Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Silly Question- What is a Drive-In print?

This is topic Silly Question- What is a Drive-In print? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by James Waite (Member # 4536) on 06-05-2009, 06:56 PM:

I was looking at the latest WB release schedule and it lists some films as having Drive In prints. I don't think I've ever seen that term before. What is the difference?

Posted by Victor Liorentas (Member # 5272) on 06-05-2009, 07:10 PM:

The film is printed lighter for a brighter picture on big Drive-In screens.

It can looked washed out on bright screens.

Posted by Tim Sherman (Member # 569) on 06-06-2009, 03:25 AM:

These are often also called Imax prints these days.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 06-09-2009, 01:32 AM:

They also did this with prints that were timed especially for Radio City Music Hall which needed help lighting it's huge screen. They also always got a "backup print" that usually sat in the booth, rarely being needed given the expertise of the projectionists in this super prestigious venue.

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 06-09-2009, 11:02 AM:

The Cinerama Dome in Hollywood had specially timed prints too. Back-up prints was not something special for only Radio City Music Hall. In Hollywood and Westwood, CA the studios would issue a EK/Showprint plus a back-up print for their main first run houses in thoses areas.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 06-09-2009, 12:07 PM:

Up here a 35mm backup print was already to go in the booth for any 70mm engagement

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 06-10-2009, 12:25 PM:

I heard, and I admit it's only hearsay, but when THE SOUND OF MUSIC played in NYC at the Rivioli (or was it the Criterion, not sure), it played for more than two years and they had a backup print which never had to be used because the Todd-AO print, after two years of play looked pristine.....just like digital does after those long two month runs.

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 06-10-2009, 03:08 PM:

quote: Frank Angel
at the Rivioli ( or was it the Criterion, not sure), it played for more than two years

It opened at the Rivoli and played for 93 weeks.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 06-10-2009, 05:10 PM:

The Eglinton Theatre played it on one print for 2 years as well on Bauer U2's

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 06-10-2009, 06:07 PM:

Somebody at Honolulu's Kuhio was not doing it right when they had to use a 35mm backup print after the 70mm wore out after 13 months of use

-Claude