Although there are some ‘race’ issues in “PORGY”, they are no worse than many other older films such as “SOUTH PACIFIC”, “GONE WITH THE WIND” and “BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S”.
A PAL version from Spain is available but perhaps US rights are not. I know that in some cases the music and the film rights are owned by different companies who can’t agree on terms.
I saw “PORGY” at the Ziegfeld in 2007 and the print was fine.
https://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/porgy-and-bess-film-to-be-screened-at-nycs-ziegfel_11640.html
Thanks, bigjoe. From what I can tell, the most likely reason was a soft opening in NY or LA and/or poor reviews. The available venues were also a factor. Some cities had limited theatres that were practical for Roadshow use. For example, a prized booking at RADIO CITY was guarantee that the film would not Roadshow in NY since the place has so many seats plus a live show and a super-extended run was not practical. Some films went on to have successful runs even after poor advanced sales, so they proved to not be good Roadshow prospects after the first major markets failed to generate significant advanced sales. Near the end of the Roadshow era, studios had to re-evaluate the marketing costs and extended profit delays of Roadshow runs for films like “KRAKATOA”, “ROMEO & JULIET”, “THE LOVES OF ISADORA”, “CABARET” and “PATTON” since core movie-going audiences were getting younger and less likely to plan movie night in advance.
Also to note on Ed Solero’s eloquent post. Theatres have lives. Sometime many lives, and even better ones later than expected. And they are rich and memorable.
And so did movies, once. Especially Road Show movies that had long lives, many releases and then re-releases and revivals. I for one, am happy to include what happens to home versions of these film’s lives from bigjoe59 in our discussion.
If you check the photo section you will find an ad posted by Woody_London that shows this as the Rick “NIELSON”, not “NELSON”. I checked other ads in the Village Voice from 1989 and can confirm they have the same spelling.
Yes, the 19-plex is still listed but the CineBistro is not. Does anyone know if it ever opened at all in 2021 after the original Covid closing? I have been tracking Miami theatres since 1968, so matters to me. I hope we didn’t ruin your Christmas, Moose.
bigjoe, I have been keeping track of Manhattan screens rather than theatres or seats. I show 237 screens currently operating, down from a high of 266 in 2001. The highest theatre count year would be 1940 with 227 theatres. The all-time screen count is around 1215 since around 1915. The nickelodeon count prior to that is pretty murky. Purpose built theatres and conversions like the 34th street East, are included. Allowing for name changes and fly by night porn houses, the all-time theatre count would be closer to 600.
Although there are some ‘race’ issues in “PORGY”, they are no worse than many other older films such as “SOUTH PACIFIC”, “GONE WITH THE WIND” and “BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S”.
A PAL version from Spain is available but perhaps US rights are not. I know that in some cases the music and the film rights are owned by different companies who can’t agree on terms.
I saw “PORGY” at the Ziegfeld in 2007 and the print was fine. https://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/porgy-and-bess-film-to-be-screened-at-nycs-ziegfel_11640.html
Still advertised this way.
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/1068/photos/369194
Their ad in the New York Times Says FILM CENTER. Stop it.
Thanks, bigjoe. From what I can tell, the most likely reason was a soft opening in NY or LA and/or poor reviews. The available venues were also a factor. Some cities had limited theatres that were practical for Roadshow use. For example, a prized booking at RADIO CITY was guarantee that the film would not Roadshow in NY since the place has so many seats plus a live show and a super-extended run was not practical. Some films went on to have successful runs even after poor advanced sales, so they proved to not be good Roadshow prospects after the first major markets failed to generate significant advanced sales. Near the end of the Roadshow era, studios had to re-evaluate the marketing costs and extended profit delays of Roadshow runs for films like “KRAKATOA”, “ROMEO & JULIET”, “THE LOVES OF ISADORA”, “CABARET” and “PATTON” since core movie-going audiences were getting younger and less likely to plan movie night in advance.
Since no one else chimed in, I should mention that “MAGNIFICENT MEN” indeed did have a Philly Road Show run at the Trans-Lux.
I think Vindapar was referring to this billboard. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/216313588321883894/
Also to note on Ed Solero’s eloquent post. Theatres have lives. Sometime many lives, and even better ones later than expected. And they are rich and memorable.
And so did movies, once. Especially Road Show movies that had long lives, many releases and then re-releases and revivals. I for one, am happy to include what happens to home versions of these film’s lives from bigjoe59 in our discussion.
According to Variety “HAWAII” grossed $13.4 million first-run, so with auxiliary sales I am sure it eventually made a profit.
Thank you for this PeterApruzzese.
Thank you, Decoman. The last one worked as well. That brought back many happy memories.
bigjoe, “Show Boat” opened at the Globe.
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/2924
New Plaza programming;
https://newplazacinema.org/
Showed movies in 1919-1920.
If you check the photo section you will find an ad posted by Woody_London that shows this as the Rick “NIELSON”, not “NELSON”. I checked other ads in the Village Voice from 1989 and can confirm they have the same spelling.
“Shouting back theatre abruptly closes.”
https://usmail24.com/the-shouting-back-theater-abruptly-closes-and-brooklyn-mourns/
I think “A MAN AND A WOMAN” holds that record. Page 13 has the 20th Century list.
Could it be a temporary Covid break-out cleaning they do not want to broadcast? Restaurants and Walmart are doing that.
The Regal website shows it as open and selling advanced tickets for several new films up to a January 26 showing of Casablanca.
Yes, the 19-plex is still listed but the CineBistro is not. Does anyone know if it ever opened at all in 2021 after the original Covid closing? I have been tracking Miami theatres since 1968, so matters to me. I hope we didn’t ruin your Christmas, Moose.
This appears to be temporarily closed.
In the New Broadway Triplex Theatres.
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/2975/photos/320050
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/2975/photos/319987
Still operating.
https://www.regmovies.com/theatres/regal-bricktown-charleston/1419#/buy-tickets-by-cinema?in-cinema=1419&at=2021-11-13&view-mode=list
bigjoe, I have been keeping track of Manhattan screens rather than theatres or seats. I show 237 screens currently operating, down from a high of 266 in 2001. The highest theatre count year would be 1940 with 227 theatres. The all-time screen count is around 1215 since around 1915. The nickelodeon count prior to that is pretty murky. Purpose built theatres and conversions like the 34th street East, are included. Allowing for name changes and fly by night porn houses, the all-time theatre count would be closer to 600.