Why some old movies had that "Overture" screen?!
Question: 10 Commandments and Ben-Hur had that screen, that take hours to skip to the movie itself.... my question is why the directors put that annoying screen in the movies back then?
Answers: 10 Commandments and Ben-Hur had that screen, that take hours to skip to the movie itself.... my question is why the directors put that annoying screen in the movies back then?
An overture generally was added to a film considered top-quality, a true cinematic event. It was a signal for ushers or theater managers to close the doors to any late arrivals. Into the Fifties, before television began claiming its audience, a movie WAS an event, especially epics. An overture gave the audience time to settle into their seats and to prepare themselves for the film, a more leisurely approach than today's straggling in and out. At the end of the overture, lights would be lowered, so it also served as a signal.
If a film of was of great length, an intermission was included; you might see "Intermission" when Turner Classic Movies shows such a film occasionally. Again, they wanted to avoid the wandering in and out that so often disrupts viewing.
At a site for "Ben-Hur", I found very specific instructions for theater managers as to the showing. The overture IS the start of the movie and is intended to build audience expectations. You see, back then, they didn't demand instant this and that the way people do now. There would be a sense of expectation and even awe as we prepared to view such epic films as "Ben-Hur", "The Ten Commandments" and "Gone With the Wind" (1939).
Once more: A movie was an event, especially a biblical epic.
The movie was long. And you could get up and go get some popcorn....The Beatles movie "Help" had an intermisson.....Epic....????