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Passenger Information >> Boarding Deck - Forward Section >> Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files http://sf.theboard.net/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1334368597 Message started by L.A. Connection on Apr 13th, 2012 at 8:56pm |
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Title: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Apr 13th, 2012 at 8:56pm
Great Marathon (and Orson Welles) memorabilia courtesy of one of our 2 marathoners who have been to EVERY marathon! (Simon is the other)
Here's a 3D oldie that was shown at the Welles (and two other local venues - never heard of Chet's myself)........ |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Jon on Apr 23rd, 2012 at 10:47am
I remember seeing these 3-D films at the Welles - early 1980s, right? I also remember taking my young son and nephew to another set of 3-D movies at the Brattle slightly thereafter - Black Lagoon and that other film, shot on a crater rim, with Richard Carlson. (Both youngsters are now in their 40s!) The prints weren't great and we all got headaches for our trouble (and my money). Still, we had fun.
Thanks for posting this ad. :) |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Frank on Apr 24th, 2012 at 12:32am Jon wrote on Apr 23rd, 2012 at 10:47am:
That would have been It Came From Outer Space. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Jon on Apr 24th, 2012 at 3:05pm
[/quote]
That would have been It Came From Outer Space.[/quote] Yes. Yes, it would have been. In fact, it was. It did (come from outer space...). I knew someone would get that. Thanks, again! ;) I remember so many things - so poorly, and yet so vividly.... :D I had occasion to see a demo of 3-D big-screen TV the other day. I put on the glasses, and switched them on. Well, what a revelation! There was a football game on -- at least I assume it was football, because I was so intrigued by the effect of the light snow coming down in front of the action that I couldn't focus on what game it was, though retrospectively; outdoors, cold weather - it was probably football. The juxtaposed dimensional visuals were everything for that brief bit of time. I was lost in the snowflakes, as it were (one flake drawn to others, you might say....) |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Apr 26th, 2012 at 7:25am
[quote author=10721D721F333232393F283533325C0 link=1334368597/0#0 date=1334368597]Great Marathon (and Orson Welles) memorabilia courtesy of one of our 2 marathoners who have been to EVERY marathon! (Simon is the other)
Here's a 3D oldie that was shown at the Welles (and two other local venues - never heard of Chet's myself)........ Chets was actually a small bar/club above the Penalty Box bar which was across from the old Boston Garden. I can only imagine what the Creatures appearance must have been like there. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Apr 26th, 2012 at 7:29am
Sorry for the delay posting pics here but I am still awaiting info on exactly how to do it.
I can't post pics directly here and linking with the ones on Facebook just leaves a link showing here. Any help please? |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Metaluna on Apr 26th, 2012 at 8:12am
You need some kind of host like Photobucket to upload your pix to. You can link from there. If you don't want to deal with setting up an account you can send me the pix and I can post them and send you the links you can use. PM me if you want to go that route.
Or you can post links to facebook as long as your album is public. It doesn't pretty up the place as nice but it gets the job done. |
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Title: SF1 ad Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 14th, 2013 at 4:19pm It all started here (unless you worked at the Orson Welles Cinema and knew it was coming.) A xerox of the full page ad that ran in The Boston Phoenix announcing that the Welles was playing host to a 24 hour science fiction film marathon. At the time it was going to be a one-shot deal and if you were a sci-fi fan this was a lineup of films that was hard to resist. Both cinemas sold out the day of the show and so a 12 hour mini marathon (Night Flight) starting at midnight was added in the third cinema. Pre internet, pre VHS, pre widespread cable, heck it's even pre Presidents Day, this was back when we celebrated Washington and Lincolns birthdays separately! Sorry it's cut off at the top, this was copied from the Boston Public Library's microfiche file. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Jan 14th, 2013 at 4:21pm
Ultra Cool!
I think we should bring back the 34 cent per film price! ;) |
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Title: SF1 film program Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 14th, 2013 at 4:32pm The Orson Welles Cinema had a rack with handout ads for upcoming movies, reviews on current ones and mentions on festivals and film programs they were running. This is the one for the first marathon which also was used as a film schedule by attendees. I never pass up mentioning that 'This Island Earth' is described as " one of the STARTREKIEST!" |
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Title: SF1 ticket Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 14th, 2013 at 4:48pm Behold the boarding pass/meal ticket to the very first sci-fi marathon. If you saw 10 of the 14 pictures shown you were entitled to a free champagne brunch at The Restaurant at The Orson Welles which was the official name for the restaurant at the Orson Welles. (Sorry, another joke I cannot resist.) The staff expected a handful to be eligible, it looked like more than half of the total crowd earned entry to the brunch. They begged and borrowed enough food for everyone. As I recall the brunch was scrambled eggs, potatoes, a roll, and possibly sausage or bacon. Plus a glass of champagne to toast surviving. No one complained, it was too much fun and we were all too tired. Plus we all figured it was a one time experience and the staff of the Welles had been great. |
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Title: SF2 ad xerox Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 14th, 2013 at 5:09pm Another xerox from the BPL microfiche. Mainly posted so you can read the descriptions. |
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Title: SF2 newsprint ad Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 14th, 2013 at 5:34pm The actual ad on actual newsprint. I wonder how the Welles staff reacted when they found out there was going to be a second sci-fi marathon. The Day the Earth Stood Still becomes the only film to be deliberately shown 2 years in a row. This was also the first use of Gort standing on the banks of the Charles River as a marathon icon. Hu-Man is now considered something of a lost film. The handwritten numbers are me determining the order the films would be shown in cinemas 1 & 2. |
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Title: SF2 film schedule Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 14th, 2013 at 5:53pm Another handout and the closest thing we had to a schedule for the early marathons. A chalkboard inside the lobby would announce the next movie in each cinema. Once again it sold out the day of the show and so Night Flight 2 was added. Hu-Man can stay lost, way too arty for my tastes. We were treated to trailers for 2 upcoming releases Ralph Bakshi's Wizards (the War part of the title was removed before the trailer was made.) And George Lucas' Star Wars. Believe it or not Star Wars did not go over to unanimous acclaim from the crowd. Seeing the early trailer it is kind of silly in places. See for yourself here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEDFGzqMgpI and Wizards too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcnQ7Dlk_Ks |
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Title: SF2 ticket Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 14th, 2013 at 6:02pm Even more people survived to get access to the brunch. I think we actually exceeded the restaurants capacity and had to wait to get in. I was starting to crash so I stayed for the champagne toast and then headed home. One thing I cannot remember, did they say there would be an SF3 then? |
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Title: SF3 ad Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 15th, 2013 at 6:41pm The third marathon. By this time I was convinced it was going to be a yearly event. The Welles is stressing tickets are on sale in advance and that the event would be in Cinema 1 AND 2. It sold out again on the day of the event and Night Flight 3 was added. |
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Title: SF3 film list Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 15th, 2013 at 6:53pm The flyer for SF3 that was given out at the theater. Again it's the closest thing to a program we had even though there are no times on it. Of course this one is remembered by marathon vets because of They Came From Within. At the showing in Cinema 1 it almost emptied the place with maybe 20-30 folks left when it ended. How upsetting was it? It was so upsetting that the Cinema 2 show was cancelled and replaced with the original Night Of The Living Dead which of course features graphic flesh eating zombie types. |
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Title: SF3 ticket Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 15th, 2013 at 6:58pm The first marathon with no survivor brunch. Not sure if the restaurant was gone by then or it just was too expensive. The dots on the ticket make me think one was planned originally though. This was also the first marathon to sell out before the day of the show, or at least early that day. I remember arriving to hear sold out announcements and was glad I bought my ticket early. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 15th, 2013 at 7:34pm Earliest writeup/review I have of the marathon from The Boston Phoenix. Michael Sragow (who went on to Atlantic, The New Yorker and wrote a couple of books) does a good review of the event and even give the identity of the collector who was nice enough to show off his movie memoribilia at the event. |
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Title: SF4 films Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 15th, 2013 at 8:45pm My only surviving souvenir from SF4. Dedicated to legendary Red Sox pitcher Bill 'Spaceman' Lee who they set up a phone call to during the 'thon. True to his spacey nature he never answered the call. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 15th, 2013 at 8:53pm SF5 another one I lost most of my collection from. At the time computer printouts were rarely seen outside of businesses so doing the schedule on one was pretty futuristic. The first 'R' rated film shows up, well part of one at least as we got an excerpt from Invasion of The Bee Girls. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Frank on Jan 15th, 2013 at 9:08pm da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 15th, 2013 at 8:53pm:
Well the first "R" rated film showed up at SF 3, the already mentioned They Came From Within, which was Rated R. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 15th, 2013 at 9:50pm Frank wrote on Jan 15th, 2013 at 9:08pm:
Good point, maybe I should have said first R rated film they were worried about because it was considered a sexy type R as opposed to violent. |
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Title: Rated R: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Jan 15th, 2013 at 10:01pm
Actually, ZARDOZ was rated R from the first Marathon.
T & A. Not to mention this scary sight.......... |
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Title: Re: Rated R: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 22nd, 2013 at 11:03pm L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 15th, 2013 at 10:01pm:
Good Lord it's like someone put a picture of James Bond and a Bond girl into a blender. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Frank on Jan 22nd, 2013 at 11:24pm
Scary is right. Connery is using a Webley-Fosbery revolver chambered for .455 or .38 and is carrying a bandolier with rifle ammunition and no rifle in sight. When Zed expends the ammo in the Webley, he is in for a very scary time indeed.
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Title: SF6 movie list Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 23rd, 2013 at 8:57pm SF6 movie list and descriptions on OFFICIAL Orson Welles Cinema stationery. We get a fairly new film as Battle Beyond The Stars had been on screens the year before, plus Mad Max from 2 years back. The Day Mars Invaded Earth a film that will live in infamy at a later marathon. |
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Title: SF6 schedule Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 23rd, 2013 at 9:07pm SF6 schedule. This may have been the first year Night Flight was scheduled right from the start. The marathon itself was a complete sell out again. If you were planning on switching cinemas you had to wait till after midnight when some folks would leave. A real odd selection this year. I ended up seeing Battle Beyond The Stars twice. Hellstrom Chronicles was interesting but got booed when it was revealed Dr Hellstrom was just an actor. |
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Title: SF7 film schedule Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 24th, 2013 at 12:11pm SF7 schedule on a different Orson Welles Cinema stationery. Another early sell out with Night Flight added right from the start. After getting a tease of the film we get the entire Invasion of the Bee Girls. Slithis turns out to be really dull putting everyone to sleep, that is until the actor playing the local police chief comes on screen. This guy seems to mover EVERY muscle in his face with any word he says and those watching wake up their friends to see him. |
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Title: Re: SF6 schedule Post by Frank on Jan 24th, 2013 at 12:23pm da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 23rd, 2013 at 9:07pm:
Once again Cinema 2 had problems. Something went kaput with the 16mm projector and the order of films had to be changed and we waited and waited through a blank screen until the problem was resolved. Unfortunately, we then got hit with a bunch of b/w films back to back and many fell asleep. I was particularly bummed because it was my first go round with It! and I slept through most of it. |
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Title: Buttons 1 Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 24th, 2013 at 12:27pm The tradition of marathon buttons actually started at SF6, I bought a It Came from The Orson Welles button instead. (anyone have an SF6 button to display here?) |
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Title: Re: SF7 film schedule Post by L.A. Connection on Jan 24th, 2013 at 12:54pm
SF/7 did have some funky scheduling. I was in Cinema 1, so the schedule issues were minimal. Believe it or not, there was some controversy over showing ALIEN because it was released "only" 2 1/2 years before! Back then, the Marathon was almost always a revival house program with the few "recent" movies being stuff like HU-MAN or LAST DAYS OF MAN ON EARTH which weren't exactly blockbusters like ALIEN. We also screened the underrated QUATERMASS CONCLUSION in perhaps its only U.S. theatrical showing ever as it went straight to video.
During the showings of ISLAND OF TERROR and CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED (an unsung mini-classic) some of the "hey, it's an old movie let's mock it" crowd got to be real yahoos during any suspense sequence. So, when ALIEN showed, some of us who appreciated the old stuff got back at the mockers by "giving away" when stuff was about to happen in ALIEN. Believe it or not, some of the mockers hadn't seen ALIEN (hey, it was when videotape was an infant), so they hated that. Someone shouted out, "Truce! Don't make fun of the old stuff! You don't like it now do you?!!" (or something to that effect). Funny, we had a discussion about SLITHIS a couple of years ago. Yes, it did suck at the Marathon. But, when it showed at a Grinhouse fest here in L.A., one of our Ohio Marathoners and I attended it went over like gangbusters with the current crowd. Sometimes, nostalgia works in odd ways. da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 24th, 2013 at 12:11pm:
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Title: Re: SF7 film schedule Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 24th, 2013 at 3:42pm L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 24th, 2013 at 12:54pm:
Yeah, that was the reason I moved my headquarters to Cinema 2. Cinema 1 had this weird combination of making fun of the classics and not enjoying comedy. I'd still wander over to see what was coming up which is how I saw They Came From Within. |
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Title: Re: SF7 film schedule Post by L.A. Connection on Jan 24th, 2013 at 3:49pm
Yeah, I know someone who went to the first few Marathons but said he stopped going because of the mocking that the INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN got at SF/4 in Cinema One.
I guess it just proves that it isn't just a recent phenomena where a certain portion of the crowd just thinks it's OK to razz anything that was made before they were born. Although, I would argue that it has gotten worse over the years because of home video, cable and the internets. da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 24th, 2013 at 3:42pm:
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 26th, 2013 at 6:50pm SF8, another early sellout. Some nice rarities being shown. Message From Space and Cyborg 2087 still have never come out on video. |
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Title: SF8 movie list Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 26th, 2013 at 7:00pm SF8 movie list. The original Godzilla film in it's Japanese version with subtitles was a rare treat and the film came off more as a serious drama than a monster movie. The silent version of The Lost World with a live accompanist is something most of the crowd has never experienced before (me included.) Really shows the Welles crew will go the extra mile for us. |
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Title: SF9 schedule and film list Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 26th, 2013 at 7:06pm SF9, yep, sells out again and early. Another good lineup with some recent stuff like Outland and Star Trek TMP and Flash Gordon along with lots of classics. Planet of The Vampires makes a return appearance and the legend of "Mark" begins. Always wondered why Mull the monster from Frankenstein Meets The Space Monster was pictured on the schedule. Maybe the film was booked at one point? |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Jan 26th, 2013 at 7:15pm da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 26th, 2013 at 6:50pm:
Good news for MESSAGE FROM SPACE fans - it IS finally coming out on DVD in the USA in April from Shout Factory. CYBORG 2087? Who knows outside of bootlegs and an old British VHS. CYBORG was back in the days when the Welles showed 16mm prints which opened up possibilities to project on Film. I helped find GODZILLA after reading a tiny NY Times article on a showing there. Bruce B did most of the detective work on tracking down the print. When the print arrived, someone on the staff said it looked like scotch tape had been used for splices! I laughed a few years ago when Rialto went around the country saying that its release in 2004 was "the first time ever shown in America!" The Marathon had it in 1983! |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 26th, 2013 at 7:22pm L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 26th, 2013 at 7:15pm:
Shout Factory is a great company releasing a lot of rare & oddball stuff. I would not be surprised for them to offer a glowing walnut with the DVD if you order direct from them. Cyborg 2087 had everyone walking around while they looked at their watches after it showed. Both those comments make little sense to anyone who ain't seen the films. :P |
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Title: Re: SF8 movie list Post by David the Projectionist on Jan 27th, 2013 at 3:29pm da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 26th, 2013 at 7:00pm:
Whell!...........thanks! >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( I mean, you do realize they had four or more operators running those shows back then, right? Whereas here at the Somerville, I'm flying solo? And theres no one around to replace me, as my craft is literally dying in front of us? But I'll make a note to remember not to go the extra mile for you.......real soon. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Jan 27th, 2013 at 3:40pm
Whoa, there. Da Bunnyman has been going since the first year. I don't think he was slighting the Somerville or any other venues. He was just pointing out that for many in the theater, not many had experienced a live musical performance for a silent up until that point.
P.S. Da Bunnyman isn't a sarcastic sort, either. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by David the Projectionist on Jan 27th, 2013 at 3:45pm L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 27th, 2013 at 3:40pm:
Sarcasm & teasing, they do not translate well on boards..... |
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Title: Mark! : Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Jan 27th, 2013 at 3:54pm da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 26th, 2013 at 7:06pm:
Actually, the "Mark!" cries date back to the SF/3 screening of PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES. However, the SF/9 re-appearance definately cranked up the ubiquity of the "Mark!" call-outs. It has been a staple of the Marathon ever since. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by kirok on Jan 27th, 2013 at 4:50pm
the mark shout had all but vanished until someone brought in a "MARK" projector. 2 or 3 marathons thereafter "planet of the vampires" was featured for a third time
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Title: MARK! : Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Jan 27th, 2013 at 5:02pm kirok wrote on Jan 27th, 2013 at 4:50pm:
I wouldn't say it ever "all but vanished", because PLANET was again shown at SF/10. I do think it was at 10 that the "Mark" projected image on the movie screen appeared. The "Mark!" cries have existed ever since. It was last shown at SF/28 - time for a return "Mark!" engagement?? After all, there's a new generation of Marathon attendees who have never experience the "Mark!" count. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by R_F_Fineman on Jan 27th, 2013 at 6:27pm Quote:
...mark...[/quote]Kirok: ..."MARK"...[/quote] LA:...return "Mark!" engagement??[/quote] I say bring back Colonel Shikishima. After he "Rrrrrrr"ed his way through "Akira" at SF 16 the growl got attached to every militaristic character on the screen culminating in: "Looks like you picked the wrong rec room!" -Michael Gross in "Tremors" |
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Title: Re: SF8 movie list Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 31st, 2013 at 9:50pm David the Projectionist wrote on Jan 27th, 2013 at 3:29pm:
Now now Dave, I'm taking things as they happen in this memorabilia history. Only projectionist I ever met at the Welles was Hal "Captain Xenon" Wagner who had a very strict definition of science fiction when I brought some trailers for SF10. When we change theaters your work on some of the constantly changing formats will be mentioned. |
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Title: SF10 36hr announcement Post by da_Bunnyman on Jan 31st, 2013 at 10:07pm OMG! Wait this was before the internet so it was more like OH MY GOD!! 36 frigging hours of Sci-fi movies! YES!!!!!!! I don't think anything ever came from the Frequent Flyer Bonus Plan. And where in space was Captain Mark Markary lost? |
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Title: Re: SF10 36hr announcement Post by L.A. Connection on Jan 31st, 2013 at 10:19pm
Fun. I don't ever remember the "frequent flier" discount ever coming to fruition?
But, I DO recall the fact that a lot of sandwiches got leftover and the concession stand being more threadbare the last 2 years at the Welles. And, the Costume Contest? My memory banks are slipping.... da_Bunnyman wrote on Jan 31st, 2013 at 10:07pm:
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Title: SF10 booklet Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 1st, 2013 at 6:42pm The SF10 movie program/schedule. For the first time it's an actual booklet, and I'm in it. At the time I was working for the big cinema company in Boston (can't remember what they were calling themselves at the time.) But I had amassed a huge collection of 35MM trailers thanks to some friends over at National Screen Service and lent some to the marathon. As always an early sellout and Night Flight was still 12 hours. A pretty great mix of classics along with a big recent film and an obscure one. |
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Title: SF10 survivors passport Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 1st, 2013 at 7:08pm My SF10 survivors passport, with all the proper stamps this entitled you to join in the champagne toast at the end. We started 12AM Saturday and ended Monday at noon. It was a freezing cold night to start off and at that time you had to get there very early to get a good seat. To this day I swear there was someone with a full size bed set up at the front of the line. |
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Title: Re: SF10 booklet Post by David the Projectionist on Feb 1st, 2013 at 10:56pm Youll notice theres a list of five projectionists needed to run those shows! Herb Nipson is still around, working at Emerson. Fred Robbins passed away a long, long time ago. Strange dude, but thats nothing unusual in this craft. Have no idea whatever happened to Ena Urbach; havent heard a word about her in forever. Wen-Ti is still around, but retired many years ago. Hal Wagner fell off the face of the earth. Boy, could I tell you a few stories about him! The booths at the Welles were a fairly easy, straight-forward gig. Centurys in 1, E7s in 2, & Supers in the basement in 3, as I recall. Mono in all houses. Limited number of aspect ratios, four at most. A far cry from what I have to deal with! |
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Title: SF/10: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Feb 2nd, 2013 at 2:41am
Yes, it is weird whatever happened to chief Welles projectionish Hal Wagner. He continued to attend the Marathon for several years at the Somerville and then the Coolidge. I know that Major Tom has tried to stay in touch, but, he seems to have disappeared.
So, did we indeed have a costume contest at SF/10???? One last thing about the THIRTY-SIX HOUR marathon - Never Again! |
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Title: Re: SF/10: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 2nd, 2013 at 8:51am L.A. Connection wrote on Feb 2nd, 2013 at 2:41am:
Yes there was a costume contest. I remember a few bleary eyed souls being voted on in Cinema 1. As to another 36 hour marathon, well we missed the most obvious one at SF36 so I guess you're safe. On the other hand, what a concept for SF40, we go beyond 36! |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 2nd, 2013 at 9:02am A list of EVERY sci-fi movie the Welles staff could find. What did we want to see at future marathons. It would be interesting to see what kind of results they got. |
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Title: Re: SF/10: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Dinsdale on Feb 2nd, 2013 at 5:34pm One last thing about the THIRTY-SIX HOUR marathon - Never Again![/quote] I second that! It was brutal!! |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Frank on Feb 2nd, 2013 at 6:37pm
Agreed. 24 hours is just right.
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Title: Re: SF/10: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 2nd, 2013 at 6:37pm Dinsdale wrote on Feb 2nd, 2013 at 5:34pm:
I second that! It was brutal!![/quote] Yep I agree, 36 hours, never again. Now let's talk about 40 hours for SF40. (Hey I just got out of the hospital, blame it on medication.) |
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Title: SF10 survivors certificate Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 2nd, 2013 at 7:05pm The other reward for survivors of SF10's 36 hour try out of the Ludovico technique. You received an official marathoid, humanoid, first class (unofficial) title certificate. Works for me. There was someone making a college course film documentary at SF10 too. I keep hearing rumors that prints of it are still around. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Planeta Bur on Feb 4th, 2013 at 12:33am
Wow, seeing those schedules for SF3 - SF10 really brought back some wonderful memories - thanks for posting! I attended every year from '78 to '92, and had saved all my ticket stubs & schedules, but managed to lose them somewhere along the line.
Some recollections from a Cinema 1 regular... THE MONOLITH MONSTERS - when one of the protaganists was pondering the mysterious rock found at a disaster scene, somebody sitting a few rows behind me got a big laugh by exclaiming "Don't take it for granite!" FUTUREWORLD - At some point during the movie, Peter Fonda declares "I smell a giant rat!" This struck the audience as hilarious, only because FOOD OF THE GODS had screened a few hours earlier (maybe you had to be there for that one). GODZILLA - I was really excited to be seeing the original Japanese cut, which was virtually impossible to see in the U.S. in those days. After the main titles, I was briefly worried when a dozen or so audience members insisted on reading out the first two or three subtitled lines aloud and in unison! Yes, it was funny, but I really hoped it wouldn't continue (happily, it didn't). THEY CAME FROM WITHIN - I somehow managed to sleep through it entirely, and was oblivious to the audience rebellion & mass walk-outs. I must have been really tired! kirok wrote on Jan 27th, 2013 at 4:50pm:
This might have been me. One year I was stricken with the inspiration to carve a stencil reading "MARK" into the lid of a discarded doughnut box I found on the floor, then held it up in the projector beam during the closing credits of one of the films. I remember worrying it might have come across as obnoxious, so it was a relief when the audience just laughed. I have a hunch REPTILICUS will go over like gangbusters at SF38, and not just because it features a character named General MARK Grayson...wish I could be there for that one! |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Feb 4th, 2013 at 12:52am
Nice memories.
Wait! Are you saying you won't be at this years Marathon????????? Planeta Bur wrote on Feb 4th, 2013 at 12:33am:
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Title: SF11 announcement Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 4th, 2013 at 11:38am The SF11 announcement. Knowing we could survive a 36 hour marathon the mad scientists running the marathon decide to try another experiment on us. Keeping 2 films secret at SF10 had been fun. BUT, could we survive not knowing ANY of the titles until the day of the event? Little did the Starship Welles know, a surprise was planned for them by certain red (planet) fanatics. Y'know, I still see an occasional original Orson Welles sci-fi marathon shirt but I don't think I have ever seen the one advertised in this ad. |
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Title: SF marathon history Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 4th, 2013 at 11:53am A list of what showed at SF1-10 that was handed out at SF11. There are a couple of interesting omissions though. SF3 does not list either They Came From Within or its replacement Night of The Living Dead. And at SF10 the 2 secret films were Star Wars (which Lucasfilms made us swear to TELL everyone they lent it to us) is listed, but 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (the Disney version that Disney made us swear NOT to tell anyone about) is not. A secret code next to Star Wars on the list CAN be deciphered to reveal the title. Futuropolis is a title often forgotten in marathon lists. Too long for a short, too short for a feature. A Flash Gordon spoof with live action, animation and literally cardboard sets. I've been trying to track down a copy for years now. |
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Title: SF11 request list Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 4th, 2013 at 3:50pm Another request list of films for future marathons including ones from past marathons that might bear repeating. It's noted that these are films they have tried to find or could easily find. |
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Title: SF11 Voight comp test Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 4th, 2013 at 4:02pm Remember the test given in Blade Runner to find out if someone was a replicant? Betcha didn't know there was a written version. A lot of questions still apply as to what we'd want from future marathons and I don't think we've done most of the themes yet. And if nothing else have a chuckle at the archaic questions about VCR's and cable TV. |
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Title: SF11 movie list Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 4th, 2013 at 4:19pm At last, what we were actually going to see at SF11 "Haley's Comet Edition" (the comet did not attend.) As usual an early sellout even without knowing what was going to show. Quite a eclectic lineup, Conquest of Space and Red Planet Mars are really preachy. World of Tomorrow was kind of slow for a lot of folks, Lifeforce was a trip and a half. Not mentioned was a surprise repeat showing of The Day Mars Invaded Earth, which led directly to "the incident". See the writeup for more details on this. |
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Title: SF11 writeup Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 4th, 2013 at 4:32pm Thanks to Dan Kimmel the MLO's disruption could not be swept under the Starship Welles' heat shield and forgotten. |
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Title: MLO leaflets Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 4th, 2013 at 5:02pm Authentic hand crafted MLO propaganda leaflets. We were warned, well sort of. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by zzzzkitty on Feb 4th, 2013 at 10:00pm
Great memorabilia! I want to hear more stories... I'm a newbie - this will be my first year attending. Film festivals are the focus of my dissertation, and the 'Thon is unique! I would love to talk with some of you knowing long-time attendees during the festival. zzzkitty
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Title: Re: SF marathon history Post by L.A. Connection on Feb 4th, 2013 at 11:47pm da_Bunnyman wrote on Feb 4th, 2013 at 11:53am:
FUTUROPOLIS is listed on the "marathon list(s)" of record (and has been for years): http://sf.theboard.net/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1319772249/0#0 I has not been forgotten...... |
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Title: Re: SF marathon history Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 5th, 2013 at 7:31am L.A. Connection wrote on Feb 4th, 2013 at 11:47pm:
I was talking more of the past lists when it had been left off due to it's odd length. Plus of course it gave me a chance to mention I was looking for a copy of it. ;) |
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Title: SF 10-11 buttons and tickets Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 5th, 2013 at 8:11am My tickets from SF10 and Sf11 and the buttons from them. I'm not sure when I got the MLO button and the "It Came From The Orson Welles" button. |
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Title: And then it happened Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 5th, 2013 at 8:29am The last ad from The Orson Welles Cinema as they say goodbye and promise to be back. Almost everyone was sure they would return and rumors of them moving to a bigger place or even re-building at the current locations were active for years. But it didn't happen. Worst yet as I think back, because of those rumors the Welles was not really mourned or missed as much as it should have been. While the sci-fi marathon was just a small part of their programming, it was the part I'd miss the most. |
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Title: No Tricks! : SF11 movie list Post by L.A. Connection on Feb 5th, 2013 at 5:36pm
Perhaps, the most memorable part of the SF/11 was showing the full FLYING DISC MAN FROM MARS serial. It's a doozy. One of the cliches that popped up time and again was when the bad guys would get the drop on the good guys and warn them, "No Tricks!" Of course, that was an open invitation to start a fight! This lead to the second memorable bit from FLYING DISC MAN - The audience simulating the sound of a punch with a loud "Clap" for each body blow. Occasionally, some 25+ years later you will still hear a "No Tricks!" or a few "Claps" when appropriate.
QUIET EARTH - It returned to the Marathon just a couple of years ago. Back that year, it was a little seen film that was pretty well recieved after the asinine "shhhh"'s of the yahoos in the crowd died down. You see, the movie is called "the QUIET earth" so every noise someone made on screen got shushed - no, it wasn't funny then (nor was it funny when a few jamokes repeated the lame "shh!" a couple of years ago). LIFEFORCE may still have the record for amount of nudity in a Marathon film! As one long-time Marathoner told me, "The movie sucks, but it's the best Nude performance ever!" JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH was the last film shown in Cinema one at the last marathon ever held at the Welles (Cinema 2 & 3??) da_Bunnyman wrote on Feb 4th, 2013 at 4:19pm:
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by kirok on Feb 5th, 2013 at 7:48pm
11 was my first 24 hour marathon. before that i only did the night flight. journey to the center of the earth was a total laugh fest and the final scenes were simply hilarious. it was my first experience with marathon final movie euphoria.
the shh snark was very funny, especially when someone yelled "it's getting old" and was resoundingly shhhushhed. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Frank on Feb 5th, 2013 at 9:57pm
The more stories I hear about Cinema 1, the happier I am at having chosen Cinema 2 as my "home" for SF3-11. A little too much jackassery. Spray and pray style comedy ramblings rarely work.
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Title: SF12: A New Hope Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 6th, 2013 at 11:32am It'd been more than four months with not even a definite plan for a future Welles Cinema. The Sci-Fi marathon, an event I looked forward to every year for 11 years was over. Until this little article appeared. |
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Title: Jamokes : Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Feb 6th, 2013 at 7:30pm
Fortunately, not everyone in Cinema One were yahoos and jamokes.
Any Cinema 2 folks or even Night Flight Folks who remember what the final film shown at SF/11 were in their respective theaters?? Frank wrote on Feb 5th, 2013 at 9:57pm:
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Title: Re: SF11 announcement Post by Frank on Feb 6th, 2013 at 9:20pm da_Bunnyman wrote on Feb 4th, 2013 at 11:38am:
This was the second year that I loaned posters to the marathon. As such, I was one of a lucky few who knew the titles in advance. Of course, I was sworn to secrecy about the titles. For the life of me, I cannot recall the name of the last film screened in Cinema 2. |
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Title: Re: Jamokes : Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 6th, 2013 at 11:49pm L.A. Connection wrote on Feb 6th, 2013 at 7:30pm:
Don't know why but for some reason I think it may have been either When Worlds Collide or Night of the Comet. |
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Title: Re: Jamokes : Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Frank on Feb 7th, 2013 at 8:07am da_Bunnyman wrote on Feb 6th, 2013 at 11:49pm:
Don't know which but I felt Night of the Comet when I was thinking about it and yes WWC played towards the end so either one is a good candidate, I feel. |
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Title: SF12 move posters Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 7th, 2013 at 11:29am The mysterious fan made posters that appeared around Harvard Square letting folks know about the marathon's new home. Yeah it was me. My inner fanboy was relieved that the marathon was going to go on and wanted to get the word out. Back before the internet and computer art programs this is what non artists did. |
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Title: SF12 preview story Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 7th, 2013 at 8:31pm The marathons official publicity agent checks in with a preview of the first marathon in our new home. |
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Title: SF12 newsletter Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 8th, 2013 at 8:32am Official SF12 news, y'know with so many mentions of the MLO and martians this almost reads like some conspiracy flyer that would be handed out to you by a mysterious man in a trenchcoat who promptly vanishes when you turn back to him to ask a question. At least that's my experience. |
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Title: SF12 movie schedule Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 9th, 2013 at 11:47am The Sf12 movie schedule, another great lineup. Trancers was a surprise hit wityh the crowd. Metropolis in a restored and expanded version was incredible. And the live piano was cool with the guy even doing some sound effects. We did hear the last song from the added rock soundtrack. Buck Rogers was a really cheap serial, we dreaded any character saying "don't you remember" because that would cue up a film scene to be repeated (almost a whole chapter at one point.) |
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Title: SF/12: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Feb 9th, 2013 at 1:32pm
Of course, the Giorgio Moroder METROPOLIS rock song version was considered the "definitive" restoration at the time (save for the soundtrack, natch). I saw it in theaters when it came out. My only other viewing of METROPOLIS had been in college and the print they got was completely silent! No music on the soundtrack and they didn't even try and play a record with it. Just dead silence.
The live music at the Marathon was cool, but, I'd like to watch the Moroder version one more time (NOT at the Marathon). There have been TWO more full "restorations" since! Each subsequent restoration has made the somewhat murky storyline more and more comprhensible. Some 90 years later, METROPOLIS remains one of the most visually influential films ever made, and not just in the SF genre. Can't wait for the next "full restoration"! :D |
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Title: Re: SF/12: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 9th, 2013 at 2:09pm L.A. Connection wrote on Feb 9th, 2013 at 1:32pm:
Moroder took a lot of heat for that rock soundtrack. Fans did not seem to understand that the soundtrack album and theatrical re-release paid for the restoration. I think I'm going to pick up the book version again http://www.amazon.com/Metropolis-Thea-Von-Harbou/dp/1592249787/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360435410&sr=1-2&keywords=metropolis+harbou As I recall I was actually reading a paperback version back at SF1, pretty sure I never finished it. |
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Title: SF13 NS preview Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 9th, 2013 at 10:09pm A rather surprising preview of SF13 from North Shore magazine a freebie newspaper. Good article but calling the 'thon scary and mentioning gruesome gore and corpses makes you wonder if the person who wrote the headline ever read the article. |
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Title: SF13 homemade posters Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 10th, 2013 at 9:37am My fanboy side escapes again with these home made clip art posters for SF13. And when I say clip art I mean real cut out stuff 'borrowed' from various sources. |
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Title: Somerville Theater questionaire Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 10th, 2013 at 7:59pm Slightly out of order but this was Garen's questionnaire on how we liked our new marathon location. Truth is The Somerville was different but a good fit for us. Lots of room (it was a single house at the time.) The balcony was, and still is, a rarity in cinemas now and the atmosphere really lends itself to classic and not classic sci-fi. It wasn't The Welles, but it was a unique place on its own. |
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Title: SF13 schedule Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 10th, 2013 at 8:07pm Special thanks for L.A. Connection for a copy of the SF13 schedule. See, I don't have everything ever handed out. Our second marathon at the Somerville Theater and another great lineup. Brazil AND Buckaroo Banzai on the same program, fantastic. This will always be remembered by marathoids as the origin of our Wheat Chex/Rice Chex battle cry which to this day confuses the hell out of first time attendees. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Feb 11th, 2013 at 12:57am
No problem.
The OTHER thing this Marathon is (in)famous for is that it was the first of the unintentional back to back showings of THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO! |
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Title: SF14 announcement Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 11th, 2013 at 8:40am Announcement letter letting us know that it was time to recharge our rayguns and get those spacesuits out of mothballs. SF14 was coming. |
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Title: Sf14 schedule Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 11th, 2013 at 8:53am The Sf14 schedule. Another amazing lineup, Blade Runner returns and looked great on the Somerville's big screen. Repo Man, The Hidden and Killer Klowns premiere and all go over very well. The one bad note if the print of Thunderbird 6 truns out to be Thunderbirds Are Go AGAIN. It's strange that description in the program starts out saying "Last years early morning smash T-Birds Are Go returns" almost as if they knew from the start what we were in for. Also from the thanks it looks like I was still supplying some trailers to show. |
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Title: SF 12-14 button and tickets Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 11th, 2013 at 6:30pm I don't remember how I heard about it but The Somerville Theater underwent a change of ownership and renovations were planned. But just like that the marathon was homeless again. |
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Title: SF15 move article Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 11th, 2013 at 10:35pm As always the marathons unoddificial publicity agent gets the word out about SF15's new location. The Coolidge Corner. |
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Title: SF15 poster Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 11th, 2013 at 10:40pm The poster for the first marathon in our new home. The 50 Foot Woman would stick around as our symbol for future marathons. |
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Title: SF15 flight kit Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 12th, 2013 at 10:42am Label from the SF15 flight kit a large white envelope that contained the trivia quiz and the program. |
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Title: Sf15 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 12th, 2013 at 10:53am Maybe not the classic marathon but lots of interesting films. Hearing Mike Jittlov speak and getting to see Wizard of Speed & Time on the big screen was a lot of fun. What's Up Hideous Sun Demon is out on DVD as Revenge of the Sun Demon. |
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Title: SF15 certificate Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 12th, 2013 at 10:56am Our reward for surviving the first of 13 Coolidge Corner sci-fi marathons. |
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Title: SF16 ticket card and preview article Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 12th, 2013 at 9:58pm And we're off again at the Coolidge, SF16 ticket annoucement and preview article. |
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Title: SF16 poster Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 12th, 2013 at 10:04pm The official SF16 poster. Known to marathon regulars as STIG thanks to a rather offbeat font used for this years insignia. |
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Title: SF16 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 13th, 2013 at 7:32am Another great lineup. Robot Monster was fun with the marathon crowd. Akira gave us another catchphrase or rather a catch growl. Stuart Gordon was interesting and really seemed to enjoy himself. He's considered a friend of the 'thon. |
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Title: SF17 preview story Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 13th, 2013 at 11:03am And we're off again. The Coolidge was beginning to feel like home. |
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Title: Sf17 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 13th, 2013 at 11:15am SF17, a rather strange grouping with Zardoz confusing everyone, Late For Dinner and From Beyond going over very well. A sold out show with a 12 hour Night Flight too. |
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Title: SF18 flyer Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 14th, 2013 at 3:40pm And we're off again. The marathon turns 18. |
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Title: Sf18 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 14th, 2013 at 3:49pm A pretty inventive lineup. Aelita with it's commies go to mars, Buckaroo Banzai with a talk by it's director (he actually told us why there was a watermelon there, but damn if I can remember) all that exists of Mant, and more Space Patrol. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by kirok on Feb 14th, 2013 at 5:20pm
star crystal and breakfast of aliens were 2 of the worst movies to ever play the marathon. the print of beneath the planet of the apes was scratched to the bejesus belt but i still loved it.
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 14th, 2013 at 11:02pm Dinosaurs. Really? |
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Title: SF19 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 14th, 2013 at 11:21pm Yep, dinosaurs. Rodan was MIA. Julie Corman was interesting but Nightfall was horrible. Trying to do a major classic SF story on a minimum budget did not work. TWO anime films, neither went over well. Body Snatchers showed why it did not get a wide release. |
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Title: SF20 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 15th, 2013 at 6:20pm SF20, we get another version of Metropolis (can't be too much left to find now. 2001, always a great dividing film between new and old fans. Dr Who was a now show (another time perhaps.) Dr Strangelove did show up and had a lot of us singing along at the end. Plus another anime, another film that did not go over well. Can't tell you how many times during this marathon I thought to myself "my god, I've been doing this for 20 years! |
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Title: Re: SF18 flyer Post by Dinsdale on Feb 16th, 2013 at 11:20am da_Bunnyman wrote on Feb 14th, 2013 at 3:40pm:
So, with SF50 only 12 years away I think a book should be in the works with all the memorabilia! |
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Title: Re: SF18 flyer Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 16th, 2013 at 7:02pm Dinsdale wrote on Feb 16th, 2013 at 11:20am:
Tempting idea. I even have a title. "50 Years of Science Fiction, 24 Hours At A Time" |
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Title: SF21 flyer Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 16th, 2013 at 7:04pm The marathon matures, 21 years old makes it pretty much legal for anything. But much like the marathoids, it gets older but never quite grows up. |
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Title: SF21 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 16th, 2013 at 7:13pm The theme is Time and another interesting batch of films. Just Imagine is a film musical that killed science fiction for years. Not to be missed or believed once seen. Time Bandits was long overdue to be shown.Sleeper has aged well and Time After Time is still a beautiful film. |
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Title: Misc Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 16th, 2013 at 7:18pm Ticket announcements for SF15, 17, 18, 21 and tickets for 16, 17, 18. And a temporary break as it's getting close to SF38 launch time. |
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Title: Re: SF18 flyer Post by Dinsdale on Feb 19th, 2013 at 7:05pm Tempting idea. I even have a title. "50 Years of Science Fiction, 24 Hours At A Time" I love it!! |
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Title: Re: SF18 flyer Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 21st, 2013 at 10:09pm Dinsdale wrote on Feb 19th, 2013 at 7:05pm:
A book would be unlikely, but maybe an article for SF40 (retitled 40 Years of course.) |
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Title: SF22 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 21st, 2013 at 10:25pm I'm going to try to finish The Coolidge years before fading away till SF39. Alien Invasion themed films with everything from a friendly invasion (Starman) to the traditional attacks from Mars (War of Worlds and Mars Attacks.) It Came From Outer space in 3D, before 3D became all too common. Strange Days made the year 2000 much cooler than it actually was (going to be.) |
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Title: Sf23 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 23rd, 2013 at 8:57pm Bugs, Brains and other beasties, that's a pretty wide ranging theme. Contact was interesting, it does have some plot holes and a disappointing alien. Them is always welcome at the 'thon. Gattaca may be well done but is still about a guy with a heart condition tricking his way into space. Soylent Green is people. Man With Two Brains was very funny. Space Truckers a fun little film from Stuart Gordon. We were selling out the Coolidge every year btw. |
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Title: Re: Sf23 program Post by L.A. Connection on Feb 24th, 2013 at 12:29pm
Thanks again for these, Bunnyman!
Couldn't disagree more about GATTACA. It's one of my fave SF films of the past 20 years or so and has a terrific Top 10 level Film Score by Michael Nyman. SOYLENT GREEN made a welcome return after two decades to the 'thon. The inclusion of a straight out horror film like ZOMBIES OF MORA TAU was curious - it isn't a terrible grade B flick, though. Never heard we were selling out ANY year at the Coolidge. Seemed like there were always plenty of empty seats. THEM! Time for a return visit to the Marathon? I hasn't shown since this one, 15 years ago! It's PHASE V perhaps? :D Historical note: We booked Rene Laloux' classic FANTASTIC PLANET to show that year, but the distributor sent us FANTASTIC VOYAGE instead. da_Bunnyman wrote on Feb 23rd, 2013 at 8:57pm:
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Frank on Feb 24th, 2013 at 1:05pm
I don't recall the Coolidge selling out every year. I am not saying that it never happened but there were plenty of seats available on the day of the marathon. GATTACA is one of my all time faves. Them! is long overdue, the first and best of the big bug movies. WB's highest grossing film of 1954. I suggested it to Garen for next year.
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 24th, 2013 at 9:27pm Frank wrote on Feb 24th, 2013 at 1:05pm:
I always remember the place being pretty packed each year. But then sometimes my memories do get a bit blurred. |
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Title: sell outs: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Feb 25th, 2013 at 2:20am
Of course, the Red Sox officially call this a "sellout", too.......
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Spatch from the balcony on Feb 26th, 2013 at 4:07pm
The Marathon must have sold out at least once while at the Coolidge, because I remember coming up early one morning from UMass Amherst and having to play the "need one, got one?" game down Damnation Alley. One of the Ark crew had a spare and sold it at face value. Honor among Marathoners. I wasn't the only one that year needing a miracle, either.
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Title: SF24 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 26th, 2013 at 10:05pm SF24, while it's not named it's pretty obvious we had a mad scientist theme happening. If not, it should've been since almost all the films feature one. Dreamscape seems to be forgotten by fans for some reason. A rare showing of a the first Hammer Frankenstein film. Young Frankenstein's print was missing a classic gag. City of Lost Children was truly a trip and a half. 27th Day was a no show, although we supposedly got the negative. Dark City another overlooked film that the marathoids loved. |
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Title: SF24 trivia Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 26th, 2013 at 10:08pm The official SF24 trivia quiz. Go ahead, take a shot at it, if you get stuck well the internet IS available. |
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Title: SF25 flyers Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 1st, 2013 at 6:06pm And we're off again. SF25. Good Lord we're reaching the quarter century mark |
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Title: SF25 preview article Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 1st, 2013 at 6:11pm A nice little article on the upcoming event including some quotes by long time attendees (not me though) |
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Title: SF25 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 3rd, 2013 at 8:01pm 25 years of sleep deprivation. Yow! Fun films this year too. Infra Man is just insane. Iron Giant is a classic, his last line had the crowd absolutely silent except for a lot of sniffles holding back tears. (This was really before the film was discovered on video.) Lots of applause at the very end. 27th Day is better than I'd heard, low key but good. Death Race 2000 was a good choice since we had to have at least one film with 2000 in the title. eXistenz I am still trying to figure out. Spaced Invader was the MIA movie this year. George Lucas In Love, this was before Phantom Menace so we still liked George, fun short anyway. Brazil, always welcome, and we end with another visit from Klaatu. Lost Planet may be the worst serial ever. |
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Title: AstroSlut: SF25 Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 3rd, 2013 at 9:22pm
TRON was cool to see again on the big screen, even if it's not that great a movie.
TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN (later re-titled INVASION - original, eh?) is the best "Premiere" the Marathon has ever had. And, of course, there was ASTROSLUT! Hey, better than all those Burlesque shows that have invaded the Marathon. da_Bunnyman wrote on Mar 3rd, 2013 at 8:01pm:
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 3rd, 2013 at 10:05pm I was gonna get around to remembering them. |
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Title: SF26 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 6th, 2013 at 7:49am If nothing else, SF26 will be remembered for one of the coolest marathon t-shirts ever. Bride of Frankenstein on the big screen, fantastic and fun. Mad Max in the original Australian accents. Titan A.E. was saved by it's final joke.Barbarella and Galaxina, 2 gorgeous girls of the galaxy, neither film is that great though. Battlefield Earth went over well as the 'thon crowd really could not believe how bad it was. Travolta's laugh was heard for years after. Trekkies and Galaxy Quest ended this years event with 2 looks at sci-fi fans. Both are sympathetic in their ways, but in Galaxy Quest we get to rescue the heroes. Oh yeah, Captain Video was even worse than Lost Planet. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Frank on Mar 6th, 2013 at 2:31pm
Battlefield Earth went over well as the 'thon crowd really could not believe how bad it was. Travolta's laugh was heard for years after.
I won't go as far as to accuse the Bunnyman of revisionist history because, quite frankly, it ain't his style. However, my recollection of the reception given to Battlefield Earth is significantly different than his remembrance of the event. Battlefield Earth was not considered one of those so bad it's fun movies, rather it was considered just awful and draggy. There were no howls of laughter rather there were a few painful groans amid a sea of silence. A lot of booing at the end. I don't even recall Travolta's laugh and it was certainly never brought up in subsequent years. Just a terrible experience to be avoided. |
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Title: Re: SF26 program Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 6th, 2013 at 2:38pm da_Bunnyman wrote on Mar 6th, 2013 at 7:49am:
The T-Shirt design was simple, but cool. An Art Director I was working with at the time was quite impressed. The TREKKIES & GALAXY QUEST double bill at the end was great fun. GALAXINA was a reminder of the last gasp of Crown International pictures and Drive-In pics in general. It would be a better Marathon memory, if it hadn't been shown twice in an 8 year period! TANK GIRL - Who was that hot sidekick? Naomi Watts - before anyone knew who she was. I got to work with Lori Petty and Director Rachel Talalay (several times). Both were cool talking about it. The Director of Photography, Gale Tattersall shot HOUSE for 6 of its 8 years. BARBARELLA. Don't know how, but, I really had forgotten how much nudity was in it (and rated PG to boot!). It's fun euro schlock. BATTLEFIELD EARTH - Gotta disagree strongly here. I know that certain folks have tried to spin this over the years as a Marathon success (or made excuses for why it wasn't), but it fell pretty flat once the shock & awe of how bad it was wore off. Like the later SOUND OF THUNDER, it was a failed attempt at "creating" a cult so-bad-its-good hit out of a then recent blockbuster failure (Jay Seaver's fave sub-genre: ;) ). Sure, there was a modicum of fun with Travolta's laugh, but, it was more derisive than anything else. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by R_F_Fineman on Mar 6th, 2013 at 5:04pm
The SF-26 logo truly rocked - I cherrish my coffee cup to this day. As I recall, the graphic was an homage to a "Queen of Outer Space" contest the year before. The contestant's comments were priceless. When asked why she wanted to be queen, she replied:
"I already AM queen. I'm just here to pick up my prize!" :D Would the queen contest ever come back? I enjoyed them more than the tinfoil hat and a lot more than the alien mating cry. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Joe Neff on Mar 7th, 2013 at 9:09pm
Ah, great memories of my maiden voyages aboard the Starship Coolidge. Let's see:
*After years of endorsement from your former host organism Bruce Bartoo, my cohorts and I finally made it out to Boston for SF24. 1999 was somewhat of a turning point for the Columbus Marathons. After nine years at the dear, departed, 800-seat Drexel North (R.I.P.), the Sci-Fi Marathons had resided at the mammoth Capitol Theatre in downtown Columbus. But a somewhat schizophrenic lead time for promotions (a flaw that would become more evident as the years passed), coupled with the venue's prohibition on food or drink in the screening room (yikes!) dealt quite the blow to attendance. To wit, in the span of those three years, we went from 600+ to just around 350; since then, Columbus has never again seen quite so many for an SF Marathon. So to come to Boston in 1999 and experience a large, enthusiastic crowd in a large, historic theater was quite the treat. And ya know, looking back now, this was a pretty great and eccentric lineup. DREAMSCAPE holds a special place in my heart for the gleefully evil David Patrick Kelly performance alone. CITY OF LOST CHILDREN is a film that keeps getting better with age, X-THE MAN WITH X-RAY EYES was a treat on 35mm and INVASION OF THE BEE GIRLS an absolute hoot. My only complaint? This was the second of three straight Marathons I attended (counting Columbus and Boston) in which DARK CITY was scheduled in a sleep-inducing time slot. It remains one of the more audaciously designed films of the era, so I'd love to see it again at a future Marathon, preferably earlier in the lineup. *At the time, I remember being a bit disappointed in the SF25 lineup. I had read about the stacked SF20 slate, so I was expecting another anniversary Marathon to have a similar tone. But if I ignore the significance of the year, this is actually a pretty good mix of films. In particular, IRON GIANT was tremendous to see with this crowd. As L.A. mentioned, TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN is probably one of the best premieres I've seen at a Sci-Fi Marathon. And any Marathon that features the legendary INFRA-MAN is cool by me. This was also a special time for me personally, as the Columbus contingent managed to haul out a record ten attendees (a picture of whom can be found here), including Bruce's first trip back in over a decade. We've never had as large a contingent since, so I'll always have find memories of this gathering. *For me, SF26 is one of the weaker lineups I've sat through. It was still enjoyable, but a bit too reliant on B-fare. And yes, Frank and L.A. are correct: BATTLEFIELD EARTH was met with boredom and befuddlement. I stood in the back of the Coolidge, reading a book, for the entirety of its running time, so I vividly remember the non-reaction it elicited. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 7th, 2013 at 11:28pm
"BATTLEFIELD EARTH - Gotta disagree strongly here. I know that certain folks have tried to spin this over the years as a Marathon success (or made excuses for why it wasn't), but it fell pretty flat once the shock & awe of how bad it was wore off. Like the later SOUND OF THUNDER, it was a failed attempt at "creating" a cult so-bad-its-good hit out of a then recent blockbuster failure (Jay Seaver's fave sub-genre: Wink ).
Sure, there was a modicum of fun with Travolta's laugh, but, it was more derisive than anything else." Sometimes it's more that I remember how a movie went over with my little group of friends at the 'thon. Travolta's try at playing a larger than life bad guy was just horrendous. Hell Snidely Whiplash had more facets to his character and that laugh just really grates on you in all the wrong ways. Battlefield Earth WAS meant to be taken serious though. But I'll admit sometimes my memories about marathons do get mixed up. I still swear there was a full bed set up at the front of the line at SF10 and that 2 marathoners were using a third as a battering ram to try to break into the projection booth to stop Baron Munchausen at SF8. And I can say just about anything I want about Hu-Man from SF2 since I'm apparently one of the few people on the planet who has seen the thing. ;) |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by kirok on Mar 8th, 2013 at 8:57am
the orson welles years are a blur. it was so many years ago. from midnight to noon there were 3 screens running simultaneously. the emphasis was on 50's and 60's classics and 70's B movies. i was like a kid in a candy store.
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Title: SF25 survey and trivia Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 8th, 2013 at 8:00pm A couple of late posts from SF25. The survey actually has a couple of unused themes that could be fun for a future 'thon. And of course trivia. |
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Title: SF27 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 8th, 2013 at 8:13pm Mutants R Us so of course we had to show X-Men. Iceman was interesting and started a catch phrase with the caveman's language. Omega Man was better than I remembered but really showed it's age in the look of the costumes. Lost World was fun as almost all the silents we show are, much better than the remake. These Are The Damned went over much better this time. Terminal Man was so dull we encouraged ANY action that looked like it might happen. Light Years Trilogy we are still not sure actually exists. The Independent was an example of thinking outside the box in marathon movie choices. I liked it and the crowd seemed to too. |
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Title: Re: SF27 program Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 9th, 2013 at 12:31am
OMEGA MAN is a perfect example of a "Marathon Film". It works great in the context, but, isn't the finest SF film out there. But, the soundtrack rocks! ;)
LIGHT YEARS TRILOGY looks like it will never see the light of day as it was never fully completed. IMPOSTER was made into a feature film and released. The studio actually sent the Coolidge the French animated film LIGHT YEARS (by Rene Laloux, maker of FANTASTIC PLANET). I quite liked LIGHT YEARS on its original release. I begged for it to be shown at the Marathon, but was rebuffed. THE INDEPENDENT worked even if it strayed pretty far from the Marathon norm. WAVE TWISTERS was like an escaped rock video gone waaaaaaaaay long. 46 minutes to be exact! I helped push for the then newly restored versions of DOCTOR X and THESE ARE THE DAMNED which had debuted in L.A. during that time frame. DAMNED is still damned good. And, it too has a great soundtrack: Damned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZJv7DMz96A Omega Man: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxAN0B6lIeU da_Bunnyman wrote on Mar 8th, 2013 at 8:13pm:
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by kirok on Mar 9th, 2013 at 7:25am
i loved the minimalist t-shirt that year. i'd pay for a remake of that one. i really mean it. i got a lot of compliments.
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by R_F_Fineman on Mar 9th, 2013 at 11:13am Quote:
Great! Now I've got that DAMNED soundtrack going through my head! ::) It was a popular choice, and a reminder that there are a lot of damned good movies out there. While, I prefer the 1960 Hammer/George Sanders original (not seen since SF-12!), I've also seen the John Carpenter/Christopher Reeves "Villiage of the Damned" and think it would be a good "Marathon Film". http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114852/?ref_=fn_al_tt_7 Hammer also gave us the 1964 sequel "Children of the Damned", (not seen since SF-7), and the Lee/Cushing "Island of the Burning Damned" (1967) which has never shown. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056931/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062037/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_33 |
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Title: Damned! Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 9th, 2013 at 1:06pm R_F_Fineman wrote on Mar 9th, 2013 at 11:13am:
NOW, RF has gone too damned far! Carpenter's VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED is soooooooo damned bad, it makes the pretty rotten ESCAPE FROM L.A. an equal to ESCAPE TO NY by comparison! It's doubly sad because it not only soiled the memory of the original, it also was the last film Christopher REEVE made before his eventually fatal accident. No, damned way! Note: Edited. I guess I had the "Chris Lee" at the Marathon controversy on my mind........ :-[ |
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Title: Re: Damned! Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Frank on Mar 9th, 2013 at 3:26pm L.A. Connection wrote on Mar 9th, 2013 at 1:06pm:
Christopher Lee? You mean Reeve, of course. These are The Damned has precious little to do with the events of Village of the Damned / Children of the Damned. All three are fine films and I would welcome them anytime. Night of the Big Heat/Island of the Burning Doom/ Island of the Burning Damned would be a fine addition to the marathon. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by R_F_Fineman on Mar 9th, 2013 at 5:58pm Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
(not really memorabilia related) It looks like one of those damned thread jacks... :D -maybe they should find their own damned thread! |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 9th, 2013 at 10:06pm
DARN YOU ALL TO HECK!
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Jon on Mar 11th, 2013 at 10:13am
SF27 program remains a fave re; text. I recall that the repeating of that phrase, "...and then things go terribly wrong," just tickled my funny bone at the time. In retrospect, it's still amusing. Thanks for the memory!
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Title: Damn you all to Hell! Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnym Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 11th, 2013 at 2:50pm Frank wrote on Mar 9th, 2013 at 3:26pm:
THESE ARE THE DAMNED isn't part of the VILLAGE/ CHILDEREN OF THE DAMNED series. Still, it came out in that same time frame and is also a British production to boot. And, the use of children is eerily in synch. I remember Bruce Bartoo being peppered to re-show VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED at one point at the Welles, and, in frustration, he blurted out, "I hate those Damned films!" :) |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 11th, 2013 at 8:43pm Jon wrote on Mar 11th, 2013 at 10:13am:
And I still grimace when reading This Island Earth being called "The Star Trekiest" in the SF1 program. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Frank on Mar 11th, 2013 at 9:27pm da_Bunnyman wrote on Mar 11th, 2013 at 8:43pm:
Of course! If anything, we all know that Star Trek is really Forbidden Planetiest. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Jon on Mar 12th, 2013 at 2:43pm [/quote] And I still grimace when reading This Island Earth being called "The Star Trekiest" in the SF1 program.[/quote] I wouldn't recall that (I started at SF2 - a.k.a. 1977), but I don't doubt you. I'll look it up.... :) |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 12th, 2013 at 6:11pm Jon wrote on Mar 12th, 2013 at 2:43pm: I wouldn't recall that (I started at SF2 - a.k.a. 1977), but I don't doubt you. I'll look it up.... :)[/quote] Yep, it's right there on page 1 of this thread in (faded) black and yellow. But I should correct myself it actually was called "One of the STARTREKIEST!". |
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Title: SF28 metro mention Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 12th, 2013 at 9:25pm A small marathon mention in Boston Metro |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Jon on Mar 13th, 2013 at 1:51pm
Well, the Metro is a smaller paper than the Phoenix was, so that seems fair. At least they mentioned.... BTW, scary photo - very unsettling....
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Title: SF28 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 13th, 2013 at 6:19pm SF28, no theme (or was there one?) Seemed to be a lot of films I'd never seen this year. Invisible Boy, silly but fun, nice seeing Robby the Robot's followup at last. Invaders From Mars, you really need to have seen this as a kid to really appreciate it. Planet of the Vampires, always welcome so we can shout MARK and explain it to newbies. Sh! the Octopus that one makeup effect at the end shows what could be done WITHOUT CGI, rest of the movie was pretty strange too. Donnie Darko, pretty cool film. Equilibrium, sure you can call it a Matrix ripoff but I really liked it, some great fights and all in all a fun film. |
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Title: SH! the SF28 program! Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 13th, 2013 at 6:47pm
What I most remember most about this line-up is that this was probably the last one before Festival type flicks, kiddie matinee/animation and "Premieres" hogged much of the prime-time hours of the event. After MINORITY REPORT, you had a TWELVE HOUR stretch of METROPOLIS, INVISIBLE BOY, SECONDS, GWANGI, INVADERS FROM MARS, PLANET OF VAMPIRES and SH! OCTOPUS - all old school Pre-70s flicks IN A ROW!! I did sense of tad of restlessness amongst some of the younger Marathoners in the crowd - but #$#$ 'em! Hard to believe we'll see ever that kind of stretch again!
INVISIBLE BOY had more politically incorrect child punishment in it than I had remembered! Love the line in the program Re: METROPOLIS - "The Definitive 2002 Restoration" - of course, just a couple of years later there was a new "definitive" restoration! GROUNDHOG DAY worked as a 4am flick. I've still never seen the Director's cut of DONNIE DARKO that supposedly ruins the small-scale charms of the original cut. Very very very saddened by the snarky reaction by a loud minority of the crowd to INVADERS FROM MARS. It was a discgrace to a fine film. It remains a marathon lowpoint for me personally. Here's that mind-blowing pre-CGI scene from SH! THE OCTOPUS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHQZt1nA-aA da_Bunnyman wrote on Mar 13th, 2013 at 6:19pm:
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Title: Sf15-28 buttons Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 15th, 2013 at 6:15pm The buttons from the marathon's time at the Coolidge Corner. The generic looking SF27 one was made by someone because no official button was made that year. Something about them not selling well. |
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Title: SF22-28 tickets and announcements Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 15th, 2013 at 6:23pm And just like that the marathon was homeless again. I've never really heard an explanation for us losing the Coolidge Corner as a venue but it happened. |
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Title: Coolidge era ends: SF22-28 tickets and announcemen Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 16th, 2013 at 12:28pm da_Bunnyman wrote on Mar 15th, 2013 at 6:23pm:
It was sad leaving the Coolidge after so long (more years than at the Orson Welles!). A lot of things apparently went into that happening. The Coolidge started hosting bigger exclusive run films. It was "Academy Awards" season with Oscar nominees playing there. The Coolidge started hosting other film festivals. There were some changes on the Coolidge Board. The Marathon and the theater started having different priorities. Etc. Etc.. It was a divorce, plain and simple. I prefer to remember the good days, rather than the split. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Frank on Mar 16th, 2013 at 5:47pm
Loved the Coolidge, still do. I like LA's approach. Both parents moved on and the kids get to visit both and neither parent tries to get the upper hand.
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Title: Coolidge era ends-Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman F Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 18th, 2013 at 10:53pm
It was an amicable divorce as divorces go. Still sad. But, with all the upgrades at the Somerville, I think it all worked out for the best. Having the balcony is cool, too. Of course, the Coolidge had a balcony before the Marathon moved there.
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Title: Re: Coolidge era ends-Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman F Post by Frank on Mar 19th, 2013 at 10:59am L.A. Connection wrote on Mar 18th, 2013 at 10:53pm:
Don't know about all that. I prefer the Somerville because I know the people but I frequent the Coolidge and I can't say I like one theater over the other. It's not as if the Coolidge has sat on its' hands since we left. |
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Title: Re: Coolidge era ends-Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman F Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 19th, 2013 at 9:29pm
[/quote] Don't know about all that. I prefer the Somerville because I know the people but I frequent the Coolidge and I can't say I like one theater over the other. It's not as if the Coolidge has sat on its' hands since we left.
[/quote] I think I prefer the Somerville too. It's got a better atmosphere with the balcony and all the historical stuff from the theater in the lobby. The main lobby is kinda small but the second floor one is great for sleeping. I've only been to the Coolidge once since SF38 and it seemed kind of sterile. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Frank on Mar 20th, 2013 at 10:17am
Nice article on the Coolidge
http://www.wickedlocal.com/brookline/news/x171163644/Coolidge-Coolidge-Theatre-looks-to-Brookline-Town-Meeting-to-expand?zc_p=0#axzz2O5f8rwug I guess we have different definitions for sterile. |
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Title: Coolidge vs Somerville: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunn Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 20th, 2013 at 11:24am
I wouldn't call the Coolidge 'sterile' either. It's a terrific house. Better, in fact than the 2 or 3 comparable indies in L.A..
I really enjoyed the years there with the Marathon (not to mention seeing flicks like HARD DAY'S NIGHT, MAD MAX, THE DEVILS, THE TINGLER, FORBIDDEN PLANET etc. growing up). And, truth be told, it's a better house physically than the Orson Welles ever was. The Welles was legendary, and deservedly so, for its programming and cultural impact, but the Coolidge was a better house to see a movie on a technical level. All that being said, what David, Ian and the Somerville have done with the projection and sound system seems superior to the Coolidge. Unless the Coolidge has gone to 4K, it doesn't take the nod even with digital capabilities. Plus, still having an intact balcony tips the scales as far as a large communal Marathon experience. Both are fine houses, so one doesn't have to criticize one in order to praise the other. |
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Title: Re: Coolidge vs Somerville: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunn Post by Frank on Mar 20th, 2013 at 11:50am L.A. Connection wrote on Mar 20th, 2013 at 11:24am:
That's the part that bothers me. Two fine houses still standing in a sea of multiplexes. Let's not start crapping on one because you prefer the other. As I have said, the Somerville is tops in my books and not because of any technical advantage (btw, the Coolidge has now raised the funds to go digital although I do not have the specifics), it is because I have come to know and care about the folks that work there. The folks at the Coolidge are fine but the Somerville is family to me. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 20th, 2013 at 7:12pm
Just for the record I like the Coolidge too. The movie I saw was Comic-Con: Episode IV: A Fan's Hope with the director there introducing it and doing a Q&A. Great presentation. My sterile comment was really meant in comparison to the Somerville which has a (for want of a better word) funky atmosphere.
Those of you into old movie theaters should check into this site. http://cinematreasures.org/ Geez I wish I'd known you guys when I was working the old Saxon. Showing friends around that place was tons of fun, even if ya did feel like a masked killer or some mutant animal was lurking somewhere. |
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Title: Re: Coolidge vs Somerville: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunn Post by David the Projectionist on Mar 20th, 2013 at 8:23pm Frank wrote on Mar 20th, 2013 at 11:50am:
Awwwww....we love you, too, Frank! ......but technically speaking, I know I'm kicking the crap out of the Coolidge. ;) :D ;D da_Bunnyman wrote on Mar 20th, 2013 at 7:12pm:
Yup, I worked the Saxon, too, many times..... |
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Title: SF29 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 20th, 2013 at 8:39pm SF29, the marathon enters its wandering years. This time we were at the Dedham Community 1-2 so for the first time since the Welles we had 2 separate cinemas. Films played on about a 5 second delay between 1 and 2 which was fun during Giant Claw as we'd laugh at something and then 5 seconds later hear the other cinema get the joke. Pretty good lineup with Robot Stories a surprise hit. Demonlover became a legend as many long time attendees swear it STILL has not ended. While not liked by many to me seeing Have Rocket Will Travel (starring the 3 Stooges in their semi final lineup with Curly Joe) at the Dedham was a real nostalgic throwback to the days of the kiddie matinee. |
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Title: Major Tom & MLO Newsletter: SF29 program Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 21st, 2013 at 9:01pm
Bunnyman, that's not the actual program from SF/29, but a newsletter Major Tom and the MLO handed out. The last two images are Frank's Trivia sheet.
da_Bunnyman wrote on Mar 20th, 2013 at 8:39pm:
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Title: Re: Major Tom & MLO Newsletter: SF29 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 21st, 2013 at 10:22pm L.A. Connection wrote on Mar 21st, 2013 at 9:01pm:
My error, but still it's all I have from SF29 (other than a button.) Anyone have a program/schedule from it? Was there one? |
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Title: sf29 : Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 21st, 2013 at 10:37pm
I do have it somewhere. I will get it to you as soon as I can. During the meanwhile, here was the full lineup at SF/29 in Dedham:
SF29 - 2004 28 DAYS LATER ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN MARVEL (SERIAL) CHAPTERS 11&12 ALIEN-DIRECTOR’S CUT AMAZING TRANSPARENT MAN DEMONLOVER DISH, THE GIANT CLAW, THE GODZILLA VS. MEGAGUIRUS HAVE ROCKET, WILL TRAVEL INCUBUS MATRIX, THE MUTINY IN OUTER SPACE ROBOT STORIES SPACE PATROL (German) |
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Title: Re: sf29 : Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 21st, 2013 at 10:58pm L.A. Connection wrote on Mar 21st, 2013 at 10:37pm:
Oh no prob knowing what was shown, I look at each years titles from the master list. You still updating that? I'm just looking for any handouts from the event. Still can't believe we actually had Incubus that year. So weird seeing Shatner speaking Esperanto which you could ALMOST understand. I woke up after it had started and thought I was still half asleep. |
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Title: Esperanto: sf29 : Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman F Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 21st, 2013 at 11:41pm
I tried to get Forrest J Ackerman to come to the Marathon that year. He's one of the few folks from that era that spoke Esperanto!
Sadly, when I called him, he said that he just did not feel up to travelling across country. He was already in failing health. Woulda been cool if we had been able to swing it, though. da_Bunnyman wrote on Mar 21st, 2013 at 10:58pm:
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by Frank on Mar 22nd, 2013 at 10:14am
Incubus, although by no means a science fiction film in any sense of the definition, was a real treat for me. I was fairly certain that I would not see the movie on the big screen and I got to see it even before I ever saw it on the small screen. Through in Alien (director's cut), The Dish (another pleasant non-science fiction treat) and The Giant Claw I will eventually be able to forgive the genius who thinks that Demonlover is a good film let alone thought that it would be a good fit.
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Title: SF30 poster Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 24th, 2013 at 7:54am Another year another theater. For SF30 we were back to the Somerville Theater, though quite a different one that SF14. The place was undergoing restoration and renovation (that continues to this day.) Plus this was the first mention of A Science Fiction Film Festival. |
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Title: SF/29 The Dedham Year: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 24th, 2013 at 3:50pm
After a decade and a half of good years at the Coolidge the "divorce" happened and we needed a stop-gap. And, the Dedham Community Theater was a stop-gap that wasn't in any way a "Boston" location with difficult at best public transportation (ironic that the Marathon has still NEVER been in Boston proper!). Appreciate that the Marathon continued without missing a year, and the folks at the DCT were very kind and tried their best. But, it was a big come-down from the Coolidge. The DCT was very much a "Community Theater" that had been inelegantly chopped in half in such a manner that the sightlines were terrible and much of the angled seating (to face the center of an old theater stage) meant that if you were facing straight forward you had to turn your head to face the screen.
All that said, it was a pretty good line-up (in an alternate universe, I'd love to re-watch it at the Somerville or Coolidge!). THE MATRIX was rescued from the Black Hole, THE DISH worked as a real science little charmer, and ROBOT STORIES was a pretty good "premiere" and Director Greg Park was a good guest. The tech deficiencies of the Dedham did take away from the experience of ALIEN, 28 DAYS LATER and THE MATRIX, but, they were still good. There may have been a bit too much B-Movie schlock content with MUTINY IN OUTER SPACE, HAVE ROCKET WILL TRAVEL, AMAZING TRANSPARENT MAN and THE GIANT CLAW. MUTINY was a 50s B&W flick released a good 5 years too late, ditto the Stooges and HAVE ROCKET, TRANSPARENT was a decent no budget noirish film by the man (Edgar Ulmer) who made perhaps the best no budget noir film (DETOUR) and GIANT CLAW will live in glorious infamy for bringing the line, "It's as big as a Battleship!!" to the 'thon. (incidently, CLAW suffered a melting print on screen when it showed; so this year's 5TH ELEMENT incident definately wasn't a first). INCUBUS was a treat and I'm glad I helped locate it, though a vocal minority in Cinema 2? (the one on the left entering the theater) weren't so pleased with all the "Marco...Polo!" shout-outs. >:( SPACE PATROL was a pretty neat compilation of a 7 episode mid-60s German TV series. This feature film compilation apparently was never officially released in the U.S., so we are amongst the very few to have seen it - certainly on the big screen. An import DVD is out there. (http://www.amazon.com/Raumpatrouille-phantastischen-Abenteuer-Raumschiffes-Orion/dp/B00004RYVD/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1364156263&sr=1-1&keywords=Raumpatrouille) A German friend didn't remember it, but, her brother did - as their "Star Trek". On a personal note, my cousin John earned a special Marathon medal of valour that year. John woke up with a horrendous fever, but made the trek from the north shore all the way down to Dedham because he had the tickets for my group!! He stayed briefly and went back home to bed. So, I was shocked in the wee hours to look over down the row and see John alert and watching GODZILLA VS. MEGAGURIUS! A good night of sleep and he came back down and watched the rest of the 'thon! Medal-worthy for sure. Unfortunately, another member of my group, Rob, ate a questionable sandwich and went down for the count. A difficult year all around. I was not sad to hear we wouldn't be back in Dedham, with all due respect to the efforts of the folks there. I thank them for keeping the Marathon alive for better days that awaited us. P.S. I will try and get the SF29 program to the Bunnyman this week. |
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Title: Re: SF30 poster Post by David the Projectionist on Mar 24th, 2013 at 5:12pm da_Bunnyman wrote on Mar 24th, 2013 at 7:54am:
The first marathon I ever ran, & I didnt know squat! Ive learned a thing or two since then.... BTW, for the first & only time in my life, an audience cheered when the film broke. The Apple was just that bad. |
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Title: Re: SF/29 The Dedham Year: Bunnyman Files Post by David the Projectionist on Mar 24th, 2013 at 5:20pm L.A. Connection wrote on Mar 24th, 2013 at 3:50pm:
You just had to bring that up, didnt you? Well, youve finally given me the opening I need to point out that you should DEFINITELY spell DEFINITELY with an "I" instead of an "A", the way -- you know -- it's supposed to be spelled. Been wanting to tell you that for years, buddy. And italicizing your error doesnt help! The English, she is hard: DEFINITELY. |
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Title: Re: SF/29 The Dedham Year: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 24th, 2013 at 5:42pm
Well, if you didn't take umbrage every time it's mentioned, it would definitely just pass by most folks without much notice - it was a parenthetical aside in a 600 word piece. I'm definitely sure that nobody has blamed anything other than the print itself for it. ;)
David the Projectionist wrote on Mar 24th, 2013 at 5:20pm:
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Title: Re: SF/29 The Dedham Year: Bunnyman Files Post by Frank on Mar 24th, 2013 at 5:43pm L.A. Connection wrote on Mar 24th, 2013 at 3:50pm:
Well when he goes to a 36 hour marathon 8+ months pregnant and then goes to another marathon giving birth less than four weeks later I will consider him on equal footing with Fran until then phffft! |
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Title: Re: SF/29 The Dedham Year: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 24th, 2013 at 5:48pm
Frank deserves medals those years for sure! (and many more)
Frank wrote on Mar 24th, 2013 at 5:43pm:
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Title: SF30 flight pack and program Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 24th, 2013 at 9:21pm The SF30 Flight Pack, pretty much complete (maybe a trivia quiz missing.) A pretty interesting lineup of films. Sky Captain featuring giant robots fighting a P-40 airplane on the streets of NYC is basically giving you everything the old serials promised. Superman, the best known alien visitor finally makes an appearance. Primer was a nice micro budget time travel film, don't know if I could watch it again but was nice to see a first time. Body Snatchers, Time Machine and Earth VS Flying Saucers are always welcome. Charly was a little preachy but nice seeing a locally filmed movie. What does it mean that I cannot remember The Forgotten? |
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Title: SF30: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Mar 28th, 2013 at 1:56pm
SF/30 was one of the very best marathons of the past decade. It was nice being back at the Somerville after 16 years to see the improvements. It seemed a bit smaller than my memories from the 80s, but, with its ample seating, balcony and large screen it was a welcome homecoming of sorts.
The mini-fest was just two movies: The eve before showing of TRAILER PARK with Chris Coppola was cool - and you got Free Burritos! Unfortunately, the SPACE BABY the same eve AFTER the marathon wasn't such a hot idea and very few apparently attended outside the Director's family and friends. It has still not received an official release from all accounts. The main marathon had a nice lineup befitting the 30th anniversary (hint, hint for SF/40!) with classics such as PLANET OF THE APES, INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, TIME MACHINE and GODZILLA (all the original versions, natch!) anchoring the lineup. SUPERMAN THE MOVIE made a welcome appearance along with THX-1138 and EARTH VS THE FLYING SAUCERS. PRIMER was a mind-bendingly cool micro-indie and CHARLY made its belated Marathon debut. THE APPLE was a insanely over-the-top cheezball classic. THE FORGOTTEN has been, SKY CAPTAIN was nice visually but dramatically inert and the already in heavy cable rotation STARSHIP TROOPERS 2 was the reduntant "premiere". Certainly, one of the better lineups of recent years. |
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Title: SF31 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 29th, 2013 at 8:23pm Another year, another home for the marathon. At SF31 for the first time since the days of The Welles (1986) we had 2 separate theaters running movies at different times. The West Newton Cinema was a cool place, despite being split up it still had a lot of old theater charm. I think I ended up in Cinema 2. Konga was a good old schlock fest with bad effects and some rather suspicious looking plants being grown by the scientist. Buckaroo Banzai is always fun since it has so many lines the fans can join in on. Two Vincent Price films at one thon? Tingler was really fun even without 'Percepto' Last Man On Earth was cool too even if Price looked more comfortable shopping for garlic than killing ghouls. Androis surprised me, it was much better than I thought, which explained how I'd not seen it yet. Kong is classic, but it does take a while to get going. |
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Title: SF29 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Apr 2nd, 2013 at 11:31pm The real program from SF29 (thanks to L.A. Connection for supplying a copy of his,) |
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Title: Misc stuff from wandering years. Post by da_Bunnyman on Apr 5th, 2013 at 8:29pm Okay, I'm not sure what year the MLO mini banner dates from. But here is the last of the memorabilia from our homeless years. After (3) years of wandering we had found a new home (sounds vaguely biblical don't it.) The SF30 tag was intended to replace the yearly buttons. Didn't last and a replacement button was issued a year later (I think.) But then we had no more buttons for a few years. |
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Title: The West Newton year: SF31 program Post by L.A. Connection on Apr 5th, 2013 at 11:27pm
SF/31 was one of my personal low points as far as the Marathon was concerned. Four theaters in Four years. The Dedham was poor and the West Newton was just about as mediocre on a physical level - small screens, cramped seating, 1970s level sound, and another way out of Boston proper setting. The folks there were very kind. They really did their best, but, the low ceiling and the narrow bowling alley design made me feel like we were in a sardine can.
For the first time in my life, I really had doubts about continuing to fly across country to attend the Marathon. It was sad. :'( Fortunately, the "Ape" themed marathon itself wasn't half-bad on a programming level. 12 MONKEYS made its belated Marathon debut after me and several others pushed for it for many years trying to save it from the marathon "black hole". I found the prints for THE CRAZIES and ANDROID, and they seemed to go over pretty well. CRAZIES was a title that had been searched for since the Welles days! KONGA, FIRE MAIDENS and THE TINGLER were all fun B movies, with THE TINGLER in particular being a perfect Marathon flick. I know it's a minority opinion, but, I think LAST MAN ON EARTH is perhaps the best version of the thrice told Matheson tale. SERENITY seemed to thrill those who knew what the hell was going on in it; 8 LEGGED FREAKS was a decent time waster with an early performance by Scarlett Johannson; the original KING KONG was there as an antidote to the then current overloooooooooong remake; and BUCKAROO BANZAI was shown again (I'd like to see another 10 years or so hiatus on that title). The only real bummers were the not necessary so-so anime STEAMBOY and the wretched "Premiere" NAKED MONSTER which should have stayed the straight to VHS featurette it began as 20 years earlier. Because the Newton had two screens and no interlock as was done at the Dedham, Ed & I split the duties on scheduling the two houses (with much co-operation I might add, as we had to accommodate the projectionists). When the decision was made to go back to the Somerville, I was happy and prayed that it would be a "permanent" move. Those prayers have been answered! I only felt a bit sorry the next year when I heard from some of the West Newton folks. They really had hoped we'd be back for several more years. They DID do their best, and for that, we should ALL thank them. da_Bunnyman wrote on Mar 29th, 2013 at 8:23pm:
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Apr 6th, 2013 at 12:02am
I was just glad (and a little surprised) to find out both houses are still open and going strong. Neighborhood theaters really only survive these days if they're run by managers who take an extra effort to book and promote their houses.
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Title: West Newton Year - SF/31: Marathon Memorabilia: Post by L.A. Connection on Apr 6th, 2013 at 12:27pm da_Bunnyman wrote on Apr 6th, 2013 at 12:02am:
They do have some nice programming if folks are willing to venture out there and tolerate its 1976-era 2nd run theater quality: http://www.westnewtoncinema.com/index-2.html But, take a look at some of the reviews on Yelp! :o :o :o :o Sure, there are a lot of folks enamored by the movies they show and the "quaintness" of the place, but, some of the negs indicate that little if anything has been done to the place since the Marathon left (other than letting it go): http://www.yelp.com/biz/west-newton-cinema-newton |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by albatross on Apr 6th, 2013 at 3:39pm
I am glad the LA Connection made it back... it woldn't be the same without you there!
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Title: Gooble gobble: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman File Post by L.A. Connection on Apr 10th, 2013 at 10:19pm albatross wrote on Apr 6th, 2013 at 3:39pm:
Thanks. But, it wasn't just the Marathon, but, my own "L.A. Connection" group of relatives and friends, but, ALL of my Marathon bretheren that kept me in the Marathon world! It truly feels like "going home" every February when our big Marathon family convenes for those 25 or so hours. |
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Title: Re: Gooble gobble: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman File Post by da_Bunnyman on Apr 11th, 2013 at 6:33pm L.A. Connection wrote on Apr 10th, 2013 at 10:19pm:
Couldn't agree with you more. For long time attendees there is a great sense of family (I still get greeted with 'welcome home' by another regular.) I remember a few years back saying , forgive me, as I greeted Major Tom with a hug. His response "It's okay, families hug." Hey I'm overly sentimental about the marathon, plus I'm sure he's forgiven me for getting him to do a joke about him making another 'major announcement' before he came on stage. |
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Title: SF32 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Apr 11th, 2013 at 7:07pm We had a new home! (Actually I forget if we knew that or not at this marathon) Bots over Boston, good theme and a nice t-shirt too. Forbidden Planet returns, can't have a bots theme without Robbie. Metropolis a rather odd but kinda fun anime. Best reaction was a ray Charles song showing up in it. Frankenstein Meets The Space Monster (AKA Mars Invades Puerto Rico) , wonderful schlock with horny aliens, pieces of a cheap transistor radio used as makeup and lots of dull travelog footage. Not a bad monster costume though. Slither was gory fun. Stepford Wives was kind of dull otherwise the recipe line might've caught on. Monster House was okay but out of place in a sci-fi lineup. And the classic Robocop to end the show with lots of action. |
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Title: Return to the Somerville: SF32 program Post by L.A. Connection on Apr 14th, 2013 at 1:21pm
Nothing was guaranteed, but, I recall Ian saying that the Marathon was going to be back at the Somerville the next year - and, hopefully then on out. It was certainly a relief after the vagabond years!
Unfortunately, the schedule itself was the kind of mish-mash that has marked the Somerville years. Nominally, a "robot" themed event, there were some definite highlights - ROBOCOP (even more violent than I had remembered!), the unnanouced "suprise" BLADE RUNNER (nice seeing the original cut one more time on the big screen), and the 'I could watch it just about every other Marathon' classic FORBIDDEN PLANET. There was some fun schlock with CHOPPING MALL & FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE SPACE MONSTER (I got to interview the co-writer for a magazine piece). METROPOLIS was a so-so anime but not bad, and it's always fun to see FLASH GORDON at the Marathon (although the edited feature format kind of defeats the whole cliffhanger appeal of serials). STEPFORD WIVES made its belated marathon debut, and as indifferently paced and obtusely plotted as it is, the movie remains fascinating on a sociological level coming as it did during the height of the woman's movement. SLITHER was a fun little gorefest. On the downside was the 'sneak preview' premiere of Larry "I'll beat any cliched joke into the ground" Blamire's awful TRAIL OF THE SCREAMING FOREHEAD. The other "Premiere" was the ok if bland PUZZLEHEAD. Director James Bai attended and got into a contentious Q & A session with a few of the Marathoners. He hasn't made a film since. MONSTER HOUSE was the unnecessary "kid's film" forced into the lineup - it's a decent film, but without the 3D it lost some of what made it enjoyable on the big screen. And, as good a film as DARK STAR is, this Marathon repeat was obvious last-minute filler booked to fill a slot. It was too bad that the loooooooooooooong overdue WESTWORLD wasn't booked despite its suiting the theme AND having a nice 35mm print available. Overall, the appeal of returning to the Somerville outweighed some of the drawbacks of that year's Marathon. da_Bunnyman wrote on Apr 11th, 2013 at 7:07pm:
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Title: Re: Return to the Somerville: SF32 program Post by David the Projectionist on Apr 15th, 2013 at 11:01pm L.A. Connection wrote on Apr 14th, 2013 at 1:21pm:
Tony, you need to work on your English, because it sure sounds like youre blaming the Somerville Theatre for Garen's odd scheduling choices. Put the blame where it belongs. We dont book the marathon! >:( |
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Title: Re: Return to the Somerville: SF32 program Post by L.A. Connection on Apr 15th, 2013 at 11:38pm
David, only you would jump to these conclusions. Stop taking any post about the Somerville so personally.
And, Mr. "I Don't know how to punctuate properly" shouldn't be throwing stones about language........ To wit: David the Projectionist wrote on Mar 24th, 2013 at 5:20pm:
or David the Projectionist wrote on Mar 24th, 2013 at 5:12pm:
There's a little thing in the English language called an Apostrophe. The English, she is difficult, eh? :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P Notice all the missing apostrophes? David the Projectionist wrote on Apr 15th, 2013 at 11:01pm:
Oh, and "dont" is missing yet another.......... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Maybe this article will help: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/apostrophe |
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Title: SF33 flyer Post by da_Bunnyman on Apr 18th, 2013 at 8:13pm Flyer for SF33. Two years in a row at the Somerville Theater. Maybe we had found a place to settle down again. |
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Title: SF33 program and schedule Post by da_Bunnyman on Apr 20th, 2013 at 9:00pm SF33 The Future Is Passe theme. Only the second year back and the Somerville was feeling like home. The unannounced special turned out to be Cloverfield. Fun to see it again with the marathon crowd. King Dinosaur was incredibly cheesy and cheap even by Bert I. Gordon standards so I enjoyed it. Last Mimzy I had missed in theaters, so enjoyable because it was new. Ever Since The World Ended was a good idea but not great execution. Neat seeing one of the Mythbusters in it though. A Boy And His Dog stands up remarkably well. Black Sheep was bloody fun. 1984 depressing but very well acted. Sound of Thunder just horrible. War of the Worlds a classic as always. |
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Title: Re: SF33 program and schedule Post by L.A. Connection on Apr 21st, 2013 at 2:57pm
SF/33 was pretty good, with a couple of hiccups.
The main problem happened when somehow SOMEWAY the Somerville Post Office couldn't figure out where the Somerville Theater was! LQ Jones' personal restored print of A BOY AND HIS DOG made it all the way from L.A. to Somerville, but they didn't deliver it the last couple of miles to the Theater in time. Garen and Ian pulled some strings and got the Post Office to open on a Holiday and secured the print. Unfortunately, the schedule had to be altered and WAR OF THE WORLDS and BOY flipped in the order. Also, the planned phone hook-up with LQ failed, but, fortunately, I had a back-up and we played an audio recording I conducted with LQ at the L.A. premiere of the restored print. I don't recall another time that we showed a movie still in the midst of its prime release, but, so it was with the jerky cam extravaganza CLOVERFIELD (we missed out on a chance to sell dramamine pills at the concession stand!). 2001 was great as always, but, this time I noted that the 40 year old special effects had finally begun to show a tad of creakiness (still pretty remarkable that they remained close to cutting edge for soooooooo long!). IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON was another fine NASA documentary (they seemed to have inspired many). 1984 held up well many years after its deadline title date, although it is an incredibly dark and depressing film. As I noted afterwards, WAR OF THE WORLDS really shined for me that year in a way it hadn't despite several earlier viewings. KING DINOSAUR was a Z-movie delight even if the audience didn't seem to get into it - it should have been as fun a screening as this past year's REPTILICUS. BLACK SHEEP was a very good middle of the night B movie schlockfest - there were more than a handful of "they're not really gonna go THERE!" moments - and they did! A BOY AND HIS DOG still remains one of the more unique films in the SF canon, even if a bit of its satire has lost some bite over the years. EVER SINCE THE WORLD ENDED was one of those It's Been Sitting on a Shelf for Several Years "premieres", but it was decently mediocre (the funniest gaffe was depicting the documentary within the movie on VIDEO, but showing film cans and film reels as the source! That's something the yahoos would deride an older film for, but "forgive" the newer title). JOURNEY TO THE 7TH PLANET was Solaris-very, very lite on a B movie budget. THE LAST MIMZY was yet another - Let's force a kid's film into the lineup entry. It wasn't bad, but to think of all the significant films that have never been shown in favor of this....? ::) SOUND OF THUNDER was probably suggested by the same folks who thought BATTLEFIELD EARTH would be a marathon laugh riot - bloated big budget disasters are NOT funny! Overall, not a bad show, with some major reservations. da_Bunnyman wrote on Apr 20th, 2013 at 9:00pm:
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Title: SF34 mini poster Post by da_Bunnyman on Apr 28th, 2013 at 7:33am And off we go again. Our third event back at the Somerville. Looks like we had found a home. The theater itself evolves a bit each time we are back with interior re-painting and restorals and new projection equipment. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on May 3rd, 2013 at 9:36pm Our fourth event back at the Somerville Theater. Yeah it's feeling like home and we're starting to really settle in here. Alien trespass was a pretty funny curtain raiser, not outstanding but fun. It Came From Outer space in 3D at the Somerville it's as close as you can get to time traveling back to the fifties. Chrysalis, all setup really not much of a payoff. Logan's Run, a long awaited debut from what was the ultimate seventies sci-fi. It's actually aged better than I thought it would. Alien Raiders a good low budget pic, set in a supermarket it has a nice feeling that there is a lot more going on than you see. The original Thing From Another World, always welcome. Repo Man a great 80's time capsule with catchphrases galore. Lots of fun. Killer Klowns an insane concept that works well. I love this film. I Married A Monster From Outer Space silly title but fantastic film, another fifties classic. Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan, oh come on, we were all just waiting to shout KHAAAAAAN! in unison. Man, this was a really fantastic lineup. |
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Title: Remember SF/34: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Fil Post by L.A. Connection on May 5th, 2013 at 6:38pm
A pretty good Marathon.
The trio of "premiers" were mediocre as usual, but, relatively painless. ALIEN TRESPASS gets off on the wrong foot when it claims to be a "lost" 50s film - but, uses modern day CGI from the get-go (not to mention that Director Goodwin came off as pretty Blamire-like in interviews - "I love these movies, but I'm so much better than them" -#$$# you, dude!). ALIEN RAIDERS was a decent straight to video entry and director Ben Rock was a cool guest. The most poorly received of the trio, CHRYSALIS, was a bit better than it got from the crowd. The Demetri Martin shorts were meh. Not Sci-fi, but I guess we were the first to see them in a theater FWIW. Any marathon that includes the great original version of THE THING has a solid foundation. REPO MAN is such a personal film for me since it captures the time and place of 80s L.A. that first greeted me. Not to mention the fact that I worked with a lot of the folks involved. A great and fun time capsule (just released on Blu Ray by the way). What really made the marathon special was the looooooong overdue inclusion of LOGAN'S RUN. No classic by any means, the film has been stubbornly out of distribution on 35MM for decades (and now with #$$%ing digital, will likely never be again). A gigantic thank you to Bruce for locating this truly rare treat! Marathon repeats I MARRIED A MONSTER, the '78 INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS and KILLER KLOWNS made welcome reprises, although only MARRIED came off even better this time around (I like the other two, but, they don't hold up as well as they initially did). RUNAWAY was a fun 80s throwaway, and Gene Simmons can really chew up the scenery! I truly didn't know that ALIEN TRESPASS was such a direct snark on IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE when I scheduled them back to back - made for a neat coincidence. And, it's always fun to experience retro Red/Blue 3D (and Mr.Goodwin - IT CAME is a better film than yours! :P You're wacked if you have any delusions that your film will be showing anywhere 50+ years after it was made!) It's also a better film than that 2 1/2 hour waste of Marathon time, TRANSFORMERS. At least I went out and had a decent breakfast during its interminable running time. And to think there were actually folks that recommended this for the 'thon! WTF?!! >:( Ending with STAR TREK II was a nice touch. Thanks to Garen for tracking down a print on relatively short notice after Ricardo Montalban's passing. And, a shout-out to Caleb for tracking down the audio for Ricardo's "Corinthian Leather" commercial! All and all, a pretty solid marathon in retrospect. da_Bunnyman wrote on May 3rd, 2013 at 9:36pm:
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Title: SF35 mini poster Post by da_Bunnyman on May 10th, 2013 at 1:02pm The marathon turns 35 and the Somerville Theater is our home. We're considered the closing act for the Sci-Fi Film Festival at the theater. But that's fine. Anyone who attends knows we're the main show. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on May 17th, 2013 at 5:36pm SF35 and no theme. Moon, shows that a good story can overcome a miniscule budget. Colossus The Forbin Project, the story is still great but technology has passed it by. Still a good drama proving science fiction is not all special effects. 9 a controversial choice, some said it was more fantasy than SF, I liked it. Giant Gila Monster super schlocky effects and a story that wanders, enjoyable even with the leads singing. Labyrinth, okay this is fantasy, a fun film combining Jim Henson characters with some Monty Python writing. Famous Monster; Forrest J. Ackerman, good documentary about one of the people that helped create fandom. His mag Famous Monsters was a favorite of mine growing up for the rare pics of older films that made me search them out. Seemed like he saw them all. District 9 shows how a world can become bored even by the discovery that aliens exist. John Carpenter's The Thing, still super creepy, Carpenter was a little ahead of his time in films and they suffered for it. I still think this bombed because they released a film about freezing cold in the middle of summer. Night of the Creeps/Comet two different films that shared a weird attitude towards its creatures. Creeps was creepy, those damn little buggers seemed to be everywhere. Comet suffered a bit by being so in tune to it's time. It'll be a good time capsule soon. Rabid, history does not repeat itself as the crowd does not flee like they did when They Came From Within screened back at SF3. This was nowhere near as sick a film as that. Day the sky Exploded, one of those films where stuff happens but not much really happens, I don't even remember this now. Another pretty eclectic lineup, made for a fun time. |
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Title: SF/35: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on May 24th, 2013 at 9:44pm
Ah, that long ago year of 2010!
Besides my disappointment at NOT showing the movie 2010 (even though a print was available), SF/35 was marked by some fairly scattershot programming. The jewel was a brilliant archive print of COLOSSUS: THE FORBIN project which looked and sounded better than it had at its two prior Marathon appearances. The tech is dated, but, the drama still works. Also, the very good PBS production of Ursula Le Guin's LATHE OF HEAVEN made its Marathon debut, albeit on a faulty home-burned DVD. MOON worked even better the second time around. Call me what you want, but, I still think it's a better piece of SF than that year's overblown AVATAR. The NIGHT OF THE COMET & NIGHT OF THE CREEPS B-movie double bill was entertaining, along with Cronenberg's RABID starring none other than Marilyn Chambers (who had passed away a few months prior). More fun schlock was had with GIANT GILA MONSTER starring Don Sullivan (who provided the subject for a Rondo Nominated article I co-authored). Although a rare find in 35mm, DAY THE SKY EXPLODED wasn't as much fun. LABYRINTH was the odd fantasy addition to the schedule, featuring a young Jennifer Connoly and David Bowie's...uh...little Davy. The animated film 9 was beautiful to look at, but, betrayed the fact that it originated as a short. A heartfelt documentary on Forrest J. Ackerman, FAMOUS MONSTER, stirred the oldsters in the audience. I feel fortunate to not only having seen Forrest in person a number of times and toured his Acker-Museum guided by the man himself, but attended screenings where we sat together for such screenings as FREAKS, THE INVISIBLE MAN and OLD DARK HOUSE. Truly a dream come true for any fanboy of a certain age. Two of the most overrated SF films of all time pleased those who think differently, Carpenter's THE THING and the hard to believe it was actually nominated for Best Picture, DISTRICT 9. WTF was the Academy thinking? The marathon closed on a high note with the "Premiere" of SLEEP DEALER (even though it had already played theaters nationwide). It was an interesting and thought-provoking Mexican film, sadly shown on blown out Blu Ray (although 35mm prints existed). Plus, at 10am, it was a bit of a chore to read subtitles. So, all in all, SF/35 was a mixed bag with some highs, lows and a lot of in-betweens. da_Bunnyman wrote on May 17th, 2013 at 5:36pm:
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Title: SF36 program Post by da_Bunnyman on May 31st, 2013 at 8:54pm The 36th year begins with a big name recent film the 2009 Star Trek reboot. Good action and good casting. Scotty has a real Scottish accent now. The 1916 20,000 Leagues is kind of dull but a unique experience. Might be another 90 years before it ever shows again. Metropia is pretty bad looking like a commercial for some product you'd never want to buy. The original Battlestar Galactica movie is fun for awhile but it just ain't the same without Sensurround. Mystery Science Theater 3000; The Movie, after waiting forever for this to show up at the marathon it gets scheduled around dinner time so a large portion of the crowd is gone for it. Pretty funny and some good in-jokes even if it does take on a semi classic sci-fi film in This Island Earth. The Host, amazing film from Korea with a good attitude and an exciting climax. Monsters, a dividing film, I've heard people bad mouthing this film and others calling it classic. Main thing seems to be folks wanting more monsters in the film. I enjoyed it a lot. Videodrome, weird, in many ways ahead of it's time in others it just has not aged well. Lady Terminator, insanely bad film that was a riot to watch. Mothra, classic Kaiju, I'm sure I was not the only one singing along with the twins. Zonad a nice surprise, even if not technically science fiction it was pretty funny and a good ending film. Good lineup, some nice surprises, a couple of long requested films and only one real disaster. |
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Title: Looking back at SF36; program Post by L.A. Connection on Jun 7th, 2013 at 4:46pm
Has it been over 2 years already?
STAR TREK affirmed the impression that it was a worthy re-start to the series (this year's sequel also did for the most part, but, it's time to move on from too much winking and nodding to the originals). It was great to see the fine print of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - a great film? No, but fun nostalgia. MONSTERS was a cool underseen indie from the year before. Solid on a low budget, but, a bit under-developed in retrospect. THE HOST is a Korean film that went a bit under the radar (mainly, because it was Korean). Not as great as its reputation, but, very interesting and that ending would never fly with a big U.S. studio! THE QUIET EARTH is one of the most underrated SF films of the past couple of decades - too bad the print was incomplete; thanks to Frank for providing the DVD and Dave for pulling off the 35mm to DVD transition. Time has healed some of the disappointment that the MST3K crew took on THIS ISLAND EARTH for their film to mock -it's pretty darn amusing, but, as Bunnyman noted, a shame that so many left for din-din. I enjoyed the silent 20,000 LEAGUES, particularly with Jeff Rapsis' live music. METROPIA was the year's unnecessary 'Animated Film Slot' filler. Corman's LAST WOMAN ON EARTH is more interesting than it's rep. Seeing the fully Japanese edit of MOTHRA was cool - and yes, those cute Twins' song is infectious! Cronenberg's VIDEODROME is a fascinating, frustrating mess that is both dated AND still relevant. Aside from QUIET EARTH, my other highlight was the gonzo Malaysian schlock masterpiece LADY TERMINATOR. It really looks like they started off with a bizarro sex fairy tale and then, mid-shoot, decided to rip-off T2 as well. You either love this stuff, or, you just don't get it. ZONAD was one stupid movie! Fitfully, funny, though. A cheeseball ending to a pretty good marathon. And, sometimes you just need a little cheez to cap off the evening, right? da_Bunnyman wrote on May 31st, 2013 at 8:54pm:
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by kirok on Jun 7th, 2013 at 5:26pm
what a shame that the missing scene from "the last woman on earth" was not salvaged as was the missing footage from "the silent earth". and i do have the dvd. the scene had the unmarried man walking down the beach and he comes upon a well preserved cadaver of a pretty young brunette. she's fully clothed. there are no words but we all know what is going through the guys mind. he walks away forlornly. i wonder (not often) what our audience reaction would have been? some would have said ala bevis and butthead "go for it dude". followed by loud hissing.
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Title: SF37 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Jun 18th, 2013 at 5:39pm And now a trip all the way back to 2012. Rise of The Planet of The Apes was great to see but really too recent since it was a surprise hit from summer 2011. Brainstorm was good, it had a real 80s feel to it. It actually seemed to have aged better than i thought it would. War of the Satellites, a Corman film I had not seen, a LOT weirder than I thought it was going to be. Endhiran, truly insane mixing over the top CGI effects with the Indian love for putting musical numbers in every film. A real trip and a half. Attack The Block, aliens attack a bad neighborhood, lots of fun and really nasty creatures. Often needed subtitles though. Island of Lost Souls, still creepy after 80 years. Seemed to really surprise some of the younger audience. Frankenstein, Bride is better but this still plays well, a little creaky at times but still able to amaze with the performances of Karloff, Clive and Frye. Re-Animator a perfect early morning film. Paul, sigh, any fan who has ever taken a road trip to a convention has dreamed of this happening. Really appreciated by the marathon crowd and a definite film for a future repeat showing. Mission Galactica:The Cylon Attack a couple of episodes of the old series cobbled together with no frills even in the credits. Folklore, would've maybe made a good 5 minute sketch but as a full length film it was horrible. This and Galactica made a poor ending, but there is always next year. |
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Title: All those years ago: SF37 program Post by L.A. Connection on Jun 19th, 2013 at 7:47pm
Thanks again, Bunnyman for keeping this going as we approach the end...er...the present, at least.
SF/37? RISE OF THE APES was fun - looking forward to the sequel. BRAINSTORM was a bit disappointing and the sound was too low - but, Pubic Hair in a PG film?!! And, damn, I had forgotten how out there Christopher Walken already was by 1983! And, I've got to say that Walken and Natalie Wood are one of the most unlikely screen couples of the era! ENDHIRAN - what can you say? It's a whole lotta movie! Still amazes me to hear stories of folks running out to dinner and coming back and still seeing 10 more song & dance sequences! My dinner break was ATTACK THE BLOCK which I'd seen and sorta liked, but, I knew it would go over well with this crowd. PAUL (which I had wanted to show as a closer) served as a nice sunrise feel good flick. DIMENSIONS was one of the more low key "Premieres" we've had, but, the filmmakers were good guests and actually stuck around for the duration. The quartet of 'horror' films made for a good late nite block with FRANKENSTEIN & ISLAND OF LOST SOULS still wowing a remarkable 80 years after they were made! RE-ANIMATOR can still offend more than 2 decades later - and, that's a good thing! 8-) SCANNERS was another early Cronenberg that, while showing promise, isn't as good as folks' memories of it. :-/ Add in Corman's WAR OF THE SATELLITES and there was plenty of old school material - perhaps, too much. And, don't forget Bruce's personally licensed print of BAMBI MEETS GODZILLA which made it's marathon return after far too long. A couple of other 'eh' additions were COWBOY BEBOP and MISSION GALACTICA. Sure, the feature version of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA was a cool addition the year before, but, back-to-back? And, COWBOY was for fans only. Not bad, but, I had no idea what was going on. There was one last movie. What was it? Not much more to be said about FOLKLORE. DEATH MATCH QUESTION: The doors are sealed shut at the Marathon some future year. You can't escape. Nobody is let out. You MUST watch EITHER: MOTIVATIONAL GROWTH or FOLKLORE Which would YOU choose??? da_Bunnyman wrote on Jun 18th, 2013 at 5:39pm:
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Title: Misc stuff after our return to The Somerville Post by da_Bunnyman on Jun 28th, 2013 at 4:20pm Here are various tickets, announcements and of course buttons since our return to The Somerville Theater. No official buttons were issued for SF34 & 35 that I know of. |
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Title: SF38 program Post by da_Bunnyman on Jul 13th, 2013 at 9:30pm
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb475/Bunnyman57/Return%20to%20the%20Somerville/SF38program7_zpsef007a1c.jpg
And here we are at this years program. Bringing us up to date as of today 07/13/13. John Carter made me wonder again why this was called a bomb, a really good fantasy/action film. Reptilicus was just as bad and fun as I remembered from the old Creature Double Feature days. Johnny X did not work for me. War of the Worlds Goliath did, a good animated film, really just a pilot for a series. Battle Royale, great finally seeing this on the big screen. Safety Not Guaranteed, one of those little sci fi films that always slip by, really fun and kept you guessing till the end. Great seeing Shrinking Man again. I skipped Phase IV and as a bonus missed Motivational Growth. V For Vendetta, wonderful adaption of the Alan Moore comic series, made me want to see Watchmen at a future marathon. Escape From L.A., I see why I did miss this, other than seeing Snake Plissken again it really was pretty bad. The Fifth Element goofy as hell sci-fi, lots to see and good action. |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by ed symkus on Jul 13th, 2013 at 9:54pm
I believe I've mentioned this before on these pages -- "The Fifth Element" has some of the best editing in contemporary film. Done with real wit and style by Sylvie Landra, who also edited Luc Besson's "The Professional" and "The Messenger." Check out some of the segues in "Element" next time you see it.
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Title: 5th Element doesnt cut it-Marathon Memorabilia Post by L.A. Connection on Jul 13th, 2013 at 10:57pm ed symkus wrote on Jul 13th, 2013 at 9:54pm:
Honestly, the rest of the film is so annoying and borderline incompetent that I couldn't tell.......... |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 19th, 2014 at 9:18pm
Just want to give a quick THANKS to all at SF39 who mentioned liking my postings of the marathon memorabilia here.
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Title: Re: SF39 Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 19th, 2014 at 9:47pm SF39 ticket announcement, ticket and program. Taking place in a one day break between snowstorms SF39 was a great success with the theater even more crowded than last year. It also looked like a lot more folks stayed till the very end. A fun closing film helped too. First Men In The Moon- a tribute to the recently deceased Ray Harryhausen, the films got a good sense of humor that has made it age well. Westworld- After being requested for decades it finally shows up. Went over well. Coherence- Fun little indie film that really gets you interested. One of the stars was in attendance and made the mistake of trying one of our traditional Atomic Fireballs. The Power- George Pal's last film. Not a great way to end his career, some good scenes but looks like it was badly edited. Europa Report-Shows that a realistic space exploration film can be interesting and exciting. Silent Running- Bruce Dern in a white caftan eating melons in space, has not aged well. The Truman Show- About a guy living in a reality show. Still interesting and worth another look. The Visitor- 70s drive in schlock at its weirdest. Lots of name stars cashing a check in a story that makes little sense. World, The Flesh And The Devil- The last 3 people on earth try to get along. A little pretentious but not bad. Grabbers- Irish monster comedy where alcohol saves them from alien creatures. This means something. Children Of Men- The world goes crazy when no children are born for years. A bit too depressing for almost the end of the marathon. Luckily the last film was Flash Gordon- This does seem to be getting better with age, the crowd loved it too. Sam Jones and the film were somewhat redeemed by appearing in the hit comedy Ted. Next year SF40 a huge anniversary for the event. |
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Title: 2014 SF Festival program Post by da_Bunnyman on Feb 28th, 2014 at 8:51pm
The SF festival that precedes the marathon became an even bigger success this year with some sellouts. This despite screenings having to be re-scheduled because of a few snowstorms during the week.
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Title: Mug Shots 1 Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 2nd, 2014 at 9:16pm I'm posting this one separate since as you can see mine fell victim to water! I can understand not being dishwasher safe but you can see the waterline that washed out some of the design. Anyone want to post one in better shape? SF8, 1973, The Orson Welles Cinema and the very first marathon mug makes it's appearance among souvenirs for sale. PLUS the traditional unlimited coffee refills (a marathon mug tradition.) I believe the mugs stayed on sale for the rest of the marathons at the Welles. |
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Title: Mug Shots 2 Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 2nd, 2014 at 9:33pm The second marathon mug, two sided but with the same message repeated on the other side. They appeared just as we lost our second home at The Somerville Theater. SF17 and we begin the tradition of a new mug every year. SF18 and the marathon comes of (legal) age. I always liked this design. One of the years with an actual theme. The SF19 mug is another fun design. |
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Title: Mug Shots 3 Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 4th, 2014 at 10:01pm SF20 mug SF21 SF22, nice variation of the basic rocketship design with new info on the other side each year. SF23 the first with a wrap around design |
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Title: Mug Shots 4 Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 7th, 2014 at 9:28pm SF24 mug, yes a plastic travel mug. One of 2 mugs that broke the pattern of a standard ceramic coffee mug each year. SF25 this one was a real pain to photograph. SF26 one of my favorite designs for the theme "Bad Girls From Outer Space". SF27 |
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Title: Mug Shots 5 Post by da_Bunnyman on Mar 21st, 2014 at 7:16pm SF28, the other odd mug out, but it does have a certain style to it. SF29, another panoramic mug. SF30 SF31 |
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Title: Mug Shots 6 Post by da_Bunnyman on Apr 6th, 2014 at 11:25am
Back to pictures on 1 side only.
SF32 SF33 no number on the mug itself SF34 SF35 |
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Title: Re: Marathon Memorabilia: Bunnyman Files Post by L.A. Connection on Apr 9th, 2014 at 10:09pm
Always cool stuff!
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Title: Mug Shots 7 Post by da_Bunnyman on May 24th, 2014 at 5:59pm SF36 SF37 SF38 SF39 And we're up to date till Feb 2015 |
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Title: Daleks & Lobsters: SF20 program Post by L.A. Connection on Sep 8th, 2023 at 6:12pm da_Bunnyman wrote on Feb 15th, 2013 at 6:20pm:
Just a note that DR. WHO AND THE DALEKS was replaced by LOBSTER MAN FROM MARS. The booking came too late to be included in the program |
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