Ziegfeld Theatre
141 W. 54th Street,
New York,
NY
10019
141 W. 54th Street,
New York,
NY
10019
131 people
favorited this theater
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By the way,
I’ll be at the 4:30 “Shutter Island” on Friday (not introducing it)\
Anyone else going??
Best,
Gary
Awww…. Pepe holding a flower, how appropriate!
I’d say the coins mean the same thing as the stones. There weren’t many stones lying around in that cemetery, so someone must have left a coin instead and it just grew from there.
At Mel Blanc’s grave in Hollywood, people left the traditional stones – and something else:
View link
I’m curious – what is the symbolism of the coins? I’ve seen small stones at grave markers but never coins.
Elvis was also supposed to play opposite Barbra Streisand in “A Star Is Born”, but Col. Parker said no to that too. I guess it was the Colonel’s fault that Elvis kept making the same kind of movie over and over.
As a followup to Bill’s comment,
On September 1, 2001, I enjoyed what was billed as a “Roadshow” presentation at the Ziegfeld of “Funny Girl” in Dolby Digital surround Ex sound. After the usual pre-show slide show, the 2 curtains closed. There was the film music before the movie. There was an intermission slide and then more film music. There was sparse attendance. Two years and five days later, I saw “The Way We Were” at the Ziegfeld.
You’re welcome, Gary. Natalie had more commemorative coins than anyone else, in a cemetery filled with celebrities. Marilyn Monroe would’ve had as much if not more, but her grave was set into a wall, not far from Natalie’s.
Hi Bill:
Thanks for the picture, I watch “Splendor in the Grass,” for me, her greatest role, at least once a year. Takes place in pre-Depression Kansas, but was filmed in Staten Island, in an area, I understand, that has not changed much.
One thing I didn’t mention in my intro was that Elvis Presley was the first choice to play Tony, but his manager, Col.Tom Parker nixed it. We could have a whole discussion about that.
By the way I remember seeing “Funny Girl” in its first run at, I believe, Loew’s State, with a date that has the same last name as the girl I eventually did marry. Now that’s funny!!
Best,
Gary
Based on what Gary put into his speech, it shows he’s a devoted and knowledgeable fan of “West Side Story”, and that makes him qualified.
I saw “Funny Girl” today, from the 7th row. Having only seen it on a regular size screen from the balcony (Clifton Theatre, Clifton NJ) in 1970 and on video, I never really experienced the full power of that film until today. There were lots of appreciative Barbra fans there who added to the fun with their laughter and applause. The 35mm stereo print was fine. It must have been fairly recent because it had restoration credits at the end. The curtains were not used at all, but there were many opportunities to do so: overture, intermission music and exit music. I guess the person who ran the show today didn’t realize he or she was working at the Ziegfeld. But the movie looked and sounded so good up there, it was easy to pretend I was seeing it roadshow at the Criterion. It was also enjoyable to hear the name “Ziegfeld” spoken so often in the theatre named after him – Florenz Ziegfeld as played by Walter Pidgeon is a major character in that film.
Less than 50 minutes after it ended, “West Side Story” was scheduled to go on, so of course I paid another $10 and saw it again. Couldn’t pass that up.
I agree with Gary that Natalie Wood was underappreciated in “West Side Story”. I’ve been to screenings where the audience was clapping wildly for Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim in the closing credits but when the next name came on, Natalie Wood, they stopped the clapping cold (and picked it up again for Rita Moreno). But not today. Natalie got as big a round of applause as Sondheim, and it was nice to hear.
This is a good place to post this picture I took at her grave in Westwood, LA. The many memorial coins on her grave show that she is still loved and appreciated by her fans:
View link
Thank you so much.
Ian:
I think your best bet is contacting the National Media Museum in Bradford, U.K
http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/
A place that I would love to visit!!!
Best,
Gary
As Gary pointed out, everything on that post came across as totally negative, I read it as such and so did he.
Ian: i am not bitter or sad, I am enjoying my retirement traveling as much as I can (or afford it). As for my post on Gary/WSS, I was just curious. I have the right to be, specially after reading the intro. I am also entitled to an opinion and that does not have anything to do with happiness or anything. Happy people have the right to opine or are you opining because you have a problem. Of course not.
Gary, where can I find more info on Cinerama, 70MM and road show presentations that took place in London England.
Many thanks
I have never given an intro to a film nor expect to. I am not qualified.
Dear AGR:
I always appreciate feedback, and would be happy to answer all your questions. I have been introducing Classics at the Ziegfeld since 2006, and given this a public forum, have posted most, if not all of them, for the benefit of those who are unable to attend the screenings, as I did for WSS.
But before I go farther, since you consider my remarks so unprofessional and, as you described, “childish,” kindly post some of the introductions that you’ve given before an audience such as the Ziegfeld’s, and then we can let everyone decide.
Best,
Gary
Guys, I would just like to say that all the postings in the last two weeks on here regarding WSS etc have made nothing short of fascinating reading, I wish I could have attended. I will certainly watch out for future screenings. Thanks again.
AGR, I’m sorry but your post reads as a little bit bitter and sad!
I would really like to know how Gary aka Ziegfeld Man, whom I gather is just another paying customer of Clearview, gets to introduce classic films at the Ziegfeld. What is his background, expertise? On WSS, did he work in the film? Did he know Robert Wise? What makes him an expert? Or is he related to someone at Clearview. And telling Vito he will do his best in following his instructions, is he a licensed projectionist? Does he know what switch to throw? And I don’t understand how Vito — who in my opinions posts very intelligent and interesting comments — liked his, in my opinion, childish presentation. “And know let’s hear the whistles”. i can imagine him jumping up and down in front of the screen holding a toy train.
Did anyone go to the screening of “Funny Girl?” How was the print? So far all the posts have been about WSS.
Vito (and everyone):
Thank you for the kind words, they are very much appreciated. A couple, who had never seen the film at all, came over, afterwards, not only to thank me, but also to tell me how much they enjoyed the total experience even more than seeing the show recently in its current Broadway revival. We all know there is a “market” for seeing these Classics at the Ziegfeld. I hope it continues whenever it can continue, and it gives me a thrill to play whatever part I can in the whole experience.
Thanks again
Best,
Gary
Gary that was nothing short of outstanding.
Excellent job which had to have a been appreciated by all in attendance. It sorta gave me some of Bill’s goose bumps to hear a showman in action again.It’s the sort of thing we did in the glorious movie days of old which may be gone but thanks to you not forgotten.
Nice turnout, the print was good looking and stereo (I asked), enthusiastic group which really got into it. Many approached me asking if the Ziegfeld can do more of this.
Here’s my intro:
GOOD AFTERNOON:
“ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE?â€
I AM SO HAPPY TO SEE SUCH A GREAT TURNOUT FOR A FIFTY YEAR OLD FILM. ALL I CAN SAY ISâ€"“I FEEL PRETTY.â€
IT’S MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME YOU TO THE QUINTESSENTIAL NEW YORK MOVIE, FILMED IN NEW YORK (WELL, PARTLY IN THE REAL NY AND PARTLY IN THE HOLLYWOOD NY), AND NOW SEEING IT, AS IT WAS MEANT TO BE SEEN, IN THE GREATEST NY VENUE TODAY, OUR GLORIOUS ZIEGFELD, ON ITS BIG SCREEN.
FOUR YEARS AGO, I STARTED INTRODUCING THESE CLASSICS HERE WITH “CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND.†MY FAVORITE LINE FROM THAT FILM DESERVES TO BE REPEATED TODAY. JUST AS RICHARD DREYFUSS IS ABOUT TO EMBARK ON THE OUTER SPACE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME, THE FRENCH SCIENTIST, FRANCOIS TRUFFAUT, TELLS HIM, “I ENVY YOU.â€
IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME SEEING WSS ON THE BIG SCREEN, OR EVEN SEEING IT AT ALL, I TRULY ENVY YOU, THIS IS SOMETHING BEYOND SPECIAL.
WHAT CAN I ADD TO YOUR EXPERIENCE BEYOND THE BRILLIANT CHOREOGRAPHY OF JEROME ROBBINS, THE INTENSE OSCAR-WINNING PERFORMANCES OF BERNARDO AND ANITA, THE PULSING MUSIC OF BERNSTEIN AND SONDHEIM, AND, OF COURSE, THE TRAGIC WONDERFUL STORY OF TONY AND MARIA. EVEN, THE CREDITS, AT THE END, ARE SO IMAGINATIVE, YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY STAY FOR THEM.
WELL, WHAT I CAN ADD IS NATALIE WOOD, WHO ABSOLUTELY NEVER GETS HER RECOGNITION FOR THIS MOVIE. NATALIE WAS NOT JUST A PRETTY FACE, SHE COULD REALLY ACT. SHE WILL ALWAYS BE JUDY WITH JAMES DEAN IN “REBEL,†DEANNIE WITH WARREN BEATTY IN “SPLENDOR,†ANGIE WITH STEVE McQUEEN IN “LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER‗-ALL THREE ROLES WERE OSCAR NOMINATED. AND SHE WILL ALWAYS BE MARIA.
SURE RITA MORENO STEALS THE FILM, BUT NATALIE IS NO SLOUCH…. YOU LOVERS OUT THERE, JUST LOOK AT THAT BALCONY SCENE ON THE FIRE ESCAPE, FOR “TONIGHT, TONIGHT WON’T BE JUST ANY NIGHTâ€
ENJOY, THANKS FOR COMING, AND HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY.
NOW, LET’S HEAR THOSE WHISTLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks to all,
“Shutter Island” looks great
Hopefully more Classics
Best,
Gary
Bill:
Many thanks, I’ll post my remarks later on.
Best,
Gary
I’m basing what sounded like mono on the opening of “Maria”. The echoing voices saying “Maria” are supposed to come from opposite sides of the screen, and it all seemed to be coming from the center only. But the volume was so loud and the bass notes so pronounced that the presentation still gave me the ol' goosebumps. And it reminded me that the first time I saw “West Side Story” (Rutherford NJ, April 1963), it was a mono print.
Best of luck today, Gary.
Yes Gary I believe that is correct.
However, if a theatre used motorised curtains as most if not all did, the gearing or speed on the curtain motor would have to be adjusted for the WSS run. Secondly and most importantly it would have exposed a white screen which was taboo.
Is there no one that ran this picture in Roadshow besides myself that can chime in here.?