Ziegfeld Theatre
141 W. 54th Street,
New York,
NY
10019
141 W. 54th Street,
New York,
NY
10019
131 people
favorited this theater
Showing 3,501 - 3,525 of 4,512 comments
Just wondering… I’ve stated before that I will go out of my way to see any old crap that they slap up on the screen at the Ziegfeld just to try to help support the place. Anyone else do this? Let me tell you, I have seen new releases here on a Sturday night with just 19 people (sometimes less) in the house, and meanwhile, the same movie will be a sell-out on 42nd Street. A few weeks of “classics” at $7.50 a pop sure as hell ain’t gonna keep the joint open. What I’m saying is… if you’re gonna see Ice Age 2 and it’s showing across the street from your house, make the trip to the Ziegfeld instead. And buy some popcorn and soda at the concession stand – you all KNOW that’s where they make their real money… I’ve seen 7 of the classics and I’ve seen people smuggle in complete meals at all of them. Shame on you!
Correction:
The post was from Gary, the e-mail quoted was from Craig
Thanks
P.S.
Got the following e-mail from Craig-which I’m sure he won’t mind my sharing with you.
“Hi Gary,
Happy to hear that everything went well. I wanted to be there, but had
to be at another theatre for our Grand Opening in NJ.
Yes, I agree with you on the classics! I think it’s a great program
that can only grow in time. Let’s see what happens…."
Well, to me the fact that a place like the Ziegfeld still exists, as I tried to convey in my talk, is both a miracle and a blessing. And the classics program—so fabulous that I think I am not overstepping any bounds to say that we would all like this to continue and indeed “grow in time.” I believe that we and everyone we know can make this “grow in time.” I don’t need to and don’t want to preach-we all know what we have to do. I’d rather spend my time enjoying more big-screen classics at the Ziegfeld. Each of us can think of 40 more cherished titles. I would start with “The Shawshank Redemption” which I’ve never seen in a thatre—because “Hope is a good thing.”
To Arabia……
Gary
Craig
Dear Everybody:
Thank you for all the kind words that you’ve said about my “speech,” Friday night at CE3K, I was a bit nervous as I hadn’t spoken before a group in many years, but I did make every effort to talk about the importance of seeing films in theaters, for generations to follow, and my love for the Ziegfeld, with all it’s flaws. So thank you for the great reception. I have a very good feeling that this program will continue, in whatever schedule and format, that can be feasible—and can only get better. In fact, the program was never supposed to last as long as it did. The positive feedback on those little white cards, the feedback here, (which Craig reads), and more feedback to clearviewcinemas.com can make it happen—and they welcome constructive criticism. There was a lot of confusion on the correct version of CE3K (although I really did meet someone at Friday’s screening who likes to see Dreyfuss enter the spaceship). I worked very hard with Monique and then Craig, who actually got the print from Spielberg’s people, whichj I agree looked great and sounded great. Would 70mm have looked better, hey I can’t worry too much about these things. Just seeing that mothership turn over on the widescreen was good enough for me, and actually having the opportunity to introduce—an absolute peak moment in my life. And I encourage any of you to do the same for your favorite—all I had to do was ask and then figure out what I wanted to say. As the new guy, again, I thank you, and feel that I have a whole new group of friends. See you at Lawrence
One last thing, that someone will get a chuckle about. In August of 2004, I saw “2001” at the Walter Reade at Lincoln Center. Beautiful picture and sound. Right before the screening-the management got up to apologize that they had gotten “the wrong print.” This one had the appropriate intermission, so he was apologizing that there would be a break in the film. Go Figure!!
Gary
Peter-yeah I thought maybe there was a chance that they couldn’t do anything about the screen masking. On the other hand if you had the manual capability to correct it at the Lafayette, a much older theater, you would think that a place like the Ziegfeld could do it as well. Whatever the case, it’s kind of unfortunate. I was really looking forward to another grand-slam screening of this. I guess I have my memories of the Astor Plaza screening. Now that I think of it, last summer The Paris made an attempt at doing revival screenings Saturdays at Midnight. They had a 70mm print of ‘2001’ (that I missed). Wondering why the Ziegfeld didn’t get a hold of that print. I’m guessing it probably cost more to rent or something? What’s funny is during the end credits of this particular print of ‘2001’ last night it said ‘in CINERAMA". Yeah…we wish!
I was at the 8:15 screening of CE3K on Firday night. The print was in pristine condition. The sound and presentation were excellent. Gary’s speech was very appropriate and reflected a lot of the sentiments posted here.
I was a theater manager for Loews and City Cinemas some years ago. I would always hope to have a staff as friendly and courteous as those at the Ziegfeld. They are wonderful. To the staff at Clearview Cinemas, congratulations and thank you for putting together a terrific series. This has been great fun and I hope it will continue, when possible.
Back to the Ziegfeld on Wednesday for 2001, then Lawrence!
Irv: Sorry you had to be bothered by talkers. There is so much pure silence in the second half of that film, any talking reverberates around the whole theater. Just so you know, there are no “2001” shows on Thursday. The last shows are Wednesday at 4:30 and 8:15. I’ll be there for my 50th theatrical viewing at 8:15.
Irv:
The new 35mm prints of 2001 are not in the same ‘scope ratio as the other films you mentioned. When they made these new prints, WB kept the original 70mm aspect ratio (about 2.20:1 as opposed to the standard 35mm 'scope ratio of 2.35:1) by putting the vertical black pillars on the left and right. When running this film. it doesn’t completely fill the width of the 'scope screen. When I ran it at the Lafayette in 2004, I was fortunate to be able to manually adjust the side masking on my screen and fit the image perfectly. I would guess that the Ziegfeld does not have manually-adjustable masking for something non-standard or they didn’t notice. As for the intermission – or lack thereof – that is pretty inexcusable.
Regarding folks chatting – I find we sometimes get it at the Lafayette when there’s a large senior citizen contingent.
Great memories Bill. I only saw one of those screenings you mentioned at the Loews Astor Plaza a few years ago which I believe was in 70mm. I also saw this once at the old Cinema Village, and I think maybe once at the Biograph. Tonight’s screening however was not as sensational as the 70mm at the Loews AP. As you mentioned the print was not in mint conditon but was fine nonetheless.
Like I’ve said before several times here, this is and has been a great fesitival. I haven’t complained much, but after tonight’s screening of ‘2001’ I can’t help but file a major grievance which is this: the screen was not masked properly to fit the projected image of the film. The left and right side of the screen was too wide and left vertical black space along the soft border of the film image. For me this a huge pet peeve. Instead of a great presentation of a great film in a great theater,this looked like a poor revival screening in a lame first run cineplex. At this point after all of the films I have seen in this festival (West Side Story, Ben Hur, Singin' In the Rain and Dr. Zhivago) I thought the Ziegfeld had for the most part got this right. This is why I was so disappointed to see, and I hate to say this, such a medicocre presentation of this legendary film. As Bill metioned, the sound was GREAT. but why was the screen not fitted properly? It was for all of the other films I saw.
The other thing too is the Intermission parts of these films. Ben Hur and West Side Story had none. Tonight at ‘2001’ there was one like the one at ‘Dr Zhivago’. Both were too short. In my opinion intermission should be 10 minutes at the very least. Tonight and at Zhivago they were 3-4 minutes tops. Unless there is enough time to get out of your seat and either use the restroom or go to the concession, then there shouldn’t be a intermission at all,because what is happening is people are getting out of their seats to do either of these things and returning to their seats too late missing the first few minutes of part two. I don’t understand. If there isn’t such a tight schedule between films like there is for ‘2001’ why can’t there be a long enough intermission?
Finally…and this has nothing to do with the theater management, there were people talking tonight during the finale sequence ‘Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite’. I’ll be damned if I can figure out why people think they have a right or a REASON to talk above a whisper during a film in a movie theater. I
have unfortunately encountered this in alot of revival situations-Film Forum, Lafayette/Suffern, Loews Jersey, and tonight at the Ziegfeld. In the left side of the theater around Row K there was a middle aged couple-late 40s early 50s who during the finale HAD to have a discussion. The women kept asking “what’s going on? Is he alone in the room? what’s going on here?” You know what? SHUT-UP! Discuss it after the film is over like normal people do. What the hell?
I am planning on going back on Thursday for the 4:30 screening of ‘2001’. A friend of mine who has never seen this film is coming with me. For the most part, great job Ziegfeld people, but am begging you-please mask the screen properly so this film can be seen ‘the way it was meant to be’.
Until then ‘klatu barrada nikto’!
Saw “2001” twice at the Ziegfeld today, just like I did several times back in 1974. Sitting in the front row, center seat sure brought back some good memories. The print, though not in mint condition, was good enough. But the sound was incredible – the seats in my row were vibrating.
I made a real pilgrimage out of it, walking past the sites of all the midtown theaters where I saw “2001” over the years. In geographical order from the bus terminal: Loew’s Astor Plaza, Rivoli, Loew’s Capitol, Radio City Music Hall, Ziegfeld.
Excellent speech last night by Gary. He even paid a fitting tribute to the dear old Roxy. I sat in approximately the same bad seat (4th row on the right) from where I first saw “Close Encounters” on the day after its premiere in 1977, in a vain attempt to re-create being 23 years old again.
Nice blurb in the Sunday NY Times Arts and Leisure section on the Ziegfeld series (second to last page, in the section titled “The Week Ahead”). The writer comments on the prospect of seeing the “brain boggling triple feature” of “Alien,” “Close Encounters” and “2001” in “Manhattan’s most palatial movie palace.” The writer also notes the “nicely discounted” admission price and as an aside, how Warner Bros. “notoriously botched” the re-release of “2001” in 2001, by “dumping it at Christmastime with next to no publicity” (that would be the 70MM engagement at the Astor Plaza).
Odd news about “Alien” as the film received a wide national re-release in the fall of 2003—-I assume that quite a few new prints were struck at that time.
Gary: Looking forward to hearing your speech tonight. One more feature you’ll never get at your local multiplex.
Ed: I don’t recall exactly what the signs on the Ziegfeld doors said about the “Alien” print, and I didn’t ask anyone. Maybe the print itself was unavailable for some reason. The Loew’s Jersey screened “Alien” a couple of years ago – it was a little bit scratchy but basically OK.
Too bad about “Alien” – and so much for my thoughts of making it a triple feature on Sunday – but better they scrap the showing than present a poor print. Any details on this print problem? Was it a matter of someone actually checking the print and rejecting it for quality or something else?
And I’m dying to hear word of the print quality and presentation of “2001” and “CE3K” tonight or tomorrow. In any event, once again let me wish you good luck tonight Gary. Or should I say, ‘break a leg’?
Hi Guys:
Thanks for the heads up on the schedule change. I’m still introducing the evening showing of CE3K tonight. If you are there, please come up to say hello to me at the end of the film. I feel like I already know all of you but would love to shake hands and thank you for coming, personally.
Gary
I was at the show Pete put on in 2004, and it was definitely the best presentation of “2001” I’d seen since Cinerama at the Loew’s Capitol in 1968. Having Keir and Gary in attendance gave it an extra dimension even the Capitol didn’t have. It was a 35mm print, but the sound still shook the Lafayette to the rafters. I think people must’ve heard it out on the street. It was glorious!
Atta boy Peter, I’m proud of you. There is absolutly no excuse for the guys at the Ziegfeld not to do the same.
That’s pretty much how I ran it at the Lafayette in 2004, Vito.
We had Gary Lockwood and Keir Dullea in attendance and they thought the show was great.
Ok Clearview projectionists, listen up.
Assuming you get the complete print of 2001 please handle it as follows:
Overture: Raise stage curtain, lower lights to mid.
As overture ends lower lghts to full out, open title curtain as MGM logo appeares (do not show any white sheet!)
Intermission: close title curtain and stage curtain, making sure the two panels kiss and the stage curtain hits the stage as the intermission title fades out.
No music (non sync) played during intermission
Act two: raise stage curtain and lower house lights to 1/3rd as music begins. Half way thru the entr'acte music, cut lights to 2/3rd
leaving just enough light for patrons returning to seats
During the last few notes of the music, lower lights completly and open title curtain as first scene fades in.
End of movie: repeat intermission instructions and play exit music with both curtains closed and lights up.
Now take a bow, ya done good!
When I said I wasn’t bothered by the lack of a full intermission at “Zhivago” that of course doesn’t apply to “2001”, which is a whole hour shorter and starts earlier besides. We’ll see how the show goes tomorrow night.
If I see “2001” three more times (and I’m planning to) that’ll make 50 times I’ve seen that movie in a theater. This has been over a span of 38 years so it’s not as crazy as it sounds, but I’m sure you Cinema Treasures regulars will understand. A large majority of those 47 viewings were at the Ziegfeld, by the way.
But the white curtain was closed during the overture, which shows a bit of care in the presentation.
So the operator (I refuse to call him/her a projectionist) could not take the trouble to close the curtain on the intermission tag, and open them again at the end of the entr'acte music. As for the lights, I would not be surprised if that was done from a remote switch down in the lobby somewhere, so the operator does not have to get out of a chair and do any extra work. DISGRACEFULL!
The intermission was the same as Saturday night (no curtains, blank screen, entr'acte spliced to intermission tag) with one improvement: the house lights were turned up slightly. It’s almost sacriligeous to say this, but if they did have a full 15-minute intermission I would never have caught my 12:15 AM bus back to New Jersey, so I wasn’t too upset about it.
Bill, how was the intermission handled?