Yesterday, I enjoyed the really fun doc “Pavorotti” in its 3rd week here. It will run at least thru the end of the month. Also in the balcony’s 3rd row was a man also upset about the theater’s reported possible closing. He had traveled from 50 miles up the Hudson Valley to see the movie, and said the Paris is his favorite NY movie theater & the best NY movie theater. I’ve long visited from Philadelphia, because the Paris is such a wonderful theater. Yesterday as always, top notch projection & surround sound.
I hope the Paris does not close! It is my favorite NYC movie theater & I love seeing movies there. https://deadline.com/2019/06/paris-theater-closing-new-york-film-community-laments-losing-another-prestige-picture-palace-1202634176/maz/
Since my comment above, I’ve been told by someone who visited the Odeon that the screen can be moved backwards a bit, but will appear a bit smaller, and in that position the curtains can be used. When the screen is forward it will appear bigger, but then curtains can’t be used. I’ve been told that “blockbusters” might appear on the larger screen without curtains. However, unless AMC makes a statement somewhere clarifying this, the only way audiences are really going to find out will be by seeing a movie & reporting! I’ve seen the last 3 James Bond movies here so I hope at least some of the “blockbusters” will have the curtain used. I’ve also seen here British & other films that are not blockbusters….
Hi, Ian, I only visit from the States once a year, but this cinema partly because of its vast auditorium has always been the most impressive London movie theater for me to enjoy movies in, and I’ve seen 15 movies in it over the years. I was upset at the loss of proper curtains. That’s happened too often in the States, and London in recent years, but I am overjoyed at reading your news & seeing the photos above! I hope this means the curtains will actually be used before & after each movie. Some of the premium prices mentioned after it reopened sounded like they hiked them too high, but I will pay a bit of a premium for a really nice, fun experience- with the curtains!
The 4DX auditorium has signs posted mentioning Lightening, Snow, Fog, Wind, Motion, and more! 2 different signs on each side of the auditorium entry, each side stating different effects.
Link to obit of film professor who saved this theater! https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/obituaries/2019/04/23/david-kleiler-independent-film-impresario-who-saved-coolidge-corner-theatre-dies/zYx9xUw7GcO7NfQn0TsfVN/story.html
Before I saw the 70mm print, in 2013, I saw at a Fathom events, the digital version. The digital version was also stunningly beautiful! It was awesome. The Blu ray is probably similiar.
Cleopatra’s original 1963 visual quality is what I enjoyed in 70mm in August 2018 at the Museum of Moving Image via the new print struck in 2006 by Fox. Real film, not digital pixels.
Upcoming films in 35mm, for $5 including free popcorn & a short Wurlitzer pipe organ concert, are Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on May 10, National Lampoon’s Vacation on June 28, Forrest Gump on July 19, Stand by M on August 16, and The Goonies on Sept. 14. Link to details: http://www.ucpac.org/films
To explain the above comment! there’s articles today stating Netflix may acquire the theater, but all can relax- both Netflix and the existing nonprofit would operate the theater.
THEY were NOT saying that anybody lied! Be careful with accusations. All that was said above was that this theater never reopened & you were confusing theaters.
The Pretty Woman print was gorgeous! and reminded me of how beautiful 35mm really is. Here’s a link to next few months' 35mm classics which are The Karate Kid, a double feature of A League of Their Own + The Natural, also Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and National Lampoon’s Vacation. These are only $5 each! and some or all of these films include the Wurlitzer pipe organ being played for awhile, and free popcorn. Check the website and/or Facebook for correct details as I don’t work for the theater; I am merely a big fan of seeing classic films and especially in a historic movie palace such as this one. And,this one has a world class projectionist (Mark P).http://www.ucpac.org/films
By the time I was visiting NYC as an adult, this theater was divided up & I never saw a movie in it. I did have the pleasure of seeing Funny Girl in a new print at the Ziegfeld in 2001, very appropriate because a bust of Fanny Brice was on display upstairs in a foyer at the Ziegfeld. Last year the Univ of Penn Gazette (alumni magazine) had an article contrasting movies from 1968 or so to current. Classics then, current is not so. My own analysis is that 1980s & 1990s each had far fewer great mainstream films than each of the decades before, but there were still many such great films. But, after the Millennium, mainstream films that are really great hardly exist! There are still excellent “art” films which is what the Oscars mostly nominate & honor. And, the art films are often exhibited in historic movie theaters. Contrast to TV which since The Sopranos arrived in 1999 has had a renaissance of great series. So, no, films are no longer exhibited here or at the Ziegfeld, not at all, and nowhere for many months one film.
Auditorium 10, one of the largest auditoriums as my Intro says, was closed off yesterday “hard hat only” I am not sure, but I think they may be converting it to 4 D (which I have no interest in). I was there to see the spectacular WW1 docu “They Shall Not Grow Old”
Seth, In recent years, I see few movies with CGI, but back then, I enjoyed the Lord of the Rings trilogy, at historic cinemas! The 1st I enjoyed at both the Sameric (Boyd) Philadelphia and Toronoto’s Eglington. The Boyd’s auditorium is gone; Englington no longer shows movies. The next two I enjoyed at Washington DC’s Uptown, which is now run by AMC which hasn’t fixed or replaced the motor that opens & closes the curtain/tab so the curtain isn’t used anymore. And, that brings us full circle to the Odeon which AMC decided to make more similar to a “black box” cinema than a flagship, which should have proper curtain & decoration. Also, to add to the list of West End cinemas using tabs, the Prince Charles downstairs and the Regent Street Cinema which also both use proper masking (unlike the Picturehouse Central cited above which has a gorgeous tab but “flat” movies are not masked). I’m in the States, but visit London once a year, and like to see a movie each day – in the historic cinemas.
Despite what seemed like was to happen from looking at the article’s renderings, future articles made it clear the main auditorium is not going to be divided. The 2 new auditoriums, in addition to the former ballroom aka black box space (2nd floor) will be on the 3rd floor.
2014 email from projectionist Nigel Wolland to me with definitive former dimensions:
Total screen size on the screen frame 52 x 26 feet
70mm screen size 47 x 21 feet
Scope is 47 x 19'6" feet
1.75 is 36'4" x 21 feet
1.85 is 36'4" x 19'6" feet
1.33 is 27'6 x 19 feet
This was the post by the Lower Merion Conservancy last week at Facebook:
The Bala Theatre was awarded Class I designation on the Lower Merion Township Historic Resource Inventory last night! The Conservancy, which included the theatre on its annual WatchList five times during the past six years, is thrilled with this news.
The theatre is a landmark in Lower Merion. More importantly, it is the keystone of historic Bala Avenue and crucial to the revitalization of the commercial district. The Conservancy is appreciative of the Board’s support for this designation. It is also grateful to its many dedicated members, to the Lower Merion Historical Society, the Neighborhood Club of Bala Cynwyd, and the Lower Merion Historical Commission for relentlessly pursuing a positive preservation outcome for this iconic building.
Mark, this was one of my favorite theaters, until it closed for decades if I wanted to see a film, this is where I went. Last week Lower Merion designated it a Class A resource, because of such concern. I hope one day it reopens for movies.
Yesterday, I enjoyed the really fun doc “Pavorotti” in its 3rd week here. It will run at least thru the end of the month. Also in the balcony’s 3rd row was a man also upset about the theater’s reported possible closing. He had traveled from 50 miles up the Hudson Valley to see the movie, and said the Paris is his favorite NY movie theater & the best NY movie theater. I’ve long visited from Philadelphia, because the Paris is such a wonderful theater. Yesterday as always, top notch projection & surround sound.
I hope the Paris does not close! It is my favorite NYC movie theater & I love seeing movies there. https://deadline.com/2019/06/paris-theater-closing-new-york-film-community-laments-losing-another-prestige-picture-palace-1202634176/maz/
Alexander Boyd wasn’t at the Boyd in 1950 nor does this look like the Philadelphia Boyd in 1950 including ticket booth. Perhaps another Boyd Theatre?
Giles, I saw The Godfather III here, in 70mm, 6 track.
Since my comment above, I’ve been told by someone who visited the Odeon that the screen can be moved backwards a bit, but will appear a bit smaller, and in that position the curtains can be used. When the screen is forward it will appear bigger, but then curtains can’t be used. I’ve been told that “blockbusters” might appear on the larger screen without curtains. However, unless AMC makes a statement somewhere clarifying this, the only way audiences are really going to find out will be by seeing a movie & reporting! I’ve seen the last 3 James Bond movies here so I hope at least some of the “blockbusters” will have the curtain used. I’ve also seen here British & other films that are not blockbusters….
Hi, Ian, I only visit from the States once a year, but this cinema partly because of its vast auditorium has always been the most impressive London movie theater for me to enjoy movies in, and I’ve seen 15 movies in it over the years. I was upset at the loss of proper curtains. That’s happened too often in the States, and London in recent years, but I am overjoyed at reading your news & seeing the photos above! I hope this means the curtains will actually be used before & after each movie. Some of the premium prices mentioned after it reopened sounded like they hiked them too high, but I will pay a bit of a premium for a really nice, fun experience- with the curtains!
Video here, last part of show on WHYY called Movers & Makers – https://video.whyy.org/video/flashback-chjncu/
Mentioned in May 17, 2019 Philadelphia Inquirer “Shore Guide” with an exterior photo.
The theater’s website does not seem to work today for this one but current movies appear via google.
The 4DX auditorium has signs posted mentioning Lightening, Snow, Fog, Wind, Motion, and more! 2 different signs on each side of the auditorium entry, each side stating different effects.
Photo by Todd Berk.
Link to obit of film professor who saved this theater! https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/obituaries/2019/04/23/david-kleiler-independent-film-impresario-who-saved-coolidge-corner-theatre-dies/zYx9xUw7GcO7NfQn0TsfVN/story.html
Before I saw the 70mm print, in 2013, I saw at a Fathom events, the digital version. The digital version was also stunningly beautiful! It was awesome. The Blu ray is probably similiar.
Cleopatra’s original 1963 visual quality is what I enjoyed in 70mm in August 2018 at the Museum of Moving Image via the new print struck in 2006 by Fox. Real film, not digital pixels.
Upcoming films in 35mm, for $5 including free popcorn & a short Wurlitzer pipe organ concert, are Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on May 10, National Lampoon’s Vacation on June 28, Forrest Gump on July 19, Stand by M on August 16, and The Goonies on Sept. 14. Link to details: http://www.ucpac.org/films
To explain the above comment! there’s articles today stating Netflix may acquire the theater, but all can relax- both Netflix and the existing nonprofit would operate the theater.
THEY were NOT saying that anybody lied! Be careful with accusations. All that was said above was that this theater never reopened & you were confusing theaters.
The Pretty Woman print was gorgeous! and reminded me of how beautiful 35mm really is. Here’s a link to next few months' 35mm classics which are The Karate Kid, a double feature of A League of Their Own + The Natural, also Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and National Lampoon’s Vacation. These are only $5 each! and some or all of these films include the Wurlitzer pipe organ being played for awhile, and free popcorn. Check the website and/or Facebook for correct details as I don’t work for the theater; I am merely a big fan of seeing classic films and especially in a historic movie palace such as this one. And,this one has a world class projectionist (Mark P).http://www.ucpac.org/films
By the time I was visiting NYC as an adult, this theater was divided up & I never saw a movie in it. I did have the pleasure of seeing Funny Girl in a new print at the Ziegfeld in 2001, very appropriate because a bust of Fanny Brice was on display upstairs in a foyer at the Ziegfeld. Last year the Univ of Penn Gazette (alumni magazine) had an article contrasting movies from 1968 or so to current. Classics then, current is not so. My own analysis is that 1980s & 1990s each had far fewer great mainstream films than each of the decades before, but there were still many such great films. But, after the Millennium, mainstream films that are really great hardly exist! There are still excellent “art” films which is what the Oscars mostly nominate & honor. And, the art films are often exhibited in historic movie theaters. Contrast to TV which since The Sopranos arrived in 1999 has had a renaissance of great series. So, no, films are no longer exhibited here or at the Ziegfeld, not at all, and nowhere for many months one film.
Auditorium 10, one of the largest auditoriums as my Intro says, was closed off yesterday “hard hat only” I am not sure, but I think they may be converting it to 4 D (which I have no interest in). I was there to see the spectacular WW1 docu “They Shall Not Grow Old”
Seth, In recent years, I see few movies with CGI, but back then, I enjoyed the Lord of the Rings trilogy, at historic cinemas! The 1st I enjoyed at both the Sameric (Boyd) Philadelphia and Toronoto’s Eglington. The Boyd’s auditorium is gone; Englington no longer shows movies. The next two I enjoyed at Washington DC’s Uptown, which is now run by AMC which hasn’t fixed or replaced the motor that opens & closes the curtain/tab so the curtain isn’t used anymore. And, that brings us full circle to the Odeon which AMC decided to make more similar to a “black box” cinema than a flagship, which should have proper curtain & decoration. Also, to add to the list of West End cinemas using tabs, the Prince Charles downstairs and the Regent Street Cinema which also both use proper masking (unlike the Picturehouse Central cited above which has a gorgeous tab but “flat” movies are not masked). I’m in the States, but visit London once a year, and like to see a movie each day – in the historic cinemas.
Despite what seemed like was to happen from looking at the article’s renderings, future articles made it clear the main auditorium is not going to be divided. The 2 new auditoriums, in addition to the former ballroom aka black box space (2nd floor) will be on the 3rd floor.
2014 email from projectionist Nigel Wolland to me with definitive former dimensions: Total screen size on the screen frame 52 x 26 feet 70mm screen size 47 x 21 feet Scope is 47 x 19'6" feet 1.75 is 36'4" x 21 feet 1.85 is 36'4" x 19'6" feet 1.33 is 27'6 x 19 feet
This was the post by the Lower Merion Conservancy last week at Facebook: The Bala Theatre was awarded Class I designation on the Lower Merion Township Historic Resource Inventory last night! The Conservancy, which included the theatre on its annual WatchList five times during the past six years, is thrilled with this news.
The theatre is a landmark in Lower Merion. More importantly, it is the keystone of historic Bala Avenue and crucial to the revitalization of the commercial district. The Conservancy is appreciative of the Board’s support for this designation. It is also grateful to its many dedicated members, to the Lower Merion Historical Society, the Neighborhood Club of Bala Cynwyd, and the Lower Merion Historical Commission for relentlessly pursuing a positive preservation outcome for this iconic building.
Mark, this was one of my favorite theaters, until it closed for decades if I wanted to see a film, this is where I went. Last week Lower Merion designated it a Class A resource, because of such concern. I hope one day it reopens for movies.