Most movie theatres, to what limited knowledge I have about them, have never had dressing rooms or anything like that. I think it’s pitiful that developers couldn’t think of anything to do with most of these venerable old movie palaces except to knock them down and build a parking lot or whatever else they thought they could make a really great profit on. Many developers didn’t seem to have the hint that the arts, which the movies are a part of, have also always played a great part in the average, ordinary people’s lives.
If that be the case, it’s really unfortunate, Warren. Again, however, from the photos that I saw of both the interior and exterior of the Rivoli Theatre, it seems like it had a great deal of potential for renovation and revival. Why didn’t people see past the decaying conditions and realize the potential that this theatre could’ve had? That’s what I don’t understand. Unfortunately, this is happening with far too many of the venerable movie palaces here in the United States at large, as well as throughout the world. it’s sad, and it’s pitiful that these grand old movie palaces have never been integrated into the fabric of downtown redevelopment(s), instead of just being destroyed outright.
The fact that the Rivoli Theatre was getting dumpier and dirtier, as well as playing junkier, schlockier movies shortly before it closed, and the fact that it was “Twinned” were all omens of what was to come. Often enough, when these movie palaces are “twinned”, or cut up into several screens, it destroys the very character of the theatre. Too bad that many people don’t realize that this is the beginning of the end for a lot of these movie palaces.
I realize that this is a bit off the subject of movie theatres in general here, but I’m so excited and elated about the fact that the Coolidge Corner Theatre patrons (myself included) helped get the great, golden-oldie-but-goody movie musical classic, West Side Story voted in by this wonderful theatre as the number one movie of the 1960’s!
A.) Although I’d never been to the Rivoli Theatre, judging from at least a couple of photos that I’d seen of it, the Rivoli was clearly a beautiful theatre, both inside and out.
B) It looked like a fabulous place to see some of those venerable golden oldie-but-goody classic movies in, and West Side Story was no exception. William—I guess you answered my question—I was going to ask if the Rivoli Theatre was the same theatre where my alltime favorite movie, West Side Story opened in late October 1961. Bill Huelig: Thanks for the historical newsprinted photographs of the poster of the film West Side Story. Every time I see such historical ads, my nostalgia for West Side Story burns brighter and I end up humming one of the great songs from this movie/musical classic.
C) What a sin that this great-looking theatre was closed and demolilshed. Why couldn’t they have just restored and renovated it as necessary, instead of razing it? Come to think of it, I’ve made at least a couple of road trips down to NYC for screenings of West Side Story; one at Radio City Music Hall, in October 2001, for the special 40th year Anniversary screening of WSS, and, five years later, a screening of WSS at the Ziegfeld Cinema, which are both fabulous theatres for showing movies like West Side Story and other venerable old classics, but I would’ve loved to see a screening of West Side Story at the (now-nonexistant) Rivoli Theatre.
D) Vito—you’ve got a point about that so-called “Technical Tattletale” that’s been proposed for theatres—there’s the potential for gross abuse, and particularly now, in this post-9/11 climate, when many people are already twitchy to begin with, it could be dangerous.
E) Bob Furmanek: What happened at the Rivoli, when it started playing all the really junky, schlocky films prior to its closing, also happened at the Wang Center for the Performing Arts here in Boston, shortly before they did away with their Classic Film Series. Although I didn’t read it as such back then, now, the more I think about it, the more I believe that the screening of schlockier movies in such great movie palaces was an omen of what was to come….and it wasn’t good, if one gets the drift.
“And when those 50” and 60" TVs and Blu-Ray players come down in price, you might see a real decline in audiences."
might very well be true, but, again, as has been pointed out, there’ll always be people who prefer going to the movie theatre and seeing movies as they’re meant to be viewed; on the great, big wide screen, with the lights down low, sharing the experience with tons of other people whether one knows them or not, and even talking with them before and/or after the screening, about a particular movie that happens to be playing at that particular time.
The advent of DVD/blu-ray and big home-theatre systems have served to isolate people from each other, which isn’t good.
That’s just the way things are with many, if not most movies these days. While I agree that it is rather sickening, it would be asking too much of the movie industry these days to tone them down.
Another poster here on cinematreasures had a great idea for dealing with this situation that should probably be applied to movie theatres everywhere: Save the venerable old movie palaces, show movies (such as older classics, etc.) that appeal to the over-40 crowd in these palaces with a 3-5 dollar admission fee, and let the younger generation go to the multiplex cinemas, where lots of the kids destroy the moviegoing experience there.
That theatre looks like it was a beautiful theatre—both inside and out, with a classic curved screen and curtains, to boot. What a shame that it had to be closed and demolished like that. Why it couldn’t have just been restored is beyond me. It’s disheartening to hear of yet another venerable old movie palace gone the way of cinema heaven to make way for these antiseptic-looking multiplex cinemas that mainly show today’s schlockier movies.
Another poster on here had an excellent idea, which could’ve/should’ve been applied to this theatre and elsewhere; Leave the venerable old movie palaces for the over-40 crowd, with the older films, at 3-5 dollar admissions, and let today’s young kids have the multiplexes so they can have the schlockier films and destroy the movie-going experience there.
Back in the winter of 1969, as a high school senior, I recall seeing a double feature there: ‘Bullitt" and
“The Reivers”, both of which starred Steve McQueen. Cool Drive-in that was.
Lost Memory, is it possible that the fact that the highway was always backed up (traffic-wise) on both sides due to people trying to enter the Sunrise Drive-In contributed to that drive-in’s ultimate closing down? Just curious.
btw—sounds like you all had lots of fun going to the drive-ins.
Hi, CinemarkFan. Thanks for the interesting links. I, too hope that somebody gives the newer version of 70mm film a shot. Would love to see all the golden oldie-but-goodie classic films, including West Side Story, Spartacus, Lawrence of Arabia and many others, particularly films of the 1960’s, get re-done and shown in great movie palaces that way! How cool it would be!!
I wonder if our tanked economy has something to do with it. Here’s why: When I went to see the film
“A Thousand Clowns” at the Coolidge Corner Theatre last Monday evening, which played at the Coolidge as part of their extended year-long 75th Anniversary celebration, the emcee announced that in the 1930’s, during the Great Depression (The Coolidge first opened in December 1933), people were flocking to movie palaces as a way of entertainment, and as a way of temporarily taking their minds off of the vissicititudes of life back then.
Given our presently tanked economy, I wonder if there’s a little bit of a deja-vu there, if one gets the drift. My hunch is that it’s possible.
I remember seeing “The China Syndrome” when it first came out, back in 1979. It was a good movie, and Jane Fonda did a wonderful job playing her role in this film. Not too, too long afterwards, it almost came to pass when the Three Mile Island fiasco occurred.
Hey, hey, what do you say?!? What an excellent idea, RoxyVaudville!! That would be SO cool. Here’s wishing other places, such as our area would do it too, instead of tearing down venerable old movie palaces or making them into multiplexes, as all too often happens these days.
Much older buildings generally, such as the old Penn Station, New York’s Roxy Theatre, and many others, that were built before the 1950’s were generally built with brick, mortar and plaster, and not only took longer to demolish, but had a tendency to stand up more to fires, although the fireproofing materials these days, for the most part, have improved a good deal.
Years ago, I read an article in “The New Yorker” about surviving a high-rise fire, and one of the things that it pointed out was what I mentioned above; buildings built before 1950 withstood fires better than the more modern buildings. In this particular article, two such examples are cited: The older building, which had been built with brick, mortar, plaster and steel remained standing after a high-rise fire had occurred had only part of one side blown out of the building, while the rest of the building remained standing. The more modern building, however, was blown to smithereens.
Sheetrock is the order of the day. It’s important for things to be built quickly these days.
Sorry you weren’t able to attend the “West Side Story” screening. Glad to hear that the theatre’ll be running 70mm again this year, however. Sounds like a good idea, trying to get a demo shown of the SDS-70 system in your city. What is this new system, btw? Just curious.
It’s agreed, uptownjen. Pretty cool!
Can the Ridgewood Theatre be saved now that it’s closed? Just curious.
Btw, Lost Memory, the link for the above-mentioned theatre doesn’t seem to work.
Interesting article, ken mc, even though it’s from 1930. Thanks for that, and the expanded photograph of the Golden State Theatre.
Way to go, Love movies-hate going!!
The name,“ Love older movies, hate going to new ones” sounds cool! (lol)
Sounds cool! Will they also show lots of the other great, golden oldie-but-goody classic films, also?
Just curious.
Most movie theatres, to what limited knowledge I have about them, have never had dressing rooms or anything like that. I think it’s pitiful that developers couldn’t think of anything to do with most of these venerable old movie palaces except to knock them down and build a parking lot or whatever else they thought they could make a really great profit on. Many developers didn’t seem to have the hint that the arts, which the movies are a part of, have also always played a great part in the average, ordinary people’s lives.
If that be the case, it’s really unfortunate, Warren. Again, however, from the photos that I saw of both the interior and exterior of the Rivoli Theatre, it seems like it had a great deal of potential for renovation and revival. Why didn’t people see past the decaying conditions and realize the potential that this theatre could’ve had? That’s what I don’t understand. Unfortunately, this is happening with far too many of the venerable movie palaces here in the United States at large, as well as throughout the world. it’s sad, and it’s pitiful that these grand old movie palaces have never been integrated into the fabric of downtown redevelopment(s), instead of just being destroyed outright.
The fact that the Rivoli Theatre was getting dumpier and dirtier, as well as playing junkier, schlockier movies shortly before it closed, and the fact that it was “Twinned” were all omens of what was to come. Often enough, when these movie palaces are “twinned”, or cut up into several screens, it destroys the very character of the theatre. Too bad that many people don’t realize that this is the beginning of the end for a lot of these movie palaces.
I realize that this is a bit off the subject of movie theatres in general here, but I’m so excited and elated about the fact that the Coolidge Corner Theatre patrons (myself included) helped get the great, golden-oldie-but-goody movie musical classic, West Side Story voted in by this wonderful theatre as the number one movie of the 1960’s!
Hey!! (feeling excited)
Will it also show some of the other great, golden oldie-but-goody classic films, such as the major film hits of the 1960’s?
My two cents here:
A.) Although I’d never been to the Rivoli Theatre, judging from at least a couple of photos that I’d seen of it, the Rivoli was clearly a beautiful theatre, both inside and out.
B) It looked like a fabulous place to see some of those venerable golden oldie-but-goody classic movies in, and West Side Story was no exception. William—I guess you answered my question—I was going to ask if the Rivoli Theatre was the same theatre where my alltime favorite movie, West Side Story opened in late October 1961. Bill Huelig: Thanks for the historical newsprinted photographs of the poster of the film West Side Story. Every time I see such historical ads, my nostalgia for West Side Story burns brighter and I end up humming one of the great songs from this movie/musical classic.
C) What a sin that this great-looking theatre was closed and demolilshed. Why couldn’t they have just restored and renovated it as necessary, instead of razing it? Come to think of it, I’ve made at least a couple of road trips down to NYC for screenings of West Side Story; one at Radio City Music Hall, in October 2001, for the special 40th year Anniversary screening of WSS, and, five years later, a screening of WSS at the Ziegfeld Cinema, which are both fabulous theatres for showing movies like West Side Story and other venerable old classics, but I would’ve loved to see a screening of West Side Story at the (now-nonexistant) Rivoli Theatre.
D) Vito—you’ve got a point about that so-called “Technical Tattletale” that’s been proposed for theatres—there’s the potential for gross abuse, and particularly now, in this post-9/11 climate, when many people are already twitchy to begin with, it could be dangerous.
E) Bob Furmanek: What happened at the Rivoli, when it started playing all the really junky, schlocky films prior to its closing, also happened at the Wang Center for the Performing Arts here in Boston, shortly before they did away with their Classic Film Series. Although I didn’t read it as such back then, now, the more I think about it, the more I believe that the screening of schlockier movies in such great movie palaces was an omen of what was to come….and it wasn’t good, if one gets the drift.
This is so sad….heartbreaking. What’s to become of the movie business?
This:
“And when those 50” and 60" TVs and Blu-Ray players come down in price, you might see a real decline in audiences."
might very well be true, but, again, as has been pointed out, there’ll always be people who prefer going to the movie theatre and seeing movies as they’re meant to be viewed; on the great, big wide screen, with the lights down low, sharing the experience with tons of other people whether one knows them or not, and even talking with them before and/or after the screening, about a particular movie that happens to be playing at that particular time.
The advent of DVD/blu-ray and big home-theatre systems have served to isolate people from each other, which isn’t good.
That’s just the way things are with many, if not most movies these days. While I agree that it is rather sickening, it would be asking too much of the movie industry these days to tone them down.
Another poster here on cinematreasures had a great idea for dealing with this situation that should probably be applied to movie theatres everywhere: Save the venerable old movie palaces, show movies (such as older classics, etc.) that appeal to the over-40 crowd in these palaces with a 3-5 dollar admission fee, and let the younger generation go to the multiplex cinemas, where lots of the kids destroy the moviegoing experience there.
That theatre looks like it was a beautiful theatre—both inside and out, with a classic curved screen and curtains, to boot. What a shame that it had to be closed and demolished like that. Why it couldn’t have just been restored is beyond me. It’s disheartening to hear of yet another venerable old movie palace gone the way of cinema heaven to make way for these antiseptic-looking multiplex cinemas that mainly show today’s schlockier movies.
Another poster on here had an excellent idea, which could’ve/should’ve been applied to this theatre and elsewhere; Leave the venerable old movie palaces for the over-40 crowd, with the older films, at 3-5 dollar admissions, and let today’s young kids have the multiplexes so they can have the schlockier films and destroy the movie-going experience there.
Back in the winter of 1969, as a high school senior, I recall seeing a double feature there: ‘Bullitt" and
“The Reivers”, both of which starred Steve McQueen. Cool Drive-in that was.
Lost Memory, is it possible that the fact that the highway was always backed up (traffic-wise) on both sides due to people trying to enter the Sunrise Drive-In contributed to that drive-in’s ultimate closing down? Just curious.
btw—sounds like you all had lots of fun going to the drive-ins.
Hi, CinemarkFan. Thanks for the interesting links. I, too hope that somebody gives the newer version of 70mm film a shot. Would love to see all the golden oldie-but-goodie classic films, including West Side Story, Spartacus, Lawrence of Arabia and many others, particularly films of the 1960’s, get re-done and shown in great movie palaces that way! How cool it would be!!
Or Seabiscuit. LOL
I wonder if our tanked economy has something to do with it. Here’s why: When I went to see the film
“A Thousand Clowns” at the Coolidge Corner Theatre last Monday evening, which played at the Coolidge as part of their extended year-long 75th Anniversary celebration, the emcee announced that in the 1930’s, during the Great Depression (The Coolidge first opened in December 1933), people were flocking to movie palaces as a way of entertainment, and as a way of temporarily taking their minds off of the vissicititudes of life back then.
Given our presently tanked economy, I wonder if there’s a little bit of a deja-vu there, if one gets the drift. My hunch is that it’s possible.
That is so sad. This looks like it was once a beautiful theatre. What a shame that it had to go like that!
I remember seeing “The China Syndrome” when it first came out, back in 1979. It was a good movie, and Jane Fonda did a wonderful job playing her role in this film. Not too, too long afterwards, it almost came to pass when the Three Mile Island fiasco occurred.
Hey, hey, what do you say?!? What an excellent idea, RoxyVaudville!! That would be SO cool. Here’s wishing other places, such as our area would do it too, instead of tearing down venerable old movie palaces or making them into multiplexes, as all too often happens these days.
Much older buildings generally, such as the old Penn Station, New York’s Roxy Theatre, and many others, that were built before the 1950’s were generally built with brick, mortar and plaster, and not only took longer to demolish, but had a tendency to stand up more to fires, although the fireproofing materials these days, for the most part, have improved a good deal.
Years ago, I read an article in “The New Yorker” about surviving a high-rise fire, and one of the things that it pointed out was what I mentioned above; buildings built before 1950 withstood fires better than the more modern buildings. In this particular article, two such examples are cited: The older building, which had been built with brick, mortar, plaster and steel remained standing after a high-rise fire had occurred had only part of one side blown out of the building, while the rest of the building remained standing. The more modern building, however, was blown to smithereens.
Sheetrock is the order of the day. It’s important for things to be built quickly these days.
Sorry you weren’t able to attend the “West Side Story” screening. Glad to hear that the theatre’ll be running 70mm again this year, however. Sounds like a good idea, trying to get a demo shown of the SDS-70 system in your city. What is this new system, btw? Just curious.
Could be, Ron. I think that I may have also viewed the Beatles film “Yellow Submarine” there, too.