western australia

Perfume in a theatre

@JudyEv (342088)

Rockingham, Australia

March 8, 2024 1:18am CST

I wrote about the graphic violence in a film which made me walk out of the theatre. One myLotter responded that, over time, people can get desensitised through a steady diet of horror and violence. Action scenes now are more and more graphic and realistic. Many years back, when westerns were common, wagon trains moved against a painted backdrop. That would never be countenanced nowadays. All this thinking led me to remember that in the musical South Pacific, mention is made of the perfume of the tropical garden and the audience is suddenly aware of a delicate perfume in the theatre. This was a ‘first’ at the time. Does anyone remember this film? It was released in 1958 and I saw it as a teenage, immediately falling deeply in love with John Kerr. The photo is of a very aromatic rose.

20 people like this

18 responses

@LadyDuck (472074)

• Switzerland

8 Mar

I do not remember that movie, but I remember the smells in the movies and I remember a movie where your seat was shaken during the scenes of earthquakes.

4 people like this

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@LadyDuck (472074)

• Switzerland

9 Mar

@JudyEv - I never investigated, but I remember it was popular during some years in the 80s.

3 people like this

@xFiacre (13152)

• Ireland

9 Mar

@ladyduck @Judyev I had that sort of an experience in a theatre in Roma. It was a touristy thing with a renactment of the history of Rome. Whenever there was stormy weather in the story the audience was sprinkled with water and wind was blown through the theatre. During political tumult the seats shook. It was hilarious, especially since we were not warmed in advance. Some people walked out.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342088)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Mar

I remember the seats shaking in some movie or other too. I wonder how they did that?

2 people like this

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@GardenGerty (160949)

• United States

9 Mar

I do not think I had ever heard about that. It probably caused a big sensation at the time.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (342088)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Mar

I never heard of it happening in any other film. And I guess the scent crept up on you because you didn't notice it until the perfumed flowers were mentioned in the film.

1 person likes this

@wolfgirl569 (108126)

• Marion, Ohio

8 Mar

I don't usually watch musicals so don't know it.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (342088)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Mar

It was first a stage show then released as a film in 1958 then re-released in 2001.

2 people like this

@RasmaSandra (80736)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

8 Mar

I sure miss the roses I had in my garden in Latvia,

3 people like this

@JudyEv (342088)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Mar

I can believe it. There is nothing better than walking past a rose bush and having the scent wash over you.

2 people like this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (317241)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

8 Mar

I agree. People have become desensitized to the violence on the screen. I know the movie, but never saw it. I really need to see it one of these days.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (342088)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Mar

It was released in 1958 when I was 12 but I would have been a bit older when I saw it.

2 people like this

@LindaOHio (181721)

• United States

8 Mar

Yes, I remember South Pacific well. I didn't know about the perfume in the theater. Have a good weekend.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (342088)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Mar

Seen through the eyes of 15-16 year olds, it was a very memorable film.

2 people like this

@snowy22315 (182175)

• United States

8 Mar

Wow, smell o vision in the movie. Never had that. I don't think I ever saw the movie..well maybe years ago. I love the music from South Pacific though, in particular Bali Hai.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (342088)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Mar

It was really popular at the time. And great entertainment for a 16-year-old or thereabouts.

2 people like this

@ptrikha_2 (47075)

• India

11 Mar

Not familiar with the 1958 movie. Realistic violence can be a talking point but not something that is good if shown too much. We have some pretty violent with even posters suggesting a lot of violence and bloodshed. Worse, we have many web series in the sane genre and even kids are often watching those. Something of a big concern.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (342088)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Mar

When there is so much of it about, people get desensitised I think.

1 person likes this

changjiangzhibin89

@changjiangzhibin89 (16788)

• China

8 Mar

Especially the films of graphic violence are not suitable for young children,which exert an imperceptible influence on them !

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342088)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Mar

That's so true. We really need to be careful what we let our children watch.

2 people like this

@RebeccasFarm (90464)

• Arvada, Colorado

8 Mar

I do remember it well Judy.

I do love the photo too..I could smell it.

2 people like this

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@RebeccasFarm (90464)

• Arvada, Colorado

9 Mar

@JudyEv Isn't it beautiful the smell of the roses?

@JudyEv (342088)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Mar

Haha - good for you. I love walking past a rose bush and being able to smell the perfume.

1 person likes this

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@jstory07 (139974)

• Roseburg, Oregon

9 Mar

No I never watched the film. It does sound really good.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342088)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Mar

We really enjoyed it but we were very impressionable at that age (15-16).

1 person likes this

@Fleura (30541)

• United Kingdom

8 Mar

That is such a gorgeous photo

I've never attended such a multi-sensory film experience! Great idea though. When I read your title I thought the post was going to be about other theatre-goers with overpowering perfume

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342088)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Mar

Glad you like the photo. I'm wondering now if the sudden burst of perfume would have impacted on those with sensory issues.

@noni1959 (10109)

• United States

14 Mar

I was born in 1959 so didn't but it would have been amazing. I've been in theaters at an Amusement park where they shook your seat, turned on misters and and had other effects where we felt the show. I'm trying to remember if it was a magic mt or Disneyland.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (342088)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 Mar

They can do all sorts of things nowadays. Shaking the seats is pretty awesome.

@Beestring (14692)

• Hong Kong

8 Mar

That's a very beautiful picture. No, I haven't watched the film.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342088)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Mar

I would have been in my mid-teens when I watched it.

1 person likes this

CAPirani Photography & Art

@capirani (2840)

• United States

9 Mar

South Pacific is on ROKU on the ROKU channel, Tubi channel, Prime and others. I just watched it a few months ago. I rarely got to go to the theater when growing up, and learned early that everything in the theaters always ends up on tv, and later on videos to be rented or bought. Now they are on streaming devices and channels. So, we rarely spent money to go to the theaters. So, I never experienced the idea of the power of suggestion of scents, etc.in the theaters. Or was the scent actually put out there by the theater? Who knows?

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (342088)

• Rockingham, Australia

9 Mar

At the time, I read about them releasing an aroma through the theatre in some way so it was the real deal.

1 person likes this

@yanzalong (18987)

• Indonesia

11 Mar

What's your take on films played by actors showing their fighting, and killing skills? Many movie goers imitated the style shown in the film.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (342088)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Mar

Films have got very violent in recent years I think but video games are even worse with human life seeming to count for nothing.

@Tampa_girl7 (50525)

• United States

12 Mar

I saw it many years ago. I need to watch it again.

Dr Souvik Chatterji

@sathviksouvik (19697)

•

13 Mar

I have not seen the film but your photo of aromatic rose is very aesthetic