Bringing Film Gems Into 21st Century TV

Back in the so-called golden era of Hollywood, long before anyone dreamed up video tape and desktop editing, the process of filmmaking was relatively simple. Movies were shot on 35mm film, edited on 35mm film, and shown in theatres on 35mm film. In some cases, of

When faced with the challenge of getting a bunch of pristine old film prints to High Definition (HD) television, the Matinee at the Bijou team figured we were up to the task. The task might seem easy at first glance: Just put the old films on a projector and transfer them to tape, right? Well, not exactly.

The process starts with carefully seeking out the best quality film prints available, screening them with a filmmaker’s eye for color, clarity, jump-cuts, scratches, damages and any other quality issues. When the right print is selected, the show’s producers take it to a high-end film transfer facility in Los Angeles for meticulous audio and video transfer to HDCAM video tape, tweaking and color-correcting along the way to ensure a first-rate HD master. The HDCAM tape is then brought to Matinee’s post production house, where it is put on high density BluRay DVD cartridges and loaded onto a sophisticated non-linear editing and finishing system for the final program edit, resulting in the Matinee at the Bijou audience seeing the finished show in glorious widescreen HD format. We think the original filmmakers would be pleased.

A wonderful by-product of this process is that many of these old film gems find new and enduring life. It’s sad but true that film isn’t forever; old films eventually succumb to age, decay and chemical breakdown. Getting these treasures onto immaculate HD media means they have the prospect of surviving for an indefinite period of time. These old films have already survived longer than almost all of their creators; now they have hope of enduring long past the rest of us as well, enabling future generations to enjoy them.

Bijou Content

Bijou Bob remembers movie matinees before the sixties. Audiences were served a banquet of entertainment - much more than just the feature film. Each trip to The Bijou included a mini-movie and an action-packed cliffhanging serial before the main attraction began. The menu featured wacky cartoons and comedies, ET-style newsreels gossiping about Hollywood celebrities, musical shorts, sports reels, and “coming attractions” trailers designed to lure viewers back next week. And you know, they always did. Old movie theaters even had curtains in front of the screen, back in the day, and ushers or usherettes that would take your ticket and show you to your seat. Listen to an interview with Greg Luce of Sinister Cinema.


CARTOONS were always fan favorites, and Matinee at the Bijou will show masterpieces of brilliant animation produced, for the first time, in HD. The show will bring back all those goofy, over-the-top cartoon characters we all know and love like Betty Boop, Tom & Jerry, Casper, the Friendly Ghost, Felix the Cat, as well as lots of terrific seldom seen toons. Bijou Bob really likes the super stylish Max Fleischer Superman cartoon series. Leave a comment and let the producers know what you’d like to see.


SHORT SUBJECTS were mini-movies with titles like The Star Reporter, Hollywood on Parade, and Voice of Hollywood. Some were curiosities, like the Shirley Temple “Baby Burlesk” series, with an all-toddler cast. Matinee at the Bijou will show comedy classics starrring Laurel & Hardy, The Three Stooges and Edgar Kennedy. And, once in awhile, Joe McDoakes will step out from behind the eight ball to tickle our viewers’ collective funny bone.


SERIALS at the Bijou were always exciting, and each 15-20 minute chapter ended with an awesome cliffhanger where our hero or heroine’s fate was left hanging—until next week.

Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe is the 12-chapter serial in Bijou’s first new season, and will be followed in future seasons by serial heroes like Zorro, Dick Tracy, Tarzan and Ace Drummond.

Compare all that to what you get at the movies today--overpriced tickets and refreshments and a ton of commercials. Matinee at the Bijou is all about the real experience—and the film junkies at The Bijou Blog are working overtime to bring it all back on PBS, except the popcorn and the sticky floors! That part is up to you.

Our Host

Debbie Reynolds, celebrated star of Singin’ in the Rain and Best Actress Oscar-nominee for The Unsinkable Molly Brown, has agreed to host the 2007 sequel series of Matinee at the Bijou. The ageless screen legend brings her considerable charm and talents to each of the series’ episodes. Each 2-hour matinee opens with a montage creatively edited to an original theme song performed by Ms. Reynolds. This leads into a customized episode billboard in which Reynolds describes that episode’s cartoon, short subject, action-packed serial chapter and entertaining feature presentation, shown as originally presented in the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s.

Bijou Bob is thrilled and honored that the great Debbie Reynolds has accepted our invitation to host the return of Matinee at the Bijou. She is joining a distinguished roster of PBS celebrity host icons and week after week will be introducing the content of each episode. Ms. Reynolds’ natural wit and personality will set just the right mood for the film fare that follows.

Ms. Reynolds has done it all in the wide world of Hollywood entertainment. During the mid-fifties our host-to-be was one of Hollywood's most sought after female stars. More recently, on TV, she appeared in the continuing role as Grace’s mom on Will & Grace. Along the way she won an Oscar nomination for her title roll in THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN (1964), and a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in Albert Brooks' MOTHER (1996). In addition she has been a perennial headliner on the Las Vegas casino-circuit.

Even the very young will remember her as the voice of "Lulu Pickles" in the animated film RUGRATS IN PARIS: THE MOVIE. In 1988, she published her autobiography: "Debbie: My life" – a fascinating book about a fascinating life well lived. Ms Reynolds has never stopped entertaining America, and coming in 2007, she will be welcomed once again into America’s homes and hearts as the star of Matinee at the Bijou.

We’ll have much more to say down the road about Debbie Reynolds’ role in the return of Matinee at the Bijou to PBS. We’ll also be letting you in on how the new opening sequence is coming together. Our star host will perform her episode intros and the closing sequence from within an absolutely eye-popping set – especially as experienced in the magic of High Definition. A vintage marquee and an ornate box office completes the image. Add the voice of Debbie Reynolds singing our all-new theme song – and all you’ll need to bring along is your crew and lots of popcorn.