Jim I agree with your comments to a degree. Even the Megaplex being built today is now using some sort of neon. As I repeated before The Detroit and Atlanta’s Fox have a wonderful marquee but the St Louis Fox a boring marquee and the Wang has an Awful marquee. All these theatres have been very successful since there restorations so I would like to know why two cities got it and the others didn’t. A major movie palace feels naked without a proper marquee. Even the Nederlanders finally put a decent vertical on the Orpheum in SF which has very strict guidlines along Market St.Many cities will give an a historic structure a waiver if the marquee being restored is from the 20’s,30',40’s and 50’s. Disney when restoring the El Capitan in Hollywood had put a small vertical but it was to small for the size of the building.I had a discussion with Disney and pointed out the sign looked to small and there response was well it looked large when it was on the ground.Within a few weeks Disney had put a larger verical.At least the Coronado put up a vertical.Im not happy with the marquees in Cleveland’s Playhouse Square a very successful theatre complex. Im guess Im spoiled because when one of the first authentic restorations I had seen the Oakland Paramount, got it right from the front of the house to the back of the house and this theatre was restored as a Symphony Concert Hall.When the Fox-Oakland started there restoration project the first thing restored was the fabulous vertical and canopy marquee. Oakland doesn’t have a lot of money but felt it was important to restore the marquee.brucec
The Century Plaza had problems for many years because of the Westwood booking zone which wouldn’t play day and date with Century City. In later years AMC Century 14 was built and Century City could now play the same film as Westwood but the Century 14 had more booking muscle and a better location with free parking. The Century Plaza hosted many film premieres but wasn’t able to play the film they premiered. I liked the Century Plaza but it was very under used.It was built to host exclusive run films which was on the way out and never able to compete with Westwood and Century City 14.brucec
My parents attended the Big Bands at the Shea’s during the 1940’s.When I was a teenager in 1967 I saw the James Bond film “You Only Live Twice” at the Shea’s. What a beautiful huge theatre Buffalo has. It was in great condition in 1967 and it does look a lot like the Rialto in Joliet, Illinois. Have they completed work on restoration of marquee?I remember walking downtown at night deciding on which movie we would see and “Taming of the Shrew” was playing at the Loew’s Teck,“Barefoot in The Park” was playing at the Cinema, and a Disney film was playing at the Century and “You Only Live Twice” was playing at the Shea’s.I now know that the large closed theatre without a marquee was the Paramount which closed in 1965.I do remember the Shea’s had a huge movie screen.Shea’s is in my top 20 favroite movie palace’s.
I believe “Dr Zhivago” also played the Capitol another MGM release. “Dr Zhivago” also was MGM’S biggest box-office hit 2nd only to “Gone With The Wind”. MGM big three were “Gone With The Wind”,“DR Zhivago” and “Ben Hur” in terms of Box Office. The Capitol was the flagship of Loews-MGM which controlled more talent than any studio in the history of motion pictures. I never had the pleasure of ever being in the Capitol but I did tour the MGM studio lot in 1967 when the lot was still intact. Lot 1 was where all the sound stages were, Lot 2 was across the street with all its backlot sets like the Andy Hardy Street, The New York Street,Esther Williams outdoor swimming pool,Meet Me in St Louis Street and Lot 3 which was down the street and contained jungle sets, western towns and WW11 European Street Sets. MGM had the best backlot in Hollywood and I have seen them all. If Sony purchased MGM it will be reunited with its historic Studio which consists only of Lot 1. IF Time Warner purchases MGM the studio will be reunited with its motion picture past. Time Warner owns the vast MGM pre 1986 film library. Its ironic because Sony wanted to purchase MGM back in the 1980’s and instead purchased Columbia Pictures.Many in the film industry will never forgive Kerkorian for detroying Hollywood’s greatest film studio.At least the Capitol died a grand lady showing MGM"s “2001:A Space Odyssey” an exclusive run reserved seat attraction.MGM the studio has been reduced from a roar to a meow and will never be the same.brucec
Scott I would love to see what the original Vertical sign looked like. You are correct the present vertical doesn’t match the scale of the theatre. At least they put a vintage vertical up. I don’t understand the thinking that goes into restoration projects are the marquees a second thought. The first impression you get of our beloved movie palaces is the marquee. Many cities such as Boston has horrible marquees in front of there restored theatres. Smaller cities have done a better job restoring some of there marquees than some of our bigger cities.brucec
I was at the grand re-opening of the El Capitan with the presentation of “The Rocketeer”. The best seats to view a movie at the El Cap is the mezzanine portion of the balcony.Disney’s original plan was to twin the theatre and call it the Boulevard. The LA Hisorical Society convinced Disney to restore it as a single screen and Disney is glad they did. Disney hold most of its premieres here and can do what they want and use the theatre to promote there films. I have never had a bad experience attending movies here over the years. I find the screen to be quite large in realtion to the theatre and it has fantastic sound.I always thought that each of the major studios should have each restored a theatre along the boulevard to showcase there films the way Disney does. I always thought Warner Bros with its huge release schedule should have taken the Pacific Theartre(Warner)and restored it and used it to showcase films and there premieres. Graumans Chinese accross the street is jointly owned by Paramount and Warner Bros so they have to rotate whos picture gets to play the main house.brucec
Scott I agree. The Coronado is beautiful. I went on the Chicago Conclave last year and the Coronado was one of the highlights.This theatre is in beautiful condition and it still has the feel of a movie palace.brucec
I saw “Whats UP Doc?” at the UA Cinema when it was a single screen in 1972. It doesn’t work that great as a twin so I never went back. Im surprised that its still operating since it was a UA house in the Stonestown Mall. Im surprised they haven’t built a megaplex since its a mall location.brucec
I just don’t think “Around The World in 80 DAyS” has held up very well through the years. Some films hold up well and some films don’t.It was a huge success when released and many a theatre were renovated such as the Mike Todd Theatre in Chicago which was also owned by Elizabeth Talylor for many years.I doubt very much it would be successful. At least it is being restored for its DVD release.“Van Helsing” will never be considered a classic. The years 1939,1940 produced some of the greatest films ever made.This is where art and commerce came together and the studio system was at its height. I know film buffs like movies for many different reasons and everyone has there personal favorites.It would be lovely if a great movie theatre showed classic films in the proper setting from all decades.brucec
The Del Mar had a beautiful neon Marquee which you could see for miles.I remember sitting through two matinee films along with the regular double bill. I believe the last film to play the Del Mar was MGM"s Where Eagles Dare. The Del Mar use to get all the Disney films and the admissiion price would be raised to 35 cents for children. A lot of wonderful memories in this large neigberhood house.brucec
I agree with you William on the UA Egyptian. I always noticed when I lived in LA in the 80’s and early 90’s that Pacific and Mann did a much better job maintaining there theatres compared to United Artists. Its to bad the Criterion was taken over by UA instead of another circuit after Moss stopped running the theatre.City planning should have kept one megaplex in Times Square and one on 42nd St.There will be no movies showing in Times Square which was once the Capitol of movie going.brucec
I saw Star Wars on opening night at the Coronet Theatre is San Francisco. It was truly an experience. Star Wars opened exclusively around the country and played many a single screen theatre for over a year. Sadly the exclusive runs and the big single screens are a thing of the past with a few exceptions. The Astor Plaza shouldn’t have to play the same film as the megaplex down the street. I think the studios open some films a little to wide where its not cost effective in relation to print costs. Many films could play on 2 screens rather than four in the same megaplex.Its all about the film gross in week #1 at the boxoffice.brucec
This theatre was called Century Theatres and was located on South Virginia St next to the Peppermill. The Midway Drive IN was located next to the Century Theatres. The ever expanding Peppermill deomolished the Drive In and The Century Theatres as part of there expansion. The complex started off as an single Screen Dome theatre called the Century 21 like the one in San Jose. The original Dome was split in two and additional theatres were added over the years.These theatres were the most popular in Reno for decades.brucec
The Big Newport was built as a single screen and was never divided. Additional screens through the years were added to the existing single screen. The big screen has always been a draw and the industry should take note.brucec
Yes the Warner Hollywood (Mark Hellinger) (Times Square Church) was built as a Movie Palace but most of its life it was a top rank Broadway Musical Stage Theatre. That is the only reason it survived or it would have met the fate like the other Times Square Movie Palaces. It also has landmark status which the big Times Square Movie Palaces did not.Disney was interested in purchasing or leasing this theatre but the church has been reluctant to give it up.The Warner Hollywood is very ornate like the Large Movie Palaces.Broadway may return here one day but I doubt movies ever will.Times Sqaure top rank movie palaces The Roxy,Capitol,Paramount,
Warner(Strand),State,Rivoli,Criterion,Astor,Victoria are all gone. A few legit theatres that showed movies for a period Lunt-Fontanne,Palace,Broadway,Mark Hellinger(Church)are still with us.All the 42nd St theatres that have been restored New Amsterdam,American
Airlines(Selywn),Victory and creative re-use such as The Empire,Ford Center(elements of both Lyric and Apollo but really a new theatre).The Liberty and Times Square are awaiting some sort of renovation.All the 42nd Theatres were built for stage but a good deal of there life they were movie theatres showing 1st and 2nd run and porn but wouldn’t be in the same league as the Times Square Movie Palaces.
The Mayfair(Columbia,De Mille,Embassy 2,3,4)is still there but wasn’t in the same class as the other Times Square Movie Palaces.The only reason this building is still there is the income from the Billboards.The landlord wants 1 Million a year for the Mayfair Theatre which means movies are out. Does this theatre still have a stage? Many theatres of this size around 1500 tore out there stage to put in the larger screens for the roadshow pictures of the 1950’s and 1960’s. Again Loews Jersey is a movie palace which should be supported. The only big Movie Palaces left in NYC with the Exception of Radio City,Beacon,and Loews 175th St are found in the Bronx,Queens,and Brooklyn.brucec
In response to leases in Times Square. The Rivoli was owned by United Artists and sold the property for about 17 Million which they used to build a multiplex in NY/New Jersey area which probably has itself closed due to competition from the megaplex. Times Square leases were always expensive or they were owned by the the theatre companies. The land value in midtown is a little different than the land value on Broadway in Downtown LA. The movie palaces downtown are around due to lack in investment and development along broadway, It wasn’t by grand design. In fact LA focused on investing on the new downtown around Bunker Hill which saved all the buildings around Broadway. I think the time is coming where the city will start focusing on Broadway and the Spring St area which is the heart of the old downtown. I think this area should become a special investment zone and major credits given to restoring the major buildings in this area. I think LA should not build any new theatres and use the historic ones they have left. I realize that Times Square had economic realities but why didn’t they give air rights above the historic movie palaces that were left like they did with the historic broadway theatres in the area. Its amazing to me not one of the major movie palaces are left in Times Square. I guess because Radio City was saved the city thought that was enough. The Astor Plaza is getting all this print because its the last large single screen left in Times Sqaure. It wasn’t the best of the theatres Times Square once had but its the only one that is left.brucec
Its to bad the movie palaces in Times Square didn’t get the attention that the Astor Plaza is receiving. I heard very little when the Rivoli,Warner and State were torn down in the 1980’s. By the way Loews State was very successful right to the end. The best collection of movie palaces is on the the other broadway in LA. There are about 12 historic movie palaces still standing and many are in pretty good condition. The city of LA has designated this area as an historic theatre district. Here are the following historic theatres on Broadway in LA
1. United Artists
2. Orpheum
3 Rialto
4. Loews State
5. Globe
6. Los Angeles
7. Palace
8. Roxie
9. Arcade
10.Cameo
11.Million Dollar
12.Tower
Note: The Warner Downtown,Mayan,and Belasco are a few blocks away
Loews State was the most successful movie palace on the street and the Los Angeles the most beautiful. The Orpheum is in the best shape having finished a 4 million renovation a couple of years ago. The least successful movie palace on the street was the United Artists. The largest Downtown movie palace the Paramount was torn down in the 1960’s but wasn’t located on Broadway. It was the hispanic population that kept these theatres humming during 1960’s thru the 1980’s. I think a major focus should be in preserving this entertainment district that has survived all these years.brucec
I believe some money is coming from the state or city for this project. I can’t understand why a compromise in the name couldn’t be reached. I think its pretty tacky when this happens.Soon we will have Rite Aid City Hall or Walgrreens University. This is becoming an epidemic across the country and is becoming a turn off to large segments of the population.A more sensitive approach to naming rights needs to happen. I feel this gives corporate America a black eye not the desired effect they were looking for.brucec
The biggest problem the Alhambra had was parking. I think in later years it would have been more successful if parking hadn’t been so difficult. What a beautiful neighberhood movie palace. Its marquee is still a delight.brucec
The Wang is larger than the Waterbary Palace.I think when listing seating they should use original seating and then show current seating. Seating is always reduced when renovation or restoration occurs to allow for more leg room. Many theatres have expanded the lobbies into the back of the Auditorium such as the Oriental in Chicago. Original capacity of the Oriental was 3200 after renovation seating was reduced to aroung 2200.I propose the Wang restore its Vertical and canopy and its name. Possibly Wang’s Metropolitan. The current marquee is very boring. Radio City has a wonderful marquee as does the Fox Atlanta, Fox Detroit, Pantagees Hollywood,Paramount Oakland,Fox-Oakland,Portland Portland, Paramount Seattle, Chicago Chicago,Wiltern Los Angeles, Orpheum LA,State Minneapolis, Rialto Juliet,Castro San Francisco,etc….I feel a restored theatre that traces its roots back to the 1920’s is not complete unless it has a proper vertical and canopy marquee. It doesn’t have to be the origianl marquee in its history but at sometime in its history of 1920’s,1930’s,1940’s and 1950’s. Some theatres actually improved on there marquees. Neon is a must. The Great White Way didn’t get its name from plastic and some of the boring marquees that I see today.
Have they decided which name they are going to use for this theatre? I hope the BF Keith name is used such as BF Keith Opera House or BF Keith Memorial Opera House or whatever name is going to be used if clear channel sells the naming rights.I hope an electrical Vertical and canopy are retored to this theatre. Please don’t put a boring marquee like was done on the Wang. Remember the fun starts on the sidewalk. I know the theatre is going to be gorgeous after the restoration. Im very happy to see the Clear Channel is going to host The Nutcracker Ballet since the Wang is going with the Radio City Spectacular. I think the BF Keith Opera House will be more suitable for broadway shows and the Wang can concentrate on concerts and other programming.brucec
Correction the Cinerama Dome is still owned by Pacific Theatres this is there flagship operation. The Arc Light has wonderful programming such as the Director Series, AFI top 100 films,etc. This is an industry house. Its the Cinerama Dome that sets the complex apart from the others. The Arc Light complex is has top presentation and sound. The Arc Light has been successful but the Dome is its greatest asset. The Grove megaplex near the Farmers Market is more popular unless the film is playing in the Cinerama Dome. The Arc Light black box auditoriums had major input from the film industry where the Grove was built by an independent developer who wanted his theatre a little more upscale than the norm to match the upscale shopping center.The Grove pays homage to the old Hollywood including the uniforms worn by the employees. Pacific had the managing contract in running the Grove which became the top gossing megaplex in Southern California. In fact a bidding war broke out to purchase the Grove when the owner put the Theatre up for sale and Pacific who had ist choice to by it had to purchase the Grove for 25 Million.I think the film industry should take a good look at the Grove and build more megaplexe’s like it. Its to bad the Arc Light complex that includes the Cinerama Dome didn’t build it a bit more luxurious like the Grove and it would have been a bigger success.brucec
Its ironic that the Capitol showed its last film 2001 which was an MGM release in 1968. MGM which was controlled by Loews until 1959. With the destruction of the Capitol MGM also was never the same. 1968 was the last year MGM showed a profit on its movies as a major film studio. MGM went into a severe decline after this and has never recovered. MGM was purchased 3 times by KIRK Kerkorian starting in 1969. Under Kerkorian Hollywood’s greatest studio was reduced from a roar to a meow. Kerkorian has again placed MGM for sale but its a shadow of its former self. Its big asset is its huge film library of 4000 films which are mostly non MGM films. The real MGM is owned by Time Warner which owns all MGM films prior to 1986. Loews is also for sale. The destruction of the Capitol marked an end of an era the likes of which we will never see again.brucec
Warren this is correct. The current Radio City owneres haven’t even tested the viability of a limited stage and screen series during the summer. There could be a cross promotion between Cablevisions AMC movie channel and Radio City. Is the Disney Company the only distibutor left that knows a little bit about showmanship take a look at the small scale stage and screen at the El Capitan in Hollywood. Since the distributors make more money on DVD’s than the theatical run of the movie the Music Hall could be used for the new releases of classics and newer films as part of there promotion.Its amazing to me that two of the most successful movie palaces of all times Radio City and the Chicago Theatre are not being utilized to there full potential.The Music Hall could even be used for 1 week on the release of a new film such as Troy, Spiderman,Harry Potter,Alexander,Phantom of the Opera etc.This could be done without the stage show if necessary,because the distributor would want 90 per cent of the Box Office after the house expense. The point is the current owner Cablevision needs to try different things some may work and some may not.brucec
Jim I agree with your comments to a degree. Even the Megaplex being built today is now using some sort of neon. As I repeated before The Detroit and Atlanta’s Fox have a wonderful marquee but the St Louis Fox a boring marquee and the Wang has an Awful marquee. All these theatres have been very successful since there restorations so I would like to know why two cities got it and the others didn’t. A major movie palace feels naked without a proper marquee. Even the Nederlanders finally put a decent vertical on the Orpheum in SF which has very strict guidlines along Market St.Many cities will give an a historic structure a waiver if the marquee being restored is from the 20’s,30',40’s and 50’s. Disney when restoring the El Capitan in Hollywood had put a small vertical but it was to small for the size of the building.I had a discussion with Disney and pointed out the sign looked to small and there response was well it looked large when it was on the ground.Within a few weeks Disney had put a larger verical.At least the Coronado put up a vertical.Im not happy with the marquees in Cleveland’s Playhouse Square a very successful theatre complex. Im guess Im spoiled because when one of the first authentic restorations I had seen the Oakland Paramount, got it right from the front of the house to the back of the house and this theatre was restored as a Symphony Concert Hall.When the Fox-Oakland started there restoration project the first thing restored was the fabulous vertical and canopy marquee. Oakland doesn’t have a lot of money but felt it was important to restore the marquee.brucec
The Century Plaza had problems for many years because of the Westwood booking zone which wouldn’t play day and date with Century City. In later years AMC Century 14 was built and Century City could now play the same film as Westwood but the Century 14 had more booking muscle and a better location with free parking. The Century Plaza hosted many film premieres but wasn’t able to play the film they premiered. I liked the Century Plaza but it was very under used.It was built to host exclusive run films which was on the way out and never able to compete with Westwood and Century City 14.brucec
My parents attended the Big Bands at the Shea’s during the 1940’s.When I was a teenager in 1967 I saw the James Bond film “You Only Live Twice” at the Shea’s. What a beautiful huge theatre Buffalo has. It was in great condition in 1967 and it does look a lot like the Rialto in Joliet, Illinois. Have they completed work on restoration of marquee?I remember walking downtown at night deciding on which movie we would see and “Taming of the Shrew” was playing at the Loew’s Teck,“Barefoot in The Park” was playing at the Cinema, and a Disney film was playing at the Century and “You Only Live Twice” was playing at the Shea’s.I now know that the large closed theatre without a marquee was the Paramount which closed in 1965.I do remember the Shea’s had a huge movie screen.Shea’s is in my top 20 favroite movie palace’s.
I believe “Dr Zhivago” also played the Capitol another MGM release. “Dr Zhivago” also was MGM’S biggest box-office hit 2nd only to “Gone With The Wind”. MGM big three were “Gone With The Wind”,“DR Zhivago” and “Ben Hur” in terms of Box Office. The Capitol was the flagship of Loews-MGM which controlled more talent than any studio in the history of motion pictures. I never had the pleasure of ever being in the Capitol but I did tour the MGM studio lot in 1967 when the lot was still intact. Lot 1 was where all the sound stages were, Lot 2 was across the street with all its backlot sets like the Andy Hardy Street, The New York Street,Esther Williams outdoor swimming pool,Meet Me in St Louis Street and Lot 3 which was down the street and contained jungle sets, western towns and WW11 European Street Sets. MGM had the best backlot in Hollywood and I have seen them all. If Sony purchased MGM it will be reunited with its historic Studio which consists only of Lot 1. IF Time Warner purchases MGM the studio will be reunited with its motion picture past. Time Warner owns the vast MGM pre 1986 film library. Its ironic because Sony wanted to purchase MGM back in the 1980’s and instead purchased Columbia Pictures.Many in the film industry will never forgive Kerkorian for detroying Hollywood’s greatest film studio.At least the Capitol died a grand lady showing MGM"s “2001:A Space Odyssey” an exclusive run reserved seat attraction.MGM the studio has been reduced from a roar to a meow and will never be the same.brucec
Scott I would love to see what the original Vertical sign looked like. You are correct the present vertical doesn’t match the scale of the theatre. At least they put a vintage vertical up. I don’t understand the thinking that goes into restoration projects are the marquees a second thought. The first impression you get of our beloved movie palaces is the marquee. Many cities such as Boston has horrible marquees in front of there restored theatres. Smaller cities have done a better job restoring some of there marquees than some of our bigger cities.brucec
I was at the grand re-opening of the El Capitan with the presentation of “The Rocketeer”. The best seats to view a movie at the El Cap is the mezzanine portion of the balcony.Disney’s original plan was to twin the theatre and call it the Boulevard. The LA Hisorical Society convinced Disney to restore it as a single screen and Disney is glad they did. Disney hold most of its premieres here and can do what they want and use the theatre to promote there films. I have never had a bad experience attending movies here over the years. I find the screen to be quite large in realtion to the theatre and it has fantastic sound.I always thought that each of the major studios should have each restored a theatre along the boulevard to showcase there films the way Disney does. I always thought Warner Bros with its huge release schedule should have taken the Pacific Theartre(Warner)and restored it and used it to showcase films and there premieres. Graumans Chinese accross the street is jointly owned by Paramount and Warner Bros so they have to rotate whos picture gets to play the main house.brucec
Scott I agree. The Coronado is beautiful. I went on the Chicago Conclave last year and the Coronado was one of the highlights.This theatre is in beautiful condition and it still has the feel of a movie palace.brucec
I saw “Whats UP Doc?” at the UA Cinema when it was a single screen in 1972. It doesn’t work that great as a twin so I never went back. Im surprised that its still operating since it was a UA house in the Stonestown Mall. Im surprised they haven’t built a megaplex since its a mall location.brucec
I just don’t think “Around The World in 80 DAyS” has held up very well through the years. Some films hold up well and some films don’t.It was a huge success when released and many a theatre were renovated such as the Mike Todd Theatre in Chicago which was also owned by Elizabeth Talylor for many years.I doubt very much it would be successful. At least it is being restored for its DVD release.“Van Helsing” will never be considered a classic. The years 1939,1940 produced some of the greatest films ever made.This is where art and commerce came together and the studio system was at its height. I know film buffs like movies for many different reasons and everyone has there personal favorites.It would be lovely if a great movie theatre showed classic films in the proper setting from all decades.brucec
The Del Mar had a beautiful neon Marquee which you could see for miles.I remember sitting through two matinee films along with the regular double bill. I believe the last film to play the Del Mar was MGM"s Where Eagles Dare. The Del Mar use to get all the Disney films and the admissiion price would be raised to 35 cents for children. A lot of wonderful memories in this large neigberhood house.brucec
I agree with you William on the UA Egyptian. I always noticed when I lived in LA in the 80’s and early 90’s that Pacific and Mann did a much better job maintaining there theatres compared to United Artists. Its to bad the Criterion was taken over by UA instead of another circuit after Moss stopped running the theatre.City planning should have kept one megaplex in Times Square and one on 42nd St.There will be no movies showing in Times Square which was once the Capitol of movie going.brucec
I saw Star Wars on opening night at the Coronet Theatre is San Francisco. It was truly an experience. Star Wars opened exclusively around the country and played many a single screen theatre for over a year. Sadly the exclusive runs and the big single screens are a thing of the past with a few exceptions. The Astor Plaza shouldn’t have to play the same film as the megaplex down the street. I think the studios open some films a little to wide where its not cost effective in relation to print costs. Many films could play on 2 screens rather than four in the same megaplex.Its all about the film gross in week #1 at the boxoffice.brucec
This theatre was called Century Theatres and was located on South Virginia St next to the Peppermill. The Midway Drive IN was located next to the Century Theatres. The ever expanding Peppermill deomolished the Drive In and The Century Theatres as part of there expansion. The complex started off as an single Screen Dome theatre called the Century 21 like the one in San Jose. The original Dome was split in two and additional theatres were added over the years.These theatres were the most popular in Reno for decades.brucec
I noticed the Empire is not on a list of theatres that will be toured on the Kansas City conclave.Is there a reason why?brucec
The Big Newport was built as a single screen and was never divided. Additional screens through the years were added to the existing single screen. The big screen has always been a draw and the industry should take note.brucec
Yes the Warner Hollywood (Mark Hellinger) (Times Square Church) was built as a Movie Palace but most of its life it was a top rank Broadway Musical Stage Theatre. That is the only reason it survived or it would have met the fate like the other Times Square Movie Palaces. It also has landmark status which the big Times Square Movie Palaces did not.Disney was interested in purchasing or leasing this theatre but the church has been reluctant to give it up.The Warner Hollywood is very ornate like the Large Movie Palaces.Broadway may return here one day but I doubt movies ever will.Times Sqaure top rank movie palaces The Roxy,Capitol,Paramount,
Warner(Strand),State,Rivoli,Criterion,Astor,Victoria are all gone. A few legit theatres that showed movies for a period Lunt-Fontanne,Palace,Broadway,Mark Hellinger(Church)are still with us.All the 42nd St theatres that have been restored New Amsterdam,American
Airlines(Selywn),Victory and creative re-use such as The Empire,Ford Center(elements of both Lyric and Apollo but really a new theatre).The Liberty and Times Square are awaiting some sort of renovation.All the 42nd Theatres were built for stage but a good deal of there life they were movie theatres showing 1st and 2nd run and porn but wouldn’t be in the same league as the Times Square Movie Palaces.
The Mayfair(Columbia,De Mille,Embassy 2,3,4)is still there but wasn’t in the same class as the other Times Square Movie Palaces.The only reason this building is still there is the income from the Billboards.The landlord wants 1 Million a year for the Mayfair Theatre which means movies are out. Does this theatre still have a stage? Many theatres of this size around 1500 tore out there stage to put in the larger screens for the roadshow pictures of the 1950’s and 1960’s. Again Loews Jersey is a movie palace which should be supported. The only big Movie Palaces left in NYC with the Exception of Radio City,Beacon,and Loews 175th St are found in the Bronx,Queens,and Brooklyn.brucec
In response to leases in Times Square. The Rivoli was owned by United Artists and sold the property for about 17 Million which they used to build a multiplex in NY/New Jersey area which probably has itself closed due to competition from the megaplex. Times Square leases were always expensive or they were owned by the the theatre companies. The land value in midtown is a little different than the land value on Broadway in Downtown LA. The movie palaces downtown are around due to lack in investment and development along broadway, It wasn’t by grand design. In fact LA focused on investing on the new downtown around Bunker Hill which saved all the buildings around Broadway. I think the time is coming where the city will start focusing on Broadway and the Spring St area which is the heart of the old downtown. I think this area should become a special investment zone and major credits given to restoring the major buildings in this area. I think LA should not build any new theatres and use the historic ones they have left. I realize that Times Square had economic realities but why didn’t they give air rights above the historic movie palaces that were left like they did with the historic broadway theatres in the area. Its amazing to me not one of the major movie palaces are left in Times Square. I guess because Radio City was saved the city thought that was enough. The Astor Plaza is getting all this print because its the last large single screen left in Times Sqaure. It wasn’t the best of the theatres Times Square once had but its the only one that is left.brucec
Its to bad the movie palaces in Times Square didn’t get the attention that the Astor Plaza is receiving. I heard very little when the Rivoli,Warner and State were torn down in the 1980’s. By the way Loews State was very successful right to the end. The best collection of movie palaces is on the the other broadway in LA. There are about 12 historic movie palaces still standing and many are in pretty good condition. The city of LA has designated this area as an historic theatre district. Here are the following historic theatres on Broadway in LA
1. United Artists
2. Orpheum
3 Rialto
4. Loews State
5. Globe
6. Los Angeles
7. Palace
8. Roxie
9. Arcade
10.Cameo
11.Million Dollar
12.Tower
Note: The Warner Downtown,Mayan,and Belasco are a few blocks away
Loews State was the most successful movie palace on the street and the Los Angeles the most beautiful. The Orpheum is in the best shape having finished a 4 million renovation a couple of years ago. The least successful movie palace on the street was the United Artists. The largest Downtown movie palace the Paramount was torn down in the 1960’s but wasn’t located on Broadway. It was the hispanic population that kept these theatres humming during 1960’s thru the 1980’s. I think a major focus should be in preserving this entertainment district that has survived all these years.brucec
I believe some money is coming from the state or city for this project. I can’t understand why a compromise in the name couldn’t be reached. I think its pretty tacky when this happens.Soon we will have Rite Aid City Hall or Walgrreens University. This is becoming an epidemic across the country and is becoming a turn off to large segments of the population.A more sensitive approach to naming rights needs to happen. I feel this gives corporate America a black eye not the desired effect they were looking for.brucec
The biggest problem the Alhambra had was parking. I think in later years it would have been more successful if parking hadn’t been so difficult. What a beautiful neighberhood movie palace. Its marquee is still a delight.brucec
The Wang is larger than the Waterbary Palace.I think when listing seating they should use original seating and then show current seating. Seating is always reduced when renovation or restoration occurs to allow for more leg room. Many theatres have expanded the lobbies into the back of the Auditorium such as the Oriental in Chicago. Original capacity of the Oriental was 3200 after renovation seating was reduced to aroung 2200.I propose the Wang restore its Vertical and canopy and its name. Possibly Wang’s Metropolitan. The current marquee is very boring. Radio City has a wonderful marquee as does the Fox Atlanta, Fox Detroit, Pantagees Hollywood,Paramount Oakland,Fox-Oakland,Portland Portland, Paramount Seattle, Chicago Chicago,Wiltern Los Angeles, Orpheum LA,State Minneapolis, Rialto Juliet,Castro San Francisco,etc….I feel a restored theatre that traces its roots back to the 1920’s is not complete unless it has a proper vertical and canopy marquee. It doesn’t have to be the origianl marquee in its history but at sometime in its history of 1920’s,1930’s,1940’s and 1950’s. Some theatres actually improved on there marquees. Neon is a must. The Great White Way didn’t get its name from plastic and some of the boring marquees that I see today.
Have they decided which name they are going to use for this theatre? I hope the BF Keith name is used such as BF Keith Opera House or BF Keith Memorial Opera House or whatever name is going to be used if clear channel sells the naming rights.I hope an electrical Vertical and canopy are retored to this theatre. Please don’t put a boring marquee like was done on the Wang. Remember the fun starts on the sidewalk. I know the theatre is going to be gorgeous after the restoration. Im very happy to see the Clear Channel is going to host The Nutcracker Ballet since the Wang is going with the Radio City Spectacular. I think the BF Keith Opera House will be more suitable for broadway shows and the Wang can concentrate on concerts and other programming.brucec
Correction the Cinerama Dome is still owned by Pacific Theatres this is there flagship operation. The Arc Light has wonderful programming such as the Director Series, AFI top 100 films,etc. This is an industry house. Its the Cinerama Dome that sets the complex apart from the others. The Arc Light complex is has top presentation and sound. The Arc Light has been successful but the Dome is its greatest asset. The Grove megaplex near the Farmers Market is more popular unless the film is playing in the Cinerama Dome. The Arc Light black box auditoriums had major input from the film industry where the Grove was built by an independent developer who wanted his theatre a little more upscale than the norm to match the upscale shopping center.The Grove pays homage to the old Hollywood including the uniforms worn by the employees. Pacific had the managing contract in running the Grove which became the top gossing megaplex in Southern California. In fact a bidding war broke out to purchase the Grove when the owner put the Theatre up for sale and Pacific who had ist choice to by it had to purchase the Grove for 25 Million.I think the film industry should take a good look at the Grove and build more megaplexe’s like it. Its to bad the Arc Light complex that includes the Cinerama Dome didn’t build it a bit more luxurious like the Grove and it would have been a bigger success.brucec
Its ironic that the Capitol showed its last film 2001 which was an MGM release in 1968. MGM which was controlled by Loews until 1959. With the destruction of the Capitol MGM also was never the same. 1968 was the last year MGM showed a profit on its movies as a major film studio. MGM went into a severe decline after this and has never recovered. MGM was purchased 3 times by KIRK Kerkorian starting in 1969. Under Kerkorian Hollywood’s greatest studio was reduced from a roar to a meow. Kerkorian has again placed MGM for sale but its a shadow of its former self. Its big asset is its huge film library of 4000 films which are mostly non MGM films. The real MGM is owned by Time Warner which owns all MGM films prior to 1986. Loews is also for sale. The destruction of the Capitol marked an end of an era the likes of which we will never see again.brucec
Warren this is correct. The current Radio City owneres haven’t even tested the viability of a limited stage and screen series during the summer. There could be a cross promotion between Cablevisions AMC movie channel and Radio City. Is the Disney Company the only distibutor left that knows a little bit about showmanship take a look at the small scale stage and screen at the El Capitan in Hollywood. Since the distributors make more money on DVD’s than the theatical run of the movie the Music Hall could be used for the new releases of classics and newer films as part of there promotion.Its amazing to me that two of the most successful movie palaces of all times Radio City and the Chicago Theatre are not being utilized to there full potential.The Music Hall could even be used for 1 week on the release of a new film such as Troy, Spiderman,Harry Potter,Alexander,Phantom of the Opera etc.This could be done without the stage show if necessary,because the distributor would want 90 per cent of the Box Office after the house expense. The point is the current owner Cablevision needs to try different things some may work and some may not.brucec