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Author Topic: The Poseidon Adventure
Graham Ritchie
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From: New Zealand
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 - posted January 06, 2010 07:14 PM      Profile for Graham Ritchie   Email Graham Ritchie   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
A long long time ago in a galaxy far far away.....well it does seem like it I bought my first new 400ft film "The Poseidon Adventure" back then it was really something just to own a film that was greater than 200ft. Although I always thought the end was a bit sudden overall the digest was very good. I sold my copy years ago and I can only guess that like so many Ken films from that era that it has probably faded by now...anyone still got a print?

Last night we watched the DVD version on a Sanyo Z1 video projector and really enjoyed it.
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hanging on...a young Eric Shea on the bridge with Leslie Nielsen
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The model work back in 1972 when this film was made is still very good.
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Missing in this amazing shot is Gene Hackman and Roddy McDowall, director Ronald Neame really did put his cast through grime, fire and water with many doing there own stunts...even after 38 years since it was made its still nice to watch movies like this again.
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Final escape.
One thing about this movie [Roll Eyes] is that I am glad they never showed it on the old " SS Australis" when I came out here in 1973, likewise for a short return visit in her in late 1974.. the old girl really did "roll around" [Eek!] in rough weather.

Graham.

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Bill Phelps
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 - posted January 06, 2010 07:24 PM      Profile for Bill Phelps     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Graham...I have the 400' Ken.

It's faded...but still fun. They had a little room to stretch out the end because it's not a full reel but I realize this was a cost factor.

Your screen shots look good. Makes me want to watch the whole film.

On a seperate note...last night before I went to bed I watched a DVD I have of an old TV show called Tales of Tomorrow. The episode I watched was called "Appointment on Mars" starring a very young Leslie Nielsen!

Bill

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Patrick Walsh
Jedi Master Film Handler

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From: Christchurch, New Zealand
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 - posted January 06, 2010 08:18 PM      Profile for Patrick Walsh   Email Patrick Walsh   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Ahhh THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE!
One of my favs, I have the 200ft and 400ft of this title, and I have the honour of owning a 16mm scope print as well! [Big Grin]
The large model of the POSEIDON (Queen Mary) is still around today and is on display somewhere, it is driven by 4 golf cart motors and floats by it'self, the fox special effects dept did themselve's prowd!
[Wink]
I believe that it is on blueray?

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"Raise The Titanic!", It would of been cheaper to lower the Atlantic!

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Paul Adsett
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 - posted January 06, 2010 09:28 PM      Profile for Paul Adsett     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Best part of The Poseidon Adventure is Stella Stevens! [Smile]

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Patrick Walsh
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 - posted January 06, 2010 10:19 PM      Profile for Patrick Walsh   Email Patrick Walsh   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Your right there Paul! [Wink]

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"Raise The Titanic!", It would of been cheaper to lower the Atlantic!

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Graham Ritchie
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From: New Zealand
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 - posted January 07, 2010 12:29 PM      Profile for Graham Ritchie   Email Graham Ritchie   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Hi Bill
Pity about the colour, I might keep an eye out for a Super8 print though I wouldn't mind watching it again. [Smile]

Pat
The only version I can find that is due for Blu-ray release is the 2006 one thats due out in April. The original 1972 I think, would be better so here is hoping [Smile]

One thing that really stood out was the top cast that Ronald Neame put together. I am not sure but was "The Poseidon Adventure" the first film in a line of disaster films that Irwin Allen produced?

Graham.

PS. Does anyone own or know the hit tune that was played at the time? [Roll Eyes] cant remember the exact name of it.

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Patrick Walsh
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 - posted January 07, 2010 02:16 PM      Profile for Patrick Walsh   Email Patrick Walsh   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
"Theres Got To Be A Morning After"
Yes I believe that this film was Irwin's first in a long line of disaster films through the 70s and into the early 80s, I think the last being BEYOND THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE with Michael Caine!
A friend of mine in the USA used to work at Fox in the 1960s and was assistant special effects director for Irwin on his TV shows LOST IN SPACE etc, and he sad that Irwin always wanted to make a TITANIC film but the studio was not to keen as they already had made one, but however he managed to get the TITANIC in some way in his first episode of THE TIME TUNNEL which used the sets from Fox's 1953 Titanic as well as all the special effects shots.
I also have THE TOWERING INFERNO and I believe that that and POSEIDON are his best work, and have a cast of stars that is excellent.

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"Raise The Titanic!", It would of been cheaper to lower the Atlantic!

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Greg Marshall
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 - posted January 07, 2010 05:59 PM      Profile for Greg Marshall     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
"Air pockets?!?!?!"

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Douglas Meltzer
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From: New York, NY, USA
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 - posted January 07, 2010 06:24 PM      Profile for Douglas Meltzer   Email Douglas Meltzer   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
"I'm sorry, sir, but Charley, the third engineer, he told me that by the shaft, the hull was only one-inch thick."

"Look, do you know how thick one inch of steel is?"

"It's one inch less than two inches."

"We're climbing up! All of us!"

Doug

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I think there's room for just one more film.....

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Graham Ritchie
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From: New Zealand
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 - posted January 08, 2010 12:46 PM      Profile for Graham Ritchie   Email Graham Ritchie   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Excellent Doug [Smile]
Thats what is called positive thinking [Smile] I think the dialogue was more colourful than what we hear these days "pity" The one big mistake in "The Poseidon Adventure" was when Leslie Nielsen orders hard left instead of hard to port. I wonder if it was a delibrate mistake or written that way for the cinema audience of the time so they undestood what was going on the bridge. The Poseidon Adventure is a film that has stood up really well over the years and thats due mainly to the excellent cast.

Graham.

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Steve Klare
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 - posted January 08, 2010 01:18 PM      Profile for Steve Klare   Email Steve Klare   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
It's funny, when you looked at Leslie Nielsen back in those days he was just the stock actor they installed to say the gravely serious lines. For this reason he was barely noticable.

Doctor Rumack made him who he is today!

(I am serious, and stop calling me Shirley!)

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Graham Ritchie
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From: New Zealand
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 - posted May 17, 2012 04:11 AM      Profile for Graham Ritchie   Email Graham Ritchie   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Well folks, I picked up the "Blu-ray" version today and watched it tonight. The picture quality as with the new 4.0 DTS-HD-MA soundtrack is excellent. The picture quality itself, is way better than the DVD and well worth replacing it with the Blu-ray. Heaps of extras as well, highly recommend this one. [Smile]

Graham.

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Luis Caramelo
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 - posted May 17, 2012 04:35 AM      Profile for Luis Caramelo     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
hi! Ritchie,i have the poseidon adventure my print still holds good color,it,s a good digest from ken films,i get also,the seven ups,tora!tora!tora!,sky riders,butch cassidy and the sundance kid,just a few of my favorits digets well edited from ken films,i wish you lucky in find a good print with good color

regards;
luis caramelo

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Jonathan Trevithick
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 - posted May 17, 2012 06:27 AM      Profile for Jonathan Trevithick   Email Jonathan Trevithick   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Hi Graham. I picked up the blu-ray last week. Great quality. My only criticism with the transfer is that, in my opinion, as the picture definition has increased from dvd to blu-ray, the ship model shots seem to look less real.

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Hugh Thompson Scott
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From: Gt. Clifton,Cumbria,England
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 - posted May 17, 2012 08:04 AM      Profile for Hugh Thompson Scott   Email Hugh Thompson Scott       Edit/Delete Post 
A good story well told and played out on the screen by a well
trained cast,will stand the test of time,unlike a lot of todays
product.

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Pasquale DAlessio
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 - posted May 17, 2012 03:20 PM      Profile for Pasquale DAlessio     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
I also have the 400' digest of Poseidon and the color has help up well.

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Colin Robert Hunt
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 - posted May 17, 2012 03:39 PM      Profile for Colin Robert Hunt   Author's Homepage   Email Colin Robert Hunt   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Hi Graham. This film was really a injoyment for me when it was first released. Ronald Neame was a brilient man and the 400ft print on 8mm was not a bad cutdown and the colour on release was very good. Watched this recently on digital television and this print was very good and had the build up that lacked in the digest. Still a great film now and better than the recent remake on all levels. The Towering Inferno another great film that had so many stars and some in there last years on screen. Still watchable after 40 years and a great film music score.

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Graham Ritchie
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 - posted May 17, 2012 06:47 PM      Profile for Graham Ritchie   Email Graham Ritchie   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Nice to here that colour wise some of the 400ft digests have held up well. Its unfortunate that the Ken films that came out here have faded.

Regarding the Blu-ray, its well worth watching the movie again, this time with the added commentary by Pamela Sue Martin, Stella Stevens and Carol Lynley. Its really interesting.

Graham.

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James N. Savage 3
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 - posted May 17, 2012 08:28 PM      Profile for James N. Savage 3     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
"The Posiedon Adventure" was my very first 400 foot color/sound super 8 movie. I saved 6 months of allowance and small jobs to get it, and I got my monies-worth, completely!

Speaking of the full-length feature, my absolute favorite thing about the movie is the build-up before the wave hits. Once the captain is interupted at the new-years-eve dinner by the blinking red light (never a good sign) and called to the bridge, the tension slowly builds. I love the way the scenes keep going back and forth, from the loud party where everyone is celebrating, then, to the bridge, quiet, dark, grim news, everyone looking scared...Then, party, laughter. Back and forth, building up to when the captain puts the binoculars up to his face, then.....

Oh, and there's NOTHING like seeing that wave on a big cinemascope screen in a crowded theater. I think everyone ducted under the seat in front of them for a moment [Smile] .

Sorry, ok, I'm getting carried away.

James.

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Graham Ritchie
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From: New Zealand
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 - posted May 18, 2012 05:34 PM      Profile for Graham Ritchie   Email Graham Ritchie   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
It was interesting to note that amazing stunt, also in the Super8 400 footer as well, were the person falls from the upside down table onto a glass lighted ceiling, was done not with a stunt man but an actor who was asked if he would do it by director Ronald Neame. His name Ernie Orsatti, when you watch that fall the actor really had guts "even though he was shown what to do and how to fall" to go ahead and do it.

Graham.

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James N. Savage 3
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 - posted May 18, 2012 07:27 PM      Profile for James N. Savage 3     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Wow- that really is amazing! That was quite a fall, and he landed perfectly.

Another thing about the digest- I was so glad they kept that part of the scene in the digest. The scene ends perfectly, showing the exterior of the ship, now completely upside down, and the lights then going dark, and a brief moment of silence.

See, your getting me started again.......

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Graham Ritchie
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From: New Zealand
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 - posted May 28, 2012 01:07 AM      Profile for Graham Ritchie   Email Graham Ritchie   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
James I think he was initially offered $100 for doing it, however director Ronald Neame did increase it a bit to the sum of... $150, sounds a bit on the low side.

Graham.

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Mark L Barton
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 - posted May 29, 2012 10:06 AM      Profile for Mark L Barton     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Ernie Orsatti went on to be a stuntman, appearing in Allens next disaster film, The Towering Inferno , as a fire fighter.

I remember seeing The Poseidon Adventure on its first run in 1972 at the old Concorde Cinema in Eastville, Bristol. UK. I did have the 16mm print, long sold to a fellow collector in the USA (should'nt have done that) I do have quite a bit of memorabiliy, including the original quad poster (worth several hundred ££s nowadays) and the even rarer double feature poster, The Poseidon Adventure and Skyriders. I do have two 400 foot prints of The Poseidon Adventure , both F18 from Fox with the dire felt tip cover art. One has a green card slip case the other yellow, and I'm sure one of these 400's as a narrator's voice over!? Really must run both prints but its way to hot at the moment in England to be in a drak stuffy room (I know shame on me) What a pity TPA only turned up at its longest as a 400 footer, how cool would a 3 x400 edition have been, think the 3x400 Towering Inferno mini feature, runs about 50 mins and is very well edited. Oh and as a final bit of dullness from me, I still have the 45rpm vinyl single of Maureeen McGovern singing "The Morning After" from the motion picture, The Poseidon Adventure, bought for me in the same year of the films release.. Strange as McGovern did'nt sing the song in the film , the over dubbing of Carol Lynley was sung by Renee Amand.

Dammit Man the Poseidons' too fine a lady to be rushed to the scrap yard on her final voyage!

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Chris Fries
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 - posted June 02, 2012 03:06 AM      Profile for Chris Fries     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
One of my all time favorites. "The Poseidon Adventure" celebrates it's 40th anniversary this year.

As they used to say while promoting it on local late night TV years ago, "If you've only seen it once, you haven't seen it at all."

I honestly don't know how many times I have seen it. In fact, I just watched it again on DVD a few nights ago. I also know the 400' S8 by heart. I must have borrowed it dozens of times before I bought it from our library 25 years ago.

A few years ago I picked up another copy on eBay. I was surprised to find it was not the same film. It had (useless) narration! I recently picked up the 200' which is also narrated. It makes more sense to narrate the 8 min. version. I am also watching a B&W silent 200' on on eBay right now. I hope I get it. Why not? What I would love to find is a copy of the film on 16mm. That and a 400' S8 that's not faded! I have four and they are all pretty red.

About ten years ago, there was a sci-fi convention in Cleveland. I met and talked with Stella Stevens, Carol Lynley and Pamela Sue Martin. They signed my laserdisc jacket. I framed it and placed it on the wall next to my original one sheet.

I was in California a few years ago and yes, I visited the Queen Mary. It was awesome! I even paid extra for the ghost tour. That was the only way to see the pool and the boiler room.

On a side note, I picked up the Wal-Mart exclusive blu-ray about a month ago. There was something wrong with it so I took it back and got another one. Same problem. When I watch it on my Samsung, some sound is missing. I first noticed it when Nonnie (Carol Lynley as voiced by Renee Armand) is rehearsing "The Morning After". She is moving her lips but there is no singing, just music. And there are a few other places where dialog disappears. I have not had this problem with any other bluray disc. I updated the firmware but that did not help. Anyone else have this problem?

[ June 07, 2012, 07:40 AM: Message edited by: Chris Fries ]

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There's a great big beautiful tomorrow just a dream away.

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Graham Ritchie
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From: New Zealand
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 - posted June 04, 2012 12:10 AM      Profile for Graham Ritchie   Email Graham Ritchie   Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post 
Hi Chris

I double checked my Blu-ray, as I could not remember having any such problems. The rehearsal with Roddy McDowall looking on is fine, with the song "vocals" The Morning After being sung. Only instrumental bit was later on at the New Years party and that only comes in later after the vocals, as the actors begin to talk at the table.

Graham.

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