A few years ago the Ziegfeld used to program classic films to play for weeks during their down times. I guess the one-night-only special screenings are the next best thing, especially since I recently saw two exceptional ones there (“Tommy” and “Yellow Submarine”).
The next time Clearview’s website has something showing at the Ziegfeld is a screening of Mommie Dearest, with special guest Lisa Lampanelli, on June 21st. Hard to believe, with all the summer blockbusters coming out between now and then, that the Ziegfeld won’t be showing any of them. Rock of Ages would be a perfect fit for the Ziegfeld.
All nonstop flights from Newark NJ to LA are already booked up for the last weekend in September. I did some pre-planning on the off-chance they’ll be showing “The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm”.
Will “The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm” be part of the Cinerama event in September? I’ve heard all kinds of rumors saying yes and no, but nothing definite. Thanks, Mr. Sittig.
I’m sitting in the front row of the Ziegfeld right now, waiting for Yellow Submarine to begin. There are lots of expectant Beatles fans behind me. NYC, we can’t let this beautiful theater die!
Luis, I hope you are right about the billionaire! I was just going to say we need a billionaire to come to the rescue the way Microsoft’s Paul Allen saved the Seattle Cinerama Theatre. Heck, if I were a billionaire, New York City would have a permanent Cinerama installation at the Ziegfeld.
Click here to see a photo of the Ziegfeld from the 22nd floor of the New York Hilton across the street. Behind the Ziegfeld, you can see the front of another survivor, City Center.
Giles: I saw “Tommy” on Monday night and it was a DCP, but it looked and sounded great. I felt like I was back in 1975, when I saw that movie three times at the Ziegfeld, in “Quintaphonic Sound”.
DEFG, where did you go? I hope you’re not gone from the site for good. Your photos were a real treasure trove, and the information in your posts was a great addition to Cinema Treasures.
I saw “2001” in digital at Film Forum in New York last month, and was very pleasantly surprised at how good it looked. Of course that screen was about one-fourth the size of the one at the Dome, and not curved.
JSA and/or Danny: If you do go on Sunday, I’ll be eagerly looking forward to your opinion.
Thanks, RogerA. I did notice the barrel distortion the last time I saw Cleopatra, especially when King Ptolemy enters (first scene in Alexandria). In 2001, there’s at least one shot of the cockpit of the Aries shuttle (from the space station to the moon base) that has that same kind of look.
Thanks a lot, DEFG. We appreciate the hard work you’re doing to get all this great stuff posted. That picture of “Cleopatra”’s title card on the Ziegfeld screen is my new favorite photo.
DEFG: I’d never heard about “2001” using Todd-AO until this week, first in a Wikipedia article about Cinerama and now from you. Do you have any idea which scene or scenes they might have been? I know one shot of an exploding galaxy during the Star Gate sequence was shot in New York City. All the rest of it, I always assumed was shot in England. Thanks for sharing your knowledge (and your photos – they’re really amazing) with us!
I still remember the fine performance John Derek gave in “Exodus”, and millions will see him play Joshua when ABC shows DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments” this Saturday night.
“2001” will be playing here in digital format on April 15th. If anyone goes, could you please report back about the show? I’m curious whether a digital picture could compare to 70mm and successfully fill that huge screen, unless they’re only using part of it. Thanks.
A few years ago the Ziegfeld used to program classic films to play for weeks during their down times. I guess the one-night-only special screenings are the next best thing, especially since I recently saw two exceptional ones there (“Tommy” and “Yellow Submarine”).
Thanks, mhvbear. That is good news. Whether the movie is good or not, at least there’s a movie playing there.
And the writing on the back wall can be seen in the photo:
LOEW’S THEATRE
The Home of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures
You can still see it even today, but it’s badly faded.
The next time Clearview’s website has something showing at the Ziegfeld is a screening of Mommie Dearest, with special guest Lisa Lampanelli, on June 21st. Hard to believe, with all the summer blockbusters coming out between now and then, that the Ziegfeld won’t be showing any of them. Rock of Ages would be a perfect fit for the Ziegfeld.
I saw the 4K Ben-Hur at Lincoln Center in NYC last October on a 50-ft. screen, and it looked indistinguishable from 70mm (to me, anyway).
Mr. Sittig: Thanks for answering all the questions! To paraphrase Chris Utley, I’ll still keep hope alive for The Brothers Grimm, though.
All nonstop flights from Newark NJ to LA are already booked up for the last weekend in September. I did some pre-planning on the off-chance they’ll be showing “The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm”.
Will “The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm” be part of the Cinerama event in September? I’ve heard all kinds of rumors saying yes and no, but nothing definite. Thanks, Mr. Sittig.
Fantastic show. Beatles recordings never sounded better. I even got to shake hands with the film’s producer, Al Brodax.
A perfect demonstration of what makes the Ziegfeld such a special place.
I’m sitting in the front row of the Ziegfeld right now, waiting for Yellow Submarine to begin. There are lots of expectant Beatles fans behind me. NYC, we can’t let this beautiful theater die!
Robert Osborne and Spike Lee introducing “To Kill a Mockingbird”.
Luis, I hope you are right about the billionaire! I was just going to say we need a billionaire to come to the rescue the way Microsoft’s Paul Allen saved the Seattle Cinerama Theatre. Heck, if I were a billionaire, New York City would have a permanent Cinerama installation at the Ziegfeld.
Click here to see a photo of the Ziegfeld from the 22nd floor of the New York Hilton across the street. Behind the Ziegfeld, you can see the front of another survivor, City Center.
Jeff: Looks like you’re right. Yellow Submarine on 5/5 will also be a DCP.
Luis: Your idea about landmark status for the Ziegfeld might be the only way to save it. I should’ve known this day would come sooner or later.
Giles: I saw “Tommy” on Monday night and it was a DCP, but it looked and sounded great. I felt like I was back in 1975, when I saw that movie three times at the Ziegfeld, in “Quintaphonic Sound”.
DEFG, where did you go? I hope you’re not gone from the site for good. Your photos were a real treasure trove, and the information in your posts was a great addition to Cinema Treasures.
I saw the Moody Blues in concert here last night, and was very impressed by the band and also by the theatre. Just beautiful.
I saw “2001” in digital at Film Forum in New York last month, and was very pleasantly surprised at how good it looked. Of course that screen was about one-fourth the size of the one at the Dome, and not curved.
JSA and/or Danny: If you do go on Sunday, I’ll be eagerly looking forward to your opinion.
Thanks, RogerA. I did notice the barrel distortion the last time I saw Cleopatra, especially when King Ptolemy enters (first scene in Alexandria). In 2001, there’s at least one shot of the cockpit of the Aries shuttle (from the space station to the moon base) that has that same kind of look.
Thanks a lot, DEFG. We appreciate the hard work you’re doing to get all this great stuff posted. That picture of “Cleopatra”’s title card on the Ziegfeld screen is my new favorite photo.
DEFG: I’d never heard about “2001” using Todd-AO until this week, first in a Wikipedia article about Cinerama and now from you. Do you have any idea which scene or scenes they might have been? I know one shot of an exploding galaxy during the Star Gate sequence was shot in New York City. All the rest of it, I always assumed was shot in England. Thanks for sharing your knowledge (and your photos – they’re really amazing) with us!
I still remember the fine performance John Derek gave in “Exodus”, and millions will see him play Joshua when ABC shows DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments” this Saturday night.
“2001” will be playing here in digital format on April 15th. If anyone goes, could you please report back about the show? I’m curious whether a digital picture could compare to 70mm and successfully fill that huge screen, unless they’re only using part of it. Thanks.
Thanks, Ed! I’ll be using that from now on.
Click here for a picture of the Ziegfeld console in 1969.
Ed, thanks for reposting the link to the picture. I need to learn how to do that “Click Here” thing!