Any news on the sale? I may be going there in 2 weeks, to check on things. In the meantime if anyone knows anything about the impending sale, please post. Thank You
Only a guess here, since I don’t work in the city, but maybe Bowtie Cinemas could be involved? They are always looking for theatres, and one of their top execs use to work for Clearview, the previos operator.
You know LuisV, its also true that what one sees, another may not. I know in the multiplex I work in, sometimes the manager comes up and says “the picture in theatre 7 is blurry.” I’ll go take a look only to find its in focus. So whos right, and whos wrong. No one.
If I didn’t have elderly family to take care of here in the east, it might have been worth a look. But even so, with the economy the way it is now, even with those bargain basement rent prices, its a risk.
In response to you macbear, and I am not picking on you or anything, but you must realize this, in the case of Loew’s Jersey, they use volunteers, some of which learned to operate projectors on the job, not from a trained person like me. In the case of the Ziegfeld, lets just say its cablevision, and leave it at that. As far as BAM, I have never been there. You also must remember that the projection equipment in use is old, and in some cases parts are not even made anymore. I know this was the case when I was attempting to restore the booth at the Ritz in Elizabeth, N.J. And as you said, film companies are not striking any new 35MM prints, because they all want digital, and this is how they will force everyone to get it.
Points well taken CinemarkFan, and I know someone who might know how to go about it. Also like the idea of a fansite, something similar to this here at CT, except devoted to film and the alike.
You know CinemarkFan, this is really going to be one giant cluster-you-know-what. As I have been saying, and I’m sure you agree, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’
I’m off to work now, to run my 6 century 35MM projectors, which do a great job projecting the films we are showing.
A similar situation happened a few years back in Akron Ohio at the Rolling Acres Mall. The entire mall is empty, except for a J.C.Penney outlet store and a triplex theatre originally built by GCC. As of this past August, only these 2 are left, as the Sears and Macys anchors closed up shop in the spring. The problem here was roudy teens, as well as stolen vehicles.
It amazes me how much hype goes into these weekends, then I read about all these projection problems. I know everyone here is volunteers, but I also know that up till a few years ago, there actually was a person who was a union projectionist running the films. After constantly banging his head against the wall with the people in charge, he left. Any wonder why the shows are the way they are? And to GabeDF, yes, carbons do get extremely hot. I know, because I ran them for the first 7 years I was in the union. I remember climbing those mountains, with film cans in arms. THOSE were great times. I would give anything to do carbons and changeovers again.
What a novel idea!!! Now I’ll be able to go to my local cinema and pay some inflated ticket price, to watch the same thing I can watch at home. And at home, I can do it by my fireplace. All I get in the theatre is rowdy kids running around. As Ken Layton, and CinemarkFan said, the little guy will be toast, and as a long time projectionist, give me 70MM anytime. That had superior picture and sound, long before all this digital projection and even digital sound was even thought of.
I have to give you an A++++ CinemarkFan, you really did your homework. If you could get a groundswell behind you, some of us old time union projectionists might actually enjoy running movies again, instead of being relagated to a sheetrock multiplex, as is the case these days.
Everyone just take a deep breath and calm down. Its funny how much energy can be put into these blogs, now if you all worked together and put this much energy into making the theatre the best it can be…well now you would be on to something.
Showmanship…something I have been all about for all of my 33 years…taught to me by my father, an IA projectionist for over 55 years, before his passing 15 years ago. Hey CinemarkFan, if you ever need help here in Jersey, let me know. My projection booths have been known to be as clean as a hospital ward.
Hey CinemarkFan, if you ever want to get into the Jersey market, the 2772 seat Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth, N.J. is for sale after a real estate mogul remodeled it. The arch opening is 50 feet. Can you imagine a 70MM film in a place like that. I can. I hope someone takes the place over, and maybe who knows…they might want a 50 year old union projectionist to run something like that.
The only problem danpetitpas is that the art and indys will have to convert as well. And even worse, some companies now say they will not replace 35MM prints of older movies that do reportory houses. If this thing catches on like they hope, there will be no trace of film anywhere ever again.
Well CinemarkFan, someone finally says the same thing I have for over a year now. I’ve been running 35MM for 33 years now, and up till the end of the 80’s, 70MM as well. I see nothing wrong with how things have been, but as you and danpetitpas point out, its all about the money, and putting the last of us union projectionists out on the streets. Time will tell if this digital thing will be the end-all-be-all. Some of us have our doubts.
The above heading should be updated. It now goes under the name of Movie City 8 and is now independently owned. Clearview gave this up over 3 years ago. Also, the main fare now is mostly Indian Movies.
The 8 screen Movie City in Edison N.J. shows mostly Indian movies now, especially since private ownership took it over about 3 years ago. Nowadays, you see maybe 1 or 2 mainstream movies, and the other 6 screens play Indian movies. Also what helps is the large Indian population in the 2 to 3 square mile area around this theatre.
Ah yes, another of those rare 70MM films I had the privilige of doing at the old GCC Menlo Park Twin. Its hard to belive its been 25 years already, but then again, its been almost 17 years since that grand old palace was demolished.
Any news on the sale? I may be going there in 2 weeks, to check on things. In the meantime if anyone knows anything about the impending sale, please post. Thank You
Only a guess here, since I don’t work in the city, but maybe Bowtie Cinemas could be involved? They are always looking for theatres, and one of their top execs use to work for Clearview, the previos operator.
You know LuisV, its also true that what one sees, another may not. I know in the multiplex I work in, sometimes the manager comes up and says “the picture in theatre 7 is blurry.” I’ll go take a look only to find its in focus. So whos right, and whos wrong. No one.
If I didn’t have elderly family to take care of here in the east, it might have been worth a look. But even so, with the economy the way it is now, even with those bargain basement rent prices, its a risk.
Best of Luck!!! Lets hope more can open in the years ahead.
In response to you macbear, and I am not picking on you or anything, but you must realize this, in the case of Loew’s Jersey, they use volunteers, some of which learned to operate projectors on the job, not from a trained person like me. In the case of the Ziegfeld, lets just say its cablevision, and leave it at that. As far as BAM, I have never been there. You also must remember that the projection equipment in use is old, and in some cases parts are not even made anymore. I know this was the case when I was attempting to restore the booth at the Ritz in Elizabeth, N.J. And as you said, film companies are not striking any new 35MM prints, because they all want digital, and this is how they will force everyone to get it.
Points well taken CinemarkFan, and I know someone who might know how to go about it. Also like the idea of a fansite, something similar to this here at CT, except devoted to film and the alike.
You know CinemarkFan, this is really going to be one giant cluster-you-know-what. As I have been saying, and I’m sure you agree, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’
I’m off to work now, to run my 6 century 35MM projectors, which do a great job projecting the films we are showing.
CinemarkFan, if I’m ever lucky enough to be able to get to Chicago, I have to absolutely meet you. You speak my language.
A similar situation happened a few years back in Akron Ohio at the Rolling Acres Mall. The entire mall is empty, except for a J.C.Penney outlet store and a triplex theatre originally built by GCC. As of this past August, only these 2 are left, as the Sears and Macys anchors closed up shop in the spring. The problem here was roudy teens, as well as stolen vehicles.
It amazes me how much hype goes into these weekends, then I read about all these projection problems. I know everyone here is volunteers, but I also know that up till a few years ago, there actually was a person who was a union projectionist running the films. After constantly banging his head against the wall with the people in charge, he left. Any wonder why the shows are the way they are? And to GabeDF, yes, carbons do get extremely hot. I know, because I ran them for the first 7 years I was in the union. I remember climbing those mountains, with film cans in arms. THOSE were great times. I would give anything to do carbons and changeovers again.
What a novel idea!!! Now I’ll be able to go to my local cinema and pay some inflated ticket price, to watch the same thing I can watch at home. And at home, I can do it by my fireplace. All I get in the theatre is rowdy kids running around. As Ken Layton, and CinemarkFan said, the little guy will be toast, and as a long time projectionist, give me 70MM anytime. That had superior picture and sound, long before all this digital projection and even digital sound was even thought of.
I have to give you an A++++ CinemarkFan, you really did your homework. If you could get a groundswell behind you, some of us old time union projectionists might actually enjoy running movies again, instead of being relagated to a sheetrock multiplex, as is the case these days.
Everyone just take a deep breath and calm down. Its funny how much energy can be put into these blogs, now if you all worked together and put this much energy into making the theatre the best it can be…well now you would be on to something.
Showmanship…something I have been all about for all of my 33 years…taught to me by my father, an IA projectionist for over 55 years, before his passing 15 years ago. Hey CinemarkFan, if you ever need help here in Jersey, let me know. My projection booths have been known to be as clean as a hospital ward.
Forgot to mention, CinemarkFan, I like your choice of equipment. I ran Century JJ2 35/70MM projectors back in the 80’s and very early 90’s.
Hey CinemarkFan, if you ever want to get into the Jersey market, the 2772 seat Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth, N.J. is for sale after a real estate mogul remodeled it. The arch opening is 50 feet. Can you imagine a 70MM film in a place like that. I can. I hope someone takes the place over, and maybe who knows…they might want a 50 year old union projectionist to run something like that.
Here, here !!!!!!!
The only problem danpetitpas is that the art and indys will have to convert as well. And even worse, some companies now say they will not replace 35MM prints of older movies that do reportory houses. If this thing catches on like they hope, there will be no trace of film anywhere ever again.
After 30 years of neglect, what else can we expect? Another one bites the dust. Truely sad.
Well CinemarkFan, someone finally says the same thing I have for over a year now. I’ve been running 35MM for 33 years now, and up till the end of the 80’s, 70MM as well. I see nothing wrong with how things have been, but as you and danpetitpas point out, its all about the money, and putting the last of us union projectionists out on the streets. Time will tell if this digital thing will be the end-all-be-all. Some of us have our doubts.
Lets all hope it can keep going. 400 seats or 4000 seats, these treasures must find a way to survive.
The above heading should be updated. It now goes under the name of Movie City 8 and is now independently owned. Clearview gave this up over 3 years ago. Also, the main fare now is mostly Indian Movies.
The 8 screen Movie City in Edison N.J. shows mostly Indian movies now, especially since private ownership took it over about 3 years ago. Nowadays, you see maybe 1 or 2 mainstream movies, and the other 6 screens play Indian movies. Also what helps is the large Indian population in the 2 to 3 square mile area around this theatre.
Ah yes, another of those rare 70MM films I had the privilige of doing at the old GCC Menlo Park Twin. Its hard to belive its been 25 years already, but then again, its been almost 17 years since that grand old palace was demolished.