With it’s proximity to New York – and the fact that route 80 runs right through the southern tip – I’m amazed that downtown Paterson has not experienced a greater resurgence.
Does anybody remember when Bette Midler first played the Capitol? My brother worked for Dumont Records, which I think was on Jefferson Street. Art, the manager, had an idea to hand out flyers with a coupon for her new album to people as they were leaving the theater. The problem was that he didn’t secure permission so everywhere we went around the building, we were told to leave. For years, those flyers served as note paper around our house.
And I can still remember hearing “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” through the exit doors!
What about the organ and projection booth? Around 20 years ago, they could still run 35mm from the original booth, and the organ was still under the stage.
The “3 Days of 3-D” was a highlight for me, and their first science-fiction weekend was a memorable experience as well. Pete’s showmanship is second to none and I look forward to his future shows, no matter where they may take place.
It was a great run, and thanks for all the good times!
My mistake in saying that KATE opened citywide on the New York Loew’s circuit in December. I was not in my office and was relying on memory.
However, KATE in 3-D was MGM’s big Christmas release in major cities across the country, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, etc. As I said earlier, exhibitor demand for 3-D prints was so great, Technicolor had to strike additional prints to fulfill the bookings of the 3-D version.
13 GHOSTS wasn’t in 3-D. It utilized a “Ghost Viewer” with red and blue filters. Look through one filter and the ghosts disappear, and visa versa.
KISS ME KATE played every major engagement in 3-D, including neighborhood theaters. In fact, there was such a demand for 3-D bookings, Technicolor had to strike additional left/right prints!
You’re right Al, it is extremely subjective and I dis-agree with you. The 50 3-D movies of that period are on a par with all other studio product of the time.
KISS ME KATE opened flat at the Music Hall for technical reasons. They were concerned with the loss of seating on the extreme sides of the orchestra. However, it did open city-wide in 3-D on the Loew’s circuit just in time for Christmas.
You’re the first person I’ve ever heard describe KATE as “unbearable!”
Digital is fine and I have no problem with it. It does eliminate the human factor/skill of presenting a quality 3-D presentation on 35mm film.
But don’t try to sell it as better than what was done 55 years ago. It’s not. The resolution is far less; the image is considerably dimmer, and the cinematography leaves much to be desired.
Don’t believe all the hype and spin from Katzenberg, Cameron and the folks at Real D.
When projected properly, 3-D movies of the 1950’s have greater depth, higher resolution and are generally much better quality than any stereoscopic productions of the past 40 years.
Of the 50 English language Polaroid 3-D features produced in the 1950’s, only 20% could be considered gimmicky with an excessive amount of objects thrown at the camera. That trend didn’t become prevalent until the 1970’s and 1980’s with films such as “Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein,†Comin' at Ya†and “Treasure of the Four Crowns.â€
During the Golden Age of 3-D, talented directors and cinematographers such as John Alton, Raoul Walsh, Douglas Sirk, Roy Baker, George Sidney, William Cameron Menzies, Jack Arnold, Budd Boetticher, Charles Roscher, Hal Wallis, and Alfred Hitchcock utilized the stereo cinematography to create a dimensional window to the action on screen. This is not a new concept in motion pictures.
All this current ballyhoo that digital 3-D is “better than ever†is a lot of nonsense being spouted by people that have never seen a 3-D movie from the 1950’s properly presented. They should have gone to the two World 3-D Expo’s in Hollywood!
You claim to use your name, but hide your last name with a letter.
Peter K, you missed my point completely!
Very true.
Paterson is far from hidden. It’s directly off route 80 and 18 miles from New York.
With it’s proximity to New York – and the fact that route 80 runs right through the southern tip – I’m amazed that downtown Paterson has not experienced a greater resurgence.
“I, too, post under my real name.”
Peter K, are you any relation to Murray the K?
I can think of no other poster on this board who has contributed more in the way of facts, photos and documentation than Mr. Harris.
I respect the fact that he posts under his real name as well and doesn’t hide behind some alias.
Does anybody remember when Bette Midler first played the Capitol? My brother worked for Dumont Records, which I think was on Jefferson Street. Art, the manager, had an idea to hand out flyers with a coupon for her new album to people as they were leaving the theater. The problem was that he didn’t secure permission so everywhere we went around the building, we were told to leave. For years, those flyers served as note paper around our house.
And I can still remember hearing “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” through the exit doors!
Any news about the organ or projection booth? About 20 years, they could still run 35mm and the organ was under the stage.
What about the organ and projection booth? Around 20 years ago, they could still run 35mm from the original booth, and the organ was still under the stage.
And you pre-screened EVERY one so the audience would get the optimum presentation.
Congratulations Pete, you done good!
Quite the opposite is true. Since the fire, they have been VERY active in striking new 35mm prints of many films from the library.
Ken is right, it IS big screen TV. The resolution won’t come close to 35mm film.
On the other hand, it’s probably comparable to running 16mm.
I hope the Hitchcock films will be presented in their original, intended aspect ratios?
The “3 Days of 3-D” was a highlight for me, and their first science-fiction weekend was a memorable experience as well. Pete’s showmanship is second to none and I look forward to his future shows, no matter where they may take place.
It was a great run, and thanks for all the good times!
Bob
They weren’t young kids either: Moe was 64; Larry was 59 and Joe was 52.
The Stooges appeared at the RKO Madison the day before at 9:50 PM. They appeared at 21 theaters in 3 days!
My mistake in saying that KATE opened citywide on the New York Loew’s circuit in December. I was not in my office and was relying on memory.
However, KATE in 3-D was MGM’s big Christmas release in major cities across the country, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, etc. As I said earlier, exhibitor demand for 3-D prints was so great, Technicolor had to strike additional prints to fulfill the bookings of the 3-D version.
A
THE TINGLER was in Percepto.
13 GHOSTS wasn’t in 3-D. It utilized a “Ghost Viewer” with red and blue filters. Look through one filter and the ghosts disappear, and visa versa.
KISS ME KATE played every major engagement in 3-D, including neighborhood theaters. In fact, there was such a demand for 3-D bookings, Technicolor had to strike additional left/right prints!
For the facts about HONDO, check out:
http://3-dfilmpf.org/info.html
You’re right Al, it is extremely subjective and I dis-agree with you. The 50 3-D movies of that period are on a par with all other studio product of the time.
KISS ME KATE opened flat at the Music Hall for technical reasons. They were concerned with the loss of seating on the extreme sides of the orchestra. However, it did open city-wide in 3-D on the Loew’s circuit just in time for Christmas.
You’re the first person I’ve ever heard describe KATE as “unbearable!”
Digital is fine and I have no problem with it. It does eliminate the human factor/skill of presenting a quality 3-D presentation on 35mm film.
But don’t try to sell it as better than what was done 55 years ago. It’s not. The resolution is far less; the image is considerably dimmer, and the cinematography leaves much to be desired.
Don’t believe all the hype and spin from Katzenberg, Cameron and the folks at Real D.
When projected properly, 3-D movies of the 1950’s have greater depth, higher resolution and are generally much better quality than any stereoscopic productions of the past 40 years.
Of the 50 English language Polaroid 3-D features produced in the 1950’s, only 20% could be considered gimmicky with an excessive amount of objects thrown at the camera. That trend didn’t become prevalent until the 1970’s and 1980’s with films such as “Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein,†Comin' at Ya†and “Treasure of the Four Crowns.â€
During the Golden Age of 3-D, talented directors and cinematographers such as John Alton, Raoul Walsh, Douglas Sirk, Roy Baker, George Sidney, William Cameron Menzies, Jack Arnold, Budd Boetticher, Charles Roscher, Hal Wallis, and Alfred Hitchcock utilized the stereo cinematography to create a dimensional window to the action on screen. This is not a new concept in motion pictures.
All this current ballyhoo that digital 3-D is “better than ever†is a lot of nonsense being spouted by people that have never seen a 3-D movie from the 1950’s properly presented. They should have gone to the two World 3-D Expo’s in Hollywood!
The IN ORBIT/MOTHRA tour was July 14, 1962. They appeared on stage at the Madison on Saturday at 2:15.
It was quite a tour. Over a 3 day period, they appeared at 21 theaters!