If you’re like me and have any interest whatsoever in the history of the movies, then this collection is an absolute must for a number of reasons. 1) it dispels the notion that 3-D began back in the early 1950s (it was actually in 1915!). 2) it offers a remarkable array of different offerings with everything from early urban panoramas to an anti-nuclear documentary to a CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST cartoon. There’s even a jaw-dropping short burlesque film complete with full figured stripper and baggy pants comics. 3) it provides not only entertainment but is informative as well. 4) the 3-D isn’t necessary to be able to enjoy these 3-D rarities.
Of course anyone who has the capability of 3-D playback will find an added dimension to these offerings (sorry, couldn’t resist that one) but I, who can’t watch them in 3-D, was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the 22 short films that make up this Blu-Ray offering. There is something for everyone here. My personal favorites were the two 1940 offerings THRILLS FOR YOU, a look at how railroad locomotives were made and then a thrilling train ride courtesy of the Pennsylvania Railroad and NEW DIMENSIONS which enables the viewer to watch a 1940 Plymouth being assembled from start to finish through stop motion animation. Even seen flat (in 2-D) they have a lot to offer.
Other shorts that captured my attention include the promotional film for the Bolex 3-D home movie camera, the boxing match with its early replay scenario, the CASPER cartoon, and the burlesque short (burlesque comedy really was as bad as people say). The 3-D documentary DOOM TOWN was shockingly frank for the time and eerily prophetic. Then there were the numerous trailers for 3-D features. Back in the late 1970s when I was living in Charleston SC, a local arts cinema had a 3-D festival and I got to see the 2 Richard Carlson features IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE and THE MAZE. I would love to see them again as well as other 1950s offerings in the new digital 3-D process.
Maybe it’s just because I’m older now (I’m 63) but I find the older 3-D offerings more enjoyable than the new ones. Some of that has to do with the fact that not every 3-D offering today was conceived in 3-D only enhanced after the fact. Also today’s movies are so much LONGER and so much LOUDER. Anyway my deepest thanks to 3-D film Archives for lovingly restoring this treasure trove and to Flicker Alley for making it available. I wish that it were possible with this set to just put on your glasses and have the image available without all the special equipment. That would make these shorts accessible to everyone. Still, even without that capability, this collection still ranks as a must see if you’re a true movie geek.
The Capsule Critic 