Wearing Glasses for a 3D Movie

I don’t see many movies in theaters these days, but today Martine and I went to the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo to see a 1953 3D movie. The film was The Maze released by Allied Artists and directed by William Cameron Menzies.

In the titles, Menzies was credited as Production Designer and Director. It was an appropriate choice, as this film was by far the most visually elegant 3D film I have ever seen. The sets in the old Scottish castle that was the scene of most of the action were beautifully designed. Never mind that the script and acting were not up to the mark.

Similar to the Menzies films I had previously seen—such as Things to Come (1936) and Invaders from Mars (1953)—the film was beautiful to look at, but at times simply laughable.

The only classical 3D films I remember seeing were André de Toth’s House of Wax (1953), Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder (1954), and Arch Oboler’s The Bubble (1966). I have seen some more recent 3D productions, such as James Cameron’s Avatar (2009), but was disappointed by all the computer-generated imagery (CGI).

Although I enjoyed The Maze, even with its ridiculous moments, of which there were many, Martine had problems making the 3D glasses that were handed out work for her. For some reason, she was unable to see properly through the left lens. Like me, Martine wears glasses; but she has eye problems that might make watching 3D movies more problematical for her.