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40 Years of 2001: A Space Odyssey!
posted by
Eric Friedmann
on
March 21, 2008 at 11:15 am
The late Stanley Kubrick’s legendary science fiction epic had its world premiere on April 2, 1968 at the Uptown Theater in Washington, D.C. and was released to the general public just four days later in 70mm format. By the fall of 1968, it was released in 35mm anamorphic format and advertised as Cinerama in movie theaters equipped with special projection optics and a widely-curved movie screen. Although it received mixed reviews upon its release, it is today regarded by audiences and critics as one of the greatest motion pictures ever made.
For myself, it has been my favorite film since high school back in the early ‘80s. Ironically, I hated it the first time I ever watched it. Having grown up with the action and speed of “Star Wars” and “Battlestar Galactica”, this seemingly slow, intelligent sci-fi story with very little dialogue and existing classical musical played out for me like a very cruel joke. Sometime later, when it was broadcasted on television, I gave it another look…and another, and another, until finally, I started to see the genius of it. For me, the rest is history.
Here are some more film facts that might interest you:
- It won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
- In 1980, it was only the second film released on VHS by MGM/CBS Home Video after “The Wizard of Oz”
- In 1991, it was deemed “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” by the U.S. Library of Congress and selected for preservation in their National Film Registry.
- Critic Pauline Kael called it a “monumentally unimaginative movie” (????).
- It was number #22 on AFI’s “100 Years…100 Movies” list and was recently bumped up to number #15 for the 10th Anniversary Edition of that list.
- Among its many theatrical re-releases since 1968, it played an exclusive engagement at New York City’s former Loews Astor Plaza in December 2001.
At this time, I have no information regarding a 40th Anniversary theatrical re-release. If anyone does have this info, please let us all know.
To Stanley Kubrick, who was my favorite director of all time (still is), I say a heartfelt thank you for 2001 and all that you gave us throughout your career.
Comments (43)
If anyone is interested, I will be sending over soon to the www.cinerama.topcities.com site some more publicity material of Cinerama movies from the 1960’s and 1970’s, of 2001 in this instance, from my privately owned 3,000 film advert and review collection to be put up on there.Broadsheet ads from the London newspapers/brochures even!
Can anyone explain to me how one scans in things bigger than A4 size(do you just take pot luck with a digital camera?). Also how can I link images I’ve scanned in to link in here? I don’t have my own website-yet.
Talking of which, can anyone recommend a reliable hosting provider? Has to be cheap though.
oops. forgot to tick the “notify me” box below this rectangle.
Rest in peace, Arthur C. Clarke. Died March 19, 2008, age 90.
amen to that, lmhg. I first saw 2001 on VHS with the second edition of the VHS when the label was renamed MGM/UA. It was the first vhs release in stereo (dubbed “Videophonic Sound” by the company before it was renamed Dolby Surround) for that movie; the intermission, prolouge, and overture were cut out of the film for time space on the vhs, and the titles were thinned for pan/scan use. When I saw the movie again on a later VHS during the 1990’s, which had the original trailer, all the missing scenes that I mentioned were put back, and the image was sharper and the sound clearer. I also saw the movie again on TCM in its original widescreen format, and that’s what most moviegoers saw way back nearly 40 years ago. I have yet to buy the DVD version, but there’s also a Bluray and an HD DVD version, not to mention a Laserdisc version as well!!! Even Universal HD showed the film not too long ago….This movie came out a year before man walked on the moon. Too bad this movie didn’t predict what would really happen 33 years from when the film came out….
Justin – I have 2001 on DVD, but I also have a copy of the original MGM/UA VHS tape with the large open flap that you described. I keep it for purely nostolgic purposes and as a collector’s item.
I understand a lot of people do that – collect old formats of media (i.e., Beta, Selectavision, etc.). I can’t see spending my money on an obsolete form of movie-watching, but occasssionally I like to poke around on Ebay and take a look at vintage items like the RCA Selectavision Player and those record album-sized movies that were exclusive for that player. Each disc could only hold two hours worth of material, so 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY took up two discs.
Like I said, an ancient way to watch movies in your home, but I have a deep respect for those who enjoy the nostolgia of it. I suppose I’m the same way in that I still have a working turntable, receiver and a whole lot of records (including the soundtrack to 2001).
I don’t know of any 40th Anniversary screenings, but it IS possible to see 2001 Back on the Big Screen.
I list screenings of 2001 (and other films) at my blog. Find one near you, and get out and see it!
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY Back on the Big Screen
Cheers,
Jonesy
www.OnTheBigScreen.net
My #1 cinematic wish list item got crossed off in January when I FINALLY got to see “2001” in 70MM at the Cinerama Dome. Sound issues aside, it was truly an unforgettable experience for me!
Loves movies – hate going!… Great topic! A couple of comments, though.
1) What leads you to believe the film opened to the general public four days after its world premiere??? (In Washington, DC, it opened to the general public the day after the premiere. The film had a staggered release, so its release date varied by city.)
2) I think the following sentence of yours is misleading: “By the fall of 1968, it was released in 35mm anamorphic format and advertised as Cinerama in movie theaters equipped with special projection optics and a widely-curved movie screen.”
It probably wasn’t your intent, but I think a clarification is necessary. The way the sentence is written implies that the 35mm scope presentations were promoted as “Cinerama” and that these Cinerama presentations didn’t happen until many months after the premiere. For the record, during the film’s first three months of release, it was booked only in Cinerama theaters, and only the 70mm presentations shown on a deep-curve screen and in official Cinerama venues were promoted as being shown “in Cinerama.”
Are you, by chance, familiar with my article “1968: A Roadshow Odyssey”? The manner in which “2001” was distributed is discussed in detail. I’ll provide a link for anyone interested in reading it rather than posting here the whole text. I will, however, post a revised and re-formatted list of the original reserved-seat “roadshow” presentations during the initial first-run bookings, the majority of which were shown in 70mm.
“1968: A Roadshow Odyssey” Page 1 and Page 2
THE ORIGINAL RESERVED-SEAT ENGAGEMENTS OF “2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY”
04.02.1968 … Washington, DC, USA – Uptown (51 weeks)
04.03.1968 … New York, NY, USA – Capitol (24 weeks + Move-over)
04.04.1968 … Los Angeles, CA, USA – Warner Hollywood (80 weeks + MO)
04.10.1968 … Boston, MA, USA – Boston (36 weeks)
04.10.1968 … Denver, CO, USA – Cooper (47 weeks)
04.10.1968 … Detroit, MI, USA – Summit (47 weeks)
04.10.1968 … Houston, TX, USA – Windsor (31 weeks)
04.10.1968 … Tokyo, Japan – Theatre Tokyo (24 weeks)
04.11.1968 … Chicago, IL, USA – Cinestage (36 weeks)
04.11.1968 … Johannesburg, South Africa – Royal
04.11.1968 … Osaka, Japan – O.S. Cinerama Gekijo
05.01.1968 … London, England, UK – Casino (47 weeks)
05.01.1968 … Sydney, Australia – Plaza (12 weeks)
05.02.1968 … Melbourne, Australia – Plaza (11 weeks)
05.22.1968 … Philadelphia, PA, USA – Randolph (30 weeks)
05.28.1968 … San Diego, CA, USA – Center (44 weeks)
05.28.1968 … Seattle, WA, USA – Cinerama (77 weeks)
05.29.1968 … Atlanta, GA, USA – Martin Cinerama (22 weeks)
05.29.1968 … Baltimore, MD, USA – Town (20 weeks)
05.29.1968 … Cincinnati, OH, USA – International 70 (19 weeks)
05.29.1968 … Dallas, TX, USA – Capri (24 weeks)
05.29.1968 … Miami, FL, USA â€" Sheridan
05.29.1968 … Montreal, QC, Canada – Imperial (24 weeks)
05.29.1968 … New Orleans, LA, USA – Trans-Lux (29 weeks)
05.29.1968 … Providence, RI, USA – Cinerama (20 weeks)
05.29.1968 … St. Louis, MO, USA – Martin Cinerama (29 weeks)
05.29.1968 … Scottsdale, AZ, USA – Kachina (25 weeks)
05.30.1968 … Toronto, ON, Canada – Glendale (72 weeks)
06.06.1968 … Charlotte, NC, USA – Carolina
06.07.1968 … Honolulu, HI, USA – Cinerama
06.12.1968 … Birmingham, AL, USA – Eastwood Mall (8 weeks)
06.12.1968 … Columbus, OH, USA – Grand
06.12.1968 … Dayton, OH, USA – Dabel (20 weeks)
06.12.1968 … Harrisburg, PA, USA – Trans-Lux
06.12.1968 … Jacksonville, FL, USA – 5 Points
06.12.1968 … Kansas City, MO – Empire (27 weeks)
06.12.1968 … Pittsburgh, PA, USA – Warner (22 weeks)
06.12.1968 … Salt Lake City, UT, USA – Villa (22 weeks)
06.12.1968 … Tampa, FL, USA – Palace
06.12.1968 … Toledo, OH, USA – Showcase Cinemas
06.13.1968 … Portland, OR, USA – Hollywood (42 weeks)
06.19.1968 … Buffalo, NY, USA – Grand (13 weeks)
06.19.1968 … Cleveland, OH, USA – State (21 weeks)
06.19.1968 … Hartford, CT, USA – Cinerama
06.19.1968 … Norfolk, VA, USA – Rosna
06.19.1968 … Omaha, NE, USA – Indian Hills
06.19.1968 … San Francisco, CA, USA – Golden Gate (73 weeks + MO)
06.19.1968 … Wichita, KS, USA – Uptown
06.26.1968 … Calgary, AB, Canada – North Hill (14 weeks)
06.26.1968 … Des Moines, IA, USA – River Hills
06.26.1968 … Fresno, CA, USA – Warnor (17 weeks)
06.26.1968 … Hicksville, NY, USA – Twin South (39 weeks)
06.26.1968 … London, ON, Canada – Park (9 weeks)
06.26.1968 … Louisville, KY, USA – Showcase Cinemas (14 weeks)
06.26.1968 … Milwaukee, WI, USA – Cinema 1
06.26.1968 … Sacramento, CA, USA – Esquire (35 weeks)
06.26.1968 … St. Louis Park, MN, USA – Cooper (31 weeks)
06.26.1968 … Syracuse, NY, USA – Eckel (10 weeks)
06.26.1968 … Tulsa, OK, USA – Fox (15 weeks)
06.26.1968 … Vancouver, BC, Canada – Capitol (15 weeks)
06.27.1968 … Indianapolis, IN, USA – Indiana
06.27.1968 … Nashville, TN, USA – Belle Meade
06.28.1968 … Huntsville, AL, USA – Westbury
07.02.1968 … Las Vegas, NV, USA – Cinerama (15 weeks)
07.03.1968 … San Juan, Puerto Rico – Metro
07.04.1968 … Sao Paulo, Brazil – Majestic
07.10.1968 … Chattanooga, TN, USA – Brainerd Cinerama
07.11.1968 … Shreveport, LA, USA – Broadmoor (8 weeks)
07.16.1968 … Oklahoma City, OK, USA – Cooper
07.17.1968 … Montclair, NJ, USA – Clairidge (36 weeks)
07.17.1968 … San Antonio, TX, USA – Cinema II (18 weeks)
07.22.1968 … Glasgow, Scotland, UK – Coliseum
07.23.1968 … San Jose, CA, USA – Century 21 (88 weeks)
07.24.1968 … Knoxville, KY, USA – Capri-70
07.24.1968 … Raleigh, NC, USA – Ambassador
07.25.1968 … Dublin, Ireland – Plaza
07.25.1968 … Memphis, TN, USA – Paramount (11 weeks)
07.25.1968 … Winnipeg, MB, Canada – Garrick (11 weeks)
07.31.1968 … West Springfield, MA, USA – Showcase Cinemas
08.07.1968 … Springfield, IL – Esquire
08.09.1968 … Auckland, New Zealand – Cinerama
08.09.1968 … Christchurch, New Zealand – Cinerama
08.09.1968 … Orlando, FL, USA – Beacham
08.09.1968 … Wellington, New Zealand – Cinerama (5 weeks)
08.14.1968 … Austin, TX, USA – Americana (13 weeks)
08.21.1968 … Albany, NY, USA – Hellman (12 weeks)
08.21.1968 … Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA â€" Falls
08.22.1968 … Grand Rapids, MI, USA – Eastbrook
08.24.1968 … Vienna, Austria – Gartenbau
08.27.1968 … Stockholm, Sweden – Vinterpalatset
08.28.1968 … Lawrence, MA, USA – Showcase Cinemas (12 weeks)
09.01.1968 … Cardiff, Wales, UK – Park Hall
09.02.1968 … Brussels, Belgium – Varietes
09.04.1968 … Reno, NV, USA – Century 21
09.06.1968 … Cape Town, South Africa – Cinerama (4 weeks)
09.11.1968 … Munich, West Germany – Royal (12 weeks)
09.11.1968 … Rotterdam, Netherlands – Cinerama
09.12.1968 … Bangkok, Thailand – Siam
09.16.1968 … New York, NY, USA – Cinerama (cont. from Capitol, 13/37 weeks)
09.18.1968 … Worcester, MA, USA – Showcase Cinemas
09.19.1968 … Cologne, West Germany – Scala (9 weeks)
09.20.1968 … Peoria, IL, USA – Palace
09.25.1968 … Edmonton, AB, Canada – Paramount (8 weeks)
09.25.1968 … Hamden, CT, USA – Cinemart
09.25.1968 … Lisbon, Portugal – Monumental
09.25.1968 … Ottawa, ON, Canada – Nelson (13 weeks)
09.25.1968 … Goleta, CA, USA – Fairview
09.25.1968 … Youngstown, OH, USA – Paramount
09.25.1968 … Zuerich, Switzerland – Apollo
09.26.1968 … Karlsruhe, West Germany – Schauburg (6 weeks)
09.27.1968 … Champaign, IL, USA – Co-Ed II
09.27.1968 … Paris, France – Empire (“Version Originale”)
09.27.1968 … Paris, France – Gaumont Palace (“Version Francaise”)
09.27.1968 … Reading, PA – Fox (5 weeks)
10.02.1968 … Albuquerque, NM – Fox Winrock (13 weeks)
10.02.1968 … Lexington, KY – Strand (7 weeks)
10.02.1968 … Scranton, PA – Strand (5 weeks)
10.09.1968 … El Paso, TX – Fox Bassett Center (11 weeks)
10.17.1968 … Barcelona, Spain – Florida
10.17.1968 … Madrid, Spain – Albeniz
10.17.1968 … Rochester, NY, USA – Panorama (17 weeks)
10.25.1968 … Stuttgart, West Germany – Atrium (6 weeks)
10.27.1968 … Leeds, England, UK – Leeds
10.30.1968 … Little Rock, AR, USA – Cinema 150 (7 weeks)
10.30.1968 … Milan, IL, USA – Showcase Cinemas
10.31.1968 … Bournemouth, England, UK – Westover Bournemouth
10.31.1968 … Mexico City, Mexico – Cine Latino D-150 (15 weeks)
11.05.1968 … Amarillo, TX, USA – Esquire
11.06.1968 … Corpus Christi, TX, USA – Deux Cine (7 weeks)
11.06.1968 … Monterey, CA, USA – Cinema 70 (13 weeks)
11.07.1968 … Buenos Aires, Argentina – Super Cinerama Ideal
11.08.1968 … Duesseldorf, West Germany – Kristall (15 weeks)
11.15.1968 … Essen, West Germany – Europa (4 weeks)
11.15.1968 … Nuremberg, West Germany – Delphi (3 weeks)
11.20.1968 … Erie, PA, USA – Plaza
11.20.1968 … Tucson, AZ, USA – El Dorado (9 weeks)
11.22.1968 … Antwerp, Belgium – Rubens (2 weeks)
12.11.1968 … Milan, Italy – Alcione
12.11.1968 … Rome, Italy – Royal
12.12.1968 … Frankfurt, West Germany – MGM (10 weeks)
12.13.1968 … Muenster, West Germany – Fürstenhof (2 weeks)
12.18.1968 … Jackson, MS, USA – Capri (4 weeks)
12.18.1968 … Nanuet, NY, USA – Route 59 (9 weeks)
12.20.1968 … Augsburg, West Germany – Rex
01.10.1969 … Mannheim, West Germany – Planken (3 weeks)
01.15.1969 … Hamilton, ON, Canada – Centre Twin West (8 weeks)
01.19.1969 … Birmingham, England, UK – Cinerama
02.19.1969 … Modesto, CA, USA – Briggsmore (5 weeks)
02.28.1969 … Oslo, Norway – Colosseum
04.01.1969 … Santiago, Chile – Santa Lucia
05.24.1969 … Tel Aviv, Israel â€" Zafon
07.16.1969 … Hannover, West Germany – Gloria
08.04.1969 … Copenhagen, Denmark – Rialto
10.14.1969 … Orange, CA, USA – Cinedome 21 (27 weeks)
10.29.1969 … Beverly Hills, CA, USA – Beverly Hills (cont. from Warner Hollywood, 23/103 weeks)
11.12.1969 … San Francisco, CA, USA – Golden Gate Penthouse (cont. from Golden Gate, 15/88 weeks)
02.27.1970 … West Berlin, West Germany – Royal (8 weeks)
In any given market, a general release did not begin until the completion of the exclusive, reserved-seat engagement.
Justin and Loves movies—If you have not seen 2001 in a theatre, you haven’t seen the movie. It is just too big for your TV, no matter how large.
I worked as a projectionist showing a retro-run of 2001 at the Summit Cinerama theatre in Detroit during the summer of 1977. I went with friends to see this movie (having never seen it) and was very impressed with the film, but very disappointed with the horrible projection quality. The film went off screen twice, there were big sound problems and every place the was a splice the operator had put electricians tape across the print to mark the splice. We talked with the guy subletting the theatre (it mainly showed Arabic films by then) and by the end of the night ended up with the job as projectionist. The operator supplied by the local collective bargaining / mediocrity preservation organization was sent packing and we took over. Within three shows we had the machines running right, the show stayed on screen, we fixed problems with the sound system and had a great run for another 5 weeks. The announcement came out that the theatre was going to be demolished and we set to work trying to get the Norelco AAII (later KA DP70) projectors for the Redford theatre. We were ultimately successful, we spent six months redoing the Redford booth to accept the Norelco machines. The three of us launched our bi-weekly movie series in March of 1978 with “The sound of music” in 70mm to capacity houses (1,500+). That movie series is now in its 30th year and the Norelcos are still great machines.
Mike,
The 6/19/68 opening in Buffalo should read Century theatre not Grand.
The Golden Gate Penthouse in San Francisco was when the Golden Gate Theater was “twinned”—The Penthouse was originally the balcony area of that theater. (When 2001 first played the Golden Gate, it had already been twinned—thus it was just “moved upstairs”).
Thanks, Love Movies, for posting a tribute to the greatest movie ever made. It’s even more appropriate following the recent death of Sir Arthur.
And to answer Smoothie’s first question: Yes, I’m interested!
I’m fortunate enough to have an original 35mm roadshow print in my collection. It’s ten 2,000ft reels, so it takes up quite a bit of space for me to store. Last time I ran it (about 5 years ago) color was starting to fade slightly, but it was othewise in excellent shape.
Bill Heulbig-I’ll get on with the job as soon as possible. Most of my newspaper archive collection is stored-understandably for insurance purposes let alone the space requirements-in a regional public library which for Public Holiday reasons will be closed until after the Easter period. However Bill, if you want to leave me a direct e-mail address, I will endeavour(my worn-out PC depending) to post you copies of one or two of the smaller scannable nuggets i have at home with me.
I’m also looking to be able to collect the obituaries from the more
established newspapers here in England as the weeks progress.
Thanks to Loves movies-hate going! for reminding us about “2001”
For those of you who have never seen “2001” in 70mm “CINERAMA” let me show you a couple of examples of a CINERAMA screen.
London Casino, London, United Kingdom, scroll down and first see the Prolague Screen for the showing of “This is CINERAMA”. This is the little black and white movie that ends with Lowell Thomas saying “Ladies and Gentlemen, This is CINERAMA!” The curtains then open and show one of the most famous movie sceens ever on the FULL CINERAMA SCREEN, THE ROLLER COASTER RIDE!
http://cinerama.topcities.com/ctcasino.htm
Imagine a screen that was so curved (146 degrees) that it had to be louvered so that the light from one side of the screen didn’t reflect onto the other side of the screen, imagine a screen 64 feet by 26 feet.
The next photo is by Hiroshi Sugimoto and is of the CINERAMA DOME in Hollywood:
View link
Now those are the kind of screens to see “2001” on!
I once saw a list of really famous scenes from movies, among them was:
The roller coaster ride from “This is CINERAMA"
The opening scenes from "The Sound of Music"
The opening scenes flying over New York City in "West Side Story"
and I can’t remember the others can you help and add them, except for this one-
In "2001” when the ape figures s/he can use the bone as a weapon and throws it into the air and it becomes a spaceship—-WOW!
I remember when “2001” came out, reading in the paper that it was a good movie to sit in the front row, in a CINERAMA Theater, and to smoke pot especially in that one sorta psychedelic part near the end.
I also heard of folks who would run up to the screen when they would see the monolith and yell “It’s God, It’s God!” Oh that’s when it was fun to go to the movies!
As I read you folks comments, I try to guess who is the author before I see the name. I was pretty sure I saw Michael Coate’s work and knew for sure once I saw the beginning of one of his lists. That guy is the keeper of the lists! I hope you all have thought about all the work, time and patience it takes to come up with all these lists he makes.
I’ve broken his “2001” Theaters list down:
115 CINERAMA
3 D-150 DIMENSION 150*
39 70mm
157 Total Roadshow Theaters
If anyone wants I can list the non-CINERAMA Theaters, or do you want to know how many theaters are still standing, or still show films?
*2 D-150 Theaters are listed. I found information that the Garrick in Winnipeg was also a D-150 Theater. Does anyone know if any of these theaters used the full D-150 lens and screen for “2001” or “just” the 70mm masked screen? Come to think of it how would the entire D-150 screen compare to a CINERAMA screen?
“Sometimes I think we’re alone in the Universe, and sometimes I think we’re not. In either case the idea is quite staggering.” Arthur C. Clarke 1917-2008
John, although I didn’t mention it, I’ve seen 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY four times on screen. First in 1988 at the old Biograph Cinema in NYC. Second in 1990 at Cinema Village (a double bill with STAR WARS, no less) and two more times in December 2001 at Loews Astor Plaza. The experience was, to say the least, enthralling!
I keep looking out for an anniversary screening in NYC or Long Island, but so far, no dice!
Great posts Bob, Love Movies and Mike ( and all others too ! )
Bob asked what’s the screen difference between D 150 and Cinerama.
I believe D 150 as the name suggests hit 150 degrees and an aspect ratio of 2.7:1, whereas Cinerama hit 146 degrees and an aspect ratio of 2.66 :1 : pretty darn close !
best
kev p
You would have to see the original newspaper ads or went to see it for those two D-150 houses Bob posted. It was about the use fee to play it on the Full Cinerama screen and D-150 screen system. That fee in the original contract would let you use the Full screen for those formats otherwise it played on a smaller 70MM use screen.
Some people might say I have an unhealthy obsession with “2001”, but I’ve seen it 54 times in a theater over the last 40 years. The first and (so far) the last times were on a Cinerama screen: 6/15/68, Loew’s Capitol, NY and 1/20/08, Cinerama Dome, LA.
Make that 1/30/08 in LA. Must be accurate at all times when it comes to “2001”. Like HAL :)
Bill, I suppose the only thing that would make your obsession unhealthy is if you could actually name ALL of the instructions for the Zero Gravity Toilet!
(Just kidding. Please don’t strain yourself.)
Well, I know that there are 10 basic instructions, and that the shower is called the Sonoshower, but that’s about it.
Oh, I can also tell you that the last two items posted on the menu in the space kitchen on the moon shuttle are Apricot Nectar and Apple Cider. On the Cinerama screen you can actually see such tiny details. What a movie!
Here’s my favorite – apparently Kubrick and Clarke envisioned that a long distance call in the year 2001 from the moon to Earth would only cost $1.70! Today, in 2008, $1.70 might buy you a full minute between you and your neighbor next door.
Bill, here’s another funny story for you – My wife got her college degree in anthropology. Now while I knew she would never sit through all of 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY with me, I figured she might appreciate the first 20 minutes of “The Dawn of Man” sequence.
Oh, man, was I wrong! She started to go off on how historically and anthropologically incorrect everything was, despite being science FICTION!
I decided to stay married to her, regardless.
At least your wife may have appreciated that, even if it was inaccurate, there were no dinosaurs running around.
That “Charge $1.70” shot got a very big laugh at the Capitol in 1968. To me at the time (I was 13), that seemed like a huge amount of money!
The charge for Rick Deckard’s phone call to Rachel in BLADE RUNNER cost $1.62 (I think?) in the year 2019. You gotta love deflation!
It’s hard to believe that I saw “2001: A Space Odyssey†forty years ago. It grabbed my imagination like nothing else. It shaped how I view technology, philosophy, science fiction, and film. It challenged me intellectually and spiritually in many layers. Oddly, I have seen the film in theatres only a handful of times, but all in 70 MM, and twice on a Cinerama screen. Earlier this year, the AFI presented “2001†at the Cinerama Dome to a sell-out audience. Despite some issues with the print, the show was a knockout. I have watched it on TV a few times here and there. But I simply cannot see it on the small screen, no matter what size TV, or video format.
JSA
William,
I understand about the fee to use the D-150 Super Curvulon Lens, in order to fill the entire screen, but I’ve heard that some theaters used it “unofficially” for some 70mm films. This must have given the patrons a big thrill and saved the theaters money, but didn’t make Dr. Richard Vetter or Mr. Carl Williams happy!
“DIMENSION 150 THE NEW DIMENSION IN MOTION PICTURES”
William,
I understand about the fee to use the D-150 Super Curvulon Lens, in order to fill the entire D-150 Screen, but I’ve heard that some theaters used it “unofficially” for some 70mm films. This must have given the patrons a big thrill and saved the theaters money, but didn’t make Dr. Richard Vetter or Mr. Carl Williams happy!
“DIMENSION 150 THE NEW DIMENSION IN MOTION PICTURES”
Don’t know why it did that???
Answer, cause D-150 was so BIG!!!
My national Science Museum here in England has done a small family-album tribute to Arthur C.Clarke, which includes some rare behind-the-scenes photos of 2001.
http:www.scienceandsociety.co.uk
Go to “Galleries” on the black-lettered horizontal list and follow the drop-down list.
http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk
correction to exact URL there.
The actual 40th anniversary is tonight – World Premiere at the Uptown Theater, Washington DC, April 2, 1968. It opened in New York on the 3rd, and the mostly bad reviews were printed in the daily papers on the 4th. I remember this date especially well because while I was looking for the review in the NY Daily News, I heard that Martin Luther King had just been assassinated in Memphis.
View link
I first saw the film; “2001: A Space Odyssey” 40 years ago, when it first came out. I was a high school kid and, like lots of other films of that era, it had a powerful impact on my imagination. I enjoyed it immensely, seeing it on the great big screen of the now non-existent Charles Cinema in Boston. Afew years later, I saw it again, at the same theatre, also having a wonderful time. Just afew years ago, I saw “2001: A Space Odysssey ” again, this time at Brookline’s Coolidge Corner Theatre. It was a tad or so more frayed at the edges, if one gets the drift, and I’d forgotten how freaky it was, and I still enjoyed it. I sometimes think about how ‘2001" was more a “back to the future” type of film, and, now that the year 2001 has come and gone, where are we? (lol). However, I admit to one thing: As much as I enjoyed “2001: A Space Odyssey” and have seen it afew times, it doesn’t hold the same special place in my heart regarding movies as the film West Side Story.
I saw “2001” at the Southland Mall’s twin theater in Hayward, CA, back in 1981 and paid the lordly sum of $2.00 (a bargain even then,) to see it. Even in plain old 35mm it knocked the socks off the then teenaged me and I regret that I’ve never had the chance to see it in a real theater again.
Remembering this got me thinking that I saw a lot of really cool movies on their second or third or whatever runs at the local theaters back in those days, such as “Annie Hall,” “Harold and Maude,” “Dr. Zhivago,” and “Blazing Saddles,” to name just a few, and all for the same $2.00 (or $1.50.) Of course, it all stopped not too long after that, when every corner sprouted a Video shop. Funny thing is, today there are more screens than ever, thanks to the multi-plexes, but now the only choice left is whether to see “Transformers” at 1:15 or 1:20 or 1:30…
Do you have any independent art-house repertory/revival movie theatres in your area that might show movies such as “2001: A Space Odyssey”? Just curious, because, assuming there is at least one independent movie theatre in your area that will show classics, you might want to call and/or write periodically to suggest/request “2001” , or if there’s a suggestion box in the theatre, put your suggestion in that. Just saying…..Hope I’ve been of some help here, CaptVonKrapp.
YOU KNOW IT IS A MOVIE I REMEMBER SEEING ON THAT LARGE SCREEN IN 70MM AT NATIONAL HILLS THEATRE.IT IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME. I SAW IT WHEN I WAS 12 YEARS OLD AND REMEMBER THE INTERMISSION AND WALKING AROUND THE LOBBY LIISTENING TO ADULTS DISCUSSING IT. THE ONLY PLACE TO SEE A MOVIE LIKE THIS IS ON A REAL MOVIE SCREEN
WE PLAYED IT AT REGENCY 1.2.3. ON A LATE SHOW AND THAT SMALL GCC SCREEN WAS JUST A JOKE.I COULDN’T WATCH IT. AND I THINK AT A DRIVE-IN THE SOUND WOULD NOT BE UP TO PAR
When 2001 returned to NATIONAL HILLS and i was an assistantmanager i had the projectionist tape the entire movie on cassette tapes. I guess that makes me a fan. This was back in the mid 70’s no vhs.
Bootlegger!!!!
TLSLOEWS.I loved the movie that much,heck i even cassette taped BUTCH CASSIDY,but it was taped inside the theatre before I worked there.So it did not sound as good as taping it from the projector.
“2001” was re-released numerous times during the late 1960’s and throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s.
I saw it once when it was re-released as a exclusive enagement showing at the LAKEWOOD CENTER THEATRE in Durham,where it was presented on the large screen in 70MM-Six Track Stereophonic Sound.
It blew my mind away!
Yep,Raysson that is the only WAY to see it.
I saw a 35mm print of 2001 this past summer at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge MA for the first time. An incredible movie to see on the big screen.