Comments from Luis Vazquez

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Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Teatro Radio City on Jun 29, 2008 at 1:41 pm

Does anyone know the current status of this theater?

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Cine Metropolitan on Jun 29, 2008 at 1:13 pm

Does any of the old theater ornamentation remain? Usually, when an old theater is turned into a night club, the old ornatmentation is a big part the the club’s decor and allure. This was especially true of New York’s big theaters turned trendy night clubs: Loew’s Commodore (The Saint), The Academy of Music (Palladium), The Forum (Club USA), Henry Miller (Xenon) and of course, Studio 54 which used to be the Gallo Opera House!

In most cases, the clubs kept the theater around a few years longer, but they ultimately weren’t able to save them. Today, only Studio 54 remains as a theater and is now, once again, a legimate Broadway house.

Hopefully, some if not all of the old theater still survives.

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Teatro Liberty on Jun 29, 2008 at 12:56 pm

Jose, are you able to provide any other info on this theater? The link above does not work. If this theater dates from 1921 and is neoclassical in design how much, if any, of the original ornamentation exists? How big was it? What condition is it in?
Thanks!

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Wang Theatre on Jun 29, 2008 at 12:14 pm

This is a response to Jim Rankin’s comment of December 8th, 2006…

Why are you so bitter about Corporate Support of a Movie Palace? All across the country people beg for money to support the operation and restoration of historic movie palaces. When a corporation steps up to the plate and provides the needed funds we should applaud and encourage them and not not make ridiculous statements about corporations donating money in order to enrich their reputations. That’s pretty obvious that that is their primary purpose and SO WHAT! So many palaces around the country are crumbling waiting for the funding that could restore and or maintain operations. I wish there were many more corporations like Citibank that chose to express their corporate philanthropy through the restoration or funding of our historic movie palaces.

Ask anyone in Chicago if they would turn away Corporate funding from, let’s say United Airlines (a hometown corporation), for a restoration of the Uptown Theater which has been sitting decaying for over 30 years. Would Philadelphians turn down corporate money to fund saving the Boyd? Of course not!

We need more, much more, corporate involvement even if it means they change the name of the theater (and it doesn’t have to mean that). It’s a small price to pay to have an operating movie palace!

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Ziegfeld Theatre on Jun 28, 2008 at 11:13 am

I left out one of my favorite Broadway Musicals: Avenue Q!

Ziegfeld Man…thanks for your comment. Every time I go to the New Amsterdam, I just marvel at what an incredible theater it is and to think that just over 12 years ago it had gaping holes in its roof!

I consider the New Amsterdam, arguably, the most beautiful theater in New York and possibly the country. Marcus Loew famously said “I don’t sell tickets to movies, I sell tickets to theaters!” More often than not, I decide what movie I go see based upon what theater it’s playing at. Over the years, theater operators lost that incite.

I will see a movie at The Ziegfeld that I generally wouldn’t attend at another theater because I love going to the Ziegfeld. I also find the Ziegfeld a beautiful theater in its own right. The last surviving example of the “Modern” Movie Palace before the era of the multiplex.

I hope, one day, The Ziegfeld will enjoy the same landmark protection status that most of the other Broadway Houses have. I think it truly deserves it.

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Ziegfeld Theatre on Jun 26, 2008 at 2:15 pm

One more thing…..on any given day, I have a broad selection of Broadway Offerings that I would like to see. I can’t say the same of the movie offerings that Hollywood is currently putting out.

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Ziegfeld Theatre on Jun 26, 2008 at 8:55 am

Well Leon, then you must not like Broadway Musicals because there are many excellent productions currently on the Great White Way. I’ll name a few: Hairspray, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia, Wicked, Lion King, In the Heights, Gypsy, Curtains, Xanadu, South Pacific, Sunday in the Park with George. All are wonderful productions. I’ll throw in August Osage County and Boeing Boeing as well if you want some outstanding straight plays.

Also, let’s not forget that live theater has saved many of the theaters that we still have today including one of the most beautiful palaces, The New Amsterdam. Movies didn’t save then. Live theater did.

I wouldn’t mind paying $30 or so to see a great film. I did spend $25 to see Dreamgirls at The Ziegfeld and it was money well spent. If I had $100 to $150 though, I’d choose a Brodaway Musical every time!

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Baronet Theatre on Jun 20, 2008 at 8:39 am

Asbury should only dream of turning into Red Bank. Asbury has been a pit for decades. It’s amazing that any progress has occurred at all condiering the corrupt govenment. But, there has been progress. There are new restaurants, some new condos and luxury residences, and at least the Paramount has been spared and has come back to life. But, there is much, much more to do. I would hopr that the Baronet would be part of the new Asbury, but make no mistake Asbury needs all the help it can get.

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about AMC Empire 25 on Jun 17, 2008 at 1:58 pm

Why do you ask?

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Fox Oakland Theater on Jun 17, 2008 at 11:50 am

Thanks for the info CWalzak!

I’m glad to hear that the potential is there in downtown Oakland and, more importantly, that the homeless/drug addict scene is not much of an issue. Seriously, I still can’t believe the amount of derelict people I saw on Market Street and environs. What was even more apalling was the agressiveness of the panhandling.

I hate to say it, but when people panhandle on the subway in New York, they at least sing, play a musical instrument or do a little dance. One guy even has a stand up comedy routine. (He’s actually pretty funny). The situation on Market Street is decidedly NOT funny.

What turned Times Square around was a determination of both the publc and private sector to turn the area around. Laws were changed and the new laws rigorously enforced. The New 42nd Street Development Corporation was created to develop and put into motion a new master plan that would restore historic structures but also allow them to sustain themselves. Finally, the private sector came in. Companies like Disney committed to the incredible New Amsterdam theater which (arguably) is the most beautiful theater in New York, if not the country. AMC and Loews committed to building huge multiplex cinemas and companies like Madamme Tussauds joined in as well. Once the ball started rolling it couldn’t be stopped. The public voted with their feet and came back to 42nd Street in droves.

I can’t stress enough how dire the situation was on 42nd Street in the early 90’s. It was truly, the most dangerous block in America. Today, it is a family theme park with its own Hello Kitty store. (That’s a bit much for me!) but I love that we were able to get rid of the crime, filth, stench and derilects from the area. In return, the city has reaped probably billions in added property taxes as property values have sky rocketed and new office, retail and condominium towers have been built. Thousands of new prople have moved to the area.

I wish Oakland the best of luck and the next time I’m in San Francisco, I intend to get on the BART and visit!

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Fox Oakland Theater on Jun 17, 2008 at 10:16 am

Thanks Terry, glad to hear about the gentrification of the area around the Oakland Fox and Paramount. On a recent trip to San Francisco, I was absolutely horrified at the conditions on the streets surrounding the Warfiled and Golden Gate theaters. I don’t understand how the city of San Francisco (one of the world’s most beautiful cities) allows this to go on.

New York was able to sweep out almost all of the porn establishments and get the homeless off the streets and that led to the incredible reincarnation of Greater Times Square that we have today. As a result, the neighboring area of Hell’s Kitchen is actually a booming trendy neighborhood that is now a highly desired place to live.

These theaters need to project a “safe” environment to get a large amount of patrons for whatever kind of programming they plan to have, especially if they expect them to come via BART.

New York is still a liberal city and yet they were able to do it. What’s the big issue to San Francisco?

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Fox Oakland Theater on Jun 15, 2008 at 12:31 pm

Great to read about the renovation of the Oakland Fox theater. As has been commented on many posts for many different theaters, it isn’t enough to come up with the money to do the actual restoration. That’s hard enough. But they also have to come up with a way that the restored theater can support itself without further subsidy. Has it been determined specifically what the Fox will do program wise? Will films be part of this mix?

Also, what is the area like around the Fox? Based on the google earth map, the surrounding streetscape looked pretty bleak with little street retail or pedestrian activity.

How far is the Paramount from this theater? Cleveland was able to save five of its historic theaters (which happened to be in close proximity) and create a district called “Playhouse Square”. With 10,000 seats, they claim that it is the country’s second largest performing arts center. Second only to New York’s Lincoln Center.

In New York, the future is quite bright for old palaces like Loews Paradise in the Bronx, Loews 175th Street in Manhattan, The St. George on Staten Island and Loews Jersey in Jersey City. All of these restored gems are in neighborhoods that continue to gentrify, have become safer and are now able to draw the needed crowds to operate in the black. The city is even pursuing the renovation of the fabled Loew’s Kings in Brooklyn, truly one of the most beautiful theaters ever built and sitting empty for the last 30+ years.

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Boyd Theatre on Jun 15, 2008 at 10:00 am

Howard, I don’t know if you know the answer, but in New York, if the theater has an internal landmark designation, I beleive they are still allowed to make changes that are needed to present a show. Maybe it is required to be restored back to origninal condition after the run. I would think this is how it’s done because I never really hear the Schuberts, Nederlanders and Jujamcym people complaining about it. Whatever is done in New York should probably serve as the model for the Boyd.

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Loew's Jersey Theatre on Jun 15, 2008 at 9:52 am

The photo referenced above by Bill is indeed spectacular and when compared to Gabe’s photo of the San Francisco Fox it makes you think more highly of the Loews Jersey. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that the Loew’s Jersey is a beautiful theater and I’m incredibly grateful that it has survived, but in my opinion, the Jersey ranks number 5 of the Five Wonder Theaters.

Arguably, The Kings (when restored) would probably be the most beautiful of all. Even in its ruined state, it is an amazing architectural splendor. It would be hard for me to rank The Paradise, The Valencia and The 175th Street. However, I would place all four in front of the Jersey. That is not a smack down of the Jersey. It is, in fact, a testimony to how spectaular these 5 theaters are. That they could have been conceived as a group and brought to market very close to each other and manage to survive to the present day is nothing short of a miracle. All of these theaters are in areas that had substantial problems in the last 40 years, but all of these areas are now on an upswing.

My heartfelt thanks to the Friends of Loews Jersey who preserved this great theater for our generation and the ones that follow. May we see even greater success at The Kings.

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about City Hall Theatre on Jun 14, 2008 at 2:35 pm

After I posted above, I realized that 5th Avenue and Central Park West both have odd and even #’s on the same side of the street as they knew that no structures would ever be built on the Park sides.

There is another oddity in addresses downtown in the Financial District. The numbers for the addresses on Broad Street run North to South instead of the standard South to North. Don’t know why that is. :–)

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Loew's Canal Theatre on Jun 14, 2008 at 1:16 pm

Can this theater turn out to be one of the most amazing hidden gems of New York? The old photos are spectacular. It appears from prior comments that much of the lobby ornamentation remains though it is in bad shape. No one, however, has been able to definitively comment on the status of the auditorium. Through benign neglect, it is possible that it is all still there. One can hope. I do hope that someone is able to get access soon and report back as to what is left and in what condition.

Chinatown is rapdidly gentrifying and the Financial District (the neighborhood just to the south) is rapidly becoming New York’s wealthiest zip code with all of the new high end condos opening. Chinatown is a quick walk from the booming areas of the Lower East Side and FiDi. This site is becoming more valuable by the day.

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Trans-Lux Southstreet Seaport Cinema on Jun 14, 2008 at 10:59 am

I remember the New York Experience as well though I remember being underwhelmed by the “Experience”. I believe that there were also NY memorabilia displays in the lobby. Kind of like museum displays. Anyone else remember that?

This theater was taken over by the Taiwan Chinese government for a Taiwan cultural show. I think that lasted for about a year or two.

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about City Hall Theatre on Jun 14, 2008 at 10:46 am

Lost Memory….There are some Streets in New York that contain both odd and even # adresses on the same side of the street. I believe this happens when there is no “other side” of the street. For example, across from Park Row is City Hall Park. Since there are no buildings there to have the even #’s, both odd and even were used for the East Side buildings.

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Loew's 72nd Street Theatre on Jun 14, 2008 at 9:58 am

Warren, thanks so much for the images. What an incredibly beautiful theater. Another tragic loss. I’m truly amazed at how many spectacular theaters existed at the same time in the New York of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. Long demolished theaters like Proctor’s 58th St, The Center, The Roxy, The Capitol, Loews State, The Triboro, RKO 23rd St, Loew’s Sheridan Square,Loew’s Orpheum, The Academy of Music, The Forum, RKO Keiths, Brooklyn Paramount, Brooklyn Fox, and of course Loews 72nd Street. I could go on and on. They all existed as movie venues. What a choice! I started my movie going in the 70’s and I didn’t have the appreciation for architecture in general and movie palaces in particular that I have today. I regret not having ever seen many of these theaters let alone seeing a film in one.

In the past, banks built very elaborate structures that no longer work economically. Very few still serve their original purpose though others survive as “event” spaces.

I wonder if there are any buildings that are in common use today that we will look back on 30 years from now with fond nostalgia because they became “obsolete”?

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Boyd Theatre on Jun 14, 2008 at 9:26 am

I could be wrong, but I believe that the majority of the Broadway houses in New York have external landmark designations which allows the theater owners to keep up with individual produvtion needs and modern technologies. The theaters, nonetheless, retain virtually all of their historic facets.

Could the law be written to designate the interior as a landmark allowing that changes can ONLY be made as they relate to the operation of the theater as a theater? Just a thought.

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Astor Theatre on Jun 8, 2008 at 9:00 am

You know, I was thinking after I wrote my post above that in the future, if Times Square once again degenerated into a crime filled wasteland, today’s youth would tell stories about how wonderful Times Square was at the turn of the 21st Century! They would say, “Remember the Toy’s R Us Ferris Wheel, the MTV studios?, The Hard Rock and Planet Hollywood cafes?”

Personally, I don’t don’t think we’ll ever go backward. I would agree with dodger and leroyelliston that the 50’s and early 60’s were probably wonderful. It was before my time. But that wasn’t what Times Square had become in the 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s. We needed to be rescued from that!

I never thought I’d live to see the day when Hell’s Kitchen would become a truly “Hot” neighborhood where many people desired to live, but it has in fact happened. It’s happended in Park Slope, Harlem, Chinatown, The Financial District, the East Village, The Lower East Side, Long Island City, Jackson Heights, I could go on and on.

In my opinion, making Times Square into what it is today greatly contributed to the overall image of the city as a whole as a desireable place to live and work. If they could “fix” Times Square then this city is capable of amazing things. And so it is!

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about RKO Keith's Theatre on Jun 8, 2008 at 8:45 am

The same could be said about the Kings and The Brooklyn Paramount. The problem is that it has to pay for itself unless there are other funds available through grants and/or tax incentives. The only way a developer would take this project on is if he feels he can make enough from the project as a whole to pay for the restoration.

Unfortunately, the loudest mouths in the neighborhood usually wind up saying “it’s too big!, It’s too tall! There’s no affordable housing in it! Etc…”

I am a theater preservationist, but I am also a realist. It would probably cost at least $50MM to rebuild the Keiths. How is it going to be paid for? Trump is not doing it. The city has made clear that they will contribute capital funds to any developer of the Kings, but the the developer MUST have a viable plan for the theater to operate independently financially. No such claims have been made for the Keiths.

I hope there is a happy ending to this story, but I am not hopeful. I am hopeful, however, the the Kngs can and will be saved.

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Astor Theatre on Jun 7, 2008 at 2:08 pm

It still pains me to read about the destruction of 5 theaters for the construction of the Marriott Marquis back in 1982. I am a staunch theater preservationist, but more importantly I am an even stronger believer is a safe, vibrant, clean and growing city that can offer a wonderful urban environment in which to live in and visit.

Sadly, the New York of the 70’s and 80’s was one of steep decline, out of control crime, massive arson, infrastructure that was falling apart and subways covered wall to wall in graffiti that you were lucky to see since many cars also had no operable lighting. There was a massive outflow of the city’s middle class and corresponding increase in the city’s poor.

42nd Street and Times Square was ground zero for this cesspool and the theater district was dying a slow, agonizing death. Something had to be done. The destruction of those theaters brought a new, huge convention hotel to the center of Times Square that bought new life to this moribound area. It encouraged other hotels and office buildings to follow. The complete closure and renovation of all of the theaters on 42nd Street continued the path. Thanks to that process we now have a restored New Amsterdam (arguably the most beautiful of New York’s theaters) in addition to The New Victory, The Hilton and American Airlines theaters. This, on a street that back in the 70’s and 80s was considered the single most dangerous block in the country!

Today, Times Square is criticized by some as having “lost its character” and resembling Las Vegas. To those people, I say “Go to downtown Detorit where you can have all of the character you want”

I for one, love living in a city where you can ride the subway comfortably at midnight, stroll down almost any street in complete safety, shop at the many department stores that remain downtown (unlike virtually any other city), and attend the theater in a district that has been astoundingly reborn, revitalized and for the most part renovated since the early 90’s.

I do not equate “character” with drug addicts, prostitutes, brothels, trash, graffiti and whatever else Times Square had in the 70’s and 80’s.

We’ve saved Times Square and New York! While we’ve lost many theaters we in New York still have an embarassment of riches. Now, we need to concentrate our efforts to protect and restore the theaters we still have left.

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about Boyd Theatre on Jun 7, 2008 at 11:44 am

Hi Brucec….you pointed out in a prior post that most American cities have saved at least one movie palace and most have saved at least two. You left out the two cities that have the most remaining palaces and (arguably) the best quality remaining theaters overall: Los Angeles and New York.

Los Angeles has at least 6 palaces in their downtown in various states of restoration, but nonetheless an architectural treasure trove of palaces. When you add in the theaters in Hollywood like the El Capitan, The Pantages, The Chinese, The Warner, etc.. it makes for an enviable collection of America’s Movie Palace history.

New York is always decrying the loss of its theaters in the current real estate boom that is still very much underway. We have lost a great many. The reality though is that New York still has Radio City, The Hollywood, Loews Paradise, Loews 175th Street, Loews Valenica, The St. George, The Beacon, The Ziegfeld, The New Amsterdam, RKO Keiths Richmond Hill, Loews Elmwood and still others that have the potential to be restored to their former glories, chief among them the Loews Kings, The Brooklyn Paramount and The RKO Keiths Flushing. There are still many others that I haven’t mentioned that have been beautifully converted to churches in Brooklyn. I also should include Jersey City’s Loews Jersey and The Stanley.

This is an embarassment of riches. Nonetheless, it is still painful to lose even one theater because they will NEVER BE BUILT LIKE THIS AGAIN!

The Boyd is apparently Philadelphia’s last remaining palace. It is important that everyone who loves Philadelphia and believes in its future to save The Boyd! It is important to future generations that they have a place to connect to how people went to the movies in the past and how the experience was so very different to the movie going experience today.

I end with this: Jersey City has managed to keep 2 of its palaces! Jersey City! Surely Philadelphia should be able to garner the resources needed through government and corporate funding to save and fully restore this precious monument to Philadelphia’s past. Philadelphia’s biggest industry is its past! If there is any city that should be respectful and protective of its past it should by Philadelphia!

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez commented about RKO Keith's Theatre on Jun 7, 2008 at 11:08 am

Jeffrey….Vacant referes to the fact that there are no operating businesses or tenants on the site. I believe the prior plan by Boymelgreen was approved by the city and that the purchaser could proceed with the prior plan. I would hope that wasn’t the case since it appears that most of the theater would be lost under that plan.

However, it could be worse. A new plan could completely demolish the theater. Is half a theater better than none? My quick response is yes.

At the end of the day, it is not enough to say the theater should be completely rebuilt. Someone has to pay for it. Someone has to maintain it. In this current real estate climate it is not likely that a developer will take it upon himself to do a full restoration. The city would have to assist through grants/tax incentives/etc, just as they are trying to do at the Loew’s Kings in Brooklyn. Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn’s Borough President has been in the forefront of that effort.

Where is the Queens Borough President?