The UK was one of the few countries to offer financial arrangements to cinemas whereby lottery funds paid for the projectors in exchange for showing a quota of “specialty films”. Most independents didn’t even bother to apply.
Nice work, Michael. I saw it at the Wometco 163rd Street in North Miami Beach and it made me re-evaluate “Star Wars” as more than just a silly fantasy.
On March 22, 2010, on his eightieth birthday, it was announced that Henry Miller’s Theatre would be renamed to honour American composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim.
That photo is actually from March 1972 and the porn revolution was still in its infancy. “THE GODFATHER” was the State, “NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA” on roadshow at the Criterion, “FIDDLER ON THE ROOF” on roadshow at the Rivoli, “DIRTY HARRY” at the Embassy and “CABARET” at the Ziegfeld.
LuisV, if you read that article again you will see that shows failed to open because they could not find the ‘right theatre’. It states that that some productions have resorted to second choice available theatres. Part of the reason there is a lack of theatres is that the three big theatre owners keep the numbers down so they can drive productions to places like the Nederlander. This was a major consideration in limiting the new 42nd Street locations when the Shuberts and Nederlanders and Jujamcyn fought 42nd street redevelopment in the seventies.
As tourists walk around they fill the seats at the shows that are in their face, not those on the side streets. The same way movies fill up. Hence a second rate cast of WICKED is still the biggest hit on Broadway. That wonderful production of HAIR was never full.
The Ziegfeld is still struggling and barely breaking even on world premieres, the way it did when I worked there twenty years ago. You and I may choose the Ziegfeld over a screen on 42nd street but most of my neighbors here on 42nd street never heard of the Ziegfeld.
The fact remains that if you have the right theatre, you have a much better shot.
LuisV, if that was true then the Empire would not consistently outgross the Ziegfeld which is just off the beaten-path. Every other theatre on Broadway or on Seventh Avenue that day and dated with the Ziegfeld outgrossed it. Move-overs from the Ziegfeld and Radio City Music Hall often picked up.
If location didn’t matter there would be no theatre district in Manhattan.
By the way, the lowest grossing musical on Broadway is HAIR at the Hirshfeld, on the wrong side of Eighth Avenue.
Bill, although it just opened it already has the second lowest attendance percentage for a musical on Broadway. The Tony nomination could help but so could getting out of the Nederlander.
75% of this island’s population is over 45 and 40% is over 65 years old. The median age is 60. It doesn’t take much to surmise they haven’t bought DVD players yet. Those are not good popcorn numbers.
Most Clearview Theatres were built by someone else, in this case Walter Reade. The Ziegfeld is like no other theatre and was described as having “New Orleans whorehouse decor” when it first opened. When the red velvet started to fade the theatre started looking classier.
The UK was one of the few countries to offer financial arrangements to cinemas whereby lottery funds paid for the projectors in exchange for showing a quota of “specialty films”. Most independents didn’t even bother to apply.
Greenpoint, since you admit to being a vandal and a thief perhaps your apologies should extend to Cineplex Odeon as well.
“The Robe” was never in 3D and this is bad information. Early CinemaScope ads implied that the effect was almost 3D.
Those blue and red glasses were a feature of most 3D releases in the last century. Schlock always dominated 3D the market.
Nice work, Michael. I saw it at the Wometco 163rd Street in North Miami Beach and it made me re-evaluate “Star Wars” as more than just a silly fantasy.
I agree. No Rockette should be asked to do something so demeaning.
jorgito2001, the New York City Majestic most likely referred to is the one on 44th Street in Manhattan. It never showed movies.
Thanks, Louis.
Big Cinemas Manhattan website:
http://us.bigcinemas.com/cinemas.asp?cid=1009
Arion photo on ebay.
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A church giving money to the needy? I think it works the other way around.
That Church at the Mark Hellinger used to be at the Nederlander. They moved out due to the location so I am sure they have no intention of going back.
On March 22, 2010, on his eightieth birthday, it was announced that Henry Miller’s Theatre would be renamed to honour American composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim.
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Beautiful shot. Note the Hotel Algonquin in the background.
B.S Moss' Cameo Theatre, The Salon of the Cinema.
October 1927, program during the glamour years.
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That photo is actually from March 1972 and the porn revolution was still in its infancy. “THE GODFATHER” was the State, “NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA” on roadshow at the Criterion, “FIDDLER ON THE ROOF” on roadshow at the Rivoli, “DIRTY HARRY” at the Embassy and “CABARET” at the Ziegfeld.
Thanks for your honesty, Gary27. So many on this forum have denied the sex angle of fifties and sixties ‘art house’ success.
LuisV, if you read that article again you will see that shows failed to open because they could not find the ‘right theatre’. It states that that some productions have resorted to second choice available theatres. Part of the reason there is a lack of theatres is that the three big theatre owners keep the numbers down so they can drive productions to places like the Nederlander. This was a major consideration in limiting the new 42nd Street locations when the Shuberts and Nederlanders and Jujamcyn fought 42nd street redevelopment in the seventies.
As tourists walk around they fill the seats at the shows that are in their face, not those on the side streets. The same way movies fill up. Hence a second rate cast of WICKED is still the biggest hit on Broadway. That wonderful production of HAIR was never full.
The Ziegfeld is still struggling and barely breaking even on world premieres, the way it did when I worked there twenty years ago. You and I may choose the Ziegfeld over a screen on 42nd street but most of my neighbors here on 42nd street never heard of the Ziegfeld.
The fact remains that if you have the right theatre, you have a much better shot.
LuisV, if that was true then the Empire would not consistently outgross the Ziegfeld which is just off the beaten-path. Every other theatre on Broadway or on Seventh Avenue that day and dated with the Ziegfeld outgrossed it. Move-overs from the Ziegfeld and Radio City Music Hall often picked up.
If location didn’t matter there would be no theatre district in Manhattan.
By the way, the lowest grossing musical on Broadway is HAIR at the Hirshfeld, on the wrong side of Eighth Avenue.
Bill, although it just opened it already has the second lowest attendance percentage for a musical on Broadway. The Tony nomination could help but so could getting out of the Nederlander.
Justin, I don’t think any theatres were evacuated, not even legitimate theatres on the block where the attempt occurred.
The 1975 Miami News lists a Windsor Theatre. Does anyone know where that might have been?
75% of this island’s population is over 45 and 40% is over 65 years old. The median age is 60. It doesn’t take much to surmise they haven’t bought DVD players yet. Those are not good popcorn numbers.
Why is digital “exciting”?
Most Clearview Theatres were built by someone else, in this case Walter Reade. The Ziegfeld is like no other theatre and was described as having “New Orleans whorehouse decor” when it first opened. When the red velvet started to fade the theatre started looking classier.
“Ryan’s Daughter” holds the long run record.
Cool stuff!
Remember that pre-Disney World Orlando was a pretty slow town.