The main floor alone seemed in the 1,000 range. I’d be interested to know what the capacity was if anyone ever finds it. I never got a good look at how big the balcony was. Maybe it was a shelf style? It was always dark.
Yes, it was! I saw it the LAST night of the engagement too. I allmost didnt make it (was a weeknight). I’d only seen the film on tv in its truncated form. Will never forget that night!
I was able to see the rerelease of Lawrence of Arabia at the Cinema East (the only film I’ve ever seen in 70mm) and it was fantastic. I didnt realize at the time that the theater was in its final days. It seemed much bigger than 900 seats (perhaps that didnt take into the account the balcony? It was always closed the few times I was in there). When it lost exclusive run status, the theater began its long slow slide. It was never crowded when I was in there, and it was a large theater. Does anyone know the year it opened? Early 60’s? (I wasnt around then). It was one of several theaters on that stretch of E. Broad that are all gone now (Town and Country,
Carousel East). Cinema East advertised it had the biggest screen in
the city. I’m not sure if any theater built since then has a larger
one. Does anyone know how big the screen was? Even in its last days, the theater was kept up well. I agree, the lobby area was small. It did have its own parking lot, but it couldnt compete with the multiplexes springing up in the burbs……..
They were both nice theaters before they were twinned. The seats/aisles were never aligned after the twinning. I believe a hotel went up after the theater went down and that was demolished too for the present building. Does anyone have enough info to post the Cinema East? That was a great Columbus theater that had 70mm capability and a huge screen, but I dont have enough info on it to post anything.
Your welcome! I just love this site. Even if the theaters may not exist in the real world, they exist here and in the hearts of the people who love them…
I wonder what was shaped like an Octagon? Sounds like it was a showplace when it first opened. I wonder how much they changed it when it became the DeMille…….lost a lot of seats…..Thanks for all the info. I wonder if it would work as a legitimate theater? I seem to remember some concerts being held there in the early 70’s when it was the DeMille, so it must have had some sort of stage. It would be wonderful if it could be saved somehow for some sort of use as a theater/performing arts center.
If only, Chris. Why was the name changed to the Embassy when there was allready another theater with that name? Anyone know? Doesnt make sense to me. Why didnt they just call it the Demille 1,2,3?
Sorry to beat a dead horse, but there was just enough space between the building and the auditorium for the fire escapes or was there an alley there? I wondered how people could exit the auditorium when there was no frontage on the 47th St. side. Was there an alley behind the auditorium too?
Also regarding the Mark Hellinger, does anyone know if the Church bought the building outright or do they just have a lease? Is there any chance it could revert back to a theater once the lease is up? I bet the Nederlander Org. regrets letting the building go with the shortage of large theaters currently available for musicals.
Thanks, Chris for the pic and info. So the Palace is actually south of the DeMille? I thought it was north (my knowledge of Times Square geography is a little fuzzy). Is it really true that it had no stage facilities? I seem to remember it had some concerts there in the early 70’s.
The main floor alone seemed in the 1,000 range. I’d be interested to know what the capacity was if anyone ever finds it. I never got a good look at how big the balcony was. Maybe it was a shelf style? It was always dark.
Yes, it was! I saw it the LAST night of the engagement too. I allmost didnt make it (was a weeknight). I’d only seen the film on tv in its truncated form. Will never forget that night!
I was able to see the rerelease of Lawrence of Arabia at the Cinema East (the only film I’ve ever seen in 70mm) and it was fantastic. I didnt realize at the time that the theater was in its final days. It seemed much bigger than 900 seats (perhaps that didnt take into the account the balcony? It was always closed the few times I was in there). When it lost exclusive run status, the theater began its long slow slide. It was never crowded when I was in there, and it was a large theater. Does anyone know the year it opened? Early 60’s? (I wasnt around then). It was one of several theaters on that stretch of E. Broad that are all gone now (Town and Country,
Carousel East). Cinema East advertised it had the biggest screen in
the city. I’m not sure if any theater built since then has a larger
one. Does anyone know how big the screen was? Even in its last days, the theater was kept up well. I agree, the lobby area was small. It did have its own parking lot, but it couldnt compete with the multiplexes springing up in the burbs……..
Thanks, Ron, for posting the Cinema East. I’ll check it out!
Loew’s Southland was built as a triplex, I believe. It was not in a nice area of town, and it was no surprise it didnt last.
They were both nice theaters before they were twinned. The seats/aisles were never aligned after the twinning. I believe a hotel went up after the theater went down and that was demolished too for the present building. Does anyone have enough info to post the Cinema East? That was a great Columbus theater that had 70mm capability and a huge screen, but I dont have enough info on it to post anything.
Yeah, the lobby was allmost a city block long.
Was this theater across the street from the Palace?
Awful. Where do foreign/small niche films open in NY now? Multiplexes?
Your welcome! I just love this site. Even if the theaters may not exist in the real world, they exist here and in the hearts of the people who love them…
Couldnt some builder build above the existing theater like was done with the Palace?
Andy, yes the Melanie concert was one of the concerts I remember at the DeMille. It did take place and was recorded too.
Let us know what he says!
I wonder what was shaped like an Octagon? Sounds like it was a showplace when it first opened. I wonder how much they changed it when it became the DeMille…….lost a lot of seats…..Thanks for all the info. I wonder if it would work as a legitimate theater? I seem to remember some concerts being held there in the early 70’s when it was the DeMille, so it must have had some sort of stage. It would be wonderful if it could be saved somehow for some sort of use as a theater/performing arts center.
Wow 2,300 seats? Obviously must have lost some over the years. Thanks for posting this (and the cont’d!)
Oh brother. Another Embassy Theater.
And that was? The Roxy?
Were there any other Times Sq. theaters north of the DeMille on 7th, or was this the last one? (I mean older theaters)
If only, Chris. Why was the name changed to the Embassy when there was allready another theater with that name? Anyone know? Doesnt make sense to me. Why didnt they just call it the Demille 1,2,3?
Sorry to beat a dead horse, but there was just enough space between the building and the auditorium for the fire escapes or was there an alley there? I wondered how people could exit the auditorium when there was no frontage on the 47th St. side. Was there an alley behind the auditorium too?
Also regarding the Mark Hellinger, does anyone know if the Church bought the building outright or do they just have a lease? Is there any chance it could revert back to a theater once the lease is up? I bet the Nederlander Org. regrets letting the building go with the shortage of large theaters currently available for musicals.
The outside of the inside of the building? I’m not quite sure I understand you. To exit the theater, you had to go into the office building?
Chris,
Is there any way you could get inside to take a look around? Maybe as a prospective buyer? (Lol) Worth a try!
Yes, I remember those logos. All the Walter Reade theaters had them. I think the Ziegfeld as well.
Thanks, Chris for the pic and info. So the Palace is actually south of the DeMille? I thought it was north (my knowledge of Times Square geography is a little fuzzy). Is it really true that it had no stage facilities? I seem to remember it had some concerts there in the early 70’s.
Is the side of the auditorium on 47th or is that part of the building above it? Let me know what you find out!