Cinerama Hollywood

The answer, to my knowledge is, more or less, yes. I have read that “Mad World” actually started filming in three-strip, (apparently so did “The Greatest Story Ever Told”) but changed over to 70mm Ultra Panavision soon after work began. I have read that the booths for three-strip Cinerama were built at the Dome, but the equipment was not installed (until, of course, decades later).

Three-strip Cinerama was actually dealt its death blow when it was discovered that 70mm photography could be more or less successfully incorporated into a three-panel Cinerama production. This occurred during the production of “How the West Was Won” in which 70mm footage from both “Raintree County” and “The Alamo” was incorporated; it is also very noticeable in the sequence where the Prescott raft strays into the rapids and is destroyed; the sequence involved a great deal of process work. The blending of on-location camerawork with stunt doubles (which is in sharp focus) and that made at the studio is rather good, but the background in the studio sequences is grainier and not in the same sharp focus.

With the successful release of “HTWWW,” studio bean counters came to the conclusion that the additional expense of three-panel Cinerama was not worth the investment. In addition, at the time, 70mm negatives (regardless of process) could be more easily reduction printed to 35mm for non-roadshow and second run showings.

Jsittig: Thanks! Whoever came up the idea of that water curtain (presumably the 2002 Arclight architects) had a nice idea. It allows more of the Dome itself and its surface texture to be visible (since the south face is now completely blocked) yet acts as a bit of a deterrent to vandals, posters or graffiti miscreants. Plus on that warm evening the mist it created was nice!

(It’s odd how seldom I typically walk out that way— since the normal routine is to park, go to the theaters, and right back to the parking structure. But a visitor last weekend asked about it and I was stumped.

Visited the Dome over the weekend and am curious about something. On the outside around the western perimeter area is a sort of curtain of falling water decoration.

Is that original with the Dome, or was that added when they built the Arclight building surrounding the rest of it.

Well I have a ticket to see 2001 in 70mm at the Academy of Motion Pictures in the Goldwyn theater. It is nice of the Arclight people to run all of the tree strip Cinerama films and some of the 70mm Cinerama films.

Why would they show a 2K digital of 2001 when there is a 70mm print available?

Well I got a refund on my ticket for Cinerama’s Russian Adventure from what I can tell that is a video presentation. I still have a ticket for Cinerama Holiday I hope that is in three strip if not I’ll have to cash that one in too. I’m sure the 4K looks fine but it still isn’t as clear and sharp as a good 70mm print from a 65mm negative or as detailed as the three strip Cinerama.

Here’s hoping the newly restored 4K Lawrence of Arabia gets at least a week-long stint at the Dome this October. Apparently the film will be re-released theatrically Oct 4 prior to its Blu-ray release in Nov. As Oct 4 is a Thursday, I’m hoping it’s not one of those one-day screenings that pop up at the chain multiplexes from time to time. The Dome did give Lawrence a week-long 40th Anniv showcase back in 2002. Fingers crossed.

I am traveling 3000 miles for this festival, and have bought tickets for seven Cinerama films. Thanks to all the folks that have made this great event possible. Also, thanks to Arclight for releasing the schedule and starting ticket sales this far in advance.

The big Cinerama extravaganza is now on sale at www.arclightcinemas.com – go to the Dome +21 section for titles and showtimes. I’ve got my ticket for “THIS IS CINERAMA” – and will happily cross off 1 item in my Top Ten Movies To See In A Theatre list.

The link works and it is a great view of the auditorium http://capp360.com/pacific-cinerama-dome-hollywood/ thanks PYTinLA

Well bigjoe59

The Chinese opened on May 18, 1927

Looks like tickets are really moving for the opening weekend of The Dark Knight Rises at the Dome. My favorite seats are gone already.

I was in Hollywood today and decided to go see Prometheus. To late for the early show I got a ticket for the 2 pm showing. To my surprise the show was already almost 70% sold. After the ticket girl suggested several different seats that were way in the back of house. I told her to put me right on top of the screen and she sold me a front row ticket. I ended up sitting in the second row from the front. The real reason I went to see a film here was to figure out what seat I wanted for the upcoming showing of the Cinerama films and the new short film In the Picture, While I was hanging out waiting for the show to start I was offered a tour of the Cinerama projection booth. Of course I accepted. That was an unexpected treat.

Those who know the Dome know it has a deeply curved screen so there is some distortion from the curve and keystone. I was amazed that the picture was for the most part sharp and clear. The huge screen and great spread on the sound more than make up for any distortion caused by the screen and projection angle. So enough about the distortion people. While it was no way as clear and sharp as film it was without a question of a doubt a great presentation. The movie wasn’t that good but I expected that. So this is one of the few theaters in Los Angeles where it is worth the price of a ticket.