original poster, 1977
November the 16th, 1977, 35 years ago today I was so waiting for school to get out so my dad could take me to see this movie…. On the calendar that really is a long time ago but in my memories it was yesterday.. I was very excited about the opening of CE3K and after seeing it for the first time it was my new favorite movie of all time. As a young teen in the 70’s the new world of Science fictions films was born thanks to Lucas and Spielberg, Star Wars came out over the summer and was my favorite film until the 16th of November. Close Encounters quickly took the first place spot pushing Star Wars to 3rd place right behind Jaws coming in at 2nd. I couldn’t wait to save up my nickles and dimes to buy the soundtrack on LP.. I was a little sad that the score was on a single record and I was hoping for a double disc like the Star Wars Soundtrack. Non the less the record was played until the music tracks had all been warn off, HAAA! Since then there have been so many versions of this film that you tend to loose track, but for me the best is still the original release. When the special edition came out in theaters in 1980, we were all anticipating the brilliant extra footage of going inside the mother ship,, the new footage amazed and thrilled everyone in the theaters, but the sad part was a lot of the original footage was edited out causing, at least me, to be as disappointment as I was ecstatic.. Regardless of what version you’ve seen it is a classic through and through and is one of Spielberg’s crowning achievements. This was early on in his career when he still wrote his own films. I do miss his writing talents as well as his long lost love for space and science fiction films. Steven has come a long, long way and his talent grows with all he does. Jaws, Close Encounters, Raiders, Poltergeist, ET, all have a special place in my heart and if it wasn’t for these films I am sure I wouldn’t have been inspired to work in the movies.. Close Encounters is a masterpiece on all levels from the story and directing, the amazing visual effects, and especially for John Williams brilliant score. Living in Wyoming now my big goal is to get over to Devils Tower and when I do I’ll post some then and now pix. So to Steven Spielberg and Close Encounters, Happy 35th.
Dreyfuss and Dillon
a close call
Greg Jein’s incredible miniatures!!!
And Steven Spielberg,, now I know where the line “That’s a bad hat harry” comes from.
Welcome back, John. Having seen (I think) all of the “editions” I still think the original holds up best. Although I will say about the SE: Hey, more Doug Trumbull. Right?
Looking forward to the Devil’s Tower pics.
Thanks and I agree,, can’t get enough Trumbull…
Ahh the great memories when that movie came out. I was pretty young, but old enough to get it and to SO much wish the ET’s would talk to me. If I really had a wish (or two would be better), of what is it that you want to know, more than anything , before you die, it would be: are there intelligent evolving beings like ourselves on this planet out there on others? The second would be, “When I die, will my consciousnous live on with all the knowledge of the Universe?” If it’s a “yes” on the second one, I might ask for a redo and ask to see Scarlett Johanson naked…again.
HAAAAAAAA! you win the prize,,
Heya John!
CE#K was filmed mostly in my hometown of Mobile, Alabama. They were really good about keeping the plot a secret, even though just about everyone knew someone who was somehow associated with the filming back in the day. It wasn’t until opening night that we really knew what a gem it was.
In a weird way that reminds me, I haven’t heard from you in a while about coming for the USS Enterprise Inactivation ceremony, are you still interested? It’s only two weeks away at this point! We’ve got a tour of her on Friday, November 30th and the Inactivation ceremony on Saturday, December 1st. The reason I’m reminded of that is that we’re planning a trip up to the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy museum and they have the actual filming model of the mothership from CE3K on display there!
I had to do a job on the USS Lincoln today and I got to see the USS Enterprise tied up at Pier 12 and they’re getting her ready for the inactivation. It was kinda bittersweet to see her there…her deck is practically empty and they’ve already shut down all of her reactors. She’ll never be underway under her own power again.
Michael Griffith
how fun, (CE#K memories), and How sad (The ENTERPRISE!!!)
Love this movie! It was a pleasant surprise when I visited the Space Shuttle Enterprise at the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy center (they have the Discovery now), and right next to it was the miniature of the mothership! There are a lot of little in-jokes all over that thing.
And it is so small,,, we fixed all the rods on it before it went to the Smithsonian and I was shocked at how tiny it was in real life and how huge it appeared on screen.
One of the best movies I have ever seen that highlights man’s curiosity and drive to explore. Richard Dreyfus was perfectly cast for this movies and, given all of the alien/monster movies that have come out since, it’s nice to see a movie that has a positive spin on an alien contact.
Betcha Spielberg’s a trekkie…..
It is quite a departure from the ordinary ,and I bet he is!
It was a good movie.
Good to see you back John.
I was blown away by this film the first time I saw it.
It still an amazing movie, I watch it every time it come on TV.