Yes, I’d very much like to see it on You Tube!
I was inside when it was a single, vast auditorium. I’m not sure just how many seats it had, but it was huge and had a large, curtained screen. This was long after the original stage opening, prosenium arch, curtains, etc. had been modified for wide screen cinemascope film in the 1950s.
Before it was twinnged, I remember the doors to the auditorium having portholes so you could see the movie playing thru them.
I didn’t visit inside after it was twinned, but did see the exterior intact until conversion to store.
What were the offices & back rooms like? Was there any collection of vintage movie posters or photos of the theater? Do you know of any still photos-perhaps you snapped some yourself?
Did you work in other theaters?
Thanks again for documenting this gem.
thanks to Jack Coursey for this link, http://www.gsf-dc.org/about_outreach.html
with an etching of what may be the former Carver Theatre and soon to be Good Samaritan Foundation.
Kevanos, did you shoot the film inside the theater? does it show the lobby? I’d be interested in seeing any part of the theater on film or photo. Maybe you could post on YouTube or flickr and link here?
I remember the stand alone ticket booth, but haven’t found photos of the exterior as a theater or the interior. As you know, the ticket booth & marquee are gone since TJ Maxx.
Though a few people do it, THIS website isn’t a forum to rail against Cablevision’s operation of sports! or electronic stores. This website is about movie theaters.
Pedas owns the Uptown & did a GREAT job as Circle Uptown in operating it. They know the value of having excellent standards in the theater, and could bring 35 mm blockbusters & 70 mm classics to the huge screen.
The book mentioned above didn’t give specs for theaters with more than 3500 seats, but there was not much difference between 2000 seat screen and 3500 seat screen.
Loews renamed their theaters Sony after its owner, but after merger with Cineplex Odeon, the Loews name returned. So, Sony and Loews was the same operator. I think Loews stayed longer. My notes indicte maybe until 1997. When Sony Lincoln Square opened, arthouse movies often began there.
The book “American Theatres of Today” (1927 so Volume One) reported that 12 feet wide means the picture is life sized. A 2000 seat auditorium was then supposed to get a screen 17 feet wall x 12.8 feet tall. A 3500 seat auditorium was supposed to get a screen 20 feet wide and 15 feet tall.
Justin, this wonderful Hoyts theater was stadium seated. I saw movies there, and have seen movies at the 24 screener.
The Hoyts will not reopen because there’s not more demand for movies in that location than the AMC/Loews. Repeat: the Hoyts will not reopen for movies.
Mark, a “strong” chain can’t strong-arm moviegoers, forcing them to attend en masse!
Posted:
In 3 years the leases are up on the Village & Bruin. I’ve heard they are both in the red (despite premieres) & won’t still be operated by Mann. Both exteriors are legally protected, but interiors could become retail, restaurant, etc. In my opinion, “saving” the Village for continued entertainment including some movies (perhaps like the Warner Grand in San Pedro and the Alex in Glendale but also with some premieres) is very important, more so than the National which appears doomed altogether. Don’t expect Mann to plex around them like the Dome. Look for somebody else!
posted by HowardBHaas on Oct 9, 2007 at 9:20am
The design aspects we perceive as marvelous were, if I understand correctly, modern Disney alternations. So far as I understand, the original design when built wasn’t as magificient as what we see today.
I don’t understand, though, what’s meant by the owner has “poured millions” into the theater in the last five years since the Disney alterations were already complete
JodarMovieFan, thanks! I’m glad you appreciate it.
In 1993, I saw “El Cid” in 70mm at the pre-restored Avalon (also rewritten, but the story isn’t finished, as they’ve got more work to do, such as the elevator installation). It was a highlight of my moviegoing life. Costume period pieces are my favorite movies, though….
I see Monday’s showing is some kind of HD digital. I’m not totally sure, but that doesn’t sound like movie theater digital projection equivalent of film (inferior 2 k, more adequate 4 k, etc.) but like something you’d play at home. Or, maybe it might look ok on the big screen.
I saw movies here 1985 to 1986 before moving closer to the movie theaters of upper Conn. Ave. JodarMovieFan, since you commented, the Intro was revised. The largest, original auditorium did previously have plays. The other auditoriums and screens didn’t impress me as large, but that was typical nationwide of movie theaters built in that era. It was a good place to see movies.
I saw movies, mainstream and arthouse, and even one classic, a reissue of E.T. (August 1985) at the Circle West End 5-6-7 in 1985 and 1986. I recall that the auditoriums and movie screens were small.
Wait, the main floor might be that of another Palace cinema, though it looks like this one, too.
Current photos.
Top of exterior of Palace cinema:
View link
Main floor of shopping mall with food stand. Lots of delicious choices!
View link
Yes, I’d very much like to see it on You Tube!
I was inside when it was a single, vast auditorium. I’m not sure just how many seats it had, but it was huge and had a large, curtained screen. This was long after the original stage opening, prosenium arch, curtains, etc. had been modified for wide screen cinemascope film in the 1950s.
Before it was twinnged, I remember the doors to the auditorium having portholes so you could see the movie playing thru them.
I didn’t visit inside after it was twinned, but did see the exterior intact until conversion to store.
What were the offices & back rooms like? Was there any collection of vintage movie posters or photos of the theater? Do you know of any still photos-perhaps you snapped some yourself?
Did you work in other theaters?
Thanks again for documenting this gem.
thanks to Jack Coursey for this link,
http://www.gsf-dc.org/about_outreach.html
with an etching of what may be the former Carver Theatre and soon to be Good Samaritan Foundation.
Kevanos, did you shoot the film inside the theater? does it show the lobby? I’d be interested in seeing any part of the theater on film or photo. Maybe you could post on YouTube or flickr and link here?
I remember the stand alone ticket booth, but haven’t found photos of the exterior as a theater or the interior. As you know, the ticket booth & marquee are gone since TJ Maxx.
Though a few people do it, THIS website isn’t a forum to rail against Cablevision’s operation of sports! or electronic stores. This website is about movie theaters.
This link has auditorium & marquee photo, and classic films shown:
http://www.in70mm.com/news/2008/royal/index.htm
Pedas owns the Uptown & did a GREAT job as Circle Uptown in operating it. They know the value of having excellent standards in the theater, and could bring 35 mm blockbusters & 70 mm classics to the huge screen.
The book mentioned above didn’t give specs for theaters with more than 3500 seats, but there was not much difference between 2000 seat screen and 3500 seat screen.
Pathe did not return.
Loews renamed their theaters Sony after its owner, but after merger with Cineplex Odeon, the Loews name returned. So, Sony and Loews was the same operator. I think Loews stayed longer. My notes indicte maybe until 1997. When Sony Lincoln Square opened, arthouse movies often began there.
It is no secret, but well known. I think it was after Pathe’s lease was up, when Sony leased it that Fine Arts was the name.
Well, that might be different.
17 feet wide. (typo).
The book “American Theatres of Today” (1927 so Volume One) reported that 12 feet wide means the picture is life sized. A 2000 seat auditorium was then supposed to get a screen 17 feet wall x 12.8 feet tall. A 3500 seat auditorium was supposed to get a screen 20 feet wide and 15 feet tall.
Justin, this wonderful Hoyts theater was stadium seated. I saw movies there, and have seen movies at the 24 screener.
The Hoyts will not reopen because there’s not more demand for movies in that location than the AMC/Loews. Repeat: the Hoyts will not reopen for movies.
It failed as a 1st run theater due to the Cherry Hill multiplex so why “maybe” would it be a good investment to lease, LongIslandMovies?
I don’t want to sit in center stalls/orchestra. I want to sit in the 1st circle/balcony & watch the movie on that screen.
Mark, a “strong” chain can’t strong-arm moviegoers, forcing them to attend en masse!
Posted:
In 3 years the leases are up on the Village & Bruin. I’ve heard they are both in the red (despite premieres) & won’t still be operated by Mann. Both exteriors are legally protected, but interiors could become retail, restaurant, etc. In my opinion, “saving” the Village for continued entertainment including some movies (perhaps like the Warner Grand in San Pedro and the Alex in Glendale but also with some premieres) is very important, more so than the National which appears doomed altogether. Don’t expect Mann to plex around them like the Dome. Look for somebody else!
posted by HowardBHaas on Oct 9, 2007 at 9:20am
The design aspects we perceive as marvelous were, if I understand correctly, modern Disney alternations. So far as I understand, the original design when built wasn’t as magificient as what we see today.
I don’t understand, though, what’s meant by the owner has “poured millions” into the theater in the last five years since the Disney alterations were already complete
Set of photos:
View link
JodarMovieFan, thanks! I’m glad you appreciate it.
In 1993, I saw “El Cid” in 70mm at the pre-restored Avalon (also rewritten, but the story isn’t finished, as they’ve got more work to do, such as the elevator installation). It was a highlight of my moviegoing life. Costume period pieces are my favorite movies, though….
I see Monday’s showing is some kind of HD digital. I’m not totally sure, but that doesn’t sound like movie theater digital projection equivalent of film (inferior 2 k, more adequate 4 k, etc.) but like something you’d play at home. Or, maybe it might look ok on the big screen.
Oh, goodness, I meant to write that “the Boyd was NOT included in that sale.”
The Boyd was included in the sale.
I saw movies here 1985 to 1986 before moving closer to the movie theaters of upper Conn. Ave. JodarMovieFan, since you commented, the Intro was revised. The largest, original auditorium did previously have plays. The other auditoriums and screens didn’t impress me as large, but that was typical nationwide of movie theaters built in that era. It was a good place to see movies.
I saw movies, mainstream and arthouse, and even one classic, a reissue of E.T. (August 1985) at the Circle West End 5-6-7 in 1985 and 1986. I recall that the auditoriums and movie screens were small.