This is topic "The Projectionist" in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Gordon Bachlund (Member # 124) on 04-20-2002, 10:35 AM:
My long-awaited DVD of “The Projectionist” arrived yesterday from Amazon, and I viewed it last night in the company of several friendly martinis. What a hoot! Apart from being what one reviewer called “a cult film in search of a cult,” it appears to have been Rodney Dangerfield’s first film, and his role was far from comedic. My heartiest congratulations to the New York Museum of Modern Art for keeping this sleeper alive!The projectionist, Chuck McCann, fantasizes to escape the boredom of his booth job in a faded, second-run NY “movie palace” whose despotic manager, played by Dangerfield, makes life generally miserable for the entire floor staff. It follows, then, that Dangerfield become the villain in McCann’s fantasies. There’s a little of Buster Keaton’s “Sherlock Junior” here, and viewers will recognize many other films from which ideas were borrowed. Perhaps the best and most surprising bit is the ending, and I won’t spoil the surprise.
Another film that depicted an “interesting” theatre personality is “It Runs in the Family” (1994), based on the writings of Jean Shepherd. Here, the unctuous house manager, Leopold Doppler, manages to alienate his housewife following by royally screwing up his weekly dinner china promotion, with a most fitting climax.
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 04-26-2002, 01:51 PM:
That is still one of my favorites along with "The Smallest Show on Earth" with Peter Sellers as Mr Quill the drunk projectionistAlso The Picture Show Man from down under is another classic
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 04-26-2002, 11:36 PM:
Is the Smallest Show On Earth available on VHS, or DVD?
Mark
Posted by Gordon Bachlund (Member # 124) on 04-27-2002, 10:42 AM:
Mark, I bought "The Smallest Show on Earth" from Amazon in VHS. The video was obviously made from a 16mm print, but the quality is not that bad, and the story more than makes up for any technical deficiencies in the tape.You might also look for "Hellzapoppin," the Olsen and Johnson 1941 comedic romp in which Shemp Howard plays a distracted projectionist. It is available in VHS from Amazon UK or Amazon Germany. Be sure you don't get a PAL tape! I made this mistake when I purchased a video of "The Titfield Thunderbolt" from Amazon UK, and I had to have it dubbed by a copy house into VHS.
-Gordon
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 04-28-2002, 03:31 AM:
One of my favorites was "The Party" with Peter Sellers. 
Posted by Dick Vaughan (Member # 540) on 04-28-2002, 05:43 AM:
MarkSmallest Show on Earth is available in a DVD boxed set of Sellers'comedies but only on Region 2 I think.
The fullset includes "Carlton-Browne of the F.O.", "Hoffman", "The Smallest Show on Earth" and "Two Way Stretch".
It's listed on www.amazon.co.uk
Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 04-28-2002, 10:57 AM:
Paul, "The Party" has to be one of the funniest movies ever made! It's a little dated now but still Peter Sellers is incredibly funny to watch in that movie.