The Automatic 50s

[tolivac]

cinerama

Not only does it use three proctors that are syncronized together(A Sel-sync device was used)and the projectors had specially designed 3 phase motors run from the Sel-Sync unit.The projectionist had to "cue" and frame each 1 hr reel during thread-ups.The other thing that was unusual about Cinerama was the curved "Strip" screen-the screen was actually made up from many "Strips" of screen fabric hung like vertical venation blinds. In some theaters an annoucer or the theater manager would literally "walk thru" the screen to announce the movie and the experience the audience was about to encounter.these screens are still available-custom-and for a price.only a couple the theaters are still equipped to run Cinerama-and no more prints for it are made.Sad-I remember watching "How The West Was Won" in Cinerama in a theater near Wash DC.They had the announcer who walked thru the screen.Century made the special projectors for Cinerama.Many of these were "Recycled" to run standard 35MM film prints.the soundtrack was Magnetic-that explained the unusual high sound quality of these shows.Long before Dolby and DTS.

 

[drmitch]

Psych-O-Rama

Who could forget the 50`s horror and sci-fi movies with there 3-d vision and glasses you wore. There were several names for these but the only one I can think of is Psych-O-Rama used in the Terror of the haunted house, Probably produced by Willam Castle who used to do all kinds of crazy promotionals for his movies including life insurance in case you were scared to death! Ha! Tolivac check out the link below to a Vintage Horror movie website. Don

http://www.horrorchannel.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=23&sid=e5756461bcd3633d904538e5f4b75fe2

 

[kenmore1978]

names for gadgets

"we can add Buick's "Air Poise Suspension" it used air springs instead of the usual coil or leaf springs."

Air Suspension was available on all GM cars for 1958, and each division had their own name for it.

Chevrolet "Level Air"
Pontiac "Ever Level"
Oldsmobile "Newmatic Ride"
Buick "Air Poise"

Typicaly, Cadillac had no special name, it was just "air suspension"

 

[tolivac]

Horror Channel

Don: very interesting site.My kind of movies-have most of them they discuss.Don't think Cinerama was used for horror shows though.those were too low budget to use such a system.Remember with Cinerama-three reels for each hour of movie!At best for Sci-fi-horror was 3D or even---"2D" standard-but named it to catch attention-the film was "Robot Monster"Sold together with "Plan Nine From outer space"a DVD set.I am always on the prowel for 50's and 60's movies-esp Sci-Fi and horror from that time-the "rubber suit" days was most amusing.

 

[veg-o-matic]

Run, don't walk

And pick up a copy of "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra." Hysterically funny. I mean hysterical. Can't remember the name of the guy who did it, but he definitely has an appreciation for the genre. Such as it is.

veg "There is obviously much humor in what you say."

 

[drmitch]

Hi Rex,and Veg! I`ll try to find that movie, sounds like fun. Best Buy is supposed to be having a $1 movie sale for these old movies but I`ve been finding mine at oldies.com 5dvd for $25 and there always coming out with something old. You guys have a good week!

 

[jasonl]

Air Ride

I had an uncle who had one of those air ride suspensions in the 50s. In the morning the car looked limp and sagged on one side. Then when you start the engine, the compresor comes on and the car goes back up to ride height. I never saw this but I was just told the story.

Bri's van, a Dodge Grand Caravan equipped with wheelchair ramp has air shocks that lower and raise the van for easy access. When you open the gate, the van lowers (with the sound of hissing air) and when you close it, the van rises (a compressor turns on). One day, the air bags broke and Bri had a PIMPIN' low rider. Only it rode like hell so it had to be fixed.

One day at Target, I opened the ramp and the van lowered. 4 teenagers were like "Dude! He's got hydraulics. Cool man." and they were giving us the thumbs up and stuff. Bri was embarassed but I thought it was cool.

 

[tolivac]

BB dollar movies

I have a couple of these-forget the titles. They are packed in a simple cardboard jacket.Not bad for a buck though.I am looking for some of the Rhino titles that are recorded with "Rhino recording-Drive in Movie Theater Distorto-Sound"-to recreate the experience of watching a movie at the Drive-in-they even add sound effects like horns honking,people talking,etc.also I am always looking for Mystery Science Theater shows as well.

 

[drmitch]

Mst3k

MST3K is sooooo funny! I love it!