Bill
Thanks for clarifying that, I just assumed it was the Cinema 150. I think GWTW would up playing there at some point. I also did not know the theatre only opened in 1970. I figured it had opened around the time of West Side Story or The Sound of Music. The one in Queens I believe opened in 1962. Anyways since this is the Syosset and it opened 12/67 it was astonishing run for a re-release.
In November of 1968 this drive-in was playing a double bill of “Around The World In 80 Days” and “Hang Em High”. It was also playing at it’s sister theatre in Valley Stream. By the way this theatre is advertised as The Whitestone-Sunrise Drive-In. It’s counterpart is just Sunrise Drive-In
I was going through some old stuff today and in 1968 Gone With The Wind was playing here in 70mm and Sterophonic sound. It announces, all seats reserved.
I was there last night and auditorium one (which is the orchestra closest to the original screen) has been converted to stadium seating. They also enlarged the screen but foolishly got rid of the curtains. The curtains were only really used at the end of the night, since they run slides of advertising and trivia.
Theatres like this are what made NY great. The village has nothing that will ever replace the Bleecker, Theatre 80 St Marks or the 8th Street Playhouse.
Warren
Was it all water damage or are vandals getting in? What a waste we let these treasures sit empty and then spend millions to make them look like they did before. I remember when that documentry was done the place was still intact.
The King’s is never mentioned anymore and every day it seems less likey it will be saved, but you never know. Does anyone know the last time it was inspected and how bad the damage is?
I live blocks away and am bitter everytime I walk by. This was a great theatre and suprisingly even for a UA it was well maintained. They booked this more upscale and it did not get the action crowd that wore down the Midway.
Does anyone know how the grosses were on Worldwide? Seemed when I went there they had pretty full houses. I’m suprised as a discount house this place dont fill up. The total problem is that nobody knows it'as there. Could you imagine a times square marquee showing two week old information. Just proves the sad part movie exhibition as we knew it is DEAD.
When the photo post is working again I have a great picture I took of The Pix marquee. Someone should also post a listing for The X who knows more about that theatre.
It also is sad that for a newish theatre it was starting to get run down. This is the one theatre I regret not being able to see. My mother still talks about her and my grandmother taking the train to the city to go see matinees at the Roxy.
Your right, I just always thought of the Gotham as the Trans-Lux. Did you manage the theatre? Creative Entertainment got me the passes that night. I was horrified when Fox released that moronic sing along version of The Sound of Music and would not go to see it, even though it would have been nice to have seen it at the Zeigfeld. It’s my favorite movie and I still have the program from when my parents took me to see it at The Rivoli. The last time I saw MFL in a theatre was in the 70’s when The Cinerama played that 70mm Broadway Salutes Broadway series. The print was pink but the sound was unreal.
Legend has it Henry Fonda was not told this was a horror movie when he signed on to do it. He along with Winters and John Huston were giving some sort of deferred payment since the movie was made in Italy that was not taxed and therefore financially seemed appealing. I used to enjoy these silly horror films more then the chopping up gore ones today.
PS – I’m still waiting for the film version of Stephen Sondheim’s “Follies” with Debbie Reynolds singing “I’m Still Here,” as well as film versions of “Pippin,” “Dreamgirls,” “Promises, Promises,” and “On the 20th Century.” Probably not to be…alas! But there is “The Phantom of the Opera” coming for Christmas, which would be perfect for the RCMH as an exclusive NYC run. That won’t happen either!
posted by Ron3853 on Sep 22, 2004 at 11:37am
“Dreamgirls” could easily be made into the type of musical that seems to work today where the musical numbers are part of a show or a dream sequence like “Chicago”. People today seem unwilling to accept the break out in song numbers that all of the great musicals had. When the Trans-Lux east revived “Sound of Music” for it’s 25th anniversary the audience laughed when Julie Andrews started singing “Something Good”. That also happened with this years Cole Porter biography “De Lovely”. It’s actually sad that people cant just sit back and escape. Movies were never meant to be total reality. The incredible films made during WW2 were to give people two hours of escapism during those trying times. I for one find movies relaxing and want to get lost in the story. Give me stair case full of chorus girls any day.
Read the posting on the Loews Kings page to read how they didnt even fix a skylight and let the rain pour into the theatre.
Bill
Thanks for clarifying that, I just assumed it was the Cinema 150. I think GWTW would up playing there at some point. I also did not know the theatre only opened in 1970. I figured it had opened around the time of West Side Story or The Sound of Music. The one in Queens I believe opened in 1962. Anyways since this is the Syosset and it opened 12/67 it was astonishing run for a re-release.
The ad is in the Long Island Press dated 11/7/68
In November of 1968 this drive-in was playing a double bill of “Around The World In 80 Days” and “Hang Em High”. It was also playing at it’s sister theatre in Valley Stream. By the way this theatre is advertised as The Whitestone-Sunrise Drive-In. It’s counterpart is just Sunrise Drive-In
I was going through some old stuff today and in 1968 Gone With The Wind was playing here in 70mm and Sterophonic sound. It announces, all seats reserved.
On April 28, 1958 the Cambria and Linden were both playing “Raintree County”.
WOW what a great marquee.
I was there last night and auditorium one (which is the orchestra closest to the original screen) has been converted to stadium seating. They also enlarged the screen but foolishly got rid of the curtains. The curtains were only really used at the end of the night, since they run slides of advertising and trivia.
Lets start a letter writing campaign to have a 70mm screening of The Sound of Music here next year. It’s the 40th anniversary.
I never heard of the two films that were playing there. The closed view is sad, another lost palace.
Wow the vertical is still there and could so easily be repaired if the $$ ever became available.
Theatres like this are what made NY great. The village has nothing that will ever replace the Bleecker, Theatre 80 St Marks or the 8th Street Playhouse.
Warren
Was it all water damage or are vandals getting in? What a waste we let these treasures sit empty and then spend millions to make them look like they did before. I remember when that documentry was done the place was still intact.
The King’s is never mentioned anymore and every day it seems less likey it will be saved, but you never know. Does anyone know the last time it was inspected and how bad the damage is?
I live blocks away and am bitter everytime I walk by. This was a great theatre and suprisingly even for a UA it was well maintained. They booked this more upscale and it did not get the action crowd that wore down the Midway.
Is the auditorium intact?
Look, they were all set to tear down Carnige Hall also around the same time.
Does anyone know how the grosses were on Worldwide? Seemed when I went there they had pretty full houses. I’m suprised as a discount house this place dont fill up. The total problem is that nobody knows it'as there. Could you imagine a times square marquee showing two week old information. Just proves the sad part movie exhibition as we knew it is DEAD.
When the photo post is working again I have a great picture I took of The Pix marquee. Someone should also post a listing for The X who knows more about that theatre.
Thats odd they put no cinemas in the balcony?
Does anyone know how big Pussycat was, in it’s prime? We had a few of them in Manhattan but never in the outer boros as far as I know.
It also is sad that for a newish theatre it was starting to get run down. This is the one theatre I regret not being able to see. My mother still talks about her and my grandmother taking the train to the city to go see matinees at the Roxy.
Your right, I just always thought of the Gotham as the Trans-Lux. Did you manage the theatre? Creative Entertainment got me the passes that night. I was horrified when Fox released that moronic sing along version of The Sound of Music and would not go to see it, even though it would have been nice to have seen it at the Zeigfeld. It’s my favorite movie and I still have the program from when my parents took me to see it at The Rivoli. The last time I saw MFL in a theatre was in the 70’s when The Cinerama played that 70mm Broadway Salutes Broadway series. The print was pink but the sound was unreal.
Legend has it Henry Fonda was not told this was a horror movie when he signed on to do it. He along with Winters and John Huston were giving some sort of deferred payment since the movie was made in Italy that was not taxed and therefore financially seemed appealing. I used to enjoy these silly horror films more then the chopping up gore ones today.
PS – I’m still waiting for the film version of Stephen Sondheim’s “Follies” with Debbie Reynolds singing “I’m Still Here,” as well as film versions of “Pippin,” “Dreamgirls,” “Promises, Promises,” and “On the 20th Century.” Probably not to be…alas! But there is “The Phantom of the Opera” coming for Christmas, which would be perfect for the RCMH as an exclusive NYC run. That won’t happen either!
posted by Ron3853 on Sep 22, 2004 at 11:37am
“Dreamgirls” could easily be made into the type of musical that seems to work today where the musical numbers are part of a show or a dream sequence like “Chicago”. People today seem unwilling to accept the break out in song numbers that all of the great musicals had. When the Trans-Lux east revived “Sound of Music” for it’s 25th anniversary the audience laughed when Julie Andrews started singing “Something Good”. That also happened with this years Cole Porter biography “De Lovely”. It’s actually sad that people cant just sit back and escape. Movies were never meant to be total reality. The incredible films made during WW2 were to give people two hours of escapism during those trying times. I for one find movies relaxing and want to get lost in the story. Give me stair case full of chorus girls any day.