Hey Allen, here's one for those of us that used to actually 'GO' to the movies..
I'm sure this is nothing you didn't already know about, but just in case..
Have you ever noticed the little X's that appear in the upper right hand corner of an old movie ? Just before a scene change..
That was the way they used to mark the film for the projectionist, so he could time the change over to the next reel..
For those of you that weren't around then, as most all theaters today are computer driven, with hugh reels of film, and do not need such attention, a movie house had at least 2 projectors.. There was no way a full length film would fit on 1 reel, so they had a 2nd projector threaded and ready with the next reel.. And back and forth it went..
Talk about artifacts ! If you were not hip to the 'x' popping up (once u see it, you can't not see it) you might also be treated to any number of old house shenanigans.. Next reel starts out of focus, or with out sound, or the reel is out of order (or not even the SAME movie !) or it's running backwards ! Got to love it..
Needless to say, these all brought the whistles, cat calls, etc..
Oh yeah, my all time fav ? The scene ends, the film runs out, and the screen goes full blown white ! The dude upstairs had fallen asleep !! hahaha.. Man, that's when the place would go nuts.. Popcorn and candy flying
all over the place.. Every body yellin..
For a kid back then, it more than made up for the 25 cents coughed up at the ticket window... Fifty if you were lucky enough to have a date :-)
