We drove to the New Beverly, got some food, and got in line. It was surprising that the line was so long. Usually we’re one of the first 10 or 20 people there, but this time, there were already about 40 or 50 people already waiting. Also, before they opened the box office, one of the employees mentioned that the films will be screened using one projector instead of two unless they can get the other projector fixed before the end of the night. Film reels back them could only hold about 20 minutes, so to play the film without stopping, they would play the first reel on one projector and the second reel on the other projector. But with only one projector, they would have to take a couple minutes to change reels instead of having the next reel already waiting on the other projector.
The New Beverly would usually screen a cartoon or a film serial before the trailers would start. This time, they were screening a different episode of The Crimson Ghost before each double feature during April. From what I’ve been told, The Crimson Ghost is an extremely rare film series to see in 35mm. You know those disclaimers that say “No talking during the movie”? Well, we saw one from the 1940’s before the episode started. The disclaimer said, “If you see anyone being disruptive during the film, report him. He’s working for Hitler.” Of course, this got a huge laugh, but I almost have a feeling that they were being serious.
Episode 7 of The Crimson Ghost entitled “Electrocution” screened before Snake in the Monkey’s Shadow and it was fun to watch. It was really campy and fun to see. The audience really seemed to like the costume which was both obviously fake and still kinda creepy. After that, we got a Chuck Norris trailer reel featuring The Delta Force, Lone Wolf McQuade, A Force of One, and An Eye For an Eye.
Also, it was clear that they had gotten the second projector fixed since we saw the entire movie uninterrupted. After Monkey’s Shadow, there was a short intermission followed by a fun Jackie Chan trailer reel (plus a trailer for True Romance). They showed Jackie Chan’s Visa commercial that also promoted the Beijing Olympics followed by American trailers for Rush Hour, Drunken Master 2 (The Legend of the Drunken Master), Twin Dragons, and True Romance.
I had an amazing time watching these movies on the big screen. I love going to the New Beverly to watch these kind of films and the crowd was almost packed. It was probably one of the most popular screenings of the month. I was hoping that the great turnout of this screening would encourage the programmers to include more Hong Kong movies in the coming months. But I was wrong. Next month doesn’t have any. Oh well. I hope to go to the New Beverly again and hopefully my next visit won’t be in six months.
Images from eMoviePoster and Listal