David S. Cohen · @Variety_DSCohen
23rd Feb 2011 from Twitlonger
Odd complaints about 3D: "Those Crazy, Mixed-Up 3-D Kids" July 8, 1953
Number of amusing complaints from patrons during a recent showing of Warners' 3-D "House of Wax" has been Itemized by Earle Holden, city manager of the Lucas and Avon Theatres in Savannah. As reprised in the current bulletin of the Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio, list includes such beefs as: "Why does the picture blur?", "Why are glasses necessary?" and "Why are my eyes smarting?"
Holden's breakdown leads off (1) with a femme customer query, "Why is an intermission necessary?" Theatre exec pointed out that the picture Was so exciting, that the patron didn't want to wait. He explained, as the trailer did, maybe she couldn't read, that it was necessary to run both projectors at once, and had to stop to change reels. Patron wanted to know what a projector was. He told her to be seated, show would go on shortly.
(2) Patron complained about not seeing picture on screen. Had his own viewers. Checked them; they were ordinary sunglasses. Explained Polaroid viewers made especially for 3-D were required. He bought a pair of viewers at 11¢ and complained about the extra cent.
(3) Patron complained that picture was blurred. Was trying to see the images without putting on his viewers.
(4) Several inquiries as patrons came in: "Why are these glasses necessary? The ads said Natural Vision." Explained Natural Vision was a trade name, that it meant picture on screen would be the same as natural vision. They went on their happy way and enjoyed the show.
(5) Patron phoned to ask if he could see 3-D with double vision. Exec explained courteously that he wasn't an eye doctor, could give no professional advice, but invited him to come down and take a sample look. That he did; could see perfectly, and theatre had another happy patron.
(6) Patron complained of blurred vision. Checked her viewers. She had been eating butter corn and handled the lenses, despite three trailers on the screen cautioning about this, plus a -word of advice when she was handed the viewers.
(7) Patron complained eyes were smarting. Checked viewers. He had them improperly folded. They were on backwards. Management said it tries to fold them properly before distributing them.
(8) Several patrons with one eye. No complaint. They wore their viewers and see a fine film in perfect 2-D.
(9) Kid about nine observed strolling in lobby during intermission wearing two pairs of glasses. Said he was ready for 4-D.