There’s no denying it, 3-D movies are back in a big way. While the current crop of digitally enhanced horror films or computer-animated family entertainments are attempting to show audiences something they can’t get in their home theaters or watch on their cellphones, this is far from the first time that the film industry has tried to put customers into seats with the promise of added depth and objects and characters “comin’ at ya” off the screen.

During the final four nights of August, the Dryden will present seven complete features from the first era of 3-D, the early 1950s. Made at a time when the dawn of television presented a serious threat to studio ticket revenue, these films run the gamut in terms of budgets and genres. Each will be shown in beautiful archival prints that require the simultaneous use of two projectors. This left-eye/right-eye system provides a voluminous amount of light and a vibrant image, captured on our specially constructed silver screen. Complimentary viewing glasses will be provided with every ticket purchased.

The series (and screams) begin on August 28 when we present Vincent Price in Warner Bros. still-shocking chestnut of big-screen 3-D horror, House of Wax. Also made at WB, Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder (August 29) might still be the classiest 3-D movie ever made.

Then, we’ll bring you two programs of terrific “B” entertainments from Columbia Pictures. First, you’ll get dizzy dodging all of the arrows and bullets at our August 30 triple feature of low-budget Westerns: Jesse James vs. the Daltons, The Nebraskan, and Fort Ti. On August 31, enjoy an evening of 3-D film noir and Technicolor® period adventure with a double feature of Man in the Dark and Drums of Tahiti.

No Take-10 tickets or passes will be accepted for these screenings.