By the time I was finally going to meet with Chris LaMont again in the Spring of 2005, my curiosity was overwhelming. Chris had gotten back into making films years earlier and yet had never called. In addition he had gotten married and started another film festival.

I spent that afternoon with Greg Wolf. We had a nice lunch near the location of the Phoenix Film Festival. It was great to hear about the things he'd been doing, now married with kids. We spoke of memories when the three of us lived in the same neighborhood and would make films.

we spoke of memories

I did inquire as to why he also had not kept in closer contact with me. He apologized and told me that his family took all his time and explained that "even good friends drift apart".

When I asked if he ever saw Chris LaMont, he explained that the two of them had been roomates and now both have houses down the street from each other. I was looking for a reason why two best friends would "drift" back together but never even lookup the third. The only conclusion I could come up with was something to do with a greedy bastard and my film. I didn't want to get ahead of myself, after all, perhaps Chris had grown up and wanted to explain what happened or even finally return my film. Greg said they never spoke of me and that he wanted to stay out of any differences that Chris and I had to settle.

we could not believe how much we each had changed,
and yet how we still seemed the same

We called Chris to arrange to get together. When I spoke to him, he sounded genuinely excited to hear from me and even surprised that I mysteriously showed up (although I'd been trying to arrange the meeting for several years now). He agreed to go out for drinks with Greg and I later that evening.

Our reunion was a joyous celebration. We could not believe how much we each had changed, and yet how we still seemed the same. He told me about his film festival and the little movies he had worked on.

I told him about the promotional work I had done for films like Jurassic Park and Toy Story. It was a good time with many stories and laughs.

As a peace offering, I brought both Chris and Greg a copy (that I found near the back of a truck) of the entire film that my clips were from. I even included the two sequels to the film just to show my sincerity in case there was anything I had done to offend them.

Chris went on to tell me that "even good friends drift apart" and he was sorry for that. Then he said what I could not believe, "I was going through some stuff and found your old film, I would like to return it to you." I was wrong to think that he hadn't changed! ...or was I?

"there is a lot of film"
~ Greg Wolf

I was so impressed with the integrity that Chris was showing, that I immediately offered to split the film with he and Greg, "for taking care of it for me" and as a sign that we could still be friends and he would be forgiven. Then I made the suggestion that we sell the film and the three of us could finally make a film together. Greg got excited and offered that there is a lot of film and we should be able to pull it off. I know how much film was in my collection and had to agree that it is a lot and definitely worth a lot of money.

As our evening began to conclude, Chris said that he would be coming within 20 miles of my town for a five-day family vacation and he would like to see me again. He said that he would return my film then. I got the dates so I could schedule time away from work.

I didn't want to be pushy, but it had been around twenty years since I had last seen my collection. I asked if there was any way I could get my film returned sooner. He said "sure, you can follow me home and I'll give it to you now".

I followed Chris to his house and waited in my car per his request. After several minutes he returned but I did not see a box or even a bag, he did have something in his hand. What could it be, and what's the problem I wondered. "Here" he said to me and handed me a couple small clips from my film collection. "What's this?" I asked. "That's all of your film" he said. Then he concluded the evening after his cellphone began to ring continuously. He mumbled something about his wife nagging him and what a bitch she could be. "Look for the rest of my film and bring it with you when you come visit", I said.

...he told me to wait

The day came for Chris to bring his family and sister to visit and I took the day off from work to meet them. By early afternoon I had not heard from "Weasel" so I gave him a call. He said he was in town and having a good time. I offered to meet him where it was convenient for him. He told me to wait and he would call me back after discussing it with his wife.

Several hours went by before I called Chris again, he told me to wait and we would get together for dinner or late lunch later. I waited and called all day until it was almost too late to meet. Then he told me that his wife was being a real bitch and she wouldn't let him "go out". I offered to meet him in the lounge at his hotel but instead he promised to meet me the next day.

so inconsiderate

I was ready early and gave Chris a call late in the morning. He answered the phone, I said "Chris, It's me..." and "click" I was disconnected. I called back and let the phone ring until voicemail took it. I asked that he return my call. Hours passed and I kept trying to reach him and left messages. Was he really going to be so inconsiderate as to waste two whole days of mine? When I called late that day, I got a recorded message saying that I was being "Ignored" by the telephone customer I was trying to reach.

a horrible sickness and migraines

Almost an entire week passed before I started to concern myself with what had happened and why he didn't call me back. I had to call Greg to ask if Chris had made it home from his trip and why he didn't call me back, etc. I then got to hear this fabulous story about how Chris had contracted a horrible sickness and migraines which allowed him to continue on vacation for three more days, but prevented him from calling me back or relaying a message.

I wrote Chris a letter and asked that he explain his actions. I had been looking for him for many years, and I want to know where my film is.

He responded by telling me, "I don't have any more of your film" and "You've got all the film that I had" He would not account for the missing film and told me "YOU NEED TO LET THIS GO." and concluded with "Until you can put this behind you and move on, then we don't have anything else to discuss."

He would not talk to me anymore or try to resolve "The mystery of the disappearing film collection" and again, he ran to hide.

again, he ran to hide...

Apparently, I am not able to let this go without a more reasonable resolution. Besides, it's not for Chris to decide when I should get over the loss of my prized film collection. Or for that matter, when and if I should offer him forgiveness.

I believe that Chris LaMont still has the majority of my film. If he cared enough about my film to steal it and ruin a good friendship, then I think he cares enough to keep it.

The statement that Chris made about never having the film, is a flat-out lie. The statement about not having the rest of the film may be true, but only if he's a complete idiot! Any true fan of the film would not forget such a thing. Chris seems to remember everything else about the film.