Comments from Al Alvarez

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about New York Theatre on Jul 10, 2007 at 3:57 pm

Damn you, Hollywood!
Now I’m craving Nathan’s hot dog and I am nowhere near New York.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Mayfair Theatre on Jul 10, 2007 at 2:20 pm

LOL. The Tivoli did similar programming. My mother would take us to see some popular family musical film from Spain and the second feature would be some Mexican soft core porn or violence filler.
I also remember the Tower’s name for the subtitled version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. It was LA NOVICIA REBELDE or literally, THE REBEL NUN.

I saw THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY on a double feature with HANG ‘EM HIGH at the Olympia.

Have you found this website yet?
http://www.pbase.com/donboyd/memories

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Sheridan Theatre on Jul 10, 2007 at 2:55 am

Thanks Louis. I need to figure out a way to blow up the postcard images. The Strand Art was already porn during my Miami movie-going days and I don’t think I ever went in. I will keep an eye out for photos.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Mayfair Theatre on Jul 10, 2007 at 2:36 am

Louis,

Although the Olympia, Miami, Florida and Paramount provided good memories of popcorn, Disney, and Doris Day, The Mayfair was a more serious place during the arty days and I knew I would see something different if I could get past the movie rating. It helped me develop an early love for foreign language and controversial films I still have today.

The Carib, Sheridan, Bay Harbor, Miracle, Coral, Twin Gables, Sunny Isles and Cinematheque (Absinthe) were also among my favorites.

The Omni never took off and its fate was sealed after the downtown race riots. I grew up with Spanish films at the Tivoli and Tower but avoided them once I figured out how to take the bus.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Record numbers of online ticket sales on Jul 7, 2007 at 2:47 am

Great news! Will do.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Florida Theatre on Jul 6, 2007 at 6:05 pm

Florida Theatre, downtown Miami.

http://www.pbase.com/donboyd/image/77098085

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about 163rd Street & Patio Theatre on Jul 6, 2007 at 5:57 pm

Artist rendition

http://www.pbase.com/donboyd/image/80670007

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Record numbers of online ticket sales on Jul 6, 2007 at 2:32 am

Although I have seen the box office numbers I have failed to find any good movies.

So far I have seen only convoluted and incomprehensible CGI sequels (SHREK, PIRATES, FANTASTIC, SPIDER), yet another boring all-star remake of the awful OCEANS 11, and two romantic comedies about unwanted pregnancies caused by excessive alcohol consumption (KNOCKED UP, WAITRESS).

Although adorable in real life, when did casual unsafe drunk sex become acceptable behavior for a movie heroine?

Can you recommend any English language good movies this summer that made any money?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Sharing Cinema on Jul 2, 2007 at 6:28 am

Having been a theatre manager I can tell you that parents are the brunt of the problem. They often ignore the kids so much that toddlers wander out into the lobby and into other screens. We kept them at the concession stand until the movie ended and someone came out to claim them.

After evicting unaccompanied darlings for throwing eggs, loud cursing, fighting and otherwise disrupting the show, I was very often confronted by angry parents claiming their child would never engage in such behavior and demanding that theatre must keep the little psychopaths on hand until they get collected.

It appears that many are under the impression that the local cinema is a cheap and safe babysitter. By the way, it is always “that other kid” who did it.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Top sellers and survey questions on Jul 1, 2007 at 10:36 am

I was in Mexico City on 1996 when we introduced Nachos and the Mexicans had never heard of them. It is apparently strictly a Tex-Mex invention that is now successfully sold in Shanghai, Glasgow, Tokyo, Warsaw and Moscow. Who knew oddly translucent cheese on a stale tasting chip would be an element of cultural unity?

By the way, it dries like candle wax on the seats but the portion control containers do help.

Warren, didn’t Loews fight the concept of concession stands when others were installing them? Cineplex Odeon had to put them into some Walter Reade and Rugoff locations in Manhattan in the 80’s and, say what you may, made many shakey single-screen theatres profitable once again.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Top sellers and survey questions on Jul 1, 2007 at 9:16 am

The nacho cheese can be a problem unless you use portion control containers. The hot dogs are not an issue as their shape makes them easy to eat in the dark. Burgers and fries are more prone to spills and smell up the area.

You will want to keep the health department happy and control your inventory as well. Hots dogs are pre-cooked and portion control dairy products are pre-dated so they are easier to manage.

Also, remember that speed of service and inventory that survives slow weekdays will help. Every penny profit you can squeeze out of the concession stand is a penny you do not have to share with a film distributor and it goes down to the bottom line. Keep an out for local tastes and ethnic preferences. Grape and Orange drinks and drinks such as Mountain Dew have loyal followings in some circles.

If you discount your box office prices, food sales go down instead of up. Bargain hunters bring their own food or refuse to pay theatre prices.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Cinema Theatre on Jul 1, 2007 at 1:00 am

Was it Level54 when it was owned by Prince? I remember it being a gay club called 1235 for a while and then raided for drugs with a later name.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Sharing Cinema on Jun 29, 2007 at 12:16 pm

My rule is never to see a Disney film unless it starts after 9pm. Kids are less likely to be there and some towns will not allow them in that late by law. Avoid weekend matinees at all costs.

Remember a kid’s attention span. Add sugar, other kids and a boring movie and you should not be surprised what happens.

I do remember a matinee of the live action 102 DALMATIANS where, during an action sequence, some three-to-four year old near-fetus screeched out:
“That scene was animated!”

Although I am sure most of those words were unknown to me at that age her useful information was probably correct.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Top sellers and survey questions on Jun 29, 2007 at 11:57 am

Try non-carbonated soft drinks and frozen slurpys. Jumbo size Hot Dogs, pizza by the slice, nachos, ice cream, and premium coffees work well in most places. Bagged toffee popcorn and Pringles often sell well and do not canibalize your regular popcorn.

Avoid health foods, yogurts, juices and nuts. They are like art films in the suburbs, everyone asks for them but then never seem to buy them, so putting them on a questionnaire is also a waste of time.
As for the survey, you may want to know if they would welcome reserved seats on weekends. Reserved seat customers buy more at the stand.

#

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Embassy 1,2,3 Theatre on Jun 27, 2007 at 10:19 am

When was it not about the money? I seem to have missed that era.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Happy 25th, 'Blade Runner'! on Jun 25, 2007 at 10:01 am

I saw it in 35mm first run and fell in love with it immediately. I could not figure out why everyone was not equally stunned by its realistic premise and settings and preferred fairy tale sci-fi instead.

Favorite quote:
“I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.”

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Astor Theatre on Jun 24, 2007 at 7:45 am

Correct. March 27, 1952.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about AMC Empire 25 on Jun 21, 2007 at 4:28 pm

As a regular visitor at both the Empire and the Regal E-Walk I can assure you they are no different than any other New York theatre and better than many.

The 42nd Street project did its best. Putting things in perpective I pay $10.00 to see Russian import DAYBREAK at the AMC with comfortable well spaced seats and bored staff at minimum wage going through the motions.

I pay $111.00 (including $2.50 “theatre restoration charge”) and sit on miniature seats with no leg room or air conditioning while handed a program by some nasty bitch who does it for free show but cannot be bothered to learn the theatre’s seating, to see the bored cast of TARZAN sing Phil Collins tunes. THAT is capitalism at its very worse and masquerading as art to boot!

I pay $10.00 at Lincoln Plaza to see German import THE LIVES OF OTHERS in a tiny screen with abstructing columns and tiny seats while senior citizens chat away during the film and NO usher is on duty at all.

Unpopular as it may seem, I’ll take the two remaining 42nd street movie theatres anyday. Unless the movie is at the Ziegfeld, of course.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Roxy Theatre on Jun 21, 2007 at 2:41 pm

Do not try to beat your neighbor to the street.

View link

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Olympia Theatre at Gusman Center on Jun 21, 2007 at 7:55 am

Although the Olympia appears to have opened at a PUBLIX theatre, the precursor of ABC Florida State Theatres, I have recently purchased a January 1932 Newsletter from SPARKS' Theatres listing it as one of theirs on that date.

January 29, 30, 31 RUDY VALEE in Person!
Stanleigh Malotte at the mighty organ!
Saturday Midnight Show at 11:30pm Eddie cantor in THE KID FROM SPAIN

Other sites included are:
Coral Gables (not the Gables on Ponce de Leon)
Paramount (downtown house looking nothing like the one I remember) Roxy (24 East 1st Avenue)
Rex (205 East Flagler Street)
Rosetta (Little River, later a Wometco site)
Community (Miami Beach)

Does anyone have any info on SPARKS and their Miami history? I had never heard of them and I worked for ABC for over 7 years in the 70’s.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about NY Projectionists: Licensed by fire departments? on Jun 20, 2007 at 8:11 pm

A VISIT EVERY EVENING?

Sounds like you may have been showing some dangerous pornographic films such as THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT, THE BOYS IN THE BAND or FRITZ THE CAT.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Ambassador Theatre on Jun 20, 2007 at 8:08 am

I originally submitted the Ambassador about a year before it was actually posted. I suspect someone at CT felt it did not qualify due to its more significant legit history and wanted to review it further.

Either that or I sent them on a tail-spin looking up THE WHITE LADY and YIDL MITN FIDL.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Ambassador Theatre on Jun 19, 2007 at 5:46 pm

The movie in question is Lilian Gish’s THE WHITE SISTER, not THE WHITE LADY and it played at the Ambassador for over six months. The introduction I am credited for has been somewhat altered with new information since I first submitted material for this theatre over a year ago.

Cine Roma was a moving cinema company that went from venue to venue booking their product and changing the venue’s name. The Colony/ Broadway (53rd) and the Ambassador were two of them.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Astor Theatre on Jun 17, 2007 at 4:34 pm

SOUTH PACIFIC at the CRITERION.
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS at the RIVOLI
THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI at the Palace.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about 2nd run film rotation on Jun 13, 2007 at 8:11 pm

You should be getting more favorable terms on a third week or else, on a single screen, pull it. There is too much product out there.