I wonder why the Center Mayfield is considered as a “sister” theater to the Cedar Lee; I believe the Cedar Lee is considerably older, perhaps by as much as a decade. The interiors and lobby were very different in terms of their original decor, and the Cedar Lee had a raised section at the back of the original auditorium (now sub-divided), something like today’s stadium seating, whereas the Center Mayfield had all the seats on the same sloping floor. The Center Mayfield’s seating capacity was also much larger than that of the Cedar Lee. The 600 seat capacity, as noted above, I do not believe to be accurate; take a look at the picture of the auditorium posted by Warren G. Harris above. The 1,200 figure quoted by Joe Vogel is far more likely. The Center Mayfield was much more like the Richmond Theater in Lyndhurst, especially in terms of its auditorium.
Here’s at least one site that mentions the Cinerama breakdown reel: View link
At least one or two prints still exist of it as it has been shown at both the Cinerama Dome and at the Bradford. England Pictureville Cinerama installation.
I wonder what “Urgoo” might translate to in English. Is it a typical theater name such as “Palace” or “Strand” or a street name or the name of a theater chain?
Only in view of what happened historically can Cinerama be said to have had a “use by” date. A lack of imagination and the bean counters in Hollywood killed it. Had research and development been allowed to continue, I am sure that the process would have been improved and would occupy the place that IMAX has today.
Yes indeed – parking has always been a problem there, and I would think that that situation would have to be addressed before this proposal gets the green light.
If the intent is also to show art and foreign films on some of the screens, then Landmark’s three-screen Main theater will probably disappear; its closure has been rumored for some time anyway.
That would be too bad, because its main screen, in the theater’s original auditorium, is a real treasure.
I was aware, though, when I came across this item that the Cinema Lumiere, in Pisa, Italy, also claims the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating cinema in the world, asserting that it started operations in 1905.
Or perhaps the Greenbrier Cinema & Grill in Indianapolis, website here: http://www.cinemagrillonline.net/ I have been to a few of them. My impression is that they work in some places, but in not in others, though why, I do not know. I do know that running a restaurant is hard work, tougher than many realize. And running a theater these days – well, just look a the news items on this site. I wish you luck though!
This, for me, was one of those movies that I can remember seeing so clearly, right down to where and with whom I was watching it. I saw it on opening night at the Holiday I in Fort Wayne, IN. It was a big barn of a place, but had great gently cuved screen and superb sound. I remember that great tagline – “In space, no one can hear you scream,” but one sure could in the theater during that movie. I also remember that advance poster art, that really made me want to see the film; I had to know what the egg-shaped thing was and why it seemed to smile so menacingly. Few other films have so successfully exploited the notion of “It’s not what you see that scares you, it’s what you don’t.” Add to that the other shocks and surprises, the claustrophophic presentation of working in some of the Nostromo’s confines, the Geiger visuals, and the result was a film that really worked the nerves. It was also a terrific counter to movies like “E.T.” and “Close Encounters” that tended to present aliens as warm and friendly.
Sorry, MC, no slight intended; When I wrote the comment, I remembered your 2001 engagement list on the in70mm site and I was only looking at that list on when I wrote my comment and did not think to compare it against your more detailed and meticulous data on your NYC Cinerama retrospective entry. Twenty-four weeks is the number listed for the Capitol run on the in70mmm site and I did not think to scan down to the information on the later moveover in NYC. My apologies.
The 1984 and 1986 pictures posted above on April 29, 2009 are not of the 5th Avenue. They are of the Music Hall (formerly Fox) Theater in Seattle that was demolished around 1991.
I think it has to be remembered that ‘2001’ was not always seen by folks in 1968 as deserving the milestone status it has achieved in the decades since its original release. A great deal of revisionism has occurred with regard to the esteem in which this film is held. (I saw it at the State in Cleveland in Cinerama, and although I loved it, I still remember some people muttering and shaking their heads as they left the theater). The original reviews ranged from “masterpiece” to “boring”. There was actually a great deal of variation with regard to the original engagements of “2001.” It only played 26 weeks in NYC and 37 in Chicago (see list of enagagements here: http://www.in70mm.com/news/2004/2001_in_70mm/chapters/engagement.htm( )
I also recall reading in a book about the film, that at the time, MGM, aware of the original mixed critical reaction, was anxious to get “Ice Station Zebra” into Cinerama houses. This may have have caused some runs to end prematurely, at least from the perpective of the present day. After the film gained real traction, there were a number of 70mm re-releases of 2001, especially in the late 60s and early 70s.
neeb: The Town is listed here on CT as the Roosevelt; it should be listed as the Town, as the general practice is to list the theater as its most recent name.
It is not likely that this was one of GC’s shadow box theaters; it was not built by that chain. It was built by Joy Theaters and was later operated by GC.
I wonder why the Center Mayfield is considered as a “sister” theater to the Cedar Lee; I believe the Cedar Lee is considerably older, perhaps by as much as a decade. The interiors and lobby were very different in terms of their original decor, and the Cedar Lee had a raised section at the back of the original auditorium (now sub-divided), something like today’s stadium seating, whereas the Center Mayfield had all the seats on the same sloping floor. The Center Mayfield’s seating capacity was also much larger than that of the Cedar Lee. The 600 seat capacity, as noted above, I do not believe to be accurate; take a look at the picture of the auditorium posted by Warren G. Harris above. The 1,200 figure quoted by Joe Vogel is far more likely. The Center Mayfield was much more like the Richmond Theater in Lyndhurst, especially in terms of its auditorium.
Here’s at least one site that mentions the Cinerama breakdown reel:
View link
At least one or two prints still exist of it as it has been shown at both the Cinerama Dome and at the Bradford. England Pictureville Cinerama installation.
The theater is now operating as a live performance venue called the Retro Dome. Read the story here: http://www.mercurynews.com/salpizarro/ci_13227870
The website is: www.theretrodome.com
Photo of the Winter Garden’s side boxes:
View link
Thanks. I thought some CT contributor would probably know or be able to find out.
I wonder what “Urgoo” might translate to in English. Is it a typical theater name such as “Palace” or “Strand” or a street name or the name of a theater chain?
Only in view of what happened historically can Cinerama be said to have had a “use by” date. A lack of imagination and the bean counters in Hollywood killed it. Had research and development been allowed to continue, I am sure that the process would have been improved and would occupy the place that IMAX has today.
S story about the proposed renovation can be found here:
View link
Yes indeed – parking has always been a problem there, and I would think that that situation would have to be addressed before this proposal gets the green light.
If the intent is also to show art and foreign films on some of the screens, then Landmark’s three-screen Main theater will probably disappear; its closure has been rumored for some time anyway.
That would be too bad, because its main screen, in the theater’s original auditorium, is a real treasure.
I was aware, though, when I came across this item that the Cinema Lumiere, in Pisa, Italy, also claims the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating cinema in the world, asserting that it started operations in 1905.
Or perhaps the Greenbrier Cinema & Grill in Indianapolis, website here: http://www.cinemagrillonline.net/ I have been to a few of them. My impression is that they work in some places, but in not in others, though why, I do not know. I do know that running a restaurant is hard work, tougher than many realize. And running a theater these days – well, just look a the news items on this site. I wish you luck though!
It has closed. Status should be changed.
Some very old pictures of the interior of the Alhambra:
View link
This, for me, was one of those movies that I can remember seeing so clearly, right down to where and with whom I was watching it. I saw it on opening night at the Holiday I in Fort Wayne, IN. It was a big barn of a place, but had great gently cuved screen and superb sound. I remember that great tagline – “In space, no one can hear you scream,” but one sure could in the theater during that movie. I also remember that advance poster art, that really made me want to see the film; I had to know what the egg-shaped thing was and why it seemed to smile so menacingly. Few other films have so successfully exploited the notion of “It’s not what you see that scares you, it’s what you don’t.” Add to that the other shocks and surprises, the claustrophophic presentation of working in some of the Nostromo’s confines, the Geiger visuals, and the result was a film that really worked the nerves. It was also a terrific counter to movies like “E.T.” and “Close Encounters” that tended to present aliens as warm and friendly.
A history of the theater from opening to closing can be found here:
View link
Sorry, MC, no slight intended; When I wrote the comment, I remembered your 2001 engagement list on the in70mm site and I was only looking at that list on when I wrote my comment and did not think to compare it against your more detailed and meticulous data on your NYC Cinerama retrospective entry. Twenty-four weeks is the number listed for the Capitol run on the in70mmm site and I did not think to scan down to the information on the later moveover in NYC. My apologies.
The 1984 and 1986 pictures posted above on April 29, 2009 are not of the 5th Avenue. They are of the Music Hall (formerly Fox) Theater in Seattle that was demolished around 1991.
Oops – a stray parenthesis slipped into the URL above;it should be: View link
I think it has to be remembered that ‘2001’ was not always seen by folks in 1968 as deserving the milestone status it has achieved in the decades since its original release. A great deal of revisionism has occurred with regard to the esteem in which this film is held. (I saw it at the State in Cleveland in Cinerama, and although I loved it, I still remember some people muttering and shaking their heads as they left the theater). The original reviews ranged from “masterpiece” to “boring”. There was actually a great deal of variation with regard to the original engagements of “2001.” It only played 26 weeks in NYC and 37 in Chicago (see list of enagagements here: http://www.in70mm.com/news/2004/2001_in_70mm/chapters/engagement.htm( )
I also recall reading in a book about the film, that at the time, MGM, aware of the original mixed critical reaction, was anxious to get “Ice Station Zebra” into Cinerama houses. This may have have caused some runs to end prematurely, at least from the perpective of the present day. After the film gained real traction, there were a number of 70mm re-releases of 2001, especially in the late 60s and early 70s.
This really should be listed as the Town, with Roosevelt as an aka, as that is what is was called when it closed.
neeb: The Town is listed here on CT as the Roosevelt; it should be listed as the Town, as the general practice is to list the theater as its most recent name.
According to this article, the theater has closed:
View link
It is not likely that this was one of GC’s shadow box theaters; it was not built by that chain. It was built by Joy Theaters and was later operated by GC.
This site has some pictures of what remains:
View link
I love the “Home Sweet Projection Booth” pix.
Earlier story about the theater’s closing including a picture:
View link