If you're a nerd like me you got your Academy of Motion Pictures brochure and you were delighted to see that there is a "Last 70mm Festival" happening.
First off, what is the Academy of Motion Pictures brochure? Basically they run some great series in their theater on Wilshire Boulevard, the most amazing being when they showed every Oscar winning picture from year #1 (Wings in I believe 1927) all the way through the current year, which at the time was 2002's Chicago. They show the movies in their impressive cushy theater, flanked by giant Oscar statues. (Which I would show a picture of but you can't take pictures inside.)
They've done other series too, such as the second place finisher for Oscars, Film Noir festivals, silent movies... Each movie costs $5, and they show rare shorts and special things before the movies. Sometimes they even have the actors, directors, etc. from the movie there for a panel discussion.
The best part is the curator, Randy. Randy puts together the programs, and he is very strict, admonishing the audience not to talk during the movies, not to leave early, and not to eat anything or drink anything. You would think people would dislike his rules, but they receive applause every time. I often wish Randy were at every movie house in L.A.
So what is the "last 70mm festival?" Basically 70mm was this great widescreen format from the 60s and 70s. Very few theaters are equipped to show them, or ever were. For many years, there were 70mm festivals that movie buffs would flock to.
Today, though, everything is going digital. So I imagine Randy's idea was, let's give one more go-round to the old 70mm prints before we leave them in the archive forever.
Of course the 70mm festival sold out immediately, but since I get the brochure I got two series passes to all the movies.
The first movie in the series was It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World.
The line to get in is always huge, and there is crazy security because there are usually celebrities there.
This is the line stretching around the corner, 90 minutes before the movie was to start.
You've got to get there early or you will have a terrible seat. Of course most of the good seats are roped off for VIPs anyway.
Speaking of VIPs, the emcee for the evening turned out to be Billy Crystal. He was absolutely hilarious and a superb interviewer, especially handling some stars who were old enough to be a little confused. Micky Rooney, Carl Reiner, Jonathan Winters, Stan Freeberg.... most of these folks had to be pushed out onto the stage in wheelchairs. Crystal was so smooth and somehow got every member of the panel to have a few moments in the sun.
I would have a photo or video of this but anyone who dared shoot was tackled by security. Well, not tackled but politely asked to not film.
However there is an article in the Huffington Post about it with a photo or two: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-weston/it-was-a-mad-world-last-n_b_1660933.html
And here: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/photo/22006/it-s-a-mad-mad-world-cast-reunite-at-filmfest
As for the movie.....frankly it is not really very good, way too long, and is somewhat dated. But it looked excellent on the huge screen, had awesome Saul Bass credits, and of course since it was filmed outdoors in L.A., it was fun spotting things like the California Incline in Santa Monica, the old Long Beach roller coaster, Solstice Canyon in Malibu.... all the way they looked in 1962.
Luckily, Randy (you remember Randy is the guy who puts this all together) said that since the "Last 70mm Festival" was so popular, it probably would not REALLY be the last one.
Here is the official website for the festival: http://www.oscars.org/events-exhibitions/events/2012/07/70mm.html
