There was a discussion of a lost film here called “Him” and if it actually played here. I’ve been doing research trying to find a lost documentary I know I saw as a kid about the space program. Anyway, I have been going through all the Village Voices from the 70’s which are available on line and not only did “Him” play here, it played three separate multi-week engagements thru ‘73 –'75 with big half page ads to boot.
Uh oh. I saw “Les Miz” Sunday eve and for the first time in thirty plus years I have to say I was disappointed.
First, turning onto 54th street I was shocked that there was no marquee panel. Oh no, maybe the wind blew it out, it was wicked that day. Walking to the other side, nope, NY’s Premiere movie theater had basic letters on a track for it’s big Christmas picture. Never seen that in the hundreds of times I’ve passed by. It looked like any dollar house in the suburbs. I asked the usher about it, and he said was “all I know is they are working on it”. This for a feature a week in release already and booked months ago.
Then waiting for the previous show to break and I notice the lobby carpet is dirty. First in the auditorium, head for my favorite seat, front row mezzanine aisle and it’s broken, unusable.
First fifteen minutes, no music or even screen ads and it was more noticeable because of the big naked screen staring at us. How much could it really cost to open and close a curtain five times a day. That’s what it was installed for. In the past,even neighborhood theaters had curtains. Multiplexes killed this tradition and this is what makes this theater unique.
Staff, projection and sound first rate as always but it’s obvious Clearview has given up while waiting for a buyer. The gorgeous Ziegfeld Theater deserves better.
As it says in the article, “My Favorite Year” starring Peter O'Toole and Mark Linn-Baker were filming and that’s the faux marquee of “House Of Wax” that can be seen in the opening credits.
Don’t remember what theater it was, but it was on the New Amsterdam side and I believe in the middle of the block. I remember because “It’s Alive” had that great teaser trailer with the baby carriage and I stood there and watch it a few times and it was soooo cool for a kid.
Yes, The National had a trailer kiosk. Lots of theaters in Times Sq. had them. I remember even one on 42nd St. that was playing the trailer for Larry Cohen’s “It’s Alive”. Others I remember were the Warner/Penthouse/Cinerama, The Demille, Criterion & Movieland.
This past Sunday they had a one show performance of the concert version of Stephen Sondheim’s “Company”. I read on another forum that it was a Blu-ray they showed. When I questioned as to why he thought it was a from a Blu-ray disc, because he might have thought a “Digital Presentation” was a DVD, he reported that the actual Blu-ray menu appeared on screen after the credits.
The fifth movie opening week I believe was a re-issue of “Jaws” which played in the smallest theater. And I believe in all there was only 9 screens. Original 1-5 in the main lobby, 6&7 down the left hall and 8&9 down the right hallway. Did they add a tenth somewhere?
Daddy Warbucks, Grace and Little Orphan Annie go to the movies. Note that the clip isn’t letterboxed as Columbia hasn’t bothered to release a proper DVD
The Long Island link is wrong too. It was not The Bayshore Cinema that played “Jaws” but the UA Bay Shore. The UA Bay Shore was in town and five minutes away from the Fire Island Ferry where the Cinema was across Sunrise Highway.
Absolutely love this film. Front row balcony. Half the fun in returns visits was to lean foward and watch the audience jump through out. Years later, I got to meet Richard Dreyfuss and Susan Blacklinie who was the first victim, and have them sign the DVD.
Here’s an ad slick for the New York area provided by RobertR in The UA Rivoli fourm
This establishment was charging $20 for “Shrek Forever After” 3D IMAX not including internet fees. After complaints they have reduced it to $17 plus fees.
While it might have been easier to just gut the place and turn it into a supermarket when the movies failed, it’s great they are still theaters. It’s a great place to see a live Off Broadway show. A futuristic two level lobby, five theaters, some with balconies. It’s been very successful. Some Broadway shows, Tony winning Best musical “Avenue Q” and “The 39 Steps” have recently transfered there. Some shows I’ve seen were the absolutely hilarious “Evil Dead, The Musical” and Charles Busch’s “Die Mommie Die”.
“Cabaret” didn’t open at Studio 54. It opened at Henry Miller’s Theater on W 43rd Street. It was renamed The Kit Kat Club for this engagement. During the run there was a crane accident from neighboring construction, one fatality and a damaged theater. Unable to continue, the show transfered to Studio 54 for the rest of the run. The Henry Miller’s was demolished with the exception of the landmarked facade and has now been rebuilt and currently playing Roundabout productions.
With all due respect AlAlvarez, The Selwyn (American Airlines) has had many successful shows. It is run by The Roundabout Theater Company, a non profit organization. All shows booked are limited runs. They are not open ended productions. Every once in a while something extraordinary will open like the revival of “Cabaret” and they will become open ended, anything opening The Selwyn will be limited. Just because you see a new marquee up every six months doesn’t mean they are bombing.
There was a discussion of a lost film here called “Him” and if it actually played here. I’ve been doing research trying to find a lost documentary I know I saw as a kid about the space program. Anyway, I have been going through all the Village Voices from the 70’s which are available on line and not only did “Him” play here, it played three separate multi-week engagements thru ‘73 –'75 with big half page ads to boot.
August 25 1966 Adam West & Burt Ward star in the feature version of “Batman” with special live appearance of Batman & Robin!
SUFFOLK HISTORIC NEWSPAPERS has years of digital back issues of The Long Islander, a local newspaper with weekly movie ads included.
http://www.live-brary.com/historic-newspapers
Uh oh. I saw “Les Miz” Sunday eve and for the first time in thirty plus years I have to say I was disappointed.
First, turning onto 54th street I was shocked that there was no marquee panel. Oh no, maybe the wind blew it out, it was wicked that day. Walking to the other side, nope, NY’s Premiere movie theater had basic letters on a track for it’s big Christmas picture. Never seen that in the hundreds of times I’ve passed by. It looked like any dollar house in the suburbs. I asked the usher about it, and he said was “all I know is they are working on it”. This for a feature a week in release already and booked months ago.
Then waiting for the previous show to break and I notice the lobby carpet is dirty. First in the auditorium, head for my favorite seat, front row mezzanine aisle and it’s broken, unusable.
First fifteen minutes, no music or even screen ads and it was more noticeable because of the big naked screen staring at us. How much could it really cost to open and close a curtain five times a day. That’s what it was installed for. In the past,even neighborhood theaters had curtains. Multiplexes killed this tradition and this is what makes this theater unique.
Staff, projection and sound first rate as always but it’s obvious Clearview has given up while waiting for a buyer. The gorgeous Ziegfeld Theater deserves better.
Thank you for the updated photos ED, it’s appreciated. Some progress is better than no progress.
As it says in the article, “My Favorite Year” starring Peter O'Toole and Mark Linn-Baker were filming and that’s the faux marquee of “House Of Wax” that can be seen in the opening credits.
How in world are they going to build five screens with stadium seating and tables plus a lobby and kitchen in that little single screen space?
Don’t remember what theater it was, but it was on the New Amsterdam side and I believe in the middle of the block. I remember because “It’s Alive” had that great teaser trailer with the baby carriage and I stood there and watch it a few times and it was soooo cool for a kid.
This was the trailer…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8xe8p6zECQ
Yes, The National had a trailer kiosk. Lots of theaters in Times Sq. had them. I remember even one on 42nd St. that was playing the trailer for Larry Cohen’s “It’s Alive”. Others I remember were the Warner/Penthouse/Cinerama, The Demille, Criterion & Movieland.
And at 95 Ernest Borgnine is still going strong. I got to meet just a few years ago and I was thrilled he signed my “Marty” DVD.
This past Sunday they had a one show performance of the concert version of Stephen Sondheim’s “Company”. I read on another forum that it was a Blu-ray they showed. When I questioned as to why he thought it was a from a Blu-ray disc, because he might have thought a “Digital Presentation” was a DVD, he reported that the actual Blu-ray menu appeared on screen after the credits.
The fifth movie opening week I believe was a re-issue of “Jaws” which played in the smallest theater. And I believe in all there was only 9 screens. Original 1-5 in the main lobby, 6&7 down the left hall and 8&9 down the right hallway. Did they add a tenth somewhere?
Daddy Warbucks, Grace and Little Orphan Annie go to the movies. Note that the clip isn’t letterboxed as Columbia hasn’t bothered to release a proper DVD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wftKf04N5r0
The Long Island link is wrong too. It was not The Bayshore Cinema that played “Jaws” but the UA Bay Shore. The UA Bay Shore was in town and five minutes away from the Fire Island Ferry where the Cinema was across Sunrise Highway.
/theaters/6206/
Absolutely love this film. Front row balcony. Half the fun in returns visits was to lean foward and watch the audience jump through out. Years later, I got to meet Richard Dreyfuss and Susan Blacklinie who was the first victim, and have them sign the DVD.
Here’s an ad slick for the New York area provided by RobertR in The UA Rivoli fourm
View link
Also fitting that when this theater opened, it killed The Deer Park Theater and now Regal Deer Park Stadium 16 & IMAX killed this.
This establishment was charging $20 for “Shrek Forever After” 3D IMAX not including internet fees. After complaints they have reduced it to $17 plus fees.
View link
While it might have been easier to just gut the place and turn it into a supermarket when the movies failed, it’s great they are still theaters. It’s a great place to see a live Off Broadway show. A futuristic two level lobby, five theaters, some with balconies. It’s been very successful. Some Broadway shows, Tony winning Best musical “Avenue Q” and “The 39 Steps” have recently transfered there. Some shows I’ve seen were the absolutely hilarious “Evil Dead, The Musical” and Charles Busch’s “Die Mommie Die”.
http://www.newworldstages.com/about.html
“Cabaret” didn’t open at Studio 54. It opened at Henry Miller’s Theater on W 43rd Street. It was renamed The Kit Kat Club for this engagement. During the run there was a crane accident from neighboring construction, one fatality and a damaged theater. Unable to continue, the show transfered to Studio 54 for the rest of the run. The Henry Miller’s was demolished with the exception of the landmarked facade and has now been rebuilt and currently playing Roundabout productions.
With all due respect AlAlvarez, The Selwyn (American Airlines) has had many successful shows. It is run by The Roundabout Theater Company, a non profit organization. All shows booked are limited runs. They are not open ended productions. Every once in a while something extraordinary will open like the revival of “Cabaret” and they will become open ended, anything opening The Selwyn will be limited. Just because you see a new marquee up every six months doesn’t mean they are bombing.