I had the good fortune to spend my New Year’s Eve with some friends at the Music Box Theatre for the “4th Annual New Year’s Eve on the S.S. Poseidon” event.
All aboard the S.S. Poseidon
The classic 1972 film “The Poseidon Adventure” was screened as part of the clever Hell in a Handbag Productions Camp Midnight Movie Series at Music Box. The movie was perfectly timed out so that when the scene of the crew enjoying a New Year’s Eve countdown toast was shown, the theater audience was celebrating along with them.
Even though movie fans know the nightmares that lie ahead for the members on the S.S. Poseidon, the party in the theater rolled on, with plenty of campy, silly and harmless fun!
Our admission price of $27 included the film, a drink ticket, party favors and a chance to participate in the costume competition. The theater encouraged the “passengers” to deck themselves out in tacky 70s cruise attire.
“Captain Dick O’Day”
The host for our evening was the fairly well-known local comedian/entertainer Dick O’Day, or as he was referred to that night “Captain Dick O’Day.” I remember the flamboyant performer when he was one of the roving reporters on the PBS show “Wild Chicago” in the late 1990s.
Good-natured dark humor
Most New Year’s Eve movie patrons seemed to enjoy the slightly morbid, but good-natured dark humor spirit of the event, as evidenced by all the smiles, laughing and joking I heard coming from the aisles and theater lobby.
The outrageous running commentary throughout the screening of the movie “fueled the fire” and ignited the madness of the production team and the diverse, upbeat crowd. Perhaps they were inspired by local WCIU TV host “Svengoolie” (Rich Koz), who loves to interject funny comments during the airing of campy, old horror flicks. Even if the movie stinks, “Svensurround” is a real treat to watch, mostly due to the witty remarks from “Sven.”
The Academy and S.S. Poseidon
Despite all that was going on around me, I was still somehow able to appreciate the script, acting and the large-scale production of “The Poseidon Adventure.” Obviously, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also appreciated the film, because it was nominated for several Oscars. It won an award for Best Original Song, “The Morning After,” and actress Shelley Winters, who portrayed Belle Rosen, was nominated for Best Supporting Actress. Ms. Winters did not win that coveted award, but took home a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in “The Poseidon Adventure.” Gene Hackman, Red Buttons, Ernest Borgnine and Jack Albertson were also quite impressive in their roles.
Disaster flicks and Cabana clothes
Long before Leonardo DiCaprio, James Cameron and “Titanic” became “kings of the world,” “The Poseidon Adventure” was perhaps the most famous luxury liner to capsize on the big screen. Back in 1972, the drama aboard the S.S. Poseidon shook up moviegoers and opened the door for a string of “disaster flicks.” Now 40 years later, the film has become fodder for a partying New Year’s crowd at the Music Box.
Perhaps I would have gotten into the spirit of the event even more had I gone to a thrift store and bought some 1970s retro Cabana wear. Maybe I could have won a prize during the costume party if I came wearing knee-high socks, shorts and a crazy flowered shirt! Overall, my friends and I had a great evening, and after the film, we went out for another drink and a late-snack before calling it a night.