager and been collecting VHS, then DVD then Blu-Ray since and my DVD/Blu-Ray are in the 1000s! I had much more VHS as I sold literally 100s and 100s of VHS some 10 years ago and been meaning to get rid of more but only place to may get a sale these days is Amazon or eBay now and the effort has mean I never get round to it so I have to archive all those tapes into banana boxes due to lack of shelf space. I love the art of VHS, so varied and u do get so many different trailers on tapes/DVDs which in last 5 years I been cataloguing on now very extensive Excel sheet. Anyway, great blog, shame life puts our passions on hold sometimes. Love the photos. Andy.

    Reply
    1. Viva VHS Post author

      Thanks so much for the positive words. If you ever feel like selling in bulk, please do let me know.
      I can’t grumble really as I had a dedicated room to the format before my daughter came along, and i’d screen a tape every night.
      I just can’t give up this obsession.

      Reply
  6. warren hart

    Very sweet site buddy, ive been collecting since 83, worked in video shops did my own mobile video back in the 80s, great to find another great collector, i still buy and trade, love dvd and what that has to offer but pre cert tapes and ex rental still have a great charm, and look so damn fine displayed, i have a mint astra i spit on yopur grave bought in 83 or 84, watched once very clean, what is the price would you say on that ? great site mate.

    Reply
    1. Viva VHS Post author

      A living breathing Video Van man? Awesome.
      Thanks for the kind words. So how many tapes do you have now? These pictures are so old, I could do with uploading and starting this page over.
      Dale

      Reply
      1. warren hart

        Hi mate yeah, i have around 3000, picked up around 500 recently, all decent stuff, minus a few old mouldy bits and pieces which you do find when you bulk buy, i do a youtube site under the name dawnsbrother68 mostly dedicated to this stuff, i was looking forward to your reply, but my email never notified me, its just great to find other guys interested in this stuff, cheers dale.

        Reply
  7. maurizio sabatini

    hi again

    believe it or not you have the film HEARTBREAKERS !! I saw it on one of the photos of collection lol
    I have a few that I will even give to you if you can help me out … how about copying the titles onto a dvd ram or – r and I will pay you and give you the movies I have too
    let me know
    many thanks
    Maurizio

    Reply
    1. Viva VHS Post author

      Will certainly keep an eye out for those you listed, and yes, if you would like me to copy some of yours over to DVD then I would be happy to do this for you, simply drop me an email.

      Dale

      Reply
  8. Gordon Elliott

    Hi,
    Just came across your blog searching for a horror film – what a fantastic collection you have : )

    Not sure if you have it in your huge collection?
    I have no title or actors.
    The only scenes I remember is a wicked old lady who lives in a house near a river keeps someone locked in a attached room or cellar – some mad monster.
    3 or 4 late teens go exploring, not sure of the plot.
    They arrive by raft across the river a visit this lady.
    I do recall an outdoor shower scene with 2 ladies washing but not explicit.
    It maybe an hybrid of films like – jungle/island with mad man going berserk.

    Can you help?

    It’s similar to films like:
    American Gothic, Humongous, madman, final terror & Island fury – it’s not those.

    Thank you.
    Regards
    Gordon

    Reply
      1. Gordon Elliott

        Hi,
        Just seen the trailer for Rawhead Rex – It’s not that one : ( I’m afraid.
        I’m convinced the film was from around 1977-1982.
        Had a similar scene setting to the hills have eyes.
        Just remember about 3 people on a raft maybe searching for their friend getting to this house (not The Burning) and they ask this old lady living there where he is.
        It’s not ‘Just before dawn’ or ‘The Unseen’ but again quite similar.
        I have seen Ghostkeeper aswell – not that one (even though that one is set in winter) whilst the film I’m looking for is set in the summer. Quite sure it was made in the US.

        My search continues…..
        Thank you

        Regards
        Gordon

        Reply
        1. Viva VHS Post author

          As luck would have it, I think I have found the movie. Is it Keep My Grave Open? Will send you a pic of my VHS to jog the memory via email.

          Reply
  9. Nikolas Bouras

    Dear Viva VHS,
    Can you find old video releases with labels like Childrens Video Network, Comic Toons, Funhouse Video, Krypon Force, Take 2 Plus, Supertron Cartoon Videos, and Screen Original?
    I think you need to find them in shops or in car bot sales if you know what I mean and then I’ll let you know.
    So here’s a list of tapes you need to find:
    1. CHOPPY AND THE PRINCESS – THREE WISHES
    2. CHOPPY AND THE PRINCESS – THE PRINCESS & THE BEGGAR
    3. CHOPPY AND THE PRINCESS – THE MAGIC HERB
    4. CHOPPY AND THE PRINCESS – STOLEN BEAUTY
    5. CHOPPY AND THE PRINCESS – THE POISON DART
    6. CHOPPY AND THE PRINCESS – THE PHANTOM KNIGHT
    7. SPORT BILLY Vol. 1
    8. SPORT BILLY Vol. 2
    9. SPORT BILLY Vol. 3
    10. SPORT BILLY Vol. 4
    11. VIDEOTOONS Volume One
    12. VIDEOTOONS Volume Two
    13. VIDEOTOONS Volume Three
    14. The Adventures of Don Quixote Volume One: Rescue to The Ride
    15. The Adventures of Don Quixote Volume Two: Queen Marlina The Evil
    16. The Adventures of Don Quixote Volume Three: The Monster of Hopeadopeadople
    17. VIDEOTOONS Volume Four
    18. VIDEOTOONS Volume Five
    19. VIDEOTOONS Volume Six
    20. CASPER THE GHOST & FRIENDS
    21. CASPER THE GHOST & FRIENDS – VOLUME TWO
    22. Loony Times of ABBOTT & COSTELLO
    23. Tales of ABBOTT & COSTELLO
    24. Zany Days of ABBOTT & COSTELLO
    25. CHUCKLE TOONS Volume One
    26. CHUCKLE TOONS Volume Two
    27. CHUCKLE TOONS Volume Three
    28. GULLIVER’S TRAVELS
    29. THE EASTERN DELIGHT
    30. THE COSSACKS Volume One
    31. THE COSSACKS Volume Two
    32. LABYRINTH
    33. THE HIPPO & THE CROCODILE
    34. LEGEND OF THE MOOR’S LEGACY
    35. GNOME SWEET GNOME
    36. TEDDY AND FRIENDS
    37. EASTERN MAGIC
    38. THE BIG BAD WOLF
    39. THE COSSACKS Volume 3
    40. THE BIG BAD WOLF Volume 2
    41. PORKY’S MOVING DAY AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    42. POPEYE THE SAILOR IN ALADDIN AND HIS WONDERFUL LAMP
    43. THE MAGIC FLUTE AND OTHER MAGIC FABLES
    44. THE LITTLE DUTCH MILL AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    45. THE BRAVE TIN SOLDIER AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    46. LITTLE BOY BLUE AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    47. HUMPTY DUMPTY AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    48. WINKY THE WATCHMAN AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    49. HUNKY & SPUNKY
    50. BIMBO AND FRIENDS
    51. MARY’S LITTLE LAMB AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    52. LITTLE LULU
    53. BUGS BUNNY
    54. SUPERMAN
    55. SINBAD THE SAILOR AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    56. PORKY PIG
    57. THE FOX & THE RABBIT AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    58. POPEYE THE SAILOR
    59. THE LITTLE RED HEN AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    60. PUSS IN BOOTS AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    61. SIMPLE SIMON AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    62. RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    63. DON QUIXOTE AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    64. TOONERVILLE TROLLEY
    65. SUPERMAN II
    66. CASPER THE GHOST AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    67. MUTT & JEFF IN WESTWARD WHOA AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    68. THE ADVENTURES OF DAFFY DUCK
    69. LITTLE LULU II
    70. DICK WHITTINGTON’S CAT & OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    71. THE QUEEN OF HEARTS AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    72. THE NUTCRACKER
    73. FLIP THE FROG AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    74. CHUCKLE TOONS VOLUME FOUR
    75. THE TWO LITTLE PUPS
    76. CHUCKLE TOONS VOLUME FIVE
    77. ALADDIN & HIS MAGIC LAMP
    78. HECKLE & JECKLE & FRIENDS
    79. THE ADVENTURES OF MOLLY MOO COW
    80. TOM THUMB AND OTHER CARTOON FABLES
    81. DAFFY DUCK & Co.
    82. LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD AND OTHER CARTOON FABLES
    83. PORKY & FRIENDS
    84. BUGS BUNNY & Co.
    85. JACK AND THE BEANSTALK AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    86. FARMER AL FAFA & FRIENDS
    87. TOYLAND BROADCAST AND OTHER CARTOON CLASSICS
    88. GABBY AND FRIENDS
    89. THE AMOS & ANDY SHOW
    90. The Mighty Mouse Show Featuring Heckle & Jeckle, Yankee Doodle Donkey and Buzzy The Mocking Bird
    91. THE Felix The Cat SHOW
    92. Woody Woodpecker and the Leprechauns Show
    93. THE Daffy Duck SHOW
    94. THE POPEYE SHOW
    95. THE Bugs Bunny SHOW
    96. THE Herman The Mouse SHOW
    Etc.

    The VHS tapes can be in cardboard cases or in hard VHS cases, So you best do your research and look it up in the shops or other places to find. When you find one, you might be able to sell it as a much small cheaper price. It will be just good idea to do it. Cheers! 😉

    Nikolas Bouras.

    Reply
  10. Lee Sanders

    I’m not sure if my messages are coming through?? I have sent 3 now!!! I wanted to know if anyone has “Naked Vengeance” and “Demon Cop” available to buy. Both big box versions and both in very good condition (no sun fading or stickers on the sleeves or spine of sleeves). I would be grateful if someone could get back to me, thanks. Lee

    Reply
    1. Viva VHS Post author

      I have both movies, even screening DEMON COP direct from VHS in Birmingham on March 19th, but sadly no spares for sale.
      I’ll put the feelers out for you and let you know if anything comes of it.

      Reply
  11. Brian

    Hello,

    I collect pre-certs of my favourite films.

    If anyone has any of the following to sell for reasonable prices I’d be interested;

    Planet of the Apes
    Parallax View
    French Connection 2
    Taxi Driver
    Andromeda strain
    thx 1138
    Stepford Wives
    Capricorn One
    Mean Machine
    Badlands
    Dark Star
    Quiller Memorandum.

    Thanks,
    Brian

    Reply
  12. MARTIN

    Hi great collection. I have between 6-7000 Mainly Pre Cert horror tapes in my collection which i’m now selling as i’m running out of room. If anyone’s interested there on Ebay seller dvdvhs333 or get in touch at nsn333 at yahoo.com, thanks Martin.

    Reply

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