The ABC Sunday Night Movie presents JAWS and RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK
06-17-08, 07:43 AM
#26
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Wow, this thread brings back memories. I first saw JAWS on an early pay TV service called ON tv . Anyone remember watching scrambled porn on the scrambled UHF channel where "ON" tv broadcast on? 
Every once in a while the picture would unscramble for several minutes and you would get full on 70's/80's pr0n.
Back on topic, I can barely watch edited films on Broadcast tv; but there's still a special place in my heart for the pre-cable tv days of movies on TV.
Every once in a while the picture would unscramble for several minutes and you would get full on 70's/80's pr0n.Back on topic, I can barely watch edited films on Broadcast tv; but there's still a special place in my heart for the pre-cable tv days of movies on TV.
Last edited by Giantrobo; 06-17-08 at 07:51 AM.
06-17-08, 07:56 AM
#27
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
I don't know where they got that date for the Jaws telecast, but I'm 99.9% sure it's wrong.
It was re-released to theaters in the spring/summer of '79 ("If you've forgotten what terror is like...it's back! For two weeks only!") and only first hit HBO at the end of the summer. It took most films one year from the first HBO run before they would show up on network TV. I remember it vividly as I was a huge fanatic of the film going to see it every saturday and sunday, and staying to see it several times each day. When I saw it was 'coming next month' in the HBO guide, I went to radio shack to get the highest grade audio tapes I could find to 'record' it.
I remember it was a year later, in the fall of 1980 when ABC first broadcast it...with several cut sequences re-inserted. The additions were intersting to see, but watching it cut up and with commercial breaks was disheartening. The sad, inevitable fate of all great films in that era. HBO was the last stop where you could catch something more or less pure and intact.
Things were sooooo much different before home video took off. I feel so fortunate to have lived to experience what we take for granted today.
It was re-released to theaters in the spring/summer of '79 ("If you've forgotten what terror is like...it's back! For two weeks only!") and only first hit HBO at the end of the summer. It took most films one year from the first HBO run before they would show up on network TV. I remember it vividly as I was a huge fanatic of the film going to see it every saturday and sunday, and staying to see it several times each day. When I saw it was 'coming next month' in the HBO guide, I went to radio shack to get the highest grade audio tapes I could find to 'record' it.
I remember it was a year later, in the fall of 1980 when ABC first broadcast it...with several cut sequences re-inserted. The additions were intersting to see, but watching it cut up and with commercial breaks was disheartening. The sad, inevitable fate of all great films in that era. HBO was the last stop where you could catch something more or less pure and intact.
Things were sooooo much different before home video took off. I feel so fortunate to have lived to experience what we take for granted today.
Last edited by Paul_SD; 06-17-08 at 08:08 AM.
06-17-08, 09:54 AM
#28
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by Paul_SD
Things were sooooo much different before home video took off. I feel so fortunate to have lived to experience what we take for granted today.
1) The Network Movie premiere
2) The HBO Saturday Night premiere with the cityscape and classic theme
3) The initial explosion of VHS in the mid-80s
Each of these felt 'special' at the time. Now with all the options and distribution paths, it's definitely more convenient but a bit of that magic is gone.
06-17-08, 10:24 AM
#29
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
I've posted these same thoughts recently on another forum, but they're very much apropos here.
The one thing that made HBO-and all broadcast material for that matter-special before VCRs, was the fact you had no control over it. If you had to go to the bathroom, or answer the phone, or had to take a nap and didn't wake up in time- you were outta luck. That lack of power over the content, elevates the prestiege and import of the content in a way that is hard to comprehend in an era of $3 DVDs at Big Lots.
I don't want to go back, but I do miss that a little. I was lucky to have that as a frame of reference and I wonder what it must be like when all you've ever known is complete control and short theatrical windows.
The one thing that made HBO-and all broadcast material for that matter-special before VCRs, was the fact you had no control over it. If you had to go to the bathroom, or answer the phone, or had to take a nap and didn't wake up in time- you were outta luck. That lack of power over the content, elevates the prestiege and import of the content in a way that is hard to comprehend in an era of $3 DVDs at Big Lots.
I don't want to go back, but I do miss that a little. I was lucky to have that as a frame of reference and I wonder what it must be like when all you've ever known is complete control and short theatrical windows.
06-17-08, 10:40 AM
#30
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Originally Posted by Paul_SD
I've posted these same thoughts recently on another forum, but they're very much apropos here.
The one thing that made HBO-and all broadcast material for that matter-special before VCRs, was the fact you had no control over it. If you had to go to the bathroom, or answer the phone, or had to take a nap and didn't wake up in time- you were outta luck. That lack of power over the content, elevates the prestiege and import of the content in a way that is hard to comprehend in an era of $3 DVDs at Big Lots.
I don't want to go back, but I do miss that a little. I was lucky to have that as a frame of reference and I wonder what it must be like when all you've ever known is complete control and short theatrical windows.
The one thing that made HBO-and all broadcast material for that matter-special before VCRs, was the fact you had no control over it. If you had to go to the bathroom, or answer the phone, or had to take a nap and didn't wake up in time- you were outta luck. That lack of power over the content, elevates the prestiege and import of the content in a way that is hard to comprehend in an era of $3 DVDs at Big Lots.
I don't want to go back, but I do miss that a little. I was lucky to have that as a frame of reference and I wonder what it must be like when all you've ever known is complete control and short theatrical windows.
Not to sidetrack this thread from movies on TV to miniseries and television specials, but I have resisted buying the DVDs of animated holiday specials (Charlie Brown, Rudolph) I loved growing up because it still feels "pure" when watching it on broadcast TV.
DVRed broadcast TV, of course.
06-17-08, 11:10 AM
#31
Watching those promos bring back awesome memories. It's funny that so many of us felt like it was magical and special.
That ABC promo animation with the stars receding like fireworks, and sparkling borders helped heighten that sense of the spectacular. For some reason with all the modern After Effects and computer graphics around today, the simpler technology of those optical effects seem so much cooler to me.
That ABC promo animation with the stars receding like fireworks, and sparkling borders helped heighten that sense of the spectacular. For some reason with all the modern After Effects and computer graphics around today, the simpler technology of those optical effects seem so much cooler to me.
06-17-08, 11:32 AM
#33
Originally Posted by Paul_SD
I've posted these same thoughts recently on another forum, but they're very much apropos here.
The one thing that made HBO-and all broadcast material for that matter-special before VCRs, was the fact you had no control over it. If you had to go to the bathroom, or answer the phone, or had to take a nap and didn't wake up in time- you were outta luck. That lack of power over the content, elevates the prestiege and import of the content in a way that is hard to comprehend in an era of $3 DVDs at Big Lots.
I don't want to go back, but I do miss that a little. I was lucky to have that as a frame of reference and I wonder what it must be like when all you've ever known is complete control and short theatrical windows.
The one thing that made HBO-and all broadcast material for that matter-special before VCRs, was the fact you had no control over it. If you had to go to the bathroom, or answer the phone, or had to take a nap and didn't wake up in time- you were outta luck. That lack of power over the content, elevates the prestiege and import of the content in a way that is hard to comprehend in an era of $3 DVDs at Big Lots.
I don't want to go back, but I do miss that a little. I was lucky to have that as a frame of reference and I wonder what it must be like when all you've ever known is complete control and short theatrical windows.
Last edited by coli; 06-17-08 at 11:35 AM.
06-17-08, 11:43 AM
#35
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Good God. I remember that like it was yesterday.....I'm getting old 
06-17-08, 12:02 PM
#36
Originally Posted by jeffkjoe
Well, finally found it.
The promo for STAR WARS' premiere on CBS in 1982.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ZyL...eature=related
The promo for STAR WARS' premiere on CBS in 1982.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ZyL...eature=related
06-17-08, 12:18 PM
#37
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I remember when each of the three networks had a movie of the night, so that every day of the week, at least one of them would be showing a theatrical film.
I also remember NBC, in late August, would show a preview of upcoming films they'd be having for the new TV season beginning in September. There'd be about a 15 minute montage of scenes from these films and of course, a voiceover introducing these clips. I used to get really excited about finally getting an opportunity to see a film that I had enjoyed in the theater a few years before or one I may have missed, when it would air on its TV premiere.
Anyone else remember these summer promos advertising their upcoming films?
I also remember NBC, in late August, would show a preview of upcoming films they'd be having for the new TV season beginning in September. There'd be about a 15 minute montage of scenes from these films and of course, a voiceover introducing these clips. I used to get really excited about finally getting an opportunity to see a film that I had enjoyed in the theater a few years before or one I may have missed, when it would air on its TV premiere.
Anyone else remember these summer promos advertising their upcoming films?
06-17-08, 01:40 PM
#38
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Originally Posted by jeffkjoe
Well, finally found it.
The promo for STAR WARS' premiere on CBS in 1982.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ZyL...eature=related
The promo for STAR WARS' premiere on CBS in 1982.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2ZyL...eature=related
Wow. Remember, most of us hadn't seen Star Wars since '77/'78 so this was a big deal. I also remember we all got together at my neighbor's house to watch it.
EDIT: Wait! Did the announcer dude actually say, "Choo-BACK-ah"???!!
Last edited by Giantrobo; 06-17-08 at 01:51 PM.
06-17-08, 02:26 PM
#40
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema
I did years ago, but that tape is long gone. I doubt we'll ever see that scene again.
It's decent video quality and in widescreen, so that scene has to be around somewhere. Maybe it's in one of the documentaries included in the Superman DVDs? (Just a guess though.)
06-17-08, 03:05 PM
#41
DVD Talk Legend
I'll have to see what I can do about converting my beta copy of Superman 2 to my hard drive. I havn't watched the tape in so long, over a decade, I have no idea what kinda shape it is in. I also have TESB on beta when it was shown via HBO.
06-17-08, 03:18 PM
#42
DVD Talk Godfather
Star Wars played more than a few times during my childhood, but this was also a few years after the premieres you guys have mentioned. Up until high school, the only way I could see the movies were hoping for some kind of marathon on weekends. I'd never be able to see them all, so I always caught part of one movie, part of the next, etc.
It wasn't until I got the VHS tapes and saw the re-releases in theatres that I could finally figure out what happened in which movie.
It wasn't until I got the VHS tapes and saw the re-releases in theatres that I could finally figure out what happened in which movie.
06-17-08, 03:28 PM
#43
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This was event television for kids before cable or vcr. This type of promotion came along the same time that the modern "Blockbuster" did, which only added to the hype.
My favorites were the CBS late night scary features:
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A6UsTm5-oc8&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A6UsTm5-oc8&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
My favorites were the CBS late night scary features:
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A6UsTm5-oc8&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A6UsTm5-oc8&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
06-17-08, 03:34 PM
#44
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
something tangential- Here's a great collection of General Cinema policy bumpers. I remember all of these...especially the kalidescope one that played before the first showing of Superman The Movie I ever saw.
http://m.youtube.com/details?v=N5mNA...1&locale=en_US
(tthat's the link for the mobile version, but you should bbe able to get to the correct one from there)
http://m.youtube.com/details?v=N5mNA...1&locale=en_US
(tthat's the link for the mobile version, but you should bbe able to get to the correct one from there)
06-17-08, 03:49 PM
#45
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by Paul_SD
I don't know where they got that date for the Jaws telecast, but I'm 99.9% sure it's wrong.
It was re-released to theaters in the spring/summer of '79 ("If you've forgotten what terror is like...it's back! For two weeks only!") and only first hit HBO at the end of the summer. It took most films one year from the first HBO run before they would show up on network TV. I remember it vividly as I was a huge fanatic of the film going to see it every saturday and sunday, and staying to see it several times each day. When I saw it was 'coming next month' in the HBO guide, I went to radio shack to get the highest grade audio tapes I could find to 'record' it.
I remember it was a year later, in the fall of 1980 when ABC first broadcast it...with several cut sequences re-inserted. The additions were intersting to see, but watching it cut up and with commercial breaks was disheartening. The sad, inevitable fate of all great films in that era. HBO was the last stop where you could catch something more or less pure and intact.
Things were sooooo much different before home video took off. I feel so fortunate to have lived to experience what we take for granted today.
It was re-released to theaters in the spring/summer of '79 ("If you've forgotten what terror is like...it's back! For two weeks only!") and only first hit HBO at the end of the summer. It took most films one year from the first HBO run before they would show up on network TV. I remember it vividly as I was a huge fanatic of the film going to see it every saturday and sunday, and staying to see it several times each day. When I saw it was 'coming next month' in the HBO guide, I went to radio shack to get the highest grade audio tapes I could find to 'record' it.
I remember it was a year later, in the fall of 1980 when ABC first broadcast it...with several cut sequences re-inserted. The additions were intersting to see, but watching it cut up and with commercial breaks was disheartening. The sad, inevitable fate of all great films in that era. HBO was the last stop where you could catch something more or less pure and intact.
Things were sooooo much different before home video took off. I feel so fortunate to have lived to experience what we take for granted today.
Last edited by Shannon Nutt; 06-17-08 at 03:51 PM.
06-17-08, 04:15 PM
#47
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally Posted by coli
What was great about HBO back in the day is they didn't have a huge library of movies, so they would play the 'A' movies at 9AM, 1PM, and then at 8PM that night, so when we would have days off from school, you would wake up early to catch the first viewing, and then stay up late for the nightcap.
06-18-08, 05:46 AM
#48
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Also if you didn't have a t.v. guide and it was Sunday night the excitement to see what hit movie would be shown. The opening preview of the movie was great too. I still remember SERPICO's opening.
06-18-08, 04:54 PM
#49
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Originally Posted by GuessWho
When it was a really big TV movie premiere, there would be a simulcast by a local radio station so that you could listen in stereo.
We had on our local channel 4 network, KITV, Saturday Kung-Fu Theater, I remember staying up after the 10:00 pm news to watch these.
The CBS Special Presentation always reminded me of a Charlie Brown Christmas. Still does.
Yea, there was something magical of watching James Bond or any other major movie on Sunday night with the whole family. Prior to the Sunday night movie we watch KGMB's Hawaiian Moving Company at 6:30 pm.
Oh, I also remember enjoying the local tv title broadcast. KGMB, KHON and KITV the big 3 networks.