Long, long ago, in a world far, far away, Marcus Loew stated, “We sell tickets to THEATRES, not movies.” – As we all know, many of the theatres created for him by Lamb, Eberson, the Rapp brothers and a few others had lavish, palatial lobbies, but the architectural main event, as it were, was in the auditorium, where the architect usually went hog wild creating a spectacular fantasyland interior that was many times more entertaining to look at than what was on the stage or screen. Somehow, as the years went by, the architecture gradually fell by the wayside, reaching a low point in the 60s and 70s, with bland, plain lobbies (a la General Cinema), and even more bland, plain auditoriums. Todays theatres are trying to get some of that back, with a certain amount of theming in the lobbies, but the auditoriums are still bland and plain. Perhaps, if the movie theatre business is still around in twenty years, the powers-that-be will get around to doing something with the auditoriums. But, alas, there are no more Marcus Loews or Thomas Lambs – the bean-counters are running the show these days, so I’m not holding my breath. [Cynical?? ME??]
According to the renderings on the site listed above by br91975, they have built balconies along the side walls of the auditorium. Also in the description it states the theatre will have a capacity of 2100, but they omit the word ‘seats’. Another of the renderings shows the orchestra and the audience appears to be standing. Apparently the space will have the ability to be reconfigured for different functions, i.e., concert hall, banquet hall, etc. It is interesting that the architect of the Nokia Theatre is David Rockwell/Rockwell Group, a firm Loews engaged on a number of their newer plexes.
That’s probably it – the bank didn’t look like it was going anyplace too soon – which brings up the question of why they didn’t let Clearview stay on a short-term lease extension that would expire at the same time as the banks? As it is now, since the building is apparently not coming down immediately it will probably be vandalized (before it suffers the ultimate vandalism).
It’s odd, that picture was from Cinema 5 Releasing, yet it isn’t playing in any Cinema 5 theatres in New York. We played it for months at my General Cinema in Ohio, an 1100 seat house, and it was always sold out. It was an excellent film…
Sorry, but I recalled Incorrectly – I drove by there after work tonight and a Sprint Store occupies the the old entrance – and the address is 169 E.86 St. The Sprint store is part of the apartment building that contains the new Orpheum 7-plex.
Several of the newer GCC’s had “Premium Cinema” operations in several theatres, with restaurants and bars. These operations were also closed down by AMC upon their takeover.
The building presently occupying the site of the old RKO Proctors 86th Street IS the Gimbels building. Gimbels went out of business about 86 or 87. I was still living in the neighborhood and watched as it was stripped down to the frame with only the concrete floors remaining. Some NYC law says when a vacant property is sold the asbestos has to be removed, and apparently this building had lots of it. When the exterior walls were removed you could see into the auditorium and also see the raked floor as though it was a cross-section architectural drawing. Through all this, the RKO marquee remained, all wrapped up in plastic, on the 86th St. side of the building. Once the offending asbestos was removed, the narrow section was built on top of existing frame, and the brick walls and windows installed (Gimbels was windowless) and the interior rebuilt as apartments with the entrance on 87th St. By the time the theatre was getting ready to re-open, Cineplex had taken over. The RKO marquee had been similar to that of the old RKO Warner-Cinerama-Strand on Times Square: a million little light bulbs cascading down the front of it and across the ceiling to the entrance doors. Cineplex re-did it, and of course it had to have the pink neon, and it was only slightly less dull than the way Duane Reade has it now.
I had heard that Clearview did not want to give up this theatre, but when they received the lease renewal it was put aside and forgotten about until it was too late – so the landlord signed Duane Reade.
Yes, for his $179 million, all Garth got was the RKO-CW business operations, no Manhattan real estate. Schwartz and Landis knew a sucker when they saw one. They may still own the Art-Greenwich property and lease it to Equinox.
That’s it! I couldn’t think of the name they were using – Cinamerica – for a brief time they owned Trans-Lux here in the east, until they sold the T-L theatres to Dan Crown.
The Regency was allowed to transfer over to Loews (though the signs were not changed) because prior to the merger it was already scheduled to close at the end of the lease, and divesting it wouldn’t accomplish anything.
The Art-Greenwich, when it re-opened as an independent, was operated by Al Schwartz and Michael Landis [ALMI Group] – former owners of RKO-CW. They had sold the business to Cineplex but retained the real estate.
I believe Loews petitioned the court at that time to be released from the decree, and the petition was granted. But I think the decree is still in effect for other enteties.
The Port Chester was supposed to open LAST summer, something is wrong there, but I haven’t found out what. I went snooping around there last summer and the building was up, but it appeared that all work had stopped.
I recently read an article in Film Journal or Boxoffice and was surprised to find out that National Amusements is still owned by the Redstone family, and has not been folded into Viacom.
Long, long ago, in a world far, far away, Marcus Loew stated, “We sell tickets to THEATRES, not movies.” – As we all know, many of the theatres created for him by Lamb, Eberson, the Rapp brothers and a few others had lavish, palatial lobbies, but the architectural main event, as it were, was in the auditorium, where the architect usually went hog wild creating a spectacular fantasyland interior that was many times more entertaining to look at than what was on the stage or screen. Somehow, as the years went by, the architecture gradually fell by the wayside, reaching a low point in the 60s and 70s, with bland, plain lobbies (a la General Cinema), and even more bland, plain auditoriums. Todays theatres are trying to get some of that back, with a certain amount of theming in the lobbies, but the auditoriums are still bland and plain. Perhaps, if the movie theatre business is still around in twenty years, the powers-that-be will get around to doing something with the auditoriums. But, alas, there are no more Marcus Loews or Thomas Lambs – the bean-counters are running the show these days, so I’m not holding my breath. [Cynical?? ME??]
According to the renderings on the site listed above by br91975, they have built balconies along the side walls of the auditorium. Also in the description it states the theatre will have a capacity of 2100, but they omit the word ‘seats’. Another of the renderings shows the orchestra and the audience appears to be standing. Apparently the space will have the ability to be reconfigured for different functions, i.e., concert hall, banquet hall, etc. It is interesting that the architect of the Nokia Theatre is David Rockwell/Rockwell Group, a firm Loews engaged on a number of their newer plexes.
That’s probably it – the bank didn’t look like it was going anyplace too soon – which brings up the question of why they didn’t let Clearview stay on a short-term lease extension that would expire at the same time as the banks? As it is now, since the building is apparently not coming down immediately it will probably be vandalized (before it suffers the ultimate vandalism).
Sounds like they were having serious problems there if they eliminated the revenue-generating game machines, Does this theatre attract a rough crowd?
I wonder what they’re doing? And why was the pane of glass removed from one of the upper windows?
“So, what’s the story, Richie?”
It’s odd, that picture was from Cinema 5 Releasing, yet it isn’t playing in any Cinema 5 theatres in New York. We played it for months at my General Cinema in Ohio, an 1100 seat house, and it was always sold out. It was an excellent film…
Sorry, but I recalled Incorrectly – I drove by there after work tonight and a Sprint Store occupies the the old entrance – and the address is 169 E.86 St. The Sprint store is part of the apartment building that contains the new Orpheum 7-plex.
Isn’t this now used as the freight entrance for the Rihga Royal Hotel on the next block (151 W. 54 St)?
Several of the newer GCC’s had “Premium Cinema” operations in several theatres, with restaurants and bars. These operations were also closed down by AMC upon their takeover.
If I recall correctly, The Childrens Place occupies the space where the old Orpheum’s entrance was. The address of that store is 173 E. 86th St.
Isn’t the Livingston St. side the stagehouse?
The building presently occupying the site of the old RKO Proctors 86th Street IS the Gimbels building. Gimbels went out of business about 86 or 87. I was still living in the neighborhood and watched as it was stripped down to the frame with only the concrete floors remaining. Some NYC law says when a vacant property is sold the asbestos has to be removed, and apparently this building had lots of it. When the exterior walls were removed you could see into the auditorium and also see the raked floor as though it was a cross-section architectural drawing. Through all this, the RKO marquee remained, all wrapped up in plastic, on the 86th St. side of the building. Once the offending asbestos was removed, the narrow section was built on top of existing frame, and the brick walls and windows installed (Gimbels was windowless) and the interior rebuilt as apartments with the entrance on 87th St. By the time the theatre was getting ready to re-open, Cineplex had taken over. The RKO marquee had been similar to that of the old RKO Warner-Cinerama-Strand on Times Square: a million little light bulbs cascading down the front of it and across the ceiling to the entrance doors. Cineplex re-did it, and of course it had to have the pink neon, and it was only slightly less dull than the way Duane Reade has it now.
I had heard that Clearview did not want to give up this theatre, but when they received the lease renewal it was put aside and forgotten about until it was too late – so the landlord signed Duane Reade.
Yes, for his $179 million, all Garth got was the RKO-CW business operations, no Manhattan real estate. Schwartz and Landis knew a sucker when they saw one. They may still own the Art-Greenwich property and lease it to Equinox.
Perhaps City Cinemas could do a film festival at the Village East: “The Films of Barnard L. Sackett – A Retrospective” – LOL!
“Barnard L. Sackett presents…” ? I’m sure he must have been a protege to Cecil B. DeMille – <grin>
When Cineplex took over they un-quadded it back to a twin.
No, when I handed the keys to Loews the Festival had 2 Century 35mm machines, using 6000' reels no platter, and no automation.
That’s it! I couldn’t think of the name they were using – Cinamerica – for a brief time they owned Trans-Lux here in the east, until they sold the T-L theatres to Dan Crown.
The Regency was allowed to transfer over to Loews (though the signs were not changed) because prior to the merger it was already scheduled to close at the end of the lease, and divesting it wouldn’t accomplish anything.
The Art-Greenwich, when it re-opened as an independent, was operated by Al Schwartz and Michael Landis [ALMI Group] – former owners of RKO-CW. They had sold the business to Cineplex but retained the real estate.
I believe Loews petitioned the court at that time to be released from the decree, and the petition was granted. But I think the decree is still in effect for other enteties.
The Port Chester was supposed to open LAST summer, something is wrong there, but I haven’t found out what. I went snooping around there last summer and the building was up, but it appeared that all work had stopped.
You’re right – I hadn’t thought of that…
The IMAX theatres are included in the count. They opened a couple of new ones, including Loews Alderwood in Seattle.
I recently read an article in Film Journal or Boxoffice and was surprised to find out that National Amusements is still owned by the Redstone family, and has not been folded into Viacom.
Theatrefan: Yes, most were taken over by Cineplex, but then Loews took over Cineplex and by default owns the stuff that Cineplex owned.
According to the April 2005 Loews directory, the company had 133 units with 1,442 screens.