I’m assuming everyone knows what a charity shop is? Well they are shops run by charities (Oxfam, British Heart Foundation etc.) and basically people take in their unwanted stuff such as ashtrays, clothes, Perry Como CDs and Dan Brown books – and other people can buy them cheaply.
Now some people have ‘issues’ with charity shop bargains. Other, normal, wonderful, intelligent people – like me – know that they are bloody exciting and a haven of unknown cheap treats. Except for all the Dan Brown books obviously.
I’ve picked up a few cool things in charity shops over the years. A few decent film soundtracks (such as the Pulp Fiction COLLECTOR’S EDITION which includes four additional tracks and a 16 minute interview with Tarantino).
HOMER SIMPSON SHOT GLASSES (was well happy with those) and a really cool Elvis Costello record I (![C6kSRWJWsAITyGc[1]](https://emmakwall1.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/c6ksrwjwsaitygc1.jpg?w=297&h=300)
kinda begrudgingly) gave to my dad who now has it framed in his living room.
When I moved into my flat I also got a lot of second-hand furnishings from charity shops – the British Heart Foundation has a big furniture shop near where I live and it was like Aladdin’s fucking cave. I even ended up buying breakfast bar stools – and I have no semblance of a breakfast bar anywhere in my flat. So yeah, there are occasional impulse buys but at least you know for better or worse you’re donating to charity.
Anyway. I digress, so beautifully I know, but we’re here to look at DVDs so here’s the best ones I’ve found in charity shops and I doubt any of them cost more than a quid –
The Fox & the Hound (1981) – what a bargain, we all know how expensive Disney films (still) are and even sweeter, The Fox & the Hound is one of my all time favourite (though I have to be feeling VERY mentally strong when I watch it).
Overboard (1987) – the weird thing was, I’d only been talking about Overboard 
a few days before (singing its praises – of course). As soon as I saw it sitting there in The Salvation Army charity shop in Maldon, whilst perusing on my lunch break, I smiled just like Kurt and Goldie are on the cover.
Napoleon Dynamite (2004) – just a film I really, really like yet never bothered to buy on DVD. But seeing this little movie gem made by day and similarly to Kalifornia (below), not one I’ve seen a whole heap of times at bargain price.
Brighton Rock (1948) / Sightseers (2014) – bought on the same day, at the same time, in the same shop. I was WELL chuffed. One absolute classic, one absolute classic in the making.
Kalifornia (1993) – possibly my favourite ever Brad Pitt movie and I’ve never seen it in a charity shop since. A lot of films, like Taken or Lord of the Rings or Borat (etc etc) you just see, like constantly. Not because they’re crap exactly, but because they were just popular I guess. And then people have clear outs or start using Netflix and they want to get rid of things like their 9 hour LOTR collection that is probably on telly right now anyway. But Kalifornia is a special case. Kalifornia I have never seen before or since. In fact, if I did see it again now, I’d probably buy it again.
The Evil Dead (2013) – pleased with this mainly because 1. I love horror movies and so 2. I was extremely excited to watch it and 3. I hadn’t even seen it before. Leading to 4. – I thought it effing rocked. THIS is what a remake is all about.
Natural Born Killers – Directors Cut (1994) – to be honest not hugely rare, I reckon if I scoured a few charity shops in one afternoon (ooh what heaven!) I could probably find this again. But extra cool points for the fact it was in absolutely pristine condition. The disc, the outer cardboard sleeve AND the plastic case inside. It was like brand-new.
Gone Baby Gone (2007) – very similar reasons to The Evil Dead. I hadn’t seen this movie, but I’d heard it was pretty good. Since buying it on DVD I’ve watched it at least three times and recommended it to many, many people (my sister and my boyfriend’s mum). Argo who? THIS is Affleck’s best. And I find Casey Affleck annoyingly attractive. I’m sure he’s a massive prick but he’s quite nice looking.
I could have made this into a Top 10 but I didn’t want to lie to you. So there is my ultimate, um, top nine DVDs bought in UK charity shops. Anyone else out there got any winners they’d like to share?
emmakwall (explains it all) 
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I agree with you that you often find nice things there re DVDs and soundtrack CDs, and I share your passion for Kalifornia – that was such a good movie and Pitt and Lewis were amazing. My favourite buy in a charity shop has to be my English Patient soundtrack CD which was in a pristine condition and I bought it from the Mind charity.
That’s brilliant! Finding that soundtrack in the Mind charity shop I mean, what a steal! It’s always quite exciting looking at the CDs wondering what you’ll find 🙂
Glad you love Kalifornia also!!!! 😀
Great finds Emmy. I would love to have that Pulp Fiction Soundtrack with the interview. Oh and I remember Kalifornia, but its been so long since I have seen it. I do wonder if Julliet Lewis was practicing her role in that for NBK. I dont know
I wouldn’t be surprised. You need to watch it again soon!!!!!
I love finding charity shop bargains! Not movie-related I know but I get a lot of my baby girl’s clothes from charity shops…they’re hardly ever worn and super cheap! Plus you know you’re doing a good thing for charity.
That’s great! I agree wholeheartedly as well, for better or worse you’re donating to charity – and getting a great bargain too! Keep getting those baby clothes!!! 🙂
Charity shops are fabulous for finds, me and my sister-in-law love them!
It’s almost exciting walking in, isn’t it!!
Yes you just NEVER know what you’ll find?
SO much fun! Each time I think ‘today might be the day…..’ (that I find a real gem!!)
A lot of great scores for sure! I love the Dan Brown pic…it reminds me when Oasis released their “Be Here Now” album in the 90’s – biggest first day sales of all time, followed by the biggest “return to shop” of all time the next day
Noooooooooooooooo that’s harsh! I was a big Oasis fan back in the day ha ha ha ha 🙂
I really like them, even the later stuff when their hit-making diminished a bit…saw them in concert, Travis opened for them…great night!
I saw them back in 2000! Doves and Happy Mondays opened 🙂
I am a big fan of Doves
My first and only table I ever bought was from a charity shop. I was having a 21st and felt I needed it. Love the collection of DVDs you got.
That’s awesome! You still have it I presume?
Uh no. However my wife and I have never had the need for a new in our apartment. We have a coffee table my Dad built for my 21st birthday present which features a glass top with a photo collage my Mum put together. One of the best and most meaningful gifts I ever got.
Sounds so lovely!!!
I love getting DVD’s from the charity shop. We’re quite alike in that way.
We sure are! Hi!!! 🙂
Good to know we are similar.
Haha charity stores can be fun indeed. Looks like you’ve picked up some great things.
Bloody love a bargain!!!!
You have been lucky indeed. Julie dives into every charity shop (and the local high street has 7 or 8) looking for bargains. I usually look at the DVD rack, but mostly see old exercise videos, or over-priced telly series box sets. I get my films from Amazon Marketplace sellers like Music Magpie.
I rarely pay more than £1, often less, and the sale is guaranteed by Amazon.
As ever, Pete. XXX
I use Music Magpie sometimes too! And Julie is a girl after my own heart 🙂 xxx