Metro Twin

That’s right. The Marx Bros. flick was “Duck Soup” and the scene Woody is watching is the musical number the entire cast sings about going to war… “Oh Freedonia, Oh don’t you cry for me…”

I love Woody’s films… I just wish he would get more involved in the efforts to preserve the neighborhood theaters and revival houses that have lent their character to his movies over the years.

Tilly, Woody Allen goes into the Metro in Hannah and Her Sisters to watch the Marx Brothers (though he is so despondent at that point he states “I didn’t even know what was playing”)

All this talk about terrible business at the Metro resulting in inevitable closing… It’s no wonder, as many films were so obscure as to draw in virtually no one— not even me (with a couple of exceptions over the last year), a huge fan of “art house” flics. Put in the kind of films programmed at Sunshine or Lincoln Plaza, and they’ll have a solid clientelle again. Here’s wishing so.

There was a sad article in the City section of this Sunday’s NY Times. Here’s a link to the online version – not sure how long it will be valid and you might have to sign up (it’s free) to take a look at this: View link

The building’s owner, Albert Bialek, declares the place “obsolete” as neighborhood theater, in the article. He has obtained permission from the City to gut the interior and doesn’t know what the future holds for the space. Here’s a key passage from the article:

“Mr. Bialek has been authorized by the Landmarks Preservation Commission to demolish the interior of the Metro, whose exterior was declared a landmark in 1989. He said he is considering leasing the space to a dinner theater, a restaurant or a store, or perhaps reopening it as a multiplex.”

Perhaps a some arrangement can be made whereby minimal interior alterations would be required. It seems the community simple did not support the theater – but whether that is a function of its “obsolescence” or, rather, poor programming choices is a matter for debate.

“I went past the Metro and there was a sign saying it was open. Now I didnt actually go in and check. I was on the 104 heading down to Times Square after lunch at Tom’s Diner."
posted by hdtv267 on Jan 3, 2006 at 5:40am

Oh, THAT sign. That sign went up months ago so people seeing the adjacent construction scaffolding (hiding the marquee from some viewpoints) would be reassured that it was still open. Nobody bothered to climb up to tear it down when it after the theater closed.

It’s not uncommon to see closed stores along Broadway (abandoned when the landlord tried to squeeze out a few thousand dollars too much) with an “OPEN” sign still on display in the doorway.

I agree: with a good choice of films, the Metro could do well. Good potential audience in the neighborhood, and easily accessible from other neighborhoods (Broadway IRT to 96th street, M-104 bus, M-96 crosstown bus, etc.).

This would be a good location for Landmark and they would get the product.

The telephone doesn’t answer.

The website doesn’t work.

The theatre is dark.

There is nothing on the marquee.

Although there has been little or no publicity it would appear that the theatre is closed.

If that is incorrect then Mr. Elson should let us know what is happened.

We all care and are concerned.

I’m wondering what you mean by “a few days ago”. Windows fronting on the sidewalk have been well-lighted but empty for a couple of weeks, I think. I stopped by late tonight to peer through the gate into the mostly-dark foyer (some old posters barely visible), then as I stood numbly at the ticket-window, I was approached by a “street-person” I’ve talked with before (last summer, at a sidewalk book-vendor’s table). She said “They’re going to show a movie next week”.

As for Thalia: films “already out 1 year +” is fine by me; it’s not likely I’ve seen them. Thalia (and/or the Metro) might do well to show films shown 5-10-20-30 years “out”, mixed with films NEVER “out”, i.e. some of those festival gems that somehow don’t seem profitable enough to distribute to “all the usual places”.

Yes, and it’s already been used as a playhouse by Roundabout, and not need as much modification.

Do you think that the owners would rent for a theatrical production? We are continuing to look for a venue for our summer production of “Trouble in Paradise”…

I noticed in today’s Times that the New Metro isn’t listed so I turned to this site and sure enough.

I had only been to the Metro once — way back in the mid 1980s — until recently when I caught three films there to take advantage of $7 bargain prices. Most recently I caught “Ellie Parker” there on a weekday afternoon and there was one other person there. Like I wrote above, I was the sole patron for “Going Shopping.” And the other film I caught there — “The Dying Gaul” — was on a Saturday afternoon and despite the bargain $7 price, there were less than 10 people there.

I enjoyed going to the New Metro. It is a throwback cinema with character. When you patronize a place like the New Metro you realize how soulless the new multiplexes are despite the big screens, stadium seating and cupholders.

I hate to see this close. Dan Talbot would be able to get good bookings here since he already books Lincoln Plaza.

Official website not working & can’t find a film listing on another website. Did it close?