Interesting article. ast customers would’ve have purchased & cherished the end chairs with Z on them! It also looks like from that article that the neat sconces remain in the auditorium. It would be a shame if they too are trashed. Others took better photos of the chairs, but I’ve got photos of the sconces in my gallery here https://www.flickr.com/photos/howardbhaas/albums/72157634640390968
Past customers would’ve have purchased & cherished the end chairs with Z on them! It also looks like from that article that the neat sconces remain in the auditorium. It would be a shame if they too are trashed. Others took better photos of the chairs, but I’ve got photos of the sconces in my gallery here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/howardbhaas/albums/72157634640390968
AMC owns the Loews name so they can keep it if they wish. When AMC has totally redone other multiplexes with recliner chairs, etc. at least sometimes they did remove the Loews name. This one was built as a flagship of Loews & is well known in NYC by that name, so it could perhaps stay even if the whole theater is redone.
I am an official volunteer but can’t edit the Intro outright. Post a new Intro or amendments in a comment & if the site editor doesn’t see it, I will & will send it to him. Also if you can please post any photos of the theater in the photo gallery, that would be great, too!
Link to the news story that I posted. Don’t neglect to check out the links on the right including the interesting “early years” link
http://www.in70mm.com/news/2016/ziegfeld/index.htm
Bill, in Philly burbs on June 29, 2000, AMC TV hosted a free screening of “Psycho” (1960) with Janet Leigh appearing in person. That was part of a national tour so that would’ve also been in NYC. I saw the movie in 1997 at Radio City as part of a Universal classic series.
in this new article, awesome set of photos by David Mack of last night, especially that of the Ziegfeld exhibits:
http://gothamist.com/2016/01/30/photos_the_last_night_at_the_legend.php#photo-1
Let’s NOT blame the people who crowded the theater in its last several days, and who after the curtain closed, applauded & lovingly lingered, taking photo after photo. That’s several days worth of a crowd. To survive as a 1st run movie theater, seats needed to be filled for weeks. The problem as a 1st run movie theater was the “exclusive” for Manhattan was long gone with the same movie being played in multiplexes everywhere, diluting the potential audience. The only sold out show I attended was “The Thin Red Line” because it was an East Coast exclusive with only the UA Union Square sharing it as the distributor really wanted to showcase the movie.
The Ziegfeld survived in recent years because of one of the special events indicated by movieguy, movie premieres that were cut back after 2008 recession. Ironically, premieres are returning to Manhattan as this article states, studios aren’t happy with the closing, and more premieres are going to the AMC Loews Lincoln Square and AMC Empire, and Moma (as another article also stated)http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nys-ziegfeld-theatre-closes-star-860298
Fine article with filmmakers' views on its closing:
http://www.indiewire.com/article/rip-ziegfeld-martin-scorsese-ava-duvernay-spike-lee-and-more-pay-their-respects-20160129
Movieguy says 7 crystal chandeliers. Looking at my photos, 1 in Box Office, 3 in Lobby Museum, 3 in Foyer upstairs, 2 in Concessions Foyer, for total of 9. There’s also pretty sconces (at least a dozen) in the halls wrapping around the entry of the auditorium, and large sconces (8, I think) in the auditorium. It is a shame that Ziegfeld museum items won’t be in the Ziegfeld Ballroom. It would also be a shame if the ancient wood is trashed. Some people would happily purchase chairs especially those with the Z on them!
Online at Twitter, report of free popcorn & soda at last night’s last show, with a long line to get in & waiting shortly before the prior show as nobody wanted to depart. There’s a photo of many bags of popcorn & also a photo of the gorgeously costumed Ziegfeld girls from the night before. I tried to capture the photos for my “others” photo gallery but couldn’t.
Also I forgot to note that when I saw the Funny Girls reissue at the Ziegfeld, the movie depicted Ziegfeld and when I went downstairs, he looked just like his picture. That was really neat seeing that movie at the Ziegfeld.
And, I will miss the “stills” photos that often were with the film posters outside. It added a premiere movie palace character to the Ziegfeld. I think I recall the Astor Plaza & others in NYC also doing that.
Last screenings tonight! 7 PM, 10 PM. Wait for closing credits to end for the curtains to close! Last mainstream (not art) single screen movie theater in Manhattan. Go for the Ziegfeld experience!
It isn’t a single screen & I haven’t been there in a long time, but the Loews auditorium of the AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13 is ornate, has a balcony, and was designed to resemble an old fashioned movie palace. And, shows mainstream blockbusters.
the MOMA theater 1 was remodeled in 1976 but originally opened in 1939.
The Village East also has a historic auditorium, though that theater wasn’t originally for movies.
Since the Tower East (72nd St) closed, the movies I’ve traveled from Philly to NYC were for the Paris & the Ziegfeld. I may try the others, but I am thankful for the Paris & will continue to see wonderful, art movies here.
“The cutting edge is long gone, however. Lately, the Ziegfeld has mostly been frequented by nostalgists who come for the theater itself and stay for whatever title happens to be on the marquee. Sheer size is its last enduring novelty.”
http://www.villagevoice.com/film/curtains-for-the-ziegfeld-say-goodbye-to-manhattan-s-last-single-screen-movie-palace-8182141
From me (Howard) those nostalgists enjoy the grandeur too! And will be in full force tonight for Star Wars: The Force Awakens! Fill the house & give the Ziegfeld the send off she deserves!
For people attending today (last day) minor request. I added today 2 photos to photo gallery, from when you exit the auditorium from the right side (of the movie screen). There’s exit doors directly to the Foyer with the stairs & escalators. From the left side of the auditorium, you enter 1st the Concession Foyer, then the Foyer with the stairs/escalators. One photo- caption says “fuzzy” shows the walls to the auditorium on left side of photo (the corridor in front) & doors to the right. Maybe someone can take a better photo? whether doors closed (before movie) or open (after movie). To clarify- a photo of the corridor to the right showing the corridor & showing the doors to the right.
Interesting article. ast customers would’ve have purchased & cherished the end chairs with Z on them! It also looks like from that article that the neat sconces remain in the auditorium. It would be a shame if they too are trashed. Others took better photos of the chairs, but I’ve got photos of the sconces in my gallery here https://www.flickr.com/photos/howardbhaas/albums/72157634640390968
Past customers would’ve have purchased & cherished the end chairs with Z on them! It also looks like from that article that the neat sconces remain in the auditorium. It would be a shame if they too are trashed. Others took better photos of the chairs, but I’ve got photos of the sconces in my gallery here https://www.flickr.com/photos/howardbhaas/albums/72157634640390968
AMC owns the Loews name so they can keep it if they wish. When AMC has totally redone other multiplexes with recliner chairs, etc. at least sometimes they did remove the Loews name. This one was built as a flagship of Loews & is well known in NYC by that name, so it could perhaps stay even if the whole theater is redone.
I am an official volunteer but can’t edit the Intro outright. Post a new Intro or amendments in a comment & if the site editor doesn’t see it, I will & will send it to him. Also if you can please post any photos of the theater in the photo gallery, that would be great, too!
I hadn’t know until recently either. It was lavishly furnished.
Link to the news story that I posted. Don’t neglect to check out the links on the right including the interesting “early years” link http://www.in70mm.com/news/2016/ziegfeld/index.htm
The Ziegfeld Museum artifacts ought to go to a museum!
Bill, in Philly burbs on June 29, 2000, AMC TV hosted a free screening of “Psycho” (1960) with Janet Leigh appearing in person. That was part of a national tour so that would’ve also been in NYC. I saw the movie in 1997 at Radio City as part of a Universal classic series.
Walter Reade Jr’s widow & daughter visited in last days-
http://historictheatres.org/blog/2016/01/31/a-fond-farewell-to-nycs-ziegfeld-theatre/
meant 2005
meant 2005
meant 2005
in this new article, awesome set of photos by David Mack of last night, especially that of the Ziegfeld exhibits: http://gothamist.com/2016/01/30/photos_the_last_night_at_the_legend.php#photo-1
Let’s NOT blame the people who crowded the theater in its last several days, and who after the curtain closed, applauded & lovingly lingered, taking photo after photo. That’s several days worth of a crowd. To survive as a 1st run movie theater, seats needed to be filled for weeks. The problem as a 1st run movie theater was the “exclusive” for Manhattan was long gone with the same movie being played in multiplexes everywhere, diluting the potential audience. The only sold out show I attended was “The Thin Red Line” because it was an East Coast exclusive with only the UA Union Square sharing it as the distributor really wanted to showcase the movie.
The Ziegfeld survived in recent years because of one of the special events indicated by movieguy, movie premieres that were cut back after 2008 recession. Ironically, premieres are returning to Manhattan as this article states, studios aren’t happy with the closing, and more premieres are going to the AMC Loews Lincoln Square and AMC Empire, and Moma (as another article also stated)http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nys-ziegfeld-theatre-closes-star-860298
Fine article with filmmakers' views on its closing: http://www.indiewire.com/article/rip-ziegfeld-martin-scorsese-ava-duvernay-spike-lee-and-more-pay-their-respects-20160129
Movieguy says 7 crystal chandeliers. Looking at my photos, 1 in Box Office, 3 in Lobby Museum, 3 in Foyer upstairs, 2 in Concessions Foyer, for total of 9. There’s also pretty sconces (at least a dozen) in the halls wrapping around the entry of the auditorium, and large sconces (8, I think) in the auditorium. It is a shame that Ziegfeld museum items won’t be in the Ziegfeld Ballroom. It would also be a shame if the ancient wood is trashed. Some people would happily purchase chairs especially those with the Z on them!
Online at Twitter, report of free popcorn & soda at last night’s last show, with a long line to get in & waiting shortly before the prior show as nobody wanted to depart. There’s a photo of many bags of popcorn & also a photo of the gorgeously costumed Ziegfeld girls from the night before. I tried to capture the photos for my “others” photo gallery but couldn’t.
Also I forgot to note that when I saw the Funny Girls reissue at the Ziegfeld, the movie depicted Ziegfeld and when I went downstairs, he looked just like his picture. That was really neat seeing that movie at the Ziegfeld.
And, I will miss the “stills” photos that often were with the film posters outside. It added a premiere movie palace character to the Ziegfeld. I think I recall the Astor Plaza & others in NYC also doing that.
Yes, that will be a sad change! It will happen tomorrow.
You read my post & took the photo- thank you!
Giles, please go see a movie there, take photos for the photo gallery, and tell us whether you hear the projector, and if not, why not.
Last screenings tonight! 7 PM, 10 PM. Wait for closing credits to end for the curtains to close! Last mainstream (not art) single screen movie theater in Manhattan. Go for the Ziegfeld experience!
Back open today, with Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
It isn’t a single screen & I haven’t been there in a long time, but the Loews auditorium of the AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13 is ornate, has a balcony, and was designed to resemble an old fashioned movie palace. And, shows mainstream blockbusters.
the MOMA theater 1 was remodeled in 1976 but originally opened in 1939.
The Village East also has a historic auditorium, though that theater wasn’t originally for movies.
Since the Tower East (72nd St) closed, the movies I’ve traveled from Philly to NYC were for the Paris & the Ziegfeld. I may try the others, but I am thankful for the Paris & will continue to see wonderful, art movies here.
“The cutting edge is long gone, however. Lately, the Ziegfeld has mostly been frequented by nostalgists who come for the theater itself and stay for whatever title happens to be on the marquee. Sheer size is its last enduring novelty.” http://www.villagevoice.com/film/curtains-for-the-ziegfeld-say-goodbye-to-manhattan-s-last-single-screen-movie-palace-8182141 From me (Howard) those nostalgists enjoy the grandeur too! And will be in full force tonight for Star Wars: The Force Awakens! Fill the house & give the Ziegfeld the send off she deserves!
For people attending today (last day) minor request. I added today 2 photos to photo gallery, from when you exit the auditorium from the right side (of the movie screen). There’s exit doors directly to the Foyer with the stairs & escalators. From the left side of the auditorium, you enter 1st the Concession Foyer, then the Foyer with the stairs/escalators. One photo- caption says “fuzzy” shows the walls to the auditorium on left side of photo (the corridor in front) & doors to the right. Maybe someone can take a better photo? whether doors closed (before movie) or open (after movie). To clarify- a photo of the corridor to the right showing the corridor & showing the doors to the right.