Comments from Al Alvarez

Showing 876 - 900 of 3,427 comments

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Loew's American Theatre on May 22, 2012 at 3:34 pm

Bigjoe59, Mary C. Henderson considers the Rialto as an incarnation of the Hammerstein Victoria since the building itself was not demolished.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Broadway Theatre on May 22, 2012 at 10:25 am

Note the CINE ROMA verticle sign at the far near corner of the marquee. This name and concept moved around between the Ambassador, Piccadilly and Broadway in the late thirties.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about AMC Empire 25 on May 20, 2012 at 8:25 pm

“Profitable IMAX screen”

I have never heard those words before, in that order.

The Lincoln Square is one of the highest grossing theatres in the U.S., in spite of the IMAX.

Profit or volume are never an excuse for a sloppy operation.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Kendall Mall Twin on May 20, 2012 at 8:19 pm

Most probably the Dadeland Twin.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Capitol Theatre on May 17, 2012 at 11:33 am

It was the Miami Harlem. The NYC was Capitol was already closed by the time blaxploitation hit Times square.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Capitol Theatre on May 17, 2012 at 1:00 am

We need a correction on the Overview.

The 1970’s blaxploitation revival of the Capitol was actually at the Skydome/Harlem on 14th street, and not here.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Teatro Marti on May 16, 2012 at 7:21 pm

I just met his stepson last Christmas here in NYC where he is an actor. I will ask him the next time I see him.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Tivoli Theatre on May 16, 2012 at 12:06 am

I imagine the Tivoli turned to spanish films in the early 1960’s, after the Cuban revolution. Before that the neighborhood was mostly Jewish retirees watching subrun double features.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Tower Theater on May 15, 2012 at 11:58 pm

Guarina, you remember LA NOVIA? Nobody else seems to.

It seems to have escaped history and it was one of my late mother’s favorite films.

I can still remember Antonio Prieto singing “Blanca y radiate va la novia…” as he walked down the aisle of the church as his heart sick love married her doctor, and not him.

“Le sigue atras su novio amante”.

Ave Maria!

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Cinema Village on May 15, 2012 at 2:57 pm

After DEEP THROAT opened in 1972 the market changed drastically for art houses and direction the theatre operator took was more distinct between those who programmed European art films and those who programmed sexploitation or hard core and advertised it as art product.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Cinema Village on May 14, 2012 at 11:15 pm

Bigjoe, the SOBO only operated in 1971 and I believe some of the shows were live/film combo nude performance art pieces that would not be considered porn today.

The 55th St Playhouse descent into hard core porn was gradual but there was no closing period. After “THE BOYS IN THE SAND” there was a fine line between gay art films and gay sex films.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Paramount Theatre on May 14, 2012 at 1:45 pm

The Sunny Isles and Dadeland opened before the Twin Gables.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Paramount Theatre on May 12, 2012 at 5:45 pm

It was probably a Royal Castle next to the Paramount, plantladie12.

The Olympia was never a twin. There were no twins downtown.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Gables Triple on May 12, 2012 at 9:39 am

Guarina, it opened in 1969 and is now a Winn Dixie location.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Rio Theatre on May 12, 2012 at 12:02 am

Guarina, if you know the Rio you have so much more to share about Miami Cinemas. Please do share more details of your wonderful Miami movie experiences. We so want to know.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Radio City Music Hall on May 11, 2012 at 11:30 pm

On March 17 THE SIGNING NUN moved in.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Sun Sing Theatre on May 9, 2012 at 11:11 am

FatMan, if you read previous posts you will find your answer.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Radio City Music Hall on May 8, 2012 at 6:45 pm

Not coincidental to the success of “The Valley of Decision”, Germany surrendered that week and audiences were optimistic and wanting to see the news.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Carnegie Hall Cinema on May 8, 2012 at 2:30 pm

I assume they started as soft core and moved into hard core after DEEP THROAT raised (ahum) the bar.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Carnegie Hall Cinema on May 8, 2012 at 2:16 pm

1972-1973

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25725093@N07/7159529458/in/photostream/lightbox/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25725093@N07/7159497570/in/photostream/lightbox/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25725093@N07/7159509116/in/photostream/lightbox/

By mid 1973 both the Carnegie Hall Cinema and the Bleecker St. (same owners) were showing “adult male films” grind.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Carnegie Hall Cinema on May 7, 2012 at 5:45 pm

This was indeed a porn house, gay and straight, for several years in the seventies.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about AMC Lincoln Square 13 on May 6, 2012 at 8:07 pm

I would love to think that stupid comic book movies just don’t work on the upper west side, but deep inside I know it’s probably not true.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Ziegfeld Theatre on May 5, 2012 at 10:56 am

Although a few ArcLights would be nice, Manhattan is hardly underscreened. With 223 screens serving an audience that increasingly goes to see the same movie, even the Empire 25 is often showing less than ten films with some of the alternative films playing to empty seats.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Embassy 1,2,3 Theatre on May 5, 2012 at 12:35 am

Good point, techman707.

Why would anyone design a purpose built theatre (except a nickelodeon) before 1915 for a product that was quite an insignificant afterthought until THE BIRTH OF A NATION made its appearance in 1915?.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Royal Theatre on May 4, 2012 at 3:17 pm

I think this building was a recording studio until it was demolished just last year.