I think that acquisition was in 1986 and two years later United Artists Circuit bought Sameric Corp, the last remaining large Philadelphia based chain for mainstream exhibition.
I’ve notified this site as to the website link change. That change will be done soon.
Looking at the Introduction at the top of the page to see if changes, additions, etc need to be made, could you please advise, Peter, if it is still correct that the Galaxy Theatre Corporation is leasing the theater? Or if not, who are current operators?
Did Nelson depart this year or 2008?
And, what year did the classic film series begin? Might as well note the starting &ending years of the classic film series in the Intro.
Hitchcock’s films were meant to be seen in 35mm so I’d vote against any process that doesn’t have that much resolution. That would appear to be this process, too. See the films in your living room in less resolution. See them in theaters in 35mm or digital 2k or 4k if those provide high resolution similiar to film.
Photo of “South Seas Adventure” at the Boyd Theatre: View link
Photo of “How the West was Won” with a band at the Boyd: View link
Friends of the Boyd have a “Cinerama Holiday” postcard, donated recently to us: View link
Here’s the back of the postcard with Boyd Theatre details: View link
Want more information & free Weekly Updates about our cause to ensure the Boyd is restored & reopened including with a film series? enter your information at www.FriendsofTheBoyd.org
“more than ten times the cost of new construction!” new construction for what? It is an ornate 1900 seat theater and even non-ornate, they don’t get built cheaply.
I enjoyed “Dial M for Murder” in 35 mm (not 3D)when Warner Brothers showed it as one of the four 1950s films they showed as part of their 75th Anniv festival. It was a popular film at the time. Philadelphians can have extra pride in that Grace Kelly stars.
I know mature adults who enjoyed seeing “Polar Express” in 3D at the King of Prussia Imax. Both 3D and Imax are indeed gimmicks to attract people into the theaters, including young people who are too used to tiny screens they carry around. If the studios produce good 3D movies, they will do well. Let’s wish them luck!
Luis, I’m glad you appreciate the Intro. As to your question, the Mastbaum was sort of the first lost, if 4000+ seaters are the “mega” definition, since NYC’s Hippodrome was built for other purposes.
I saw movies regularly here. The balcony was indeed closed off. The orchestra had long ago been reseated, so rows were permanently gone, rather than “missing.” 40% sounds too high for seats roped off.
from Beacon Hill page:
An odd thing about this theatre was that the subway ran fairly close behind the screen vibrating the entire house when it did.
They showed a ripoff revival of ‘This Is Cinerama’ one time. Supposedly a new lens enabled them to show Cinerama with one projector. A manager who worked there at the time told me during that run they had 2 boxoffice lines. One waiting to buy tickets and another waiting for refunds.
Supposed to be a scary place to work because of it being 2-3 floors below street level anything could happen and no one outside would notice anything.
posted by BJY on Jan 5, 2005 at 10:11am
Ok, done, old Intro of only 2 or 3 sentences has been replaced. I, too, admire Mr. Rankin’s magnificient description and hope people look down a few comments to read it, too.
I think that acquisition was in 1986 and two years later United Artists Circuit bought Sameric Corp, the last remaining large Philadelphia based chain for mainstream exhibition.
1st run movies- good!
I’ve notified this site as to the website link change. That change will be done soon.
Looking at the Introduction at the top of the page to see if changes, additions, etc need to be made, could you please advise, Peter, if it is still correct that the Galaxy Theatre Corporation is leasing the theater? Or if not, who are current operators?
Did Nelson depart this year or 2008?
And, what year did the classic film series begin? Might as well note the starting &ending years of the classic film series in the Intro.
Are new movies still being shown? Is the Layfayette closed? or does it have a new website rather than the one linked above?
Hitchcock’s films were meant to be seen in 35mm so I’d vote against any process that doesn’t have that much resolution. That would appear to be this process, too. See the films in your living room in less resolution. See them in theaters in 35mm or digital 2k or 4k if those provide high resolution similiar to film.
So this isn’t 2k or 4K? (what they show in some 1st run movie theaters)
Thanks Vince Young & Michael Coate!
Photo of “South Seas Adventure” at the Boyd Theatre:
View link
Photo of “How the West was Won” with a band at the Boyd:
View link
Friends of the Boyd have a “Cinerama Holiday” postcard, donated recently to us:
View link
Here’s the back of the postcard with Boyd Theatre details:
View link
Want more information & free Weekly Updates about our cause to ensure the Boyd is restored & reopened including with a film series? enter your information at www.FriendsofTheBoyd.org
Excellent work on the part of Ken Roe & others!
“more than ten times the cost of new construction!” new construction for what? It is an ornate 1900 seat theater and even non-ornate, they don’t get built cheaply.
No doubt for the era of scope films, 5 Sept 1953 Box Office reported installation of a new 40 feet wide movie screen
I’m hoping that link will be fixed soon. Here is the link:
View link
Ah, clarification: my meaning was that “Dial M for Murder” was popular when first released.
I enjoyed “Dial M for Murder” in 35 mm (not 3D)when Warner Brothers showed it as one of the four 1950s films they showed as part of their 75th Anniv festival. It was a popular film at the time. Philadelphians can have extra pride in that Grace Kelly stars.
I know mature adults who enjoyed seeing “Polar Express” in 3D at the King of Prussia Imax. Both 3D and Imax are indeed gimmicks to attract people into the theaters, including young people who are too used to tiny screens they carry around. If the studios produce good 3D movies, they will do well. Let’s wish them luck!
That is a very nice photo posted. Pretty theater.
Luis, I’m glad you appreciate the Intro. As to your question, the Mastbaum was sort of the first lost, if 4000+ seaters are the “mega” definition, since NYC’s Hippodrome was built for other purposes.
Let’s all wish the Senator the BEST.
Thanks, Brucec, I’ve noted all that now in the Intro.
I saw movies regularly here. The balcony was indeed closed off. The orchestra had long ago been reseated, so rows were permanently gone, rather than “missing.” 40% sounds too high for seats roped off.
Yep.
/theaters/1209/
and www.FriendsOfTheBoyd.org
from Beacon Hill page:
An odd thing about this theatre was that the subway ran fairly close behind the screen vibrating the entire house when it did.
They showed a ripoff revival of ‘This Is Cinerama’ one time. Supposedly a new lens enabled them to show Cinerama with one projector. A manager who worked there at the time told me during that run they had 2 boxoffice lines. One waiting to buy tickets and another waiting for refunds.
Supposed to be a scary place to work because of it being 2-3 floors below street level anything could happen and no one outside would notice anything.
posted by BJY on Jan 5, 2005 at 10:11am
I’ve either read on this site or heard that 2k looks like dreck on the Arclight Dome screen!
Ok, done, old Intro of only 2 or 3 sentences has been replaced. I, too, admire Mr. Rankin’s magnificient description and hope people look down a few comments to read it, too.
Demolition photo:
View link
Mark, I don’t understand your comment. Are you saying “since Christmas” and it has been awhile since what? are you saying no premieres or what?
Facade, lit up at night (not my photo):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/three1188/3090549820/
Thank you for showing us these images.