The idea of stereoscopic or 3D movies is actually quite old; it dates back to the beginning of the century. The first movies were presented in 1922. I first saw my first 3D movies in what was called the golden age of 3D movies; that was in the late fifties and early sixties. I saw the classics, “13 Ghosts”, “House on Haunted Hill”, and “The Tingler.” I really liked “House on Haunted Hill” because of the cool ending. Vincent Price was the man in those days. I remember wearing the cardboard glasses with one red cellophane lens and one green one.

I few years later, just in time for my eighteenth birthday, the X rated movie fad started in Hollywood. Now would a young man of Italian decent waste his money on such trash with no redeeming social value? Your darn right he would and as often as possible. Among the classics was the movie “The Stewardesses”. It was a 3D movie and I was happy with that.

The new digital 3D is a great leap forward in 3D presentation. I saw it a few weeks ago when we took our grandchildren to see “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” I have mentioned before that I am not a big fan of animated movies. Shrek was the only animated movie in recent memory that I actually liked. I have seen plenty with my grandchildren in the theater and on DVD and I just sat through all of them to be a good Pop Pop. “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” wasn’t just another cartoon movie. The digital 3D was eye popping. I still didn’t like the story much but the 3D effect was great.

Before the movie they showed trailers for other 3D movies. I have to say that the 3D animated version of “A Christmas Carol” is the first animated movie that I am actually looking forward to seeing. It is going to be spectacular.

There are always strings attached to good things; here’s the string to the 3D movies. In our local theater I paid an extra three dollars and fifty cents to rent the glasses. Yes I said rent. The glasses a sturdier than the old cardboard glasses and the lenses do more. They would like you to drop them in the recycle bin when the movie is over. It won’t do you any good to keep them because they will charge you the three dollars and fifty cents on the next 3D movie you see even if you claim that you don’t need the glasses.

If you’re willing to cough up the extra cash I know you will be amazed that the quality of the 3D effect. I predict a run on the tickets for “A Christmas Carol”.