Movie Roadshows: A History and Filmography of Reserved-Seat Limited Showings, 1911-1973 |
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| Written by: Kim Holston | Date: 26.02.2013 |
 Movie Roadshows: A History and Filmography of
Reserved-Seat Limited Showings, 1911-1973 by Kim Holston (McFarland & Co.,
2013) identifies and examines reserved-seat feature films from "Dante's
Inferno" (1911) to "Man of La Mancha" (1972). Roadshows were
prestigious productions requiring advance purchase of the "hard-ticket" for
specific seats. They paralleled the rise of early feature films. As the
decades passed, roadshows became ever longer, provided for sale souvenir
programs, and whetted the appetite of the audiences with musical overtures.
As the intermission came to a close, Entr' acte music heralded the second
half. Audiences left the theaters to Exit Music. Each entry contains synopsis, contemporary critical reaction, premiere theater and date, and production background. Explained is the symbiotic relationship between these large-scale productions and the movie palaces in which they were presented. Glitzy and glamourous premieres were de rigeur. Societal forces that transformed production, distribution and exhibition and eventually led to the end of the roadshow are discussed. Included are comments about the East and West Coast premieres of "South Pacific" by one of its stars, John Kerr. Ingrid Pitt is quoted on the 1966 "War and Peace" premiere in London. In addition, several "you are there" commentaries are provided by audience members attending the 1939 Atlanta opening of "Gone With The Wind", "This is Cinerama", "Exodus", "How the West Was Won", and "Doctor Zhivago". There are 81 illustrations: stills, program covers, theater marquees, ticket stubs. Also included are bibliography, notes and index. An appendix identifies and provides information on films intended but never released as roadshows, including the musical version of "Lost Horizon", which offered advance seats at its 1973 London opening but not in the U.S. |
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