Cinerama screens

[Larry]

I have seen all the movies which carried the Cinerama logo (3 strip
and 70mm ) which were shown in the U.S. except Best of Cinerama - in
U.S. ,Canada, Mexico, Thailand, Philippines and Japan. Over 20
theaters in all. Most of these screens were 146 degrees and louvered.
The Indian Hills theater in Omaha as far as I know had the largest
screen about 125 by 35, louvered and 146 degrees. Some of the screens
I saw were significantly smaller but I don't recall any 3 strip that
were sheets. Of course several theaters which projected 70mm were
solid sheets. I agree that the original Cinerama experience was
breathtaking. I have never been to Bradford so I cannot evaluate
their presentation. The Dome and Seattle, while the best we have
currently available in the states, both do have problems as many
people are happy to point out. I have seen the true 3 strip, 70mm
conversions and digital reconstuctions at the Dome. Considering the
age, poor storage conditions and general disinterest in the films,
they are impressive. A few years ago I thought I would never see any
of the travelogs again, let alone in Cinerama. Dave Strohmaier and
others have done a terrific job in bringing these back to us in a
format which at least significantly approaches the original
experience. I for one am happy that any effort is being put forth to
save these films in any format.

[Derek Gee]

Post by Larry
I have seen the true 3 strip, 70mm
conversions and digital reconstuctions at the Dome. Considering the
age, poor storage conditions and general disinterest in the films,
they are impressive.

Wish you'd posted this in the "What is the curve..." thread. Can you add
anything further to your comment about the digital versions?

Derek

[Larry]

I have seen all the movies which carried the Cinerama logo  (3 strip
and 70mm ) which were shown in the U.S. except Best of Cinerama  - in
U.S. ,Canada, Mexico, Thailand, Philippines and Japan. Over 20
theaters in all. Most of these screens were 146 degrees and louvered.
The Indian Hills theater in Omaha as far as I know had the largest
screen about 125 by 35, louvered and 146 degrees.  Some of the screens
I saw were significantly smaller but I don't recall any 3 strip that
were sheets.  Of course several theaters which projected 70mm were
solid sheets.  I agree that the original Cinerama experience was
breathtaking.  I have never been to Bradford so I cannot evaluate
their presentation.  The Dome and Seattle, while the best we have
currently available in the states, both do have problems as many
people are happy to point out. I have seen the true 3 strip, 70mm
conversions and digital reconstuctions at the Dome. Considering the
age, poor storage conditions and general disinterest in the films,
they are impressive. A few years ago I thought I would never see any
of the travelogs again, let alone in Cinerama.  Dave Strohmaier and
others have done a terrific job in bringing these back to us in a
format which at least significantly approaches the original
experience.  I for one am happy that any effort is being put forth to
save these films in any format.

I have seen the digital restoration of Windjammer on the large screen
at the Dome. This was presentes in a "flat" version as opposed to
Smilebox since that screen is curved. The digital projection was not
able to completely use the Cinerama screen but I would estimate at
least 90% of it. I had a pirated copy of Windjammer with no
restoration at all and recorded from a screen projection (I don't
know when or where). The color was terrible, very poor matching of
sections and generaly only only watchable as a memory. The digital
restoration had excellent color, join lines were virtually invisible -
all in all a fine presention of an old movie. Although not a match
for the original presentation, a wonderful effort and I am looking
forward to seeing the remaining travelogs presented on the Dome screen
this fall.

[CineSIght]

Post by Larry

I have seen all the movies which carried the Cinerama logo  (3 strip
and 70mm ) which were shown in the U.S. except Best of Cinerama  - in
U.S. ,Canada, Mexico, Thailand, Philippines and Japan. Over 20
theaters in all. Most of these screens were 146 degrees and louvered.
The Indian Hills theater in Omaha as far as I know had the largest
screen about 125 by 35, louvered and 146 degrees.  Some of the screens
I saw were significantly smaller but I don't recall any 3 strip that
were sheets.  Of course several theaters which projected 70mm were
solid sheets.  I agree that the original Cinerama experience was
breathtaking.  I have never been to Bradford so I cannot evaluate
their presentation.  The Dome and Seattle, while the best we have
currently available in the states, both do have problems as many
people are happy to point out. I have seen the true 3 strip, 70mm
conversions and digital reconstuctions at the Dome. Considering the
age, poor storage conditions and general disinterest in the films,
they are impressive. A few years ago I thought I would never see any
of the travelogs again, let alone in Cinerama.  Dave Strohmaier and
others have done a terrific job in bringing these back to us in a
format which at least significantly approaches the original
experience.  I for one am happy that any effort is being put forth to
save these films in any format.

I have seen the digital restoration of Windjammer on the large screen
at the Dome.  This was presentes in a "flat" version as opposed to
Smilebox since that screen is curved.  The digital projection was not
able to completely use the Cinerama screen but I would estimate at
least 90% of it.  I had a pirated copy of Windjammer with no
restoration at all and recorded from a screen projection  (I don't
know when or where).  The color was terrible,  very poor matching of
sections and generaly only only watchable as a memory.  The digital
restoration had excellent color, join lines were virtually invisible -
all in all a fine presention of an old movie.  Although not a match
for the original presentation, a wonderful effort and I am looking
forward to seeing the remaining travelogs presented on the Dome screen
this fall.

Hey Larry, You want to comment on the merits and/or drawbacks of
digitally projecting straight vs. smilebox on a Cinerama curved
screen? Especially considering the Dome screen is not the same degree
of curve as the others, and smilebox is probably trying to represent
the original 146 degree curve... and to mention the oft-overlooked
the elephant in the dome/room: how much does that big belly affect the
geometrics of the picture in any case?

[Larry]

Post by CineSIght

Post by Larry

I have seen all the movies which carried the Cinerama logo  (3 strip
and 70mm ) which were shown in the U.S. except Best of Cinerama  - in
U.S. ,Canada, Mexico, Thailand, Philippines and Japan. Over 20
theaters in all. Most of these screens were 146 degrees and louvered.
The Indian Hills theater in Omaha as far as I know had the largest
screen about 125 by 35, louvered and 146 degrees.  Some of the screens
I saw were significantly smaller but I don't recall any 3 strip that
were sheets.  Of course several theaters which projected 70mm were
solid sheets.  I agree that the original Cinerama experience was
breathtaking.  I have never been to Bradford so I cannot evaluate
their presentation.  The Dome and Seattle, while the best we have
currently available in the states, both do have problems as many
people are happy to point out. I have seen the true 3 strip, 70mm
conversions and digital reconstuctions at the Dome. Considering the
age, poor storage conditions and general disinterest in the films,
they are impressive. A few years ago I thought I would never see any
of the travelogs again, let alone in Cinerama.  Dave Strohmaier and
others have done a terrific job in bringing these back to us in a
format which at least significantly approaches the original
experience.  I for one am happy that any effort is being put forth to
save these films in any format.

I have seen the digital restoration of Windjammer on the large screen
at the Dome.  This was presentes in a "flat" version as opposed to
Smilebox since that screen is curved.  The digital projection was not
able to completely use the Cinerama screen but I would estimate at
least 90% of it.  I had a pirated copy of Windjammer with no
restoration at all and recorded from a screen projection  (I don't
know when or where).  The color was terrible,  very poor matching of
sections and generaly only only watchable as a memory.  The digital
restoration had excellent color, join lines were virtually invisible -
all in all a fine presention of an old movie.  Although not a match
for the original presentation, a wonderful effort and I am looking
forward to seeing the remaining travelogs presented on the Dome screen
this fall.

Hey Larry, You want to comment on the merits and/or drawbacks of
digitally projecting straight vs. smilebox on a Cinerama curved
screen?  Especially considering the Dome screen is not the same degree
of curve as the others, and smilebox is probably trying to represent
the original 146 degree curve...  and to mention the oft-overlooked
the elephant in the dome/room: how much does that big belly affect the
geometrics of the picture in any case?- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

I can't really compare straight vs smile box on a certain screen. My
understand is that if the movies will be projected digitally on a
curved screen (and I don't know what the definition of a curved screen
is - probably 126 - 146 degrees although I would assume there are
very few deeply curved screens left) will be projected straight since
the curve does not need to be simulated. If the venue has a flat
screen the smilebox version will be projected to simulate a curved
screen. I am aware that opinion is divided as to smile box. I
personally prefer it but I am sure many purists don't like it - just a
matter of taste. My main thing is that the travelogue features
apparently will be available for viewing in some format after about 60
years. Like everyone else I would like to see a pristine restored
print projected on a huge louvered 146 degree screen but that is never
going to happen. I have never seen a film projected on any screen in
the Dome other than the one currently in use so I cannot evaluate the
difference between three strip, 70 or 35mm film or digital. That
being said, if I have the choice I much prefer a film presentation
over digital. But then I prefer vinyl over digital music also.