Originally Posted by grahamcrowden:
“Back in the days of the 70's and 80's I don't ever recall ITV or BBC1 showing letterboxed films beyond the credits.
Even worse was when they squeezed the credits up to make them illegible.
I had an ITV VHS recording of Monte Carlo Or Bust and it was ridiculous.”
I remember they used to do this on BBC1 with Temple of Doom, to fit the opening credits on. Everyone looked anorexic!
Quote:
“BBC1's premier of 2001 on New Years Day 1982 was a laugh.They knew it was necessary to show the space scenes in 2.35:1 but they insisted on filling the blank space with their own stars .
A daft idea in principle it was rendered completely pointless as the stars overlapped objects on screen.
The Radio Times was filled with letters of derision.
They didn't do it again - not on 2001 anyway.”
I remember that very broadcast (although I thought it was a couple of years later as I moved house in late 1983)
Quote:
“I always remember ITV's attempt to screen Goldfinger live rather than prerecorded tele-cine.
Although the film is only 1.66:1 their vain attempts to pan and scan from one side to the other was hilarious.
Clearly not even rehearsed and I often wondered what possible reason there was for not pre-recording it.”
I thought they always pre-prepared these things.
Last night's Eraser, on Five, was like a return to the old days with credits in 2.35:1 and then to 16:9 afterwards. Shame, as C4 only ever showed the 16:9 version so I thought Five might've pulled their finger out to get an HD 2.35:1 print.