In the late 50’s and early 1960’s, when traveling up to “town” (London), I always visited a newsreel cinema. The larger train stations usually had a screen with an audience mainly comprised of lonely seniors, Sailors and Soldiers. But the programme always had a wonderful selection of short subject films and news articles from around the world. And Bob Danvers-Walker was the renowned voice of British Pathe' News along with the inevitable crowing rooster.
I also did a bit of shopping, saw a live show in the West End and ended my day with a couple of “wets” at a Pub. Then I had to run for the last train of the day back to Southampton. Ah, such happy memories days! I wish I’d had a camera then.
The attached video is sad but most interesting and professionally presented! Have the owners/leasers and City Father’s contacted Pasadena’s famous stars of show business, to join a fund raising program for its restoration?
Just watching this “preview” brings on the little tears… but to see this wonderful classic, on the big screen and in a historic cinema?… well, the tears of joy simply gush in torrents. This is a film I shall never tire of.
This beautiful 1929 theater was one of the five grand palaces built by William Fox. San Francisco foolishly allowed their magnificent 5,000 seat house fall to the wrecking ball in 1963! This video is fascinating and it’s good to see Stan Kahn at the Wurlitzer organ.
The early Edwards Theaters always had the most wonderful Neon marquees… which is what the cinema business was all about. Photos of past NYC cinemas are simply magnificent. I wish there was a publication dedicated to this subject.
Your stage has a most pleasant and colourful greeting for patrons as they enter and await the show to start! I have always appreciated cinemas who try that little bit harder to entertain the audience during the intermission, especially running the curtains and playing appropriate music. THANK YOU.
The story behind the new “Bamboo” curtains started when I was visiting the Chinese one morning with my (now late) friend and theater designer/historian Joseph Musil, along with Ron Mahan and El Capitan’s GM Ed Collins. We noticed how badly damaged the old curtains were. This was caused by the large bank of spotlights in the wing pockets. Upon returning to his (American Museum of Theatrical Design) studio in Santa Ana, Joe retrieved his huge collection of historical “Chinese” photos, plans and notes which he proudly showed me the original b&w pictures of the theater’s original curtains. Hence, everyone visiting the Chinese can now enjoy and what every professional theater should have and always use… CURTAINS… it’s what show business is all about!!!
After watching this rock video (in silence, thank you) I noted, in utter astonishment, at the staggering number of viewers -WOW!!!
Now here’s another brainwave/idea to help save and restore our countless historic theaters and cinemas in need of help… Charge these very rich movie and video making companies BIG BUCK$ to shoot their promos, etc.
This is a typical ongoing case of the big and GREEDY multiplexes, suffocating the little cinema owners into bankruptcy. And yet, the little guys are in show business for the love of it… unlike the boxy and dreary chains.
This is a similar shot to Gloria Swanson standing amongst the ruins of NYC’s staggering Roxie Theatre -once known (I think) as the “Cathedral of Theaters”.
Ross, you really hit the nail on the head with this ever-so-interesting and factual video. How about some more videos, especially about the ABC chain? Thanks.
my jealous envy causes me to drool at the striking colours and magnificent architectural opulence for generations of theater-goers to feast their eyes upon.
Thanks to Jack and Gary for yet another fascinating publication. The compilation of facts and historical photographs are a treasure for everyone’s library… and a great birthday/Christmas gift!
After wading through countless comments I found the fact, from Barbara Streisand herself, that she was not an employee of the Kings but as a very young patron. As her richly rewarded career has been in the field of music, perhaps she should be approached to donate the “greenbacks” to cover the cost of the returning pipe organ and its installation.
Ah, San Francisco, my FAVOURITE American city!!! I wonder which year this grand telephoto lens shot was taken? Also, if you look closely behind the Embassy’s blade, there is the United Artists Theater sign. This house was once owned by famed showman Sid Grauman. I managed to get an excellent picture of the UA, now known as the Market Street Cinema(s), by going to a much higher level floor across the road. Somewhat visible is the original facade with some old lighting fixtures on show.
With the declining attendance in many cinemas, this CT member feels that the current recession is a major factor, closely followed by grossly over priced admissions and the children-of-all-ages who are utterly obsessed with their cell phones and ipods during the the program. If EVERY theater owner/manager displayed zero tolerance with these constant offenders, by ejecting them without a refund, then more of us would return to buy tickets to an interference free show!!!
In the late 50’s and early 1960’s, when traveling up to “town” (London), I always visited a newsreel cinema. The larger train stations usually had a screen with an audience mainly comprised of lonely seniors, Sailors and Soldiers. But the programme always had a wonderful selection of short subject films and news articles from around the world. And Bob Danvers-Walker was the renowned voice of British Pathe' News along with the inevitable crowing rooster. I also did a bit of shopping, saw a live show in the West End and ended my day with a couple of “wets” at a Pub. Then I had to run for the last train of the day back to Southampton. Ah, such happy memories days! I wish I’d had a camera then.
The attached video is sad but most interesting and professionally presented! Have the owners/leasers and City Father’s contacted Pasadena’s famous stars of show business, to join a fund raising program for its restoration?
Now that Marquee, boys & girls, is absolutely eye-catching!
Just watching this “preview” brings on the little tears… but to see this wonderful classic, on the big screen and in a historic cinema?… well, the tears of joy simply gush in torrents. This is a film I shall never tire of.
This beautiful 1929 theater was one of the five grand palaces built by William Fox. San Francisco foolishly allowed their magnificent 5,000 seat house fall to the wrecking ball in 1963! This video is fascinating and it’s good to see Stan Kahn at the Wurlitzer organ.
My coffee got really cold while savoring these wonderful gems. Thank you for the beautiful photos as well as to those of you who saved history.
The early Edwards Theaters always had the most wonderful Neon marquees… which is what the cinema business was all about. Photos of past NYC cinemas are simply magnificent. I wish there was a publication dedicated to this subject.
Ah yes, those were the days of such grand premiers, when movie stars and fans were “dressed to the teeth” for a grand and memorable evening out!
Your stage has a most pleasant and colourful greeting for patrons as they enter and await the show to start! I have always appreciated cinemas who try that little bit harder to entertain the audience during the intermission, especially running the curtains and playing appropriate music. THANK YOU.
The story behind the new “Bamboo” curtains started when I was visiting the Chinese one morning with my (now late) friend and theater designer/historian Joseph Musil, along with Ron Mahan and El Capitan’s GM Ed Collins. We noticed how badly damaged the old curtains were. This was caused by the large bank of spotlights in the wing pockets. Upon returning to his (American Museum of Theatrical Design) studio in Santa Ana, Joe retrieved his huge collection of historical “Chinese” photos, plans and notes which he proudly showed me the original b&w pictures of the theater’s original curtains. Hence, everyone visiting the Chinese can now enjoy and what every professional theater should have and always use… CURTAINS… it’s what show business is all about!!!
I have some wonderful ‘live’ recordings, made by my late friend and organist Gene Gaynor, of the Wurlitzer(?) pipe organ.
After watching this rock video (in silence, thank you) I noted, in utter astonishment, at the staggering number of viewers -WOW!!! Now here’s another brainwave/idea to help save and restore our countless historic theaters and cinemas in need of help… Charge these very rich movie and video making companies BIG BUCK$ to shoot their promos, etc.
This is a typical ongoing case of the big and GREEDY multiplexes, suffocating the little cinema owners into bankruptcy. And yet, the little guys are in show business for the love of it… unlike the boxy and dreary chains.
Sister to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Theatre which is still in operation… thank heavens!
This is a similar shot to Gloria Swanson standing amongst the ruins of NYC’s staggering Roxie Theatre -once known (I think) as the “Cathedral of Theaters”.
My late friend, Joseph Musil, was manager of this lost-for-ever gem. He and friends worked very hard to present a live and memorable farewell show.
So professionally well researched, written, shot and presented… I truly felt I was there only for just a fleeting instant.
So beautiful a place but so sad a video to watch. My wife and I were proudly among the audience for the final curtain.
Ross, you really hit the nail on the head with this ever-so-interesting and factual video. How about some more videos, especially about the ABC chain? Thanks.
my jealous envy causes me to drool at the striking colours and magnificent architectural opulence for generations of theater-goers to feast their eyes upon.
Thanks to Jack and Gary for yet another fascinating publication. The compilation of facts and historical photographs are a treasure for everyone’s library… and a great birthday/Christmas gift!
After wading through countless comments I found the fact, from Barbara Streisand herself, that she was not an employee of the Kings but as a very young patron. As her richly rewarded career has been in the field of music, perhaps she should be approached to donate the “greenbacks” to cover the cost of the returning pipe organ and its installation.
The 1960 destruction of NYC’s awesome Roxie and the 1963 fabulous Fox in San Francisco was nothing else than out of control greed and insanity.
Ah, San Francisco, my FAVOURITE American city!!! I wonder which year this grand telephoto lens shot was taken? Also, if you look closely behind the Embassy’s blade, there is the United Artists Theater sign. This house was once owned by famed showman Sid Grauman. I managed to get an excellent picture of the UA, now known as the Market Street Cinema(s), by going to a much higher level floor across the road. Somewhat visible is the original facade with some old lighting fixtures on show.
With the declining attendance in many cinemas, this CT member feels that the current recession is a major factor, closely followed by grossly over priced admissions and the children-of-all-ages who are utterly obsessed with their cell phones and ipods during the the program. If EVERY theater owner/manager displayed zero tolerance with these constant offenders, by ejecting them without a refund, then more of us would return to buy tickets to an interference free show!!!