Theaters as a Medium for Rereleased Films Before Home Video
The evolution of movie consumption through theaters and the advent of home video have significantly altered how audiences engage with films. However, before the invention of the VHS, theaters played a crucial role in the re-release of films. This article explores how films that had not been shown in theaters were re-viewed and how these experiences shaped the viewing culture of the time.
Options for Re-Viewing Older Movies
Before the widespread adoption of home video, the primary options for re-viewing older films were limited. Some theaters did show older movies, allowing patrons to revisit classic films. Wealthy individuals could also afford to purchase projectors and film reels, though this option was expensive and not accessible to the general public.
The financial aspect of film production and distribution at the time meant that most films were considered disposable. However, popular titles were sometimes rereleased, and newsworthy events could prompt a re-release. This was a common practice both in film and television, where noteworthy programs were often not syndicated or archived.
The Silent Film Landscape
The practice of re-releasing films in theaters predated the widespread availability of recorded video. Silent films, in particular, faced unique challenges. Due to the flammability of nitrate used in film reels, many silent films were destroyed to retrieve the valuable material. This attitude was partly a result of the prevailing belief that most silent films were not worth preserving. However, it's fascinating to consider how different the outcome might have been if there had been more opportunities for re-release.
The preservation of silent films was further challenged by accidental fires. Many silent films that are now considered treasures were lost in such incidents, as nitrate is highly volatile. These incidents led to the discovery of copies of "lost" films in private collections, often owned by wealthy film enthusiasts, actors, and industry professionals. These collections sometimes became the last remaining copies of these films.
Matinees and the Persistence of Theater Re-releases
While re-releases in theaters were not common, they did occur. One notable example is the practice of matinees, where old films were shown in some cinemas as part of the daily programming. These screenings offered audiences the chance to revisit beloved films in a theater setting, adding a unique charm to the viewing experience.
Despite these efforts, the theatrical release of films was often followed by a significant delay before re-release. Film prints were carefully shared among multiple theaters, as each print was expensive to produce. Consequently, a successful film might play in one theater for a week and then move on to another. This circuitous release strategy was a standard practice in the film industry.
For blockbuster films like 2001: A Space Odyssey, the theatrical run was followed by a significant gap before re-release. The film's performance at the box office was the primary determinant of when it would be made available on television. This was a standard practice for Disney, which operated under similar constraints until the early 1990s, when they began releasing their back catalog on VHS.
Conclusion
Before the invention of home video, theaters were the primary medium for re-releasing films. While this practice did not allow for the widespread re-viewing of films that had not been shown in theaters, it did provide opportunities for both film and silent film enthusiasts to revisit beloved classics. The evolution of technology has significantly impacted the way we consume and remember films, but the rich history of theatrical re-releases offers a fascinating glimpse into the past of cinema culture.