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Post by hitchcockthelegend on Jan 11, 2019 2:45:52 GMT
Hello All
Oh how we love those visits to the cinema to watch a film on the big screen. Quite often it has to me been the centrepiece of a day/night out, where good company, drinks and a meal were part of the itinerary. Though I should say I'm very much a guy who happily goes on his own to see a film, usually the first showing of the day where I know that there will be hardly anyone in there, if at all on occasions!!
So I'm after your fondest memories or best experiences on cinema visits, the film you saw, atmosphere, interactions, pure wonderment at viewing something classic for the first time. You know, stuff like that
My first fond memory was in my younger days and going to see Jaws. Back then a lot of the picture houses only had 1 or 2 screens, so when a big hitting film came around you had to get there early to make sure you got in! It was The Gaumont Cinema in Birmingham, which was unique because it had a curved screen, the only one of its kind in my city. We literally got there two hours before the scheduled start time and the queue was already halfway around the building. The excitement was palpable, and once the queue starting moving at a snails pace, the excitement would be doubled when I got to one of the posters on the wall, the sight of THAT poster bringing about nervous expectation thrills (I had that poster professionally framed and it hangs in my bathroom even today). The film was worth the wait, the house packed to the rafters and going through the various emotions that Jaws as a film experience can bring, a collective shriek with the boo shock moments and etc, and me as a young boy scared because I thought the shark was real... It was an experience that has stayed with me all my life and one of the key reasons why I love film so much.
Other great visits include going to see Alien for the first time. I'm telling you, sitting in the dark watching that was scary in a fun way, I kept looking nervously at the corners of the room, even up into the roof, great fun observing many of the audience slumped down in their seats. Psycho for my first ever big screen viewing was at a revival house, full to the brim of course, a complete hush descended the second the pc starts, the audience all grown ups, no annoying teens. It was the first time I was in a cinema that collectively applauded and whistled at the pics end. God Bless you Alfred. Se7en the only time ever that I have left a theatre to complete silence in a wonderful stunned sort of way, not one punter said a word from the screening room to reaching the outside world. A giant screen showing of The Wizard of Oz, people singing along, I had never seen that before, and the more senior members of the audience with tears in their eyes as they were remembering back on the films original release. The bar afterwards, wonderful chatting with classic film fans of all ages, classic film bringing people from all walks of life together.
So you know, like, share with us your memories of films on the big screen. Be great if some of our more elder users have memories of some classic films on original releases. While as I'm British I have absolutely no comprehension of a Drive-In experience, any stories there?
Thanks
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Post by OldAussie on Jan 11, 2019 3:18:21 GMT
2 from the last 6 months, both 1st time at a cinema - Casablanca - who would believe the most magical movie would be even better on the big screen. Rear Window - a Hitchcock I liked a lot became one I loved on the big screen.
Some I always recommend as being essential BIG screen viewings -
Lawrence of Arabia 2001: A Space Odyssey Ryan's Daughter
A capacity audience stood and applauded The Sting on opening weekend in Sydney - both Saturday and Sunday, I went twice.
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Post by OldAussie on Jan 11, 2019 3:22:53 GMT
Probably been to the drive-in 40+ times - mostly in the 60s. Cleopatra and Doctor Zhivago were memorable there but mostly we went to western or action double bills. Eating hot chips, meat pies and hot dogs was part of the experience.
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Post by bravomailer on Jan 11, 2019 3:26:18 GMT
I recall seeing Forbidden Planet when I was three. The force field scene amazed and stayed with me.
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spiderwort
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Post by spiderwort on Jan 11, 2019 3:42:04 GMT
My most memorable experiences were in the fifties when I was a kid an in the sixties when I was a teenager. My earliest memory of seeing a film on the big screen is The Searchers, and I loved it. And I will always love it, because it probably changed my life before I understood what that change meant. I probably saw it at a drive-in, because that was what my family liked to do in those days. Another from the fifties I remember seeing was Old Yeller (saw it in a beautiful, old, perfectly restored theatre) and, oh, it broke my heart, and I loved it then, and I love it still and always will! That was a fantastic experience, not only because of the film, but because of the awesome beauty of that theatre. I long for that kind of viewing experience instead of the cineplexes so common today. I also vividly remember seeing (at the drive-in) The Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Mole People, and The Incredible Shrinking Man, and I cherish them, silly as some of them are, because they were wonderful childhood experiences. Jumping ahead to the sixties, there are way too many films to name, so I'll stick with the ones that were the most profound to me and did, in fact, change my life and started me on a path to becoming a director (in chronological viewing order): 1) The Dark at the Top of the Stairs - seen in my small hometown theatre, a film about a small hometown that began the stirrings in me that were finalized when I saw: 2) Splendor in the Grass - seen in a city in an old-fashioned beautiful theatre; another film about a small hometown, which I fell in love with and came out knowing that I had to become a director. 3) Through a Glass Darkly - another I saw in my small hometown theatre, which mesmerized me with the knowlege that film could not only be a narrative, but also a visual work of art. 4) West Side Story - saw it in a gigantic, beautiful city theatre with the best sound and picture available at the time, and it was a glorious viewing experience. 5) East of Eden and Rebel Without a Cause - two fifties films I viewed for the first time on the big screen, to my immense pleasure. I'm so glad I got to see them that way, as they were both profoundly inspirational to me, and because their widescreen formats needed to be seen on the big screen. 6) Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? - this was a joy to see on the big screen in order to appreciate its cinematic beauty despite the fact that it was a play in a confined space; also it was a shock to hear its profane language, theretofore absolutely restricted in American films.
7) Bonnie and Clyde - seeing this on the big screen when it was first released (numerous times) was a revelation, just because of the audience reactions. In each veiwing, they laughed and laughed and had a great time along with the gang until Clyde killed his first man. Then it wasn't funny anymore. The characters knew it, and the audience knew it, too. It was a great lesson in the power of film to engage and enlighten audiences in the most startling and profound ways. (There are tons more from the sixties, but I'll stop there.)
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Post by them1ghtyhumph on Jan 11, 2019 3:46:15 GMT
Saw The Godfather at the Loew's Paradise on the Grand Concourse in The Bronx.
The theater had canopied off the top from the Balcony & above for years. Because The Godfather was drawing so many people, the took off the canopy amd cleaned it up.
It was amazing. It had a Star Ceiling and statues and they opened up the opera seating booths.
I had trouble concentrating on the film as I was in awe of my surroundings
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2019 4:12:17 GMT
Back when I was a teacher, I once rang in sick and went to the cinema to see a marathon showing of Star Trek 1-7. Something like 22 hours straight in the cinema. The funny thing was that some of the older students from my school also showed up. We practically walked into one another and basically said "Okay, you don't tell anybody at work I was here, and I won't tell anybody you guys were here, deal?" Worked, too. Fun times.
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Post by timshelboy on Jan 11, 2019 12:46:14 GMT
One of mine would have to be attending a double bill of THE EXORCIST and EXORCIST 2 circa 1979 or so at the Odeon Romford. I ate a dodgy hot dog before going in and got an upset stomach during the first film, decided I could not sit through the second one, and left at the intermission - just in time to vomit copiously and noisily down the entrance steps to the cinema - and directly in front of the enormous queue for the movie.... I should have invoiced their publicity department for the ringing endorsement I unwittingly gave their product.
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Post by wmcclain on Jan 11, 2019 13:22:14 GMT
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Post by wmcclain on Jan 11, 2019 15:19:54 GMT
Just like in the movies, for me the drive-in was an adolescent dating venue. I know Battle for the Planet of the Apes was playing but could not tell you much about it. As an adult we went a few times, but the only memorable event was for: The Road Warrior (1981)
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Post by hitchcockthelegend on Jan 11, 2019 16:39:40 GMT
A capacity audience stood and applauded The Sting on opening weekend in Sydney - both Saturday and Sunday, I went twice. I clap when I just watch it on my own at home Love the film and it deserves that response in Sydney! Thanks for kicking things off buddy
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Post by hitchcockthelegend on Jan 11, 2019 16:43:45 GMT
Probably been to the drive-in 40+ times - mostly in the 60s. Cleopatra and Doctor Zhivago were memorable there but mostly we went to western or action double bills. Eating hot chips, meat pies and hot dogs was part of the experience. Isn't it funny how those sort of foods become synonymous with film viewing! Even when I was younger at my parents house my Mom would cook up hotdogs and onions for my brother and I as we sat down on Saturday afternoons to watch a creature feature matinee. Wonderful memories.
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Post by bravomailer on Jan 11, 2019 16:44:02 GMT
Not really a best moment, but Ted Kennedy sat right behind me when I saw Titanic. Afterward, I took my nephew to the men's room (long movie) and he and Ted waited in line for an opening. When one became free, both senator and nephew went for it. Nephew won!
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Post by hitchcockthelegend on Jan 11, 2019 16:49:22 GMT
I recall seeing Forbidden Planet when I was three. The force field scene amazed and stayed with me. Great film, sci-fi for grown ups with its Shakespeare heart beat. Yet we loved it as kids. Would love to see it on a big screen.
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Post by mattgarth on Jan 11, 2019 17:51:12 GMT
The only time i was witness to an audience applauding DURING a film was at a New York critics preview of RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK:
When Indy faces off against the tall, black-robed guy with the huge scimitar. ____________________________________________________________________
Originally, they were to square off -- bullwhip vs curved sword. The day before, it was carefully choreographed.
But when it came to shooting the scene the next morning, Harrison Ford was suffering from early stages of the flu.
Director Spielberg wanted to give the actor the rest of the day off, so he told him:
"Just take out your revolver and shoot the S.O.B."
___________________________________________________________________
The audience didn't just laugh, they burst out in applause (me too).
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Post by bravomailer on Jan 11, 2019 18:00:48 GMT
The only time i was witness to an audience applauding DURING a film was at a New York critics preview of RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK: ___________________________________________________________________ During a film? Some people cheered when De Niro and Walken turned the tables during the first Russian roulette scene in The Deer Hunter. Probably from relief of the tension built up in that powerful scene. Some boys cheered the helicopter assault scene in Apocalypse Now. Youthful fascination with war persists.
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Post by teleadm on Jan 11, 2019 19:20:22 GMT
Lived in a small Swedish town and my memory is not always correct concerning years. First movie to my knowledge was my father taking me to a Disney shorts cavalcade matinee at Teaterbiografen. First full length movie was Mary Poppins, I've seen it many times since then, I was too young to understand so my mother whispered the plot to me. Those were nice red neon lights (Röda kvarn - Mouilin Rouge) First movie sneaking in under age was Live and Let Die 1973 First movie when father, mother, me and my brother was small, Disney's The Jungle Book, with Swedish dubbing. First movie when father, mother, me and my brother when we could read subtitles was Close Encounters of a Third Kind, Daddy payed and was stunned by the sound effects.
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Post by marshamae on Jan 11, 2019 19:29:00 GMT
Three very special ones
First - the Ranelagh cinéma in Paris . It’s now a theater for live shows, beautiful old woodwork, red plush seats and an usher who looked like Rasputin’s grandson. The Film was I Married a Witch and they sold Eskimo pies with Grand Mariner Ice cream.
Second Singing in the Rain at a theater in Paris. When the show was over, we came out and it was raining. Without missing a beat, a huge crowd started singing and tap dancing up to the metro. Chantons sous la Pluie!
Third - COLOR Purple here in Cincinnati. When they started singing God Is Trying to Tell you Something,
people started clapping (2 and 4 please) and singing. I like interactive experiences in The theater
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Post by fangirl1975 on Jan 11, 2019 20:43:58 GMT
On September 8, 2001 I visited a drive- in for the first time. It was a blast hanging out with my BFF in her car, munching on popcorn, fries, and ice cream while watching a triple feature of The Animal, The Others, and Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back.
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Post by Primemovermithrax Pejorative on Jan 11, 2019 21:12:19 GMT
Seeing SUPERMAN THE MOVIE in 1978. The opening, the Krypton scenes, the football kick and train running. Seeing THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK on my birthday in 1980. I remember it was a grey day, and the long lines-and there was a guy sitting in front of me who had a deformed ear. The surprises were surprises. The cliffhanger was disturbing. A three year wait?
Seeing RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK in my pajamas as a spur of the moment thing (since we didn't plan to see it as it had already gone and then was brought back). I knew the story in detail but the Ark opening was a big shock.
Seeing WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT and the scene where Daffy Duck and Donald Duck appear on screen together (I knew about the movie being made for 2 years so was looking forward to the cameos). Saw a lot of movies at drive-ins--if it was a horror film I would get spooked about someone opening the back door.
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