When I was in Phila in June of 2000, there was another theater closed by UA, Eric’s Place that was for sale or lease. It was originally a Trans Lux theater. The Midtown thetaer was closed by AMC, but is now a legit theater caleed the Prince Arts.
I am originally from Phila and there is a fight now to save the only theater left in center city the Sameric/Boyd. UA closed it a few years ago and Clear Channel is supposed to turn it into a legit theater if enough funds can be raised. The same thing happened to the theaters in Atlantic City. When the casino’s, came down went the theates. Most were torn down and parking lots were made. The last year that most were in operation were 1973.
Hey TheaterFan. I was only in the Orpheum one time in 1982 to see Annie. Did they totally knock down the theater and rebuild it to make it 7 theaters? When I lived in NYC, it was 2 theaters. The balcony theater had it’s enterance on 3rd ave and at one point was called Loews Cine.
I wrote Loews and blasted them. I can’t beleive they tore the theater apart on the last night. Ialso didn’t know they were showing movies again at the Loews Jersey City.
I think that really stinks Bill. They couldn’t put an exclusive film in there for a week. I think I ma going to e mail Loews and everybody should do the same.
Great picture Bryan. How did they divide the theater? I also know that when I was in Chicago, Loews had another theater on State street down from the art museum called the Fine Arts/Brubaker. Since I no longer see it listed, I assume it’s closed.
The first time I ever went to NYC was in 1975. Funny LAdy was playing at Loews State than in theater one and theater 2 had Dillinger. In the early 90’s Sony purchased Lowes and ran all the theaters under Sony. Even when the State reopen it was known as Sony State. I htink when they merged with Cineplex Odeon, they went back to using the Loews name. Loews also operated The Festival on 57th St breifly and the Paris. When they took over the PAris they changed the name to Loews Fine Arts. I don’t knoiw hwwat happened, but they didn’t run the theater very long.
I am not sure how long this theater will last. Doubletree hotel next door has been trying to buy the property for a long time. Everything else in the section where the theater is is closed and a dump.
What made Loews think the new theater on 34ths St would make it. They had the beautiful 34th St Showplace on the east side when I lived in NYC which along with Cineplex Odeon 34th St East have closed in recent years. I use to work on 34th and 8th at Bowery Sasvings bank in the late 70’s and that area was not the greatest area to be after regular business hours.
The theater now run by Sunrise cinemas is your basic old General Cinema theater. Sunrise purchased this from GCC around 98-99. The best feature about the theater is the real butter on the popcorn. You can see pictures of this theater at www.sunrisecinemas.com
Warren
The review in today’s USA today wasn’t great. it only got 2 ½ stars. I said this before, Loews could have put a movie in the Astor Plaza that would h ave been and exculusive showing for 6 days.
This is really pissing me off. Every old time theater is being sold and closed. Someone in NYC should get the mayor involved. NYC will be left with no theater history. We will be overwhelemd with these damn multiplexes.
It looks like the last picture to play the Astor Plaza will be The Village. I am not sure why they are putting in a new movie for the last week. They would have been better to show some of there classic premiere films like For Pete’s Sake, Star Wars, Raiders. I am glad that Spike Lee’s new film ISN’T going to be there. This theater need to go out in style and class and Spike Lee has neither.
When I was in Phila in June of 2000, there was another theater closed by UA, Eric’s Place that was for sale or lease. It was originally a Trans Lux theater. The Midtown thetaer was closed by AMC, but is now a legit theater caleed the Prince Arts.
I am originally from Phila and there is a fight now to save the only theater left in center city the Sameric/Boyd. UA closed it a few years ago and Clear Channel is supposed to turn it into a legit theater if enough funds can be raised. The same thing happened to the theaters in Atlantic City. When the casino’s, came down went the theates. Most were torn down and parking lots were made. The last year that most were in operation were 1973.
Hey TheaterFan. I was only in the Orpheum one time in 1982 to see Annie. Did they totally knock down the theater and rebuild it to make it 7 theaters? When I lived in NYC, it was 2 theaters. The balcony theater had it’s enterance on 3rd ave and at one point was called Loews Cine.
Can anybody verify that this theater is still open?
The theater was origianlly twined in the late 70’s not 1989 as it says above. I think the twin happened when RKO took over the theater.
Great. It’s been that way ever since I have been on Cinema Treasures.
How do we get Cinema Treasures to update the status of this theater to open. Why it is showing closed/renovationg is beyond me.
There was a rumor that the 72nd St East was going to receive the seats from the Astor Plaza. Has anyone confirmed this or heard any different?
I wrote Loews and blasted them. I can’t beleive they tore the theater apart on the last night. Ialso didn’t know they were showing movies again at the Loews Jersey City.
I think that really stinks Bill. They couldn’t put an exclusive film in there for a week. I think I ma going to e mail Loews and everybody should do the same.
Does anybody know the status of the Waverly? I heard IFC had purchased the theater. Walter Rede ruined the theater when they twined it.
Is this theater being used now or is it just sitting empty?
Thanks Bryan.
Great picture Bryan. How did they divide the theater? I also know that when I was in Chicago, Loews had another theater on State street down from the art museum called the Fine Arts/Brubaker. Since I no longer see it listed, I assume it’s closed.
I agree. I thought Sony was also a stupid name for a theater chain.
The first time I ever went to NYC was in 1975. Funny LAdy was playing at Loews State than in theater one and theater 2 had Dillinger. In the early 90’s Sony purchased Lowes and ran all the theaters under Sony. Even when the State reopen it was known as Sony State. I htink when they merged with Cineplex Odeon, they went back to using the Loews name. Loews also operated The Festival on 57th St breifly and the Paris. When they took over the PAris they changed the name to Loews Fine Arts. I don’t knoiw hwwat happened, but they didn’t run the theater very long.
I am not sure how long this theater will last. Doubletree hotel next door has been trying to buy the property for a long time. Everything else in the section where the theater is is closed and a dump.
Bill
I can’t access the web site.
What made Loews think the new theater on 34ths St would make it. They had the beautiful 34th St Showplace on the east side when I lived in NYC which along with Cineplex Odeon 34th St East have closed in recent years. I use to work on 34th and 8th at Bowery Sasvings bank in the late 70’s and that area was not the greatest area to be after regular business hours.
Joe
In refernce to the Muvico 18 where was this theater?
The theater now run by Sunrise cinemas is your basic old General Cinema theater. Sunrise purchased this from GCC around 98-99. The best feature about the theater is the real butter on the popcorn. You can see pictures of this theater at www.sunrisecinemas.com
Warren
The review in today’s USA today wasn’t great. it only got 2 ½ stars. I said this before, Loews could have put a movie in the Astor Plaza that would h ave been and exculusive showing for 6 days.
This is really pissing me off. Every old time theater is being sold and closed. Someone in NYC should get the mayor involved. NYC will be left with no theater history. We will be overwhelemd with these damn multiplexes.
It looks great, but I see no differnce from the old marquee and the new one.
It looks like the last picture to play the Astor Plaza will be The Village. I am not sure why they are putting in a new movie for the last week. They would have been better to show some of there classic premiere films like For Pete’s Sake, Star Wars, Raiders. I am glad that Spike Lee’s new film ISN’T going to be there. This theater need to go out in style and class and Spike Lee has neither.