I had the pleasure of attending the New York Theatre Organ Society’s annual Organ Concert on February 4. What a joy is was to be in the Music Hall in such an informal setting. The music was as spectacular as anything I’ve ever seen on stage. Congratulations to the NYTOS and to the organists. I hope the Music Hall management will get involved and create more programs like this.
Thank you, William for quoting me. For one, I feel it’s time for me to put my money where my mouth (or in this case, my keyboard) is. For years I have hoped to see this kind of Classic Film Presentation in NYC on a regular basis. Perhaps our patronage during this festival will send a clear message to Clearview and Cablevision that this type of moviegoing will be welcomed and supported. Over the next few days, I will be writing to Clearview to give them a hearty congratulations for putting this together. I also invite William and others in the NYC area who post here regularly to contact me so that we may be able to coordinate support for the Classic Series at the Ziegfeld. My contact info appears on my member page. Now, if Bob Endres is in the booth and the curtains will be in use, it’ll be the best!
I think it’s wonderful that Clearview is putting together this festival. We MUST do our best to promote and support this type of presentation. I know I’ll be there. Off topic, is it true that film labs are no longer capable of magnetic striping? Is that the final nail in the 70MM coffin?
Thank you for your response. Don’t take my question personally. It does not matter what job you do. I just started posting to this forum on a regular basis. I simply wanted to know job you perform at the Hall.
I mentioned in previous posts that I am very happy the Hall is still open. It could very well be a parking lot by now; I was there on April 12, 1978. I could not begin to tell you in a post about my happy memories of Radio City and what the place means to me. I’ll be more than happy to tell you privately.
Am I whining? Maybe. However, I think it’s time to begin looking at the Christmas Show with a more critical eye. I will address my comments to the appropriate people at the Hall.
How can you say that “staging will not change?” It already has. The backdrop for “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” was the video wall, instead of the whimsical Lisanby set. A blue video wall certainly did not coujure up thoughts of a toy shop. I always thought “Here Comes Santa Claus” worked so well with that mirrored backdrop, which also gave a thrill to those of us in the audience who could see ourselves. Not anymore with a video wall full of projected Santas. And during the reindeer number, the moon had video lines all the way through it. As I said, the wall looked great in the opening number, but after that it didn’t. The wall has it’s merits, but nothing takes the place of wonderful scenery. BTW, Denpiano, what do you do at the hall?
Can’t help thinking about the new “video wall” installed in the Music Hall. It looked good in the opening number and looked like a video screen in every other number it was used in. I have a feeling that eventually, we will not see any scenery at the Music Hall. Pity.
It is a real treat to find this forum in which to participate. I worked at the Music Hall for a year in 1979 after the conversion to an all-live format. In fact, the 1979 Christmas Show’s dubious distinction was that it did not feature a Rockette kick line. The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers was the only Rockette number in that year’s show.
It’s nice to see Robert Enders posting here. I met him on a few occasions and he is a lovely man as well as one of the best projectionists ever. In reference to an earlier post of his, the other organist in 1979 was David Messineo.
I saw the Christmas Show this week and share many of the concerns addressed by other posters. However, I will address them to the appropriate parties. I agree with Denpiano and I am thrilled that the Music Hall is still open and the Rockettes are still kicking. I also agree with Will Dunklin and I believe that one day there will be a showman (maybe one of us) with the foresight to restore some of the “showmanship” to Radio City. I don’t think it is there with the current management, although I am not “in their shoes.” I’d like to believe that they are doing the best they can.
I’m much more curious about another point. From the first time I went to Radio City in 1964, that place has been “under my skin.” I’ve heard many people say that “you never forget your first time at the Music Hall.” What is it about that place that affects us so? I’m actually spending a little time exploring my own answers to that question. I’d like to know what some of your thoughts are.
I toured this theater several years ago and it is a gem! The tour guide told stories of volunteers who scrubbed the brass marquee with toothbrushes. The Jehovah’s Witnesses did make a couple of changes to the theater’s decor. Murals of Biblical scenes replaced ones that depicted Greek Mythology. The former orchestra pit is now a baptism pool.
I had the pleasure of attending the New York Theatre Organ Society’s annual Organ Concert on February 4. What a joy is was to be in the Music Hall in such an informal setting. The music was as spectacular as anything I’ve ever seen on stage. Congratulations to the NYTOS and to the organists. I hope the Music Hall management will get involved and create more programs like this.
Thank you, William for quoting me. For one, I feel it’s time for me to put my money where my mouth (or in this case, my keyboard) is. For years I have hoped to see this kind of Classic Film Presentation in NYC on a regular basis. Perhaps our patronage during this festival will send a clear message to Clearview and Cablevision that this type of moviegoing will be welcomed and supported. Over the next few days, I will be writing to Clearview to give them a hearty congratulations for putting this together. I also invite William and others in the NYC area who post here regularly to contact me so that we may be able to coordinate support for the Classic Series at the Ziegfeld. My contact info appears on my member page. Now, if Bob Endres is in the booth and the curtains will be in use, it’ll be the best!
I think it’s wonderful that Clearview is putting together this festival. We MUST do our best to promote and support this type of presentation. I know I’ll be there. Off topic, is it true that film labs are no longer capable of magnetic striping? Is that the final nail in the 70MM coffin?
Tom:
I’ve signed the petition. Will there be a public hearing or demonstration? I would like to help out in some way.
Denpiano:
Thank you for your response. Don’t take my question personally. It does not matter what job you do. I just started posting to this forum on a regular basis. I simply wanted to know job you perform at the Hall.
I mentioned in previous posts that I am very happy the Hall is still open. It could very well be a parking lot by now; I was there on April 12, 1978. I could not begin to tell you in a post about my happy memories of Radio City and what the place means to me. I’ll be more than happy to tell you privately.
Am I whining? Maybe. However, I think it’s time to begin looking at the Christmas Show with a more critical eye. I will address my comments to the appropriate people at the Hall.
Denpiano:
How can you say that “staging will not change?” It already has. The backdrop for “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” was the video wall, instead of the whimsical Lisanby set. A blue video wall certainly did not coujure up thoughts of a toy shop. I always thought “Here Comes Santa Claus” worked so well with that mirrored backdrop, which also gave a thrill to those of us in the audience who could see ourselves. Not anymore with a video wall full of projected Santas. And during the reindeer number, the moon had video lines all the way through it. As I said, the wall looked great in the opening number, but after that it didn’t. The wall has it’s merits, but nothing takes the place of wonderful scenery. BTW, Denpiano, what do you do at the hall?
Can’t help thinking about the new “video wall” installed in the Music Hall. It looked good in the opening number and looked like a video screen in every other number it was used in. I have a feeling that eventually, we will not see any scenery at the Music Hall. Pity.
Patrick: My schedule is a bit flexible. I may be able to donate an hour or two a week. How may I be of service?
It is a real treat to find this forum in which to participate. I worked at the Music Hall for a year in 1979 after the conversion to an all-live format. In fact, the 1979 Christmas Show’s dubious distinction was that it did not feature a Rockette kick line. The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers was the only Rockette number in that year’s show.
It’s nice to see Robert Enders posting here. I met him on a few occasions and he is a lovely man as well as one of the best projectionists ever. In reference to an earlier post of his, the other organist in 1979 was David Messineo.
I saw the Christmas Show this week and share many of the concerns addressed by other posters. However, I will address them to the appropriate parties. I agree with Denpiano and I am thrilled that the Music Hall is still open and the Rockettes are still kicking. I also agree with Will Dunklin and I believe that one day there will be a showman (maybe one of us) with the foresight to restore some of the “showmanship” to Radio City. I don’t think it is there with the current management, although I am not “in their shoes.” I’d like to believe that they are doing the best they can.
I’m much more curious about another point. From the first time I went to Radio City in 1964, that place has been “under my skin.” I’ve heard many people say that “you never forget your first time at the Music Hall.” What is it about that place that affects us so? I’m actually spending a little time exploring my own answers to that question. I’d like to know what some of your thoughts are.
The Elysee was also home to The $10/$20,000 Pyramid from 1974-1981.
The Brook and Marine Theaters were both owned by Century Theaters.
I toured this theater several years ago and it is a gem! The tour guide told stories of volunteers who scrubbed the brass marquee with toothbrushes. The Jehovah’s Witnesses did make a couple of changes to the theater’s decor. Murals of Biblical scenes replaced ones that depicted Greek Mythology. The former orchestra pit is now a baptism pool.