Loew's Jersey Theatre

Does anyone know if there is even a “ballpark” date for the Robert Morton organ being playable again? It seems as though GSTOS made such great progress recently (up until 2003 or so) and then everything came to a standstill.

On my wish list is to have just a small section of the lobby walls fully restored. It would knock peoples' socks off and might spur donations for a complete restoration of the interior. The exterior (terra cotta facade) looks fantastic.

I used to visit this theatre very frequently when I was a teenager and lived in Jersey City. I used to ask for a ticket to “Theatre 2” no matter what movie was playing, because that was the “balcony theatre” and one had a truly grand view of the huge auditorium.

I’ve also been to many of the new classic film screenings here. They are a unique experience not to be missed.

“The Loweys” has always been and always will be the most important theatre in my life. The first movie I saw here was “The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t” when I was 5 years old. You can only imagine the impression this place left on a 5 year old—changed my life forever. I dearly, dearly love this place.

In recent years there have been restorations of classic films. It is unclear from the e-mails whether
the May screening of “The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly” is of the original U.S. release version or the restored version that includes footage that was recently redubbed with the voices of Eastwood, Wallach and Rich Little (subbing for Lee Van Cleef). This version was screened at the Film Forum and I believe that it is included on the recent DVD. Perhaps sometone at the theatre can clarify which version is being exhibited.

They should fix that flyer – “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” isn’t based on “Yojimbo”.

“A Fistful of Dollars” was the one based on “Yojimbo” (uncredited).

that sounds cool, seeing old surviving hollywood actors and actresses at an old movie theater.

Great post Alto!Yes,it was a wonderful night.There were 250 people for DOUBLE INDEMNITY,about 175 for OUT OF THE PAST and just over 300 for SUNSET BOULEVARD.
How about the announcement of STRANGERS ON A TRAIN coming with Farley Granger in attendance!! Very exciting!!

It was indeed a magnificent experience seeing SUNSET BLVD in such a grand movie palace as the Loew’s this past Saturday night. As stated by others, the print was mostly in good shape except for the scene at the New Year’s party, which lost some dialogue because of jumps and splices. It was so exciting to see all those people there, that I wish I had a few million to put towards finishing the complete and total restoration of this gem, buy up the shabby stores in the vicinity and turn them into decent restaurants or something useful, and make this into a destination for every movie lover.

On March 31st, 2007, I just may have experienced an epiphany at the Jersey Theatre.

If ever there was a movie that could exploit and showcase this movie palace’s musty charm and character, it is “Sunset Boulevard”. Normally, when I view a movie here, I am completely captivated by what is on the screen and my surroundings disappear. But on Saturday night, something remarkable happened – for the FIRST time, I felt drawn in to this theatre’s fabric, noticing every subtle nuance and detail in ornament and structure around me â€" the movie show and theatre became one and the same.

When Norma Desmond quips “I am big…it’s the pictures that got small”, she might as well be describing the modern theater-going experience.

And the scene where her mansion’s living room becomes her private movie theatre â€" I was transported back in time – I felt like I was there â€" she could have been sitting next to me! I have never experienced anything like this at any movie theatre…ever.

Oh yes, the print they used was gorgeous (despite some short little pops and skips in the middle) – the picture’s presentation looked smooth and brilliant on that huge screen.

This movie should be shown every year without fail â€" I can think of no better way to introduce newcomers to this theatre and the classic movie-going experience.

Take some romance…drama…betrayal…tragedy…throw in a little bitchiness for good measure…shake and stir well, then serve at the Loew’s Jersey Theatre.

Fabulous.

Tough decision this Friday. “Double Indemnity” at the Jersey or the start of the B' Musicals series at the Film Forum. Wish the Noir weekend had been one week earlier.

11th COMMANDMENT

Thou shall not hold conversation
or wrinkle cellophane in a movie palace
So let it be written, so let it be done

Alto, you’re preaching to the choir. I guess that most people reading this website come on time.

And you can’t bring a case about what “might” happen to others — but you can if you have personally missed a bus or train connection.

Anyway, I like the late starting shows. It gives me the chance to wander around a bit, or to sit in my seat and soak up the atmosphere.

I attended the “Casablanca” screening on Saturday (Feb. 24th) and the presentation was well done (even though the print shown was scratchy at times and had some minor dropouts). As usual, the technical crew was on top of things, and this time the audio was at what I consider to be perfect volume level â€" pronounced and easy to hear (I usually find it to be on the soft side from where I normally sit – about midway back). The FOTL volunteer staff was cordial and attentive, making everyone feel welcome. There was also a nice audience turnout, with many in attendance appearing to be newcomers (they did not seem to be “regulars” such as myself) and while that’s good, there is also a downside.

I don’t want to sound like an old crab (which I’m not), but whatever happened to punctuality and manners? An annoying trend seems to be developing as of late at this theater. For the last few shows, the show times are largely being ignored, and the movies are starting much later that they should (Saturday night’s screening started almost 25 minutes late!). I am not sure why this is, but I consider this phenomenon to be a shared fault of both theater management and the audience. I understand that this theater is in need of an audience and always goes out of its way to accommodate the public, but if patrons are so rude as to come sauntering into the theater 25 minutes after the appointed show time, then quite frankly they DESERVE to miss the beginning of the film, and its start time should NOT be delayed to accommodate the few at the expense of the majority. I arrived 10 minutes early (pin a gold star on me) and did not appreciate sitting there for over 20 minutes staring at a blank screen when I made the effort to be on time. Management’s action of starting shows late, in effect, encourages and gives tacit approval to this annoying and distracting behavior. Even after the film started 25 minutes late, patrons were STILL walking in.

Folks, you need to realize that this is NOT some garden-variety multiplex theater where they show at least 30 minutes of commercials and previews prior to the main feature (I realize that many of you INTENTIONALLY arrive late to avoid sitting through these, but you need to drop your multiplex audience mentality and break this bad habit). When a feature film is presented at Loew’s Jersey, you see nothing BUT the movie, so BE SEATED ON TIME!

I particularly say all of this out of sympathy for those patrons who rely solely on mass transit to travel to and from the theater – they are beholden to fixed schedules and time constraints and have to plan accordingly. Late starts result in late endings – the idea of missing a crucial bus or train connection late at night due to an unnecessary delay is not an appealing proposition! Placing fellow patrons in the unsavory and precarious position of having to choose whether to miss the end of a movie or miss their ride is inconsiderate and unfair!

I’m so amazed that people liked O'Neal’s performance. I felt it really need a fine charismatic young British actor in the role and just figured Kubrick needed some star for insurance.
I still feel outside of his very good looks and slight charm O'Neal couldn’t act his way out of a paper bag. I have never seen him give a halfway decent performance. Even in What’s up Doc what wouldn’t I have given for a young Cary Grant.