From: saltzman@crd.ge.com (Bob Saltzman)
Newsgroups: alt.conspiracy.jfk
Subject: Re: Zapruder Film
Date: 11 Nov 92 19:33:16 GMT
Reply-To: saltzman@crd.ge.com
Organization: GE Corporate Research & Development, Schenectady, NY

In article <1992Nov10.170645.7426@PA.dec.com>, grant_jo@ripple.enet.dec.com (Joel Grant) writes:
>
>There is more to the story of the Z-film:
>
>1. While it is clear that several frames are missing from the
>frame-by-frame WCH, frame 210 is shown in the WCR.  It is
>shown to illustrate that at this frame the limo was past
>the tree, as seen through the rifle's scope.
>
>2. If you watch the z-film you will note that it is quite seamless
>after the initial pause. (motorcycles come into view, pause, then
>limo is seen)
>
>3. The story of the purchase of the z-film can be found in the 
>book _Life in Camelot_.  The man who purchased the film on behalf
>of "Life" (Tommy Thompson, if I recall) relates that he heard about
>the film from a local stringer.  He began calling Zapruder's house
>every hour on the hour.  At 9 pm he finally reached Zapruder, who
>was quite exhausted and emotionally drained.  He had *already seen*
>the film; if someone else (CIA, FBI) had a copy overnight they
>certainly did not have Zapruder's original.  This is the one sold
>to "Life" and the one used by the WC.  At 9:00 the next morning
>Thompson and Zapruder and Sitzman and a few others viewed the
>film.  Thompson typed up a contract and paid Zapruder the initial
>installment of $50K.  In 1975 "Life" turned the film over to
>Zapruder's heirs.  Zapruder's heirs turned the film over to the
>National Archives though they retained television rights.
>
>There is no evidence whatsoever that the Zapruder film has been
>tampered with.  Indeed, conspirators would have had to have worked
>very quickly to have it back in Zapruder's hands prior to 9 pm
>that night.  And one must wonder how the film-alterers could have
>known so quickly just what alterations to accomplish.
>
>4. Clear, enlarged color views of z-313 and after are readily
>available.  See "Life" magazine, November, 1983 (it was a
>monthly by then).  Or if you get a chance, tape the "Nova"
>special.  Or, send $20 to: Dr. Michael West, P.O. Box 15846,
>Hattiesburg, MS  39404 (address was published in "JAMA" so
>I am not giving anything away publishing it here) to get a
>copy of his presentation "Confirmation of the Single Bullet
>Theory."  This was originally presented at the 44th Annual
>Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in
>February, 1992.  Anyway, if nothing else it also is a source
>for enhanced z-film views.
>
>You will note that none of the damage postulated by second
>gunman theorists is visible in any of these views.  The z-frames
>shown by Groden/Livingstone are so fuzzy that Jackie's dress can
>be represented as a portion of a wound.  Clear pictures show that
>all the damage to JFK's head is pretty much where Humes, Lattimer,
>Clark Panel, Wecht, Rockefeller Commission Panel, HSCA Panel
>all place it. 
>
>Joel Grant (speaking on his own behalf) 

...and there is even more to the story of the Zapruder film, some
of which can be told...

Back in the early 70s, I was approached by a fellow through an 
intermediary from mass media who had an interesting proposition for me.  
Although he would not identify himself to me he was aware of the 
extensive research on the JFK shooting that I had done and the 
multi-media presentation that I had been giving around the country using 
an 8mm copy of the Z-film that I got from Garrison's people.  (I will 
spare you all the incredible 'local color' story that goes with this 
experience...) He also knew of a upcoming presentation that I was about 
to give at the CTIA sponsored Georgetown University Conference on 
Assassinations and suggested that he had something that would 
dramatically improve it - and also make quite a sensational media 
impression.  

He had me meet him 'clandestinely' in New York City late on a Wednesday 
night on just a few hours notice, and after talking with him for quite a 
while (where he appeared to be making a character judgment) led me to a 
major talent agency several blocks away.  While his entourage waited, I 
was directed to a back room that contained a great deal of motion 
picture editing equipment, including a Moviola.  I turned it on and what 
I saw totally stunned me - a 35mm version of the Zapruder film that I 
learned later was printed from a negative made from either the orginal
transparency or a first generation copy!

It seemed that this gentlemen, a film lab technician, worked somewhere
where the original film was handled under contract from Time-Life.  
Realizing what he had, he apparently made the copy and then keep it 
secret for over 10 years until he contacted me.  

Epilog: I did indeed show a 16mm version of this film at the very first
conference on assassinations at Georgetown, sponsored by the Committee 
to Investigate Assassinations.  The audience reaction was as expected - 
stunned.  And the person who approached me?  None other than Robert 
Groden!  I have been using many instances of these versions of the 
Zapruder film for research and multi-presentations for over twenty 
years...  

Bob Saltzman
Committee to Investigate Assassinations
Niskayuna, NY
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