There have been less than half a dozen screenings at the Dome in Los Angeles of HOW THE WEST WAS WON in the original 3 strip Cinerama process. They have been happening less often lately, more than 3 years since the last one. So take advantage of this rare revival (not that smilebox restoration but 3 projectors presenting one of the last remaining prints in Cinerama) one day only.
With an outrageously wonderful Oscar nominated score by Alfred Newman.
So take advantage of this rare revival (not that smilebox restoration but 3 projectors presenting one of the last remaining prints in Cinerama) one day only.
Why do they schedule these things with such short notice when they only occur every 2-3 years? I've been checking the ArcLight website on and off for the last several months wondering when they might announce a screening of this and not seeing a thing. I even subscribe to a 70mm newsletter that tries to keep up with screenings around the world but no mention of this. I've been telling myself that I would drive to LA the next time HTWWW was shown (just a 5 hour drive), but because of the short notice, my wife cannot get away then (and seeing it by myself would be grounds for divorce). Grrrrr! I guess I'll have to wait 3 more years for another chance.
Why do they schedule these things with such short notice when they only occur every 2-3 years? I've been checking the ArcLight website on and off for the last several months wondering when they might announce a screening of this and not seeing a thing. I even subscribe to a 70mm newsletter that tries to keep up with screenings around the world but no mention of this. I've been telling myself that I would drive to LA the next time HTWWW was shown (just a 5 hour drive), but because of the short notice, my wife cannot get away then (and seeing it by myself would be grounds for divorce). Grrrrr! I guess I'll have to wait 3 more years for another chance.
To be fair I found out about it a week or two after it was announced and waited a couple days to post it here. So there was over a good month's lead time. Anyway for those who want to see an approximation of what the original Cinerama process was like with the best representation of it among the films released, see it now! Before these prints go crispy. There is none of that warm mag sound from the 7 playback machines that used to sit under the theater and they tend not to get matching lumens from all 3 projectors but still - very close.
I think this will be my 4th time seeing HTWWW @ The Dome. When ArcLight first started showing This Is Cinerama & HTWWW the audience was so scarce they invited us up into the projection both sign a poster and talk with them as they prepared for the next showing. It takes 5, 3 on projectors, 1 on that magnificent 7 track 35mm reel, and a coordinator.
Hear Alfred Newman and esteemed Associate Ken Darby in all the Cinerama Dome multi-channel Glory. It is astonishing considering it is 1962 technology.
I think this will be my 4th time seeing HTWWW @ The Dome. When ArcLight first started showing This Is Cinerama & HTWWW the audience was so scarce they invited us up into the projection both sign a poster and talk with them as they prepared for the next showing. It takes 5, 3 on projectors, 1 on that magnificent 7 track 35mm reel, and a coordinator.
Hear Alfred Newman and esteemed Associate Ken Darby in all the Cinerama Dome multi-channel Glory. It is astonishing considering it is 1962 technology.
And the Main Title is just frigging Awesome! !
Also "Cheyennes!" and "The River Pirates" right up to the fight AND the Finale are major symphonic thunder for me.
I've seen HOW THE WEST WAS WON projected in authentic 70mm three-panel Cinerama four times at the Cinerama Dome. That's twice a week on two separate occasions when I was in town on other business.
To see HOW THE WEST WAS WON at the Dome is a very special experience. The process really works, beautifully, and the film is an inspiration. The people running the show practice the highest standards for projection and showmanship. Don't miss it. It won't hurt the kids to miss a day of school or the spouse to miss a day of work to see something this special. When it's over you'll know you've seen something unique. This is what cinema is all about.
It's actually 4 reels of 35mm film (1 for that glorious Newman/Darby soundtrack) running in lock step together. Astonishing when it works! And that First Act Finale is another musical "wow".
It's actually 4 reels of 35mm film (1 for that glorious Newman/Darby soundtrack) running in lock step together. Astonishing when it works! And that First Act Finale is another musical "wow".
Right.
The point is, everybody who loves film owes it to themselves to see HOW THE WEST WAS WON in authentic Cinerama. It's an experience you'll never forget.
It's shameful that New York City doesn't have a venue for showing genuine Cinerama films. The theater that originally showed How the West Was Won was the Loew's Cinerama (formerly the Capitol). It was an era of film showmanship that ended too soon. The 70mm Cinerama films shown there were also quite impressive.
It's actually 4 reels of 35mm film (1 for that glorious Newman/Darby soundtrack) running in lock step together. Astonishing when it works! And that First Act Finale is another musical "wow".
BUT instead of each 35MM frame using about 75% of it's 4 hole frame as normal films would below:
the Cinerama frame has 6 sprocket holes using all of it including the area usually used for sound:
If you are around the LA area get a ticket! It's an astonishing (yes, 1962 True 3 strip Cinerama) experience. The 7 channel surround sound for the Alfred Newman/Ken Darby score is unbelievable!
I have to say that when I finally saw this in Cinerama a few years ago, despite how beautiful the images are, I found the Cinerama experience a disappointment. Unless you are sitting dead center (I was on the far left), it just doesn't work.
Whenever you watch this on TV or video there is this weird relationship between the characters in the frame at any one time. Because of the curvature in the three-camera positioning being absent in the flat viewing, the character don't make eye contact with one another. They all seem to be saying their lines off into space as though poignantly gazing into the distance and giving a false sense of importance to every line of dialogue..
I thought when I saw it projected in cinerama this would no longer be the case. Well when you sit in the center that is true. However when you sit in the left it ain't. Everybody on the right side of the screen is making eye contact with the center. Everybody in the center is making eye contact with the people on the right. Everybody on the left is still gazing into the distance when they talk and the same holds true when the people on the right and center talk back to them. I'm sure the same in reverse must hold true if you sit on the right side of the theater. So ultimately the real reason why Cinerama never caught on and didn't last is that in its use for dramatic films rather than documentary spectacles, the audience found the experience unsatisfying.
At least that is my opinion. I still encourage you to see something in Cinerama at least once but if you can't sit in the center you are screwed.
I'm taking my wife to see it. She not only has never seen the movie, she's never seen anything in Cinerama, and didn't know what it was until I described it to her.
She's only been to the Dome once before, when I took her and my stepson to see Interstellar. They both really like the experience seeing a movie in that big cinema. Little did they know what they're missing by seeing an actual 3 strip Cinerama movie. Can't wait!
I have to say that when I finally saw this in Cinerama a few years ago, despite how beautiful the images are, I found the Cinerama experience a disappointment. Unless you are sitting dead center (I was on the far left), it just doesn't work.
Whenever you watch this on TV or video there is this weird relationship between the characters in the frame at any one time. Because of the curvature in the three-camera positioning being absent in the flat viewing, the character don't make eye contact with one another. They all seem to be saying their lines off into space as though poignantly gazing into the distance and giving a false sense of importance to every line of dialogue..
I thought when I saw it projected in cinerama this would no longer be the case. Well when you sit in the center that is true. However when you sit in the left it ain't. Everybody on the right side of the screen is making eye contact with the center. Everybody in the center is making eye contact with the people on the right. Everybody on the left is still gazing into the distance when they talk and the same holds true when the people on the right and center talk back to them. I'm sure the same in reverse must hold true if you sit on the right side of the theater. So ultimately the real reason why Cinerama never caught on and didn't last is that in its use for dramatic films rather than documentary spectacles, the audience found the experience unsatisfying.
At least that is my opinion. I still encourage you to see something in Cinerama at least once but if you can't sit in the center you are screwed.
I have to agree but it does not have to be dead center. You can be left or right of center but, as you say, not far left or right, or even too close. It is a matter of degrees. But this is academic for this performance since there are still plenty of seats that fit that "center" idea. Those are the ones to get.
