Harkin’s theater, a local chain, had one showing as part of their 70th anniversary celebration. $3, the proceeds going to charity, and they even threw in a bag of popcorn. Life is good.
I think it was an old print. There were a few moments of color misregistration due to the technicolor masters shrinking differently in a couple spots, and the infamous “munchkin-hanging” bird was plainly visible as the trio (no Lion yet) skipped down the road. I vaguely recall the bird was erased last time they restored the film. Maybe not.
Anyway, it was nice seeing an old friend the way it was supposed to be seen.
I know how you feel. Back in late 2001, I saw 2001: A Space Odyssey at the Cinermama in Seattle. Only difference was that this was a brand new, cleaned up print. It was amazing.
I went to the Wizard of Oz Singalong at the Kennedy Center a couple of weeks ago. It was the first time I’d ever seen this film on a theatre screen.
The details you can pick up on a good print are incredible. Little things, like the clutter in Professor Marvel’s coach and the witch’s castle, or in the munchkin city. The friend I went with and I looked for the “hanging munchkin” bird; there is something that looks like a crested crane in the background, and it spreads it wings at one point.
The Singalong was a lot of fun, but just seeing the movie on a big screen was in itself a delightful experience.
The detail that boggled my mind was the makeup on the scarecrow – it’s a burlap bag, and you can see the weave! … a detail that vanishes on TV version, no matter how big a TV screen.