Thanks, Lafayette for bringing the Rivertown series into Suffern…
I just got back from your screening of “Me and Orson Welles” and it’s true what Nelson said , quite possibly the best film I’ve seen this year. This film really needs a wider distribution deal. It should be seen by anyone who has a love for excellent script-writing, direction, art direction (great evocation of 1930’s New York City even though I believe it was mostly shot in England) the New York stage,film history and, above all…acting. (Zack Effron should not be discounted here, he was quite well cast)
So thanks, Lafayette for giving me the chance to catch up with this film. I can’t wait for the DVD in July.
Just got back from this morning’s presentation of “Dr. No” What a beautiful print…. superior in every way to what is currently available on DVD. (although I haven’t seen the Blu-Ray)
The Lafayette is THE premier showcase in our area for the classics as well as currently-running films. (Can’t wait to experience your new 3D projection system)
But, I knew I should have worn my tux, today.
Way to go Peter and Nelson. You hit one right out of the park with this one, this morning!!
Thank you for taking the time to provide a little perspective regarding last night at the Cedar Lane. I thought we might be on the “same page” re: such venues as the Cedar Lane.
I’ll always be indebted to folks such as yourself and Nelson Page (and,dare I say the Landmark Loew’s Jersey and the Film Forum)for “fighting the good fight” by providing the average movie-goer with the opportunity to find alternatives to the usual multi-plex fare. Not that I have anything against “Avatar” or “Sherlock Holmes” or “Saw 56” (Well, maybe I might object to that one!!!), but when you give me the choice between seeing the 32nd remake of “Conan the Barbarian” or a fine print of “To Kill A Mockingbird” or “The Thief of Bagdad” or “The Uninvited”… well, I guess you know what line I’ll be on.
And I still hope that there will be a place for classic films at the Cedar Lane.
Until that time arrives, the Lafayette will always have my patronage.
Hi Peter,
I hope you don’t misunderstand what I’m about to say, because I will always be in attendance at and a supporter of as many local, “neighborhood” movie theaters as I can find (within a reasonable traveling distance)but….. I was saddened to see Big Screen Classics at the Cedar Lane go out with such a whimper with last nights screening of “The Godfather”!
I just seems to me (please excuse my ignorance of such angst-inducing matters as successfully running a movie theater)that the problem that happened at Wed.’s screening should just not have happened. Aren’t there periodic projector checks?
Please understand where this is coming from because I value venues such as The Cedar Lane and The Lafayette but “incidents” like last night just make me believe that we are turning over our business to the huge multiplexes. (remeber what happened to the Rialto, in Ridgefield ? Makes me a bit nervous!)
Once again, I’m just a fan who hopes the local neighborhood cinemas can stay alive and vibrant.
Perhaps a bit early, but I’m certainly looking forward to the Spring season opener, “Dr. No” !
With the large crowd that showed up for “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” last season, perhaps a Bond film per year might be within the “realm of possibility”?
I was wondering if someone could help clarify aan historical point for me?
About ten years or so ago I remember attending the release of the “restored” version of Spartacus at an absolutely beautiful theater in New York!(yes, they did draw the curtain.) it was the ‘roadshow" performance… a wonderful movie experience.
But I’m curious, was the Ziegfield the theater that was showing Spartacus during this time period? If it was I’ll be sure to pay a return visit.
Great fall line-up… especially “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” and “Night of The Hunter”. Always a terrific variety of films at the Laffayette. I’ll be there.
Not wishing to seem too greedy, but are there any plans for Sci-Fi/Horror screenings around Halloween weekend, beyond “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”? I remember not too long ago seeing some great Hammer films and a screening of “The Haunting”.
And who could forget Nelson’s live radio presentation of Orson Welles' “War of The Worlds” last season?
I’m curious…..what theaters in our area have you visited or do you plan to visit? (theater name and location, please)
I’d really like to find some of the old movie palaces, especially in Northern NJ, that I’ve never visited.
Personally some of my favorites are The Lafayette, in Suffern, NY, the Cedar Lane, in Teneck, and (of course) the Loews Jersey.
It would be great to pool our knowledge of some of the great theatres that are still around and operational.(I checked the list of theatres in the general North NJ/New York area on “Cinema Trasures” but, sadly many of those that I was familiar with are either closed and/or demolished. I wonder if I am missing some?)
Thank You, Peter for sharing this terrific (and unexpected) news!
Very glad to hear an agreement was reached between Mr. Page and the BCG.
Also, “thank you” to Phil Tisi for his efforts to help keep classic films alive at the Lafayette during the interim period.
Hi elm0catt,MPol,fred and all of the friends of the Lafayette,
I hope I have good news for everyone… I just recieved an e-mail from Mr. Tisi’s office at the Dept. of Parks and Recreation, Ramapo, NJ that informed me that the Fall Film Classic program (not sure of the exact name they will be using in the future)will begin on Saturday, Oct. 3rd
The schedule will be announced the week after next, so let’s keep our fingers crossed and our eyes on our e-mails and this website for further announcements.
As much as I would love to see the cross-over lobby brought back to original working order, what I’m really hoping for is work to begin on the ventilation/AC system at the Loews (a costly project, I’m sure)…… when that is accomplished, then the possibilty of summer classic film programs might become a reality. I know the summer is when the FOL does most of their renovations, but to have a couple of weekends of “summer” film classics wouild be something to be hoped for.
I know I must have a case of the summer “fidgets” but, with the exception of “Harry Potter” and “UP”, the summer fare seems to be a bit sparse so I’m wondering when anyone thinks the Fall Classic Film program at the Lafayette might be announced?
I’m assuming sometime next month?
Hi Jerry,
Your book sounds like a wonderful idea… I’d certainly purchase it.
A question for you, if I may… are there any theaters here in the New Jersey, New York area that show classic and independent films on a regular basis? I’ve attending screenings at the Loews Jersey, the Lafayette in Suffern, NY, Film Forum, NYC, and now (as of last season) the Cedar Lane, Teneck.
Are there any other venues for “classic” films that I might be missing?
Thank You,
Bob
Kudos to the FOL! Great season of classic films, especially with your screening of “The Uninvited”. You folks really came through on your promise.
I’m already looking forward the fall season…. I hope there will be more mystery, horror and science fiction.
Once again, thank you for all of your hard work, FOL.. You guys are the best!
Dear Lafayette Folk,
Just a note of thanks to all at the Lafayette for the great program this morning! It’s always great to see just about any Woody Allen film on the big screen, but “Annie Hall” certainly tops my list of favorites. Very nice print, as well… those New York skylines…. nobody films them like Gordon Willis.(I believe.)
I was very glad to hear from the host at today’s show (was that Mr. Furmanek ?) that the Lafayette film festival will be returning in the fall and that next week the audience will be asked to present film suggestions for the fall season.
As I am probably unable to make next week’s show, I am wondering if there might be an alternate way for me to make my suggestions known to the folks who plan the festival? (e-mail ?)
Any thoughts, Mr. Furmanek? Mr. Apruzzese?
Very much looking forward to Butch and Sundance in two weeks and the new fall film season.
Thank You
Peter….. Thank you for the “fine-tuning”…. bit of a memory “glitch”, there.
But,no matter continued success for future film festivals at the Lafayette are always hoped for.
Is there anything, beyond regular attendance that we, the regular attending audience can do to help ensure a bright future for classic film festivals at the Lafayette?
I remember quite fondly all of the great “kiddee matinees” that were presented in and around the very early 1960s at the Summit Theater.
Many of the great Universals, such as “Tarantula” and “The Creature From The Black Lagoon” were making the “re-run” circuit in theaters around this time and the Summit was probably one of the first theaters (along with the Lincoln , uptown) to show many of the films from England’s HAMMER STUDIOS… such as “The Curse of Frankenstein” and “Horror of Dracula”
But the big event had to be when the Summit presented the first run engagement of Hitchcock’s, “Psycho”!! Many of our parents were ready to lock us up after we went to see that film. Remember, it was 1960 !!
And, of course a morning of horror films and cartoons at the Summit was never quite complete without our weekly visit to Damman’s Ice Cream Parlor across the street.
I really think now is the time to start thinking of the future of BSC at the Lafayette.
Perhaps one way to do this is to have more involvement from the community at large and the patrons of the Lafayette themselves. (beyond just complaining about a situation when something seems to go wrong.)
The involvement of film programs at various colleges is a great idea. From personal experience with my son who is graduating FDU in Madison, college programs often use local theaters as an “extension” of the classroom. I recently attended his “thesis night” in conjuction with FDU’s Film and Animation Department at one of the local Clearview Cinemas in Morristown and the experience was a wonderful “boost” for both students and the venue itself.
I’m also wondering….. might BSC send out some sort of mail and internet questionaire to folks on their mailing list (and to the surrounding community as a whole) to enquire as to what classic films are of interest to all of us, and base their future selections on these responses?
I know that one of the other classic film theaters that I attend regularly, the Loews Jersey does exactly that every so often and it really works. Many of the films that are shown at that theater are the result of patron input.
I find it ironic, to say the least that those who (seemingly) did the most complaining about the possibility of no BSC at the Lafayette decided not to show up when a program was graciously put together (seemingly) in response to those complaints. I guess you just can’t please some people.
I hope the powers that be at the Lafayette can find some way to bring more of us paying customers back to the Big Screen Classics. I know I’ll always be there !
Very glad to hear that BSC will return in September…. but I hope some consideration might be given to a new day and time. I certainly would have attended more shows had the presentations been scheduled for Friday or Saturday.
Last night’s festivities, Bernie Anderson at the organ (what a great performance!) and Val Lewton’s"Isle of the Dead" was a great beginning to this month’s always-entertaining film programs at the Landmark Loews. The Loews is, beyond a doubt my favorite venue for classic films in the NJ/NY area. The programmers really try their best to bring films to the giant 50ft. screen that have rarely been exhibited.(Really looking forward to tonight’s “Ghost And Mrs. Muir” and “The Innocents” – when was the last time those tiles were seen on a theater’s marquee? The 1940' or 50' ?)
I have one concern about the theater that has been brought home to me over the years while attending the Loews monthly film programs.
Can anyone tell me if progress is being made toward improving the ventilation system at this wonderful venue? During the winter months there is not much of a problem but last night, during the screening of “Isle of The Dead” I felt a distinct issue with temperature and (for some of us)“air movement” (or lack of.).
Now don’t get me wrong, I love the Loews, I spent the greater part of my childhood there. (and I will continue to be a patron)..I just want to see it grow into the best type of venue of its kind for all of us and our kids.
If I may, a big warm thank-you to the Friends of The Loews for the spectacular film noir series this past weekend! “Nobody does it better” than you folks! And also a debt of gratitude must be paid to Dr. Foster Hirsch for adding so much insight into the films that weekend beyond what was on the screen. A truely fascinating and engaging speaker. His enthusiasm was really infectious. ( I wonder if he teaches film classes at any of our local colleges?)
If there is one thing that the Loews Jersey excels all other film establishments in has to be the sense of education that one always leaves the theater with… and this weekend was no exception! Especially when introduced to a film such as Jules Dassin’s, “Night and The City”!! For me, this film helps reinforce the phrase,“they don’t make them like that anymore.”
Please keep up the great work, FOL! I look forward to standing on line this month!
Thanks, Lafayette for bringing the Rivertown series into Suffern…
I just got back from your screening of “Me and Orson Welles” and it’s true what Nelson said , quite possibly the best film I’ve seen this year. This film really needs a wider distribution deal. It should be seen by anyone who has a love for excellent script-writing, direction, art direction (great evocation of 1930’s New York City even though I believe it was mostly shot in England) the New York stage,film history and, above all…acting. (Zack Effron should not be discounted here, he was quite well cast)
So thanks, Lafayette for giving me the chance to catch up with this film. I can’t wait for the DVD in July.
Hi Peter,
Just got back from this morning’s presentation of “Dr. No” What a beautiful print…. superior in every way to what is currently available on DVD. (although I haven’t seen the Blu-Ray)
The Lafayette is THE premier showcase in our area for the classics as well as currently-running films. (Can’t wait to experience your new 3D projection system)
But, I knew I should have worn my tux, today.
Way to go Peter and Nelson. You hit one right out of the park with this one, this morning!!
Hello Again, Peter,
Thank you for taking the time to provide a little perspective regarding last night at the Cedar Lane. I thought we might be on the “same page” re: such venues as the Cedar Lane.
I’ll always be indebted to folks such as yourself and Nelson Page (and,dare I say the Landmark Loew’s Jersey and the Film Forum)for “fighting the good fight” by providing the average movie-goer with the opportunity to find alternatives to the usual multi-plex fare. Not that I have anything against “Avatar” or “Sherlock Holmes” or “Saw 56” (Well, maybe I might object to that one!!!), but when you give me the choice between seeing the 32nd remake of “Conan the Barbarian” or a fine print of “To Kill A Mockingbird” or “The Thief of Bagdad” or “The Uninvited”… well, I guess you know what line I’ll be on.
And I still hope that there will be a place for classic films at the Cedar Lane.
Until that time arrives, the Lafayette will always have my patronage.
Hi Peter,
I hope you don’t misunderstand what I’m about to say, because I will always be in attendance at and a supporter of as many local, “neighborhood” movie theaters as I can find (within a reasonable traveling distance)but….. I was saddened to see Big Screen Classics at the Cedar Lane go out with such a whimper with last nights screening of “The Godfather”!
I just seems to me (please excuse my ignorance of such angst-inducing matters as successfully running a movie theater)that the problem that happened at Wed.’s screening should just not have happened. Aren’t there periodic projector checks?
Please understand where this is coming from because I value venues such as The Cedar Lane and The Lafayette but “incidents” like last night just make me believe that we are turning over our business to the huge multiplexes. (remeber what happened to the Rialto, in Ridgefield ? Makes me a bit nervous!)
Once again, I’m just a fan who hopes the local neighborhood cinemas can stay alive and vibrant.
Looking forward to seeing “The Godfather” this Wed., (perhaps a bit early) any thoughts as to how next season is shaping up ?
Perhaps a bit early, but I’m certainly looking forward to the Spring season opener, “Dr. No” !
With the large crowd that showed up for “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” last season, perhaps a Bond film per year might be within the “realm of possibility”?
Hi,
I was wondering if someone could help clarify aan historical point for me?
About ten years or so ago I remember attending the release of the “restored” version of Spartacus at an absolutely beautiful theater in New York!(yes, they did draw the curtain.) it was the ‘roadshow" performance… a wonderful movie experience.
But I’m curious, was the Ziegfield the theater that was showing Spartacus during this time period? If it was I’ll be sure to pay a return visit.
Great fall line-up… especially “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” and “Night of The Hunter”. Always a terrific variety of films at the Laffayette. I’ll be there.
Not wishing to seem too greedy, but are there any plans for Sci-Fi/Horror screenings around Halloween weekend, beyond “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”? I remember not too long ago seeing some great Hammer films and a screening of “The Haunting”.
And who could forget Nelson’s live radio presentation of Orson Welles' “War of The Worlds” last season?
Hi Debbie,
I’m curious…..what theaters in our area have you visited or do you plan to visit? (theater name and location, please)
I’d really like to find some of the old movie palaces, especially in Northern NJ, that I’ve never visited.
Personally some of my favorites are The Lafayette, in Suffern, NY, the Cedar Lane, in Teneck, and (of course) the Loews Jersey.
It would be great to pool our knowledge of some of the great theatres that are still around and operational.(I checked the list of theatres in the general North NJ/New York area on “Cinema Trasures” but, sadly many of those that I was familiar with are either closed and/or demolished. I wonder if I am missing some?)
Thank You, Peter for sharing this terrific (and unexpected) news!
Very glad to hear an agreement was reached between Mr. Page and the BCG.
Also, “thank you” to Phil Tisi for his efforts to help keep classic films alive at the Lafayette during the interim period.
Hi elm0catt,MPol,fred and all of the friends of the Lafayette,
I hope I have good news for everyone… I just recieved an e-mail from Mr. Tisi’s office at the Dept. of Parks and Recreation, Ramapo, NJ that informed me that the Fall Film Classic program (not sure of the exact name they will be using in the future)will begin on Saturday, Oct. 3rd
The schedule will be announced the week after next, so let’s keep our fingers crossed and our eyes on our e-mails and this website for further announcements.
As much as I would love to see the cross-over lobby brought back to original working order, what I’m really hoping for is work to begin on the ventilation/AC system at the Loews (a costly project, I’m sure)…… when that is accomplished, then the possibilty of summer classic film programs might become a reality. I know the summer is when the FOL does most of their renovations, but to have a couple of weekends of “summer” film classics wouild be something to be hoped for.
Hi,
I know I must have a case of the summer “fidgets” but, with the exception of “Harry Potter” and “UP”, the summer fare seems to be a bit sparse so I’m wondering when anyone thinks the Fall Classic Film program at the Lafayette might be announced?
I’m assuming sometime next month?
Some of the programming that always had me returning to the Film Forum were the early SciFi/Horror Festivals, Swashbucklers and Vintage 007……
Will these type of programs be returning at any time in the near future?
Hi Jerry,
Your book sounds like a wonderful idea… I’d certainly purchase it.
A question for you, if I may… are there any theaters here in the New Jersey, New York area that show classic and independent films on a regular basis? I’ve attending screenings at the Loews Jersey, the Lafayette in Suffern, NY, Film Forum, NYC, and now (as of last season) the Cedar Lane, Teneck.
Are there any other venues for “classic” films that I might be missing?
Thank You,
Bob
Kudos to the FOL! Great season of classic films, especially with your screening of “The Uninvited”. You folks really came through on your promise.
I’m already looking forward the fall season…. I hope there will be more mystery, horror and science fiction.
Once again, thank you for all of your hard work, FOL.. You guys are the best!
Dear Lafayette Folk,
Just a note of thanks to all at the Lafayette for the great program this morning! It’s always great to see just about any Woody Allen film on the big screen, but “Annie Hall” certainly tops my list of favorites. Very nice print, as well… those New York skylines…. nobody films them like Gordon Willis.(I believe.)
I was very glad to hear from the host at today’s show (was that Mr. Furmanek ?) that the Lafayette film festival will be returning in the fall and that next week the audience will be asked to present film suggestions for the fall season.
As I am probably unable to make next week’s show, I am wondering if there might be an alternate way for me to make my suggestions known to the folks who plan the festival? (e-mail ?)
Any thoughts, Mr. Furmanek? Mr. Apruzzese?
Very much looking forward to Butch and Sundance in two weeks and the new fall film season.
Thank You
Peter….. Thank you for the “fine-tuning”…. bit of a memory “glitch”, there.
But,no matter continued success for future film festivals at the Lafayette are always hoped for.
Is there anything, beyond regular attendance that we, the regular attending audience can do to help ensure a bright future for classic film festivals at the Lafayette?
I remember quite fondly all of the great “kiddee matinees” that were presented in and around the very early 1960s at the Summit Theater.
Many of the great Universals, such as “Tarantula” and “The Creature From The Black Lagoon” were making the “re-run” circuit in theaters around this time and the Summit was probably one of the first theaters (along with the Lincoln , uptown) to show many of the films from England’s HAMMER STUDIOS… such as “The Curse of Frankenstein” and “Horror of Dracula”
But the big event had to be when the Summit presented the first run engagement of Hitchcock’s, “Psycho”!! Many of our parents were ready to lock us up after we went to see that film. Remember, it was 1960 !!
And, of course a morning of horror films and cartoons at the Summit was never quite complete without our weekly visit to Damman’s Ice Cream Parlor across the street.
In respone to Deckard and many others…………
I really think now is the time to start thinking of the future of BSC at the Lafayette.
Perhaps one way to do this is to have more involvement from the community at large and the patrons of the Lafayette themselves. (beyond just complaining about a situation when something seems to go wrong.)
The involvement of film programs at various colleges is a great idea. From personal experience with my son who is graduating FDU in Madison, college programs often use local theaters as an “extension” of the classroom. I recently attended his “thesis night” in conjuction with FDU’s Film and Animation Department at one of the local Clearview Cinemas in Morristown and the experience was a wonderful “boost” for both students and the venue itself.
I’m also wondering….. might BSC send out some sort of mail and internet questionaire to folks on their mailing list (and to the surrounding community as a whole) to enquire as to what classic films are of interest to all of us, and base their future selections on these responses?
I know that one of the other classic film theaters that I attend regularly, the Loews Jersey does exactly that every so often and it really works. Many of the films that are shown at that theater are the result of patron input.
I find it ironic, to say the least that those who (seemingly) did the most complaining about the possibility of no BSC at the Lafayette decided not to show up when a program was graciously put together (seemingly) in response to those complaints. I guess you just can’t please some people.
I hope the powers that be at the Lafayette can find some way to bring more of us paying customers back to the Big Screen Classics. I know I’ll always be there !
Thanks MBD,
Great to hear that “The Uninvited” has been scheduled for the end of May !
I can’t think of a better venue for this terrific ghost story than the grand, old Loews Jersey. What a perfect match.
Bob
Very glad to hear that BSC will return in September…. but I hope some consideration might be given to a new day and time. I certainly would have attended more shows had the presentations been scheduled for Friday or Saturday.
Bob
Last night’s festivities, Bernie Anderson at the organ (what a great performance!) and Val Lewton’s"Isle of the Dead" was a great beginning to this month’s always-entertaining film programs at the Landmark Loews. The Loews is, beyond a doubt my favorite venue for classic films in the NJ/NY area. The programmers really try their best to bring films to the giant 50ft. screen that have rarely been exhibited.(Really looking forward to tonight’s “Ghost And Mrs. Muir” and “The Innocents” – when was the last time those tiles were seen on a theater’s marquee? The 1940' or 50' ?)
I have one concern about the theater that has been brought home to me over the years while attending the Loews monthly film programs.
Can anyone tell me if progress is being made toward improving the ventilation system at this wonderful venue? During the winter months there is not much of a problem but last night, during the screening of “Isle of The Dead” I felt a distinct issue with temperature and (for some of us)“air movement” (or lack of.).
Now don’t get me wrong, I love the Loews, I spent the greater part of my childhood there. (and I will continue to be a patron)..I just want to see it grow into the best type of venue of its kind for all of us and our kids.
If I may, a big warm thank-you to the Friends of The Loews for the spectacular film noir series this past weekend! “Nobody does it better” than you folks! And also a debt of gratitude must be paid to Dr. Foster Hirsch for adding so much insight into the films that weekend beyond what was on the screen. A truely fascinating and engaging speaker. His enthusiasm was really infectious. ( I wonder if he teaches film classes at any of our local colleges?)
If there is one thing that the Loews Jersey excels all other film establishments in has to be the sense of education that one always leaves the theater with… and this weekend was no exception! Especially when introduced to a film such as Jules Dassin’s, “Night and The City”!! For me, this film helps reinforce the phrase,“they don’t make them like that anymore.”
Please keep up the great work, FOL! I look forward to standing on line this month!
When will the complete “Big Screen Classic” schedule be posted since, I believe the program is scheduled to start in a little over two weeks?
Thank You