Comments from Butch

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Butch
Butch commented about Ziegfeld Theatre on Feb 20, 2006 at 12:32 pm

The Ziegfeld’s house curtain is gold and always has been.

Butch
Butch commented about Ziegfeld Theatre on Dec 30, 2005 at 4:01 am

This is the same size screen the Ziegfeld always used, excopt for the temporary “Cinerama” installation. Side masking opens a few feet for scope presentations. Existing drapery treatment limits potential screen size.

Butch
Butch commented about Criterion Theatre on Sep 8, 2005 at 11:26 am

Vincent—-
In 1962 I saw “Lawrence of Arabia” at the Criterion and all subsequent 70MM presentations there except for “Patton” (D-150 presentation?). All were presented as in my post above. However, I have often wondered if “Sleeping Beauty” and “South Pacific” were presented on a larger curved screen with appropriate drapery treatment as befit the early Technirama and Todd-AO presentations.
Anyone remember?

Butch
Butch commented about Radio City Music Hall on Sep 6, 2005 at 8:10 am

Vincent—-
I saw many Cinemascope films at the Roxy and the Music Hall and never noticed any horizontal strips (even with my discerning eyes) at either theater. I would be interested in reading others views on this.

Butch
Butch commented about Criterion Theatre on Sep 6, 2005 at 8:02 am

Vincent—-
The theater looked exactly the same as a 70MM roadshow house as depected in Warren’s photo. Imagine opening those drapes completely and inscribe a flat 2.2 to 1 screen in the lower area of the procenium and what you see is what you got.

Butch
Butch commented about Quad Cinema on Sep 2, 2005 at 1:31 am

I totally agree with you!

Butch
Butch commented about Entertainment Weekly Names Top 10 Theaters on Aug 16, 2005 at 4:00 pm

Film Forum? How about the Quad? Good Grief!

Butch
Butch commented about Film Forum on Aug 16, 2005 at 8:26 am

Vincent——my sentiments exactly. The Film Forum is a totally unacctable venue for scope/stereo films.

Butch
Butch commented about Loews Festival Theatre on Jul 10, 2005 at 5:52 am

Absolutely not, Michael. Barely had 35mm!

Butch
Butch commented about Ziegfeld Theatre on Jun 29, 2005 at 5:55 pm

The gold drapery,teaser,and black undermasking were all removed and filled in with the largest possible somewhat deeply curved screen (27 by 63 feet). The sound system was also upgraded for this 70mm presentation. The result was a poor imitation of the original Cinerama, however the screen should have been maintained for future 70mm blockbusters.

Butch
Butch commented about Rivoli Theatre on Jun 22, 2005 at 12:46 pm

Yes, I’ve seen this many times over the years. It can be useful in small to medium auditoriums to achieve maxium screen size, and is called “sissors masking.” Loews 34th St. in Manhattan uses top, bottom and side masking in the smaller theaters to achieve the proper projected aspect ratio.

Butch
Butch commented about Rivoli Theatre on Apr 28, 2005 at 6:28 am

The upstairs screen was so small that the three speakers behind it were practically touching eachother. It was freestanding and there were no curtains reminding me of a small drive in theater screen,almost appearing to be a temporary structure. Downstairs, the gigantic wraparound drapes were removed along with the D-150 screen and frame. A small slightly curved screen was installed just within the procenium along with small red drapes, however the procenium arch was sealed off with plasterboard slanted inward to accomodate the new small screen. The renovation was a big disapointment to anyone who had experienced watching 70MM presentations on the huge Todd-AO/D-150 screens.

Butch
Butch commented about Quad Cinema on Apr 7, 2005 at 6:36 pm

It’s dreadful.

Butch
Butch commented about Loew's Jersey Theatre on Apr 5, 2005 at 10:34 pm

The next scheduled program is “The 60th Anniversity of the End of World War Two” on April 29th and 30th. So far: “The Great Dictator”(Charlie Chaplin) and
“Patton”(George C. Scott). “Patton” was one of only two films photographed in the D-150 process and even the 35mm prints are usually visually stunning.

Butch
Butch commented about Regal Battery Park Stadium 11 on Apr 3, 2005 at 12:11 am

I agree with the statements posted above. For some reason Regal has the smallest screens in proportion to auditorium size, especially when compared to Loew’s and AMC multiplexes in NYC. I’ve been here twice but will never return.

Butch
Butch commented about Cinema 1, 2 & 3 by Angelika on Mar 21, 2005 at 3:38 pm

This theater’s claim to fame was it’s upper east side location and it’s artwork outside reflecting the current and future attractions. It’s auditoriums and presentatations were always second rate especially when compared to the west side movie palaces of the day.

Butch
Butch commented about Ziegfeld Theatre on Mar 21, 2005 at 9:15 am

“The King and I” at the Lighthouse was a brand new restotation printdown to 35mm from the original 55mm negative. It was shown in a very wide aspect ratio with black bars at the top and bottom of the theater’s cinemascope (uncurved) screen. The sound was remastered in 4-track Dolby Digital stereo. Sound seperation behind the screen was excellent however I could not hear any surrounds,unlike the presentation at the Roxy, so many years ago. This theater has small speakers in the ceiling. This print will soon be realeased to “art” theaters around the country according to the Fox restoration representative who spoke at the presentation.
OK Vito?

Butch
Butch commented about Loew's Jersey Theatre on Feb 1, 2005 at 10:06 am

I was there for the last show Saturday when an announcement was made that a closing theater in Washington would be donating two 70MM projectors to the Jersey. Hopefully this may encourage a 70MM festival in the future.

Butch
Butch commented about Criterion Theatre on Jan 31, 2005 at 4:29 pm

I saw true VistaVision at the Paramount. The picture was large, bright, and crystal clear, significantly more impressive than regular 35mm presentations at the time. I was not impressed with the projected aspect ratio which seemed less than 1.85. Even less impressive was Perspecta Sound. The film was “Strategic Air Command.”

Butch
Butch commented about Syosset Theatre on Jan 10, 2005 at 3:22 pm

This is Cinerama never played the Rivoli. You saw it at the Ziegfeld. The presentation was a poor, poor imitation of the original. Ask anyone who has seen them both.
Pablo

Butch
Butch commented about Regency I & II on Sep 5, 2004 at 7:32 am

Yes they were like that. The Midtown was the worst conversion I’ve ever seen. It was one whole block long, each side 16 seats across and 37 rows deep with screens way above the seats near the ceiling. You had to see it to believe it. And this was once a Todd-AO house.

Butch
Butch commented about Empire Theatre on Sep 2, 2004 at 12:06 pm

I saw “The Greatest Story Ever Told” in single lens Cinerama at the Warner Cinerama in 1965 and sitting next to me was one of my favorite entertainers, Jackie Wilson! Imagine my surprise. I explained wide screen projection to him. He was very friendly and signed my program book.

Butch
Butch commented about New Metro Twin on Aug 28, 2004 at 3:19 pm

I went to the Metro on the 25th to see The Manchurian Candidate
(2004) in the lower auditorium on a tiny little screen (1.85)and noticed there were no surround speakers. The film began and I realized the sound was MONAURAL which I havent heard in a new film in years. The theater was hot as hell as there was no air conditioning. I was the only person attending the first show. As I ran out the door 10 minutes into the show a very pleasant staff member said “Don’t you like the movie?” I said “No, the theater. It was so hot in there I didn’t even ask for a refund. Tired Clearview.

Butch
Butch commented about Loews Festival Theatre on Aug 22, 2004 at 10:34 am

In it’s day the Festival was one of the worst places to see a film,there were no such places as the Quad or the Film Forum or the Angelika at that time.
Not only was the floor flat, but the Austrian drapery LOWERED to beneath the small screen accompanied by a loud grinding noise when the film began. Remember that?