My brother Warren works at UCLA and attended the screening over the
weekend. Here are his observations:
"Earthquake" was pretty much as bad as I remembered it. Possibly
worse. 12 year-old daughter Harper seemed a little bored while
watching it -- although she definitely got a kick out of the animated
"blood-spattering" shot which was overlaid across the bodies of the
victims at the end of the crashing elevator sequence.
Personally, I felt it was somewhat weird to be watching a movie with
Ava Gardner in it, but Charlton Heston was a dynamic 60's/70's hero, as
always. (Before they started showing "Earthquake", they ran a trailer
for Charlton Heston's film, "The Omega Man!") Although not much older
than Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner was supposed to be Charlton Heston's
wife. She was not in as good condition as Charlton Heston. It almost
seemed like it would be more appropriate for her character to be his
much older sister, or mother.
I had forgotten how creepy the character played by Marjoe Gortner was,
but found the performance by George Kennedy to be surprisingly
effective. Genevieve Bujold brought a touch of class to the cast, as
well.
It was a fairly decent print of the movie -- provided, I believe, by
Universal. The sensurround effect in the UCLA James Bridges Theatre
was pretty good, although I only noticed the effect three (3) times
during the screening, and would swear that I remember "experiencing" it
more than 3 times when I saw it in Arizona in 1974 (when I was 13). I
read that there are supposed to be six speakers (four behind the
screen, and two in the back of the theatre) for the full Sensurround
effect, and I believe that there were only three (in front of the
screen) set up for this screening. Good turn-out -- the theatre was
almost full.
The programmer who introduced the film mentioned that they originally
scheduled to show it at the Billy Wilder Theatre at the Hammer Museum
(in Westwood), but the Museum objected -- for fear that the Sensurround
might damage art pieces in the galleries above the theatre in the
museum.
* * * * *
Note: If you'd like to read about a terrific urban legend (How
Sensurround actually destroyed a movie theatre) check out this link,
esp. the last comment:
http://cinematreasures.org/theater/4371
Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com
___________________________________________________________________
How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List
Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L
The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
