Turin Film Museum

This item appears on page 20 of the April 2008 issue.

The Museo Nazionale del Cinema (Via Montebello 20, Turin; phone +39 11 8138 560 or 561) was our favorite museum in Turin, Italy. We spent about half a day there.

It’s housed in the Mole Antonelliana, a building with a needle-like tower that is a city landmark. The admission price of €8 (near $12) includes a ride on the “panoramic lift,” an elevator to a viewing platform high above the city — spectacular views, with the Alps in the distance on a clear day.

The cinema exhibit is comprehensive and begins with the study of perspective during the Renaissance. It includes various 19th-century slide-type machines with prominent 3-D formats.

There also are extensive 20th-century movie clips and props. It was fun to watch Scarlett and Rhett in the Italian-dubbed version of “Gone With the Wind” (“Via col Vento”).

Closed Monday, it’s open Tuesday-Friday and Sunday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday 9-11 p.m.

CHRISTINE SEBELIUS

Los Angeles, CA