It is possible that Clearview, failing to find a buyer for the chain, is willing to drop individual sites no matter how strategic. Although I never expect any new building to last 99 years (or many theatres to survive rent reviews under current prices), I did think Chelsea 9 had a few more profitable years left.
Don’t be so sure, Luis. The Cineplex Odeon lease was for something like 99 years so the lot may sell but the cinema operation will probably stay as long as Clearview (or whoever eventually buys Clearview) finds it profitable.
In its heyday during the late sixties, the Sunrise Twin was considered a classy house and one of the top theatres in South Florida, boasting Ft. Lauderdale exclusive showings.
The real test of the money wasted on newspaper listings these days comes when they run the wrong show times by mistake and nobody notices. I have seen major films open in New York without a newspaper ad. Times are indeed changing.
I would recommend Regal run small generic ads for a while so people don’t think they closed.
Digital projectors still need projectionists to run them, maintain them and keep a professional show on the screen. In the meantime, learn the floor operation and you may replace the manager way before he replaces you.
A wall sized mural photo of the Olympia complex including the signs for the New York and Vitagraph Theatres can be seen in the lobby of the Commerce Bank on 42nd street and 9th Avenue. The glass lobby allows for a 24 hour view and if you get close enough it feel like you are there.
The Broadway/Colony showcased Vaudeville in the thirties and has presented some non-play stage shows since, such as Robin William and Elvis Costello performing live.
The site is full of useless drivel from people who think their posts are fascinating. Why are some observations more valid than others? Consider the value of this recent post:
(((“Little Women” ran three weeks at RCMH and was replaced on 12/7/33 by Universal’s “Counsellor-At-Law” (John Barrymore) and a stage show built around Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade.” Due to the nearly two-hour running time of “Little Women,” the stage show was brief, described in advertising as “Unusual” and with participation of the Symphony Orchestra, Choral Ensemble, Corps de Ballet, and Roxyettes. An ad from Saturday, 11/18/33 (third day of the engagement, has doors opening at 10AM, with the feature shown at 10:12, 12:35 PM, 2:58, 5:21, 7:44, 10:07, 12:06. The stage show was apparently dropped for the midnight screening.)))
Funny, the RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL link is full of boring trivia about lip-synching Rockettes' pre-recorded taps, failing set pieces, camel shit, failed gimmicky digital projectors and people waxing melancholy about events fifty years ago. Movies are no longer shown there.
The FAIR and CINEMA KINGS HIGHWAY go off to some closet because these living breathing cinemas attract a politically incorrect lifestyle that can tell us what is happening today.
Is CT a living site about cinema preservation or just a tombstone for failures that have failed to survive?
I found a New School for Social Research operating a drama workshop at the rooftop theatre at this address from 1940-1950 at a yearly cost of $9000. They ran another workshop at the President Theatre on 48th street. (NYT)
That is worrisome.
It is possible that Clearview, failing to find a buyer for the chain, is willing to drop individual sites no matter how strategic. Although I never expect any new building to last 99 years (or many theatres to survive rent reviews under current prices), I did think Chelsea 9 had a few more profitable years left.
Don’t be so sure, Luis. The Cineplex Odeon lease was for something like 99 years so the lot may sell but the cinema operation will probably stay as long as Clearview (or whoever eventually buys Clearview) finds it profitable.
In its heyday during the late sixties, the Sunrise Twin was considered a classy house and one of the top theatres in South Florida, boasting Ft. Lauderdale exclusive showings.
The real test of the money wasted on newspaper listings these days comes when they run the wrong show times by mistake and nobody notices. I have seen major films open in New York without a newspaper ad. Times are indeed changing.
I would recommend Regal run small generic ads for a while so people don’t think they closed.
I do remember this operating as the Rex Art.
Digital projectors still need projectionists to run them, maintain them and keep a professional show on the screen. In the meantime, learn the floor operation and you may replace the manager way before he replaces you.
Keep learning and you will never be obsolete.
Those Times Square Theatres were palaces in their heyday. This place was awful the day it opened.
Gents, both links work for me. The first just gives me the ad image. The second goes to Flicr.
Although Warren’s link from April 2007 no longer works, CARNEGIE LYCEUM should be listed as a former name.
LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE played here for over a year.
A wall sized mural photo of the Olympia complex including the signs for the New York and Vitagraph Theatres can be seen in the lobby of the Commerce Bank on 42nd street and 9th Avenue. The glass lobby allows for a 24 hour view and if you get close enough it feel like you are there.
This is what happens when tax money goes to the arts.
The current US government believes the arts can fend for themselves unless they carry a moral agenda. We have a lot to learn from the UK.
This theatre last showed movies as the Art East in 1994. First Avenue Screening Room, Byron and East World were former names.
Odeon would never ban a film based on content. This is a film terms battle.
Opened in 1914
Tripled in December 1980
Quaded in June 1981
Twinned in November 1987
Closed in December 2002
Demolished in 2003
The 1987 re-opening party had a western theme since the theatre was on the West Side and the Canadians thought that would be clever.
There are small ads in the NYT (1980) for a Mini Cinema located at 1234 Second Avenue running classic films. Does anyone remember that theatre?
Nana Mouskouri 1977
You forgot Nana Mouskouri in 1977 or credit to IBDB.COM.
The Broadway/Colony showcased Vaudeville in the thirties and has presented some non-play stage shows since, such as Robin William and Elvis Costello performing live.
If the Arcade was replaced by the Studio due to fire shouldn’t these be separate listings instead of alternative names?
The into to this theatre should show that it was still showing films as late as 1948/49, as RobertR mentioned in his 2005 postings.
I respect all contributors to CT, drivel or otherwise. I will comment on those who constantly attack other contributors as trivial.
If you wish to list more show times for 1933 that is fine with me as well.
Doh! Had to look up “zen”.
The site is full of useless drivel from people who think their posts are fascinating. Why are some observations more valid than others? Consider the value of this recent post:
(((“Little Women” ran three weeks at RCMH and was replaced on 12/7/33 by Universal’s “Counsellor-At-Law” (John Barrymore) and a stage show built around Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade.” Due to the nearly two-hour running time of “Little Women,” the stage show was brief, described in advertising as “Unusual” and with participation of the Symphony Orchestra, Choral Ensemble, Corps de Ballet, and Roxyettes. An ad from Saturday, 11/18/33 (third day of the engagement, has doors opening at 10AM, with the feature shown at 10:12, 12:35 PM, 2:58, 5:21, 7:44, 10:07, 12:06. The stage show was apparently dropped for the midnight screening.)))
Funny, the RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL link is full of boring trivia about lip-synching Rockettes' pre-recorded taps, failing set pieces, camel shit, failed gimmicky digital projectors and people waxing melancholy about events fifty years ago. Movies are no longer shown there.
The FAIR and CINEMA KINGS HIGHWAY go off to some closet because these living breathing cinemas attract a politically incorrect lifestyle that can tell us what is happening today.
Is CT a living site about cinema preservation or just a tombstone for failures that have failed to survive?
I found a New School for Social Research operating a drama workshop at the rooftop theatre at this address from 1940-1950 at a yearly cost of $9000. They ran another workshop at the President Theatre on 48th street. (NYT)
Great shot, Oodygdin. It looks like MANHATTAN SCHOOL.
Greenwich Theatre and Greenwich Playhouse should be listed as alternative names for this location.