Somebody please tell me. What did we do BEFORE cell phones became standard equipment for nearly everybody on earth?If the signals are blocked- and they should be- the manager or whoever is in charge can always use the good old fashioned house phone. While cell phones do offer some beneficial uses, their abuse and overuse is getting to be too much.I see that now many restaurants and other establishments are offering “Cell Free” environments. I simply DO NOT want to hear somebodys useless or unnecessary conversation when I am enjoying a meal-or a movie. Posted by Theaterat for PhilPhil
I know that I probably will take a lot of heat for this, but even though the new King Kong has everything money can buy, it just does not have the sense of wonder and awe the original has.The computer generated scenes look like a video game and even though Times square ca.1933 looks good in a picture postcard way, it simply does not ring true.The film is overlong and the first hour seems to go nowhere.Things DO pick up a bit on Skull Island, but we know the outcome and where the rest of the film is going.Also, the 1930s athmosphere is pretty much romanticized and gives us an idealistic-and all too glossy impression of an era that was bleak at best.This one might cut the mustard for the teenage crowd who probably would never watch the original because it is in black and white. It IS superior to the 1976 remake but making a mega budget film from what was essentially a B movie is the same trap the producers of the 1998 remake of Godzilla fell into.After seeing this, I went home and watched the 1933 classic, and for a good measure also watched the Kaiju classic King Kong VS Godzilla and found both of these to be superior to the new version I just saw.
The Sat 12=10 showing of “The Wizard of OZ” promises to be a great event. This is, without a doubt the finest musical and fantasy EVER made!To call it a classic hardly does it justice. How many films can stand the test of time and still remain fresh and vibrant with each viewing? Though I have seen it countless times on TV, video and DVD,the big screen obviously is the only way to see it. I really wish I can break my existing plans for this night and get out here to see it. Hope the print and sound are of a high quality, but since I am a semi regular at the Jersey, I`m sure it will be first rate. Enjoy- and pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!
When I was a youngster, I remember that the Dyker theater always showed what the Benson was playing.Since neither my parents or myself ever liked going to the Benson, we would go to the Dyker instead.Parking was fairly easy back then- not the nightmare it is in Bay Ridge now,so we always got a spot near the theater. I also remember the police station right next to the theater.This was a clean and well maintained theater. There was no seperate entrance from the lobby to the orchestra, and there was also a balcony that was usually closed except for Friday and Saturday night.There was a domed celing and a fireplace near the top entrance to the balcony wich was done in marble.I remember seeing “The Fabulous World of Jules Verne' there with my mother. This was a teriffic movie that combined animation, graphics, painted sets, model work and live actors in a unique visual style. It still is one of my all time favorites.I also remember seeing the great Kaiju{ Japanese Monster Movie} "King Kong VS Godzilla” with my father and younger brother. I got to go there quite frequently and saw many fine films here including “From Russia With Love”,“Father Goose”, “How to Murder Your Wife”, “The Battle of the Bulge”, Bonnie and Clyde" with “Bullitt” and more monster movies that I can shake a stick at. The theater started to go downhill in the early 70s. When I went to see “Carwash” here I knew that pretty soon it would close.The building still exists today and although I have never been inside any of the stores that occupy it. I understand that the domed celing still exists. Maybe someday when I have nothing better to do….
The Friday Nov 11th and Saturday Nov 12th screenings of the “Godfather” and the “Godfather-II” along with “The Public ENEMY” with James Cagney is truly an offer that no movie fan can refuse! Cant make it on Friday for the first Godfather film, but I do plan to see part II on Saturday.This is that VERY rare sequel that is actually as good-if not better than its predecessor.Too bad I cant say the same4 about the “Godfather-Part III”.While “The Public Enemy” is the film that made Cagney a star, his finest gangster role- in my humble opinion – is the mother obsessed psychotic Cody Jarret in “White Heat”.
Bway and EDR… It`s REALLY too bad that this did not happen. It would have been nice though.I guess it is good to dream, but reality is quite another subject. I have never been to the Ridgewood, but I quess that it is a miracle that it still can survive. Prehaps some day I will get there.
I guess tyhe overall run down, shabby and generally dirty conditions at this theater kept people away.Nobody ever liked to go here- especially when there was the much better maintained Oriental and Deluxe nearby.
I have an interesting story regarding this theater. I was on a cruise vacation to Bermuda recently. There was an elderly couple I met who were from Toronto, Canada.We got to talking, and the gentleman said he was originally from Brooklyn, bur moved to Canada some 15 years ago whedn he retired.Afyer much talk about ?the old neighborhoods" somehow the conversation came to movie theaters. He asked me how many were left in Brooklyn, and I told him about 9 or 10. Then he asked me if I remembered the 46th. St.I told him vividly. It seems that this fellow, who worked in real estate sales was attempting to re-open the 46th.st with a few friends back in 1975.The plan was to re=furbish the then recently closed theater and bring movies and other events back to Boro Park. The plan sounded great and was almost a go until 3 banks turned them down. Part of the plan was to have an “unemployment special” where if you showed your unemployment card, you got a discount! They also planned to have Saturday kids matinees like in the “old days”.Also on the agenda were Yiddish shows for the Hassidic community, and concerts or opera music. There was also talk about screening the big screen epics such as < Lawrence of Arabia",“ Around the World in 80 Days”, “The 10 Commandments”, “Sparticus”, “ Doctor Zhivago” and others. I must admit, this was a great idea. Obviously he thought so too.This was at the dawn of the multiplex era, but he said to cut up and gut this theater would be a tragedy.He asked me if I am a moviegoer. I told him that I used to be, but the overall lousy quality of todays movies,and the equally bad multiplexes we have to see them at is keeping me away. He agreed on that! I told him about this website, and he sounded interested in it! Too bad he doesn`t have a computer!
Frankcan…I quess we do have memories. I lived not too far from the Deluxe, and many were the good- and not so good movies I saw here from Saturday matinees, to the James Bond films, and also to foreign films too. Although the majestic Oriental was THE theater to go too, the neat and clean Deluxe was always a better choice than the larger but run down Benson. After the Deluxe showed a re-release of GWTW in late 1974, it went porn. There was a local attempt to get so-called legitimate films to be shown again in those pre multiplex days, but the nrw owners were not listening. Every time I saw “ adults only” or “XXX> on the marquee, it made me cringe.We lost the first of our neighborhood theaters then. Now, some 30 years later. there are no theaters whatsoever in our area. It is sad, but it is certainly true. We are all a bit poorer for it.
Say what you want about the Journal Square area.Whatever its status is, this area has CHARACTER!There are plenty of decent shops,and parking is free-after 6PM at night.In many respects it does remind one of a typical “ downtown ” area that could be practically anywhere in the USA-or even in Montreal or Toronto.I quess that is part of the fun of going to the Jersey.I have never been to the Lafayette, but maybe someday I will go if I can interest anybody to go with me. I hear it is great.
Frankcan… The Deluxe was never cut up. It started to show porn at the dawn of the multiplex era. Was fortunate enough to go inside last summer{No, no movie was playing} to get one last look before it was gutted.All the great memories just hit me at once! It will always be remembered as long as people still care about their favorite theaters of yesteryear.
To all of the recent posters on the Kings…. Even though the Jersey IS opened and showing movies and featuring other events. it is by no means complete.It still is a “Work in Progress” and still hase some rough edges.It will be many years until it is restored to its former glory, but the important thing is the fact that it IS open and people seem to be supporting it.Was there on 10-9 for “Monty Python and the Holy Grail' and "Dr Strangelove> and there was a pretty large audience for this show.While Kings preservationists will probably get no support from the Jersey management, it still can be a case in point reference to anybody pitching a revival of this theater.There is no reason why a classic film venue cannot flourish in Brooklyn, so lets start to concentrate on the positive reasons for re-opening the "Loews of Loews”
Brucec… Manhattanites-as opposed to New Yorkers seem to have a mindset that Manhattan is the world.The idea of going to New Jersey to see a movie is not too appealing to them when they have several revival houses in their own borough.In this respect, the Jersey is the best kept secret among film buffs and theater lovers.
Went to the Jersey on Sat 10-8 to see “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and stayed for “DR. Strangelove” The crowd for “Monty Python was fairly large, about the biggest I evrer saw here.I know this film is a cult item, but I found it to be somewhat silly and overlong, but it DID have its moments. As for "DR. Strangelove” what can I say? Long one of my favorites, it was absolutely FANTASTIC to see on the big screen.Though somewhat dated thanks to the fall of the former Soviet Union, it still remains fresh- and utterly hilarious each time I see it.Definately the best Peter Sellers AND George C Scott performances on film, even when compared to the “Pink Panther” and “ Patton” roles of these two excellent stars.Also enjoyed the introduction to “ Strangelove” by the gentleman who publishes the film magazine- sorry I can`t remember his namw. The Jersey experience on this miserable rainy night was one of my best. Glad the film season is finally here!
Rhett…Jim Rankin is right. Try to check the Stanley wich is right across the street. You will be impressed.The “Great Race” and “The Odd Couple” would be a teriffic double feature- 2 over the top Jack Lemmon performances- especially in the “Great Race”. The 2 hour layover between shows may seem long, but at least you can really explore the Jersey in dept.There are also a few good stores nearby, and a nice coffee shop right across the street. There are also outdoor benches where you can sit that will give you a great view of the theater. Though i am not a great Marx Bros fan, D “DR, Strangelove” is one of my all time favorites.So many great lines! And no matter how many times I have seen it, Slim Picken`s ride on that nuclear bomd just blows me away.
I remember when the Hollywood twin went “revival' in 1981 after showing gay porn for a long time. Though a small theater with a small screen, you just had to give the new management an A for effort.Though NOT the place to see a big screen epic like "Ben Hur” or “Docvtor Zhivago”,this film buff`s paradise always managed to have interesting programming, and generally the prints being screened were of a good quality.The last show- of many that I saw here was a double feature of “Gallipoli” and “Breaker Morant” in the early summer of 1984. Shortly after that, I purchased my first VCR, and sadly enough, I stopped going to film revivals.There STILL is nothing like seeingb one on a big screen as a communal experience. This I will always miss.
While a repetory house, the Regency was always a class act. Of the many repetory theaters in Manhattan, this was always the best maintained and probably the largest one too.There always was a good crowd on the weekend, and “Large Screen” films looked pretty decent on the screen.There was also a balcony, but I never sat there because the smoking section was in the orchestra.Remember seeing “Who Afraid of Virginia Wolfe” with Taylor and Burton here in early 1981, among many others. This theater- along with the Thalia were the best revival houses in NYC.
Somebody please tell me. What did we do BEFORE cell phones became standard equipment for nearly everybody on earth?If the signals are blocked- and they should be- the manager or whoever is in charge can always use the good old fashioned house phone. While cell phones do offer some beneficial uses, their abuse and overuse is getting to be too much.I see that now many restaurants and other establishments are offering “Cell Free” environments. I simply DO NOT want to hear somebodys useless or unnecessary conversation when I am enjoying a meal-or a movie. Posted by Theaterat for PhilPhil
Halleluah, halleluah halleluah!
Almost Forgot! My rating -2 out of 4 Bananas!
I know that I probably will take a lot of heat for this, but even though the new King Kong has everything money can buy, it just does not have the sense of wonder and awe the original has.The computer generated scenes look like a video game and even though Times square ca.1933 looks good in a picture postcard way, it simply does not ring true.The film is overlong and the first hour seems to go nowhere.Things DO pick up a bit on Skull Island, but we know the outcome and where the rest of the film is going.Also, the 1930s athmosphere is pretty much romanticized and gives us an idealistic-and all too glossy impression of an era that was bleak at best.This one might cut the mustard for the teenage crowd who probably would never watch the original because it is in black and white. It IS superior to the 1976 remake but making a mega budget film from what was essentially a B movie is the same trap the producers of the 1998 remake of Godzilla fell into.After seeing this, I went home and watched the 1933 classic, and for a good measure also watched the Kaiju classic King Kong VS Godzilla and found both of these to be superior to the new version I just saw.
The Sat 12=10 showing of “The Wizard of OZ” promises to be a great event. This is, without a doubt the finest musical and fantasy EVER made!To call it a classic hardly does it justice. How many films can stand the test of time and still remain fresh and vibrant with each viewing? Though I have seen it countless times on TV, video and DVD,the big screen obviously is the only way to see it. I really wish I can break my existing plans for this night and get out here to see it. Hope the print and sound are of a high quality, but since I am a semi regular at the Jersey, I`m sure it will be first rate. Enjoy- and pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!
When I was a youngster, I remember that the Dyker theater always showed what the Benson was playing.Since neither my parents or myself ever liked going to the Benson, we would go to the Dyker instead.Parking was fairly easy back then- not the nightmare it is in Bay Ridge now,so we always got a spot near the theater. I also remember the police station right next to the theater.This was a clean and well maintained theater. There was no seperate entrance from the lobby to the orchestra, and there was also a balcony that was usually closed except for Friday and Saturday night.There was a domed celing and a fireplace near the top entrance to the balcony wich was done in marble.I remember seeing “The Fabulous World of Jules Verne' there with my mother. This was a teriffic movie that combined animation, graphics, painted sets, model work and live actors in a unique visual style. It still is one of my all time favorites.I also remember seeing the great Kaiju{ Japanese Monster Movie} "King Kong VS Godzilla” with my father and younger brother. I got to go there quite frequently and saw many fine films here including “From Russia With Love”,“Father Goose”, “How to Murder Your Wife”, “The Battle of the Bulge”, Bonnie and Clyde" with “Bullitt” and more monster movies that I can shake a stick at. The theater started to go downhill in the early 70s. When I went to see “Carwash” here I knew that pretty soon it would close.The building still exists today and although I have never been inside any of the stores that occupy it. I understand that the domed celing still exists. Maybe someday when I have nothing better to do….
The Friday Nov 11th and Saturday Nov 12th screenings of the “Godfather” and the “Godfather-II” along with “The Public ENEMY” with James Cagney is truly an offer that no movie fan can refuse! Can
t make it on Friday for the first Godfather film, but I do plan to see part II on Saturday.This is that VERY rare sequel that is actually as good-if not better than its predecessor.Too bad I cant say the same4 about the “Godfather-Part III”.While “The Public Enemy” is the film that made Cagney a star, his finest gangster role- in my humble opinion – is the mother obsessed psychotic Cody Jarret in “White Heat”.Hardbop…slowly but surely. It WILL take a long time but, hey, it`s still better than nothing.
Bway and EDR… It`s REALLY too bad that this did not happen. It would have been nice though.I guess it is good to dream, but reality is quite another subject. I have never been to the Ridgewood, but I quess that it is a miracle that it still can survive. Prehaps some day I will get there.
Yankee Mike… It`s also a shame that the efforts to get the Deluxe to stop showing porn came to naught.
Yankee Mike…. Speaking of porn, I remember that the Benson was showing porn for a time in the early 70s, right before it became a twin.
I guess tyhe overall run down, shabby and generally dirty conditions at this theater kept people away.Nobody ever liked to go here- especially when there was the much better maintained Oriental and Deluxe nearby.
Yankee Mike….I never went to the Benson after it wes twinned. WEas this an improvement of its original design?
I have an interesting story regarding this theater. I was on a cruise vacation to Bermuda recently. There was an elderly couple I met who were from Toronto, Canada.We got to talking, and the gentleman said he was originally from Brooklyn, bur moved to Canada some 15 years ago whedn he retired.Afyer much talk about ?the old neighborhoods" somehow the conversation came to movie theaters. He asked me how many were left in Brooklyn, and I told him about 9 or 10. Then he asked me if I remembered the 46th. St.I told him vividly. It seems that this fellow, who worked in real estate sales was attempting to re-open the 46th.st with a few friends back in 1975.The plan was to re=furbish the then recently closed theater and bring movies and other events back to Boro Park. The plan sounded great and was almost a go until 3 banks turned them down. Part of the plan was to have an “unemployment special” where if you showed your unemployment card, you got a discount! They also planned to have Saturday kids matinees like in the “old days”.Also on the agenda were Yiddish shows for the Hassidic community, and concerts or opera music. There was also talk about screening the big screen epics such as < Lawrence of Arabia",“ Around the World in 80 Days”, “The 10 Commandments”, “Sparticus”, “ Doctor Zhivago” and others. I must admit, this was a great idea. Obviously he thought so too.This was at the dawn of the multiplex era, but he said to cut up and gut this theater would be a tragedy.He asked me if I am a moviegoer. I told him that I used to be, but the overall lousy quality of todays movies,and the equally bad multiplexes we have to see them at is keeping me away. He agreed on that! I told him about this website, and he sounded interested in it! Too bad he doesn`t have a computer!
Frankcan…I quess we do have memories. I lived not too far from the Deluxe, and many were the good- and not so good movies I saw here from Saturday matinees, to the James Bond films, and also to foreign films too. Although the majestic Oriental was THE theater to go too, the neat and clean Deluxe was always a better choice than the larger but run down Benson. After the Deluxe showed a re-release of GWTW in late 1974, it went porn. There was a local attempt to get so-called legitimate films to be shown again in those pre multiplex days, but the nrw owners were not listening. Every time I saw “ adults only” or “XXX> on the marquee, it made me cringe.We lost the first of our neighborhood theaters then. Now, some 30 years later. there are no theaters whatsoever in our area. It is sad, but it is certainly true. We are all a bit poorer for it.
Say what you want about the Journal Square area.Whatever its status is, this area has CHARACTER!There are plenty of decent shops,and parking is free-after 6PM at night.In many respects it does remind one of a typical “ downtown ” area that could be practically anywhere in the USA-or even in Montreal or Toronto.I quess that is part of the fun of going to the Jersey.I have never been to the Lafayette, but maybe someday I will go if I can interest anybody to go with me. I hear it is great.
Frankcan… The Deluxe was never cut up. It started to show porn at the dawn of the multiplex era. Was fortunate enough to go inside last summer{No, no movie was playing} to get one last look before it was gutted.All the great memories just hit me at once! It will always be remembered as long as people still care about their favorite theaters of yesteryear.
To all of the recent posters on the Kings…. Even though the Jersey IS opened and showing movies and featuring other events. it is by no means complete.It still is a “Work in Progress” and still hase some rough edges.It will be many years until it is restored to its former glory, but the important thing is the fact that it IS open and people seem to be supporting it.Was there on 10-9 for “Monty Python and the Holy Grail' and "Dr Strangelove> and there was a pretty large audience for this show.While Kings preservationists will probably get no support from the Jersey management, it still can be a case in point reference to anybody pitching a revival of this theater.There is no reason why a classic film venue cannot flourish in Brooklyn, so lets start to concentrate on the positive reasons for re-opening the "Loews of Loews”
Brucec… Manhattanites-as opposed to New Yorkers seem to have a mindset that Manhattan is the world.The idea of going to New Jersey to see a movie is not too appealing to them when they have several revival houses in their own borough.In this respect, the Jersey is the best kept secret among film buffs and theater lovers.
Went to the Jersey on Sat 10-8 to see “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and stayed for “DR. Strangelove” The crowd for “Monty Python was fairly large, about the biggest I evrer saw here.I know this film is a cult item, but I found it to be somewhat silly and overlong, but it DID have its moments. As for "DR. Strangelove” what can I say? Long one of my favorites, it was absolutely FANTASTIC to see on the big screen.Though somewhat dated thanks to the fall of the former Soviet Union, it still remains fresh- and utterly hilarious each time I see it.Definately the best Peter Sellers AND George C Scott performances on film, even when compared to the “Pink Panther” and “ Patton” roles of these two excellent stars.Also enjoyed the introduction to “ Strangelove” by the gentleman who publishes the film magazine- sorry I can`t remember his namw. The Jersey experience on this miserable rainy night was one of my best. Glad the film season is finally here!
Bruce C… or the more serious side of Blake Edwards with “The Days OF Wine and Roses"and a dramatic role for Jack Lemmon in "Save The Tiger”.
Rhett…Jim Rankin is right. Try to check the Stanley wich is right across the street. You will be impressed.The “Great Race” and “The Odd Couple” would be a teriffic double feature- 2 over the top Jack Lemmon performances- especially in the “Great Race”. The 2 hour layover between shows may seem long, but at least you can really explore the Jersey in dept.There are also a few good stores nearby, and a nice coffee shop right across the street. There are also outdoor benches where you can sit that will give you a great view of the theater. Though i am not a great Marx Bros fan, D “DR, Strangelove” is one of my all time favorites.So many great lines! And no matter how many times I have seen it, Slim Picken`s ride on that nuclear bomd just blows me away.
I remember when the Hollywood twin went “revival' in 1981 after showing gay porn for a long time. Though a small theater with a small screen, you just had to give the new management an A for effort.Though NOT the place to see a big screen epic like "Ben Hur” or “Docvtor Zhivago”,this film buff`s paradise always managed to have interesting programming, and generally the prints being screened were of a good quality.The last show- of many that I saw here was a double feature of “Gallipoli” and “Breaker Morant” in the early summer of 1984. Shortly after that, I purchased my first VCR, and sadly enough, I stopped going to film revivals.There STILL is nothing like seeingb one on a big screen as a communal experience. This I will always miss.
While a repetory house, the Regency was always a class act. Of the many repetory theaters in Manhattan, this was always the best maintained and probably the largest one too.There always was a good crowd on the weekend, and “Large Screen” films looked pretty decent on the screen.There was also a balcony, but I never sat there because the smoking section was in the orchestra.Remember seeing “Who Afraid of Virginia Wolfe” with Taylor and Burton here in early 1981, among many others. This theater- along with the Thalia were the best revival houses in NYC.
Somehow, Symphony Space and the Thalia began to be listed togeyher in the early 1980s.Prior to that, the Thalia was its own entity.