Ziegfeld Theatre
141 W. 54th Street,
New York,
NY
10019
141 W. 54th Street,
New York,
NY
10019
131 people
favorited this theater
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The first showing of MI:3 is scheduled for 12:01 May 4. I’m thinking of relaxing my “no Tom Cruise movie” rule, as I admire JJ Abrams' TV writing. I hope this film generates a lot of business for the theater.
The fact that the Ziegfeld is closed this week is not an ominous sign. The Ziegfeld has a long history of temporary closures, dating from at least the early 1980s.
Given that some major “tentpole” releases are soon to open, the Ziegfeld might be hosting invitational screenings of “MI3,” “Poseidon,” etc. Clearview would, in most cases, likely earn substantially more revenue from renting out the Ziegfeld for such private screenings than from showing new releases on a non-exclusive basis (non-exclusive runs of the “Star Wars” films did well there, but a film such as “Scary Movie 4” must have been a disaster—-DLP or no DLP). BTW, when I was in the UK last week, the Odeon Leicester Square—-arguably, London’s equivalent to the Ziegfeld—-was closed for two days for private screenings of “MI3.”
According to the Ziefeld’s web-site M:I:3 is opening on Thursday at 12:01 AM.
Isn’t this theater equipped with the newest Digital Projection equipment I know both Ice Age:The Meltdown & Scary Movie 4 were presented in DLP.
Boy, I wonder how long the Ziegfeld is for this world. I walked by a dark Ziegfeld on Saturday night and it was sad to see. It won’t reopen for films until May 19. Sad.
One way to use this theatre is to use it for premieres. Open the biggest film each week here and move a new blockbuster in each week. I’m surprised MI3 isn’t opening here.
Hi,
New here.
For any interested, I have a few nice hi-rez images of the auditorium interior I shot last year. I’d be happy to share, I’m just not particularly knowledgeable as to how to make these generally available. If anyone has the expertise to facilitate this, please email me directly at and I can forward them.
PH
It was “opening day†at NYC’s Tribeca Film Festival, where many movies vying for box office success are débuting (with the hope that the hype, prestige and exposure the event provides will launch them into popularity with national audiences at “mainstream†venues). The Ziegfeld has done its part as a participating theater, with a gala showing of only one movie â€" the one considered to be the most controversial of all: “United 93â€.
Press reports indicated that during the showing, there was “not a dry eye in the houseâ€.
Many in the audience were relatives of Flight 93 victims, for whom the show was an emotional experience. It was received positively by those who attended.
Congratulations to the Ziegfeld for contributing to the film festival, and for coming through on the first day by taking risks and demonstrating a leadership role in cinematic presentation, with bold and intriguing programming â€" again.
Note: the Tribeca Film Festival was created largely as a response to the economic impact of the events of 9-11. It was intended to regenerate business activity and public interest in Lower Manhattan. It has succeeded and this year expands its coverage to other parts of Manhattan.
When it comes to classics such as “Ben-Hur†and “Around the World…†my experience is that people who dislike them fall into two main categories. The first category consists of those who have seen them on a small screen, thus missing essential dramatic impact elements and production values. The second group includes people that have not seen the movies at all, and rely on the judgment of people who happen to fall into the first category. There are variations on these themes, which include “political correctnessâ€, the “it’s too long†factor, and so on. Still, there are some who watch these films in their full glory only to come out disappointed. My grandmother saw “Ben-Hur†way back when, and she hated it. It was too long and perhaps too violent for her sensibilities.
I had the privilege of seeing “Ben-Hur†at the Dome in the early 90’s. William Wyler’s masterpiece is simply spectacular, deserving every single one of its 11 Academy Awards. Since then, I have refused to watch it on TV, no matter what format.
JSA
The Ben-Hur presentation wasn’t 70MM – it was 35MM…but the widest 35MM I’ve ever seen. I didn’t start going to the Dome till 1991 and I’ve only seen 2 70MM shows there.
Chris, If you saw regular engagements during the 80’s & 90’s till they remodeled in 2000 in 70MM at the Dome. The Dome did not use the full width of the screen at that time. There was five pre-set masking stops on the front booth panel. There was Flat, Scope, 70MM (1.85), 70MM (Full) and Cinerama (Full Screen width). The Cinerama botton was disconnected when they got rid of the carbon arc lamps. Another Utterly breathtaking presentation was over at the Egyptian Theatre during their D-150 days. It was fun to just push the masking button on the front panel in the booth and see all pre-set modes.
If they saw Ben-Hur at the Cinerama Dome during their “closing weekend” back in 2000, it wouldn’t have made the list at all! To this day, it’s the only time I’ve ever seen a theatre adjust its left-right masking to accomodate for the tremendous width of the film. Utterly breathtaking!
But I digress…kudos to Clearview for dumping the January-March craptaculars for this Classics series. Flawed prints or not, they deserve tremendous props for their efforts. If they continue this in the fall, they should somehow find a team of “print archeologists” who can track down the most pristine prints of the films they wish to show. I’ve seen a bunch of folks in this forum making comments who I’d definitely recommend to make the team!
JSA said:
Shortly after this year’s Oscars, an article in the LA Times Calendar section declared it (and Ben-Hur) as some of the worst winners ever for Best Picture.
I’ll bet the person who wrote that article would’ve changed their mind if they’d seen Ben-Hur at the Ziegfeld in February.
Chris,
I share your enthusiasm for the Cinerama Dome 100 %. And I understand your position regarding the Egyptian, since there are some who feel the same way as you do. However, in the case of the upcoming presentation of “Around the World…â€, I am willing to give them and America Cinematheque some slack. In my opinion, this is a rare opportunity to see this classic in Todd-AO. Unfortunately, in all likelihood we will see another installment of “Scary Movie†before “Around the World†is properly restored and presented at the Dome or the Ziegfeld.
Bill Huelbig,
I’m glad to see that someone is taking a stand on behalf of “Around the World”. Event though time has not been kind to some of its aspects, I think it is a wonderful picture. Shortly after this year’s Oscars, an article in the LA Times Calendar section declared it (and Ben-Hur) as some of the worst winners ever for Best Picture.
Gary,
To follow up on Chris’s response on Cinerama, see my Apr. 6 comment on this page.
Regards to all,
JSA
Yes. Since they reopened the Dome in 2002, they’ve run both “This Is Cinerama” and “How The West Was Won”. I attended the latter in 2003 – my first true Cinerama experience. I had a blast.
The only other 70MM event I’ve been to since their reopening is the 40th Anniversary run of “It’s A Mad Mad Mad Mad World” – which quite a few of the folks in here didn’t like presentation wise. I enjoyed it, though.
Chris:
Does the Cinerama Dome ever show Cinerama?
Thanks,
Gary
For all those who envy the upcoming 70MM runs of “Around The World…” and others at the Egyptian in Hollywood, rest assured, there ain’t that much to envy. The screen at the Egyptian is just about the same size as the one at the Ziegfeld. I’ve already made up my mind not to attend another 70MM fest in Hollywood until they hold one at the only theatre worthy of 70MM: The Cinerama Dome. Heck, it’s the Dome that needs to take a page from the Ziegfeld and show a classics festival there. Arclight shows a classic or two every week, but those showings are at the multiplex…not the Dome!
I think as EdSolero posted it was “The Odd Couple” with 14 weeks from May to Aug of 1968.
I think “The Odd Couple” is the all time record holder at Radio City.
I think “The Odd Couple” is the all time record holder at Radio City.
William
What is the record holder at Radio City?
Thanks,
Gary
For the in Los Angeles post above: “The Sound of Music” opened at the Fox Wilshire Theatre and moved over to the nearby Carthay Circle Theatre to finish it’s run for 117 weeks.
The record holder at the Rivoli is “Around the World in 80 Days” with 103 weeks. Then comes “The Sound of Music” at 93 weeks then 77 weeks for “West Side Story”.
In Los Angeles, “Around the World in 80 Days” ran 128 weeks at the Fox’s Carthay Circle Theatre. “The Sound of Music” opened and moved over to the Carthay Circle and ran for 117 weeks.
What’s the record holder at the Rivoli?
Just got my Turner Classic on-line newsletter-interesting page on “What is a Classic” with feedback invited see:
View link
Thanks,
Gary
It sure would, Gary. I’m glad they printed my letter but they cut out what I thought was my best argument on behalf of “80 Days”: that it played 103 consecutive weeks at the Rivoli on Broadway. Quite an achievement for a so-called bad movie!
Bill:
Saw your letter re:“Around The World…” in Premiere. That would be nice at the Ziegfeld,too.
Gary
If I had to pick only one out of the 101, one that hadn’t played the Ziegfeld yet and would benefit the most from their big sound and screen, it would be “Patton”.