Here's some 'ancient' history if you're interested...

I was a little puzzled at the way this documentary seemed to ignore the long history of midnight movies before the great films that were showcased here. From what I could tell there was no hint or clue that anyone before Barenholtz had ever thought to show avant-garde films at midnight, although I may be over-reacting, nobody said he was the first. They just didn't mention that there had been this tradition years before.

I missed hearing names like Lou Sher, the cinema entrepreneur who concentrated on premiering European art films and independent American pictures like The French Connection and The Stewardesses. His nephew Mike Getz was responsible for the amazing Underground Cinema 12 film series which traveled all over the country, showing in art houses and on college campuses until about 1970. Then there was John Fles and his Movies 'Round Midnight which drew huge audiences lining up for blocks. This was back in 1964-'65!

Recommended reading: The Most Typical Avant-garde: History And Geography Of Minor Cinemas In Los Angeles by David E. James

Canyon Cinemaa: The Life and Times of an Independent Film Distributor by Scott McDonald

and http://www.flickr.com/photos/23016539@N07/sets/72157624283647315/ these flyers from the original UC12 film series.


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