Access Atlanta > Movies > Blog > Archives > 2005 > September > 23 > Entry
Watching a film from the middle can end up badly
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Mr. Smithee,
Thank you for just being here and being you!
In the “good ol’ days,” one went to movies at any time they wanted. If you hit in the middle of a film, you simply sat there until it came around again. Today, that isn’t possible.
Did you ever have this mid-movie experience and what did you think of the system?
Donald Clare Vice, Marietta
Dear Last Shall Be First,
I’m not sure which movie theater you are venturing into these days, but I can inform you that enterprising individuals - once they get into the door and past the initial megaplex ticket-taker - often can see pretty much what they want.
Note the key word here: enterprising.
I don’t advocate flagrant abuse of the system, but if I’ve parked my double-wide into a screening room and if the movie just happens to turn out to be bad, my backside and I will go find a new perch pronto.
In other words, these days I’m moving fairly frequently.
But beware. I recall the day when my sons, D.W. and Cecil B., were wee lads. We went to see “Super Mario Bros.” Talk about making “Gigli” look like an Oscar contender.
I left the boys with their mum and stuck my head into another screening room. Lucky me. It was “Cliffhanger.” There was Sly Stallone dangling from a mountain, and me wondering how I got from a bad movie to a worse one.
But I digress …
The practice you are talking about happened a lot in the 1930s and ’40s. That was before television. Maybe Hollywood makes more money now, but back then they sold more individual movie tickets.
Earlier this year, I got a DVD for “Dillinger” (1945), about the life and death of the notorious gangster John Dillinger. Its pivotal scene illustrates exactly what you are talking about.
The Lady in Red (though in black and white, the film makes sure to include dress color in the dialogue) and Dillinger, who’s been in hiding, go to the movies. They arrive in the middle, watch the end and later on, see the beginning. That’s when she says, in effect, “This is where we came in. Let’s go.”
Of course, she’s laid a trap. The feds are outside and Dillinger gets filled full of lead.
So, you see, there are disadvantages to not seeing a movie the way it was made to be seen.
Alan
P.S. You get my “Dillinger” DVD and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
We really enjoy your column. We attended the Telluride Film Festival in 1992 or 1993. There was a movie starring Donald Sutherland and I believe directed by Sven Nykvist. The theme was mountain climbing and it was very good. I have checked two movie guides for actor and director but could find neither. Can you ID this movie? I would like to get it on DVD if available.
Gerard Hermann, Stuart, Fla.
Dear Cliffhanger,
I’m partial to several of Donald Sutherland’s movies - and sometimes son Kiefer’s, too. But you’re looking for one I haven’t seen. It’s “Cerro Torre: Schrei Aus Stein” (1991), aka “Scream of Stone” in North America. I don’t think it ever opened in the United States. And it was directed by Werner Herzog.
Good luck finding it in any format that works in America. There are European PAL formats out there, including a VHS-PAL that appears to be available at www.wernerherzog.com.
As for Donald’s films, I recommend “M.A.S.H.,” “Klute,” “Johnny Got His Gun,” “Don’t Look Now,” “The Day of the Locust,” “Animal House,” “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” “Ordinary People,” “JFK,” “Six Degrees of Separation” and, especially, “Eye of the Needle.”
As for Kiefer, I like “Stand by Me,” “The Lost Boys,” “Young Guns,” “A Few Good Men” and, especially, “Dark City.”
Alan
P.S. You get a “Grizzly Man” water bottle and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
MR. SMITHEE’S VERY SPECIAL MAILBAG:
One letter writer deemed worthy of getting an answer from Mr. Smithee last week - Danny Elliott of Warner Robins - writes again: Mr. Smithee’s response to my e-mail about “Hoosiers” and Kevin Costner/”Dances With Wolves” cracked me up! I don’t usually like being the butt of a joke, but I enjoyed Mr. Smithee shredding my letter more than you can possibly imagine. I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t get a movie T-shirt, but I will wear the “Alan Smithee” T-shirt with great pride. Thank you, Alan Smithee. I’ll get you yet…
Mr. Smithee writes back: No one appreciates a good sport better than me. Check the mailbox soon, Danny. Coming are T-shirts for “Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride” and “Lord of War.”
Have a question for Mr. Smithee?
E-mail him at alansmithee@ajc.com or go to accessatlanta.com and click on Movies. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number. Mr. Smithee can’t reply to every request, but inquiries chosen for publication will receive movie-related prizes.
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