Thanks, Bill. Of all the Radio City programs I’d want to see, that one for “North by Northwest” might be my #1 choice. I’m really glad you saved it for all these 46 years, and thanks too for sharing your memories of the night you saw it. You don’t happen to have the program for “The Nun’s Story” laying around the house, do you?
I think the Bergen Mall (and the Garden State Plaza) were among the first of their kind in the whole state. They’re the only malls I was ever aware of as a kid, so they were special places to me back then. Hard to believe nowadays, with thousands of malls having sprung up all over the place like weeds.
I’d say that was a very bad decision on the Director’s part, considering how many Frank Sinatra fans there are in neighboring Hoboken (his birthplace) alone, not to mention the rest of North Jersey and Manhattan too.
The Jersey was planning a Sinatra festival a couple of years ago but it never came about (unless I just missed it). I remember them showing the trailer for “Robin and the 7 Hoods”.
Thanks for the great Godfather ad, Robert. I wonder if Brando attended the premiere? It said the entire cast was going to be there, but somehow I can’t see him being a part of that. Then again, since his career was in a slump at the time, maybe he did.
Robert: Here are two earlier posts concerning the air conditioning:
RE the air conditioning… the Jersey DOES have air, but it doesn`t work too good. It was on Sat 6-4 for Tron and Star Trek II and while it was cool, it just isnt strong enough to cool the entire theater, especially on a hot and humid day {or in this case, a night}.
posted by Theaterat on Jun 6, 2005 at 11:17am
That’s not air conditioning. It’s the return air system which just moves the air around the building. The AC system is in terrible shape and is going to require MAJOR funds to repair.
posted by Bob Furmanek on Jun 6, 2005 at 11:20am
One way to prove everything Vito said is true: when the young people of today are my age (50) or older, will they be able to look back with fond memories and affection on the stupid comic book adaptations and remakes of 40-year-old TV sitcoms that are being made today? Movies have been dumbed down almost to the point of no return – do you think this trend can ever be reversed?
I’m afraid that’s asking too much. If we get three or four really good movies a year, that’s a whole lot. In the old days, there’d be three or four good ones every month.
I agree with Vincent. The same goes for the other roadshow musical in Robert’s ad, “Goodbye, Mr. Chips”. I’d avoided seeing that for years because of its reputation as a big bomb. But I saw it on TCM last year and it was excellent all around, with one of Peter O'Toole’s best performances.
As hot as it is outside, imagine how hot it must be inside the Loew’s right now! Can’t wait till fall, for the Loew’s as well as the return of good weather.
I believe the date of that ad was December 15, which means the movie opened on the 16th. It was a hit so it must have played at least three weeks, which makes it the movie you saw on the 31st (I am really envious!).
The ads I posted yesterday for West Side Story, The Wizard of Oz, Marty etc. were copied from microfilm in 1972, the year I began college. The location of the New York Times microfilm collection in the library basement of Seton Hall U. was probably the best thing I learned the whole time I was there! I taped them to pieces of oak tag and hung them on my bedroom wall, and they were still taped to the oak tag 33 years later. They were only collecting dust where they were, so it was better to post them here and share them with people who’d really appreciate them, like you guys.
Most of my other posts are from the Hackensack Public Library’s microfilm collection – I’ve been going there on my days off – but a few of them are from an actual New York Times Arts and Leisure section from 1968 that I still have intact (because of “2001: A Space Odyssey”).
Notice the lower left corner. Vito, you were an ear-witness. If I were about 10 years older than I was at the time (5), I would’ve seen it here for sure.
From 1955: the little low-budget movie based on a TV play that went all the way to the top prize at the Academy Awards. I like the way the Sutton is mentioned in one of the critics' quotes.
From Shaun Considine’s biography of Paddy Chayefsky, “Mad as Hell”:
In New York, the film continued to run for an unprecedented 39 weeks at one theatre only, the Sutton. “That was the first time that people from the suburbs ever went to a movie on the East Side,” said Bernie Kamber. “They’d come in on the subway from Queens or from the Bronx, get off at 59th Street, walk two blocks south, then stand on line for MARTY.”
Thanks, Bill. Of all the Radio City programs I’d want to see, that one for “North by Northwest” might be my #1 choice. I’m really glad you saved it for all these 46 years, and thanks too for sharing your memories of the night you saw it. You don’t happen to have the program for “The Nun’s Story” laying around the house, do you?
Now I’m really depressed – the march of film history as it progresses from Oklahoma to West Side Story to Fiddler on the Roof to … The Island.
It must have been Harry and Walter on July 4 in 1976. “1776” played the Music Hall in 1972, as the Christmas show.
I think the Bergen Mall (and the Garden State Plaza) were among the first of their kind in the whole state. They’re the only malls I was ever aware of as a kid, so they were special places to me back then. Hard to believe nowadays, with thousands of malls having sprung up all over the place like weeds.
I’d say that was a very bad decision on the Director’s part, considering how many Frank Sinatra fans there are in neighboring Hoboken (his birthplace) alone, not to mention the rest of North Jersey and Manhattan too.
The echo is always great, but it really added a special dimension to the presentation of “Ben-Hur”.
The Jersey was planning a Sinatra festival a couple of years ago but it never came about (unless I just missed it). I remember them showing the trailer for “Robin and the 7 Hoods”.
Thanks for the great Godfather ad, Robert. I wonder if Brando attended the premiere? It said the entire cast was going to be there, but somehow I can’t see him being a part of that. Then again, since his career was in a slump at the time, maybe he did.
Thanks again, Warren. I especially like the 4th one (“Held Over! By Public Clamor!)
Robert: Here are two earlier posts concerning the air conditioning:
RE the air conditioning… the Jersey DOES have air, but it doesn`t work too good. It was on Sat 6-4 for Tron and Star Trek II and while it was cool, it just isnt strong enough to cool the entire theater, especially on a hot and humid day {or in this case, a night}.
posted by Theaterat on Jun 6, 2005 at 11:17am
That’s not air conditioning. It’s the return air system which just moves the air around the building. The AC system is in terrible shape and is going to require MAJOR funds to repair.
posted by Bob Furmanek on Jun 6, 2005 at 11:20am
Great, iconic picture of Marilyn. You think the feature playing at the State was “Blackboard Jungle”? It says something about “teen”.
Oh boy – what I wouldn’t give for a trip in a time machine back to 9/21/64, destination Paramount Theatre.
One way to prove everything Vito said is true: when the young people of today are my age (50) or older, will they be able to look back with fond memories and affection on the stupid comic book adaptations and remakes of 40-year-old TV sitcoms that are being made today? Movies have been dumbed down almost to the point of no return – do you think this trend can ever be reversed?
I’m afraid that’s asking too much. If we get three or four really good movies a year, that’s a whole lot. In the old days, there’d be three or four good ones every month.
You think the “Young Man With Humor” Gary Morton is the same guy who married Lucy after she broke up with Desi?
I agree with Vincent. The same goes for the other roadshow musical in Robert’s ad, “Goodbye, Mr. Chips”. I’d avoided seeing that for years because of its reputation as a big bomb. But I saw it on TCM last year and it was excellent all around, with one of Peter O'Toole’s best performances.
As hot as it is outside, imagine how hot it must be inside the Loew’s right now! Can’t wait till fall, for the Loew’s as well as the return of good weather.
Warren, that “Boeing Boeing” ad is wild. It’s pure ‘60’s. Check out the body measurements under each actress’ name (Thelma Ritter: ? ? ?).
It’s weird seeing Alexander Knox as a romantic comedy lead – to me he will always be “Wilson”.
>> Shane has a big Latin American stage show(makes sense) and its kicked off with Gilbert and Sullivan?!!!
I guess all you can say is …That’s showbiz!
I believe the date of that ad was December 15, which means the movie opened on the 16th. It was a hit so it must have played at least three weeks, which makes it the movie you saw on the 31st (I am really envious!).
The ads I posted yesterday for West Side Story, The Wizard of Oz, Marty etc. were copied from microfilm in 1972, the year I began college. The location of the New York Times microfilm collection in the library basement of Seton Hall U. was probably the best thing I learned the whole time I was there! I taped them to pieces of oak tag and hung them on my bedroom wall, and they were still taped to the oak tag 33 years later. They were only collecting dust where they were, so it was better to post them here and share them with people who’d really appreciate them, like you guys.
Most of my other posts are from the Hackensack Public Library’s microfilm collection – I’ve been going there on my days off – but a few of them are from an actual New York Times Arts and Leisure section from 1968 that I still have intact (because of “2001: A Space Odyssey”).
From December 1959:
View link
Notice the lower left corner. Vito, you were an ear-witness. If I were about 10 years older than I was at the time (5), I would’ve seen it here for sure.
From October 1961 – opening night of “West Side Story”:
View link
From 1955: the little low-budget movie based on a TV play that went all the way to the top prize at the Academy Awards. I like the way the Sutton is mentioned in one of the critics' quotes.
View link
From Shaun Considine’s biography of Paddy Chayefsky, “Mad as Hell”:
In New York, the film continued to run for an unprecedented 39 weeks at one theatre only, the Sutton. “That was the first time that people from the suburbs ever went to a movie on the East Side,” said Bernie Kamber. “They’d come in on the subway from Queens or from the Bronx, get off at 59th Street, walk two blocks south, then stand on line for MARTY.”