When movies seemed in danger of losing audiences to TV in the early 1950s, Hollywood tried to find ways to lure to people back into theaters. (Remember wide-screen movies?) One gimmick that worked for a while was 3-D films. Their golden age began in 1952 with the action flick “Bwana Devil.” Over the next few years, 50 3-D movies were made before the novelty wore off.
In the ‘80s, 3-D returned, with such forgettable entries as “Jaws 3-D” and “Amityville 3-D.” More recently, audiences have been donning the special glasses again. The next time will be for a new adaptation of Jules Verne‘s “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” opening Friday.
Among the old clinkers are some worthy 3-D films. Jeff Joseph, president of the 3-D Film Preservation Fund and producer of World 3-D Film Expos I and II at the Egyptian Theatre, picks these five greatest films from the golden age. (Karen Tapia-Andersen / Los Angeles Times)