World 3-D Film Expo

World 3-D Film Expo: September 12 - 21, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 19, 2003

World 3-D Film Expo to Unspool at Egyptian Theatre With Over 33 Classic and Rare Feature Length 1950's Treasures and Over 20 Short Subjects, including Four Los Angeles Premieres & A Screening of IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE, Seen And Heard In Stereophonic Sound For The First Time in 50 Years!

Special Guests to include INFERNO star Rhonda Fleming; KISS ME KATE star Kathryn Grayson and "Miss 3-D" Among Others

World 3-D Film Expo Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Margot Gerber, mgerber@bgerber.com
323.461.2020, ext. 115
Date: August 19, 2003

World 3-D Film Expo to Unspool at Egyptian Theatre With Over 33 Classic and Rare Feature Length 1950's Treasures and Over 20 Short Subjects, including Four Los Angeles Premieres & A Screening of IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE, Seen And Heard In Stereophonic Sound For The First Time in 50 Years!

Special Guests to include INFERNO star Rhonda Fleming; KISS ME KATE star Kathryn Grayson and "Miss 3-D" Among Others

September 12 - 21, 2003

Hollywood - SabuCat Productions will present the largest 3-D tribute show ever mounted anywhere in history, from Friday, September 12 - Sunday, September 21 at the Egyptian Theatre (6712 Hollywood Boulevard) in Hollywood. The 10 day festival, which celebrates the golden era of 3-D filmmaking, will include many of the best known 3-D titles of the 1950's, such as HOUSE OF WAX, KISS ME KATE and CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, but will also offer fans of the format an opportunity to see some of the more obscure 3-D movies, many of which have not been seen in 3-D in over 50 years! L.A. Premieres include THE NEBRASKAN; FLIGHT TO TANGIER, JESSE JAMES VS. DALTONS; THE GLASS WEB. The films star favorites from the golden age such as Rock Hudson, Rita Hayworth, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Vincent Price, the Three Stooges, Casper the Ghost, Beany & Cecil, and many others.

In all, 33 features and 21 short subjects will be shown along with a "rarities" show consisting of rare, wonderful, stereoscopic images, many of which have never been seen in a public setting. In person guests will speak at selected screenings. Guests will be announced as they are confirmed. All prints will be 35mm and run in the "double-interlock", Polaroid System, the original method (and still the best method) for showing true 3-D. All guests listed below are appearing schedule permitting.

Festival organizer Jeff Joseph says, "Many of the prints that we're running are the last in existence... and in some cases the original negatives no longer exist. Due to the complexity of projecting these films in the stereoscopic format, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience these movies the way they were meant to be seen."

It has been over 50 years (November 26th, 1952) since BWANA DEVIL, opened at the Paramount Theater in Hollywood. While not the first 3-D feature film (which was POWER OF LOVE, U.S.A., 1922), the popularity of BWANA DEVIL was the direct cause of the production of a total of 50 3-D films from 1952 through 1955, often referred to as the golden era of 3-D.

The following is a complete schedule of the series. Shorts will precede the feature unless noted otherwise. All shows will be presented with an intermission as they were originally shown. Guests attending each show are listed at the end of the film synopsis. If you are interested in learning more about tickets, press information, etc. please see the bottom of this press release.

The Festival kicks off on Friday, September 12th at 7:00 PM with HOUSE OF WAX (1953, 88 min., color) directed by Andre de Toth. Cast: VINCENT PRICE, PHYLLIS KIRK, FRANK LOVEJOY. Fifty years later, HOUSE OF WAX still thrills, entertains, and reveals stereoscopic wonder. Jack Warner invented the term "sensation," and set his technicians to building a 3-D camera in December, 1952, just after the opening of BWANA DEVIL. But as the Warner 3-D camera would take a few months to build, Jack contracted with Milton Gunzburg to use the Natural Vision cameras (used first on BWANA DEVIL). In a matter of days, a reworked script from 1933's MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM became THE WAX WORKS and finally HOUSE OF WAX. Advertised as the "First 3-D Film from a Major Studio," WAX was and still is the quintessential 3-D film. A wonderful blend of ageless story, good color, fun settings, and another 3-D first: stereophonic sound. Although the one-eyed director de Toth couldn't see 3-D, he understood perspective and framing better than many cameramen. Jack Warner demanded de Toth have at least some 3-D "gags" and the most obvious is the famous paddle ball scene featuring Reggie Rymal. Sadly, Andre de Toth passed away October 28, 2002 and Reggie Rymal December 25, 2002.

Guests: Paul Picerni (lead actor) and Mrs. Andre de Toth are scheduled to attend.

With short film, "Motor Rhythm" (1939, 10 min., color) One of the earliest examples of 3-D, this short was created by John Norling for the 1939 World's Fair. Not seen theatrically in over 50 years, we're going to have one of the first public screenings of this stop-motion rarity. This clever novelty short simulates the manufacture of an automobile. Dancing to the beat of the music, the automotive parts find their own particular places in the mechanism.

Friday, September 12 | 9:30 PM
STRANGER WORE A GUN, THE (1953, 83 min., color) Cast: RANDOLPH SCOTT, CLAIRE TREVOR, LEE MARVIN. Director: ANDRE DE TOTH. Columbia brought in one-eyed director Andre de Toth (HOUSE OF WAX) to be the trail boss of Randolph Scott, Claire Trevor, Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine and other characters. Typical western plot of the time, but many more 3-D gags than WAX, so duck! Not seen in 3-D in over 50 years!

Saturday, September 13 | 11:15 PM
GORILLA AT LARGE (1954, 84 min., color) Cast: CAMERON MITCHELL, ANNE BANCROFT, RAYMOND BURR. Director: HARMON JONES. Fox's second 3-D feature, set in a carnival involving a killer gorilla. Bancroft is radiant, Mitchell young, and Burr sinister with an excellent supporting role by Lee J. Cobb. Watch for Lee Marvin's bit.

Saturday, September 13 | 1:30 PM
CAT-WOMEN OF THE MOON (1954, 64 min., b&w) Cast: SONY TUFTS, VICTOR JORY, MARIE WINDSOR. Director: ARTHUR HILTON. Astronauts land on the moon and get in trouble when they meet a race of leotard-clad humanoid cats. So-bad-it's-good sci-fi appeals to trashy camp fans with its cheesy art direction and lurid cat fights. Music by... Elmer Bernstein!

With short film, "Adventures Of Sam Space" (10 min., color) A dramatic flight to the year 2001, when Earth is at war with pirate planets from outer space! This cartoon was not released until 1960, as "Space-Attack", when it ran with "September Storm". And even then, it was run in CinemaScope, distorted from its correct aspect ratio. This cartoon has been completely lost...until now. We will be presenting a brand new, fully restored print!

Saturday, September 13 | 4:15 PM
GOG (1954, 85 min., color) Cast: RICHARD EGAN, CONSTANCE DOWLING. Director: HERBERT L. STROCK. This very rare title hasn't been seen in 3-D since its premier over 50 years ago! One of the last 3-D's of the golden era, it evokes memories of the 1950's TV show SCIENCE FICTION THEATER. Directed by Herbert L. Strock, who is planning to attend the screening... and who also hasn't seen this film in 3-D in over half a century!

Saturday, September 13 | 7:00 PM
KISS ME KATE (1953, 109 min., color) Cast: HOWARD KEEL, KATHRYN GRAYSON. Director: GEORGE SIDNEY (II). MGM's big 3-D production of the famous Broadway play. Flawless 3-D, colorful production numbers (including Bob Fosse), energetic direction from George Sidney. First time shown in stereophonic sound in Los Angeles in 50 years! Certainly a classic in many respects.

Guests: KATHRYN GRAYSON, TOMMY RALL, WILLIAM TUTTLE (MAKEUP ARTIST). Q&A TO FOLLOW THE SCREENING.

With short, "Lumber Jack Rabbit" (1953, 7 min., color) Excellent Bugs Bunny cartoon, directed by Chuck Jones. Bugs Bunny wanders into the land of giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan, and his equally huge dog. Bugs, after the huge carrot patch, outwits the giant hound.

Saturday, September 13 | 10:15 PM
In Stereophonic Sound for the first time in 50 years! IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE (1953, 81 min., b&w) Cast: RICHARD CARLSON, BARBARA RUSH. Director: JACK ARNOLD. Universal also took notice of BWANA DEVIL's success and quickly constructed their own 3-D camera. Secrecy surrounded their first 3-D film which started filming in January, 1953, based on a story by Ray Bradbury. A highly atmospheric film which stands on it own without 3-D. Arnold spares the 3-D gimmicks, allowing a few "natural" effects to remind us it's a 3-D adventure. One of the top five 3-D films, the "space" special effects are 1953 modest budget. Yet, allow yourself to fall into the 3-Dimensional heart of this serious-themed sci-fi and you'll remember it forever. Not seen in Polaroid 3-D in over 50 years!

Guest: Actress Kathleen Hughes will introduce the feature.

NOTE: The short subject, "Nat King Cole" follows the feature presentation, as this is the order that these were originally shown.

With short, "Nat King Cole With Russ Morgan's Orchestra" (1953, 20 min., b&w) The great Nat "King" Cole sings his hit song "Pretend," then swings out with "It's Crazy." Russ Morgan and his Orchestra play "Wang Wang Blues" (watch out for that sliding trombone!) The Gene Louis Dancers enact "The Bull," songstress Joan Elms croons "Blue Moon" and the Marvels perform some wild acrobatic stunts. This entertaining musical short was prepared by Universal-International as a companion piece to IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE, and this is the first time they are being presented together since 1953!

Sunday, September 14 | 1:00 PM
ROBOT MONSTER (1953, 63 min., b&w) Cast: GEORGE NADER, CLAUDIA BARRETT. Director: PHIL TUCKER. Found on most "worst film" lists, this is a must-see. Supposedly shot on either a $15,000 or $20,000 budget over a few days time, and it shows. But remarkably the B&W 3-D is generally pretty good. George Nader and cast perform a living comic book of sci-fi from a young boy's perspective...and this flick hasn't been seen in 3-D in 50 years! Music by Elmer Bernstein.

With short, "Stardust In Your Eyes" (1953, 4 min., b&w) Cast: SLICK SLAVIN. Made by the same people who produced "Robot Monster", this short was designed to be run before it, but: it never was. So, this is another short that's never been seen, until now! Famous rockabilly singer Slick Slavin shows us how various popular screen stars will appear in the fabulous new medium of 3-D movies.

Sunday, September 14 | 2:45 PM
FLIGHT TO TANGIER (1953, 90 min., color) Cast: JACK PALANCE, JOAN FONTAINE. Director: CHARLES MARQUIS WARREN. This film has never played in 3-D in Los Angeles, even in its original release. This will be it's Los Angeles 3-D premiere! Perhaps Palance's first "good guy" role, oddly cast with Fontaine. Certainly oil and water, but the Technicolor 3-D is great. Not seen in 3-D in over 50 years! This was one of only 2 films shot in Technicolor "3-strip" AND 3-D... meaning 6 rolls of film were being shot at the same time!

Sunday, September 14 | 5:45 PM
STEREO-TECHNIQUES 3-DIMENSION (1953, 50 min.) This is a show consisting of 5 short subjects. After "Bwana Devil" was released (but before the first studio films came out), theaters needed some 3-D product. So they imported 5 shorts and tied them together under the title "Stereo Techniques". Most of these shorts haven't been seen in 50 years, and certainly not in the format and way they were intended. The shorts are:

AROUND IS AROUND SHORT (1951, 10 min., color)
This short, produced by Norman McLaren, with 3-D supervision by Raymond Spottiswoode, will be run as part of "Stereo Techniques". Lines and figures are used in color in an abstract, animated, form.

BLACK SWAN SHORT (1952, 13 min., b&w)
This short will be run as part of "Stereo Techniques". This is a ballet subject with the story enacted to the music of Tchaikovsky.

NOW IS THE TIME (TO PUT ON YOUR GLASSES) (1951, 3 min., color)
This short will be shown as part of "Stereo Techniques". This introductory film is based on a light, humorous angle. Because the third-dimensional figures and system is so completely different, this diversion sets the stage for the longer subjects.

ROYAL RIVER (1951, 9 min., color)
This short will be run as part of "Stereo Techniques". In Technicolor, this is a casual trip on a slowly moving boat down the Thames River, showing pictures of the English countryside, touching on the foliage and rolling lawns. An old castle along the shores is also seen, the cameras picking up the entire vista. This gives the viewer the impression of actually being present on the boat ride. A stunning, wonderful 3-D short!

SOLID EXPLANATION (1951, 8 min., b&w)
This short will be run as part of "Stereo Techniques". This takes the audience into an English zoo, where the antics of the giraffes, seals, fish, and bird life are explained by a British commentator.

Sunday, September 14 | 7:00 PM
CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954, 82 min., b&w) Cast: RICHARD CARLSON, JULIA ADAMS. Director: JACK ARNOLD. The last great Universal Horror Monster, the Creature is both scary... and sympathetic. This is a truly terrific film, not to be missed. And it hasn't been seen in a theatrical setting in proper Polaroid 3-D in 50 years... until now!

Guest: Actress Julie Adams will appear in person after the screening for discussion.

Sunday, September 14 | 9:15 PM
CHARGE AT FEATHER RIVER, THE (1953, 95 min., color) Cast: GUY MADISON, FRANK LOVEJOY. Director: GORDON DOUGLAS Warner Bros. second 3-D feature (after "House of Wax" has some of the best 3-D photography and "comin' at ya" effects shots ever done! Released in the summer of 1953, this western has something for everyone!

Showing with: 3-D TRAILER SHOW

Monday, September 15 | 7:00 PM
ARENA (1953, 83 min., color) Cast: GIG YOUNG, JEAN HAGEN director Richard Fleischer RICHARD FLEISCHER This action-packed western has not been seen in 3-D in over 50 years! Thrilling rodeo scenes and the great direction of Richard Fleischer make this a can't miss flick!

Special Guest: Barbara Lawrence, director Richard Fleischer, George Wallace, Robert Horton, William Tuttle (Q&A TO FOLLOW THE SCREENING).

Monday, September 15 | 9:30 PM
REVENGE OF THE CREATURE (1955, 82 min., b&w) Cast: JOHN AGAR, LORI NELSON. Director: JACK ARNOLD. Last title from the golden era, this sequel to CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON is almost as good as the original; entertaining and scary! The 3-D is right on, especially the underwater scenes shot in Marineland's (Florida) big tank. Fish swim out of the screen into your face. And check out that fellow in the lab... Clint Eastwood! Not seen in 3-D in 50 years!

With short, "Working For Peanuts" (1953, 7 min., color) Chip and Dale, two hard working chipmunks. have to search for their daily meal of peanuts. Donald Duck is the zoo keeper who tries to prevent them from stealing peanuts from Dolores the elephant. This wonderful Disney cartoon had very few 3-D playdates in its original November, 1953 release.

Tuesday, September 16 | 7:00 PM
BWANA DEVIL (1952, 79 min., color) Cast: ROBERT STACK, BARBARA BRITTON, NIGEL BRUCE Director: ARCH OBOLER. 1952 through 1955 was the golden era of 3-D cinema. Worldwide over 60 3-D films were made. Many are still the best examples of stereoscopic film art. When the major studios turned down Arch Oboler's idea to shoot a movie in 3-D, he did it himself... the result was "Bwana Devil", which was the first 3-D feature to be seen around the world, and was the cause of the golden era of 3-D, which we are celebrating at this festival. While in no way a classic, this film needs to be seen in the proper format to be appreciated.

Special bonus: An interview with the late, unsung hero of 3-D, Lothrup Worth.

With Short Film, M.L.GUNZBURG PRESENTS 3-D (1952, 6 min., b&w) Also known as "Time For Beany", the short was produced by Gunzburg (one of the fathers of 3-D) to introduce audiences to the "Polaroid" 3-D process. This short was designed to go before "Bwana Devil", so that's where we're running it. Stars puppets Beany and Cecil, with the assistance of Lloyd Nolan. Voices by Daws Butler and Stan Freberg.

Guests: Shirley Tegge ("Miss 3-D") and Stan Freberg.

Tuesday, September 16 | 9:15 PM
DANGEROUS MISSION (1954, 75 min., color) Cast: VICTOR MATURE, PIPER LAURIE. Director: LOUIS KING. RKO put together a pretty good yarn with a good cast (including Vincent Price) and a forest fire in 3-D. Very good 3-D throughout. This seldom seen thriller was produced by... Irwin Allen!

Wednesday, September 17 | 12:30 PM
MAN IN THE DARK (1953, 70 min., b&w) Cast: EDMUND O'BRIAN, AUDREY TOTTER. Director: LEW LANDERS. Edmond O'Brian and Audrey Totter star in this suspenseful crime story about a criminal who looses him memory...but does he know where the stolen loot is?

Wednesday, September 17 | 2:30 PM
HANNAH LEE (1953, 75 min., color) Cast: JOHN IRELAND, JOANNE DRU. Director: LEE GARMES, JOHN IRELAND. Noted cameraman Lee Garmes (GONE WITH THE WIND) and actor John Ireland teamed to co-produce and co-direct this typical, low budget, Western of the era (1953). MacDonald Carey and Joanne Dru co-starred with Ireland. This had a troubled release, with Ireland/Dru suing the distributor claiming poor distribution. There weren't many 3-D showings and the title was changed to OUTLAW TERRITORY. It is very rare, and this may be the last public showing ever.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is the only surviving 3-D print of this feature, and is in faded Eastmancolor. Due to its rarity, we have decided to run it anyway, but please be advised that the color is "off" on this title.

Wednesday, September 17 | 5:15PM
JESSE JAMES VS THE DALTONS (1954, 65 min., color) Cast: BRETT KING, BARBARA LAWRENCE. Director: WILLIAM CASTLE. Another excellent Columbia western, William Castle directs this one, starring Brett King and Barbara Lawrence. Not seen in 3-D in over 50 years!

This film has never played in 3-D in Los Angeles, even in its original release. This will be its Los Angeles 3-D premiere!

Wednesday, September 17 | 7:00PM
PHANTOM OF THE RUE MORGUE (1954, 84 min., color) Cast: KARL MALDEN, PATRICIA MEDINA. Director: ROY DEL RUTH. Warner's follow up to HOUSE OF WAX. Similar time period, but very different flavor. More 3-D effects than WAX, and Malden's performance is slick. Pure 3-D entertainment!

Wednesday, September 17 | 9:45PM
GLASS WEB, THE (1953, 81 min., b&w) Cast: EDWARD G. ROBINSON, JOHN FORSYTH. Director: JACK ARNOLD. Edward G. Robinson and John Forsythe star in Universal's and director Jack Arnold's second 3-D feature. This is one of the first films dealing with television production... and it's complicated by murder... in 3-D! Not seen in 3-D in over 50 years.

This film has never played in 3-D in Los Angeles, even in its original release. This will be its Los Angeles 3-D premiere!

Guests: KATHLEEN HUGHES (Q&A TO PRECEDE THE SCREENING)

With short, "Hypnotic Hick" (1953, 8 min., color) This terrific Woody Woodpecker cartoon hasn't been seen in years! Woody Woodpecker decides to make a fast buck when he takes on the job of serving the tough Buzz Buzzard with a subpoena. This is one of the most enjoyable 3-D cartoons, with some great off-screen effects, and terrific use of depth as Woody tangles with Buzz at the top of a construction site.

Thursday, Sept. 18 | 7:00 PM
FORT TI (1953, 73 min., color) Cast: GEORGE MONTGOMERY, JOAN VOHS. Director: WILLIAM CASTLE. Set in the 18th century, the film recounts the exploits of Rogers' Rangers, a band of adventurers devoted to seeking out a "northwest passage" through Canada. At this juncture, however, Major Rogers is more concerned with helping the British forces at Fort Ticonderoga during a series of French and Indian raids. Top billing is bestowed upon George Montgomery as Captain Pedediah Horn, Rogers' right-hand man. The film boasts two leading ladies: Joan Vohs, as a suspected French spy, and Phyllis Fowler as a married Indian woman who falls in love with Captain Horn. Fort Ti was filmed in 3-D, and in typical William Castle fashion the stereoscopic gimmick is exploited to the hilt.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The 3-Stooges short "Spooks" will be shown AFTER the feature film, "Fort Ti". This is how this feature and short were designed to be shown... and they haven't been shown properly in over 50 years!

With short, "Spooks" (1953, 16 min., b&w) Cast: LARRY, MOE, AND SHEMP. Director: JULES WHITE. In their first 3-D appearance, the 3 Stooges are private investigators hired to find a missing girl. They disguise themselves as bakery delivery men, and stumble across her in a mysterious house where she is the victim of a mad scientist and his assistant. This classic Stooges short contains some of the most effective off-screen gimmicks of any 1950's 3-D title, including Moe's famous finger-poke, and the mad scientist with the hypodermic needle. And watch out for the Shemp Bat, one of most surreal visual gags in ANY Stooges short!

Thursday, Sept. 18 | 9:15 PM
MAZE, THE (1953, 81 min., b&w) Cast: RICHARD CARLSON, VERONICA HURST. Director: WILLIAM CAMERON MENZIES. Actor Richard Carlson's second 3-D film, this mystery film is classic low budget fun. The 3-D is very good, including bats flying in your face. Directed by production designer William Cameron Menzies (GONE WITH THE WIND), most of the story takes place in a dark castle (emphasized in B&W 3-D), and offers a mystery with an odd, surprising payoff.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The short "Doom Town" will be shown AFTER the feature film, "The Maze". This is how this feature and short were designed to be shown... and they haven't been shown properly in over 50 years!

Guest: PETER KURAN (Q&A TO PRECEDE THE SCREENING)

With short, "Doom Town" (1953, 13 min., b&w) This unusual short received very limited distribution in 1953, and has not been seen since. This is the story of a nuclear test explosion done on May 17, 1953. In addition to the short itself, we have added something special: Newly discovered and declassified footage of the bomb blast aftermath.. the buildings being blown over, the trees being uprooted... all in never before seen 3-D! Peter Kuran ("Trinity and Beyond"), who discovered and preserved this footage, will be on hand to present the material and answer questions.

Friday, September 19 | 7:00 PM
INFERNO (1953, 83 min., color) Cast: ROBERT RYAN, RHONDA FLEMING, WILLIAM LUNDIGAN. Director: ROY WARD BAKER. 20th Century Fox was fully promoting their answer to 3-D, CinemaScope, but hedged their bet by releasing this 3-D gem. It's a very satisfying crime adventure filmed on location in the California desert. Ryan is wonderful as a husband left to die in the desert by his wife and her lover. Excellent 3-D photography puts you there!

Guests: Actress RHONDA FLEMING (Q&A TO FOLLOW THE SCREENING)

With short, "On The Ball" (1952, 10 min., b&w) This British short from 1952 was never shown in the U.S... until now! A stereoscopic angle on sport, with John Arlott commentating.

Friday, September 19 | 9:30 PM
DIAL M FOR MURDER (1954, 105 min., color) Cast: RAY MILLAND, GRACE KELLY, ROBERT CUMMINGS. Director: ALFRED HITCHCOCK. Alfred Hitchcock was of two minds on this. It is not one of his finest, but his use of 3-D (strictly artistic except for one gimmick shot at the end) truly made this claustrophobic stage play interesting to see. In fact, the subtle use of 3-D in this film enhances it. The cast is great, highlighted by John Williams' London inspector investigating a "murder" committed by Milland's wife, Grace Kelly. Look around: The more you look, the more you see.

Saturday, September 20 | 10:30 AM
MAD MAGICIAN, THE (1954, 72 min., b&w) Cast: VINCENT PRICE, MARY MURPHY. Director: JOHN BRAHM. OK, this one is usually trashed as a rip off of "House of Wax". Why? Well, same producer and same writer as WAX. Vincent Price going mad. Time period the same. Hmmm. But, it stands on its own as having very good 3-D (B&W), and watching Price as he evolves into the persona macabre for which he is most known.

Saturday, September 20 | 12:30 PM
"RARITIES IN 3-D" We will be showing over 90 minutes of some of the rarest stereoscopic material in existence. This is a clip show, not complete features or shorts. Not only will there be material considered "lost" for many years, but there will also be material never heretofore known to have been shot in 3-D. This is the show for the 3-D fanatic! Much of this material will never be seen again. This show is being put together until the day before the presentation, so sorry, no titles will be made available until the day of the show.

Please note: Due to the technical complexity of this presentation, the admission price for this show will be $15 per ticket

Saturday, September 20 | 4:00 PM
I, THE JURY (1953, 87 min., b&w) Cast: BIFF ELLIOTT, PEGGY CASTLE. Director: HARRY ESSEX. This film noir hasn't been seen in 3-D in over 50 years! Terrific black and white cinematography by John Alton ("Raw Deal", "T-Men") and starring Biff Elliot as Mike Hammer, this is one of the rarest of our feature screenings.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The short subject, "Pardon My Backfire" follows the feature film, as it was originally shown in this order.

Guest: BIFF ELLIOT (Q&A TO FOLLOW THE SCREENING)

With short, "Pardon My Backfire" (1953, 16 min., b&w) Making the most of the 3-D medium, this has the 3 Stooges running an automobile repair shop, and becoming involved with three crooks running from the law. The boys eventually capture the burglars and hand them over to the police, but not before everything available has been thrown at the audience!

Saturday, September 20 | 7:00 PM
MONEY FROM HOME (1953, 100 min., color) Cast: DEAN MARTIN, JERRY LEWIS. Director: GEORGE MARSHALL. This terrific Martin & Lewis film, was done up in glorious Technicolor (this was the first of two films using dual three strip Technicolor cameras), the 3-D is natural, and avoids gimmicks. And you can check out a harem in 3-D!

With short, "Boo Moon" (1954, 8 min., color) Poor Casper scares away all the Earth people, so he goes to make friends with inhabitants on the moon. They also fear him, until he becomes a lunar hero by driving off the ferocious Treemen. The outstanding use of depth and perspective in this cartoon make it (arguably) the very best example of stereoscopic animation from the 1950's. Magnificently restored by the 3-D Film Archive, this wonderful cartoon (not shown in 3-D since 1954) will be one of the highlights of our event!

Saturday, September 20 | 9:30 PM
SECOND CHANCE (1953, 82 min., color) Cast: ROBERT MITCHUM, LINDA DARNELL, JACK PALANCE. Director: RUDOLPH MATE. RKO's first 3-D featured their top stars, and is enjoyable to watch, especially with bad guy Palance (fresh off of SHANE acclaim). Shot on location in Mexico, it's the first Hollywood 3-D feature shot on a foreign location. Robert Mitchum is terrific...and there's wonderful 3-D on a hanging tram!

With short, "Melody" (1953, 10 min., color) This excellent Disney cartoon depicts how music is born. Various methods, including abstractions, are used to trace the development of a musical composition.

Sunday, September 21 | 11:30 PM
GUN FURY (1953, 83 min., color) Cast: ROCK HUDSON, DONNA REED. Director: RAOUL WALSH. Rock Hudson stars in this excellent Columbia western, shot on location in Arizona. This well produced film was directed by Raoul Walsh, and also stars Donna Reed and Lee Marvin.

Sunday, September 21 | 1:45 PM
NEBRASKAN, THE (1953, 68 min., color) Cast: PHIL CAREY, ROBERTA HAYNES, LEE VAN CLEEF. Director: FRED SEARS. Cowboys and Indians fight it out... it's 1953, so guess who the bad guys are? This Columbia western hasn't been seen in 3-D in over 50 years!

This film has never played in 3-D in Los Angeles, even in its original release. This will be its Los Angeles 3-D premiere!

Sunday, September 21 | 4:30 PM
DRUMS OF TAHITI (1954, 73 min., color) cast: DENNIS O'KEEFE, PATRICIA MEDINA. Director: WILLIAM CASTLE. William Castle directs Patricia Medina (also seen in "Phantom of the Rue Morgue") and Dennis O'Keefe in this South Seas Island adventure... with volcanoes erupting, and flames throwing!

NOTE: The short "Down the Hatch" follows the feature, as this is the order in which these were originally shown.

With short, "Down The Hatch" (1954, 16 mm, b&w) Cast: HARRY MIMMO. Director: JULES WHITE. After a ruby has been stolen, the thieves devise a plan to smuggle the gem out of Italy and into America. They decide to employ Harry Mimmo, a simple peasant, whom they think will not draw suspicion as he carries the valuable stone. This Columbia short was done as a "pilot" for comedian Harry Mimmo and only released "flat". It has never been seen in 3-D in a public setting....until now! A true rarity!

Sunday, September 21 | 7:00 PM
FRENCH LINE, THE (1954, 102 min., color) Cast: JANE RUSSELL, GILBERT ROLAND. Director: LLOYD BACON. Don't miss this rarely seen film, with Jane Russell really "coming at you"! As the ad copy says, "J.R. in 3-D! It'll Knock BOTH your eyes out!"

Sunday, September 21 | 10:00 PM
MISS SADIE THOMPSON (1953, 91 min., color) Cast: RITA HAYWORTH, JOSE FERRER. Director: CURTIS BERNHARDT. This was Columbia's attempt at an "A" film in 3-D. Well produced, shot in tropical paradise, and featuring some excellent performances, including support from Charles "Buchinksy" Bronson, and starring a radiant Rita Hayworth!

With short, "Love For Sale" (1953, 10 min., b&w) Cast: BELLA STARR. Dan Sonney Productions specialized in rather sleazy "adult" material in the late 40's and early 50's. This short was shot in 2-camera 3-D, but only released (very briefly) in very poor anaglyphic (red/blue) prints. We have printed...for the first time ever!...this short in it's proper left eye/right eye format, and will premier it here! This features stripper Bella Starr in a dance routine, as well as a slick gambler and a party girl in a sensual dance sequence.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

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The 3-D format is often thought of as "gimmick" filmmaking. While it was one of the many mid-20th century inventions of the motion picture industry to give audiences a big screen experience to compete with the new phenomenon of television, for the most part 3-D, (like the Cinemascope format for example), was used to great effect in high quality studio productions with some of the most talented industry professionals behind the camera. Such producers/directors as George Sidney, Alfred Hitchcock, William Cameron Menzies (THE MAZE), Budd Boetticher, Raoul Walsh, Ross Hunter and Douglas Sirk photographed films in the third dimension, as did cinematographers like John Alton (I, THE JURY), Karl Struss and Lucian Ballard (INFERNO). They often utilized depth as an integral aspect of the dramatic narrative. Seeing these films flat today on television or home video totally diminishes the impact of the original stereoscopic cinematography. The filmmakers composed, designed and intended these movies for 3-D presentation, and that's theway in which they should be seen. This unique series will give audiences that opportunity.

The presentation of 3-D has garnered a bad reputation over the years, mostly due to anaglyphic (red/blue) presentation, poor projection, lab problems, and so on. Actually, when shown with proper (Polaroid) presentation, good prints, professional projectionists, and so on, 3-D from the 1950's looks spectacular. The feeling of depth actually tends to suck you inside the action. It is not just a function of "coming at you" scenes (such as when objects are thrown at the audience), but is also used effectively in smaller, more intimate settings, such as in Hitchcock's DIAL M FOR MURDER.

This once-in-a-lifetime retrospective will give fans, historians and critics the unique opportunity to re-assess one of the most unjustly maligned aspects of cinematic history. Due to an awful succession of gimmick films throughout the 1970's and 80's, as well as poor quality re-issues of the older films in the inferior red/blue anaglyph system on television, 3-D movies of the 1950's have basically gotten a bad rap.

There is a printable version of the schedule on the website. Detailed information about the festival, film schedule, etc. can be found at:

http://www.3dfilmfest.com

TICKETS:
Tickets are available online. Advance tickets are recommended as shows are expected to sell out. Tickets are $10 with the exception of the rarities show which is $15. A festival pass ($320) includes admission to all 35 shows, plus a festival souvenir booklet.

The festival can be reached at:
Phone number: 661 538-9259
Fax number: 661 793-6755
*Special note: Although at the Egyptian Theatre, this festival is not a program of the American Cinematheque.

PRESS MATERIALS & INTERVIEWS:

Broadcast quality video clips will be available. To obtain clips for broadcast please e-mail your mailing address to us and your deadline for receiving materials.

Hi-Resolution, downloadable film stills and original poster images are available on this private "press only" page on the website:

http://www.3dfilmfest.com/3dpress.php

Festival organizer and 3-D expert Jeff Joseph is available for interview. He can be reached at his SabuCat Productions e-mail: sabucat@sabucat.com or at the festival phone number listed above.

Posted by sfisher at August 25, 2003 06:34 PM