I never get tired of it Bill, sometimes I catch the first few minutes of a movie on Fox movie channel just to watch the fanfare. I always hated it when they would substitute the fanfare for other music behind the searchlights, ie: Peyton Place, A Farewell to Arms, and worst of all, “Sound of Music” with silent searchlights. I don’t like the new fanfare either, the tempo has been slowed and instrumentation has been altered. It’s sacreligious(s) I tell you.
I never get tired of it Bill, sometimes I catch the first few minutes of a movie on Fox movie channel just to watch the fanfare. I always hated it when they would substitute the fanfare for other music behind the searchlights, ie: Peyton Place, A Farewell to Arms, and worst of all, “Sound of Music” with silent searchlights. I don’t like the new fanfare either, the tempo has been slowed and instrumentation has been altered. It’s sacreligious(s) I tell you.
I never tire of it Bill, sometimes I catch the first few minutes of a movie on Fox movie channel just to watch the fanfare. I always hated it when they would substitute the fanfare for other music behind the searchlights, ie: Peyton Place, A Farewell to Arms, and worst of all, “Sound of Music” with silent searchlights. I don’t like the new fanfare either, the tempo has been slowed and instrumentation has been altered. It’s sacreligious(s) I tell you.
Vincent, just to relate to how great it was for me, During the early 50s.I worked for 20th Century Fox on 10th ave and 50th St. I would take the subway to Times Square at 42nd Street and walk the eight blocks north and 3 blocks west just to look at the theatre marquee's
along B'way,especially 42nd st betwen B'way/7th ave and 8th ave.
Fun fact about working at Fox, at just about anytime of day you might be walking the halls and hear the Fox Fanfare coming from one of the editing or screening rooms. I remember a wonderful old timer who once spotted me and said “Stand at attention when you hear that son”
Oh boy Bob, now you have me scraching my head trying to recall
“Sound 360”. I remember it was a 35mm four track magnetic print,but the tracks were re-directed mostly to the surrounds. We had four huge speakers installed on the side walls, and at least 2 or possible 3 of the 4 tracks were used to create stereo surround sound In that way the sound would travel around the theatre giving you the effect of 360 degree sound. “Damnation Alley” was the first and only movie presented in this format.It was 1977, the year in which “Star Wars”, with Dolby optical stereo format, began the beginning of the end for magnetic sound in theatres.
Bill, it must then cause you much pain to see what the theatre owners are doing to aspect ratios in todays movies house boxes.
I have seen some real nightmares out there.
Myron, Someone may want to correct me here, but as I remember it, the first Dolby stereo optical film released was “Lisztomania” in 1975. The 1976 remake of “A Star is Born” along with a limited number of others followed. But it was “Star Wars” in 1977 that really generated a lot of interest in Dolby Stereo and theatre owners started installing Dolby all over the country.
Bill, I remember “The Robe” like it was yesterday and you are so right, I too thought gosh, the news is being shown on such a small screen. Of course it added to the impact somewhat like the small image projected before Cinerama when Mr.Thomas proclamed “Ladies and gentlemen, this is Cinerama” and the curtains widened.
I have to remind you, there was no Fox Fanfare at the start of
“The Robe”, just the Fox logo. The music played behind the logo was part of the rich score written for the film. In fact, Mr.Newman did not write the CinemaScope extension until a few months later. Does anyone remember which film was the first to present the Fox Fanfare with the CinemaScope extension? Come on now Warren, I know you know the answer to this one.
Warren, I would have to agree, only now and then a new movie comes on for the first time but the repeats are well….repeated to often.
I get a bit tired of the post 1970s stuff. Hour of Stars has some excellent B&W gems that have not been shown since the original airing. Some very good performances from a lot of “before they where stars”.
Warren, give em a second chance, overall it’s a good channel. Sometimes between movies you can catch some great trailers,shorts and ole Movietone news clips. Of course it can not compare to TCM, but those pre 60s Technicolor prints look fabulous. One thing I wish they would do, and that is show overtures, leaving in the original intermission with entrance and exit music. “South Pacific”, for example, is shown naked, while TCM recently showed it fully dressed.
Warren, that’s a special airing that only plays once in a while, most of the movies are not presented that way and when they are, the movie will also show soon before or after without that silly stuff.
FMC presents the movies with very good prints and usually letterbox.
It’s the second best movie channel on cable but lacks the charm and
movie knowledge of the incomparable Robert Osburne.
Thanks Warren for the great post, I worked for 20th Century Fox during the 50s and attended every one of those movies. Now I watch them in letterbox on Fox movie channel.
As a projectionist for over 40 years both in New York, New Jersey and Hawaii, I can tell we are under no legal obligation to show a movie if no one shows up. In addition there is no case for legal action if the movie starts early. Of course people will try and sue over the craziest things so it is quite possible someone tried.
I have heard, as RobertR stated, some theatres will start shows with the trailers a bit early, especially those late night (midnight shows), but the feature should never start before the scheuled time.
I would like to add my thoughts about CinemaScope screen size.
Let us not forget the main object of anarmorphic or large format photography, and that is to enable the director to photograph a larger area on a single frame. In my opnion, although screen size does enhance the viewing of the image,it may not be the most important aspect. I offer the example of watching a movie in a letterbox version, the screen need not be large to enjoy the advantage of a film shot in an anamorphic process.
The last time I worked the Calderone and Rivoli was in the late 70s, they did not last much longer. But the Hempstead was still going, or I should say limping along, until the early 80s.
REndres, I remember the fire curtain very well. As one of the last patrons to leave I watched it slowly decend and then immediately go back up. I remenber thinking what the heck was that? I asked a staff member and was told it was a fire department regulation to test the curtain twice a day. Sorry I did not get to see the “fire drop”. Once again, you have brought back great memories of RCMH.
It was in 1983, which may have been the last year it ran as a movie theatre, when I worked the Hempstead. It was an independent owner who also had a security business. Century had sold it by then. I also ran relief at the Calderone and Rivoli, all of which sadly are gone.
I worked as a relief projectionist during the theatres last days.
I would arrive at 6:30 for the 7:00 show but usually the manager would arrive about 6:45. There was always a double bill but we had no schedule. The manager, on weekdays, would just ask the few patrons who should up, which of the two movies they wanted to see, and that is when I knew which movie to put on first. There were no house lights, just a large portable light on the stage. When the manager went up to the stage and took away the light I knew it was time to start the movie. The balcony was always closed and sometimes late in the night I honestly wondered if there was anyone left in the theatre but me.
Vito
commented about
Waikiki 3on
Feb 22, 2005 at 5:42 am
Charles, it’s happening all over the country, beautiful old theares are being torn down. Waikiki is especially troubling to me since God knows they do not need any more retail space on kalakaua. I would have thought perhaps it could be preserved much like the Hawaii for film and,with an added stage space,live shows. Sadly, on my next trip to Hawaii there will be yet another grave site for me to visit.
Vito
commented about
Waikiki 3on
Feb 21, 2005 at 5:48 am
Charles, I was there for the twining of the Kuhio. I worked it as a single screen, and later, with my friend Ron, as a twin. Kuhio was a 70mm house and had a couple of roadshows there although most of them were at the Cinerama. The Varsity is already a twin, do they want to resore it or keep it open as is?
Vito
commented about
Waikiki 3on
Feb 19, 2005 at 7:21 am
No Patsy, I am retired now and live in New York. I have many friends in Hawaii and visit often. Sadly, most of the theatres I worked in,
Waikiki 1,2,3, Cinerama, Royal, Kuhio are gone. The Varsity still exsists, but it is a twin now and I hear it’s on it’s last legs.
I am happy to see the Hawaii has been restored and is used mostly for live events.
Vito
commented about
Waikiki 3on
Feb 18, 2005 at 5:45 am
He he, no Patsy did not see any ghosts, but it was at times a very lonely job. I used to think the world could come to an end and I would not know it. Sometimes at #3, except for maybe an usher bringing me a soda, during a double shift I was alone for 12 hours a day. The booth was three flights up, so even the manager rarely came up to visit. We would never start the movie until the manager called on the intercom to say it was ok to start. I can still hear manager Buck Richards, at about 11pm when it was time to start the last show of the day, call and say “ok vito,let’s go home” to which I would reply “AL ooooooooo ha”
I never get tired of it Bill, sometimes I catch the first few minutes of a movie on Fox movie channel just to watch the fanfare. I always hated it when they would substitute the fanfare for other music behind the searchlights, ie: Peyton Place, A Farewell to Arms, and worst of all, “Sound of Music” with silent searchlights. I don’t like the new fanfare either, the tempo has been slowed and instrumentation has been altered. It’s sacreligious(s) I tell you.
I never get tired of it Bill, sometimes I catch the first few minutes of a movie on Fox movie channel just to watch the fanfare. I always hated it when they would substitute the fanfare for other music behind the searchlights, ie: Peyton Place, A Farewell to Arms, and worst of all, “Sound of Music” with silent searchlights. I don’t like the new fanfare either, the tempo has been slowed and instrumentation has been altered. It’s sacreligious(s) I tell you.
I never tire of it Bill, sometimes I catch the first few minutes of a movie on Fox movie channel just to watch the fanfare. I always hated it when they would substitute the fanfare for other music behind the searchlights, ie: Peyton Place, A Farewell to Arms, and worst of all, “Sound of Music” with silent searchlights. I don’t like the new fanfare either, the tempo has been slowed and instrumentation has been altered. It’s sacreligious(s) I tell you.
Vincent, just to relate to how great it was for me, During the early 50s.I worked for 20th Century Fox on 10th ave and 50th St. I would take the subway to Times Square at 42nd Street and walk the eight blocks north and 3 blocks west just to look at the theatre marquee's
along B'way,especially 42nd st betwen B'way/7th ave and 8th ave.
Fun fact about working at Fox, at just about anytime of day you might be walking the halls and hear the Fox Fanfare coming from one of the editing or screening rooms. I remember a wonderful old timer who once spotted me and said “Stand at attention when you hear that son”
Oh boy Bob, now you have me scraching my head trying to recall
“Sound 360”. I remember it was a 35mm four track magnetic print,but the tracks were re-directed mostly to the surrounds. We had four huge speakers installed on the side walls, and at least 2 or possible 3 of the 4 tracks were used to create stereo surround sound In that way the sound would travel around the theatre giving you the effect of 360 degree sound. “Damnation Alley” was the first and only movie presented in this format.It was 1977, the year in which “Star Wars”, with Dolby optical stereo format, began the beginning of the end for magnetic sound in theatres.
Thanks for that memory Robert, Just below the sign was a door leading to Able booth were I would step out on the roof for a little air between shows.
Bill, it must then cause you much pain to see what the theatre owners are doing to aspect ratios in todays movies house boxes.
I have seen some real nightmares out there.
Myron, Someone may want to correct me here, but as I remember it, the first Dolby stereo optical film released was “Lisztomania” in 1975. The 1976 remake of “A Star is Born” along with a limited number of others followed. But it was “Star Wars” in 1977 that really generated a lot of interest in Dolby Stereo and theatre owners started installing Dolby all over the country.
Thanks TC that’s much better, I like the centering of the titles,
Well done!
Bill, I remember “The Robe” like it was yesterday and you are so right, I too thought gosh, the news is being shown on such a small screen. Of course it added to the impact somewhat like the small image projected before Cinerama when Mr.Thomas proclamed “Ladies and gentlemen, this is Cinerama” and the curtains widened.
I have to remind you, there was no Fox Fanfare at the start of
“The Robe”, just the Fox logo. The music played behind the logo was part of the rich score written for the film. In fact, Mr.Newman did not write the CinemaScope extension until a few months later. Does anyone remember which film was the first to present the Fox Fanfare with the CinemaScope extension? Come on now Warren, I know you know the answer to this one.
Jerry, I think that was a one time stage and movie combo which featuted The Honeymooners which was a smash TV show at the time.
Warren, I would have to agree, only now and then a new movie comes on for the first time but the repeats are well….repeated to often.
I get a bit tired of the post 1970s stuff. Hour of Stars has some excellent B&W gems that have not been shown since the original airing. Some very good performances from a lot of “before they where stars”.
Warren, give em a second chance, overall it’s a good channel. Sometimes between movies you can catch some great trailers,shorts and ole Movietone news clips. Of course it can not compare to TCM, but those pre 60s Technicolor prints look fabulous. One thing I wish they would do, and that is show overtures, leaving in the original intermission with entrance and exit music. “South Pacific”, for example, is shown naked, while TCM recently showed it fully dressed.
Warren, that’s a special airing that only plays once in a while, most of the movies are not presented that way and when they are, the movie will also show soon before or after without that silly stuff.
FMC presents the movies with very good prints and usually letterbox.
It’s the second best movie channel on cable but lacks the charm and
movie knowledge of the incomparable Robert Osburne.
Thanks Warren for the great post, I worked for 20th Century Fox during the 50s and attended every one of those movies. Now I watch them in letterbox on Fox movie channel.
As a projectionist for over 40 years both in New York, New Jersey and Hawaii, I can tell we are under no legal obligation to show a movie if no one shows up. In addition there is no case for legal action if the movie starts early. Of course people will try and sue over the craziest things so it is quite possible someone tried.
I have heard, as RobertR stated, some theatres will start shows with the trailers a bit early, especially those late night (midnight shows), but the feature should never start before the scheuled time.
I would like to add my thoughts about CinemaScope screen size.
Let us not forget the main object of anarmorphic or large format photography, and that is to enable the director to photograph a larger area on a single frame. In my opnion, although screen size does enhance the viewing of the image,it may not be the most important aspect. I offer the example of watching a movie in a letterbox version, the screen need not be large to enjoy the advantage of a film shot in an anamorphic process.
The last time I worked the Calderone and Rivoli was in the late 70s, they did not last much longer. But the Hempstead was still going, or I should say limping along, until the early 80s.
REndres, I remember the fire curtain very well. As one of the last patrons to leave I watched it slowly decend and then immediately go back up. I remenber thinking what the heck was that? I asked a staff member and was told it was a fire department regulation to test the curtain twice a day. Sorry I did not get to see the “fire drop”. Once again, you have brought back great memories of RCMH.
It was in 1983, which may have been the last year it ran as a movie theatre, when I worked the Hempstead. It was an independent owner who also had a security business. Century had sold it by then. I also ran relief at the Calderone and Rivoli, all of which sadly are gone.
I worked as a relief projectionist during the theatres last days.
I would arrive at 6:30 for the 7:00 show but usually the manager would arrive about 6:45. There was always a double bill but we had no schedule. The manager, on weekdays, would just ask the few patrons who should up, which of the two movies they wanted to see, and that is when I knew which movie to put on first. There were no house lights, just a large portable light on the stage. When the manager went up to the stage and took away the light I knew it was time to start the movie. The balcony was always closed and sometimes late in the night I honestly wondered if there was anyone left in the theatre but me.
Charles, it’s happening all over the country, beautiful old theares are being torn down. Waikiki is especially troubling to me since God knows they do not need any more retail space on kalakaua. I would have thought perhaps it could be preserved much like the Hawaii for film and,with an added stage space,live shows. Sadly, on my next trip to Hawaii there will be yet another grave site for me to visit.
Charles, I was there for the twining of the Kuhio. I worked it as a single screen, and later, with my friend Ron, as a twin. Kuhio was a 70mm house and had a couple of roadshows there although most of them were at the Cinerama. The Varsity is already a twin, do they want to resore it or keep it open as is?
No Patsy, I am retired now and live in New York. I have many friends in Hawaii and visit often. Sadly, most of the theatres I worked in,
Waikiki 1,2,3, Cinerama, Royal, Kuhio are gone. The Varsity still exsists, but it is a twin now and I hear it’s on it’s last legs.
I am happy to see the Hawaii has been restored and is used mostly for live events.
He he, no Patsy did not see any ghosts, but it was at times a very lonely job. I used to think the world could come to an end and I would not know it. Sometimes at #3, except for maybe an usher bringing me a soda, during a double shift I was alone for 12 hours a day. The booth was three flights up, so even the manager rarely came up to visit. We would never start the movie until the manager called on the intercom to say it was ok to start. I can still hear manager Buck Richards, at about 11pm when it was time to start the last show of the day, call and say “ok vito,let’s go home” to which I would reply “AL ooooooooo ha”