Comments from Al Alvarez

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Gateway Theatre on Sep 7, 2006 at 11:13 am

The Gateway was one of the flagships of the Wometco chain in the 50’s and 60’s and, as Ft. Lauderdale’s most luxurious theatre, it often played exclusive runs and roadshow engagements. Many first-run films were brought to Miami and the Gateway just after their Manhattan premieres in order to catch the snowbirds on vacation.

It was often dated with the prestigious Carib on Miami Beach.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Gateway Theatre on Sep 6, 2006 at 11:04 pm

That documentary about the DEEP THROAT phenomenon played nationwide a few years back and was not a graphic sex film.

CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE is a separate film and an indictment of the Irish Catholic church. This is an specialised (arthouse) movie theatre.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Reminder: Keep comments on topic! on Sep 5, 2006 at 8:02 am

I like hearing a little about the old neighborhoods and type of films the theatre showed. It adds a unique personality to those theatre pages.

As for the story of plaster, I scroll on when irony eludes me.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Reminder: Keep comments on topic! on Sep 3, 2006 at 10:01 am

Lost Memory, so happy you are still around. I would like to think Warren, Ed and I are happy you are.

Even when we think you are are tiresome, we know we can be too.

New paragraph!

Not that there is anything wrong with that that.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Teatro Trail Theatre on Aug 31, 2006 at 5:56 am

At some point operated by Claughton Theatres.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Tivoli Theatre on Aug 31, 2006 at 5:55 am

There was another Spanish house with live shows along Flagler Street and towards downtown that closed in the late fifties/early sixties. It was displaced by 1-95 construction and was called Radio Centro or Radio City. Any ideas?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about North Side Twin 1 & 2 on Aug 31, 2006 at 5:41 am

I was recently informed that the amusement park behind the North Side Mall and home to the morning Rick Shaw Show go-go girls was segregated to whites only, well into the sixties. Does anyone have any information on this?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Beach Theatre on Aug 31, 2006 at 5:27 am

This was a Florida State Theatre at one time and a Brandt house during it’s later years. It mostly ran roadshow, twice a day, exclusive runs such as HELLO, DOLLY! for long runs.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Wometco's 167th Theatre on Aug 31, 2006 at 5:14 am

The copy above should have mentioned that this was a Loews house from the period when the Westchester, 170th Street, Riviera, Bay Harbor, Lauderhill and, eventually the short-lived Konover, made the Loews name well known in South Florida.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about 72nd Street Playhouse on Aug 30, 2006 at 6:08 am

LOL. VIXEN was a political statement with redeeming social values. Well, the last ten minutes were, anyway.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Kings Theatre on Aug 30, 2006 at 12:57 am

A little deceptive advertising. The opening month of 1776 broke RCMH attendance records due to the live Christmas Nativity show being so popular.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Now showing: Too much on Aug 29, 2006 at 2:30 pm

So a profitable 12 screen theatre in a one-horse house is being pushed out of business by the incompetent beaurocrats who planned a new expensive never-to-be profitable 20-plex in a location where no one goes after dark.

Close the new white elephant, count your loses and never elect this clan of assholes again. Piracy is not a problem in Redwood. City planners are your pirates.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about 55th Street Playhouse on Aug 28, 2006 at 10:37 pm

Dave-Bronx, CinemaRadio allowed people with hearing problems better access to the soundtrack by bringing earphones and a transistor radio and tuning in to a specific frequency. Modern cinemas have loops or infrared devices that do the same thing through multichannel hearing aids.

How about that little add for the mysterious Camelot Twin in the East Village? Did anyone ever confrim if it was indeed The Gate?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Gables Triple on Aug 26, 2006 at 10:14 pm

pierdaawg, are you thinking of the Miracle?

Check out this site…
View link

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Dominion Theatre on Aug 23, 2006 at 8:03 am

That beats any New York run. I was told they only used two prints of SOUTH PACIFIC during that whole run!

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Dominion Theatre on Aug 23, 2006 at 6:00 am

I believe the Dominion holds the world record for the longest film run ever with SOUTH PACIFIC. Not counting midnight shows such as ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW)

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Roxy Theatre on Aug 22, 2006 at 11:35 am

An open letter to LOST MEMORY and WARREN.

Can you please tell us what the problem is? You are both incredible contributors to this site and I think I speak for several CT members here who look forward to your every post.

Although on some level I do enjoy a bitchfest, what’s it all about?

LOST MEMORY first, I will play Oprah for you. Do you think we care about contributor’s personal lives?bTell me about it, honey? (hand folded, eyes glistening)

Al

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Movieland on Aug 22, 2006 at 11:12 am

My single memory of Webster Hall consisted of a doorman questioning my rather clunky shoes (the transvestite before me got in with ten inch kinky boots)and a trapeze act over the dance floor. The upstairs was a retro SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER disco.

The place had a decidedly Midwest barnyard feel unworthy of Manhattan.

I think if we were to open any site to such venues we would have new boundaries to deal with. The Tunnel was a subway stop complete with urinals at the bar although I am sure many had an epiphany there and where would you place the Limelight?

I say we stick to the movies. Club USA was a pimple in the life of this venue anyway.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Sunset Theatre to reopen on Aug 22, 2006 at 11:01 am

Absolutely beautiful shot. Best of luck on this labor of love!

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Embassy 1,2,3 Theatre on Aug 21, 2006 at 8:48 pm

Thanks guys. That makes perfect sense.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Embassy 1,2,3 Theatre on Aug 21, 2006 at 8:24 am

In May 1934 the Columbia was showing a move-over from the Mayfair of HITLER’S REIGN OF TERROR. Although it rarely showed films, they seems to have co-existed or there was another Columbia on 47th and Broadway.

???

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about IFC Center on Aug 20, 2006 at 5:56 am

Still here in London. I figured out who you are from your posts and told Steve, who sends his regards. If you write to me at I can give you an email address for Steve. Let me know if you ever found Kieth.

Just so this isn’t a strictly personal post, the Waverly marquee was used by a British movie website to promote itself two years ago. Imagine my shock at entering a London tube station to find a poster size photo of the Waverly marquee and the door to my previous “flat”. As they say here, “I was gobsmacked!”

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about IFC Center on Aug 19, 2006 at 9:11 pm

Tell me about it. It was my home for seven years.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about A world without movie theaters on Aug 19, 2006 at 2:42 am

It’s thosee damn talkies. I told you they would never catch on!

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about IFC Center on Aug 19, 2006 at 2:26 am

LI, they took the little parking lot in the back and added to the building. They also took the stores next door and incorporated them and the upper floor loft apartment into a bar and a third screen. The end result is quiet good.

In a final testament to decency, the bar is still called the Waverly. Worth checking out!