Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
The single biggest geek event going on in Los Angeles right now has simply got to be the World 3-D Film Expo. It’s an incredible line-up, and to give you a taste of what’s going on, here’s a first-time writer for us. He’s done a heck of a job, so dig in and enjoy!
A Quick Report from The World 3-D Film Expo
Would you watch a movie that was shot in black and white in a colorized version? Would you watch a widescreen movie from a pan and scan DVD? Then why would you watch a flat version of a movie shot in 3D?
The answer usually is because you're not offered a choice. (But just like colorization, I think you should Just Say No anyway.) Seems like there's a movie shot in 3D on cable about every week (ARENA, HOUSE OF WAX, INFERNO...), but they're never shown that way.
The World 3-D Film Expo is not only showing movies and shorts in 3D, but showing some stuff that's rarely or never been seen that way. You can check out their website RIGHT HERE to see what's going on. (And even if you can't make it here, there's some neat stuff for sale on the site!)
I was hoping to do some nice writeups on the Expo, and I will, but it'll be tricky to do them in real time for the next couple of days. The schedule is packed (and I was traveling most of today), but here are a few notes on the opening night.
Day One: The Eye of Andre De Toth
Andre De Toth was a Hungarian-American director who, unfortunately died about a year ago. It's a shame he couldn't have been here tonight because two of his films were shown, and the audience loved them. His widow was in attendance, though, and I hope everyone's warm reception brought her joy.
MOTOR RHYTHM
But first, they showed the short MOTOR RHYTHM (1939) which was originally done for The World's Fair, and probably not seen much since. It's a FANTASIA-like dance number of stop-motion animated car parts assembling themselves into an automobile. More than a few of the parts take a moment to jump way out of the screen at us. Probably a few too many, but it was pretty cute for what it is.
HOUSE OF WAX
Then onto the moment most people seem to have been waiting for: HOUSE OF WAX. The print(s) they had looked lovely, and the silver screen brought in for the Expo performed well. I've certainly never seen it look so good, but I've only seen it on video. (And if you've seen the nasty nth generation 3D videos, you know they don't look too good.)
One of the stars ("the romantic lead" was the description they used, and that's a good one), Paul Picerni, was there for a Q&A. He didn't really get any questions, but he did tell some stories about De Toth and his co-stars Charles Buchinsky (later Bronson) and Vincent Price. He looked like he was having fun, and sounded like he had great time making the film.
HOUSE OF WAX has had several theatrical 3D revivals over the years, was released legitimately in 3D on VHD and has been bootlegged ferociously ever since. (Look on eBay and see how many tapes and DVDs there are- they're all pirate copies.) Warner Bros. made a beautiful flat LD of it a few years ago and a similar DVD just recently. Shame on them for not making a 3D version. I hope Sony (see below) kicks their lazy ass. Don't buy flat versions of 3D movies, and let them know that you won't. (Not that you should support bootleggers either. :-( )
THE STRANGER WORE A GUN
Finally, they showed THE STRANGER WORE A GUN. Sony struck a brand new print of this one (and apparently all the other Columbia titles that will be shown), and when it was good, it was very, very good. From the 3D version of the Columbia logo(!), through some amazing Western exteriors, to the fights in saloons, most of it was of amazing clarity and in great 3D.
There were a few scenes that weren't, including a couple that were flat or even missing color. The overall color wasn't quite right either. The reason for this is that it was shot using a unique (and difficult) color process. The version we saw was reconstructed from the three color separations of both eyes' views. That means you only got perfect picture when all six pieces of film were perfect. Considering the challenges, it really looked great.
This movie was never re-released in 3D in all these years, so it's literally been fifty years since anyone's seen it this way, and it probably looked as good now as it did then. If you missed it, you missed out.
But, rumor has it, Sony wants to release an alternate-field 3D DVD of it. I'll buy it, but I buy anything like that I see. I think they could release a disc with an AF version on one side and an anaglyphic one on the other for the unfortunates who need one. It'd be great, and a little computer time to tweak up the color would make most of the movie completely stunning. I think people will forgive then for the few scenes that're flat.
Tomorrow is Another Day
That's about all I have time for today- I've got to run off to see five more shows (five features and three shorts). It'll be a long and exciting day, I'm sure.
For more information on these movies and Andre De Toth, as always, check out the IMDb. The website for the Expo I listed above is also a must. For an added bonus, check out some 3D stills from a lost (in its 3D form) De Toth movie RIGHT HERE.
If you can get here, get here. If not, I feel your pain. Wait, no I don't, I'm here and loving every minute of it. Stinks to be you! :-)
ab
This is happening right down the street from me. I’m going to punch myself in the face if I don’t get down there for something off this amazing schedule.
"Moriarty" out.
