I remember seeing Fantasia in 1978 and was awed by the size of the screen. When I saw special showings of Bonnie and Clyde, Psycho, Jaws, The Sting in the late 90’s, while the screen was big, I wasn’t awed. Was it a smaller screen than what RCMH used?
I’ve never been to this theater (regretfully) but I always remeber walking past it, it had a long lobby after the ticket booth (did it not). Is this theater really still intact inside and where are the pictures some of you say you have. maybe someone needs to start a site with pictures of all the old theaters.
In remembrance of Marlon Brando, I can’t help but remember 8/15/79, the premiere of “Apocalypse Now”. Reserved seats were $5.00. I remember the anticipation through the whole film, waiting for Brando to come o, you could feel it in the audience.
In the opening scene, I actually thought there might be a band with a tamboreen (spelling?) behind the screen and that there might be a helicopter in the theater. I had never seen or heard anything like it, all in 70MM 6-track stereo. I can’t believe it was 25 years ago, it seems like yesterday. It’s too bad the Ziegfeld doesn’t show 70MM flims anymore. It was grand theater presentation.
Yes, but is this theater a classic?? I could see if it were the original Loews State but it seemds it is not. It is a theater built in 96 so it was a multiplex all along?? Am i wrong?
While there are sound business reasons why theaters are run by cashcows and not people who treasure the moviegoing experience, it doesn’t mean we have to like it.
For you to say we our all the reasons why theaters do what they do. yes , I agree. But, to think about, the reason we all stopped going to the theaters and stayed home and watched home video is because the theaters gradually declined in their quality. I’m not just talking about the movies. There were alot of bad films in the 40’s, 50’s, 70’s etc. But theaters,are run by idiots. That is Bad Business. When you pay admission, you expect a quality product. So yes, after you shelled out money to get a bad product (meaning theater quality) you decide to stop coming.
How bout starting a NEW chat as to why we all stopped going to the theaters. What we all wax on about here Andy, is the time when theaters were run by theater people. My first job was an usher in the 70’s. I had to stand a post, chase out smokers, keep the noisemakers quiet and makesure the film was always a quality showing. There wasn’t an out=of-focus, poorframed, un-climated controlled film on my watch.
Today. you leave your seat (missing 5 minutes of the flick) to walk across a multiplex city to flag down some kid to tell the asleep projectionist to frame the friggin film. I don’t pay for that, nor should anyone.
You know Andy? “If you build it they will come”…they haven’t, but we still do cause we have nothing else. So we bitch and moan on this site about the way things are done. The right way. Unfortunately (and this is where I see your point)the right way doesn’t put money in wallets, especially when the way things are done today is…the wrong way.
Its a shame that they don’t show films anymore. Now they just show live bands. For them to be a top theater again, they need to upgrade the equipment, but that’s highly doubtful.
I always hope that the powers that be in Paterson would wake up, forget about the space and restore the theater to its former glory. It’s the only surviving theater of Paterson and should be spared the wrecking ball. The theater could be a flower in Paterson’s junkyard. Maybe Mayor Torres should check out this site.
The Fabian was one of the best theaters. Back in the day (the 70’s) a family could go to the Fabian and not expect to get mugged afterwards. But Paterson today, is a dangerzone, with gangs and punks and junkies etc. They’d have to clean up the town first.
It’s good to dream Bill….but unfortunately we’re in a nightmare. With the Astor Plaza in NYC closing we are down to a hanfull of single screen theaters. The only theater that is a throwback to the old days is the Lafayette in Suffern, NY. They love movies there.
The days of 70MM are unfortunately gone. I miss those days.
I was there when it opened and they were showing classic films on some screens. I saw 42nd Street, Guns of Navarone (magnificent) they also showed Citizen kane, the 2 Godfathers, mean Streets, Cabaret etc….I thought, this is great. I saw Ben -Hur, they put it on the smallest screen there. I had to leave my seat 3 times, “turn off the lights”, “frame the film”.. the dunces in the lobby didn’t even look fazed. They were bored high schoollers wondering why they were in this crappy job.
Since then , no more classic movies. Just straight releases,a month after Scooby Doo opens it could still be seen on 4 screens there giving everyone an opportunity to pay their $10 for this….slop.
25 screens…you think they could devote at leat 1 to showing some great bigscreen classics. No, because it’s not financially lucrative and the theaters are run by people who only know the dollar sign and nothing about movies.
It’s much better when some one get’s himself shot in the leg. It’s publicity. yes, the front is cool but how many people really know it’s the classic Empire facade….for that matter, how many really care. 25 screens…..that theater soon enough will be a haven for the bad crowd.
We all think alike here…but unfortunately guys, we arethe minority…Why don’t they build there office buildings elsewhere??? We are dealing with business people who care nothing about old theaters, The Astor Plaza, Ziegfeld, etc. They will build cruddy multiplex after multiplex, if it means getting butts in the seats to make the almighty dollar…no matter how many crappy films there are out there.
Aside from the execs screwing everything up…have you ever talked to patrons themselves….they could care less…most don’t know the difference between 70MM and VHS slowspeed playback…they don’t care,just show the flick and let me eat my 8 dollar popcorn is their motto. Why does Scooby Doo make 50 million opening weekend??? Because a family of 4 will spend $9 admission plus $30 for all the snacks. That’s what these businessmen care about. Not whether the curtain opens, or what frame it is shown in or how many FPS. or Dolby, DTS, 6-Track or single speaker mono. Just see the movie, eat your friggin pocorn, then get out and make room for the next crowd.
The only great theater that would come , is if we all here opened one and ran it ourselves. But, we’d probably go out of business because let’s face it….how many shows of Around the World in 80 days in 70MM would be profitiable anyway after 1 show.
Passion and love for movies is great, we all have it, but, unfortunately the almighty dollar would beat us down….which once again is why all these great theaters will close so the teens could have another haven of small minded ignorance to drain cash out of.
It’s sad. But regardless, my passion is still there . I guess I’ll have to keep it there. Right now on TV they’re raving about Spiderman2 (look at the money it made) how real the effects were (are they kidding)In a month, it’s yesterday’s news, making room for the next one, by Thanksgiving it’s on DVD. Cash cash cash. 30 years from now, I doubt that there’ll be a younger version of us here, pushing for a 35MM re-release.
Vincent…..I’m IN. A Widescreen film club…OK, so how about some kind of outline/ideas to get it started and what is the purpose…everyone here can have input!!!
Re: Aug. 5th. I guess it’s time to get to the Astor with our cameras and say goodbye.
Joe Masher is the guy in here we need to seduce…Joe, do you need a new car??
I think it’s great someone affiliated with the Ziegfeld is in on this dialogue..it gives all us film lovers hope, especially that Joe is a member here. I think it’d be great to see a 70MM fest at Ziegfeld, especially since the Astor is going going…..
BTW…does anyone know if there are any DVD’s or Laserdiscs that were mastered from a 70MM print??
Shade….from your lips to God’s ear…I remember Arthur Penn being there, I was so pumped. Peter Benchley was at Jaws…There’s no showmanship anymore….they should read this site.
I remember (from the advertisements) Poseidon Adventure premiered there and in 74, so dod Towering Inferno, advertised in 70MM 6-track. Some discrepancies on the twinning dates though. The only film I ever saw there was Al Pacino’s flop “Revolution” in 1985. I believe (not 100% sure) that it was in the bottom theater, it was shown in 70MM 6 track, and I guess because of all that as well as the hype about how awful it was, my expectations being low…I really enjoyed it..Believe it or not…must’ve been the 70MM.
I would have loved to frequent the theater more but I’m in NJ. I always remember coming upon Times Square and I always loved the marquee. It was a shame that it went to hell, with lousy flicks and bad upkeep.
Is it true that the finale of “Last Action Hero” was filmed in the national?
Funny Ken…..your so right though. There’s nothing worse than having a lousy premiere movie experience. I bet everytime you think about Apocalypse Now, you remember it as blurry.
I agree with your assessment of the golden times of movie theaters. My very first job was at a theater in NJ as an Usher. I kept law and order. Back when there where smoking sections. The projectionista (all union) were great guys and back then when a picture went out of frame or out of focus, it was quickly repaired. You didn’t have to wait 5 minutes, get out of your seat, trek though an entire multiplex to find some kid at the candy counter and tell them to fix it. Those were the days.
Yet the mutilation and demise of another single screen classic theater. Never been there, I bet it was something back in the day. There are many theaters from North jersey, some still around…Hawthorne theater, Claridge Theater in Montclair, Allwood theater in Clifton, Hyway theater in fair lawn, Wayne Preakness in Wayne, Warner in Ridgewood etc. All former single screens, great theaters…back then. Now catered to the masses, showing crappy films. Some arew architectually a mess. the Claridge…it was a grand palace , now it’s dank, drab, uncomfortable and run by morons. I had to get out of my seat on many occasions to tell them to start the flick and close the doors. The teenagers were too busy talking. God, I miss the 70’s.
That’s too bad Ken, you must’ve had the bad luck days when you went or just bad coincidence. I saw Apocalypse Now in 70MM twice at the Ziegfeld, and it was the best experience. What you comment on is basically what happens at mostly all theaters these days because the theaters are run by hacks with no feel for the moviegoing experience or teenage dunces.
Joe….do you work at the Ziegfeld?? Will there be any special programs coming up like restored epics? classic movies? or will it just be the standard releases?? also are 70MM films that were great at the Ziegfeld now kaput??
Re: Digital projection …I had no idea the Ziegfeld removed their equipment….whic is a good idea, I saw Attack of the Clones in digital there and was extremely unimpressed…Last year I saw Lawrence of Arabia in 70MM and was blown away. The Ziegfeld is one of THE best theaters in the country, I hope they don’t give in to the masses and just play the contemporary crap. It would be great to see some re-releases on that big screen. It’s something to look into. Go to the Astor Plaza discussion and you’ll see what I mean. If the Ziegfeld staged some kind of retro festival…it would do big business…
The only thing I ever saw at the Capitol in Passaic was a professional wrestling match in the 70’s. I remember all the concerts there though but as far as films went it was basically a porno theater. Now it’s gone. The Central I was there once, The Cowboys in 72, a good theater before the neighborhood swallowed it up and it played nothing but cheap flicks and karate films. Gone also. Just the Montauk survives, like a cancer of the neighborhood. I’d love to see the interior design but, not enough to go in there as it’s the sleaziest of theaters now. For perverts only. A damn shame.
Vincent…I’m assuming that if I saw 80 Days on the big screen I might feel differently about it as entertainment, but as of now considering what else was nominated in 1956 (Giant, 10 Commandments)it was the inferior film. I’m going to have to buy the DVD to get a new perspective on this flick..DVD can do that….Now to say Rocky and Ordinary People are underserving of Best Pic?? I strongly disagree but, that’s another chat I guess, to each his own..but, I was a teen during the 70’s and Rocky had a HUGE influence on me…now if you want to start a new chat over undeserving Best Picture Winners…I’d nominate, English patient, Shakespeare in Love (It beat Pvt. Ryan?)the biggestoversite in Oscar history…but getting off track here..
Mike, it would be great if we could band and start our own group to play 70MM flicks…..anyone here got any ideas…maybe it’s time to put our money where our mouths are (although, money is kindof out)..but there seems to be alot of experts and veterans in here that know alot….suggestions??
I think we can all wait till hell freezes over before the Astor Plaza plays a goodbye retrospective series. The reason…so MTV can get started on destroying it for more studios so the dunces there can get started on more idiotic programming for today’s idiotic youth market.
I wish the people who own the theater would review this site and see there are actually people who care about the movie experience and a great theater…but, I don’t think they would care anyway as the people who run the theaters these days are as idiotic as the movies they make.
What can we do here to give the Astor Plaza a proper sendoff?? Is there anyone in here with connections to get something started? or are we all working on pipe dreams??
Damn the price and the cost!!!! If they can pay to make crummy films they can fork over the cash to restore and show the classics…As you can see, I understand the cost of things and such…but while I can accept it (kicking and screaming of course) I don’t have to like it…I guess it’s time to move to LA..
I remember seeing Fantasia in 1978 and was awed by the size of the screen. When I saw special showings of Bonnie and Clyde, Psycho, Jaws, The Sting in the late 90’s, while the screen was big, I wasn’t awed. Was it a smaller screen than what RCMH used?
I’ve never been to this theater (regretfully) but I always remeber walking past it, it had a long lobby after the ticket booth (did it not). Is this theater really still intact inside and where are the pictures some of you say you have. maybe someone needs to start a site with pictures of all the old theaters.
Too bad…The Astor is going out…..not with a bang, but a whimper. I’ll have to go there with my camera one last time.
In remembrance of Marlon Brando, I can’t help but remember 8/15/79, the premiere of “Apocalypse Now”. Reserved seats were $5.00. I remember the anticipation through the whole film, waiting for Brando to come o, you could feel it in the audience.
In the opening scene, I actually thought there might be a band with a tamboreen (spelling?) behind the screen and that there might be a helicopter in the theater. I had never seen or heard anything like it, all in 70MM 6-track stereo. I can’t believe it was 25 years ago, it seems like yesterday. It’s too bad the Ziegfeld doesn’t show 70MM flims anymore. It was grand theater presentation.
Yes, but is this theater a classic?? I could see if it were the original Loews State but it seemds it is not. It is a theater built in 96 so it was a multiplex all along?? Am i wrong?
JSM….does your fiancee know if there’ll be any other program for the finale other than Spiderman2???
Re: AndyT’s statement.
While there are sound business reasons why theaters are run by cashcows and not people who treasure the moviegoing experience, it doesn’t mean we have to like it.
For you to say we our all the reasons why theaters do what they do. yes , I agree. But, to think about, the reason we all stopped going to the theaters and stayed home and watched home video is because the theaters gradually declined in their quality. I’m not just talking about the movies. There were alot of bad films in the 40’s, 50’s, 70’s etc. But theaters,are run by idiots. That is Bad Business. When you pay admission, you expect a quality product. So yes, after you shelled out money to get a bad product (meaning theater quality) you decide to stop coming.
How bout starting a NEW chat as to why we all stopped going to the theaters. What we all wax on about here Andy, is the time when theaters were run by theater people. My first job was an usher in the 70’s. I had to stand a post, chase out smokers, keep the noisemakers quiet and makesure the film was always a quality showing. There wasn’t an out=of-focus, poorframed, un-climated controlled film on my watch.
Today. you leave your seat (missing 5 minutes of the flick) to walk across a multiplex city to flag down some kid to tell the asleep projectionist to frame the friggin film. I don’t pay for that, nor should anyone.
You know Andy? “If you build it they will come”…they haven’t, but we still do cause we have nothing else. So we bitch and moan on this site about the way things are done. The right way. Unfortunately (and this is where I see your point)the right way doesn’t put money in wallets, especially when the way things are done today is…the wrong way.
Its a shame that they don’t show films anymore. Now they just show live bands. For them to be a top theater again, they need to upgrade the equipment, but that’s highly doubtful.
I always hope that the powers that be in Paterson would wake up, forget about the space and restore the theater to its former glory. It’s the only surviving theater of Paterson and should be spared the wrecking ball. The theater could be a flower in Paterson’s junkyard. Maybe Mayor Torres should check out this site.
The Fabian was one of the best theaters. Back in the day (the 70’s) a family could go to the Fabian and not expect to get mugged afterwards. But Paterson today, is a dangerzone, with gangs and punks and junkies etc. They’d have to clean up the town first.
Last movie I saw there, 1972…The Godfather.
It’s good to dream Bill….but unfortunately we’re in a nightmare. With the Astor Plaza in NYC closing we are down to a hanfull of single screen theaters. The only theater that is a throwback to the old days is the Lafayette in Suffern, NY. They love movies there.
The days of 70MM are unfortunately gone. I miss those days.
I was there when it opened and they were showing classic films on some screens. I saw 42nd Street, Guns of Navarone (magnificent) they also showed Citizen kane, the 2 Godfathers, mean Streets, Cabaret etc….I thought, this is great. I saw Ben -Hur, they put it on the smallest screen there. I had to leave my seat 3 times, “turn off the lights”, “frame the film”.. the dunces in the lobby didn’t even look fazed. They were bored high schoollers wondering why they were in this crappy job.
Since then , no more classic movies. Just straight releases,a month after Scooby Doo opens it could still be seen on 4 screens there giving everyone an opportunity to pay their $10 for this….slop.
25 screens…you think they could devote at leat 1 to showing some great bigscreen classics. No, because it’s not financially lucrative and the theaters are run by people who only know the dollar sign and nothing about movies.
It’s much better when some one get’s himself shot in the leg. It’s publicity. yes, the front is cool but how many people really know it’s the classic Empire facade….for that matter, how many really care. 25 screens…..that theater soon enough will be a haven for the bad crowd.
We all think alike here…but unfortunately guys, we arethe minority…Why don’t they build there office buildings elsewhere??? We are dealing with business people who care nothing about old theaters, The Astor Plaza, Ziegfeld, etc. They will build cruddy multiplex after multiplex, if it means getting butts in the seats to make the almighty dollar…no matter how many crappy films there are out there.
Aside from the execs screwing everything up…have you ever talked to patrons themselves….they could care less…most don’t know the difference between 70MM and VHS slowspeed playback…they don’t care,just show the flick and let me eat my 8 dollar popcorn is their motto. Why does Scooby Doo make 50 million opening weekend??? Because a family of 4 will spend $9 admission plus $30 for all the snacks. That’s what these businessmen care about. Not whether the curtain opens, or what frame it is shown in or how many FPS. or Dolby, DTS, 6-Track or single speaker mono. Just see the movie, eat your friggin pocorn, then get out and make room for the next crowd.
The only great theater that would come , is if we all here opened one and ran it ourselves. But, we’d probably go out of business because let’s face it….how many shows of Around the World in 80 days in 70MM would be profitiable anyway after 1 show.
Passion and love for movies is great, we all have it, but, unfortunately the almighty dollar would beat us down….which once again is why all these great theaters will close so the teens could have another haven of small minded ignorance to drain cash out of.
It’s sad. But regardless, my passion is still there . I guess I’ll have to keep it there. Right now on TV they’re raving about Spiderman2 (look at the money it made) how real the effects were (are they kidding)In a month, it’s yesterday’s news, making room for the next one, by Thanksgiving it’s on DVD. Cash cash cash. 30 years from now, I doubt that there’ll be a younger version of us here, pushing for a 35MM re-release.
Keep the faith guys.
Rhett
Vincent…..I’m IN. A Widescreen film club…OK, so how about some kind of outline/ideas to get it started and what is the purpose…everyone here can have input!!!
Re: Aug. 5th. I guess it’s time to get to the Astor with our cameras and say goodbye.
Thanks Bill….BTW….how’s your NJ list of 70MM presentations coming?? when will it be available?
Thanks also to Porter.
Joe Masher is the guy in here we need to seduce…Joe, do you need a new car??
I think it’s great someone affiliated with the Ziegfeld is in on this dialogue..it gives all us film lovers hope, especially that Joe is a member here. I think it’d be great to see a 70MM fest at Ziegfeld, especially since the Astor is going going…..
BTW…does anyone know if there are any DVD’s or Laserdiscs that were mastered from a 70MM print??
Shade….from your lips to God’s ear…I remember Arthur Penn being there, I was so pumped. Peter Benchley was at Jaws…There’s no showmanship anymore….they should read this site.
I remember (from the advertisements) Poseidon Adventure premiered there and in 74, so dod Towering Inferno, advertised in 70MM 6-track. Some discrepancies on the twinning dates though. The only film I ever saw there was Al Pacino’s flop “Revolution” in 1985. I believe (not 100% sure) that it was in the bottom theater, it was shown in 70MM 6 track, and I guess because of all that as well as the hype about how awful it was, my expectations being low…I really enjoyed it..Believe it or not…must’ve been the 70MM.
I would have loved to frequent the theater more but I’m in NJ. I always remember coming upon Times Square and I always loved the marquee. It was a shame that it went to hell, with lousy flicks and bad upkeep.
Is it true that the finale of “Last Action Hero” was filmed in the national?
Funny Ken…..your so right though. There’s nothing worse than having a lousy premiere movie experience. I bet everytime you think about Apocalypse Now, you remember it as blurry.
I agree with your assessment of the golden times of movie theaters. My very first job was at a theater in NJ as an Usher. I kept law and order. Back when there where smoking sections. The projectionista (all union) were great guys and back then when a picture went out of frame or out of focus, it was quickly repaired. You didn’t have to wait 5 minutes, get out of your seat, trek though an entire multiplex to find some kid at the candy counter and tell them to fix it. Those were the days.
Yet the mutilation and demise of another single screen classic theater. Never been there, I bet it was something back in the day. There are many theaters from North jersey, some still around…Hawthorne theater, Claridge Theater in Montclair, Allwood theater in Clifton, Hyway theater in fair lawn, Wayne Preakness in Wayne, Warner in Ridgewood etc. All former single screens, great theaters…back then. Now catered to the masses, showing crappy films. Some arew architectually a mess. the Claridge…it was a grand palace , now it’s dank, drab, uncomfortable and run by morons. I had to get out of my seat on many occasions to tell them to start the flick and close the doors. The teenagers were too busy talking. God, I miss the 70’s.
That’s too bad Ken, you must’ve had the bad luck days when you went or just bad coincidence. I saw Apocalypse Now in 70MM twice at the Ziegfeld, and it was the best experience. What you comment on is basically what happens at mostly all theaters these days because the theaters are run by hacks with no feel for the moviegoing experience or teenage dunces.
Joe….do you work at the Ziegfeld?? Will there be any special programs coming up like restored epics? classic movies? or will it just be the standard releases?? also are 70MM films that were great at the Ziegfeld now kaput??
Re: Digital projection …I had no idea the Ziegfeld removed their equipment….whic is a good idea, I saw Attack of the Clones in digital there and was extremely unimpressed…Last year I saw Lawrence of Arabia in 70MM and was blown away. The Ziegfeld is one of THE best theaters in the country, I hope they don’t give in to the masses and just play the contemporary crap. It would be great to see some re-releases on that big screen. It’s something to look into. Go to the Astor Plaza discussion and you’ll see what I mean. If the Ziegfeld staged some kind of retro festival…it would do big business…
The only thing I ever saw at the Capitol in Passaic was a professional wrestling match in the 70’s. I remember all the concerts there though but as far as films went it was basically a porno theater. Now it’s gone. The Central I was there once, The Cowboys in 72, a good theater before the neighborhood swallowed it up and it played nothing but cheap flicks and karate films. Gone also. Just the Montauk survives, like a cancer of the neighborhood. I’d love to see the interior design but, not enough to go in there as it’s the sleaziest of theaters now. For perverts only. A damn shame.
Vincent…I’m assuming that if I saw 80 Days on the big screen I might feel differently about it as entertainment, but as of now considering what else was nominated in 1956 (Giant, 10 Commandments)it was the inferior film. I’m going to have to buy the DVD to get a new perspective on this flick..DVD can do that….Now to say Rocky and Ordinary People are underserving of Best Pic?? I strongly disagree but, that’s another chat I guess, to each his own..but, I was a teen during the 70’s and Rocky had a HUGE influence on me…now if you want to start a new chat over undeserving Best Picture Winners…I’d nominate, English patient, Shakespeare in Love (It beat Pvt. Ryan?)the biggestoversite in Oscar history…but getting off track here..
Mike, it would be great if we could band and start our own group to play 70MM flicks…..anyone here got any ideas…maybe it’s time to put our money where our mouths are (although, money is kindof out)..but there seems to be alot of experts and veterans in here that know alot….suggestions??
I think we can all wait till hell freezes over before the Astor Plaza plays a goodbye retrospective series. The reason…so MTV can get started on destroying it for more studios so the dunces there can get started on more idiotic programming for today’s idiotic youth market.
I wish the people who own the theater would review this site and see there are actually people who care about the movie experience and a great theater…but, I don’t think they would care anyway as the people who run the theaters these days are as idiotic as the movies they make.
What can we do here to give the Astor Plaza a proper sendoff?? Is there anyone in here with connections to get something started? or are we all working on pipe dreams??
Damn the price and the cost!!!! If they can pay to make crummy films they can fork over the cash to restore and show the classics…As you can see, I understand the cost of things and such…but while I can accept it (kicking and screaming of course) I don’t have to like it…I guess it’s time to move to LA..