1960 - HOLIDAY IN SPAIN, Cinerama film without the "Smell -O-Vision."

 Holiday In Spain a film produced by Mike Todd Jr. and presented by Cinerama is partially a travelogue and partially a chase/thriller film.  The legendary cinematographer Jack Cardiff signed on as the director of the film and considering all the challenges of filming in the widescreen format the film looks very good. Filmed in 70 mm instead of the three camera Cinerama system you can't even tell the difference in widescreen formats.

 The story is essentially a chase film with Denholm Elliott playing a British mystery writer attempting to protect an American heiress from being killed by a gang led by Paul Lucas as the heiress races around the Spanish countryside.  Assisting Elliott is the very welcome presence of Peter Lorre as a taxi driver.  A decent cast for the most part.  Holiday In Spain was filmed entirely on location and the film does make Spain look like a great place to take a vacation.

 

It's difficult to review a film like this, it's not really a conventional entertainment in the standard sense.  The film was originally released in a process called "Smell-O-Vision" which was essentially a process where odors were pumped into the theater during the film to enhance the viewing experience for some reason as if a gigantic widescreen film photographing British blonde bombshell Diana Dors wasn't enough of an experience.

 

The film is entertaining in an odd sort of way. It's certainly a great looking film probably due to Cardiff. The running time is 102 minutes.  The film was written by Gerald Kersh.