TMT: On Was The Hunt
This is the next entry in a Theatre… a Movie… and a Time, a series that was begun here. Since Rachel and I have reviews loading in the tubes for another of our parallel posts this week, I thought this memory dump should precede all that and plow the road. You’ll note, only the widest of images is fitting for this combination of theatre and movie. Close all watertight doors before diving in, though. 😉
Theatre
Movie
Time
March 2, 1990: there was one time when a book of fiction made its way into my work and movie-going life. Tom Clancy’s first published novel, The Hunt for Red October, was that novel. Among the IT department cohorts that began filling the spaces around me at the job in the mid-to-late 80s, this was the techno-thriller paperback that made it across most of the analysts and support staff desks nearby. Mine, too. Tech-geeks are a strange lot. Not only do they work in technology, they want to read more about it.
With the announcement the novel was to be adapted to film later in the decade, a bunch of us tech-heads lit up on the news. You had discussions who they’d pick for the leads, and how it all could go terribly wrong up on the screen. And when the release date crept closer, about ten of us computer geeks set about planning and pre-ordering tickets for the film’s opening day. Enjoyed working where we did, but this somehow became more important. We thought we might as well make it memorable.
Since few movie palaces in the Los Angeles area are as unique than the famed Cinerama Dome Theatre, why not do this there, I suggested? Didn’t take much convincing, plus it wasn’t that far from the workplace. So, on this date I and a couple of others left a tad early from the job and got there in plenty of time to hold places in line for the rest driving up. All for just a chance at good seats inside the iconic geodesic dome. Landing almost center row, and half way back of that enormous curved screen, we (and the movie) made this moment all the way awesome.
The entire series can be found here. If you’re interested how it’s put together, click here.
It Rains... You Get Wet 
16 Responses to “TMT: On Was The Hunt”
That theater is awesome! And, of course, what a great movie.
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If you ever come out to L.A., and a good movie is playing there, this is where I’d take you, Naomi. And yes, it is a great movie. Thanks.
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Never read the book, but I loved that film! I’ll join you to see whatever the movie…that theater looks like it would make it quite a fun event! I love the Omnimax at Union Terminal in Cincinnati!
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The Cinerama Dome is one of the great movie venues in any city. And you’ve got me curious about the Omnimax at Union Terminal in Cincinnati, Christine. Thanks for the comment!
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Haven’t been on the computer for days so I’m so behind. However, I’m looking forward to getting back into it with this set of posts. Another great memory and a great way to kick off the fun that is Clancy and this story!
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Great to see you back, Rachel. And yeah, this book/film brings up a lot of memories. Looking forward to your review on the novel. Thanks, Rachel.
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this might sound weird but I honestly haven’t read the book an seen the movie. I have heard how great they were but somehow I missed both of theM.
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They are an interesting pair. And well worth looking up, Novroz. Many thanks.
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It will be hard finding the movie tho 😦
Old movies so difficult to find
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It’s worth finding, Novroz :-). Thanks.
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The big screen lives on!
Click to access 70MM_Schedule.pdf
hope you don’t mind the plug, I’m hoping to catch a few of these gems. When we lived in Miami, a restored 70mm Lawrence of Arabia came to town with intermission, the whole shabang. I had never seen it, needless to say, it affected me.
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WOW! What a widescreen line-up! If I had the time and money, I’d head up to Seattle to check this out. Some truly great films there, and all worth it to watch in 70mm splendor.
I know what you mean when you recall first seeing Lawrence of Arabia on the big screen, Herb. Great movie memory contribution, my friend. Keep ’em comin’. Thanks.
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This movie is one I never get tired of. It’s also the best big-screen adaptation of a Clancy novel. I believe I saw it on opening weekend. I dragged the wife along (this was back when she was more inclined to humor me). We saw it in a small cineplex in Victorville we used to go to when we wanted to avoid the crowds.
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I agree this is the best of the Clancy novel/film adaptations (along with the best Jack Ryan characterization, IMO). I’d also agree and say that watching this in Victorville (a place I’d always drive by, and occasionally stop in, on the way to Vega$) would have been the perfect place to avoid crowds when watching this film. Great memory, John. As always, thanks for the comment.
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[…] adaptation. I suggested the new ArcLight since it was the site of where we’d done similar with other geeks years before. So here we landed. Suspiciously wondering how it’d turn out. Happily satisfied Hollywood […]
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