Plaza Theatre

Vinnie, do you remember anyone who lived next door? Do you remember the kid who kept his bike in the alley on the west side of the building and was friendly with Robbie, Mr. Evans and Mr. Marx?

NY’s Channel 13 had abroadcast this weekend of the original Bedazzled with Dudley Moore & Peter Cook. This little gem, not to be confused with the recent re-make, was the quintessential film to premiere at the Plaza.

Starting with “Gold Diggers of Broadway,” the feature movies were sub-run and supported by short subjects. Programs changed once a week on Saturday. The Plaza’s screen when fully opened filled the proscenium, and could handle wide-angle systems such as Grandeur.

I may have been the 6th person who saw the Hunger, but not at the Plaza, but at the Kips Bay with a double feature with a Viveca Lindfors film, Night Games. Both were dark, b/w, depressing, Scandinavian films, Per Oscarsson received accolades for his acting in the Hunger. Would certainly not want to sit through either one of these again.

During the time I worked there Mr. Lopert brought over a foreign language film called “The Hunger”. It had to be the most boring film I ever saw. The typical audience consisted of no more than 5 people. I recall Mr. Evans saying that even for Mr. Lopert this film was pretty far out there.

A movie-going experience like no other. Warm and intimate, with dedicated and professional staff. Preferred it to the Sutton, and even the Beekman. Frequented it during the Rugoff-Cinema V era. Only recently did I learn that Ilya Lopert a reknown producer and foreign film importer was an owner preceding Rugoff. I recall an off-handed comment in the original Auntie Mame movie where the characters are returning from a classics matinee at the Plaza. Can’t fully describe what a unique experience it was to put the world behind you and be enveloped in the theatre’s rarefied atmosphere.

Hi, Capt: I grew up next door to the Plaza in the same building that housed the 58th Street Pharmacy. Unfortunately, all of the people that I asked about clearly pre-dated you. They were well-known in the Community and to the Plaza regulars. Polly was a former thespian — about 4 feet tall — who sold tickets long before there was a candy cart, an item that I don’t even remember. The only candy in my time was in ancient, mechanical machines in the basement. Polly had quite the style and worked until she was in her 80s. Robbie was the Jamaican custodian, a classy, affable man who had the task, among many, of polishing all the brass on the beautiful front doors. Mr. Evans, the Manager, was a Plaza legend. I don’t remember his background but he was always well-dressed and a gentleman. He, too, worked until he was in his 80s. Mr. Marx was a relative newcomer. He was very tall and walked with a marked limp. He replaced Mr. Evans but was ultimately transferred to, I think, the Murray Hill.

Hi Jay58,

         Did you work there at one time too? Did Polly work the candy cart? I think I knew her. Robbie, was he the doorman? All of the names you mention sound mighty familiar. We are talking about the Plaza no? I don't remember many staff from Theatres other than the Plaza and Sutton because I worked the others as a fill-in or substitute, but the Plaza and Sutton were my permanent assignments. Unfortunately I do not know what became of anyone. I knew "Tack" the handiman who worked all the theatres; Mr.McMahon, the area manager; 
                

Ivy, the woman who replaced Poly on the candy cart; an Egypian Usher named Hassain; A Dooman named Kevin who was an actor; Mr. Blonje, the Assistant manager of the Plaza; the manager and asst manager of the Sutton, Mr. Sinclair and Mr. Davis, and on and on. There was a Greek-American Usherette from Queens; an Italian-American Box office young woman; Two gay black ushers who were trouble makers; and so many more. There were really nice people in the home office too. The home office was at 595 Madison Ave, around the corner from the Plaza.I don’t know what happened to any of them. A lot of people confuse the Plaza and the Paris. They were both on 58th St. The Plaza was between Madison and Park and the Paris was just off the west side of 5th, across the street from the Plaza Hotel, off the edge of the big circle in front. I forgot to mention that I worked the Sutton in 1966 while I worked the Plaza in the early to mid seventies and the home office at that same time. There was a myth or rumor that bad things followed the filming and showing of the exorcist. When it first screened there were a lot of severe fear reactions (including me, although now I find it amusing). One of the ushers who worked a lot of back to back overtime to handle the massive audiences, went home late one night and fell in front of the subway, losing an arm! Got a quarter for an old alter boy fadder?

…and Mr. Shaffner at Cinema I and II?

Sept. 20, 1996 “BIG NIGHT” opened at the Lincoln Plaza, First & 62nd St, Loews 19th St. East, and Angelika.

The Paris was showing “SURVIVING PICASSO”.

I worked there in the 70s. It was a Rugoff Theatre then. Rugoff Theatres became Cinema V. I met Mr. Rugoff. The Plaza was a very comfortable theatre as were all of the theatres in the Rugoff – Cinema V chain. Many celebrities saw films at the Plaza. There were sometimes also gala film openings. The Plaza was where Robin Hood starring Errol Flynn opened in N.Y. with a gala film opening. Believe it or not there was still paraphanalia from that event in the theatre when I worked there.I met many stars through working for Rugoff Theatres. I worked in all of the Theatres and in the home office. The Plaza and the Sutton were two of my permanent assignments but I also worked in the Cinema I & II; The Paris; The Grammacy; The Art; Either the Murray Hill or the Kips Bay, I forgot which it was. All great theatres with good crowds. I met Darin McGavin; Patricia Neal; Henny Youngman; Dustin Hoffman & more to speak to and Sylvia Sydney; Yoko Ono; Eli Wallach; Ann Jackson & many more just to be in the room with. I enjoyed working in the Plaza and other theatres of the chain. It was one of my jobs that was the most fun. I wound up knowing every scene and move of Milos Forman’s Visions of 8; Alfredo, Alfredo; The Exorcist; Bang the Drum Slowly; Gimmee Shelter; and many more AND I wound up knowing ALL the Dialogue of The Blue Max. It was a happy family in those days and everyone who worked there was tight with each other. A Sunday Shift was like special duty and everyone cooperated to get some food in and to sympathize with each one’s Sunday morning and afternoon feelings (by evening everyone was back to normal).

This venue was definitely still open in the fall of ‘96 when I had the pleasure of catching Big Night there…

The Plaza was very successful as a subrun theatre. The conversion to art house took place only because a distributor desperate for an east side outlet for his films took over the lease. The location, near other art houses, and down the street from the Paris was perfect.