Thanks for the kind words, guys. The 10 years running the classics at Lafayette were the most fun I ever had while working, no matter how much hassle they could be.
“Operated by” needs to change to “JACA Entertainment” as of 11/20/2015 (also, Majestic Star – which no longer exists – hasn’t been the operator since 2013).
“The 50th anniversary print of My fair Lady may have been. The scope on the screen seemed different from the scope previwes. The masking which lowers top and bottom rather then side to side was opened when the film started and the aspect ratio seemed different then 2.35”
As far as I know, the “70mm version” of Hateful 8 is exclusively presented via 70mm film. Yes, films shot on 65mm are presented via DCP all the time: Lawrence of Arabia, 2001, Ben Hur, etc.
The new DCP is supposed to be stunning wjphen played in 4K based on reports from people who’ve seen it projected properly and the restoration team. They were also able to use the original tracks for the first time since 1964. The track on the 1994 restoration was from dupes.
AFAIK , the Loews does not have magnetic playback capability. They do have Dolby Stereo and Sony does have Dolby Stereo prints of Guns, so that’s likely what they showed if it was stereo. As far as the poor changeovers go, that’s strictly amateur hour and they should be embarrassed charging admission for it.
The print I ran of The Sand Pebbles at the Lafayette was a brand new one struck from a newly-done restoration. It was perfect with a wonderful stereo track and remains one of my favorite showings from the 10 years I spent there.
The Paramount has started a classic movie series again. Tomorrow morning at 11:30 they are running The Philadelphia Story, complete with pre-show organ concert. Even though they don’t run 35mm film, the shows should look and sound great as they did install a digital cinema projector for first-run films and a new screen last year.
I don’t think so. It was filmed in SuperPanavision 70 and tech credits around the Internet say that it only had regular 70mm prints. Why do you think it was billed as a Cinerama presentation?
Also remember that the majority of the “Roadshow” runs were of the shorter version. The film only played in its longer cut for about 4 weeks in the five premiere theatres: New York, L.A., Chicago, Boston, London; as of about 12/18/63, all of those engagements began playing the new shortened version and all future Roadshow engagements also received the shortened version.
If I had to guess – and I am guessing – more than likely they asked Paramount Pictures for their top-grossing “classic” titles that are on DCP instead of 35mm. The majority of their audience isn’t concerned with the presentation format, as sad as that might be.
No, the ownership has changed hands so I’m no longer involved with their programming or projection. They are most likely 100% digital from now on for everything.
Thanks for the kind words, guys. The 10 years running the classics at Lafayette were the most fun I ever had while working, no matter how much hassle they could be.
Mark – you should ask around, Weinstein is actively seeking former projectionists with large format experience to run the 70mm show.
Mechanical failure, repaired and back on screen within an hour. If it was a digital failure, they’d probably have had to send everyone home.
“Operated by” needs to change to “JACA Entertainment” as of 11/20/2015 (also, Majestic Star – which no longer exists – hasn’t been the operator since 2013).
Great article, Michael. Love seeing that slow rollout and long runs these films had.
“The 50th anniversary print of My fair Lady may have been. The scope on the screen seemed different from the scope previwes. The masking which lowers top and bottom rather then side to side was opened when the film started and the aspect ratio seemed different then 2.35”
Yes, the aspect ratio of My Fair Lady is 2.20.
As far as I know, the “70mm version” of Hateful 8 is exclusively presented via 70mm film. Yes, films shot on 65mm are presented via DCP all the time: Lawrence of Arabia, 2001, Ben Hur, etc.
The new DCP is supposed to be stunning wjphen played in 4K based on reports from people who’ve seen it projected properly and the restoration team. They were also able to use the original tracks for the first time since 1964. The track on the 1994 restoration was from dupes.
AFAIK , the Loews does not have magnetic playback capability. They do have Dolby Stereo and Sony does have Dolby Stereo prints of Guns, so that’s likely what they showed if it was stereo. As far as the poor changeovers go, that’s strictly amateur hour and they should be embarrassed charging admission for it.
The print I ran of The Sand Pebbles at the Lafayette was a brand new one struck from a newly-done restoration. It was perfect with a wonderful stereo track and remains one of my favorite showings from the 10 years I spent there.
Nice video story here about the Hoboken International Film Festival currently underway:
http://hudsonvalley.news12.com/news/hoboken-international-film-festival-kicks-off-in-middletown-1.10488467
Not sure what you mean, first result in search list for “Varieties” brings up this listing for it: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/288
The Paramount has started a classic movie series again. Tomorrow morning at 11:30 they are running The Philadelphia Story, complete with pre-show organ concert. Even though they don’t run 35mm film, the shows should look and sound great as they did install a digital cinema projector for first-run films and a new screen last year.
Schedule here: http://middletownparamount.com/classic-films/
Thanks for posting the pics, Bill. I was hoping to get out there, but will have to hope they do another open house some time soon.
Since they used the long play platter system, that would have been impossible.
No mention of Cinerama in either LA or NY engagements:
http://fromscripttodvd.com/70mm_in_new_york_1964.htm
http://fromscripttodvd.com/70mm_in_los_angeles_1964.htm
I don’t think so. It was filmed in SuperPanavision 70 and tech credits around the Internet say that it only had regular 70mm prints. Why do you think it was billed as a Cinerama presentation?
Regarding the lead above, the theatre has digital projection according to that linked article. It’s a lease problem, not an equipment upgrade problem.
The website says all movies are in DVD format, with Blu-Ray when possible.
RIP Jeff Barker, friend and organist at the Lafayette Theatre from 2002 to 2013. Jeff passed away on December 31, 2013.
More info on Jeff and his career here: http://www.gstos.org/Jeff_Barker.htm
And a brief clip of Jeff speaking and playing from a few years ago: http://youtu.be/ZJ8kfbqL_LQ
Original Fabian: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/2851/
Also remember that the majority of the “Roadshow” runs were of the shorter version. The film only played in its longer cut for about 4 weeks in the five premiere theatres: New York, L.A., Chicago, Boston, London; as of about 12/18/63, all of those engagements began playing the new shortened version and all future Roadshow engagements also received the shortened version.
If I had to guess – and I am guessing – more than likely they asked Paramount Pictures for their top-grossing “classic” titles that are on DCP instead of 35mm. The majority of their audience isn’t concerned with the presentation format, as sad as that might be.
Yes, it has.
But back to the main point – the World 3-D Expo should be fantastic. Wish I could go this time.
No, the ownership has changed hands so I’m no longer involved with their programming or projection. They are most likely 100% digital from now on for everything.