MovieChat Forums > Robinson Crusoe (1954) Discussion > Can anyone tell me why the picture goes ...

Can anyone tell me why the picture goes up and down?

posted 12 years ago by belalugosihouse
8 replies | jump to latest

Anyone who knows about film, the picture keeps jumping up and down, very distracting. I know that maybe it's the cameras they used (?)...but I don't even want to watch, it's such a horrible distraction, even though the film is good. Please...someone tell me! Since I watch lots of old movies, I've noticed this "shaking" effect in the credits of movies even up to the present...what causes this? It's driving me crazy! No one ever mentions it..even Robert Osborne...maybe I should ask him, he would know.

[–] TopFlight 12 years ago

I'm watching this right now on TCM, and I don't see the problem you're referring to. For what it's worth, I'm watching it on a 46" LCD TV on TCM HD.

[–] DJMan-51 12 years ago

It's pixellation caused by weather interference with the microwave signal. This happens all the timed on BrightHouse's TCM signal. Dopn't believe that bunk about "crystal clear reception" in their adverts. They're often as bad as the old broadcast TV.

[–] belalugosihouse 12 years ago

Appreciate your answers....it is not a huge jumping, though, just subtle...kind of like the movement in movie opening credits with old movies as well as new...always have wondered about that. It could be the signal, but, I think I've seen this effect in theaters....with opening credits.

[–] OhmsLaw 12 years ago

I thought the color at the beginning was so muddy that I wanted to take it all out and make it just black and white. Later there were scenes of beautiful cinematography so I was glad I only lightened the color setting a little.

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 12 years ago

Everyone here is wrong. The slight jump of the film in beginning is the fact it is a film with worn sprockets! When film was actually made of film, back in those prehistoric days before everything went digital, the film had to go through a projector and overtime those tiny holes on the side of the film would become worn. No great mystery!

"Beware of the waiting room."

[–] alotanor 8 years ago

Yep - loose sprockets.
Adds to the charm of the movie I think.

[–] Zuider_Zee 12 years ago

I watched it recently and didn't notice this problem. In what other movies have you seen this occur?

[–] belalugosihouse 12 years ago

Many, many...too many to mention. It happens a lot in the opening credits of movies into the 70s and later. I understand the "sprockets", but why would it keep going so much later? I'm surprised more people don't comment on this.