Movies That Will Blow Your Nose (Press, 12 August 1982)
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Summary: Movies That Will Blow Your Nose (Press, 12 August 1982)
In Sydney, the concept of Smellovision has made a comeback at the Valhalla cinema in Glebe, after its initial unsuccessful launch in the 1950s by film producer Mike Todd for the movie Scent of Fear, which ultimately did not incorporate the smell feature. The first film to utilise this method earlier in 1982 was Garlic is as Good as Ten Mothers, directed by the unconventional filmmaker Les Blank. The cinema enhanced the screening by releasing the aroma of garlic throughout the theatre while staff served garlic fried in claret and oil. This event drew in garlic enthusiasts, who were treated to chocolate-covered garlic cloves and amusing garlic anecdotes during intermission. However, despite the sensory experience, the documentary did not attract sufficient audiences and was quickly withdrawn after only one week. Following this initial venture, the cinema presented its next film, Polyester, which is described as a more gimmicky offering. The film is produced by John Waters and features the transvestite performer Divine in a satirical take on family life, blending bizarre and dark comedy elements. The storyline includes outrageous scenarios such as a husband involved in child pornography, a daughter who is pregnant by a gangster, and a son declared criminally insane. To engage audiences further, viewers are provided with scratch-and-sniff cards that correspond to numbers displayed on the screen, allowing them to experience different scents during pivotal moments of the film, such as roses, petrol, and even various odorous euphemisms. Polyester is set for a six-week run, suggesting that the gimmicky approach of using smells has proven to be more popular than the previous garlic-themed offering, highlighting a contrast in audience engagement and entertainment preferences in the cinematic landscape of the time.
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