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Question For New York Film/Theatregoers
posted by
KingBiscuits
on
January 24, 2008 at 10:50 am
Does anyone have a full detailed list of films shown in New York cinemas from 1995 to 2007? I would look this stuff up myself but I am probably 1,500 miles away. The public library’s Times microfilm only goes to 1994 and I don’t have $3,000 to get that home archive system. Please help me, New York filmgoers.
Comments (7)
I find your question indicative of what is disturbing about the Internet Culture in which we currently live, that being this idea that all information just magically exists and can be accessed with a mouseclick or two. I can attest from experience that the lists you’re seeking must be created (i.e. researched, compiled, assembled, etc.) and it is an understatement to say it is a time-consuming process. So to expect your desired information to be readily available I think is unreasonable.
Getting off my rant and answering your question, do a search here of the theaters that interest you and note that some of them, such as ASTOR PLAZA and ZIEGFELD, have some or all of the info you are seeking.
Where do you reside? I find it difficult to believe that you have no access to a microfilm collection of the NY TIMES. In my traveling (and I’ve been to hundreds of libraries across the country, both public and university), I can say that the NY TIMES is without question the most commonly stocked paper. Look harder…or try a university library…or find a library that offer services such as ProQuest…or try Inter-Library Loan…or ask (nicely) the Cinema Treasures regulars to continue posting playdate histories.
When I used to go to the library in Clifton, they had a great collection of microfiche NY Times issues dating back to the time when the Clifton Library opened and kept stock of the paper. The website of the times has articles relating to theaters from 1989 onward for free, and is the best source for local cinema news as other local sites charge you to pay for the articles. Google’s news archive section is a must if you want to search movie listings from ‘95 to '07.
I may be able to help if you can narrow the scope. Are you looking for every booking at each theatre in New York? Manhattan?
Are you looking for specific dates?
If you are just looking film releases during this period IMDB, boxofficemojo and the Variety website have lists. Chances are the film played NY somewhere even for a day if it was released to theatres at all.
I am in Southwest Missouri. And yes, I am looking for the bookings mainly. This is for personal research.
When you consider there are over 200 screens and over 75 films playing weekly in Manhattan alone this list would be overwhelming without more detail.
Southwest Missouri? Near Springfield?
The Springfield-Greene County Library in Springfield has The New York Times on microfilm for the time frame you desire.
Usually I can only find up to 1994, but I can ask behind the desk. I shall call off this search for now.