There are many movies that have shaken our perceptions of society, relationships, even our own existence. These two movies shook the world in a different way, a more literal way. The first is the 1936 classic San Francisco and the other is the 1974 Earthquake. Both movies literally shook the world or their little corner of it.

San Francisco from 1936 stars Clark Gable as Blackie Norton, Jeanette MacDonald as Mary Blake, and Spencer Tracy as Father Tim Mullin. The film is set in the final days of san Francisco before the great quake of 1906. Blackie Norton owns a dance hall and only looks after himself. Mary Blake is a country girl that moves to San Francisco to seek her fame as a singer. (If Jeanette MacDonald was going to be in a movie she had to showcase her wonderful singing ability.) Father Tim Mullin is constantly trying to get Blackie to start caring for more then himself. Well in typical 1930’s movie making, boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl.

The big story is the special effects during the earthquake itself and the destruction of San Francisco in the ensuing fire. This is the days before green screen and computer graphics. Sets were created to break apart on cue with a little pushing and pulling. Unique camera angles and quick editing cuts emphasize the devastation created by the quake. Extras are buried under piles of fake bricks and we see the gruesome sight of the arms and legs or the dead sticking out of piles of rubble. Unlike films of today the dead bodies were not mangled bleeding masses but only displayed torn clothing and no motion. After the earthquake Blackie scours the city looking for Mary, as Blackie journeys through the remains of the city rear projected images of the cityscape on fire and buildings collapsing is used to a great effect. The cinematographers also used miniatures when the houses on Knob Hill were being dynamited to try and stop the spread of the fires.

The special affects in San Francisco were top notch for their day and they still stand up to today’s standards of CGI. The movie was nominated for five Academy Awards and won for Best Sound Recording. If you like a good earthquake this movie is a must see.

During the early 1970’s there was a rash of big budget disaster movies some better then others. One of the bet of these movies was the 1974 movie Earthquake. Like all the other disaster flicks of the time it was chocked full of big name stars. This movie included Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, George Kennedy, Lorne Green, Genevieve Bujold, Richard Roundtree, Victoria Principal, Walter Matthau, and Lloyd Nolan. The all-star cast was over shadowed by the special affects and the addition of the new sound technology called Sensurround.

Like San Francisco this movie was made before the advent of computer generated affects. The film makers did have the advantage of green screen for the shots of characters surrounded by the destruction of Los Angeles. Miniatures were used to show the destruction of the Mulhulland dam, and various buildings in downtown Los Angeles. The effects were passable but you could still tell when miniatures were being used. The visuals always melted into the background in the theater when the Sensurround kicked in. The theater started to shake and rumble and you felt like you were in the middle of an earthquake. The sound added a great kick when you watched the movie in the theater. When watching this movie at home you loose the advantage of the Sensurround, well if it gets re-released into the theaters it is a must see.

Earthquake was a hit at the Academy Awards in 1975 with four nominations and two awards for Best Sound and a Special Achievement Award for Visual affects. Earthquake lost out to the Towering Inferno for Best Cinematography, and Best Film Editing.

The next time you need to shake up your life a little check out these movies and hold onto your seats.