Don’t forget the role the legit Broadway Theatre chains (Shubert, Nederlander, Jujamcyn) played in keeping competitors out by stopping any public funding for remodeling movie theatres back to legit use.
I think the issue is property values and not just that LA was more conscientious of its architectural legacy than NY. Times Square, even at its nadir was valuable space. For example, the Beacon, a failure from day one, was spared because the neighborhood became ‘iffy’ for several decades. The same for Loews Kings and other borough palaces.
Hollywood Boulevard was not consistently the center of entertainment the way Times Square has been. Our NY theatre were victims of the success surrounding them.
Ed, it would have to be the Criterion but I wouldn’t discount the Playpen simply because it didn’t use film. There is hardly any film used in Times Square today and the Playpen was 17 years older than the Criterion.
I think the 50th street location switched to the Guild name when it started showing features in the late forties, early fifties, sometimes advertising as the Embassy Guild. Prior to that it was indeed the Embassy Newsreel.
If I remember correctly, the parking lot entrance was right on 441 and the front looked a little like Loews Bay Harbor, which was built by the same original owner.
That December “DOLITTLE was at the State, "GONE WITH THE WIND” was at the Rivoli, “FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD” at the Capitol, “THE AMBUSHERS” at the De Mille and “CAMELOT” at the Warner.
I think the intro is confusing this theatre with the Canal Cinema (Major/Cinema Giglio) which was still operating in the late seventies. This Canal was closed in the late fifties.
Fifty-one years ago today, Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” opened its NYC premiere engagement at the DeMille and the Baronet on the East Side, both then under Walter Reade management. The booking is still remembered for its innovative “No one admitted after the start of a performance” policy.>
Actually “All About Eve” had used the same gimmmick ten years before “Psycho” and had to abandon it after one week when audiences refused to show up on time.
There was a Spanish language AMOR theatre (aka Nuevo Amor) operating at 102 Court Street in the sixties.
I found another ad. Still open in 1968.
The Treat was showing Spanish language films in the early sixties.
Still advertising in a Spanish newspaper in 1963 as the Del Mar.
Still advertised in the Spanish newspapers in 1963 as the Azteca.
“Somewhere in NY they could have saved a couple of palaces for classics and 70mm repertory.”
Even with some public funding no major chain feels they can operate one at a profit.
thebrat, can you tell us what Dolby EGYPT and Dolby RAIN mean? Are these Dolby promo ads we should have noticed/remembered?
Yes, Cineplex Odeon also reduced screens at the 23rd Street West. It was a move away from arthouse and towards mainstream by CO in Manhattan.
Pretty much the same as them ‘jabbering away’ in English to many of us.
Don’t forget the role the legit Broadway Theatre chains (Shubert, Nederlander, Jujamcyn) played in keeping competitors out by stopping any public funding for remodeling movie theatres back to legit use.
I think the issue is property values and not just that LA was more conscientious of its architectural legacy than NY. Times Square, even at its nadir was valuable space. For example, the Beacon, a failure from day one, was spared because the neighborhood became ‘iffy’ for several decades. The same for Loews Kings and other borough palaces.
Hollywood Boulevard was not consistently the center of entertainment the way Times Square has been. Our NY theatre were victims of the success surrounding them.
Agreed, but leave Harry Potter alone. That boy just wants to dance and sing!
Ed, it would have to be the Criterion but I wouldn’t discount the Playpen simply because it didn’t use film. There is hardly any film used in Times Square today and the Playpen was 17 years older than the Criterion.
Techman, it was advertised as the Embassy Guild and Embassy Guild Newsreel in 1950/1951 even when showing feature films.
I think Ed is correct and Norman Elson took over the Embassy (46th St) and Guild AFTER leaving Trans-Lux.
I think the 50th street location switched to the Guild name when it started showing features in the late forties, early fifties, sometimes advertising as the Embassy Guild. Prior to that it was indeed the Embassy Newsreel.
If I remember correctly, the parking lot entrance was right on 441 and the front looked a little like Loews Bay Harbor, which was built by the same original owner.
Robert, since the Embassy 1 closed before this did, its last name was Embassy 1, 2, 3.
ChasSmith, it was showing there then.
I doubt the building is still there.
Times Square porn theatres circa summer 1970.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jkbx53LjKU&feature=related
Open theatres were often used for this during weekday morning hours in Florida.
“Dinner” premiered at the Victoria and Beekman.
That December “DOLITTLE was at the State, "GONE WITH THE WIND” was at the Rivoli, “FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD” at the Capitol, “THE AMBUSHERS” at the De Mille and “CAMELOT” at the Warner.
The Forum was showing “THE PRESIDENT"S ANALYST”.
I think the intro is confusing this theatre with the Canal Cinema (Major/Cinema Giglio) which was still operating in the late seventies. This Canal was closed in the late fifties.
A New York Times blurb lists it as the St. BRENDAN HOTEL.
<Tinseltoes on June 16, 2011 at 7:08 am
Fifty-one years ago today, Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” opened its NYC premiere engagement at the DeMille and the Baronet on the East Side, both then under Walter Reade management. The booking is still remembered for its innovative “No one admitted after the start of a performance” policy.>
Actually “All About Eve” had used the same gimmmick ten years before “Psycho” and had to abandon it after one week when audiences refused to show up on time.
The map above doesn’t seem to be any where near LeJeune Road.