Projection Woes in ‘List’ Were Black and White

During its initial showings, Steven Spielberg’s Holocaust yarn “Schindler’s List” experienced technical difficulties in several theaters around the country. The problems stem from the sensitive nature of the black-and-white film stock of the movie, which opened last Wednesday.

Because black-and-white stock is thinner than the more conventional color film, it is more susceptible to such problems as soft focus, jumping frames and shutter flutter, exhibitors explained.

A Universal Pictures spokesman acknowledged that on Wednesday the studio received reports of projection problems from four different theaters--two in New York, one in Seattle and one in Sherman Oaks. Universal said that one of the prints at the Sherman Oaks GCC Cinema had to be replaced.

Because the film required special attention, a letter was sent to each manager and operator of the 25 theaters showing “Schindler’s List.” Signed by Spielberg, producer Gerald R. Molen and editor Michael Kahn, the letter outlined the technical procedures to be taken for proper presentation.

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“We took every precaution we could but apparently some projectionists didn’t pay attention to the instructions,” said the Universal official, noting that as soon as the complaints were lodged, every theater was verbally walked through the instructions.

“Since then, there have been no problems--everything has been corrected,” the studio spokesman said.

One woman who attended Wednesday’s opening in Sherman Oaks said she and others who complained about the soft focus demanded their money back but were refused a refund.