DVD Corner

Scala!!! Blu-ray Review

“Scala!!!” is a fascinating homage to a former London movie theater. 

“Scala!!!” (AKA “Scala!!! Or, The Incredibly Strange Rise And Fall Of The World’s Wildest Cinema And How It Influenced A Mixed-Up Generation Of Weirdos And Artists”) is a documentary film about a historic London movie theater (Scala Cinema) that was in operation at 2 locations from 1978-1993. The theater (which had history before and after operating as a movie theater) was most well known for showing cult, sexploitation, exploitation, kung fu, horror, classics, LGBTQ, and B-Movies like “Eraserhead,” “King Kong,” “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!,” “Thundercrack!,” and “Pink Flamingos.” In typical documentary fashion, the film is comprised of archival footage and stills and newly recorded interviews with those who worked at or attended the theater such as John Waters, Mary Harron, Ralph Brown, Kim Newman, and Bal Croce.

We all have movie theaters that are essentially our cinematic church if you will. They might be a local theater, an oddball indie theater, a run-down theater or even a cineplex. My theater of choice for the past 20 years shut down last year and it hit me in a profoundly unexpected way. You don’t realize just how much a movie theater means to you until it’s gone. It’s like a second home for film buffs like myself. The Jane Giles and Ali Catterall directed documentary “Scala!!!” really touches on this subject but also delves into so much more. 

The Scala Cinema was more than just a theater with a vast programming schedule, all-night screenings, festivals and even benefits. It was also a place for outsiders, punks, New Romantics, concerts, and people discovering cinema that could very well change (or shape) their lives. Yes, theaters with curated programming like Scala still exist ala the New Beverly, but this was an old school theater with real character. It was kind of grungy, cats would roam the theater, there were shady patrons, and it was the type of theater in which anything could happen on any given night. It was very much like a Grindhouse theater. 

“Scala!!!” is also stuffed with comical, bizarre and even tragic theater employee stories that really shed light on what experiences in this theater were like. It’s easy to see why interviewees were getting so emotional and nostalgic talking about the theater. It was a special place and it’s the type of place that rarely exists in modern times. 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.78:1 1080p. How does it look? Viewers can expect a crisp hi-def transfer.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The 5.1 track is satisfactory.

This Severin Blu-ray set is chock full of extras that works extraordinarily well as a companion piece to the feature film. Extras include:
* A membership card and a mini-poster in the style of a Scala poster schedule highlighting the contents of the 2 discs of shorts.
* Trailer and an intro to the UK premiere
* Commentary by Jane Giles and Ali Catterall.
* A 1990 short film about the theater called “SCALA” along with an intro by director Michael Clifford.
* John Waters, Thurston Moore, Nick Kent and Mary Harron outtakes
* Primatarium, Scala programs, and tentacles animations.
* Another short film about the theater titled “Scala Cinema” along with a commentary by directors Ali Peck and Victor de Jesus.
* Scala programs 1978-1993 featurette
* An hour of extended interviews
* “Cabinet Of Curiosities- Inside The Scala Archive”- Jane Giles shows off objects from the theater.
* “Cartoons By Davey Jones”- A look at the artist’s drawings featured in the film.
* “Osbert Parker’s Scala!!! Animation Experiments And Outtakes”
* Shorts Disc 1- 8 short films from the 60’s to the 90’s titled “Divide and Rule,” “Dead Cat,” “The Mark Of Lilith,” “Relax,” “Boobs A Lot,” “Kama Sutra Rides Again,” “Coping With Cupid,” and “On Guard.” Also included is an interview with director David Lewis about “Dead Chat.”
* Shorts Disc 2- 4 shorts titled “Maniac 2: Mr. Robbie,” “Horrorshow,” “Cleveland Smith: Bounty Hunter” (the original and producer’s cuts) and “Mongolitos.” Other extras included here are a commentary for “Maniac 2” by Buddy Giovinazzo, commentary for “Horrorshow” by director Paul Hart-Wilden, commentary for the producer’s cut of ‘Cleveland Smith’ by producer Scott Spiegel, a commentary for “Mongolitos” by director Stehane Ambiel, Mondo Psychotronic easter egg, and a 1989 Scale appearance/talk by H.G. Lewis. 2 new documentaries mottled “The Art Of The Calendar” and “Splatterfest Exhumed” are also included.

December 7, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | documentary, John Waters, London, Scala Cinema, Scala!!! Blu-ray Review, Severin