Best Urban Programming
A dumpy theatergoing experience complete with sticky floors and gross bathrooms, Movies at Cheltenham Square is notable for its rowdiness and management’s willingness to program offbeat ethnic entertainmentsâ€"offering a grand chance to catch under-the-radar filmmaking on a (medium-sized) big screen.
Soon to Be Reborn
The single-screen theater in Jenkintown has been redone almost every decade for nearly a century. Neighbors formed a nonprofit to operate it and are renovating it once again. Known again as the Hiway, it’ll reopen in January, again as an arthouse.
I wrote that listing in today’s Philadelphia Weekly: View link
Worst Remolding Job
Once one of the few remaining golden age of Hollywood single-screen theaters, the Narberth met a fate worse than the wrecking ball when the owner twinned the house and “improved†the setting but charmlessly destroyed, removed or covered up all the original ornate decoration. Now called the Narberth Stadium 2, the theater gives local residents of the sleepy village of Narberth the awful megaplex experience without the drive.
Most in Need of Improvement
With a lot of hype but no attention paid to projection, a lackadaisical staff and two screens carved from what was once a single house, the admittedly still-under-redevelopment Bryn Mawr Film Institute has miles to go before it reaches its goal of being the center of cinema outside the city. Midnight Movies, which is generally projected in 35 mm, can’t make up for a totally unsatisfying visual experience and inconsistent sound. A grave letdown made all the more ignominious by its promise.
Best Concessions
Doylestown’s County Theater boasts a handsomely produced calendar but screens the size of postage stamps. Its excellently stocked concession stand would be even better if not for the slightly indifferent staff who simply shuffle though their duties when not under the manager’s watchful eye.
Most Potential
Opened in 1928 and now a triplex forged from a single-screen theater (which, in its most recent previous life, featured Evangelical Christian propaganda), the Ambler shows indies, and art and foreign films, along with some repertory and loads of special events. Handsomely designedâ€"but sadly with its largest screening room unfinishedâ€"the Ambler is poised as the place to catch a movie of quality in the sticks.
Best Programming
When’s the last time you saw a picture show from a balcony? Flawless, finicky projection on a giant screen in a classic but newly and intelligently refurbished theater built in 1903 make the Colonial Theater far and away the preeminent local moviegoing experience. Excellently (if somewhat obviously) programmed, their Classic Sundays repertory screenings offer legendary films as they were meant to be experienced. The theater anchors the burgeoning Phoenixville community by booking first-run features of note and hosting live events on its vaudeville-era stage the rest of the time.
from today’s Philadelphia Weekly article: View link
Eric,
why do you think it wasn’t digital projection? I suppose somebody can call or visit the Ziegfeld and ask them, but I will assume that it was. I was there Saturday. Merely because there’s a ray of light from the booth doesn’t mean it isn’t digital- there still needs to be projection.
as to sound, yes, it would’ve been digital too, no matter the ad.
To answer a question above, a giant seating chart is in the Ticket Lobby, so people can select their Dreamgirls “Roadshow” seats.
1 PM Casino Royale show had at least a few hundred in the (opening weekend) audience yesterday (Saturday). That was good to see, since there haven’t been enough crowds since the megaplexes opened on 42nd Street. The movie was also playing at the AMC Empire. One ticket taker put on quite a show welcoming people to the theater. Such showmanship was appreciated. Agreed that the digital version looked great, and that Daniel Craig is an excellent James Bond.
There’s plenty of marquee single screens left in LA for Dreamgirls to run, but they’ve been vanishing in San Francisco. Where there? the Castro? (assuming “single theaters” means single screens, otherwise could be the Metreon if they put seat numbers on)
From the above comments, it doesn’t sound like this theater can survive as is, with the huge auditorium. That would leave the Odeon Leicester Square is the one huge theater in the area.
Odeon West End Leicester Square WC2H 7LP Odeon Web Site Seats: 1:500 2:832 [Sold February 2006 for redevelopment; cinema use to continue while plans agreed]
How about if all the major exhibitors provide the same lecture, and issue ID cards good at any movie theater, FOR ALL PEOPLE INCLUDING ADULTS who wish to see movies?
Wonderful! What will become of the posters? Will they be framed and displayed in the premises of the movie theater? or a community center? or lent or donated to the Free Library of Philadelphia or the Atwater Kent museum?
Perhaps somebody could photograph the posters, post the photos to a site like flickr, and link here. I’d be glad to photo them and might even supply some friends as volunteer searchers. (aka volunteer President, www.FriendsOfTheBoyd.org))
Courtesy of Vince Young, here’s the seat count for the other side of the theatre. Please post these seat counts for other theaters, for convenience (do you want to see the movie in the 84 seat auditorium?) and history’s sake.
Maybe other movie theater exhibitors could send their staff down to the Rheem for training in being “always properly dressed and professional” That would make a nice difference nationwide in moviegoing!
The Hiway’s website has numerous photos of the renovation, including discoveries made.
There’s also a pending sale of ornate sconces, the 1985 stained glass, and modern light fixtures. http://www.hiwaytheatre.org/
Some exhibitors like AMC place a “1” after any single screen they operate. Especially with the merger, AMC is operating other singles like the Tower East (72nd Street) in NYC.
The magnficience of the Uptown is its huge screen and its balcony. It won’t be chopped up.
Whether AMC cares or not, the Uptown is still viable for movies, mainstream issues as well as classics. Whether under AMC operation, or another operator, let’s hope the Uptown survives so the people who want to see a movie on a huge screen in a movie house with a real presence can do so!
I meant to write October, 2006. The balcony is open, the curtain is used before features, don’t miss this wonderful movie theater if you are in Prague! and enjoy the large bar that’s upstairs after the lobby and before the auditorium.
Best Urban Programming
A dumpy theatergoing experience complete with sticky floors and gross bathrooms, Movies at Cheltenham Square is notable for its rowdiness and management’s willingness to program offbeat ethnic entertainmentsâ€"offering a grand chance to catch under-the-radar filmmaking on a (medium-sized) big screen.
from the Philadelphia Weekly today:
View link
Soon to Be Reborn
The single-screen theater in Jenkintown has been redone almost every decade for nearly a century. Neighbors formed a nonprofit to operate it and are renovating it once again. Known again as the Hiway, it’ll reopen in January, again as an arthouse.
I wrote that listing in today’s Philadelphia Weekly:
View link
Worst Remolding Job
Once one of the few remaining golden age of Hollywood single-screen theaters, the Narberth met a fate worse than the wrecking ball when the owner twinned the house and “improved†the setting but charmlessly destroyed, removed or covered up all the original ornate decoration. Now called the Narberth Stadium 2, the theater gives local residents of the sleepy village of Narberth the awful megaplex experience without the drive.
In Philadelphia Weekly today:
View link
Most in Need of Improvement
With a lot of hype but no attention paid to projection, a lackadaisical staff and two screens carved from what was once a single house, the admittedly still-under-redevelopment Bryn Mawr Film Institute has miles to go before it reaches its goal of being the center of cinema outside the city. Midnight Movies, which is generally projected in 35 mm, can’t make up for a totally unsatisfying visual experience and inconsistent sound. A grave letdown made all the more ignominious by its promise.
in Philadelphia Weekly today:
View link
Best Concessions
Doylestown’s County Theater boasts a handsomely produced calendar but screens the size of postage stamps. Its excellently stocked concession stand would be even better if not for the slightly indifferent staff who simply shuffle though their duties when not under the manager’s watchful eye.
from Philadelphia Weekly today:
View link
Most Potential
Opened in 1928 and now a triplex forged from a single-screen theater (which, in its most recent previous life, featured Evangelical Christian propaganda), the Ambler shows indies, and art and foreign films, along with some repertory and loads of special events. Handsomely designedâ€"but sadly with its largest screening room unfinishedâ€"the Ambler is poised as the place to catch a movie of quality in the sticks.
from Philadelphia Weekly today:
View link
Best Programming
When’s the last time you saw a picture show from a balcony? Flawless, finicky projection on a giant screen in a classic but newly and intelligently refurbished theater built in 1903 make the Colonial Theater far and away the preeminent local moviegoing experience. Excellently (if somewhat obviously) programmed, their Classic Sundays repertory screenings offer legendary films as they were meant to be experienced. The theater anchors the burgeoning Phoenixville community by booking first-run features of note and hosting live events on its vaudeville-era stage the rest of the time.
from today’s Philadelphia Weekly article:
View link
Eric,
why do you think it wasn’t digital projection? I suppose somebody can call or visit the Ziegfeld and ask them, but I will assume that it was. I was there Saturday. Merely because there’s a ray of light from the booth doesn’t mean it isn’t digital- there still needs to be projection.
as to sound, yes, it would’ve been digital too, no matter the ad.
To answer a question above, a giant seating chart is in the Ticket Lobby, so people can select their Dreamgirls “Roadshow” seats.
1 PM Casino Royale show had at least a few hundred in the (opening weekend) audience yesterday (Saturday). That was good to see, since there haven’t been enough crowds since the megaplexes opened on 42nd Street. The movie was also playing at the AMC Empire. One ticket taker put on quite a show welcoming people to the theater. Such showmanship was appreciated. Agreed that the digital version looked great, and that Daniel Craig is an excellent James Bond.
There’s plenty of marquee single screens left in LA for Dreamgirls to run, but they’ve been vanishing in San Francisco. Where there? the Castro? (assuming “single theaters” means single screens, otherwise could be the Metreon if they put seat numbers on)
I’m not providing legal advice in stating this, but I will note that shopping malls often exclude teenagers.
I wish the balcony was open more often than only 1st shows on Monday to Friday. I sat there once, and greatly enjoyed the view.
That’s a great photo of the tower. V for Vendetta was great on the huge screen, and on the exterior. My photo from April:
View link
My photo from April:
View link
OOH LOOK DEAR
AN INDEPENDENT CINEMA!
My photo from April:
View link
My closeups of the exterior sculptural decoration:
View link
View link
My photo from April 2006:
View link
Already posted above was my photo from 2005:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/howardbhaas/69197153/
From the above comments, it doesn’t sound like this theater can survive as is, with the huge auditorium. That would leave the Odeon Leicester Square is the one huge theater in the area.
My photo from April of this year:
View link
This website indicates the movie theater appears to be doomed.
http://users.aber.ac.uk/jwp/cinemas/cinlondon.html
It says the following:
Odeon West End Leicester Square WC2H 7LP Odeon Web Site Seats: 1:500 2:832 [Sold February 2006 for redevelopment; cinema use to continue while plans agreed]
I had in mind people keeping quiet and their cell phones and other gadgets off.
What do you mean “dressed formally”? White tie? Black tie? Jackets & ties?
How about if all the major exhibitors provide the same lecture, and issue ID cards good at any movie theater, FOR ALL PEOPLE INCLUDING ADULTS who wish to see movies?
Wonderful! What will become of the posters? Will they be framed and displayed in the premises of the movie theater? or a community center? or lent or donated to the Free Library of Philadelphia or the Atwater Kent museum?
Perhaps somebody could photograph the posters, post the photos to a site like flickr, and link here. I’d be glad to photo them and might even supply some friends as volunteer searchers. (aka volunteer President, www.FriendsOfTheBoyd.org))
Courtesy of Vince Young, here’s the seat count for the other side of the theatre. Please post these seat counts for other theaters, for convenience (do you want to see the movie in the 84 seat auditorium?) and history’s sake.
Aud 15 – 187
Aud 16 – 188
Aud 17 – 188
Aud 18 – 188
Aud 19 – 84
Aud 20 – 188
Aud 21 – 188
Aud 22 – 300
Aud 23 – 487
Aud 24 – 382
Maybe other movie theater exhibitors could send their staff down to the Rheem for training in being “always properly dressed and professional” That would make a nice difference nationwide in moviegoing!
The Hiway’s website has numerous photos of the renovation, including discoveries made.
There’s also a pending sale of ornate sconces, the 1985 stained glass, and modern light fixtures.
http://www.hiwaytheatre.org/
Some exhibitors like AMC place a “1” after any single screen they operate. Especially with the merger, AMC is operating other singles like the Tower East (72nd Street) in NYC.
The magnficience of the Uptown is its huge screen and its balcony. It won’t be chopped up.
Whether AMC cares or not, the Uptown is still viable for movies, mainstream issues as well as classics. Whether under AMC operation, or another operator, let’s hope the Uptown survives so the people who want to see a movie on a huge screen in a movie house with a real presence can do so!
I meant to write October, 2006. The balcony is open, the curtain is used before features, don’t miss this wonderful movie theater if you are in Prague! and enjoy the large bar that’s upstairs after the lobby and before the auditorium.
Photos I took in August 2006,
lobby:
View link
auditorium:
View link
and
View link