I also had WPIX, got the glasses, and had the same experience. I recall there were bits at the commercial breaks that did a better job of showing 3D effects than the reprocessed movie. I remember a pool cue (?) coming out of the screen and being impressive. But the movie was boring. Didn't they flash something on the screen that said "Put on your 3D glasses NOW"?
Yes, and you were supposed to cover one eye to calibrate color off the blue lens. The copy I had has all of those in place. The commercial breaks with the 3D effects were hosted by Harry Anderson.
I had a somewhat similar experience but I don't remember the year. I think we had to get glasses at a supermarket and it was my first time seeing Creature from the Black Lagoon. I definiltey remember it being in the summer because the AC was on and we made popcorn.
I was living in Abilene TX in 1982 when a local TV station advertised the 3-D movie "Gorilla At Large" (1954). 3-D glasses (not sponsored by Burger King) were available at several locations around town. I got mine at a local gas station & convenience store (this one had a Robotron arcade machine in it). They were printed with a Stars & Stripes motif (red, white, & blue). I actually still have that very pair. At it was, the 3-D on TV experience for me was not the most entertaining. I was definitely neither amazed nor thrilled. Cool memory though, and I have a souvenir!
Great memories and very cool that you held onto the glasses. Before they did this broadcast, they showed "Gorilla at Large" on another channel. I wanted to see that at the time, but we couldn't get the glasses before the broadcast. Hoping to watch that one next.
I know this comment is a bit late, but I remember Married with Children did a similar event in the 90s and aired an episode in 3D. It had 3D segments and you could get your glasses from 7 Eleven. I recall being excited, but ultimately disappointed.
Thank you, Retroist, for sharing your experience with this classic movie shown in an exciting new way (for the '80s). I love to see those Burger King branded glasses. And your post inspired a trip to the dictionary...
anaglyph
noun
ana·glyph ˈa-nə-ˌglif
1: a sculptured, chased, or embossed ornament worked in low relief
2: a stereoscopic motion or still picture in which the right component of a composite image usually red in color is superposed on the left component in a contrasting color to produce a three-dimensional effect when viewed through correspondingly colored filters in the form of spectacles
Would you happen to be able to point me on the right direction of obtaining this broadcast? I’ve been trying to track a couple down, and I wasn’t aware of this one.
I received my copy as a gift from a friend who is a tape trader. (I talk about it frequently). I will ping him and see if he can tell me some more info.
I would also be interested in tracking down a copy of this as I just picked up some original 3-D glasses from the event and want to re-create the night as well. I remember watching it in 82. Thanks for the memories.
Oh, that’s neat. My hunting usually comes down to internet searches, and help from groups that specialize in knowing about or finding whatever I’m looking for.
Oh, man - thanks for sharing this memory, the retro tech, and your reminiscing recreation. I don't remember this 3-D movie event, but I remember Jaws 3-D TV broadcast (1983/84?) doing something similar where you had to get the glasses from Burger King. The feelings of excitement, shared camaraderie (and semi-disappointing visuals) still loom large in my brain.
"Sometimes, it's the disappointments that shape us. Nothing will change that or erase my older memories. But with this rewatch, I was able to create some new memories, very positive ones." - The Retroist, WPIX Revenge of the Creature in 3-D
I was a three-year-old at the time, and the TV ad they played in advance for this event is one of my earliest memories. It terrified me! I remember it showed what I think was the WPIX news studio, and one claw of the creature reached up from behind the news desk, grabbing it, and then the other claw, and then he pulled himself up until his hideous face was looking right at you. Absolutely scared the pants off me.
In fact I found this post searching for that very ad. I actually didn't know how young I was at the time until I found this post. I would've guessed maybe 5 or 6. But now that I know it was summer of 1982, it turns out I was only 3, which makes me feel a little better about being so frightened. :)
Does anyone else remember this ad? It's possible that my memory of it is not correct given how long ago it was, and how young I was. Anyway, off to continue my search!
I also had WPIX, got the glasses, and had the same experience. I recall there were bits at the commercial breaks that did a better job of showing 3D effects than the reprocessed movie. I remember a pool cue (?) coming out of the screen and being impressive. But the movie was boring. Didn't they flash something on the screen that said "Put on your 3D glasses NOW"?
Yes, and you were supposed to cover one eye to calibrate color off the blue lens. The copy I had has all of those in place. The commercial breaks with the 3D effects were hosted by Harry Anderson.
I had a somewhat similar experience but I don't remember the year. I think we had to get glasses at a supermarket and it was my first time seeing Creature from the Black Lagoon. I definiltey remember it being in the summer because the AC was on and we made popcorn.
Could it have been in 1993?
Not it was definitely early 80s-ish
I was living in Abilene TX in 1982 when a local TV station advertised the 3-D movie "Gorilla At Large" (1954). 3-D glasses (not sponsored by Burger King) were available at several locations around town. I got mine at a local gas station & convenience store (this one had a Robotron arcade machine in it). They were printed with a Stars & Stripes motif (red, white, & blue). I actually still have that very pair. At it was, the 3-D on TV experience for me was not the most entertaining. I was definitely neither amazed nor thrilled. Cool memory though, and I have a souvenir!
Great memories and very cool that you held onto the glasses. Before they did this broadcast, they showed "Gorilla at Large" on another channel. I wanted to see that at the time, but we couldn't get the glasses before the broadcast. Hoping to watch that one next.
I know this comment is a bit late, but I remember Married with Children did a similar event in the 90s and aired an episode in 3D. It had 3D segments and you could get your glasses from 7 Eleven. I recall being excited, but ultimately disappointed.
Thank you, Retroist, for sharing your experience with this classic movie shown in an exciting new way (for the '80s). I love to see those Burger King branded glasses. And your post inspired a trip to the dictionary...
anaglyph
noun
ana·glyph ˈa-nə-ˌglif
1: a sculptured, chased, or embossed ornament worked in low relief
2: a stereoscopic motion or still picture in which the right component of a composite image usually red in color is superposed on the left component in a contrasting color to produce a three-dimensional effect when viewed through correspondingly colored filters in the form of spectacles
Thanks for posting this, I should have explained the word in the post itself.
Would you happen to be able to point me on the right direction of obtaining this broadcast? I’ve been trying to track a couple down, and I wasn’t aware of this one.
I received my copy as a gift from a friend who is a tape trader. (I talk about it frequently). I will ping him and see if he can tell me some more info.
I would also be interested in tracking down a copy of this as I just picked up some original 3-D glasses from the event and want to re-create the night as well. I remember watching it in 82. Thanks for the memories.
Oh, that’s neat. My hunting usually comes down to internet searches, and help from groups that specialize in knowing about or finding whatever I’m looking for.
Oh, man - thanks for sharing this memory, the retro tech, and your reminiscing recreation. I don't remember this 3-D movie event, but I remember Jaws 3-D TV broadcast (1983/84?) doing something similar where you had to get the glasses from Burger King. The feelings of excitement, shared camaraderie (and semi-disappointing visuals) still loom large in my brain.
"Sometimes, it's the disappointments that shape us. Nothing will change that or erase my older memories. But with this rewatch, I was able to create some new memories, very positive ones." - The Retroist, WPIX Revenge of the Creature in 3-D
I was a three-year-old at the time, and the TV ad they played in advance for this event is one of my earliest memories. It terrified me! I remember it showed what I think was the WPIX news studio, and one claw of the creature reached up from behind the news desk, grabbing it, and then the other claw, and then he pulled himself up until his hideous face was looking right at you. Absolutely scared the pants off me.
In fact I found this post searching for that very ad. I actually didn't know how young I was at the time until I found this post. I would've guessed maybe 5 or 6. But now that I know it was summer of 1982, it turns out I was only 3, which makes me feel a little better about being so frightened. :)
Does anyone else remember this ad? It's possible that my memory of it is not correct given how long ago it was, and how young I was. Anyway, off to continue my search!