As far as I know, no Major Hollywood/LA theatres have 4K. The logical places to put them are the big screens, where they’re needed the most, like Grauman’s and the Dome, But where I’d REALLY like to see Sony debut it is the National, which could really use an advantage.
I just felt a great roar of anguish! A disturbance in the force? No, the sound of millions of diehard STAR WARS fans howling about how much that discarded button is worth!
I moved to NYC in 76. Movies were still events and theatres were usually pretty nice. I remember walking by the Loew’s Astor Plaza (which was built by Walter Reade, as the Read Theatre, but was bought by Loews just before opening) I saw big colorful theatre displays for something called LOGAN’S RUN, advertised as being in 70mm. Went to see that. Pretty decent afternoon. At that time I’d watch just about everything. The following Spring I see the LAP has big, colorful displays for something called STAR WARS, also in 70mm. Figured it was another sci-fi thing, so on the afternoon it opened, I went down to check it out. Got a nice seat, popcorn, (Loew’s popcorn was usually popped offsite and brought in big yellow bags, but it was big and fluffy) So the curtains open on that big screen, with 6 channel stereo sound. When that big airship roared overhead in cool detail and and sound (like it really did fly overhead) the whole audience burst into cheers and it became clear this was not just another movie. I am not a sci-fi fan, but the big screen, full sound, entertaining plot and wildly enthusiastic audience swept me along, and I was caught up in it. After the exhilerating ending, I walked out with the crowd in a good mood, feeling like i had seen something special that I would tell friends about. At the escalator, we were handed blue buttons, about 2" at most. I was expecting the nifty STAR WARS logo, but the thing just said “May the Force be With You.” What the heck is this? I threw it out.
Coming from a less involved perspective, I have to say that this news is of no interest whatsoever.
If they were to announce a nice cinema within the new structure, one that maybe has some resemblance to the old theatre, THAT would be of interest to us. Otherwise, no.
We are interested in theatres, not random buildings.
I suggest a neutral color like Gray, which will harmonize with the rest of a darkened theatre and can easily be lit any color to make the walls interesting. You can add intrest and dimension by using different shades. Medium shades on the walls, dark on the ceiling. There are some very attractive gray shades available that look equally good all levels of light. Just be sure you get the flat finish.
Not to sound like an ingrate here, but we were kinda hoping the new owner would fix the place up… keep an eye on Mann’s (and other chain’s) website for Friday’s listings. So far the National is not on Mann’s website. PS Michael. of COURSE we’re all anxious to read what you’ve been working on.
Okay then let’s change that to hasn’t had any major showplace installation. For something they claim is a great leap in cinema quality it hasn’t made much of a splash. If they want to sell 4K and build up interest, they should put it into the high profile theatres I mentioned.
I’m a former NYer and I have never heart of the Sunshine theatre. is it new, or a new name for an existing place?
Sounds like the mysterious Sony 4K to me. funny.. for something to be announced so long ago, as such a monumental achievement, it hasn’t been installed anywhere in the US, least of all in the most logical places to showcase a new technology (Ziegfeld, NYC Grauman’s Chinese and the Dome in LA)
A friend recently saw a 4k Demo and mentioned the Dome… the Sony rep said that a screen as big as the Dome would need TWO 4k projectors running at the same time to get enough light on that screen, which is currently running only one 2K. And that it may be possible to digitally compensate for the Dome’s picture distortion… So why isn’t it in there now?
Four times the res of HDTV doesn’t really impress me that much, since anything big enough to run in a theatre would HAVE to be many times better than HDTV.
If this is such a major improvement in picture quality, why have we still not seen it in two years?
Jordan C – the Majestic Crest (as it’s now called) was renovated with Joeseph Musil’s design talent (similar to his work on the El Capitan) years before it was sold to Robert Bucksbaum, who has said it took his entire life savings to purchase the theatre. Mr. Bucksbaum’s passion for a small classic theatre did save the Crest, (which we all thank him for) but it it highly unlikely his pockets are deep enough to acquire and renovate the National.
I agree that parking is an obvious issue with running the National. That has apparently been the case for decades, for I met Patty Duke (Astin) in the summer of ‘74, when she and her family had a home in the area, and she said that after THE EXORCIST opened at the National, it was impossible to park anywhere in Westwood. I would imagine that solving the parking issue, perhaps in some kind of co-op deal with surrounding merchants, would be a key factor in the National’s future success. But I believe that, like challenge of running the theatre itself, the parking issue is not insurmountable.
Michael, have you checked any further? We’ve seen print articles, (referenced here, i think) wherein Mann reps said that increased rent was the deciding issue for their exit, which indicates that the building is not theirs to sell. However, the rest of your report sure sounded promising…
Well….the usual unexpected technical difficulties are slowing population of the site. Stay tuned, and send any comments to the link on the Features page… thanks!
Pacific is not known for stellar maintenance. Has anyone got photos of the Paramount’s interior from the sixties (after the wide screen was installed)? I’d love to see what the lobby and auditorium looked like in the DOCTOR DOLITTLE era. MAybe post them on CinemaTour.com where there are already plenty of nice photos of the El Cap today, but only one from the Paramount days.
I saw MEET THE ROBINSONS here. They have replaced the gold satin countour curtain with one that’s a bit redder and looks like it’s made of parachute fabric. The pre-show organ music was fun as always.
Though the silver screen is now behind the silver curtain, there wasn’t the usual nifty opening curtain/light show. Contour curtain rises on a blank screen, two trailers, contour comes down, and… this had to be the lamest pre-show I’ve ever seen here – two rubber head “characters” from the movie walk up the aisle, stand on the stage and gesture a song, then came the inevitable confetti blast, and they just walked offstage.
The picture was quite nice, but no, not bright enough to be run on two projectors. They should try doing that at the Dome, which needs all the light it can get.
Brad E41, what made your source think Regent would take over the place? Or did they mean to say Regal, which has bought up Edwards and UA Theatres and become one of the largest chains in the US?
I’d certainly like to see the National survive as a movie venue, particularly one with a varied program including retro classics, but I agree with others here that it would probably take a signifigant change, like food service, exceptional projection technology, luxury seating, etc. Currently LA has no dine-in movie venue, so perhaps converting a section to VIP/Table service might work… any viable future for this venue would require a substantial amount of money, and someone brave enough and empassioned enough to give it a go. That kind of person is even more rare than exceptional movie theatres.
I can’t help but look at NY’s Ziegfeld, which is their last large single screen/big screen house. However they are doing it, Clearview manages to keep it open. However I’m afraid the National has more in common with NY’s late Astor Plaza, which had the kind of minimal disposable decor as the National. I’m not saying I don’t like that decor, (in fact its simplicity makes it very simple to update) only that it’s not the kind of atmoshpere one finds at the Ziegfeld.
It’s hard to give up hope for the National, but clearly the current trend is for greedy landlords to trash the past for the cash made with forgettable high rises and retail spaces. One of my favorite movie venues of my youth was perfectly viable right into the 90s when it was torn down for a PepBoys store that went out of business in less than a year. That forgettable store sits empty where a clasic theatre could be entertaining people to this day.
Brad E41, what made your source think Regent would take over the place? Or did they mean to say Regal, which has bought up Edwards and UA Theatres and become one of the largest chains in the US?
I’d certainly like to see the National survive as a movie venue, particularly one with a varied program including retro classics, but I agree with others here that it would probably take a signifigant change, like food service, exceptional projection technology, luxury seating, etc. Currently LA has no dine-in movie venue, so perhaps converting a section to VIP/Table service might work… any viable future for this venue would require a substantial amount of money, and someone brave enough and empassioned enough to give it a go. That kind of person is even more rare than exceptional movie theatres.
I can’t help but look at NY’s Ziegfeld, which is their last large single screen/big screen house. However they are doing it, Clearview manages to keep it open. However I’m afraid the National has more in common with NY’s late Astor Plaza, which had the kind of minimal disposable decor as the National. I’m not saying I don’t like that decor, (in fact its simplicity makes it very simple to update) only that it’s not the kind of atmoshpere one finds at the Ziegfeld.
It’s hard to give up hope for the National, but clearly the current trend is for greedy landlords to trash the past for the cash made with forgettable high rises and retail spaces. One of my favorite movie venues of my youth was perfectly viable right into the 90s when it was torn down for a PepBoys store that went out of business in less than a year. That forgettable store sits empty where a clasic theatre could be entertaining people to this day.
I’d like to see SONY install their mythical 4K projectors in the national and use it as a showcase for big screen digital…
It’s very sad that no one has come up with a way to save this place, it would take so little to fix it up… no new construction or stadium seating is needed here, just new paint, carpets, drapes, and bigger seats – in rows spread much farther apart and staggered to improve the sightlines. I’d switch the color scheme from brown and orange to burgundy and gray to warm it up. Not far to go to make it a top notch prestige theatre…
I don’t know how the Ziegfeld in NYC survives but someone should run the National the same way. The Ziegfeld even runs “classic” films periodically.
Someone must have some nice memories to share about this place. I was there as a kid, I used to like the cartoons that always started at dusk, the fun intermission trailers about the snack bar, and I clearly recall the B&W trailer for bug repellent coils called “PIC” featuring a bug with a bronx accent drawing on a car windshleid, saying “Don’t you believe it – it don’t woik!” I can still picture the heavy old speakers that hung on the window glass, and the humps that the cars parked on to lean back. If they’re using radio sound now, I wonder if it’s stereo? As a teen, I recall getting a kick out of the pizza and french fries… I miss that place, and I’m very glad it’s still there and being taken care of.
This is the same theatre that is also listed here as being in Fulton, NY. Someone should take out one of them. It is close to Fulton but in Minetto. I always heard it was called Midway because it is Mid-Way between Oswego, and Fulton, NY.
Another nifty article from Michael Z. He keeps us up coming back here.
I’ve often wondered about this place, but have very little visual reference. One of my movie theatre books has only old B&W photos that don’t really convey what the Carthay was like. Is there any good footate of the place, especially inside? Somebody must’ve shot a movie or tv show in there…
BTW check out the article on Script to DVD about how 70mm can still blow the others out of the water as a source.
As far as I know, no Major Hollywood/LA theatres have 4K. The logical places to put them are the big screens, where they’re needed the most, like Grauman’s and the Dome, But where I’d REALLY like to see Sony debut it is the National, which could really use an advantage.
Progress is always worth waiting for. Best of luck, gentlemen.
I just felt a great roar of anguish! A disturbance in the force? No, the sound of millions of diehard STAR WARS fans howling about how much that discarded button is worth!
I moved to NYC in 76. Movies were still events and theatres were usually pretty nice. I remember walking by the Loew’s Astor Plaza (which was built by Walter Reade, as the Read Theatre, but was bought by Loews just before opening) I saw big colorful theatre displays for something called LOGAN’S RUN, advertised as being in 70mm. Went to see that. Pretty decent afternoon. At that time I’d watch just about everything. The following Spring I see the LAP has big, colorful displays for something called STAR WARS, also in 70mm. Figured it was another sci-fi thing, so on the afternoon it opened, I went down to check it out. Got a nice seat, popcorn, (Loew’s popcorn was usually popped offsite and brought in big yellow bags, but it was big and fluffy) So the curtains open on that big screen, with 6 channel stereo sound. When that big airship roared overhead in cool detail and and sound (like it really did fly overhead) the whole audience burst into cheers and it became clear this was not just another movie. I am not a sci-fi fan, but the big screen, full sound, entertaining plot and wildly enthusiastic audience swept me along, and I was caught up in it. After the exhilerating ending, I walked out with the crowd in a good mood, feeling like i had seen something special that I would tell friends about. At the escalator, we were handed blue buttons, about 2" at most. I was expecting the nifty STAR WARS logo, but the thing just said “May the Force be With You.” What the heck is this? I threw it out.
Coming from a less involved perspective, I have to say that this news is of no interest whatsoever.
If they were to announce a nice cinema within the new structure, one that maybe has some resemblance to the old theatre, THAT would be of interest to us. Otherwise, no.
We are interested in theatres, not random buildings.
Best wishes to all.
Well… Um… So anyway, Mrs. Lincoln, How did you like the play?
I suggest a neutral color like Gray, which will harmonize with the rest of a darkened theatre and can easily be lit any color to make the walls interesting. You can add intrest and dimension by using different shades. Medium shades on the walls, dark on the ceiling. There are some very attractive gray shades available that look equally good all levels of light. Just be sure you get the flat finish.
Not to sound like an ingrate here, but we were kinda hoping the new owner would fix the place up… keep an eye on Mann’s (and other chain’s) website for Friday’s listings. So far the National is not on Mann’s website. PS Michael. of COURSE we’re all anxious to read what you’ve been working on.
From what I’ve learned about the Picwood, it’s a shame that it was lost. 4K would probably have looked better there than it would at the Landmark.
Wow. Landmark is looking cooler as a chain lately. Have you seen the animated tour of their self-named 12 plex in West LA? Nice.
Okay then let’s change that to hasn’t had any major showplace installation. For something they claim is a great leap in cinema quality it hasn’t made much of a splash. If they want to sell 4K and build up interest, they should put it into the high profile theatres I mentioned.
I’m a former NYer and I have never heart of the Sunshine theatre. is it new, or a new name for an existing place?
Sounds like the mysterious Sony 4K to me. funny.. for something to be announced so long ago, as such a monumental achievement, it hasn’t been installed anywhere in the US, least of all in the most logical places to showcase a new technology (Ziegfeld, NYC Grauman’s Chinese and the Dome in LA)
A friend recently saw a 4k Demo and mentioned the Dome… the Sony rep said that a screen as big as the Dome would need TWO 4k projectors running at the same time to get enough light on that screen, which is currently running only one 2K. And that it may be possible to digitally compensate for the Dome’s picture distortion… So why isn’t it in there now?
Four times the res of HDTV doesn’t really impress me that much, since anything big enough to run in a theatre would HAVE to be many times better than HDTV.
If this is such a major improvement in picture quality, why have we still not seen it in two years?
Jordan C – the Majestic Crest (as it’s now called) was renovated with Joeseph Musil’s design talent (similar to his work on the El Capitan) years before it was sold to Robert Bucksbaum, who has said it took his entire life savings to purchase the theatre. Mr. Bucksbaum’s passion for a small classic theatre did save the Crest, (which we all thank him for) but it it highly unlikely his pockets are deep enough to acquire and renovate the National.
I agree that parking is an obvious issue with running the National. That has apparently been the case for decades, for I met Patty Duke (Astin) in the summer of ‘74, when she and her family had a home in the area, and she said that after THE EXORCIST opened at the National, it was impossible to park anywhere in Westwood. I would imagine that solving the parking issue, perhaps in some kind of co-op deal with surrounding merchants, would be a key factor in the National’s future success. But I believe that, like challenge of running the theatre itself, the parking issue is not insurmountable.
Michael, have you checked any further? We’ve seen print articles, (referenced here, i think) wherein Mann reps said that increased rent was the deciding issue for their exit, which indicates that the building is not theirs to sell. However, the rest of your report sure sounded promising…
Well….the usual unexpected technical difficulties are slowing population of the site. Stay tuned, and send any comments to the link on the Features page… thanks!
Pacific is not known for stellar maintenance. Has anyone got photos of the Paramount’s interior from the sixties (after the wide screen was installed)? I’d love to see what the lobby and auditorium looked like in the DOCTOR DOLITTLE era. MAybe post them on CinemaTour.com where there are already plenty of nice photos of the El Cap today, but only one from the Paramount days.
I saw MEET THE ROBINSONS here. They have replaced the gold satin countour curtain with one that’s a bit redder and looks like it’s made of parachute fabric. The pre-show organ music was fun as always.
Though the silver screen is now behind the silver curtain, there wasn’t the usual nifty opening curtain/light show. Contour curtain rises on a blank screen, two trailers, contour comes down, and… this had to be the lamest pre-show I’ve ever seen here – two rubber head “characters” from the movie walk up the aisle, stand on the stage and gesture a song, then came the inevitable confetti blast, and they just walked offstage.
The picture was quite nice, but no, not bright enough to be run on two projectors. They should try doing that at the Dome, which needs all the light it can get.
Brad E41, what made your source think Regent would take over the place? Or did they mean to say Regal, which has bought up Edwards and UA Theatres and become one of the largest chains in the US?
I’d certainly like to see the National survive as a movie venue, particularly one with a varied program including retro classics, but I agree with others here that it would probably take a signifigant change, like food service, exceptional projection technology, luxury seating, etc. Currently LA has no dine-in movie venue, so perhaps converting a section to VIP/Table service might work… any viable future for this venue would require a substantial amount of money, and someone brave enough and empassioned enough to give it a go. That kind of person is even more rare than exceptional movie theatres.
I can’t help but look at NY’s Ziegfeld, which is their last large single screen/big screen house. However they are doing it, Clearview manages to keep it open. However I’m afraid the National has more in common with NY’s late Astor Plaza, which had the kind of minimal disposable decor as the National. I’m not saying I don’t like that decor, (in fact its simplicity makes it very simple to update) only that it’s not the kind of atmoshpere one finds at the Ziegfeld.
It’s hard to give up hope for the National, but clearly the current trend is for greedy landlords to trash the past for the cash made with forgettable high rises and retail spaces. One of my favorite movie venues of my youth was perfectly viable right into the 90s when it was torn down for a PepBoys store that went out of business in less than a year. That forgettable store sits empty where a clasic theatre could be entertaining people to this day.
Brad E41, what made your source think Regent would take over the place? Or did they mean to say Regal, which has bought up Edwards and UA Theatres and become one of the largest chains in the US?
I’d certainly like to see the National survive as a movie venue, particularly one with a varied program including retro classics, but I agree with others here that it would probably take a signifigant change, like food service, exceptional projection technology, luxury seating, etc. Currently LA has no dine-in movie venue, so perhaps converting a section to VIP/Table service might work… any viable future for this venue would require a substantial amount of money, and someone brave enough and empassioned enough to give it a go. That kind of person is even more rare than exceptional movie theatres.
I can’t help but look at NY’s Ziegfeld, which is their last large single screen/big screen house. However they are doing it, Clearview manages to keep it open. However I’m afraid the National has more in common with NY’s late Astor Plaza, which had the kind of minimal disposable decor as the National. I’m not saying I don’t like that decor, (in fact its simplicity makes it very simple to update) only that it’s not the kind of atmoshpere one finds at the Ziegfeld.
It’s hard to give up hope for the National, but clearly the current trend is for greedy landlords to trash the past for the cash made with forgettable high rises and retail spaces. One of my favorite movie venues of my youth was perfectly viable right into the 90s when it was torn down for a PepBoys store that went out of business in less than a year. That forgettable store sits empty where a clasic theatre could be entertaining people to this day.
I’d like to see SONY install their mythical 4K projectors in the national and use it as a showcase for big screen digital…
It’s very sad that no one has come up with a way to save this place, it would take so little to fix it up… no new construction or stadium seating is needed here, just new paint, carpets, drapes, and bigger seats – in rows spread much farther apart and staggered to improve the sightlines. I’d switch the color scheme from brown and orange to burgundy and gray to warm it up. Not far to go to make it a top notch prestige theatre…
I don’t know how the Ziegfeld in NYC survives but someone should run the National the same way. The Ziegfeld even runs “classic” films periodically.
Someone must have some nice memories to share about this place. I was there as a kid, I used to like the cartoons that always started at dusk, the fun intermission trailers about the snack bar, and I clearly recall the B&W trailer for bug repellent coils called “PIC” featuring a bug with a bronx accent drawing on a car windshleid, saying “Don’t you believe it – it don’t woik!” I can still picture the heavy old speakers that hung on the window glass, and the humps that the cars parked on to lean back. If they’re using radio sound now, I wonder if it’s stereo? As a teen, I recall getting a kick out of the pizza and french fries… I miss that place, and I’m very glad it’s still there and being taken care of.
This is the same theatre that is also listed here as being in Fulton, NY. Someone should take out one of them. It is close to Fulton but in Minetto. I always heard it was called Midway because it is Mid-Way between Oswego, and Fulton, NY.
Main room 1 Original Screen intact, has two back corners cut off 2-3.
Upstairs Balcony split 4-5.
New Box added next to theatre at old exit door 6-7.
No plans to restore to one. lucky if they clean it up and fix up what’s there now.
The pipe sticking up from the top of the marquee used to hold the neon script that said Schine until sale to Panther Theatres mid sixties.
Another nifty article from Michael Z. He keeps us up coming back here.
I’ve often wondered about this place, but have very little visual reference. One of my movie theatre books has only old B&W photos that don’t really convey what the Carthay was like. Is there any good footate of the place, especially inside? Somebody must’ve shot a movie or tv show in there…