Thanks for all the great work you’ve done, Nushboy07, in keeping us posted on the closing of the NuWilshire and its subsequent decline. Do you have any current photos of the exterior – and maybe any shots peering into the lobby – you would be able to post?
They were doing some kind of exterior work, Dave (the main entrance door at the far left is or was papered with all kinds of city permits), but it wasn’t – and isn’t – entirely clear what the work was.
I’ve had a feeling the Sunset 5 may not be long for this world, especially considering how Laemmle has mostly been losing out on top bookings since the Arclight opened.
According to an item in yesterday’s NY Post, the Victoria’s Secret store which replaced the Regency Theatre is scheduled to be demolished in the near future to make room for an Apple Store.
Someone else, I don’t know who, Al, ran the Bleecker as a move-over house for foreign and indie flicks (and the occasional, low-budget first-run film) for a brief time in 1991, before the space’s days as a movie theatre officially came to an end.
The former theatre space was completely gutted; nothing of it remains. I passed by one afternoon during the summer of 2002 and, peering in through an open door on 30th Avenue, could see the trace of the removed balcony on the right interior wall.
The Cinematographe lasted for a very short time, from February of 1992 until early 1993. The Vandam (and currently the Soho) Playhouse has been in existence since about 1996 or 1997.
The SoNo Cinema received some coverage in a June 1987 Newsweek article, discussing the struggles of revival cinemas across the U.S. in the face of the then-VCR boom.
Thanks for the information, Ron; interesting about the security situation. I am tempted to stop by and see if I can maybe explore the inside of the building at some point when I’m home during Christmas week, but I’d probably walk up to the unlocked front door, pull on it, open it, and then, after a moment’s hesitation walk away, afraid of being caught by the police; if I was with someone, I’d feel bold, but, on my own, in that kind of situation, not so much. All that being said, I do hope the building is secured before an act of vandalism, or worse, is committed.
Does anyone know if the Assembly Square Mall cinemas are still standing or if any definitive redevelopment plans have been announced? The last time I passed by, in late July, the theatre was in the same state Ron described in his posting on March 3rd, except the right glass entry doors were boarded up, due to a likely attempted break-in. (The left glass entry doors, as well as the box office, were untouched.)
The Film Forum was initially located in a loft space on West 88th Street, followed by moves to 80 Wooster Street (which also housed Anthology Film Archives, prior to their move to the Second Avenue Courthouse building; I’m pretty sure 80 Wooster has since been converted to residential space) and 15 Vandam Street, which currently houses the Soho Playhouse (and formerly the Thalia Soho and Le Cinematheque). The programming at 57 Watts Street was one screen of limited-run premieres and one screen of revivals; without the third screen, few of the premiere engagements moved to other theatres in town when their runs at the Film Forum ended.
(On a bit of a side note, does anyone know whether the 57 Watts Street space was built specifically for the Film Forum or, if not, what it previously housed?)
According to an article in the November 2007 issue of New York Construction, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Breast Imaging Center being built on the block where the Beekman once stood will house “imaging and radiology, diagnostic and testing, medical and surgical oncology, infusion and chemotherapy, psycho-social programs, mechanical and environmental services and ground-floor retail.” Somehow I think it’s safe to presume that the “ground-floor retail” won’t include a movie theatre of any type to replace a certain beloved and now-lost neighborhood cinema…
I walked by the Beekman and there hasn’t been any visible progress since my post from this past October 16th (and before then as well, I’d imagine). I have no idea what’s behind the hold-up, although the owner of the building isn’t known for being the easiest person to work with; perhaps some problems have cropped up as a result with the contractor(s) he hired to carry out the renovations.
I can’t confirm this – being in NYC – but it looks as if the Vine has ’re-opened', double-running ‘Enchanted’ with the El Capitan. It’s showing today at the El Capitan at 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm, and 7 pm, and at the Vine at 4:30, 7 pm, and 9:20.
The Brandt Organization was one, I think, of the chains operating the 42nd Street theatres just before they closed; what were the others and which theatres were under their control?
I translated “Hoy Gran Estreno – Es Tu Momento”; literally, in English, it means “Today Great Premiere – Is Your Moment” – what this signifies, if anything at all, about what’s moving into the Metro Twin space, I have no clue…
Unless someone had the foresight to remove at least some of those elements, Howard, I fear to report they are all gone, but at least we have your photos to remember them by.
By the way, I walked past the Metro earlier this afternoon and the phrasing on the marquee reads “Hoy Gran Estreno – Es Tu Momento”. As I mentioned yesterday, my knowledge of Spanish is pretty poor; can anyone provide a translation?
I passed by the Metro last night and there was something in Spanish on all three sides of the marquee, with no mentioning of space still being available for lease, leading me to think a Latino restaurant or grocery or clothing store is moving in. When I’m in the neighborhood again this weekend, I’ll write down and later post on this site the words on the marquee, hoping someone can translate them. (Upon first look, from what limited knowledge I have of the Spanish language, there wasn’t any definite indication on what’s moving in, but I might be wrong.) Also, the tarp covering the view from the box office window and the doors were removed; there’s now a sheet of lumber obscuring the view from the box office, but the doors now offer a clear look at the interior of the theatre – it’s been all but gutted to the bare four walls, with a false stage at the front of the former downstairs auditorium, and construction lights throughout.
Thanks for all the great work you’ve done, Nushboy07, in keeping us posted on the closing of the NuWilshire and its subsequent decline. Do you have any current photos of the exterior – and maybe any shots peering into the lobby – you would be able to post?
They were doing some kind of exterior work, Dave (the main entrance door at the far left is or was papered with all kinds of city permits), but it wasn’t – and isn’t – entirely clear what the work was.
Where did you hear this from, NYCJosh? Did the person you spoke with give you any particular reason for the closing?
I’ve had a feeling the Sunset 5 may not be long for this world, especially considering how Laemmle has mostly been losing out on top bookings since the Arclight opened.
According to an item in yesterday’s NY Post, the Victoria’s Secret store which replaced the Regency Theatre is scheduled to be demolished in the near future to make room for an Apple Store.
Someone else, I don’t know who, Al, ran the Bleecker as a move-over house for foreign and indie flicks (and the occasional, low-budget first-run film) for a brief time in 1991, before the space’s days as a movie theatre officially came to an end.
The former theatre space was completely gutted; nothing of it remains. I passed by one afternoon during the summer of 2002 and, peering in through an open door on 30th Avenue, could see the trace of the removed balcony on the right interior wall.
Any word on how this theatre is doing in the early running?
The Cinematographe lasted for a very short time, from February of 1992 until early 1993. The Vandam (and currently the Soho) Playhouse has been in existence since about 1996 or 1997.
Does anyone have any recent photos of the interior and/or exterior they could post?
Thanks for taking – and posting – those photos, Jim; devastating but representative of a necessary document…
Tourists visiting Times Square flock to Red Lobster and The Olive Garden, so an IMAX screen at the Empire is probably a safe bet on AMC’s behalf.
The building which housed the Flick Cinema 1 & 2 has been gutted for office space.
The SoNo Cinema received some coverage in a June 1987 Newsweek article, discussing the struggles of revival cinemas across the U.S. in the face of the then-VCR boom.
Thanks for the information, Ron; interesting about the security situation. I am tempted to stop by and see if I can maybe explore the inside of the building at some point when I’m home during Christmas week, but I’d probably walk up to the unlocked front door, pull on it, open it, and then, after a moment’s hesitation walk away, afraid of being caught by the police; if I was with someone, I’d feel bold, but, on my own, in that kind of situation, not so much. All that being said, I do hope the building is secured before an act of vandalism, or worse, is committed.
Does anyone know if the Assembly Square Mall cinemas are still standing or if any definitive redevelopment plans have been announced? The last time I passed by, in late July, the theatre was in the same state Ron described in his posting on March 3rd, except the right glass entry doors were boarded up, due to a likely attempted break-in. (The left glass entry doors, as well as the box office, were untouched.)
The Film Forum was initially located in a loft space on West 88th Street, followed by moves to 80 Wooster Street (which also housed Anthology Film Archives, prior to their move to the Second Avenue Courthouse building; I’m pretty sure 80 Wooster has since been converted to residential space) and 15 Vandam Street, which currently houses the Soho Playhouse (and formerly the Thalia Soho and Le Cinematheque). The programming at 57 Watts Street was one screen of limited-run premieres and one screen of revivals; without the third screen, few of the premiere engagements moved to other theatres in town when their runs at the Film Forum ended.
(On a bit of a side note, does anyone know whether the 57 Watts Street space was built specifically for the Film Forum or, if not, what it previously housed?)
According to an article in the November 2007 issue of New York Construction, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Breast Imaging Center being built on the block where the Beekman once stood will house “imaging and radiology, diagnostic and testing, medical and surgical oncology, infusion and chemotherapy, psycho-social programs, mechanical and environmental services and ground-floor retail.” Somehow I think it’s safe to presume that the “ground-floor retail” won’t include a movie theatre of any type to replace a certain beloved and now-lost neighborhood cinema…
I walked by the Beekman and there hasn’t been any visible progress since my post from this past October 16th (and before then as well, I’d imagine). I have no idea what’s behind the hold-up, although the owner of the building isn’t known for being the easiest person to work with; perhaps some problems have cropped up as a result with the contractor(s) he hired to carry out the renovations.
I can’t confirm this – being in NYC – but it looks as if the Vine has ’re-opened', double-running ‘Enchanted’ with the El Capitan. It’s showing today at the El Capitan at 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm, and 7 pm, and at the Vine at 4:30, 7 pm, and 9:20.
The Brandt Organization was one, I think, of the chains operating the 42nd Street theatres just before they closed; what were the others and which theatres were under their control?
I believe the Scott 1-2-3 can be glimpsed briefly in the film version of ‘Friday Night Lights’.
I translated “Hoy Gran Estreno – Es Tu Momento”; literally, in English, it means “Today Great Premiere – Is Your Moment” – what this signifies, if anything at all, about what’s moving into the Metro Twin space, I have no clue…
Unless someone had the foresight to remove at least some of those elements, Howard, I fear to report they are all gone, but at least we have your photos to remember them by.
By the way, I walked past the Metro earlier this afternoon and the phrasing on the marquee reads “Hoy Gran Estreno – Es Tu Momento”. As I mentioned yesterday, my knowledge of Spanish is pretty poor; can anyone provide a translation?
I passed by the Metro last night and there was something in Spanish on all three sides of the marquee, with no mentioning of space still being available for lease, leading me to think a Latino restaurant or grocery or clothing store is moving in. When I’m in the neighborhood again this weekend, I’ll write down and later post on this site the words on the marquee, hoping someone can translate them. (Upon first look, from what limited knowledge I have of the Spanish language, there wasn’t any definite indication on what’s moving in, but I might be wrong.) Also, the tarp covering the view from the box office window and the doors were removed; there’s now a sheet of lumber obscuring the view from the box office, but the doors now offer a clear look at the interior of the theatre – it’s been all but gutted to the bare four walls, with a false stage at the front of the former downstairs auditorium, and construction lights throughout.