The World 3-D Film Expo returns to the Egyptian Theatre from September 6-15, 2013.
The ten-day festival will pay tribute to the 60th anniversary of what many film historians regard as the “Golden Age” of 3-D, and will include screenings of the John Wayne western HONDO, the Vincent Price horror film HOUSE OF WAX, Cole Porter’s musical KISS ME KATE, and sci-fi thriller IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE…and even later 3-D films, such as 1983’s JAWS 3-D. Lesser-known titles, such as THE FRENCH LINE with Jane Russell and film noir SECOND CHANCE with Robert Mitchum, will also be included.
Actress Piper Laurie (DANGEROUS MISSION), Julie Adams (THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON), Barbara Rush (IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE) and producer Walter Mirisch (THE MAZE) are among guests scheduled to attend.
On Saturday, September 7th, legendary producer Walter Mirisch will appear for a Q&A and book signing at his very first film produced, the Gothic chiller THE MAZE at 11:00 AM. At 4:30 PM, Stefan Droessler, Head of the Munich Film Museum, will present an ultra-rare program & lecture on “European 3-D Cinema 1935 through 1953.” One of the most famous 3-D movies of all time, THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, screens at 7:15 PM with actress Julie Adams in-person for a Q&A and book signing. The evening ends with a brand-new digital transfer of JAWS 3-D, featuring Q&A with director Joe Alves, cast members Louis Gossett Jr. and Bess Armstrong, producer Rupert Hitzig, and location manager Carl Mazzocone.
On Sunday, September 8th, Stefan Droessler of the Munich Film Museum returns with the Los Angeles Premiere of the 1946 Russian version of ROBINSON CRUSOE (the first-ever 3-D feature produced in the Soviet Union.) That afternoon at 4:45 PM, film historian Elaina Archer and Rita Hayworth’s nephew, actor Richard Cansino, will appear for Q&A at Hayworth’s only 3-D movie, MISS SADIE THOMPSON, in a new digital transfer.
On Tuesday, September 10th at 7:00 PM, actress Kathleen Hughes will appear for a Q&A of director Jack Arnold’s rarely screened Film Noir, THE GLASS WEB. Following at 9:45 PM, actress Piper Laurie will do a Q&A and book signing with the Western Noir, DANGEROUS MISSION.
Friday, September 13, guest appearances begin at 3:30 PM with Western master Budd Boetticher’s two-fisted 3-D movie WINGS OF THE HAWK, with actress Julie Adams returning for a Q&A and book signing. At 7:00 PM, director Jack Arnold’s classic sci-fi thriller IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE screens, with Q&A following with actresses Barbara Rush and Kathleen Hughes.
On Saturday, September 14th, the gonzo gorilla-in-a-space-helmet sci-fi flick ROBOT MONSTER screens at 3:30 PM – with cast members, lead actress Claudia Barrett and actor Gregory Moffett (who played the young boy Johnny in the film), appearing for a Q&A.
Sunday, September 15th wraps up with a 10:30 AM screening of SANGAREE followed by a Q&A with actor Lorenzo Lamas, son of SANGAREE star Fernando Lamas, followed by a 6:45 PM screening of Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis’s only 3-D movie, the comedy MONEY FROM HOME, with lead actress Pat Crowley in-person for Q&A. The final show of the Expo, the rarely screened Korean War drama CEASE FIRE (filmed in actual battle zones during the war) screens at 9:45 PM that night, hosted by military historian/conservative commentator Resa “WARCHICK” Kirkland.
The Expo is partnering with digital 3-D projection sponsor RealD to present a number of screenings in RealD 3-D including Alfred Hitchcock’s DIAL M FOR MURDER and Jack Arnold’s sci-fi/horror classic CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON.
Stefan Droessler, 3-D historian and head of the Munich Film Museum, will present an in-depth overview of “European 3-D Filmmaking 1935-1953,” including long-lost footage from the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
The festival will also be home to several premieres including the Los Angeles Premiere of the 1946 Russian 3-D adaptation of ROBINSON CRUSOE. September 14th will mark the World Premiere of the stereoscopic version of the 1954 Korean War drama, DRAGONFLY SQUADRON. The film was only released in a flat version during its initial release, and has never been seen by audiences in 3-D.
Newly-restored 35 mm prints of shorts “Rocky Marciano, Champion vs. Jersey Joe Walcott, Challenger” and “College Capers” will be screened in 3-D for the first time in 60 years. Most programs being presented at the festival will be shown in archival double-system 35 mm. prints, many of them the last known copies.
The World 3-D Expo has been called “a Woodstock for movie geeks” by film critic Leonard Maltin. Organized by Jeff Joseph of SabuCat Productions, the Expo was first presented at the Egyptian Theatre to sold-out crowds in 2003 and again in 2006. “The technical demands of presenting 3-D cinema and the increasing difficulty of finding prints means that for many of the films presented, this may be the last time they are ever screened in this format” says producer and programmer Jeff Joseph.
The Rarities Show includes some films from Expo 1 and 2 as well as oldest surviving 3-D film: the 1922 short subject “Kelly’s Plasticon Pictures” which contains footage from Washington, D.C., and Times Square.
The majority of films will be shown in 35-millimeter prints.
PROGRAM
(Please note that all features in dual-35 mm. have a 15 min. intermission.)
Friday September 6 OPENING NIGHT
7:00 pm HONDO (1953) Batjac Prod., 83 min
Tribute to John Wayne & Batjac Productions
CAST: John Wayne, Geraldine Page, Ward Bond, James Arness.
DIRECTOR: John Farrow.
COLOR: Color
FORMAT: Presented in RealD Digital 3-D
Long considered to be a “lost” film in 3-D, HONDO has been lovingly restored by Batjac Productions to its original stereoscopic glory. The legendary John Wayne stars as a hard-bitten cavalry rider who grudgingly takes feisty Geraldine Page (in an Oscar-nominated role) and her son under his wing. Beautifully shot on location in Mexico with tough, terse direction by veteran helmer John Farrow and a superb script by longtime Wayne collaborator James Edward Grant (DONOVAN’S REEF, MCLINTOCK, THE ALAMO). Next to HOUSE OF WAX, HONDO was the highest-grossing 3-D film of the 1950’s. We’re thrilled to present this 60th Anniversary Screening as a Tribute to John Wayne and Batjac Productions, who in addition to HONDO were responsible for such classics as 7 MEN FROM NOW, THE ALAMO, THE HIGH & THE MIGHTY and THE TRACK OF THE CAT.
9:30 pm HOUSE OF WAX – 1953, Warner Bros., 90 min. 60th Anniversary Screening
CAST: VINCENT PRICE, PHYLLIS KIRK, FRANK LOVEJOY
DIRECTED BY: ANDRE DE TOTH
COLOR: color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Advertised as the “First 3-D Film from a Major Studio”, HOUSE OF WAX was and still is the quintessential 3-D film, a haunting Gothic horror show with deranged sculptor Vincent Price (in arguably his best-known role) using real-life “models” for his waxwork creations. Although one-eyed director Andre de Toth (PITFALL, PLAY DIRTY) famously couldn’t see 3-D, he understood perspective better than many cameramen. Studio head 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. Sixty years later, HOUSE OF WAX still thrills, entertains, and reveals stereoscopic wonder.
+ short: MOTOR RHYTHM (1939, PD, 10 min.)
COLOR: Color
SHOWN: Friday, Sept. 6th – 7:00 PM
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
One of the earliest examples of 3-D, this short was created by John Norling for the 1939 World’s Fair. 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.
Saturday, September 7
11:00 am THE MAZE — 1953, Allied Artists (Paramount), 80 min.
CAST: RICHARD CARLSON, VERONICA HURST
DIRECTED BY: WILLIAM CAMERON MENZIES
COLOR: b/w
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Actor Richard Carlson’s second 3-D movie (after IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE, and before CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON), this mystery film is wildly entertaining low-budget fun packed with gonzo stereoscopic gags and chills by director William Cameron Menzies who helmed this following his eerie sci-fi/fantasy INVADERS FROM MARS. Most of the story takes place in a moody dark castle, emphasized in B&W 3-D – fans of inventive Fifties B&W horror flicks like William Castle’s 13 GHOSTS and HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL will definitely go for this. Plus “The 3-D Trailer Show,” a 15 min. compilation of ultra-rare stereoscopic trailers for IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE, THE NEBRASKAN, JESSE JAMES VS. THE DALTONS and others!
1:15 pm BWANA DEVIL – 1952, U.A., 79 min.
CAST: ROBERT STACK, BARBARA BRITTON, NIGEL BRUCE
DIRECTED BY: ARCH OBOLER
COLOR: color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
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 launched the golden era of 3-D. Alcoholic railway engineer Robert Stack is given a (literal) shot at redemption when he goes up against two man-eating lions terrorizing railroad construction in Kenya. Look for veteran British character actor Nigel Bruce in one of his rare non-Dr. Watson/Sherlock Holmes roles.
+ short: M.L. GUNZBURG PRESENTS 3-D (1952, PD, 6 min.)
COLOR: B&W
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
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 you’re seeing it exactly the way audiences first experienced 3-D in 1952. Much-loved puppets Beany and Cecil appear here with the assistance of Lloyd Nolan and Shirley Tegge. Voices by Daws Butler and Stan Freberg.
4:30 pm EUROPEAN 3-D CINEMA 1935-1953 – Lecture & 3-D Clip Show
Lecture & 3-D Clip Show by Stefan Droessler, Head of the Munich Film Museum
FORMAT: Presented in RealD Digital 3-D
Many people think that 3-D movie-making basically began in the early 1950’s with the release in the U.S. of BWANA DEVIL and HOUSE OF WAX – but in fact experiments in 3-D filmmaking go back to the earliest days of European cinema with the Lumiere Bros. and others. Stefan Droessler, Head of the Munich Film Museum and an acclaimed expert in the history of 3-D, will present a fascinating lecture about the first public 3D screenings in Europe during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s in France, Germany, Russia, Italy, Hungary, Austria and Great Britain, illustrated with stills, documents and incredibly rare 3-D film footage.
Clips include: 3-D experiments at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, the first 3-D cinema in Paris, the Russian and Hungarian 3-D cinemas without glasses, a discussion of the amazing early Russian 3-D films CONCERT (1941) and ROBINSON CRUSOE (1947, screening tomorrow 9/8 in its entirety), recently discovered films by the forgotten Austrian inventor Eduard Bankl, the legendary Festival Of Britain in London and its Telekinema and much much more! Most (if not all) of this material is unknown to American audiences and will likely never be repeated – if you’re a die-hard 3-D film lover, this show is not to be missed! Stefan Droessler
7:15 pm CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON – 1954, Universal, 79 min
CAST: RICHARD CARLSON, JULIA ADAMS
DIRECTED BY: JACK ARNOLD
COLOR: b/w
FORMAT: Presented in RealD Digital 3-D
Stunning Julia Adams plays beauty to the Creature’s prehistoric beast in this still-terrifying mix of sci-fi, horror and jungle adventure – arguably the definitive 1950’s drive-in movie and a superb example of stereoscopic filmmaking courtesy of director Jack Arnold and cameraman William E. Snyder. If you’ve only seen this film in anaglyphic (red/blue) 3-D, you haven’t really seen it.
9:45 pm JAWS 3-D – 1983, Universal, 99 min.
(Note: This show does not have an intermission.)
CAST: Dennis Quaid, Bess Armstrong, Simon MacCorkindale
DIRECTED BY: Joe Alves
COLOR: Color
FORMAT: Presented in RealD Digital 3-D
The most requested “missing” title from our last two Expos, the long-unavailable JAWS 3-D finally screens in a beautiful new digital transfer courtesy of Universal Studios. This time around the monster shark is trapped at – ready for this?? – a Sea World theme park, while Chief Brody’s son Dennis Quaid tries to avoid becoming fish food … Gonzo 3-D effects abound in the cheesiest and most hilarious of the 1980’s 3-D revival films. Script by sci-fi & horror great Richard Matheson (I Am Legend, THE PIT & THE PENDULUM).
Sunday September 8
11:00 am 3-D ANIMATION SHOW – 90 minutes
RUNTIME: 90 mins.
COLOR: color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see nearly all of the “Golden Age” cartoons made and released in 3-D in ONE show! Shorts include: “Boo Moon”, “Lumber Jack-Rabbit”, “Hypnotic Hick”, “Melody”, “Working For Peanuts”, “Motor Rhythm”, “Adventures of Sam Space”, “Now is the Time”, “Around is Around” – plus a few unannounced surprises!!
2:00 pm ROBINSON CRUSOE (ROBINZON KRUZO) – 1946, 71 min.
Legendary “Lost” Russian 3-D Film – First-Ever L.A. Screening!!
ROBINSON CRUSOE (ROBINZON KRUZO) – 1946, 71 min.
CAST: PAVEL KADOCHNIKOV, YURI LYUBIMOV.
DIRECTED BY: ALEKSANDR ANDRIYEVSKY.
COLOR: B&W
FORMAT: Presented in RealD Digital 3-D
A legendary 3-D rarity – finally receiving its L.A. Premiere here at the Expo, 67 years after it was made! – this adaptation of the classic Daniel Defoe novel of a sailor cast adrift on a deserted island was the first full-length Soviet 3-D feature. Surprisingly entertaining with some excellent 3-D effects (and a hilariously pro-Communist ending), ROBINSON CRUSOE was originally screened with a now-obsolete glasses-free system which will be discussed in detail during the Saturday Sept. 7th “European 3-D Cinema 1935-1953 Lecture” (we’ll be screening it with glasses, the only way to see it properly now.) The impact of the 3-D was so impressive it inspired legendary Soviet director Sergei Eisenstein to comment: “Mankind has for centuries been moving toward stereoscopic cinema… Will the cinema of the future be stereoscopic? Will tomorrow follow today?” (Note: no English-subtitled version of the film exists so we’ll be screening it in the original Russian with a synopsis of the plot; there’s limited dialogue in the film.)
4:45 pm MISS SADIE THOMPSON – 1953, Columbia, 91 min.
CAST: RITA HAYWORTH, JOSE FERRER
DIRECTED BY: CURTIS BERNHARDT
COLOR: color
FORMAT: Presented in RealD Digital 3-D
Bad girl Rita Hayworth runs afoul of moral crusader Jose Ferrer on a lonely South Pacific island populated by nothing but U.S. Marines, in this steamy tropical melodrama based on Somerset Maugham’s “Rain”. Look for Charles “Buchinsky” Bronson in an early supporting role.
7:00 pm DIAL M FOR MURDER – 1954, Warner Bros., 105 min.
CAST: RAY MILLAND, GRACE KELLY, ROBERT CUMMINGS
DIRECTED BY: ALFRED HITCHCOCK
COLOR: color
FORMAT: Presented in RealD Digital 3-D
Legendary suspense master Alfred Hitchcock was reportedly not happy with being forced by Jack Warner to shoot this in 3- D (his next film was REAR WINDOW … imagine that in 3-D!) – but the results are one of the most satisfying stereoscopic movies of the Fifties, a typically taut and suspenseful tale of ex-tennis pro Ray Milland plotting to murder gorgeous wife Grace Kelly. Despite Hitchcock’s initial misgivings, the 3-D beautifully enhances this thriller, and his disregarding of “gimmick shots” (mostly) only adds to the creepiness.
9:30 pm 3-D TRIBUTE TO CHRIS CONDON, DAN SYMMES & RAY ZONE Featuring: THE STEWARDESSES, 1969, Sherpix, 69 min.
3-D TRIBUTE TO CHRIS CONDON, DAN SYMMES & RAY ZONE
Featuring: THE STEWARDESSES, 1969, Sherpix, 69 min. + “Experiments In Love” short (1977, 28 min.)
CAST: CHRISTINA HART, MICHAEL GARRETT, WILLIAM BASIL
DIRECTED BY: AL SILLIMAN JR
COLOR: Color
FORMAT: Presented in RealD Digital 3-D
The world of 3-D exhibition, appreciation and preservation lost three of its most devoted experts and champions recently with the unrelated deaths of Chris Condon, Dan Symmes and Ray Zone. Hailed by no less than HOUSE OF WAX director Andre de Toth as “a wizard of stereoscopy,” Dan Symmes worked as a cameraman on Condon’s indie softcore hit THE STEWARDESSES and later went on to found 3-D Video Corp. and Spatial Technologies. Symmes pioneered first-ever 3-D network TV broadcasts in the early 1980’s, shot behavioral 3-D videos for the Dept. of Defense, worked tirelessly on the first World 3-D Film Expos in 2003 and 2006, and much more. As part of the tribute we’ll be screening a new digital transfer of the rarely-screened 1977 erotic short “Experiments In Love” (28 min.) which Symmes directed. Dubbed by Starlog Magazine as “The King Of 3-D Comics,” Ray Zone was an internationally-acclaimed expert in 3-D cinema and comic art: he worked on the pioneering 1990 graphic novel “Batman 3-D,” authored the definitive reference books 3D Filmmakers, Conversations with Creators of Stereoscopic Motion Pictures (Scarecrow Press: 2005) and Stereoscopic Cinema and the Origins of 3-D Film, 1838 – 1952 (University Press of Kentucky: 2007), and created numerous stereoscopic conversions for film, television and record artwork. A much-loved legend in the world of 3-D cinema, Chris Condon invented the 35 mm. Stereovision 3-D format (with Allan Silliphant) and went on to produced the phenomenally successful THE STEWARDESSES in 1969, which earned a then-incredible $27m. at the box office. A producer, director, consultant and distributor, Condon received the International 3D Society’s Charles M. Brewster Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2010, shortly before his death. In his memory we’ll be screening a new digital 3-D transfer of THE STEWARDESSES (1969, 69 min.) One of the quintessential softcore skin flicks of the 1970’s makes a return appearance, in a fully restored (picture AND sound) version, with all the missing footage now put back. You’ve never seen THE STEWARDESSES until you’ve seen this new restored version.
(Sorry, no one under 18 years of age will be admitted to this Tribute program! ID required. Rated “R”.)
Monday September 9
7:00 pm PHANTOM OF THE RUE MORGUE – 1954, Warner Bros., 83 min.
CAST: KARL MALDEN, PATRICIA MEDINA
DIRECTED BY: ROY DEL RUTH
COLOR: color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Warner’s follow up to HOUSE OF WAX, loosely adapted from the Edgar Allan Poe story, is another haunting Gothic chiller with mad physician Karl Malden menacing beautiful young Patricia Medina. Strong direction by veteran helmer Roy Del Ruth (BULLDOG DRUMMOND STRIKES BACK), with more eye-popping 3-D effects than the earlier HOUSE OF WAX. Pure 3-D entertainment!
+ short: ADVENTURES OF SAM SPACE (1955, PD, 10 min.)
COLOR: Color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
A dramatic flight to the year 2001, when Earth is at war with pirate planets from outer space! (This cartoon wasn’t released until 1960 under the title “Space-Attack”, when it ran with “September Storm”.)
9:30 pm JIVARO – 1954, Paramount, 92 min.
CAST: FERNANDO LAMAS, RHONDA FLEMING, RITA MORENO
DIRECTED BY: EDWARD LUDWIG
COLOR: color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Beautiful Rhonda Fleming (THE KILLER IS LOOSE, WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS) lights up the screen as an American woman chasing her missing fiancé all the way to Brazilian head-hunter territory. Actual Amazon jungle locations and gorgeous Technicolor photography highlight this steamy action-adventure from director Edward Ludwig (WAKE OF THE RED WITCH). This was shot in 3-D but released flat at the tail end of the 1950’s stereoscopic boom – so this is only the second theatrical screening of the film in Los Angeles ever (the first was at the 2006 Expo!)
+ short: BOO MOON (1954, PD, 8 min.)
COLOR: Color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Poor Casper the Friendly Ghost scares away all the Earth people, so he goes to make friends with inhabitants on the moon – who also avoid 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 3-D animation from the 1950′s.
Tues September 10
7:00 pm THE GLASS WEB – 1953, Universal, 81 min.
CAST: EDWARD G. ROBINSON, JOHN FORSYTH
DIRECTED BY: JACK ARNOLD
COLOR: b/w
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
One of the least-known genre films from horror and sci-fi master Jack Arnold (CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN). This tight little thriller stars Kathleen Hughes (who’d work with Arnold on IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE), John Forsythe and the great Edward G. Robinson in a nifty story about early TV production and a ruthless actress out to blackmail the men who fall for her charms. Note: Short follows the feature.
+ short: DOOM TOWN (1953, PD, 12 min.)
COLOR: B&W
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Fascinating Atomic Era short in 3-D which received very limited distribution, this follows the story of a nuclear test explosion done on March 17, 1953.
9:45 pm DANGEROUS MISSION – 1954, RKO, 75 min.
IB Technicolor Print!
CAST: PIPER LAURIE, VICTOR MATURE, VINCENT PRICE, WILLIAM BENDIX
DIRECTOR: LOUIS KING
COLOR: Color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Surprising modern-day Western noir set in Montana, with a young Piper Laurie as a witness to a mob killing being hunted by ruthless killers. Co-stars the always underrated Victor Mature, alongside William Bendix and Vincent Price in a rare non-horror 3-D role. Plus the ultra-rare short “Carnival In April” (1953, Universal, 17 min.), a gorgeous Latin-themed treat with the Carlos Molina Orchestra and pop star Toni Arden performing “I’ll Remember April” and others. This is the only the second time this short has ever been screened in 3-D (the first was at Expo II.)
Wednesday, September 11
11:00 am GORILLA AT LARGE – 1954, 20th Century Fox, 84 min.
CAST: CAMERON MITCHELL, ANNE BANCROFT, RAYMOND BURR
DIRECTED BY: HARMON JONES
COLOR: Color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Yes, it’s true: 3-D was invented to make a killer gorilla runs amok in a carnival movie — and GORILLA AT LARGE is it. Pure matinee movie madness with beautiful Anne Bancroft (light-years before THE GRADUATE) facing off against granite-jawed Lee J. Cobb, Cameron Mitchell and uber-sinister Raymond Burr. (Also look for a young Lee Marvin in a small supporting role.) And who’s beneath that gorilla costume? Why it’s George Barrows … who also donned the hairy suit (plus space helmet) to play the legendary Ro-Man in ROBOT MONSTER, screening Sat. 9/14 during the Expo!
1:15 pm DIAMOND WIZARD – 1954, U.A., 83 min
CAST: DENNIS O’KEEFE, MARGARET SHERIDAN, PHILIP FRIEND
DIRECTED BY: DENNIS O’KEEFE & MONTGOMERY TULLY
COLOR: b/w
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
The only British 3-D feature was never released in 3-D anywhere in the world… until it premiered in L.A. at the 2006 World 3-D Film Expo! Terrific thriller with film noir stalwart Dennis O’Keefe (T-MEN, RAW DEAL) who also co-directed, starring as an American treasury agent paired with a Scotland Yard detective to crack a mob creating fake diamonds … or are they??
+ short: DOWN THE HATCH (1954, Columbia, 20 min.)
CAST: HARRY MIMMO
DIRECTED BY: JULES WHITE
COLOR: B&W
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
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.
4:15 pm TAZA, SON OF COCHISE – 1954, Universal, 79 min
CAST: ROCK HUDSON, BARBARA RUSH, REX REASON
DIRECTED BY: DOUGLAS SIRK
COLOR: color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
HEAR! Jeff Chandler Radio Interview from 1954
Although often unfairly criticized as a gimmick or novelty, 3-D in the early 1950’s attracted a number of major directors including Hitchcock, Boetticher, de Toth and others. TAZA, SON OF COCHISE was legendary director Douglas Sirk’s (IMITATION OF LIFE, WRITTEN ON THE WIND) only film in 3-D, a surprisingly moving and sympathetic portrait of Native American life with Fifties idol Rock Hudson in the title role as the inexperienced son of a dying Apache chief (Jeff Chandler in a cameo appearance), trying to keep his tribe from going to war.
6:30 pm KISS ME KATE – 1953, MGM/Warner Bros., 109 min.
KISS ME KATE – 1953, MGM/Warner Bros., 109 min.
CAST: HOWARD KEEL, KATHRYN GRAYSON, ANN MILLER
DIRECTED BY: GEORGE SIDNEY
COLOR: color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
MGM’s spectacular 3-D production of the famous Broadway play is one of the essential stereoscopic movies of the 1950’s. Flawless 3-D cinematography, brilliant choreography (including the legendary Bob Fosse), and energetic direction from George Sidney. And we’re running the only surviving dye-transfer (“3-strip”) Technicolor print in the world! This is only the second time KISS ME KATE has been shown in WIDE SCREEN with discrete STEREO since 1953. (The other time was at the last World 3-D Film Expo in 2006!) Special added attractions: A tribute to Ann Miller featuring rare footage of the late dancer — and a brief interview with Bella Spewack, author of the Broadway play.
9:45 pm THE FRENCH LINE – 1954, RKO, 102 min.
CAST: JANE RUSSELL, GILBERT ROLAND
DIRECTED BY: LLOYD BACON
COLOR: Color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Fifties screen goddess Jane Russell goes 3-D with riotous results in this colorful musical about a millionairess desperate to escape gold-digging men, so she takes a cruise on the French Line … As the ad copy says, “J.R. in 3-D! It’ll Knock BOTH your eyes out!” Watch closely for another screen siren, Kim Novak, in her first film appearance. We’re running the rarely seen uncut version in a stunning dye-transfer Technicolor print, with the complete (and racy!) “Lookin’ For Trouble” number!
+ short: PARDON MY BACKFIRE (1953, Columbia, 20 min.)
COLOR: B&W
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Classic 3 Stooges short in 3-D with the boys running an automobile repair shop and becoming involved with three crooks running from the law. They eventually capture the burglars and hand them over to the police — but not before everything in sight has been thrown at the audience! Note: Follows the feature.
Thursday September 12 Film Noir In 3-D Night!
7:00 INFERNO – 1953, 20th Century Fox, 83 min.
CAST: ROBERT RYAN, RHONDA FLEMING, WILLIAM LUNDIGAN
DIRECTED BY: ROY WARD BAKER
COLOR: Color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Alongside Hitchcock’s DIAL M FOR MURDER, INFERNO is one of the very best suspense thrillers shot in 3-D: a fierce, brutal crime drama set in the scorching desert with our favorite Noir actor ever, Robert Ryan (ON DANGEROUS GROUND, ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW, BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK, CROSSFIRE …) in a rare good-guy role as a husband left to die with a broken leg by his cheating wife and her lover. Superb 3-D photography, terrific direction by Roy Ward Baker (A NIGHT TO REMEMBER, QUATERMASS & THE PIT) and a killer script add up to one of the most underrated 3-D films ever made – don’t miss it!
9:30 pm I, THE JURY – 1953, U.A., 87 min.
CAST: BIFF ELLIOTT, PEGGY CASTLE
DIRECTED BY: HARRY ESSEX
COLOR: b/w
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Crime legend Mickey Spillane’s first Mike Hammer novel gets the 3-D treatment in this 1950’s Noir produced by Victor Saville. While it’s no KISS ME DEADLY, I THE JURY is still good fun, with terrific B&W cinematography by master D.P. John Alton (RAW DEAL, T-MEN) and gorgeous Noir siren Peggy Castle (99 RIVER STREET, INVASION U.S.A.) as the female lead opposite Biff Elliot as Mike Hammer.
+ short: SPOOKS (1953, Columbia, 20 min.)
CAST: LARRY, MOE, AND SHEMP
DIRECTED BY: JULES WHITE
COLOR: B&W
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
In their first 3-D appearance, the 3 Stooges are private investigators hired to find a missing girl. This classic Stooges short contains some of the most effective off-the-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! Note: The short follows the feature.
Friday, September 13
3:30 pm WINGS OF THE HAWK – 1953, Universal, 81 min.
CAST: VAN HEFLIN, JULIA ADAMS, GEORGE DOLENZ
DIRECTED BY: BUDD BOETTICHER
COLOR: color
VIEW TRAILER
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Colorful, two-fisted Mexican Revolution drama from legendary Western director Budd Boetticher (7 MEN FROM NOW, THE TALL T) in his early Universal Studios period, with rugged miner Van Heflin mixing it up with revolutionaries while trying to win CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON’s Julia Adams. Boetticher was apparently desperate to get out of his Universal contract, so he set up a dynamite explosion for the film that shattered windows a half mile away and made the L.A. papers!
+ short: HAWAIIAN NIGHTS (1954, Universal 20 min.)
CAST: MAMIE VAN DOREN, PINKY LEE
DIRECTED BY: WILL COWAN
COLOR: B&W
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
This was one of the true discoveries of the 2006 World 3-D Film Expo — this short with Fifties pin-up goddess Mamie van Doren doesn’t appear in any listings of 3-D titles; it was shot but never released in the format, and this is only its second screening in L.A. in 3-D, ever!
7:00 pm IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE – 1953, Universal, 81 min.
CAST: KATHLEEN HUGHES, RICHARD CARLSON, BARBARA RUSH
DIRECTED BY: JACK ARNOLD
COLOR: b/w
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Like Warner Bros., Universal 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 the late great Ray Bradbury. Sci-fi/horror master Jack Arnold (THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN) delivers his other 3-D classic alongside CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON in this atmospheric chiller about an amateur astronomer (Richard Carlson) and his schoolteacher girlfriend (Barbara Rush) who confront an alien invasion of their remote Arizona town. Presented in true stereo sound, only at the Expo! Plus, “Nat ‘King’ Cole and Russ Morgan & His Orchestra” (1953, Universal, 20 min.) Billed as “Hollywood’s First Musical Featurette in 3-Dimension!,” this ultra-rare gem features the legendary singer performing “Pretend,” “Blue Moon” and others.
9:45 pm THE MAD MAGICIAN – 1954, Columbia, 72 min.
CAST: VINCENT PRICE, MARY MURPHY.
DIRECTED BY: JOHN BRAHM.
COLOR: B&W
VIEW TRAILER
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Nifty little Gothic horror from acclaimed film noir helmer John Brahm (THE LODGER, HANGOVER SQUARE) and writer Crane Wilbur (HE WALKED BY NIGHT, CRIME WAVE), starring the great Vincent Price as a deranged magician forced to kill again and again. And yes, with the same producer, star, writer and period setting as HOUSE OF WAX, this bears more than a passing resemblance to its more famous “cousin” – but it’s worth catching on its own for some excellent B&W 3-D cinematography and Price’s mondo-macabre performance in the lead role. Plus short “College Capers” (1953). Mildly risqué hi-jinks in 3-D billed as “the hilarious story of the sensational campus Panty Raids!”
Saturday, September 14
11:00 am 3-D RARITIES SHOW
We will be screening over 90 minutes of some of the rarest stereoscopic material in existence. 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. Those of you who came to the Rarities programs during Expos I and II know that this is the show for the 3-D fanatic! Much of this material will never be seen again in 3-D (or otherwise.) Due to the technical complexity of clearing rights and putting the materials together, we won’t announce the actual titles in the Rarities Show until the day of the screening … but trust us, you’ll be amazed! (Please note that all features projected in dual-35mm have a 15 min. intermission.)
3:30 pm ROBOT MONSTER – 1953, Astor, 66 min.
CAST: GEORGE NADER, CLAUDIA BARRETT
DIRECTED BY: PHIL TUCKER
COLOR: b/w
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Found on most “Worst Film” lists, the jaw dropping and delirious ROBOT MONSTER was supposedly shot on either a $15,000 or $20,000 budget over a few day’s time (and it shows.) But remarkably the B&W 3-D is generally pretty good – and who can resist a movie with a guy in a gorilla suit wearing a space helmet?!? George Nader and cast perform a living comic book of sci-fi from a young boy’s perspective… Music by the great Elmer Bernstein.
+ short: STARDUST IN YOUR EYES (1953,PD, 6 min.)
CAST: SLICK SLAVIN
COLOR: B&W
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Made by the same people who produced ROBOT MONSTER, this short was designed to be run before it. “Famous rockabilly singer” Slick Slavin shows us how various popular screen stars will appear in the fabulous new medium of 3-D.
6:00 pm DRAGONFLY SQUADRON — 1954, Allied Artists, 82 min.
CAST: JOHN HODIAK, BARBARA BRITTON
DIRECTED BY: LESLEY SELANDER
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Shot in 3-D but only released in flat versions, this action-packed Korean War drama gets its World Theatrical 3-D Premiere here at the Expo, courtesy of the 3-D Film Archive! Director Lesley Selander helmed literally dozens of entertaining Westerns and War pictures in the 1940’s and 1950’s, and this is a typically solid drama of American pilots teaching their Korean counterparts to fly the latest supersonic jets while juggling heartbreak off the battle field. The real fun here, of course, is the inventive use of 3-D photography in the well-staged flying sequences. There are fewer and fewer real 3-D “discoveries” from the Golden Age left – so don’t miss out on this one, it may never come again!! Plus, “Rocky Marciano, Champion vs. Jersey Joe Walcott, Challenger” (12 min). Legendary boxer Rocky Marciano faces off against Jersey Joe Walcott in May, 1953 at Chicago Stadium for the World Heavyweight Championship in this ultra-rare 3-D footage!
9:00 pm REVENGE OF THE CREATURE – 1955, Universal, 82 min.
CAST: JOHN AGAR, LORI NELSON
DIRECTED BY: JACK ARNOLD
COLOR: b/w
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
The last film produced in the Golden Era of 1950’s 3-D movie-making, this sequel to CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON is almost as good as the original. Genre hero John Agar (TARANTULA, BRAIN FROM PLANET AROUS) battles the luckless Creature after it’s transported to a Florida aquarium and runs amok. The 3-D is right on, especially the underwater scenes shot in Marineland’s (Florida) big tank where fish swim out of the screen into your face. And check out that fellow in the lab… Clint Eastwood!
+ short: HYPNOTIC HICK (1953, Universal, 7 min.)
COLOR: Color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
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.
Sunday, September 15
10:30 am SANGAREE – 1953, Paramount, 94 min.
IB Technicolor Print!!
CAST: FERNANDO LAMAS, ARLENE DAHL, PATRICIA MEDINA
DIRECTED BY: EDWARD LUDWIG
COLOR: color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Another 3-D rarity from the director of JIVARO, Edward Ludwig, this was a “lost” film in 3-D for decades until it was screened at the last Expo. Gorgeous Arlene Dahl (JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH) falls for slave-turned-doctor Fernando Lamas in the aftermath of the Revolutionary War.
1:15 pm THOSE REDHEADS FROM SEATTLE – 1953, Paramount, 90 min.
CAST: RHONDA FLEMING, GENE BARRY, TERESA BREWER, THE BELL SISTERS
DIRECTED BY: LEWIS R. FOSTER
COLOR: Color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Paramount beat MGM to the punch and released the first musical shot in 3-D with this energetic story about single girls in the Yukon wilderness including Rhonda Fleming and pop idol Teresa Brewer. Terrific songs by Jay Livingston, Johnny Mercer, and Ray Evans. Another rarity that was long-lost in 3-D until it resurfaced at the last Expo – don’t miss it here!
+ short: WORKING FOR PEANUTS (1953, Walt Disney, 7 min.)
COLOR: Color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Chip and Dale, two hard working chipmunks. have to search for their daily meal of peanuts. Donald Duck is the Zookeeper who tries to prevent them from stealing peanuts from Dolores the elephant.
4:30 pm SECOND CHANCE — 1953, RKO, 82 min.
CAST: ROBERT MITCHUM, LINDA DARNELL, JACK PALANCE.
DIRECTED BY: RUDOLPH MATE.
COLOR: Color
VIEW TRAILER
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
RKO’s first 3-D feature was this tough little film noir starring gorgeous, ill-fated Linda Darnell (FALLEN ANGEL, HANGOVER SQUARE) as a mobster’s girlfriend on the lam in Mexico running into ex-pat American prize-fighter Robert Mitchum (OUT OF THE PAST, NIGHT OF THE HUNTER). Typically strong direction from noir stalwart Rudolph Mate (D.O.A., THE DARK PAST) – and look out for bad guy supreme Jack Palance, fresh off his career-making turn in SHANE.
6:45 pm MONEY FROM HOME – 1953, Paramount, 100 min. IB Technicolor Print!!
CAST: DEAN MARTIN, JERRY LEWIS
DIRECTED BY: GEORGE MARSHALL
COLOR: Color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Classic Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis farce – and their only film in 3-D – with the boys mixed up in a harebrained scheme to fix a horse race so Dean can pay off his gambling debts. This was the first of only two features shot in 3-D using three-strip Technicolor cameras (so literally six rolls of film were being exposed simultaneously!) In spite of the technical difficulties the 3-D is excellent – and we’re screening the only surviving dye-transfer Technicolor prints of the film for you here!!
+ short: MELODY (1953, Walt Disney, 10 min.)
COLOR: Color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
This excellent Disney cartoon depicts how music is born. Various methods including abstractions are used to trace the development of a musical composition.
9:45 pm CEASE FIRE – 1953, Paramount, 75 min.
CAST: Actual soldiers doing the actual fighting during the last days of the Korean War.
DIRECTED BY: OWEN CRUMP
COLOR: B&W
SHOWN WITH: LUMBER JACK-RABBIT
This amazing historical rarity was shot on location in Korea in 3-D, something that had never been done in a war zone before…and hasn’t been done since. Long considered a “lost” film in 3-D, this hadn’t been seen in over 50 years until it screened at the 2006 Expo.
+ short: LUMBER JACK-RABBIT (1954, Warner Bros., 7 min.)
COLOR: color
FORMAT: Dual 35mm
Excellent Bugs Bunny cartoon, directed by Chuck Jones. Bugs wanders into the land of giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan and his equally huge dog, searching for Bunyan’s mammoth carrot patch!