It sounded like stereo in certain scenes (the cyclone, the “Optimistic Voices” at the approach to Emerald City), but there were more than 3 shots of de-registration, and it was projected in 1.37. It opened with a silent WB logo.
Yesterday afternoon’s “The Wizard of Oz” show was notable for a number of reasons. Not only was the film projected in its 1939 dimensions (the intricate details in Jack Dawn’s makeup designs really get a fine showcase from the front row), but Billie Burke Ziegfeld as Glinda appeared on the screen of the theater named after her husband. And there’s an autographed 1929 photo of Burke on permanent display in a glass case in the lobby.
Thanks for the ads, williamburge. I love how Pauline Kael says “You’d better go see it quickly” … before one of your friends can’t resist giving away the ending. I’m sure that happened a lot with that particular movie.
Paramus, NJ still observes the Blue Laws on Sundays for their multitude of retail stores, but they always made an exception for their movie theaters. They stay open on Sundays.
The LA Times is in the microfilm collection at the New York Public Library – Main Branch. I assumed only New York papers would be there, and they have all of them, but it was a pleasant surprise to see they carried LA as well. And it’s a self-service system, which is a big timesaver if you want to look at a lot of different dates. I’ll be going back for more very soon.
The “Kane” print was fine – just some scratches near each reel change. And practically no missing footage either. I think only one word of dialogue was missing from the print.
The comment cards are once again available in the lobby, so it looks like the Classics will be an ongoing event. I wrote down “Cleopatra” in 70mm – no harm in asking :)
To all the Ziegfeld gripers and naysayers who are skipping “Citizen Kane” because the schedule is too familiar, too TCM, etc.: to paraphrase Mr. Kane, it’s your loss.
The film was perfectly framed and I was in the third row, which meant the movie was literally towering over my head. Not only did I notice lots of important details I’d never seen before in almost every scene (and I’ve seen the movie about 100 times), but entire sequences like the after-election campaign headquarters (with the camera placed in a pit below floor level) and especially the final tracking shot flying over Kane’s accumulated “stuff” (you can spot Rosebud coming from a long way away at the top of the screen) became truly jaw-dropping from that perspective. I’m willing to bet that “Kane” hasn’t been shown in New York in quite the same amazing proportions since the Palace in 1941.
The sound was turned up good and loud, too. Bernard Herrmann’s climactic Rosebud music gave me goosebumps. And the audience was noticeably startled by the screeching cockatoo, which was probably why Welles put it in there in the first place. If anyone had fallen asleep (there were people complaining on the way out, “How could anyone call that the best movie ever made?”), that cockatoo would’ve woken them up all right.
Only three more shows. Don’t miss it – it’s terrific!
I wonder if it was the same woman who ruined “Doctor Zhivago” in February by complaining about the volume? I hope they respond so quickly to me if I complain that today’s “Citizen Kane” show is not loud enough!
“Journey” was my favorite of all the “4:30 Movies”. Remember how exciting it was when a beloved movie showed up in next week’s TV Guide? It’s a good thing to be able to own the movies now and see them whenever we want, but something very special has been lost at the same time.
Vito: was that 16mm print in CinemaScope? That must have been quite a show down there in your basement. It was probably still playing in neighborhood theaters at that time.
“Journey” was my favorite of all the “4:30 Movies”. Remember how exciting it was when a beloved movie showed up in next week’s TV Guide? It’s a good thing to be able to own the movies now and see them whenever we want, but something very special has been lost at the same time.
Ed: was that 16mm print in CinemaScope? That must have been quite a show down there in your basement. It was probably still playing in neighborhood theaters at that time.
On closer inspection of the ad, there weren’t midnight shows every night – only Fridays and Saturdays. Still, that’s pretty cool – I would’ve loved being able to stagger out of the Dome at 3 AM onto Sunset Blvd. after seeing “Mad, Mad World”.
It sounded like stereo in certain scenes (the cyclone, the “Optimistic Voices” at the approach to Emerald City), but there were more than 3 shots of de-registration, and it was projected in 1.37. It opened with a silent WB logo.
Yesterday afternoon’s “The Wizard of Oz” show was notable for a number of reasons. Not only was the film projected in its 1939 dimensions (the intricate details in Jack Dawn’s makeup designs really get a fine showcase from the front row), but Billie Burke Ziegfeld as Glinda appeared on the screen of the theater named after her husband. And there’s an autographed 1929 photo of Burke on permanent display in a glass case in the lobby.
Craig: Thanks for the bonus week (and thanks for all the other weeks too). Can’t wait to see what the titles are.
Thanks for the ads, williamburge. I love how Pauline Kael says “You’d better go see it quickly” … before one of your friends can’t resist giving away the ending. I’m sure that happened a lot with that particular movie.
Paramus, NJ still observes the Blue Laws on Sundays for their multitude of retail stores, but they always made an exception for their movie theaters. They stay open on Sundays.
The one and only Steven McQueen in:
View link
Just posted a new one here:
/theaters/1986/
The one and only Steven McQueen in …
View link
Forgot this one:
/theaters/18/
I recently posted more LA ads on the following pages:
/theaters/1/
/theaters/4/
/theaters/33/
The LA Times is in the microfilm collection at the New York Public Library – Main Branch. I assumed only New York papers would be there, and they have all of them, but it was a pleasant surprise to see they carried LA as well. And it’s a self-service system, which is a big timesaver if you want to look at a lot of different dates. I’ll be going back for more very soon.
Here’s another ad from December 1959 featuring L.A. area drive-ins: 39 of them! (wow)
View link
From the Los Angeles Times, 12/14/61: a groundbreaking gay movie:
View link
From the Los Angeles Times, December 1961: a rare, non-Hitchcock instance of a director starring in the ad for his own movie:
View link
The “Kane” print was fine – just some scratches near each reel change. And practically no missing footage either. I think only one word of dialogue was missing from the print.
The comment cards are once again available in the lobby, so it looks like the Classics will be an ongoing event. I wrote down “Cleopatra” in 70mm – no harm in asking :)
To all the Ziegfeld gripers and naysayers who are skipping “Citizen Kane” because the schedule is too familiar, too TCM, etc.: to paraphrase Mr. Kane, it’s your loss.
The film was perfectly framed and I was in the third row, which meant the movie was literally towering over my head. Not only did I notice lots of important details I’d never seen before in almost every scene (and I’ve seen the movie about 100 times), but entire sequences like the after-election campaign headquarters (with the camera placed in a pit below floor level) and especially the final tracking shot flying over Kane’s accumulated “stuff” (you can spot Rosebud coming from a long way away at the top of the screen) became truly jaw-dropping from that perspective. I’m willing to bet that “Kane” hasn’t been shown in New York in quite the same amazing proportions since the Palace in 1941.
The sound was turned up good and loud, too. Bernard Herrmann’s climactic Rosebud music gave me goosebumps. And the audience was noticeably startled by the screeching cockatoo, which was probably why Welles put it in there in the first place. If anyone had fallen asleep (there were people complaining on the way out, “How could anyone call that the best movie ever made?”), that cockatoo would’ve woken them up all right.
Only three more shows. Don’t miss it – it’s terrific!
I wonder if it was the same woman who ruined “Doctor Zhivago” in February by complaining about the volume? I hope they respond so quickly to me if I complain that today’s “Citizen Kane” show is not loud enough!
The Variety review of “Psycho” was written by “Gene”.
View link
My favorite Variety critic from those years was “Tube”. He wrote some very funny reviews for those beloved old Grade B sci-fi movies.
Archer Winsten’s New York Post review (4/4/68):
View link
Vito: sounds to me like your basement qualifies as a Cinema Treasure in its own right!
Sorry about the double post. See how flustered I get when the conversation turns to “Journey to the Center of the Earth”?
“Journey” was my favorite of all the “4:30 Movies”. Remember how exciting it was when a beloved movie showed up in next week’s TV Guide? It’s a good thing to be able to own the movies now and see them whenever we want, but something very special has been lost at the same time.
Vito: was that 16mm print in CinemaScope? That must have been quite a show down there in your basement. It was probably still playing in neighborhood theaters at that time.
“Journey” was my favorite of all the “4:30 Movies”. Remember how exciting it was when a beloved movie showed up in next week’s TV Guide? It’s a good thing to be able to own the movies now and see them whenever we want, but something very special has been lost at the same time.
Ed: was that 16mm print in CinemaScope? That must have been quite a show down there in your basement. It was probably still playing in neighborhood theaters at that time.
On closer inspection of the ad, there weren’t midnight shows every night – only Fridays and Saturdays. Still, that’s pretty cool – I would’ve loved being able to stagger out of the Dome at 3 AM onto Sunset Blvd. after seeing “Mad, Mad World”.