Ziegfeld Theatre

Ed Solero on April 14, 2006 at 5:44 pm

Gary… You inspired me. I just sent this comment to Craig on the Cleariew site and even dropped your name.

“Just wanted to drop a line to Craig. I attended a number screenings during the recent Classics series and I’ve already completed the survey above about my excellent experiences during the run (and on other first run occasions as well). I just wanted to thank you again for the terrific series and for the promise of more yet to come in the Fall. In the meanwhile, I hope to support the theater with its coming run of "Mission Impossible III” and always look forward to an opportunity to enjoy a film on the Ziegfeld’s big screen.

If I might suggest a title for a future Classics presentation… I saw in last Sunday’s Times that the Film Forum was running a brand new 35mm print of Terrence Malick’s beautiful 1978 film “Days of Heaven”. I refuse to do this painterly masterpiece the injustice of watching it in the Film Forum’s cramped quarters, but would love to see it spalshed across the 50 foot screen at the Ziegfeld.

I post regularly at the Cinema Treasures site and I know you peruse those comments and appreciate our patronage and suggestions. We certainly appreciate your listening to what we have to say. I’m aware one of our contributors – Gary – provided you with a lengthy list of suggestions and I’m sure he’s been in your ear a lot with various praise and criticisms. I just wanted to take the time – now that I’m in Classics withdrawal – to once again thank you for a wonderful 6 weeks of programming. I hope that we can see more 70mm and I hope we can get closer to the kind of presentation and showmanship that was intended for some of these roadshow era films (such as proper lighting and curtain cues for overture and intermission and a true intermission break where intended). I know you guys strive to bring us the best show possible and it was evident that many kinks were worked out as the series progressed. The kind of showmanship that these films demand is an art that has been greatly lost not only on the part of exhibitors over the years, but, sadly, on the part of the audience as well – in the form of lowered expectations and the general acceptance of mediocrity. How wonderful it would be if you could bring that level of showmanship back to your flagship theater. You folks are its curators and the Ziegfeld is your museum. We look to you to remind those of us who remember (and show those who know no better) what a truly grand and magical experience it once was to attend a Broadway roadshow engagement.

Thanks for your time."

therock1 on April 14, 2006 at 8:04 am

Hi Everyone,

It’s been a while since I posted anything here on the site. But, I wanted to Thank You all for making The Hollywood Classics a nice success at The Ziegfeld.

Although I can not get into any specifics at this time, I can assure you that The Classics will be back at The Ziegfeld sometime in the fall!

This could not have been done without all of your nice comments and suggestions, so please keep them coming!

As soon as I know any details, you will be the first to know.

Thanks again
Craig

ZiegfeldMan on April 13, 2006 at 9:11 pm

Jeff:

We’re in agreement. I can’t tell you how many voice mails I left for Craig, with no reply either. I just believe in perseverance. Today, I needed to see a foot doctor whose appointment schedule was totally booked. The only other option offered was an appointment in two weeks. I asked if my name and phone number could be held in case of a cancellation (something I do in my office), I was told absolutely NO! Just keep calling his office from 8 AM on to see if a cancellation was called in. However ridiculous this was to me, I had no other options. I called every half hour from 8AM on. By 1PM, I was told that there was a cancellation at 3 PM. My toe was taken care of and I am no longer in pain. I complained (nicely) to the doctor about his office policy and he told me that his office staff is so burdened with insurance nonsense and paperwork that unfortunately, requests like mine cannot be accommodated.

At my first classics visit, “West Side Story,” I believe, I was told that the building was landmarked by one of the staff. I called the NYC Landmarks Preservation Board to check this out. It is not landmarked. And even if it was landmarked, it could have the same fate as the Astor Plaza. The beautiful Bowery Savings Bank on 42 St. is now Cipriani’s, a beautiful catering hall.

All of which means that I am not willing to settle for “out of sync” prints like “Lawrence” either. To me, keeping an ongoing Classics program going in the midst of drivel like Scary Movie 4 is first priority. By the end of the “Lawrence” run, the comments here were much better. I think we can all work towards making the whole program (if it continues) much better.

I’m sure that Craig has to answer to the “suits” at Clearview and the “Bottom Line.” So, send ten more e-mails. Remember what Tim Robbins had to do in “Shawshank” to get his library.

We all want the same thing-the best Ziegfeld experience imaginable.
This is all going to take work until we can all buy the place and run it ourselves.

Thanks,

Gary

PeterApruzzese on April 13, 2006 at 7:14 pm

The Ziegfeld would need to book those 70mm films from the studios, the Egyptian Theatre isn’t a distributor. The Around the World is not a new or restored print, the other two mentioned are new prints. Very doubtful that Warner, Fox, Goldwyn and the archives involved would let the films go to a platter house such as the Ziegfeld. If the Ziegfeld re-enabled their reel-to-reel system and demonstrated that they could handle the films properly, then they might consider it.

ZiegfeldMan on April 13, 2006 at 6:46 pm

Andreco:

Terrific idea—this is exactly what I’m talking about when I suggest sending your suggestions to Craig at Clearview:
Craig is head of marketing at Clearview and the whole driving force behind the Classics series. Speak your mind-HE WANTS INPUT!!

Thanks,

Gary

BethLG on April 13, 2006 at 4:38 pm

I just checked to see which movies will be playing at the Ziegfeld after Ice Age 2 and while I’d cough up the dollars for something I normally wouldn’t see at any other theater, I’m disappointed to learn that I have zero interest in seeing these two: Scary Movie 4 and Mission Impossible 3 (I will not support Tom Cruise in any way, the jerk). However, these films will probably do pretty well with ticket sales, which is a good thing for the theater.

ZiegfeldMan on April 12, 2006 at 8:00 pm

Since there has not been a post here in 5 whole days, I have to presume that many are suffering from “classics” withdrawal. So here’s the GOOD NEWS! I e-mailed the above list (including your suggestions for additions and deletions) to Craig at Clearview and received the following response TODAY:

“WOW, this is a great list Gary!

I really appreciate all your help with The Ziegfeld. I am sure that we
will bring The Classics back to The Ziegfeld soon and it is people like
you and the good folks at Cinema Treasures that will make this happen.

Thanks again
Craig"

I take no credit for this because I have drawn my inspiration and enthusiasm from this entire group right here. Again, I would ask you individually to take a moment and send your comments to Craig at Clearview. The concept of the Ziegfeld as a periodic Classics revival house is just an incredible thing to me. Let’s indeed make it happen.

Happy Holidays to All,

Gary

BethLG on April 7, 2006 at 7:02 pm

A couple of other films, probably less accesible but a lot of fun:
Any of BUSTER KEATON’s silent films – THE CAMERAMAN in particular would be a good film for a general crowd and a couple of scenes were shot on location in NYC. THE GENERAL is his most famous but a lot of his shorts would be great, too, like COPS, ONE WEEK, THE BOAT

The HAROLD LLOYD Trust just released a boxed set of the majority of Harold’s silent work. SAFETY LAST would be a good one. Several extended scenes from SPEEDY were shot on location in NYC and in Coney Island.

ZiegfeldMan on April 7, 2006 at 12:49 pm

Yeah, maybe it was better when the studios owned the theaters (pre-1947?) I don’t have an answer; the last time I went to my local multiplex on L.I. the ticket taker was too busy with her boyfriend to take my ticket. But on a brighter note, I am still impressed that the suits at Clearview took a gamble on a classics program, for two months!! I could use seeing Roger Rabbit tonight at the Ziegfeld!!!

Gary

Ed Solero on April 7, 2006 at 12:32 pm

I would hope that a filmmaker like Nora Ephron would try to do something more about the sad state of multiplex exhibition that to merely write an op-ed piece in the Times. Why couldn’t something like this happen to a Steven Spielberg or George Lucas, who might actually care enough and have sufficient high-powered influence to make some waves over this unforgiveable lack of regard for the product (the very costly product, I might add) manufactured by the industry?

ZiegfeldMan on April 7, 2006 at 11:38 am

We are all in agreement—I remember seeing the first showing of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” at the Ziegfeld. Incredibly hot summer day, the A/C, unfortunately, was barely working, the place was packed—and we all had a great time.

I received my Direct TV statement today with an enclosure for “pay per view” with this pitch—“No cell phones, No loud talkers, No popcorn crunchers.” “This May, stay home and have the theater all to yourself.”

With that said and what has been said above, I am still amazed that the Ziegfeld even exists today.

If the Ziegfeld could get an “exclusive” on “The DaVinci Code” next month(which it probably won’t), the lines would be back. But I’ll be there opening day.

Until then, in the hope of more “classics,” list some more favorites (Please)and send your comments and appreciations to Clearview.

Movieguy-the only good thing about the AMC 25 is the lobby!!

Thanks,

Gary

P.S. Check this out in Today’s Times for the state of the Multiplex:

OPINION | April 7, 2006
Op-Ed Contributor: The Last Picture Show
By NORA EPHRON
Going to see the movies, circa 2006.
View link

YMike on April 7, 2006 at 5:18 am

There were lines around the block when “Independence Day” opened in 1996. I had to go to a 10 AM show to get in.