Why cant multiplex patrons behave as well as a "Jersey" audience? I hate to think what a Jersey patron would do to a cell phone user during a show.Its all about civility-and the right of a patron to enjoy a show in the manner that it is supposed to be.
Saw the “Sound Of Music” at the Sat. Dec 9th screening at the Jersey.What can I say. Another first rate presentation. There were a few minor glitches during the first few minutes, but nothing too serious.Went with my mother and my friend Phil Phil. There is absolutely no way I can ever enjoy this movie on TV again after seeing it on the big screen. We were all impressed by the presentation and the very well behaved audience. I think the Jersey should begin a new holiday tradition and screen this movie every year at this time.Truly excellent entertainment, especially when viewed in light of today`s hard sell high concept so called family fare.
Yeah John, remember “The Godfather” at the Oriental very well. Went on a Sunday night in May of 1972 with my friend Mike McG-don`t want to reveal his last name, and his brother Sean.Since they are Irish, I had to tell them what all those Italian expressions ment! The theater was so packed that we had to sit in the first row, center stage.A great night at the movies.
Incredible-isn`t it. Parking was never an issue for the almost 70 years the Oriental was open for. They just gave up on it, gutted it and opened a Marshalls.I quess the future of Bensonhurst will be more stores and many, many more of those so-called “Cookie Cutter” houses that are spreading like wild mushrooms throughout the neighborhood on almost every vacant lot there is. Call it “borough improvement” if you like. I call it a blight-and an eyesore that is even worse than the closed Oriental theater and the surrounding stores that were near it.The nearest theaters that are still open are the UA Sheepshead and the Alpine. The less said about these, the better.
The “Sound Of Music”?– Cloyingly cute, cliched, syrupy , sugary, saccharine, another “Mary Poppins-esque turn by Miss Andrews, long and somewhat predictable. Yet, for some reason I absolutely LOVE this movies, its songs and the beautiful photography. When I see it at the Jersey{and I`m looking foward to it}it will be the first time that I will see it on the big screen. Should be a helluva show!
Thanks again Jersey for the showing of “2001”– absolutely first rate in every respect. Probably the best print of this film that I`ve ever seen.Also, thanks for the apperance of Mr. Dullea for the film. Made a landmark film even better. As anybody reading this posting probably knows, this was a seminal film and is likely to remain so for quite a while.I hate to use cliches, but this show and experience was out of this world. The ultimate trip{to the Jersey}.
Davebazooka… Finally I find someone who agrees with me on “ET”! Obviously I am NOT the only one who finds this trite overrated piece of drek to be the lousy film that it is! Even my 9 year old nephew hates it! He prefers to watch Star Wars instead. Can1t wait to introduce him to 2001 in the near future. Prehaps Forbidden Planet was not a great film, but it had a big budget that showed on the screen, an interesting story and cast and an electronic score that was ahead of its time.
Friends, Romans, countrymen, etc,etc, etc, Lets stop the personal attacks and senseless accusations. This is a website devoted to theaters and infomation on them be it past or present.After all, we did have enough of that during the election campaign with all those cheap and negative ads from the politicos from BOTH parties! Lets not carry that over to Cinema Treasures!
Good thing “ET” is being showed for the afternoon matinee on 11-18. I absolutely hate this film and I do not even consider it to be si-fi.I know I probably get a lot of heat for this but I found this film to be cheesy, schmaltzy and highly manipulative . I guess that “Forbidden Planet” would have been a better choice, but since I do not run the programming at the Jersey,what can I say? Do intend to see “2001” the film that almost singlehandedly raised si fi from a Saturday matinee genre to serious filmmaking. I`m sure it will be a treat to see this intelligent and awesome film at the Jersey on the big screen.
Well, well, well. It FINALLY looks like the proper authorities have seen the KINGS in all its {still existing} glory. There may be issues, but according to the NY Daily News article on 10-31-06 and other recent posts, it seems that this majestic theater will rise like a phoenix from its current state and be the showplace that it SHOULD be!
Ed Solero… Got me on that! As far as I can recall, the Benson never played porn after it was twinned, but maybe the show being advertised was a sorf-core porn film with a very glorified X rating.Also, as far as I can remember, the twinned Benson theater was always called the Benson. I never did go to it after it was twinned, but as an avid movie and theater fan, I generally kept up with what was happening on the local theater scene.I do remember some Italian films being shown here, but I can not say for sure what they were.
Ed Solero… When the Benson re opened as a twin, it never showed porn at either theater inside. That dubious honor went to the nearby Deluxe that started to show porn late in 1974 after they showed a re release of “Gone With The Wind”.I did go to see it at the Deluxe wich was a well kept and clean `nabe at the time. A lot of people were angry about the porn as some of these posting can attest, but the manager could not care less and the Deluxe kind of went down hill after that. And, no, I never did go there while it was a porn house.
Sea Beacher… Almost forgot about the rockn roll films!Did see "The Harder They Come" and a pink Floyd film here , pre porn of course. Cant remember the name of the Pink Floyd film, but if memory serves, it was filmed in ancient Roman ruins somewhere in Italy.
Sea Beacher…. Remember the “Apes” marathon very well.I saw them at the Walker theater because I always hated to go to the Benson. Also in the summer of 1972, the Walker had a James Bond marathon.They had “Dr. No”, “From Russia With Love”, “Goldfinger” asnd “Thunderball” on the same show. As far as I`m concerned, these were the best Bond films out of all of them. Went to see them on a Saturday. Murder on my rear end, but a great show nonetheless.
That hobby shop is also long gone too. Too bad, it was a great store and the owner had a nice display of assembled models- mostly ships and planes on display inside the store.
DFC… The Benson stopped showing porn when it re opened as a twin in April 1975. The Elgin was a revival theater in NY that showed classic films.I can not comment on “Magical Mystery Tour” because I never was a Beatles fan. As a matter of fact, I hated them.Your ad seems to be from some time in 1974 when the Benson was a single theater. And speaking of the Elgin, this was a small theater that kind of resembled the De Luxe in Brooklyn.Can`t say how long it lasted as a classic showplace, but many years ago it opened as a dance theater- or something and was re named Joyce. The art- deco style marquee still stands.
Yankee Mike… it WAS a great idea, but I guess the community was not ready for it. I guess the Bensonhurst rationale was “why should I pay to see these movies if I can see them for free on TV or rent them at a video store”. I guess some people- myself not included are just content to stay home and watch them. As far as I`m concerned, I will pay to see classic films at a revival theater as long as the theater is nice{think Jersey} and the presentation is first rate.There just is no comparing the two. I quess that is what being a film buff and a theater buff is all about.
DFC….The Benson showed porn for a short time in the early 70s until it was twinned in the spring of 1975. The Deluxe showed “straight” films until late in 1974 when it went porn.The last legitimate film to play at the Deluxe was a 1974 re release of “Gone with the Wind” in early November of that year. Before years end, it was a porn house.Several civic groups and a few concerned citizens{mostly mothers} were joined by local priests and rabbis to protest, but that came to nothing. That was a shame because the Deluxe was a nice well kept and clean theater until then. They always got a good turnout for weekend shows and generally showed 2 movies.It continued to show porn until about 1997 or 1998 when it was finally closed.The place was an eyesore and I cringed every time I passed it, especially when I remembered all the good times I spent there.There never was any concern to re open it or modernize it due to the apathy of a then changing community. Someboby did come foward and offered to make a deal with the proper authorities to "clean it up" and possibly have community theater of show films on a limited basis, but nothing ever came of it. One of the intriuging possibilities discussed was to have weekend "nostalgia night at the movies" where 2 classic films and a few cartoons would be played, but, alas, it was a no-go. That might have saved the Deluxe, but due to its design, the theater could have never been made into a multiplex. It would have een just to small to be profitable, and the newcomers to America and the neighborhood were not moviegoers anyway.
There was a small deli right next to the Benson, but the better one was across the street on 86th.St off 20th. Av. called “Hy Tulip” and had some of the best Kosher food ANYWHERE!. Unfortunately it closed several years ago only to be replaced by a clothing store.And DFC is right. The socially conservative Italian and Jewish residents did raise a fuss when the Benson and the nearby Deluxe started to show porn. I remember a few protests by concerned citizens{mostly mothers and some clergy} but it came to nothing. Now this neighborhood is predominately Russian, Polish, Arabic and Oriental and not even one theater is left. How times change!
Went to the Jersey for the Sat.9-23 showing of Hitchcocks "Vertigo". The presentation - a restored version was first rate, even though the sound seemed kind of low.The audience was absolutely magnificent- possibly the best Ive ever seen at this theater. There was a crying baby, but thank goodness he was quiet for the rest of the film. Even though I rank the “Master of Suspense” as among my favorite directors, this was the first time I ever saw this film in its entirety. Absolutely challenging and thought provoking. Jimmy Stewart was in fine form as was Kim Novak.It wa treat to see this film on the big screen, and it was even better to see it at an equally impressive theater. With all the winners of the summer- and the ones that are soon to be released, I`m glad the Jersey is finally open for the season.
To all the recent posters. I quess the point is moot. Wether or not you want to see a movie on a Christian, Jewish, Hindu or Muslim holiday derpends on the viewer. As a Catholic- albeit it a non practicing one, I have attended shows on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter in the past.After all, this is America and we DO have a seperation of church and state. Isn`t that better than Iran or Iraq where no such thing is allowed? The point of the matter is that the viewer should use his or her own discretion.Go to a movie if you want to on whatever day the showing happens to fall on.
Thank you Warren. Great research.The drawing speaks for itself.
Why can
t multiplex patrons behave as well as a "Jersey" audience? I hate to think what a Jersey patron would do to a cell phone user during a show.Its all about civility-and the right of a patron to enjoy a show in the manner that it is supposed to be.Saw the “Sound Of Music” at the Sat. Dec 9th screening at the Jersey.What can I say. Another first rate presentation. There were a few minor glitches during the first few minutes, but nothing too serious.Went with my mother and my friend Phil Phil. There is absolutely no way I can ever enjoy this movie on TV again after seeing it on the big screen. We were all impressed by the presentation and the very well behaved audience. I think the Jersey should begin a new holiday tradition and screen this movie every year at this time.Truly excellent entertainment, especially when viewed in light of today`s hard sell high concept so called family fare.
Yeah John, remember “The Godfather” at the Oriental very well. Went on a Sunday night in May of 1972 with my friend Mike McG-don`t want to reveal his last name, and his brother Sean.Since they are Irish, I had to tell them what all those Italian expressions ment! The theater was so packed that we had to sit in the first row, center stage.A great night at the movies.
Incredible-isn`t it. Parking was never an issue for the almost 70 years the Oriental was open for. They just gave up on it, gutted it and opened a Marshalls.I quess the future of Bensonhurst will be more stores and many, many more of those so-called “Cookie Cutter” houses that are spreading like wild mushrooms throughout the neighborhood on almost every vacant lot there is. Call it “borough improvement” if you like. I call it a blight-and an eyesore that is even worse than the closed Oriental theater and the surrounding stores that were near it.The nearest theaters that are still open are the UA Sheepshead and the Alpine. The less said about these, the better.
The “Sound Of Music”?– Cloyingly cute, cliched, syrupy , sugary, saccharine, another “Mary Poppins-esque turn by Miss Andrews, long and somewhat predictable. Yet, for some reason I absolutely LOVE this movies, its songs and the beautiful photography. When I see it at the Jersey{and I`m looking foward to it}it will be the first time that I will see it on the big screen. Should be a helluva show!
Thanks again Jersey for the showing of “2001”– absolutely first rate in every respect. Probably the best print of this film that I`ve ever seen.Also, thanks for the apperance of Mr. Dullea for the film. Made a landmark film even better. As anybody reading this posting probably knows, this was a seminal film and is likely to remain so for quite a while.I hate to use cliches, but this show and experience was out of this world. The ultimate trip{to the Jersey}.
Davebazooka… Finally I find someone who agrees with me on “ET”! Obviously I am NOT the only one who finds this trite overrated piece of drek to be the lousy film that it is! Even my 9 year old nephew hates it! He prefers to watch Star Wars instead. Can1t wait to introduce him to 2001 in the near future. Prehaps Forbidden Planet was not a great film, but it had a big budget that showed on the screen, an interesting story and cast and an electronic score that was ahead of its time.
Friends, Romans, countrymen, etc,etc, etc, Lets stop the personal attacks and senseless accusations. This is a website devoted to theaters and infomation on them be it past or present.After all, we did have enough of that during the election campaign with all those cheap and negative ads from the politicos from BOTH parties! Lets not carry that over to Cinema Treasures!
Good thing “ET” is being showed for the afternoon matinee on 11-18. I absolutely hate this film and I do not even consider it to be si-fi.I know I probably get a lot of heat for this but I found this film to be cheesy, schmaltzy and highly manipulative . I guess that “Forbidden Planet” would have been a better choice, but since I do not run the programming at the Jersey,what can I say? Do intend to see “2001” the film that almost singlehandedly raised si fi from a Saturday matinee genre to serious filmmaking. I`m sure it will be a treat to see this intelligent and awesome film at the Jersey on the big screen.
The same we feel about people chattering away and text messaging on those obnoxious cell phones!
Well, well, well. It FINALLY looks like the proper authorities have seen the KINGS in all its {still existing} glory. There may be issues, but according to the NY Daily News article on 10-31-06 and other recent posts, it seems that this majestic theater will rise like a phoenix from its current state and be the showplace that it SHOULD be!
Ed Solero… Got me on that! As far as I can recall, the Benson never played porn after it was twinned, but maybe the show being advertised was a sorf-core porn film with a very glorified X rating.Also, as far as I can remember, the twinned Benson theater was always called the Benson. I never did go to it after it was twinned, but as an avid movie and theater fan, I generally kept up with what was happening on the local theater scene.I do remember some Italian films being shown here, but I can not say for sure what they were.
Robert R.. Thank you!
Ed Solero… When the Benson re opened as a twin, it never showed porn at either theater inside. That dubious honor went to the nearby Deluxe that started to show porn late in 1974 after they showed a re release of “Gone With The Wind”.I did go to see it at the Deluxe wich was a well kept and clean `nabe at the time. A lot of people were angry about the porn as some of these posting can attest, but the manager could not care less and the Deluxe kind of went down hill after that. And, no, I never did go there while it was a porn house.
Sea Beacher… Almost forgot about the rock
n roll films!Did see "The Harder They Come" and a pink Floyd film here , pre porn of course. Cant remember the name of the Pink Floyd film, but if memory serves, it was filmed in ancient Roman ruins somewhere in Italy.Sea Beacher…. Remember the “Apes” marathon very well.I saw them at the Walker theater because I always hated to go to the Benson. Also in the summer of 1972, the Walker had a James Bond marathon.They had “Dr. No”, “From Russia With Love”, “Goldfinger” asnd “Thunderball” on the same show. As far as I`m concerned, these were the best Bond films out of all of them. Went to see them on a Saturday. Murder on my rear end, but a great show nonetheless.
Will definately pass on that!
That hobby shop is also long gone too. Too bad, it was a great store and the owner had a nice display of assembled models- mostly ships and planes on display inside the store.
DFC… The Benson stopped showing porn when it re opened as a twin in April 1975. The Elgin was a revival theater in NY that showed classic films.I can not comment on “Magical Mystery Tour” because I never was a Beatles fan. As a matter of fact, I hated them.Your ad seems to be from some time in 1974 when the Benson was a single theater. And speaking of the Elgin, this was a small theater that kind of resembled the De Luxe in Brooklyn.Can`t say how long it lasted as a classic showplace, but many years ago it opened as a dance theater- or something and was re named Joyce. The art- deco style marquee still stands.
Yankee Mike… it WAS a great idea, but I guess the community was not ready for it. I guess the Bensonhurst rationale was “why should I pay to see these movies if I can see them for free on TV or rent them at a video store”. I guess some people- myself not included are just content to stay home and watch them. As far as I`m concerned, I will pay to see classic films at a revival theater as long as the theater is nice{think Jersey} and the presentation is first rate.There just is no comparing the two. I quess that is what being a film buff and a theater buff is all about.
DFC….The Benson showed porn for a short time in the early 70s until it was twinned in the spring of 1975. The Deluxe showed “straight” films until late in 1974 when it went porn.The last legitimate film to play at the Deluxe was a 1974 re release of “Gone with the Wind” in early November of that year. Before year
s end, it was a porn house.Several civic groups and a few concerned citizens{mostly mothers} were joined by local priests and rabbis to protest, but that came to nothing. That was a shame because the Deluxe was a nice well kept and clean theater until then. They always got a good turnout for weekend shows and generally showed 2 movies.It continued to show porn until about 1997 or 1998 when it was finally closed.The place was an eyesore and I cringed every time I passed it, especially when I remembered all the good times I spent there.There never was any concern to re open it or modernize it due to the apathy of a then changing community. Someboby did come foward and offered to make a deal with the proper authorities to "clean it up" and possibly have community theater of show films on a limited basis, but nothing ever came of it. One of the intriuging possibilities discussed was to have weekend "nostalgia night at the movies" where 2 classic films and a few cartoons would be played, but, alas, it was a no-go. That might have saved the Deluxe, but due to its design, the theater could have never been made into a multiplex. It would have een just to small to be profitable, and the newcomers to America and the neighborhood were not moviegoers anyway.There was a small deli right next to the Benson, but the better one was across the street on 86th.St off 20th. Av. called “Hy Tulip” and had some of the best Kosher food ANYWHERE!. Unfortunately it closed several years ago only to be replaced by a clothing store.And DFC is right. The socially conservative Italian and Jewish residents did raise a fuss when the Benson and the nearby Deluxe started to show porn. I remember a few protests by concerned citizens{mostly mothers and some clergy} but it came to nothing. Now this neighborhood is predominately Russian, Polish, Arabic and Oriental and not even one theater is left. How times change!
Went to the Jersey for the Sat.9-23 showing of Hitchcock
s "Vertigo". The presentation - a restored version was first rate, even though the sound seemed kind of low.The audience was absolutely magnificent- possibly the best Ive ever seen at this theater. There was a crying baby, but thank goodness he was quiet for the rest of the film. Even though I rank the “Master of Suspense” as among my favorite directors, this was the first time I ever saw this film in its entirety. Absolutely challenging and thought provoking. Jimmy Stewart was in fine form as was Kim Novak.It wa treat to see this film on the big screen, and it was even better to see it at an equally impressive theater. With all the winners of the summer- and the ones that are soon to be released, I`m glad the Jersey is finally open for the season.To all the recent posters. I quess the point is moot. Wether or not you want to see a movie on a Christian, Jewish, Hindu or Muslim holiday derpends on the viewer. As a Catholic- albeit it a non practicing one, I have attended shows on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter in the past.After all, this is America and we DO have a seperation of church and state. Isn`t that better than Iran or Iraq where no such thing is allowed? The point of the matter is that the viewer should use his or her own discretion.Go to a movie if you want to on whatever day the showing happens to fall on.