Cinerama’s Golden Head and Tale of Old Whiff (2 Viewers)

[OliverK]

The 70mm blow-up of GONE WITH THE WIND and shown on a full-sized Cinerama screen,would have to be a low point in 70mm.

The pan and scan version of Julius Cesar blown up to 70mm has to be up there, too - hideous.

 

[DP 70]

Did anybody see The Concert For Bangladesh at the Casino in 70mm blown up from 16mm.
I have only seen a 35mm 4 track stereo version., but i bet the 6 track stereo on the 70mm was really good.

 

[RolandL]

... As for NORWAY, I recall that Kino has the rights to NORWAY now but they don't know what to do with it.

I think they said some restoration would be required and they would not re-coop the cost of it.

 

[RichMurphy]

I think they said some restoration would be required and they would not re-coop the cost of it.

As I posted on the Kino thread, "calling David Stromaier!"

 

[john a hunter]

I survived the first 5 minutes of Kwai at the Casino before walking out and getting my money back . It was headache inducing.

 

[B-ROLL]

Flicker Alley was kind enough to email me this ...
LIMITED-TIME SPECIAL DISCOUNT: $29.95 through their website

Spoiler

Flicker Alley, in partnership with Cinerama Inc., invite audiences to pre-order and experience the 10th Cinerama feature production. Newly restored, The Golden Head was originally shot in Technirama for release in 70mm Cinerama and now beautifully restored in a premium never-before-seen Blu-ray/DVD dual-format edition.

The Golden Head
Deluxe Blu-ray/DVD Dual-Format Edition
SPECIAL PRE-ORDER SALE PRICE: $29.95 (M.S.R.P. $39.95)

1965 / Directed by Richard Thorpe / 115 minutes / COLOR / Hungary, London & United States / Restored by David Strohmaier

UPC: 6-17311-68609-2

Largely unseen since its original theatrical release in 1965, and almost never shown in the U.S., The Golden Head is somewhat of a Cinerama mystery, not only in its "Emil and the Detectives"-style plot, but in its history as a unique, multi-national, and nearly "lost" widescreen wonder.

A British-Hungarian-American production, the film takes place in and around Budapest, and follows the adventures of the Stevenson children: Milly, Michael, and Harold. In Hungary with their father, a British inspector attending an international convention of criminal investigators, the kids stumble upon a plot hatched by two thieves (Buddy Hackett, in his first role since the success of It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, and George Sanders), to steal the golden bust of Saint László from the Cathedral of Gyór and smuggle it out of the country. The Stevenson trio trails the thieves through Budapest and beyond in what amounts to a widescreen tour of the culture and landmarks of Hungary, highlighted by crazy chase scenes of earthy humor and elements of slapstick comedy.

Notoriously replaced by Flying Clipper (aka Mediterranean Holiday) after an 8-week theatrical run in London, The Golden Head was rarely seen ever again. Now, thanks to a brilliant, new restoration by Cinerama Inc., the 70mm Technirama can be enjoyed by all alongside the other critically acclaimed Blu-ray and DVD publications in Flicker Alley's Cinerama collection.


BONUS MATERIALS INCLUDE:

• Fortress of Peace - A short film directed by John Fernhout, portraying the Swiss Army fighting against an unnamed, unseen enemy which originally screened theatrically in front of The Golden Head.
• A Tale of Old Whiff - A Tale of Old Whiff - Originally in Smell-O-Vision, a 70mm cartoon where a dog, named "Old Whiff", searches for a dinosaur bone.
• Restoration of Golden Head - A featurette narrated by David Strohmaier about the new restoration of this Cinerama title.
• Restoration of the animation, A Tale of Old Whiff - A featurette narrated by David Strohmaier about the restoration of this animated classic.
• Image Gallery - Featuring original production, exhibition and promotional materials.
• Trailer Gallery - Featuring restored Cinerama titles.
• A booklet facsimile reproduction of the original premiere program.

 

[RolandL]

The 70mm blow-up of GONE WITH THE WIND and shown on a full-sized Cinerama screen,would have to be a low point in 70mm.

It played for over 7 months at the Hartford Cinerama theatre. Not sure if other theatres surpassed that.

 

[rsmithjr]

GWTW was shown in 70mm at the Capri Theatre in Des Moines (a superb house BTW). I think it was there for 3-4 months.

I saw it when I was back home on Christmas break, and it actually looked pretty good and sounded even better. At that time I had only seen GWTW in the 35mm Eastman Color 4-track prints from the 1960 release. As I recall, people loved it at the Capri.

 

[cinemiracle]

Has anybody received THE GOLDEN DEAD bluray yet? Mine was posted yesterday.

 

[john a hunter]

I Like your renaming of this film, Peter.
From what I have heard, it could be very accurate.

 

[cinemiracle]

I Like your renaming of this film, Peter.
From what I have heard, it could be very accurate.

Silly me-I should have checked my spelling before posting it . There are plenty of other 70mm films that I would like to see on bluray rather than GOLDEN HEAD which was virtually unseen and forgotten.Strictly a curiosity item for those interested. I will be interested to see just how many people actually like the film after seeing it on bluray.BLACK TIGHTS would have been great to see on bluray.Saw it in 70mm on it's original release. Sadly the dvd quality is disappointing

 

[Robin9]

.BLACK TIGHTS would have been great to see on bluray.Saw it in 70mm on it's original release. Sadly the dvd quality is disappointing

"Disappointing" is a major understatement! There are two DVDs and both are atrocious. Being a big fan of Cyd Charisse, I'd love a high quality Blu-ray disc.

 

[cinemiracle]

Got THE GOLDEN HEAD bluray to-day. It only took a week to arrive from the USA. Postage cost was very expensive when ordering from Flicker Alley.Most expensive ever paid from the USA to Australia- about $US25.
Watched the extras and they were all very interesting. Didn't bother watching the cinerama trailer films as I had seen them all before. Started to watch the film (10 minutes) and found it very slow moving.Will watch the rest tonight. The enclosed booklet was very interesting and a great addition to the package. Surprised that no other HTF users have reviewed the film yet as it has been available for almost a couple of weeks .

 

[RichMurphy]

Surprised that no other HTF users have reviewed the film yet as it has been available for almost a couple of weeks .

My copies were supposedly put in the mail ten days ago, but have yet to arrive in Virginia. It took seven days to go from Flicker Alley to their local post office, according to the tracking number they provided.

 

[ahollis]

Mine are out for delivery today. I know what I’m doing tonight.

 

[cinemiracle]

I watched the film last night.The restoration was exceptional-superb quality. The extras were also very informative.The film was okay but very predictable and with a paper thin storyline.If the film was shot in 35mm it would not have lasted more than a week in major cities -maybe two if it was shown in school holidays.. Has there ever been another film that was only shown in 2 cinemas then disappearred ? I could not see the point in it being filmed in 70mm.

 

[moviepas]

I ordered mine today from DD with their 15% off sale along with the two Universal Silents. I may or may not get Flying Clipper later as I have had the German 4K(UHD) version for some time now.

 

[ArnoldLayne]

Watched mine and was very impressed. I blow it at 120" and the SmileBox format and video quality were on full display. It's a cute and fun film, of course it's not masterpiece theater, and neither was that expected. I'm very pleased to add this to my collection- I have all the FA SmileBox releases. Can't wait to watch the animated feature next. Thanks FA and Strohmaier!

 

[john a hunter]

Did Golden Head look like it was intended for Cinerama or shown in that process just because in was 70?
In other words, any POV tracking shots, etc?

 

[Patrick McCart]

Just got my copies yesterday.

In case anyone was wondering, Flying Clipper is literally the German release with Flicker Alley artwork on the discs. I watched a few minutes of the UHD disc and it looks good for being from a 70mm print. Lots of audio options - the main ones are for the American release version and original German, both with DTS-HD HR 5.1, DTS-HD HR 7.1, and Dolby Atmos options. Most of the extras appear to be in German, but there's optional English and German subtitles. In a nice touch, Busch added the Cinerama-style curtains to the beginning to play over the overture. The booklet is a re-creation of the Mediterranean Holiday program.