Upon viewing 3-D Rarities, I was immediately drawn to its captivating and diverse content, considering it one of my Top Ten favorite titles in my extensive DVD/HD DVD/Blu-ray library.
This collection, spanning from 1922 to the early 1960s, offers a rich array of historically, technologically, and culturally significant material, with exceptional digital 3-D conversions and a wide range of content that will appeal to a broad audience.
The accompanying 24-page, full-color booklet provides valuable insights into the content and restoration process, making it an essential guide to this unique collection.
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Captivating Content and Historical Significance of 3-D Rarities
After watching the 3-D Rarities, I was immediately captivated and knew it would become one of my Top Ten favorite titles.
This collection, spanning from 1922 to the early 1960s, presents an array of historically, technologically, and culturally significant content.
The digital 3-D conversions are exceptional, offering something for everyone, from historical footage of cities to promotional films, trailers, 3-D shorts, and even an anti-nuclear documentary.
The diverse content also includes a captivating Casper cartoon, excerpts from 3-D comic books, View-Master reels, and 3-D stills from the Lon Chaney version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923).
The collection is not only for 3-D enthusiasts but also appeals to train buffs and car enthusiasts, offering a fascinating look at the construction of a steam locomotive engine and stop-motion footage of a car being assembled.
The accompanying 24-page, full-color booklet provides valuable insights into the content and restoration process, making it an essential guide to this unique collection.
The essays within the booklet shed light on the 3-D processes used, the original exhibition of the shorts, and the remarkable efforts to rescue and restore these historical gems.
Overall, 3-D Rarities is a remarkable release that stands out as one of the format’s best, offering a must-see experience for those interested in the historical, technological, and cultural significance of 3-D cinema.
Scottish expatriate McLaren’s innovative shorts for the National Film Board of Canada received an exceptional DVD release some years ago.
However, the four-dimensional films featured in this collection, including “Now Is the Time,” “Around and Around,” “O Canada,” and “Twirlgig,” are truly enchanting, showcasing McLaren’s unmistakable stamp and adding a new dimension to the NFB’s filmmaking innovations.
Additionally, the collection features a wealth of home movie-type scenes promoting Bolex’s Stereo film gear, which, despite awkwardly halving the 16mm gauge’s frame size, still impresses with its 3-D effect.
Delightful 3-D Rarities II Extras
Part 2 commences with a charming short film that preceded Bwana Devil (1952), starring Lloyd Nolan, “Miss Third Dimension,” and puppet versions of Beany & Cecil, offering a delightful artifact of the era.
The first and only 3-D newsreel captures the brief Rocky Marciano vs. Jersey Joe Walcott fight, embellished with additional compelling content, including Marciano seemingly interacting with the movie audience.
Stardust in Your Eyes, serving as a prologue to the infamous Robot Monster, presents an oddity created in haste.
At the same time, Doom Town, a rare find, contrasts sharply with mainstream Hollywood films and Cinerama travelogues, providing a historically significant and thought-provoking experience.
Furthermore, the restoration of The Adventures of Sam Space, a stop-motion/replacement animation resembling George Pal’s Puppetoons, is a visual treat bursting with imaginative design and effects.
I’ll Sell My Shirt and the Paramount-distributed Casper cartoon Boo Moon both present interesting uses of 3-D, with the latter standing out as one of the best-looking 3-D cartoons.
The restoration efforts have resulted in impressive visuals, with all films presented in their original aspect ratios and flawless 3-D effects.
The supplementary content of the 3-D Rarities II includes several minutes of 3-D footage shot by aspiring director Francis Ford Coppola for The Bellboys.
And the Playgirls, along with remarkable 3-D still galleries from the Lon Chaney Hunchback of Notre Dame and the 1939 World’s Fair.
Additionally, the collection features Adventures of Sam Sawyer, excerpts from various 3-D comic books, and a View-Master release, all presented in polarized format from their original anaglyphic.
This exceptional assortment of extras provides delightful surprises and is beautifully executed in every aspect, showcasing the remarkable efforts of the 3-D Film Archive and Flicker Alley.
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