I totally agree, Sam83….“everyone needs to pay” for a ticket… everyone. (and this is coming from someone who is considered a “senior”)
If we truly appreciate something such as the Classic Movie program at the Lafayette we need to open up our wallets every time at the Lafayette box office.
Very quiet around here for a few years!!! Is the Summit officially “dead in the water” awaiting some local contractor to take over?
A true shame. I guess Union City has no need for this great little local cinema with the advent of the Secaucus and Ridgefield theaters many years ago.
I still think that whoever owns this property should take a “cue” from what the FOL is doing with the great Loewe’s Jersey at Journal Square. The Friends of Loews is keeping that theater quite viable!
Very well said, RHETT52 albeit a somewhat sad admission for me as well.
The former Big Screen Classic program was at its height when Nelson and Pete were running the show, so to speak. They always brought to the table films of various interest levels and styles which reflected the involvement of two people who really enjoyed their films.
I’m wondering if that’s still the case with the current management group who runs The Lafayette these days.
As you said, Nelson and Pete, whether it was with the Bond films, a tribute to Ray Harryhausen, a musical or two, the weekend animation festivals or… the Horror-Thon always brought to the Lafayette their unique perspective and wonderful cinematic variety.
It’s a true shame that the patrons of the Lafayette did not seem to appreciate the two showmen who were running the “Big Screen Classics” at the time and their sense of (dare I say it) “good old-fashioned fun” that they presented each weekend at the Lafayette. I guess if this were the case during the last couple of years of the “Big Screen Classics”, perhaps Nelson and Pete might have been able to turn a profit.
Does the Loews have the ability to run digital? I always thought they were a strictly 35mm house.
In any event the Loews is a venue that should be admired and supported in their efforts to keep a wonderful “movie palace” alive and well and for making an important chapter in film history available to us all.
Vidanpar,
Yes, there is a roadshow edition of Sand Pebbles (196 min. from 1966, I believe.) Not sure if the edition I saw at the Lafayette was newly – struck or an original from 1966 but it certainly was an almost flawless presentation. Robert Wise at the height of his directorial skills.
Hi JeffS and (a belated) thank you for your attention to and clarification of my neglect in my not giving attention when attention is due to Pete Apruzzese for his program contributions during the “good old days” of “Big Screen Classics”. Certainly not intentional on my part.
I just finished listening to excerpts from Elmer Bernstien’s score from “To Kill A Mockingbird” and this started me thinking about all of the great films that I saw for the first time on the big screen at the Lafayette. (The roadshow version of “The Sand Pebbles”, the Japanese version of the first “Godzilla” (Gojira), those great Harryhausen’s… to name a few)
Here’s a thought for the Christmas holidays… how about bringing back the 1951 Alastair Sim “A Christmas Carol” or “The Bishop’s Wife” ?
Point well taken, Mdvoskin. Personally I still enjoy the great Lafayette theater. I always made it a point to set aside a couple of hours every Saturday over the past ten years or so to attend the Film Classics series at least seven or eight times each season… but the films seemed a bit more “unusual” then, not the usual “cable classics” fare.
It seems that, to some degree Nelson’s absence is being sorely felt.
This is just speculation on my part, but the last time I visited the Loews there was some discussion of a “Sci-Fi Weekend” for the end of this month.
Any word on this yet?
So sorry to hear this! It was a great alternative to the mall theaters especially because they featured “classic” films.
Wishing the manager (and his daughter-in-law who helped run the establishment, I believe) well! I hope they find another, more lucrative way of bringing classic films to the masses who cannot always get to the Film Forum or the IFC center in New York.
Hi Altoblanco… “What does the Loews Jersey mean to me?” (Sorry, I don’t want this to sound like an elementary school “post-summer” creative writing essay !) But for all of us who love film, this question really should be answered.
For me, if I were to respond to this question with one word, it would have to be “heritage”, both “personal” and “communal”. As a resident of Hudson County for the first 31 years of my life, just about every weekend would find me on the #1 Boulevard bus on my way to Journal Square, final destination.. the great Loews Jersey! (and occasionally the Stanley and the State.) I find it more than a bit disturbing that “heritage” is a concept that has such little value these days. (just about now, I am imagining those cries of “nostalgia” or “why don’t you stop living in the past !”) But where would any community be without a sense of its history and a respect for the foundations of that community?
The Loews is one of those very few venues where I make it a point to attend not always for the films they present (although there have been some great programs such as the James Bond weekend, the Film Noir presentations and the early Sc-Fi Festivals) but just to sit and take in the surroundings of this grand architectural marvel! (a kind of “meditation” for me, if you will.)
Our Heritage needs to be preserved! (The FOL have done a wonderful job in this respect.)
Bob
Thanks, Movieguy for posting the Fall “Film Classics” schedule. Shaping up to be a very promising season. (On The Waterfront, Godfather II, Amadeus… who could ask for more?)
Perhaps I’m beating a “dead horse” but is there a chance for the return of the “Horror-thon” from a couple of seasons back ? One of my favorite film series at the Lafayette (although I guess I’m in the minority on this one.) but my guess is that it was not a very big money-maker for the Lafayette.
At one of the last screenings of the spring season, it was mentioned that an advance list for the fall “classics” is available… will that list be posted here ?
Thank You
Has “Little Shop of Horrors” been removed from this weekend’s “Classisc Film” schedule? The Lafayette web site mentions that the next film on this schedule is “Rebel Without A Cause” on June 7th.
Just got the e-mail on 3/26…. John Huston’s “The African Queen” (with Bogart and Hepburn) will be screened this Saturday at 7 P.M. at the Landmark Loews Jersey.
Thanks, FOL for that great 35mm presentation of “Jaws” this past weekend. One of those movies that just keeps getting better with time, especially on Loew’s huge screen. Very nice turnout for a film that did not recieve very much advance publicity.
Looking forward to the rest of February and March to see what surprises are in store for us.
NYCer,
In a year-end email from the Friends of Loew’s summarizing some of the great programs of 2013 one of the “frustrations” mentioned was that the government funding coming from Jersey City never seemed to materialize. (If I have my facts straight.)
Would this be the same funding/support for renovations mentioned in your post of Nov. 12 ?
Hi,
For those of us so inclined, the next Classic Film Weekend at the Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre will feature the following films:
-Friday, Feb. 19 – “Twelve Monkeys” (Terry Gilliam)
-Saturday, Feb. 20 – “Sullivan’s Travels” and
(all presented in 35 mm.)
I totally agree, Sam83….“everyone needs to pay” for a ticket… everyone. (and this is coming from someone who is considered a “senior”) If we truly appreciate something such as the Classic Movie program at the Lafayette we need to open up our wallets every time at the Lafayette box office.
Very quiet around here for a few years!!! Is the Summit officially “dead in the water” awaiting some local contractor to take over? A true shame. I guess Union City has no need for this great little local cinema with the advent of the Secaucus and Ridgefield theaters many years ago. I still think that whoever owns this property should take a “cue” from what the FOL is doing with the great Loewe’s Jersey at Journal Square. The Friends of Loews is keeping that theater quite viable!
Very well said, RHETT52 albeit a somewhat sad admission for me as well. The former Big Screen Classic program was at its height when Nelson and Pete were running the show, so to speak. They always brought to the table films of various interest levels and styles which reflected the involvement of two people who really enjoyed their films. I’m wondering if that’s still the case with the current management group who runs The Lafayette these days. As you said, Nelson and Pete, whether it was with the Bond films, a tribute to Ray Harryhausen, a musical or two, the weekend animation festivals or… the Horror-Thon always brought to the Lafayette their unique perspective and wonderful cinematic variety. It’s a true shame that the patrons of the Lafayette did not seem to appreciate the two showmen who were running the “Big Screen Classics” at the time and their sense of (dare I say it) “good old-fashioned fun” that they presented each weekend at the Lafayette. I guess if this were the case during the last couple of years of the “Big Screen Classics”, perhaps Nelson and Pete might have been able to turn a profit.
Hi mdvoskin,
Does the Loews have the ability to run digital? I always thought they were a strictly 35mm house. In any event the Loews is a venue that should be admired and supported in their efforts to keep a wonderful “movie palace” alive and well and for making an important chapter in film history available to us all.
Hi,
Any thoughts yet on the 2015 Ramapo Saturday Film Festival?
Vidanpar, Yes, there is a roadshow edition of Sand Pebbles (196 min. from 1966, I believe.) Not sure if the edition I saw at the Lafayette was newly – struck or an original from 1966 but it certainly was an almost flawless presentation. Robert Wise at the height of his directorial skills.
Hi JeffS and (a belated) thank you for your attention to and clarification of my neglect in my not giving attention when attention is due to Pete Apruzzese for his program contributions during the “good old days” of “Big Screen Classics”. Certainly not intentional on my part. I just finished listening to excerpts from Elmer Bernstien’s score from “To Kill A Mockingbird” and this started me thinking about all of the great films that I saw for the first time on the big screen at the Lafayette. (The roadshow version of “The Sand Pebbles”, the Japanese version of the first “Godzilla” (Gojira), those great Harryhausen’s… to name a few) Here’s a thought for the Christmas holidays… how about bringing back the 1951 Alastair Sim “A Christmas Carol” or “The Bishop’s Wife” ?
Congratulations to the FOL.
Great news indeed.
Point well taken, Mdvoskin. Personally I still enjoy the great Lafayette theater. I always made it a point to set aside a couple of hours every Saturday over the past ten years or so to attend the Film Classics series at least seven or eight times each season… but the films seemed a bit more “unusual” then, not the usual “cable classics” fare. It seems that, to some degree Nelson’s absence is being sorely felt.
This is just speculation on my part, but the last time I visited the Loews there was some discussion of a “Sci-Fi Weekend” for the end of this month. Any word on this yet?
So sorry to hear this! It was a great alternative to the mall theaters especially because they featured “classic” films. Wishing the manager (and his daughter-in-law who helped run the establishment, I believe) well! I hope they find another, more lucrative way of bringing classic films to the masses who cannot always get to the Film Forum or the IFC center in New York.
Hi Altoblanco… “What does the Loews Jersey mean to me?” (Sorry, I don’t want this to sound like an elementary school “post-summer” creative writing essay !) But for all of us who love film, this question really should be answered. For me, if I were to respond to this question with one word, it would have to be “heritage”, both “personal” and “communal”. As a resident of Hudson County for the first 31 years of my life, just about every weekend would find me on the #1 Boulevard bus on my way to Journal Square, final destination.. the great Loews Jersey! (and occasionally the Stanley and the State.) I find it more than a bit disturbing that “heritage” is a concept that has such little value these days. (just about now, I am imagining those cries of “nostalgia” or “why don’t you stop living in the past !”) But where would any community be without a sense of its history and a respect for the foundations of that community? The Loews is one of those very few venues where I make it a point to attend not always for the films they present (although there have been some great programs such as the James Bond weekend, the Film Noir presentations and the early Sc-Fi Festivals) but just to sit and take in the surroundings of this grand architectural marvel! (a kind of “meditation” for me, if you will.)
Our Heritage needs to be preserved! (The FOL have done a wonderful job in this respect.) Bob
Thanks, Movieguy for posting the Fall “Film Classics” schedule. Shaping up to be a very promising season. (On The Waterfront, Godfather II, Amadeus… who could ask for more?)
Perhaps I’m beating a “dead horse” but is there a chance for the return of the “Horror-thon” from a couple of seasons back ? One of my favorite film series at the Lafayette (although I guess I’m in the minority on this one.) but my guess is that it was not a very big money-maker for the Lafayette.
At one of the last screenings of the spring season, it was mentioned that an advance list for the fall “classics” is available… will that list be posted here ? Thank You
Any word yet as to what the films might be for next weekend, June 13 and 14 ?
Has “Little Shop of Horrors” been removed from this weekend’s “Classisc Film” schedule? The Lafayette web site mentions that the next film on this schedule is “Rebel Without A Cause” on June 7th.
Agreed, movieguy. “Glorious” is certainly the word for what the Loews does with their 35mm film programs!
Just got the e-mail on 3/26…. John Huston’s “The African Queen” (with Bogart and Hepburn) will be screened this Saturday at 7 P.M. at the Landmark Loews Jersey.
I know it’s way too early but, any thoughts as to what the Spring (weekend) Film Festival might bring ? Cabin feaver strikes again! R.I.P. Mr. Barker.
Very quiet (in terms of films) for the remainder of this month and into March… I hope all is well at this great theater.
Thanks, FOL for that great 35mm presentation of “Jaws” this past weekend. One of those movies that just keeps getting better with time, especially on Loew’s huge screen. Very nice turnout for a film that did not recieve very much advance publicity. Looking forward to the rest of February and March to see what surprises are in store for us.
Yes. “Jaws” will be screened this Sat., Feb 1 at 7 P.M.
Hello,
Any news/thoughts on the up-coming Classic Film Weekends at the Lafayette?
NYCer, In a year-end email from the Friends of Loew’s summarizing some of the great programs of 2013 one of the “frustrations” mentioned was that the government funding coming from Jersey City never seemed to materialize. (If I have my facts straight.) Would this be the same funding/support for renovations mentioned in your post of Nov. 12 ?