Lafayette Theatre
97 Lafayette Avenue,
Suffern,
NY
10901
97 Lafayette Avenue,
Suffern,
NY
10901
37 people
favorited this theater
Showing 101 - 125 of 915 comments
I forgot this one is a for profit, but still it cost mucho to operate a theater all year. No reason to pass along discounts if someone is trying to earn a profit leasing it……
There are one or two offs in multiplexes (Fathom events) but nationwide so with different economics. Frankly, these calculations are already done- if the nonprofit theater could profit from classic movie screenings, they’d do them. They are members of national organizations & they know what their competition does. Some will charge a set fee to let you choose the classic screening but that’s only the choice of film. As to rate, they have no interest in your intruding so there are no rates for this purpose. Birthday party, sure. You to profit off a classic screening: No.
HowardBHaas, I see your point. Historic theaters are the only ones capable of having seat capacity of 800+ so they are ideal for a single show (in case 400 or come for the show). As a rough ballpark figure, how much do you think a historic theater would charge for rental?
Classic movie screenings anywhere are often lucky if they recover merely the cost of the film rental! If you pro rate the expenses of running a theater (staff, utilities, tax, etc)& then charge you the appropriate rent, you won’t be renting any historic theater to show classic films!!
You can go to their website and there are phone numbers to contact the administrative offices directly. I can not get in the middle of rental negotiations. Not being difficult , just that I have no say in any of that whatsoever.
jovanderlee, if you have direct contact with management at Barvadon, perhaps you can find out if they will even consider the idea of allowing a third party to host a classic movie on their theater.
Thanks jovanderlee. Maybe I will give them a call and see. I emailed them and got no response. I would think it would be beneficial to the theater too since it would be more revenue for them. But of course I have never had a theater host a movie for me so I don’t know all the details.
I don’t want to seem snarky, but as I said previously – look at my earlier posting, where I indicate 35MM is shown sporadically. However, to save the effort, here it is:
About 45 min. North East of Suffern is the Bardavon 1869 opera house in Poughkeepsie. They have a fully functioning 35 MM platter projector. They also have DCP mostly used for High Def broadcasts. Lately they have been using mostly digital format for their classic movie series which is only about 6 times a year. They also have a major sponsor that holds the price to $6. The bar and candy counter also help out. But NO FOOD allowed in the theater. Of course they are a different operation with full stage capabilities and mucho sponsors. Renting it is not impossible, but costly. The Exec. Director is a genius at fund raising and keeping the place in the black. I think he continually squeezes out every available dollar at both the State and the Federal level, since the Board registering the Theatre as a National Historic Site, and being a not for profit corporation. He also purchased another theater in Kingston – further up the line, about 10? years back. It is doing well too – same modus operandus. AND we have the original Wurlitzer pipe organ! I am its curator. We’re also home to the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. This year’s fund raiser features ‘Santana’. Tickets start at $125. Come visit some time!
jovanderlee, do you know if the Bardavon shows its classic films in 35 mm?
Look at my previous posting on the Bardavon I’m the organ curator
The Bardovan has its own page here so please post there. Quick google search does indicate it has as recently as 2013 boasted of showing 35mm, so probably still doing so.
The Bardavon 1869 opera house appears to be showing classic movies on a regular basis (Friday evenings). I wonder if they are showing 35 mm. Anyone been there who can confirm?
The idea is feasible, but rather costly. Email is not the best way to get information, they tend to be ignored. Phone and ask the manager who to contact about a rental, or better yet, go in person.
Emailed a couple of theaters about renting/showing classic movie and got no response back. LOL. I guess the idea is not really feasible for an individual.
Got it. Thanks guys. It would be a lot of fun to be able to choose a classic film myself that I think will bring a lot of folks and have a theater show it to see how it does. Would be well worth it if I break even or make a few extra bucks.
No word yet on the titles for the classic film series. Generally it begins in mid April. As soon as I find out information I will be able to post it
> They (Bardavon) have a fully functioning 35 MM platter projector.
At this point, many of the studios and many collectors will not permit their prints of classic films to be played on platters. Platters require the head/tail leaders to be removed so that the entire feature can be assembled into one huge roll of film. Platters have a reputation, possibly undeserved, for damaging prints.
If you include east of the Hudson as in this area, in addition to the Bardavon, their is the Tarrytown Music Hall, the Alamo Draft House (Yonkers), Jacob Burns (Pleasantville) that have 35mm capability.
As too renting a theatre for a public screening, normally you are charge a flat rate rental fee for the theatre. If you have the theatre book the film, you will probably be charged an additional booking fee plus any advance “guarantee” charges from the films distributor. You will be required to pay this in advance. The theatre, as part of the rental, will provide staffing. If you want your show on the marquee, you need to specify that when renting. You are responsible for all advertising. If the showing(s) gross more than the pre-paid guarantee, the percentages kick in with the distributor. You get the percentage that the distributor does not. The theatre should not take a cut of your boxoffice. You will not get a cut of the concession.
Neither myself nor (as far as I know) movieguy works for the Lafayette Theatre. As movieguy suggests, you should call the venues you are considering during operating hours to compare rental pricing.
Any word on what the Spring Classics program might have to offer?
The BAMF Mountain Film Festival WILL take place place Feb 23rd and Feb 24th 2016 at 7:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $20. At Ramsey outdoor RT 17 New Jersey. 201-327-8141. Day of show tickets will be $23 It’s been a sellout in years past so let’s make it two sold out dates
jovanderlee, good info on the Bardavon 1869 opera house. Very historic and a gem like the Lafayette theater.
I know theaters can be rented out for private showing. But I would like to rent one out and show a classic movie commercially. Lafayette theater would have been perfect if it still had 35 mm capabilities. But if the movie I would like to show is available in DCP from a 35 mm transfer, that may work out too. Might be a good way to get more classic movie showings in the region. Not sure if it is even feasible without losing money
About 45 min. North East of Suffern is the Bardavon 1869 opera house in Poughkeepsie. They have a fully functioning 35 MM platter projector. They also have DCP mostly used for High Def broadcasts. Lately they have been using mostly digital format for their classic movie series which is only about 6 times a year. They also have a major sponsor that holds the price to $6. The bar and candy counter also help out. But NO FOOD allowed in the theater. Of course they are a different operation with full stage capabilities and mucho sponsors. Renting it is not impossible, but costly. The Exec. Director is a genius at fund raising and keeping the place in the black. I think he continually squeezes out every available dollar at both the State and the Federal level, since the Board registering the Theatre as a National Historic Site, and being a not for profit corporation. He also purchased another theater in Kingston – further up the line, about 10? years back. It is doing well too – same modus operandus. AND we have the original Wurlitzer pipe organ! I am its curator. We’re also home to the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. This year’s fund raiser features ‘Santana’. Tickets start at $125. Come visit some time!
Inquiries regarding the cost of renting the theater can be made by calling the theater line when you get a representative. 845-547-2120 during theater operating hours. Beginning at 6 PM weekdays Monday through Thursday. Also 6 PM on Fridays. From noon to 10pm Saturday and Sundays.
Email can also be sent regarding theatre rental inquiries. Or other questions regarding the classic series or any other upcoming special events like the Banff Mountain film Festival the Jewish film Festival wild and scenic film festival on Earth Day
On average, how expensive would it be to rent the theater where the theater would do all the needful (the booking, showing, admitting, etc). I guess in this case, the individual will get the full cut of box office sales after the studio percentage.
The theater can be rented out. I know a couple rented it out for their anniversary and watched a few movies presented on the big screen. Most likely it was a Blu-ray movie and not a DCP. The 35mm sound heads are off-line . They could be connected again and film could feasibly be run. But that have to get someone who is it an experienced projectionist and knows how to run the projector. It’s harder now fo they could be connected again and film could feasibly be run. But that have to get someone who is it an experienced projectionist and knows how to run the projector. It’s harder to get prints from the studios now. I know even Pete was having trouble getting everything he wanted in the final spring season 2013