Meet Josh D. – He REALLY Likes “Titanic!”
When The Guardian Newspaper and Website asked readers to share their unique passions, Josh was ready to talk!
You see, Josh collects VHS copies of the film “Titanic” – and has almost 3,000 of them!
The Guardian shared his story – as Josh wrote:
“‘Titanic’ has always been my favourite film, and I have converted my home office in Florida into my own personal Titanic museum. The 2,682 tapes cover my walls like wallpaper. I have my own Jack Dawson mannequin too.”
Josh explained when his obsession for “Titanic” began:
“When I was six, my parents took me to see the film in the cinema. I was in awe. I love everything about it: the heartbreaking and terrifying history, and the epic scale of the production. The cast is also fantastic. I adore Leonardo DiCaprio and think he’s an incredible actor. I bought my very first copy with my parents when it first came out in 1998. Being able to rewatch it whenever I liked changed my life.”
He goes on to explain:
“Years later, in 2012, my girlfriend and I found a dozen or so Titanic VHS tapes for sale in a secondhand store. That’s when I got the urge to start collecting them all. It’s really taken off in the past year, though. I started sharing footage of the collection on social media. Soon, people from all over the world started sending their copies to my PO box. Some go even further, looking in secondhand shops and sending me huge boxes of tapes. I have copies from Australia, Germany, Japan, Taiwan and more. It’s a pretty awesome feeling to know that so many people are invested in helping the collection grow. My partner and I like keeping count of how many we own, but it can be hard to keep track with all the new packages we get.”
Josh has a healthy sense of humor about his obsession, adding:
“In the US, 25m copies of Titanic were sold on VHS in the first three months, so I think owning all of them might be a bit of a stretch. I’ve spent about $4,000 (£3,170) on the collection so far. I think they’re actually going up in value because VHS tapes are rarer nowadays. I mostly find them in secondhand shops or even church sales, but it’s the donations that really make the difference. I am pleased to say I have the largest documented collection of Titanic VHS tapes.”
There is much more to the story, and you can see it at the Guardian’s website here:
I am a subscriber to TheGuaridan.com, because they have great reporting from around the world as well as terrific pop culture stories like this one!
Remember when I shared the story of a real Titanic dinner menu going up for auction?
It turns out they auction off all sorts of Titanic memorabilia even now – click here to see wha they have and how much it costs!
There have been many trips to the ship’s watery grave, one of the many extreme travel adventures you can have – click here to see them all!
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Let me know if you have a Titanic VHS copy – and if you like this story please share on social media – thanks!
Categories: Action Films, Art, Funny Pictures, Hollywood, Memoirs, Movies, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
Hi John, I can’t say I’d collect all these video tapes of the same movie but each to his own enthusiasms. I collect dolls which a lot of people think are creepy.
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Robbie, yes Dolls seem to strike a nerve in some…I also know people who are completely freaks out by clowns of any kind…it’s funny what we are all obsessed with, right?
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Absolutely. Hubby hates spiders and my mom can’t bear lizards.
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This is a really niche interest/obsession, but at least it’s bring him some joy. I suppose it’s the search for the VHS tapes that is part of the fun and keeps him engaged and enjoying himself. Each to their own!
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You said it perfectly! I am also fascinated with people who build mini-version of VHS Video shops in their basements…keeing the spirit of Blockbuster alive I guess! Thanks for the comment – always great hearing from you!
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wow, but who can say what a person can become obsessed with, a very personal choice, and pretty harmless hobby
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Unbelievable.
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Wow! I might have one to give away 🙂
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The word ‘moron’ comes to mind…
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I liked the film and have watched it a couple of times, but wouldn’t pay over £3000 for all those copies!
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Why? I was not a fan of the movie…..I already knew how it ended. chuq
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HA! It’s always fascinating to me to see someone so obsessed with something…it reminds me of the disastrous video game released in the mid-80’s based on the “E.T.” film…there was a documentary about one fan’s determination to find the landfill where millions of unsold games were dumped! To each their own!
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Isn’t that called ‘urban archeology’? chuq
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Well, each to his/her own. I think that is one of the most overrated and over-hyped films of all time, and I also think it is actually a poor film, with little reality, a ridiculous sub-plot, and painfully obvious and overdone special effects. I will certainly never waste my time watching it a second time, I would sooner watch the far superior ‘A Night To Remember’ (1958) again, and I highly recommend everyone else see that more realistic film.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, it’s always interesting to go back and watch a film that becomes a “phenomenon”…my wife and I watched “Barbie” twice, and while she slowly warmed up to it, I couldn’t understand how it became the phenomenon it did, but then again, they didn’t make it for me, did they?
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They didn’t make Barbie for me either, John. I can live out my remaining days quite happily without ever watching it. 😀
I think it is one of those rather silly and pointless films that people think is ‘cool’ to say they enjoyed. But I will never know, as I won’t see it!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes Pete!
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