My Big-Screen 70 mm Experience: Vertigo (1958) at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago, Illinois

by John Charet

A polite reminder before reading this blog entry of mine 🙂 I will not tolerate any insults or negativity towards any of the films or people I mention in this post. Any negative comments will be deleted, so I am politely asking you all to please be kind 🙂

-Sunday, September 15, 2024 – 2 pm-

On an absolutely gorgeous sunny afternoon on that aforementioned day and time above, I was absolutely filled with joy as I got to watch my number one favorite film of all-time on a big-screen in 70 mm. The film in question was director Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 American classic Vertigo. I saw a 2:30 pm showing at the historic Music Box Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. Before I get started with my thoughts, I would love to share a few awesome pictures that I posted below 🙂

This is my ticket for the 09/15/2024 2:30 pm showing for Vertigo in 70 mm 🙂

This is a picture of the original poster for Vertigo designed by the iconic Saul Bass 🙂 Of course it did not include that smudge on the left side 🙂

Behold – The Music Box Theatre in all of it’s glory 🙂

Below are two pictures of me standing in front of the Music Box Theatre – which picture do you all prefer? 🙂

I am full of happiness at getting to see Vertigo on a big-screen in 70 mm 🙂

Still full of happiness 🙂

Now this poster for Vertigo was from a February 15-28th 2013 showing on a big-screen in 70 mm, but I had to take a picture of it nonetheless 🙂

-My Experience Watching Vertigo (1958) on a Big-Screen in 70 mm-

First things first, Vertigo (or at least in my view) looks amazing on either a television (for me, an HDTV) or a big theater screen. Here, I will talk about my experience watching Robert A. Harris and James C. Katz’s 1996 restoration of the film that resulted in the 70 mm print that we have all watched ever since.

From iconic designer Saul Bass’s characteristically expressive title sequence to the denouement, Vertigo proved to be every bit as spectacular on a big theater screen in 70 mm as it has on my HDTV at home. Imagine the size of how the film is presented on a latter and then times it’s height and width by 10, 15, 20 or beyond and you get an experience resembling a pure spectacle (i.e. Lawrence of Arabia).

As just one of many people watching Vertigo that day in a huge theater room on a big-screen (If this was not a sold out showing, it certainly came very close), my viewing experience was not only every bit as involving there as it was at home, but in some ways, five times more so.

Each viewing of Vertigo involves me on not only an intellectual level, but a visual one as well. No surprise given that the 1996 restoration resulted in a 70 mm print of the film. When viewed on a big theater screen, the visual experience becomes even more exhilarating. Every exterior and interior makes one feel like a tourist visiting a landmark. While the same vibe can be felt when viewed at home, on a big theater screen, it comes off as more explicit. Same sentiments apply to the dolly zoom shots and the famed dream sequence.

Final word of note on this subject, like all truly great films, Vertigo offers something I did not notice on the previous viewing. In this case, it comes from the film’s use of lighting. The scene in question takes place in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. As John “Scottie” Ferguson (James Stewart) and Madeline Elster (Kim Novak) are walking, the lighting on Madeline’s white coat makes her look like a ghostly figure, which is fitting considering that her character thinks that she is possessed by a dead woman.

-On the Side-

After watching my number one favorite film of all-time, I looked at all the awesome posters on the walls in the lobby and below is a picture of one of many favorites 🙂

This poster was for a David Lynch Retrospective that was held from April 7-14 back in 2022.

-Click here to watch an incredible trailer for it.

I actually think this is one of the most beautiful homages to a fictional film and television character, which in this case is actress Sheryl Lee’s Laura Palmer from Twin Peaks. As one can see from the picture, it is a dollar donation jar. As my dear readers might have guessed, I am a huge fan of the films of director David Lynch, everything Twin Peaks related and Sheryl Lee. This picture was taken on July 21 of this year when I saw director Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai in a 4K Restoration on the big-screen.

I also wanted a picture of me holding the aforementioned donation jar and I got my chance. As one can notice, I am very happy in this photo. To this day, along with Nicolas Roeg’s Don’t Look Now, David Lynch’s Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me ranks for myself as one of the most emotionally powerful horror films ever made. As the beautiful and tragic Laura Palmer in the latter, Sheryl Lee gave a performance for the ages. Palmer’s descent into madness in that film always moves me to tears. As viewers, we want to reach into the screen to rescue Laura and then console her. Any director who can incite those feelings into us (in this case, Lynch) is doing something right.

This photo was taken today, but this Film Calendar is from the Summer of 2018 as one can deduce from the picture. In October of that same year, I saw director John Carpenter’s 1982 masterpiece The Thing in 70 mm.

Once Again, this photo was today, but this CINEPOCALYPSE calendar was from the Summer of 2018. I saw director Stephen Hopkins tightly-paced Chicago set 1993 Neo-noir action thriller Judgment Night there. I took a picture with Hopkins that has unfortunately been lost to time due to the fact taken on my old IPhone 😦 I do not know If it is just me, but director Alex Cox’s 1984 Sci-fi/Neo-noir/comedy Repo Man would be perfect for that. I do not know If CINEPOCALYPSE is still annually there though.

Back in August of this year (in this case 2024), the Music Box Theatre got a spectacular renovation that included drink holders – I noticed this when I saw Vertigo in 70 mm two Sundays ago 🙂 Click here to read more about it.

-Click here to watch this clever trailer (or lack thereof) for it 🙂

I picked up one of these Film Schedules back in July when I saw Seven Samurai there. I also saw the classic 1959 spy thriller North by Northwest (also directed by Hitchcock) in 70 mm back on August 11 of this year. That last title was part of their Summer of 70 mm series.

-Click here to watch the trailer for it.

I picked up one of these Film Schedules when I saw Vertigo in 70 mm two Sundays ago.

-In Closing-

All in all, I want to thank Chicago’s Music Box Theatre for the wonderful time I had watching my number one favorite film of all-time (in this case Vertigo) on a big-screen in 70 mm. All of you keep up the great work as always 🙂

-If any of my dear readers are interested in more info, click here to watch an 11-minute video celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Music Box Theatre from the Summer of 2019.

-Further Reading-

Click here to read my 2022 blog entry regarding My Top 10 Favorite Films of All-Time

Click here to read my 2023 blog entry regarding My Top 10 Favorite Horror Films of All-Time

Click here to read my 2023 blog entry regarding My 100 Favorite Films (1-100)

Click here to read my 2024 blog entry entitled Vertigo (1958) – A Ten-Part Personal Essay Written By Me

Click here to read my 2024 blog entry wishing actress Sheryl Lee a Happy 57th Birthday

-Questions for My Dear Readers-

1.) Name one of your favorite films that you have watched on a big theater screen? (70 mm or otherwise)

2.) Describe the excitement in your own words what it was like watching it on a big theater screen. What was it like?

3.) What theater/theatre did you see it at?

4.) As a follow-up to question #3, was there anything in the theater/theatre lobby that interested you (i.e. poster or otherwise)?

50 thoughts on “My Big-Screen 70 mm Experience: Vertigo (1958) at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago, Illinois”

  1. Awesome post, John! I prefer the second pic of you in front of the theater—I can see the pure joy effervescing right outta you!

    I, too, adore the Music Box. One of my favorite atmospheric elements is their vintage organ that is played live before performances. That, and their marvelous, billowy red curtain. Talk about building a mood!

    This is definitely a more mainstream choice, but seeing Jurassic Park on the big screen was epic. The moment when the T-Rex lets out a mighty roar, all the seats would tremble, and you had the sense of being very nearly swallowed alive! Pure exhilaration for a dino fan such as myself! I don’t recall the theater or the lobby of that viewing, but I do remember the thrill of that literally larger-than-life experience.

    Keep being awesome, good sir!

    Genevieve

  2. Thank you for the wonderful and thoughtful reply 🙂 That is why I posted both pictures. I wanted to see If one preferred the first or the second picture of myself 🙂

    The Music Box Theatre is undoubtedly fantastic and yes, atmospheric as well 🙂 I too love that billowy red curtain 🙂 It certainly does built a mood 🙂 Whenever I hear it, it brings me joy 🙂 For example, those piano keys that sound akin to that of an accordian gives me a joyful akin to that of a child watching Ms. Rachel 🙂

    As for Jurassic Park, I hear what you are saying 🙂 According to Guinness World Records, Jurassic Park remains the highest grossing monster movie of all-time. Interesting isn’t it? 🙂 I would not be surprised If the dino’s roar was so loud that it made those sitting in their seats tremble 🙂 Same sentiment applies to the feeling of being swallowed alive 🙂 Very visceral indeed 🙂 I too was a dinosaur fan growing up myself – I used to collect toys of them as you know 🙂 The original Jurassic Park would be an interesting one to see on a big-screen – 70 mm or not 🙂 Remembering the thrill of a larger-than-life experience is always a wonderful thing 🙂

    Once again, thank you for your kind words 🙂

    Johnny 🙂

    Btw, here is the link that says Jurassic Park remains the highest grossing monster movie of all-time 🙂

    https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/102307-highest-grossing-monster-movie

  3. Great post John, I really enjoyed reading about your experience, and seeing photographs of the theatre. In fact I like everything you shared here from the program covers, to the posters in lobby, right down to your admission ticket. The Laura Parker donation jar was the icing on the cake. I really do envy you having a special place like The Music Box Theatre where you can watch your favourites the way they were intended to be seen.
    Like Bad Mamma Genny above, I too have good memories of seeing Jurassic Park at The Palace cinema in my home town. Even as an adult the anticipation of the appearance of the T-rex was something special. The Palace was a traditional cinema with seats in the balcony and an intermission for drinks. Although the building is still there it must be going on twenty years since a film was last shown. It’s sad but I’ll always have the memories.

  4. Thank you for the kind words as always Paul S 🙂 I just loved that Laura Palmer donation jar 🙂 Given that I am a huge fan of the films of director David Lynch and actress Sheryl Lee, that is probably not surprising 🙂 At the same time, (and I mentioned this in the blog entry), I see it as a beautiful homage to the character. I do not know If it is just me, but everytime I go there, I will put a dollar in that jar 🙂 In fact, If she were a real person, I could see the donation jar looking similar to that. Given how Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me always moves me to tears, I always feel tempted to put $20 dollars in her donation jar as opposed to a dollar or $5 dollars. Whenever I watch the film, it makes me want to reach into the screen to console Laura Palmer. We want to hug her and rescue her from descending into madness. Any film that achieves that is doing something right 🙂

    Along with Genny, now you have me tempted to watch Jurassic Park on a big-screen because both of your experiences must have been that visceral to choose as a standout 🙂 I shall be on the lookout 🙂 Btw, was The Palace the same cinema house you saw director MIchael Mann’s 1995 crime opus Heat at? 🙂

    I do not know If you live in the London area of the UK, but they have a cinema house that shows old and new stuff entitled “The Prince Charles Cinema” – here is a link below and thoughts on anything else? 🙂

    https://princecharlescinema.com/

  5. A wonderful old cinema being put to great use, and a nice photo of you looking very happy! One thing about ‘Vertigo’ worth mentioning is that the title is not accurate. Acrophobia is the fear of heights that is the cornerstone of the film, and Vertigo is a medical condition where balance is affected by issues within the ear. (I have Vertigo, and it can be very distressing. But I am not afraid of heights) I should have taken that up with Hitchcock before he died. 😊

    Best wishes, Pete.

  6. Yes I did see Heat (twice) at The Palace Cinema. Off the top of my head other films I saw there were, Casino, Terminator 2, True Lies, The Rock, Pulp Fiction and Unforgiven, which was re-released after it won best film at the Oscars. The last film I ever saw there was one of the Lord of the Rings films.

  8. Why thank you for the kind words Pete 🙂 Is there a theatre that you want to mention that brought you joy? 🙂 I am aware that you saw Lawrence of Arabia in 70 mm on a big-screen and for you (or anybody for that matter) it must have been a spectacular experience 🙂

    I heard that too that Acrophobia and Vertigo are two different things. As to why Hitchcock called it Vertigo instead of Acrophobia, that is something one should have asked Hitchcock about because Vertigo is different from that. My guess (educated or uneducated) is that he wanted a potent title for it and given that John “Scottie” Ferguson (James Stewart) suffers from vertigo as well, Hitchcock (allegedly) may have thought viewers will not know the difference between the two, but there are those that do like me, you and some others 🙂

    Btw, I hope this is not too personal of a question, but do you get vertigo frequently or just sometimes? The thought of it is undoubtedly upsetting because the whole thing with the eardrum, but I am just interested 🙂

    October 1st is today and that means Halloween month 🙂 Speaking of which, I watched some Hammer films recently (Terence Fisher is the best, but some of the other directors there did great stuff with horror too) and I do not know If it is just me, but they give off a seductive vibe – I think part of it stems from the use of color 🙂 Thoughts on everything above? 🙂

  9. I sure did June 🙂 Any film you saw (70 mm or otherwise) on a big-screen that you love and If so, what theatre was it? 🙂 Anyway, how has your hiatus been? I ask because I know you were absent from your own site for a while 🙂

  10. Wow – truly great films that you saw there Paul S 🙂 I also noticed that two great 1995 films (or at least for me because they were released in the US first) happened to be ones you saw – MIchael Mann’s Heat and Martin Scorsese’s Casino 🙂

  11. My favourite cinema as a child was the nearest one we could walk to from home, a real ‘Art Deco Palace’. My parents took me every week, and I got my love of films inside there. It was demolished in 1984. This short article shows it. https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/25544 As for Vertigo, I have good days and bad days. I try not to lie flat on my back or look up for too long, as both make me dizzy. I can no longer climb ladders in case I become disorientated and fall, so have to pay contractors to do most things. Hammer films often have obvious sexual/sensual/voyeuristic elements. I recently re-watched ‘Lust For A Vampire’, which is a good example. It is part of what is known as ‘The Karnstein Trilogy’, and all are worth watching and enjoyable. Best wishes, Pete.

  12. Great post and great memories!

    Sadly, Northern Ireland doesn’t have a wealth of old world Cinemas like the US or England does. The town I grew up in only got a Cinema in the mid 90s – I assume with The Troubles there was always a risk of them getting attacked. The town I live in now did have a historic Cinema, but it was bulldozed before I moved here. That was more then 10 years ago, but it’s still an empty space – such a waste!

  14. I haven’t seen anything in that format, but should I get the opportunity it would (of course) be noir. I’ve just started the autumn hiatus, I usually do it in the summer. But this was an unusual year with illness and death in the family, so a break is really needed 🙂

  15. Goodness John what a great post. Love those big super happy smiles. And the Music Box theatre looks divine. Plus how cool with the Laura Palmer pic. Big Twin Peaks fan here and really loved the new editions to the saga too. Never expected that to ever happen let alone be so bonkos good. Top post JC

  16. Hi John

    My experience was seeing The Birds at the AMC as part of TCM’s film programs.

    I feel the way about The Birds they way you feel about Vertigo (I also feel that way about Vertigo) but I always has a connection to The Birds. By the time I saw it at the AMC River East 21 I had probably seen it at least 20 time. The thrill of seeing it in the theater was 1) you couldn’t pause it which forced you to give yourself over to the film and really get immersed in it. and 2) seeing the compositions of the film the way Hitchcock meant it to be seen – the disaster at the gas station was super impressive.

    Thanks for your wonderful post

  17. Thank you for not only the kind words Mitchell, but your fairly detailed analysis on The Birds 🙂

    I think it is awesome that you got to see The Birds as part of TCM’s film programs at one of the AMC theaters, which in your case, was the River East 21 🙂 Has the number of times you have seen The Birds increased since then? 🙂 I 100% agree with you about the thrill of seeing The Birds on a big-screen 🙂 As for your reason number 1 regarding giving oneself over completely to it, that is not surprising given how The Birds has been more or less implicitly (or explicitly) summed up as Hitchcock’s purest expression of cinematic form. I also love your second reason. The gas station explosion sequence in the wake of that bird attack when watched on a big-screen gives off an aura of the kind of spectacle usually reserved for epics like David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia 🙂 Thoughts? 🙂

  18. Nice to see you on here Wolfie 🙂 Thank you also for the kind words 🙂 Glad to hear that you are impressed with the Music Box Theatre 🙂 The Laura Palmer donation jar is indeed awesome 🙂 Equally awesome to see another big fan of both director David Lynch and Twin Peaks on here 🙂 Speaking of which (though you probably knew this already), did you know that actress Sheryl Lee (who played Laura Palmer) was also in John Carpenter’s 1998 horror/neo-western entitled Vampires? 🙂 I loved it, but then again, I am also a huge fan of both director John Carpenter and actress Sheryl Lee 🙂 I do not know If you clicked on one of my links under the “Further Reading” section, but I composed a list of my Top 10 Favorite Films of All-Time (in honor of Sight & Sound magazine’s then annual poll of the greatest films ever made) and Twin Peaks: The Return (season 3 in this case) ranked at number 8 on my list 🙂

    Thoughts Wolfie? 🙂

  19. Interesting answer June 🙂 Would it be traditional noir (i.e. film noir) or contemporary noir (i.e. neo-noir)? 🙂 Blade Runner is a science-fiction film, but given that it centers around a detective, one could call it a neo-noir as well. I say this because I think was shown one time in 70 mm, but I got to confirm that 🙂 So sorry to hear about a death in your family 😦 I hope you are doing well 🙂 Any further thoughts? 🙂

  20. So sorry to hear that you have been deprived of what could have been an exhilarating experience for you carlosnightman 😦 I do not know where you live in the UK, but both the BFI Southbank and the Prince Charles Cinema are located in London and they show old and new types of films of all kinds – mainstream, obscure, art, independent films, you name it 🙂 I am familiar with the troubles of Ireland during that time – The I.R.A and what not? Either way, you deserve an exhilarating experience like what I just mentioned 🙂 Thoughts? 🙂

  21. No way carlosnightman 🙂 You have been to Chicago? 🙂 You must have visited the United States a few times? 🙂 What did you think? 🙂 Thank you for the links 🙂 I read them both and the theaters in Ireland looked wonderful and it just makes me cry realizing how most of them are now gone 😦 If it is not political turmoil (I.R.A. attacks), then something else shuts them down, which more recently seems to be the high popularity of streaming. I have nothing against that, but seeing something on a big-screen in a theater is just pure joy 🙂

    Btw, what did you think of that Laura Palmer donation jar given that like myself, you are also not only a huge fan of director David Lynch and Twin Peaks, but actress Sheryl Lee as well 🙂 Thoughts? 🙂

  22. Thanks for the info Pete 🙂 The Art Deco Palace does look beautiful based on the picture of it 🙂 That’s nice that your parents took you every week to see a film 🙂 As for your cases of vertigo, I am relieved to hear that you have good days as well and I hope the bad days do not get too overbearing for you 🙂 I have seen all of those Hammer films 🙂 In fact, Lust for A Vampire was on recently and I love that one as well 🙂 The women in those films are just gorgeous 🙂

  23. Yeah, that’s why I imagine what my vision of the perfect Cinema would be, because I never really got to experience the majesty of those early 20th Century, or earlier, theatres.
    In my more nerdy moments, I input a lot of my thoughts into ChatGPT, and it spits out the results – what art style the exterior and interior would be, what sort of film seasons they would have, what merchandise would be available. If I were a billionaire, I’d definitely open a chain of Cinemas aiming to capture that essence of grandeur, the feeling of walking into a theatre for the first time and seeing the big screen, but also have a range of the modern releases, cult hits, lesser known indies, and movies from all eras from all over the world. It might not be profitable, but I wouldn’t care – I’d still be a billionaire!

    I’m not sure I’ve ever been to a Cinema in London… I still live in Ireland but have been to London a few times. I’ve been to other theatres in England, but don’t remember the names. I remember watching Nolan’s Insomnia in some small place in Liverpool, for example.

  24. Yeah, I’ve been to Chicago a few times, but not for a while now. One of my friends from here got married to a woman from Illinois, and now they live close to Wisconsin border. Honestly, in my mind as TV gets more money and has better quality, I wouldn’t have an issue watching some TV shows on a big screen – Twin Peaks for example. Going back to my Billionaire example, I’d have screens specifically for TV and for live sports, somehow. I think it would be cool to do some TV marathon – you could show a series of connected episodes, like the TP pilot and the final episode as a single feature. But I’m letting my imagination run away with me 🙂

    I loved your pictures, and the tip jar was a cool touch. If I had my cinema, I’d have a memorabilia shop with items of that nature to buy, not just posters but more curio type things like what you find on Etsy.

    The cool thing about the Cinema in the town I grew up in is that they always had a stack of free posters for every film they showed, so as you were walking out you could grab one for whatever you just watched. I must still have a stack of them at my parents’ house. They weren’t full size, more like A4 or A3.

    I just happened to Google to see if there were any interesting stories about that Cinema – didn’t find any – but I did find this link which concerns a couple of tiny cinemas from the town next to where I grew up: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/tudor-cinema-northern-ireland/index.html

    I’m not 100%, but I think I was taken to these when I was young, though it could have been a previous incarnation. It was definitely in the same town as I remember going in the car to and from – literally five minutes journey from my town. I remember watching, of all things, 3 Men And A Baby at one of these. Anyway, that’s a cool article, makes me want to go check it out again as an adult.

  25. Carlosnightman, your vision of the perfect cinema showing every single thing imaginable is the vision that all of us on this earth have in common 🙂 I think I read a post on your blog regarding that years ago and I loved what I saw, but I can’t remember whether or not I replied to it 🙂 Also, tell me something, during the months of October, would you ever do a Hammer Horror marathon? 🙂

  26. Gotcha Carlosnightman 🙂 So one of your friends is married to a woman from Illinois – that is interesting 🙂 As for your views of television on a big-screen, I would love to see Twin Peaks on there 🙂 I love your billionaire imagination and everything you mention serves as music to my ears 🙂

    I knew you would love not only the pictures, but the Laura Palmer memorial jar 🙂 In all honest and I mentioned this in the post, The Laura Palmer Memorial Fund tip jar is not only awesome, but I also see it as a touching homage to a tragic character 🙂 I say somewhere in this post that all of us want to reach out to console Laura Palmer and give her a big hug 🙂 I also love your idea of a memorabilia shop relating to cinema memorabilia and everything 🙂

    I agree with you about posters 🙂 Whenever I see a collection of old ones all over a cinema house, I feel like a kid in a candy store 🙂 Equally awesome that you own some of them, even though they remain at your parents place 🙂

    Thank you for that awesome story about those twin Irish filmmaker cinema lovers Noel and Roy Spence 🙂 I was intrigued when I read that Boris Karloff’s daughter Sara Karloff is a regular visitor to their Art Deco cinema 🙂

    Here is a video link to an interview the twin filmmakers did last year – click the link below 🙂

    https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/roy-noel-spence

  27. Aww, that’s a great interview. I messaged my older brother and he confirmed that we went to the brothers’ cinema a few times when we were kids – he’s a few years older than me so remembers more about it.

    I’d love to have been in that interview when the guys were asking the hosts if they had heard of Invasion Of The Bodysnatchers etc, because obviously I would have been saying ‘yes, one of my favourites – there are still people out there who watch and love movies from that era’. Then again, it sounds like the hosts are a bit younger than I am, but even in my teens and childhood I was trying to watch whatever I could get my hands on. The brothers seem like they would be great to just sit and chat with for hours.

    Having said that, I’m like anyone from Northern Ireland in that we hate hearing our own accent on TV, radio etc. Like nails down a chalk board! I don’t sound exactly like these guys, but not far off 🙂

  28. Hmm, that’s maybe one for the future
    Honestly, there are a lot of Hammer films I haven’t seen, and I own very few. I’d like to buy a box set, but never seem to have the funds.

    I’m doing an October marathon at the moment – one horror review each day. It’s a mixture of movies I’ve watched recently, and those I’d seen years ago but just hadn’t written about.

  29. Great post, John. Some amazing film experiences shared. I recall seeing a big cinema print of Barry Lyndon a few years ago, but think that was 35mm.

    I did think the 70mm print of The Hateful Eight was a truly memorable experience, despite much of the film taking place in a cabin!

  30. Interesting Paul 🙂 Awesome that you got to see Barry Lyndon on a big-screen 🙂 I bet it was a truly exhilarating experience 🙂 Do you remember what theatre it was? 🙂

    I agree with your take on the 70 mm print of The Hateful Eight – that was amazing 🙂

  31. Hi John, I saw Barry Lyndon on the big screen at the Prince Charles Cinema in London 😀
    If you get a chance watch the documentary Scala. I saw so many amazing and cult films there in the late 80s/90s.

  32. I enjoyed reading that, John. You clearly had a great time at the showing, and why wouldn’t you?

    I have never, to the best of my knowledge anyway, seen a movie projected in 70mm. On the other hand, I’ve been able to see quite a few classic movies on the big screen. I saw Vertigo in Athens, Greece maybe ten years ago in one of the outdoor summer cinemas, probably in Kolonaki but I can’t be sure now. It was of course a great experience, but it was dampened a little by the reaction among a few in the audience to the climactic scenes – they seemed to find it funny! What can one say?

    I’ve also seen To Catch a Thief in another Athenian outdoor venue, just below the Acropolis, and that was an ideal venue for it. And a few streets away, I recall taking my then girlfriend to see Casablanca – she had never seen it before. She loved every moment of it and her enthusiasm certainly added to my own enjoyment.

  33. WordPress may be playing tricks on me again – I posted a comment last night on some theatrical screenings I’ve had the pleasure of attending, and then it promptly disappeared.

    Anyway, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen anything projected in 70mm, although I have seen a fair few classic movies on the big screen over the years.
    I recall seeing Vertigo some years ago in one of the outdoor summer cinemas in Athens, Greece. It may have been in Kolonaki, but I can’t say for sure now. I had a great time overall, which is not unexpected, but I remember being a bit dismayed by the reaction of a handful of people in the audience at the climax – they seemed to think it was funny!

    I also saw To Catch a Thief in another outdoor cinema in the city, basically at the foot of the Acropolis, which was a near perfect setting.In another cinema a few streets away I recall taking my then girlfriend to Casablanca, which she’d never seen before. She loved the movie and her enthusiasm for it just added to the enjoyment of the experience.

  34. Actually I didn’t know about Sheryl Lee in “Vampires!” I should of but do now. haha thanks you. I think after “Escape From LA” I tended to steer clear of Carpenters films. So I missed “Vampires” when it came out but did see “Ghost of Mars” and thought, yep that’s me done LOL… Sounds like now, I reckon I will enjoy “Vampires” much more than now. Esp if Laura Palmer is in it. Added to the list. NO I hadn’t seen that link. So it’s great to hear you also enjoyed the TP Return as much as me. I believe it was the episode “Got a Light?” the insanity inducing B&W flicking hobo nuke one that blew my socks clean off. Probably the maddest piece of television I’ve ever seen.

  35. I just recovered your first reply Colin 🙂 I will reply to both of them nonetheless 🙂

    One thing I am absolutely sure about Colin is that the print you did see of Vertigo was in 70 mm. I say this because when it was being restored, Harris and Katz had all the tools to elevate the print they were using to 70 mm and VistaVision was reportedly compatible with it. I read somewhere that VistaVision may have served as something of a pre-cursor to 70 mm. As for the laughs of a few people during the climax, If you ask me, they are simply idiots. They are probably the same type of people who laugh during a screening of a Douglas Sirk film. I think some people feel that melodrama or operatic drama (for lack of better word) would play (wrongfully in their view) as comedy today or in the late 20th century. As awkward as a comparison this is, they might compare it to the over-the-top comedy of Jim Carrey. With all due respect to Carrey of course. Back to the topic, do not let those few tarnish your experience because those audience members are simply ignorant. As you know, I was left devastated by the finale. Glad to hear that your experience watching Vertigo on a cinema screen was exhilarating though 🙂

    An outdoor screening of To Catch a Thief outdoors would especially be fitting on a sunny summer day 🙂 The lightheartedness and the beautiful scenery is worthy of a resort and as each scene moves to the next, you feel like a tourist 🙂

    As for Casablanca, that is undeniably one of (If not) the most quotable film ever made 🙂 Glad to hear that she loved the film 🙂 When the film was over, did you whisper “here’s looking at you kid” to her? 🙂

    So all of these classic films that you saw on a cinema screen was when you were visiting Athens, Greece – awesome 🙂 I bet that, Kolonaki and Acropolis are beautiful 🙂

    Further thoughts Colin? I ask because you are always truly interesting to listen to 🙂

  36. I just recovered your first reply Colin 🙂 I will reply to both of them nonetheless 🙂

    One thing I am absolutely sure about Colin is that the print you did see of Vertigo was in 70 mm. I say this because when it was being restored, Harris and Katz had all the tools to elevate the print they were using to 70 mm and VistaVision was reportedly compatible with it. I read somewhere that VistaVision may have served as something of a pre-cursor to 70 mm. As for the laughs of a few people during the climax, If you ask me, they are simply idiots. They are probably the same type of people who laugh during a screening of a Douglas Sirk film. I think some people feel that melodrama or operatic drama (for lack of better word) would play (wrongfully in their view) as comedy today or in the late 20th century. As awkward as a comparison this is, they might compare it to the over-the-top comedy of Jim Carrey. With all due respect to Carrey of course. Back to the topic, do not let those few tarnish your experience because those audience members are simply ignorant. As you know, I was left devastated by the finale. Glad to hear that your experience watching Vertigo on a cinema screen was exhilarating though 🙂

    An outdoor screening of To Catch a Thief outdoors would especially be fitting on a sunny summer day 🙂 The lightheartedness and the beautiful scenery is worthy of a resort and as each scene moves to the next, you feel like a tourist 🙂

    As for Casablanca, that is undeniably one of (If not) the most quotable film ever made 🙂 Glad to hear that she loved the film 🙂 When the film was over, did you whisper “here’s looking at you kid” to her? 🙂

    So all of these classic films that you saw on a cinema screen was when you were visiting Athens, Greece – awesome 🙂 I bet that, Kolonaki and Acropolis are beautiful 🙂

    Further thoughts Colin? I ask because you are always truly interesting to listen to 🙂

  37. Sheryl Lee is every bit as beautiful in Vampires as she is in Twin Peaks Wolfie 🙂 I actually love almost all of John Carpenter’s films, though his 1978 TV film Elvis, Memoirs of an Invisible Man and Village of the Damned were only good as opposed to great 🙂 Yes, please do check out Vampires because regardless of your feelings of the film on a whole, Sheryl Lee will undoubtedly stand out as a positive 🙂 Check out those links when you have the time Wolfie 🙂 As I mentioned in the blog entry, I am a huge fan of both director David Lynch and actress Sheryl Lee 🙂 When it comes to American cinema (yes, I am aware TP: The Return aired on television), for me, it will be hard to top that as the crowning achievement of 21st century American cinema/television 🙂 The episode “Got a Light?” blew my socks off as well 🙂 I summed up that Twin Peaks: The Return was simultaneously Lynch at his most expressive and experimental. This episode is a perfect example of the latter 🙂 I totally agree that it is probably in your eloquent words – “the maddest piece of television I’ve ever seen.” Truer words have never been spoken 🙂

    Additional thoughts Wolfie? 🙂

  38. No, the viewing of Vertigo wasn’t spoiled for me. I was somewhat bemused at the time though. My own reaction has always been very different to that – I respond well to melodrama and have the greatest respect for it but I think postmodernism has led some people in the opposite direction, sadly.

    By the way, those screenings I referred to weren’t during trips or visits. I’ve lived and worked in Athens for close to 27 years now. There are generally opportunities to catch classic movies on the big screen when the outdoor cinemas operate in the summer months, and they tend to play to packed houses.

  40. Wow, you have lived and worked in Athens, Greece for 27 years – that is awesome Colin 🙂 So you have probably lived there since either 1997 or 1998 🙂

    Please tell me, are the indoor theaters that show classic films in Greece full of memorabilia on the walls and stuff (i.e. posters etc.)? 🙂

  42. The indoor cinemas have less in the way of classic material – they close down in the summer when the classics tend to get their reruns. And of course some of the better ones are no longer there. One of the best was damaged in an arson attack on an adjacent property over a decade ago and still hasn’t reopened. Then coming up on two years ago the Ideal, which was housed in part of the old Schliemann (of discovering Troy fame) property was closed and narrowly avoided being turned into a hotel.
    That said, one of the outdoor venues in the Plaka district Cine Paris does have a nice line in vintage advertising material lining the walls of the foyer and staircases.

  43. This sounds amazing, John. I’m so glad you had such a wonderful time at the screening. Great photos! Alas I’ve never seen a film in 70mm but can imagine how incredible it looks on the big screen. Vertigo and North by Northwest in particular were made for the big screen I’d say.

    That Laura Palmer jar is random, but as a massive Twin Peaks fans I love to see it. So glad to own the Twin Peaks Entire Mystery Blu-ray boxset. Best release of the series in my opinion.

  44. Thank you for the kind words Maddy 🙂 You would have a wonderful time watching Vertigo and North by Northwest on a cinema screen 🙂 Speaking of the former, Harris and Katz 1996 Restoration was actually elevated to 70 mm, so the version we all have been watching since then was a 70 mm print 🙂 Nevertheless, it is always awesome to see a 70 mm film on a cinema screen 🙂

    I just had to have a picture of me with that Laura Palmer donation jar because like you, I too am a massive fan of Twin Peaks, director David Lynch and actress Sheryl Lee 🙂 I too own the Twin Peaks Entire Mystery boxset and I also own season 3 from 2017 entitled Twin Peaks: The Return – it aired on Showtime here in the United States 🙂 As you probably know already, I placed it at number 8 on my list of my Top 10 Favorite Films of All-Time 🙂

  46. Pingback: John Charet’s Top 10 Favorite Film Noirs of All Time – cinematiccoffee

  47. I love the pictures of you in front of the theater. What a fantastic movie house! Yes, you look very happy and excited. I would love to view Vertigo in 70mm. Or I would love to see it on the big screen in it’s original 35mm.

    As for as my experience with 70mm…I saw the remake of Murder on the Orient Express. I was disappointed. Oh, it looked amazing! The photography was glorious, but it otherwise paled in comparison to the Sidney Lumet original.

    I saw 300 at the IMAX, back in the day. I know the film gets a lot of grief from cinephiles, but I enjoyed the spectacle of it.

    I saw Hitchcock’s Rear Window on the big screen back in the 80s. That was awesome!…and I saw The Dark Knight in IMAX on vacation in Orlando. That was a fantastic cinematic experience.

    Finally, I saw John Sayles Lone Star at the Belcourt Cinema here in Nashville. The Belcourt is our Music Box. I loved Sayles’ A Brother From Another Planet and Lone Star’s cinematographer photographed one of my all time favorite films, Jane Campion’s The Piano, so I was keen to see it on the big screen.

    Those are some of the films that I’ve seen on the big screen that stand out to me. Oh, yeah…Jaws. I saw it when it came out in theaters. Fantastic!

  48. Why thank you for the kind words as always Pam 🙂 Vertigo on the big screen is simply a spectacular experience in any format 🙂

    Been a while since I saw both versions of Murder on the Orient Express so I will have to check them out again 🙂

    Regardless of it’s critical standing, one has to admit that 300 is indeed fun to watch 🙂

    Given how Rear Window serves as a metaphor for watching a movie, seeing it on a big screen must have been amazing 🙂 I see you saw The Dark Knight in IMAX while vacationing in Orlando 🙂 That must have been very exciting to see a Christopher Nolan film in that format 🙂 Btw, did you get to see Oppenheimer? 🙂

    I just looked up The Belcourt online and I see that tonight they played two 1940’s noirs – Gilda from 1946 and The Third Man from 1949 🙂 Not only I, but I know you would have loved to go see that 🙂 The cinematographer of Lone Star is Stuart Dryburgh and yes, The Piano is a masterpiece indeed 🙂

    As for Jaws, that is always exciting to watch on a big screen 🙂 Thank you for sharing Pam 🙂 Any additional thoughts? 🙂

  49. Pingback: R.I.P. David Lynch (1946-2025) – cinematiccoffee
  50. Pingback: 16 Romantic Film Recommendations (In Chronological Order) – cinematiccoffee

Leave a comment