The Happiest Millionaire was not a box office success for Walt Disney. I remember reading in the New York Times that Radio City was stuck with product like the “Happiest Millionaire” and locked out of getting better product. This was the start of the decline of Radio City stage and film combo which would last for another 10 years.The Pantages run of the Happiest Millionaire may have been a contract to run so many weeks.brucec
Hollywood’s biggest movie star from the Golden Age of Hollywood,Elizabeth Taylor passed away today.She became a star at MGM Hollyood’s greatest studio in “National Velvet” in 1944. She stteneded the Pantagees throughout her long career.“Cleopatra” premiered at the Pantages in 1963.She met Richard Burton during the making of “Cleopatra” and her celebrity reached heights no other actress has reached since. She was in the Top Ten at the Box Office from 1958-1968. She was nominated for Oscars four years in a row 1957’s “Raintree County”,1958’s “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof”,1959’s “Suddenly Last Summer” and 1960’s “Butterfied 8”. She won two Oscar’s for 1960’s “Butterfield” and 1966’s “Whos Afraid of Virginia Wolf”.I thought she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.She also was a huge supporter on the fight against aids when nobody else would touch it after her friend Rock Hudson died. She was the biggest movie star in the world since 1960 and one of the last to come out of the studio system.We will never see anyone like her again.brucec
Well Mark thats to bad considering the only theatre to rival the Chinese is the Cinerama Dome at the ArcLight. I think its more Mann Theatres than the ArcLight. Mann Theatres during its decline hasn’t protected the Chinese film bookings. The Chinese was always a top grossing theatre until Mann declined so badly. The Chinese should be treated the way Disney treats the El Capitan. Warner Bros and Paramount still have a stake in Mann Theatres and should treat the Chinese better. I think a little old fashioned showmanship is needed to promote the most famous film theatre on the planet.brucec
Warner Bros and Paramount should take over the Chinese. The Chinese is a flaship theatre that is being booked like a subrun theatre under Mann’s declining health. Grauman’s Chinese should be booked with the biggest and the best summer blockbusters as in the past. It should be treated like the Cinerama Dome and El Capitan. The Chinese still hosts mamy premiere’s but those films are booked elsewhere.brucec
Scott the size of the Uptown is a plus. They built the 7000 seat Nokia in LA due to the demand for mid-size theatres. The Music industry today is fragmented just like television there are very few musical acts today they can fill arenas so most are playing mid size theatres seating anywhere from 1500-7000 seats. The 3300 seat Fox which was restored last year books mainly rock acts and the Fox is the perfect size. Most of the acts that play the Fox I have never heard of but have a following in todays youth culture. I see the Chicago Theatre booking more mainstream acts where the Uptown books acts that play the Fox. The economic downturn will slow things down for a couple of years so I think JAM will proceed slowly.brucec
Im glad Allen is sticking with the Grand Lake and put some money back into it. The Grand Lake was a cash cow until the building of the multiplex theatres in Emeryville and Jack London Square which has plenty of parking. The Grand Lake was at its most beautiful during the roadshow years of the mid to late 1960’s after a remodel by National General.I have seen movies here since 1959’s Ben Hur through Harry Potter. I haven’t attended the last couple of years becuase the theatre was starting to look rundown. Im glad Allen is putting money back into the theatre and I will have to come and check it out. I wish the Grand Lake could reposition itself like the Stanford Theatre or maybe a mix of classics and first run.Allen is correct there are very few first run movie palaces left in the United States and we should treasure what we have left.brucec
Great they were able to save this theatre and restore it. I saw it on a tour when it was divided into four screens. I wish they had made an attempt to restore a proper Marquee on this beautiful theatre. The current facade is very boring without a proper Marquee. Brucec
The Kings in New York City is a huge theatre. If they had built a full balcony inside the huge audtitorium it could have easily sat over 4000 seats. The Kings is one of the most beautiful theatres I have ever seen even in its current state. The Kings has been closed longer than the Uptown. Im sure with the current economy things may have slowed down for the time being. The long run potential for the Uptown is huge because of its size. It wouldn’t be used for Broadway but for the modern music acts of today who can’t fill arena’s and stadiums.brucec
The Kings in New York City is a huge theatre. If they had built a full balcony inside the huge audtitorium it could have easily sat over 4000 seats. The Kings is one of the most beautiful theatres I have ever seen even in its current state. The Kings has been closed longer than the Uptown. Im sure with the current economy things may have slowed down for the time being. The long run potential for the Uptown is huge because of its size. It wouldn’t be used for Broadway but for the modern music acts of today who can’t fill arena’s and stadiums.brucec
hdtv267 I have industry sources and don’t know who Perez Hilton is.There are many Broadway shows in the works but many never make it out of the development stage. I do know that Disney will most likely replace Mary Poppins in another year. Due to the economy less family shows are coming to Broadway. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,Shrek,Tarzan and The Little Mermaid failed to recoup there investment on Broadway. Disney has slowed down the number of shows they will produce on Broadway. The Disney shows that have recouped there investment on Broadway are Beauty and The Beast,Aida,The Lion King and Mary Poppins.The other show that I heard may be in development besides Dumbo is Aladdan. Remember it took Disney along with Cameron Macintosh almost 16 years before Mary Poppins arrived on Broadway.brucec
I miss the Neon Dragon Marquee that the Chinese once had. I heard the Marquee is stored at Paramount Studios. I wish they would put it back up and get rid of the small plastic signs they put up. I l liked the restoration they did a few years back with the exception of the marquee. brucec
Broadway was at its Zenith in the 1920’s with 70 operating Broadway theatres, by the 1970’s Broadway was down to 30 operating theatres. Broadway has bounced back as well as Times Sqaure and now there are 40 operating Broadway Theatres. The most sought after Broadway theatres are those that seat 1400 or more. Most producers prefer the vintage theatres over the newer theatres. The Minskoff was considered the ugliest theatre on Broadway but it had nearly 1700 seats. Disney moved over the Lion King only after the Minskoff was renovated. The most desired musical theatres on Broadway are The Majestic,Winter Garden,Imperial,Palace,St James,Shubert,New Amsterdam,Broadway and Lunt Fontanne becuase of there history and decor and seating capacity. These theatre are usually tied up with shows that run many years. Broadways largest theatre the Gershwin finally has a solid hit in “Wicked” has 1800 seats which was needed for a show this size. The Hilton is the most popular of the newer musical theatres because of its decor which is vintage and its seating capacity. The Richard Rogers is considered one of the best musical theatres on Broadway but sat less than 1400 and struggled for a few years attracting musicals until the demand for theatres grew. Many producers today want a more intimate setting for there musicals so you have La Cage in the Longacre,A litte Night Music in the Walter Kerr and Next To Normal in the Booth.The demand for theatres that host plays has increased the last few years with a star name in a limited run. The producer of plays prefer mid size theatres such as the Jacobs,Barrymore and Broadhurst. There are very few hard to book theatres today. The Belasco is currently being restored and is used by Lincoln Center for limited Runs on Broadway with the upcoming musical Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breadkown. Since the Shuberts have restored the Longacre they have had three hits in a row Boeing Boeing, Burn The Floor and La Cage. The Cort which is a favorite of many stars has had three major hits in a row Will Farrell,A Few From a Brige and Fences. The Lyceum is sometimes difficult to book due to the way sets are built and loaded for the theatre. The non-profit companies have lovingly restored some of the smaller theatres such as the Friedman,American Airlines and Studio 54 which require smaller capacity since they are a non-profit. I don’t see the need to build any new theatres for plays but there is a demand for a few more theatres that seat 1400 or more for musicals. There is a huge demand to reclaim the Mark Hellinger(Hollywood) for Broadway productions but the church who owns the theatre is not willing to sell at this time. The church has done a wonderful job of maintaining the Mark Hellinger which I think is the most beautiful of the theatres on Broadway.The economy is such that I don’t see any new large musical theatres being built anytime soon. Im happy that there is a huge demand for the 40 theatres on Broadway which keeps are historic theatres viable for years to come.brucec
Loew’s did a very good job of documenting its theatres. Once restored the Kings will be the most spectacular theatre in New York City. It was home to M_G_M movies for most of its life, the greatest film studio during Hollywood’s Golden Age. When I visited the Kings on a tour in 2002 it was one of the most beautiful theatres I had ever seen even in its faded state. I grew up seeing movies in the 3500 seat Paramount and the 3300 seat Fox back in Oakland, California.The Paramount was restored back in the early 1970’s but I had to wait another 30 years before the Fox was restored last year. Sometimes we have to wait 30 years but the Kings will be worth the wait. These great movie palaces helped the greatest generation get through World War 11. The restoration of the Kings will be another step in the comeback of Brooklyn.
To bad the Times Square couldn’t be turned into a restaurant/classic film venue.I due feel that at least one theatre should have been saved for film in one form or another.brucec
Al you are incorrect about the Hilton and the American Airlines. The Hilton is very desirable to producers becuase its the 2nd largest Broadway theatre with over 1800 seats.“Spiderman” which is coming to the Hilton will be the most expensive musical ever produced and is holding on to the Hilton. There is a huge demand for Broadway theatres seating 1400 seats or more for the large scale musicals. Producers have to wait for these theatres to be available because of the hudge demand. “ Love Never Dies” has also been delayed and is holding on to the Neil Simon.Many time producers will try to squeeze a musical into the smaller theatres because none of the larger houses are available. This has been a problem for Broadway for some time. The American Airlines has had several limited run successfull plays as part of a subscription series from the non-profit Roundabout Company. The non-profit theatres on Broadway are the following American Airlines,Studio 54,Henry Miller (Sondheim),Friedman and the Vivian Beaumont. The Nederlander where “Rent” played for 12 Years has been restored. Currenly the Shubert’s Belasco is currently being restored. There are now 40 operating Broadway theatres up from 30 during the 1970’s. brucec
How is the Vaudville show at the Chicago is it any good? Has the Chicago been busy with this production? I know after its run in Chicago it will open at the Beacon in New York City.brucec
I was surprised at the restoration photos of the Paramount. I think due to pressure from many that the theatre was partly restored which I am very happy. Good going Boston. brucec
The Stanford by far if the finest theatre in the Nation to watch classic film. I wish every City was had a theatre such as the Stanford. My favorite theatre chain of all time was Fox West Coast which ran the Stanford for many years.brucec
I think 1939-1941 was Hollywood at its height in terms of great movies where critics and the public were on the same page. I agree 1959 was a great year even though attendance was on the decline through the early 1960’s. Female movie stars were as big as the men during this period of time until the the decline of the Studio System in the Mid 1950’s.brucec
If I had to choose between the Village and the Bruin the Village would win hands down.The Homeowners in the area is another reason for the decline of Westwood besides the parking.Westwood is located in a very expensive part of the city. I have witnessed the rise of Westwood as a moviegoing hub and the decline.Im sad to see the decline of Westwood as moviegoing hub due to the rise of Santa Monica,Century City and Westside Mall movie Plexes.These plexes can be anywhere USA and there nothing special about them.brucec
The Happiest Millionaire was not a box office success for Walt Disney. I remember reading in the New York Times that Radio City was stuck with product like the “Happiest Millionaire” and locked out of getting better product. This was the start of the decline of Radio City stage and film combo which would last for another 10 years.The Pantages run of the Happiest Millionaire may have been a contract to run so many weeks.brucec
Hollywood’s biggest movie star from the Golden Age of Hollywood,Elizabeth Taylor passed away today.She became a star at MGM Hollyood’s greatest studio in “National Velvet” in 1944. She stteneded the Pantagees throughout her long career.“Cleopatra” premiered at the Pantages in 1963.She met Richard Burton during the making of “Cleopatra” and her celebrity reached heights no other actress has reached since. She was in the Top Ten at the Box Office from 1958-1968. She was nominated for Oscars four years in a row 1957’s “Raintree County”,1958’s “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof”,1959’s “Suddenly Last Summer” and 1960’s “Butterfied 8”. She won two Oscar’s for 1960’s “Butterfield” and 1966’s “Whos Afraid of Virginia Wolf”.I thought she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.She also was a huge supporter on the fight against aids when nobody else would touch it after her friend Rock Hudson died. She was the biggest movie star in the world since 1960 and one of the last to come out of the studio system.We will never see anyone like her again.brucec
The Pix was the better marquee. Im dissapointed that they didn’t use Neon on the Vertcal instead of tacky plastic. brucec
Well Mark thats to bad considering the only theatre to rival the Chinese is the Cinerama Dome at the ArcLight. I think its more Mann Theatres than the ArcLight. Mann Theatres during its decline hasn’t protected the Chinese film bookings. The Chinese was always a top grossing theatre until Mann declined so badly. The Chinese should be treated the way Disney treats the El Capitan. Warner Bros and Paramount still have a stake in Mann Theatres and should treat the Chinese better. I think a little old fashioned showmanship is needed to promote the most famous film theatre on the planet.brucec
Warner Bros and Paramount should take over the Chinese. The Chinese is a flaship theatre that is being booked like a subrun theatre under Mann’s declining health. Grauman’s Chinese should be booked with the biggest and the best summer blockbusters as in the past. It should be treated like the Cinerama Dome and El Capitan. The Chinese still hosts mamy premiere’s but those films are booked elsewhere.brucec
Would like to see photos of the new electronic marquees.I hope it enhanced the theatres because the marquee on the Wang was very boring.brucec
Scott the size of the Uptown is a plus. They built the 7000 seat Nokia in LA due to the demand for mid-size theatres. The Music industry today is fragmented just like television there are very few musical acts today they can fill arenas so most are playing mid size theatres seating anywhere from 1500-7000 seats. The 3300 seat Fox which was restored last year books mainly rock acts and the Fox is the perfect size. Most of the acts that play the Fox I have never heard of but have a following in todays youth culture. I see the Chicago Theatre booking more mainstream acts where the Uptown books acts that play the Fox. The economic downturn will slow things down for a couple of years so I think JAM will proceed slowly.brucec
Im glad Allen is sticking with the Grand Lake and put some money back into it. The Grand Lake was a cash cow until the building of the multiplex theatres in Emeryville and Jack London Square which has plenty of parking. The Grand Lake was at its most beautiful during the roadshow years of the mid to late 1960’s after a remodel by National General.I have seen movies here since 1959’s Ben Hur through Harry Potter. I haven’t attended the last couple of years becuase the theatre was starting to look rundown. Im glad Allen is putting money back into the theatre and I will have to come and check it out. I wish the Grand Lake could reposition itself like the Stanford Theatre or maybe a mix of classics and first run.Allen is correct there are very few first run movie palaces left in the United States and we should treasure what we have left.brucec
Great they were able to save this theatre and restore it. I saw it on a tour when it was divided into four screens. I wish they had made an attempt to restore a proper Marquee on this beautiful theatre. The current facade is very boring without a proper Marquee. Brucec
The Kings in New York City is a huge theatre. If they had built a full balcony inside the huge audtitorium it could have easily sat over 4000 seats. The Kings is one of the most beautiful theatres I have ever seen even in its current state. The Kings has been closed longer than the Uptown. Im sure with the current economy things may have slowed down for the time being. The long run potential for the Uptown is huge because of its size. It wouldn’t be used for Broadway but for the modern music acts of today who can’t fill arena’s and stadiums.brucec
The Kings in New York City is a huge theatre. If they had built a full balcony inside the huge audtitorium it could have easily sat over 4000 seats. The Kings is one of the most beautiful theatres I have ever seen even in its current state. The Kings has been closed longer than the Uptown. Im sure with the current economy things may have slowed down for the time being. The long run potential for the Uptown is huge because of its size. It wouldn’t be used for Broadway but for the modern music acts of today who can’t fill arena’s and stadiums.brucec
Good luck with the Patio Theatre. It would be wonderful to see this theatre open again for both film and stage.brucec
hdtv267 I have industry sources and don’t know who Perez Hilton is.There are many Broadway shows in the works but many never make it out of the development stage. I do know that Disney will most likely replace Mary Poppins in another year. Due to the economy less family shows are coming to Broadway. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,Shrek,Tarzan and The Little Mermaid failed to recoup there investment on Broadway. Disney has slowed down the number of shows they will produce on Broadway. The Disney shows that have recouped there investment on Broadway are Beauty and The Beast,Aida,The Lion King and Mary Poppins.The other show that I heard may be in development besides Dumbo is Aladdan. Remember it took Disney along with Cameron Macintosh almost 16 years before Mary Poppins arrived on Broadway.brucec
I miss the Neon Dragon Marquee that the Chinese once had. I heard the Marquee is stored at Paramount Studios. I wish they would put it back up and get rid of the small plastic signs they put up. I l liked the restoration they did a few years back with the exception of the marquee. brucec
This is just a rumor. The next show that might play the New Amsterdam after “Mary Poppins” is “Dumbo”.brucec
Broadway was at its Zenith in the 1920’s with 70 operating Broadway theatres, by the 1970’s Broadway was down to 30 operating theatres. Broadway has bounced back as well as Times Sqaure and now there are 40 operating Broadway Theatres. The most sought after Broadway theatres are those that seat 1400 or more. Most producers prefer the vintage theatres over the newer theatres. The Minskoff was considered the ugliest theatre on Broadway but it had nearly 1700 seats. Disney moved over the Lion King only after the Minskoff was renovated. The most desired musical theatres on Broadway are The Majestic,Winter Garden,Imperial,Palace,St James,Shubert,New Amsterdam,Broadway and Lunt Fontanne becuase of there history and decor and seating capacity. These theatre are usually tied up with shows that run many years. Broadways largest theatre the Gershwin finally has a solid hit in “Wicked” has 1800 seats which was needed for a show this size. The Hilton is the most popular of the newer musical theatres because of its decor which is vintage and its seating capacity. The Richard Rogers is considered one of the best musical theatres on Broadway but sat less than 1400 and struggled for a few years attracting musicals until the demand for theatres grew. Many producers today want a more intimate setting for there musicals so you have La Cage in the Longacre,A litte Night Music in the Walter Kerr and Next To Normal in the Booth.The demand for theatres that host plays has increased the last few years with a star name in a limited run. The producer of plays prefer mid size theatres such as the Jacobs,Barrymore and Broadhurst. There are very few hard to book theatres today. The Belasco is currently being restored and is used by Lincoln Center for limited Runs on Broadway with the upcoming musical Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breadkown. Since the Shuberts have restored the Longacre they have had three hits in a row Boeing Boeing, Burn The Floor and La Cage. The Cort which is a favorite of many stars has had three major hits in a row Will Farrell,A Few From a Brige and Fences. The Lyceum is sometimes difficult to book due to the way sets are built and loaded for the theatre. The non-profit companies have lovingly restored some of the smaller theatres such as the Friedman,American Airlines and Studio 54 which require smaller capacity since they are a non-profit. I don’t see the need to build any new theatres for plays but there is a demand for a few more theatres that seat 1400 or more for musicals. There is a huge demand to reclaim the Mark Hellinger(Hollywood) for Broadway productions but the church who owns the theatre is not willing to sell at this time. The church has done a wonderful job of maintaining the Mark Hellinger which I think is the most beautiful of the theatres on Broadway.The economy is such that I don’t see any new large musical theatres being built anytime soon. Im happy that there is a huge demand for the 40 theatres on Broadway which keeps are historic theatres viable for years to come.brucec
Loew’s did a very good job of documenting its theatres. Once restored the Kings will be the most spectacular theatre in New York City. It was home to M_G_M movies for most of its life, the greatest film studio during Hollywood’s Golden Age. When I visited the Kings on a tour in 2002 it was one of the most beautiful theatres I had ever seen even in its faded state. I grew up seeing movies in the 3500 seat Paramount and the 3300 seat Fox back in Oakland, California.The Paramount was restored back in the early 1970’s but I had to wait another 30 years before the Fox was restored last year. Sometimes we have to wait 30 years but the Kings will be worth the wait. These great movie palaces helped the greatest generation get through World War 11. The restoration of the Kings will be another step in the comeback of Brooklyn.
To bad the Times Square couldn’t be turned into a restaurant/classic film venue.I due feel that at least one theatre should have been saved for film in one form or another.brucec
Al you are incorrect about the Hilton and the American Airlines. The Hilton is very desirable to producers becuase its the 2nd largest Broadway theatre with over 1800 seats.“Spiderman” which is coming to the Hilton will be the most expensive musical ever produced and is holding on to the Hilton. There is a huge demand for Broadway theatres seating 1400 seats or more for the large scale musicals. Producers have to wait for these theatres to be available because of the hudge demand. “ Love Never Dies” has also been delayed and is holding on to the Neil Simon.Many time producers will try to squeeze a musical into the smaller theatres because none of the larger houses are available. This has been a problem for Broadway for some time. The American Airlines has had several limited run successfull plays as part of a subscription series from the non-profit Roundabout Company. The non-profit theatres on Broadway are the following American Airlines,Studio 54,Henry Miller (Sondheim),Friedman and the Vivian Beaumont. The Nederlander where “Rent” played for 12 Years has been restored. Currenly the Shubert’s Belasco is currently being restored. There are now 40 operating Broadway theatres up from 30 during the 1970’s. brucec
Im glad they finally after 30 years put a proper marquee back on the 5th Avenue. It seemed naked without a Marquee.This has made my day.brucec
How is the Vaudville show at the Chicago is it any good? Has the Chicago been busy with this production? I know after its run in Chicago it will open at the Beacon in New York City.brucec
I was surprised at the restoration photos of the Paramount. I think due to pressure from many that the theatre was partly restored which I am very happy. Good going Boston. brucec
The Stanford by far if the finest theatre in the Nation to watch classic film. I wish every City was had a theatre such as the Stanford. My favorite theatre chain of all time was Fox West Coast which ran the Stanford for many years.brucec
I think 1939-1941 was Hollywood at its height in terms of great movies where critics and the public were on the same page. I agree 1959 was a great year even though attendance was on the decline through the early 1960’s. Female movie stars were as big as the men during this period of time until the the decline of the Studio System in the Mid 1950’s.brucec
If I had to choose between the Village and the Bruin the Village would win hands down.The Homeowners in the area is another reason for the decline of Westwood besides the parking.Westwood is located in a very expensive part of the city. I have witnessed the rise of Westwood as a moviegoing hub and the decline.Im sad to see the decline of Westwood as moviegoing hub due to the rise of Santa Monica,Century City and Westside Mall movie Plexes.These plexes can be anywhere USA and there nothing special about them.brucec