Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Of Time and the City.

This is topic Of Time and the City. in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 10-19-2009, 06:44 PM:

At the start of this film a screen, complete with curtains, is seen to rise out of the floor of the stage at, I think, the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. This screen is said to be unique; does anybody know anything about it?

Posted by Bernard Tonks (Member # 809) on 10-20-2009, 04:36 AM:

I seem to remember reading an article on the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall many years ago. I think the original 1.37 ratio screen shape and size remains today, as Classic features are only or mostly shown. Wide & scope would of course have to be letterboxed.

I'll try and obtain more information for you hopefully with a picture of the raised screen from a PTT member who resides in Liverpool. The next screening is as follows:

The Wizard Of Oz
Sat 2nd & Sun 3rd January 2010
Enjoy the magical classic film with live music provided by The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. You’ll hear 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow', 'Follow the Yellow Brick Road' and the whole score in full orchestral Technicolor.

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 10-20-2009, 09:07 AM:

Thank you Bernard.

It does seem to be that ratio. It doesn't seem to be a roller screen, with either a sprung or weight loaded roller below the screen as the curtains come up with it; it looks like the whole thing just drops as it is into a deep space below the stage. I've never seen anything like it before, and I can't see from the pictures on the film how it works, whether it's just suspended from lines, or raised by a hydraulic mechanism from below, or what.

I've seen the film twice, once when it first opened at the Pictureville as I happened to be in Bradford at the time and thought it sounded interesting, and again a week or two later at the Phoenix, East Finchley when Terance Davies was present at the screening. I spoke to him briefly about the film, but didn't have time to ask about that screen; there were a lot of other people waiting to speak to him.

Posted by Bernard Tonks (Member # 809) on 10-21-2009, 12:53 PM:

Hello Stephen,

I have spoken to Mike Taylor in Liverpool, he will be delighted to speak to you and give first hand knowledge of the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, and supply you with a photograph or two with permission to publish on Film-Tech if you so wish. He will also send you a copy of the article that was in the PPT magazine a few years ago. Mike’s telephone number is in the PPT Rewind magazine.

Films are shown on average twice monthly, the last one being “Casablanca”. Wide-screen era pictures are also shown occasionally letterboxed on the large 1.37 ratio screen.

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 10-24-2009, 03:11 PM:

Bernard,

I did wonder if you were talking about Mike Taylor. I haven't been to Liverpool for a long time; I think I've only ever been there twice. The last time was to a PPT event at Birkenhead not long after it opened; that was where I met Mike. I'm no longer a PPT member; my membership expired several years ago. I kept meaning to renew it, but never got round to it.

The first time was in 1984 for the International Garden Festival, and I had a strange experience there. I arrived in the City, and was standing outside Lime Street Station when a young Lady came up to be and asked, in a Liverpool accent, 'Excuse me love, are you Catholic or Protestant?' This seemed a rather strange question to ask somebody. I think I paused for a moment, and replied 'Neither'. She looked at me, and then seemed to decide that I wasn't the enemy (whoever that might be) and then asked me for directions to get to somewhere. I couldn't help her of course; I was trying to work out how to get to the Garden Festival, and she went on her way.

Strange place Liverpool; I don't think this could have happened in any other city in England, and Glasgow is probably the only other one in Britain where this religious divide seems to exist. Anywhere else it would simply never occur to anybody to ask a total stranger about their religion. Very strange.

Posted by Bernard Tonks (Member # 809) on 10-25-2009, 04:28 AM:

Stephen,

Sorry, I should have emailed you Mike Taylor's details which I will do so tonight, as I am at this very moment going out for the day.