Here is for comparison a sample of some of the highly-anticipated films from the spring and summer of 1977 followed by the opening-week number of engagements for each: “A Bridge Too Far” (400+), “The Deep” (800+), “Exorcist II: The Heretic” (700+), “New York, New York” (400+), “Orca” (700+), “The Other Side Of Midnight” (500+), “Rollercoaster” (400+), “Smokey And The Bandit” (300+), and “The Spy Who Loved Me” (200+).
Star Wars is a post-Jaws release so it did not have months of exclusive runs. Opening May 25, 1977 the first weekend was 43 national engagements, a few more were added in the next weeks, and 100 new theaters were added in the fourth week. By August and September there were just over 1,000 theaters showing it.
The Selwyn Theatre was restored and renovated by the Roundabout Theatre company and re-opened on July 27, 2000 with a production of “The Man Who Came To Dinner” starring Nathan Lane. It was renamed for its generous benefactor, American Airlines.
I finally saw a pristine print of Oklahoma! last night at the Farmingdale Multiplex and it was worth the wait. The only other time I saw that movie was here during a revival program. As I said back in 2012:
As to the illustration currently shown above (Broadway Comes to Broadway) I saw Oklahoma during that series. It was in the upstairs theater, formerly the balcony with a nicely tapered rake and a gorgeous ceiling.
The Oklahoma print, however, was atrocious — completely faded to pink as (Eastmancolor?) tends to do. What a disappointment, as it was my first time seeing the movie. I didn’t go back for any other films in the series.
(And what happened to that photo Broadway Comes to Broadway?)
Maybe Reade is the original leaseholder and all subsequent operators were sub-lessees.
According to Wikipedia (I know, I know…!) “The Walter Reade Organization] filed for bankruptcy in 1977, emerging four years later. Columbia Pictures purchased 81% of the organization in 1981, buying the company completely in 1985, but later sold it to the Cineplex Odeon Corporation on June 26, 1987.
Theater is closed. Marquee says “closed. New theater coming soon.”
I believe the building is coming down and a new one will be erected.
Time to get some photos of the old girl, especially with the current marquee.
Ed…?
The outside looked great, the inside seemed a little bland.
Any reports on the 70mm showing of The Hateful Eight?
I just did the same search and it’s there. The site gives “open” theaters first, but click the tab “all theaters” and voila!
I’m surprised to hear that Radio City presented a re-release as a regular presentation, and with a stage show no less…!
Did it EVER play here?
Myron, we here have known about its closing since Ed Solero’s post back on July 7, 2014, nearly 18 months ago…
I’d like to hear some reports about the round-the-clock opening weekend of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
How did the exhibit go?
Here is for comparison a sample of some of the highly-anticipated films from the spring and summer of 1977 followed by the opening-week number of engagements for each: “A Bridge Too Far” (400+), “The Deep” (800+), “Exorcist II: The Heretic” (700+), “New York, New York” (400+), “Orca” (700+), “The Other Side Of Midnight” (500+), “Rollercoaster” (400+), “Smokey And The Bandit” (300+), and “The Spy Who Loved Me” (200+).
Star Wars is a post-Jaws release so it did not have months of exclusive runs. Opening May 25, 1977 the first weekend was 43 national engagements, a few more were added in the next weeks, and 100 new theaters were added in the fourth week. By August and September there were just over 1,000 theaters showing it.
Interesting site with a lot of detail here.
The Selwyn Theatre was restored and renovated by the Roundabout Theatre company and re-opened on July 27, 2000 with a production of “The Man Who Came To Dinner” starring Nathan Lane. It was renamed for its generous benefactor, American Airlines.
I’ll be here Wednesday night for An American in Paris.
Kind of bittersweet…
Wow thanks a lot buddy
Jo, how do you get italics into your comment?
Formerly Foxwoods, now Lyric…
If you’re in Time Square to see Star Wars, won’t you be seeing it at the Ziegfeld?
I think this is called the PlayStation Theater now…
Ugh. How far can you get from “Loew’s” and “Astor” and “Plaza”
Plus, the Paris and City Cinemas have bargain matinees.
Is this where the recent republican debate was held?
I finally saw a pristine print of Oklahoma! last night at the Farmingdale Multiplex and it was worth the wait. The only other time I saw that movie was here during a revival program. As I said back in 2012:
(And what happened to that photo Broadway Comes to Broadway?)
Ziggy, welcome to CT, but you’ve only been here one day. You’d be surprised at how much an awful lot of people around here know about things.
Saturday night at the movies,
Who cares what picture you see
when you’re huggin' with your baby
in the last row in the balcony?
Maybe Reade is the original leaseholder and all subsequent operators were sub-lessees.
According to Wikipedia (I know, I know…!) “The Walter Reade Organization] filed for bankruptcy in 1977, emerging four years later. Columbia Pictures purchased 81% of the organization in 1981, buying the company completely in 1985, but later sold it to the Cineplex Odeon Corporation on June 26, 1987.
Death knell? (spelled with a k) Maybe, maybe not.
But if the Ziegfeld could talk, I’d hope it would quote Mark Twain: “The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”