Ziegfeld Theatre

Hi Rory and all:

My apologies, I move kind of slowly—I didn’t watch “Sand Pebbles” yet, but will get to it. I see an undercurrent here for more Classics, and really hope for an autumn series. But although “hope is a good thing” (Shawshank Redemption), action is good,too. So, although it’s only July, I would encourage all to drop Craig an e-mail to tell him more Classics. He’s a great guy and would love hearing from you. Send him some titles, too.

Best

And to MPol: I agree with you that the Ziegfeld is the perfect place to see “West Side Story” (another Robert Wise classic).

The Ziegfeld Cinema….ahhhh, yes!

On October 10th, 2006, I drove down to the Big Apple from Boston to take in a wonderful screening of the great, venerable, golden oldie-but-goody classic film, West Side Story, with a cousin, who lives on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. It was a beautiful print, and my cousin and I both had a wonderful time. We both liked the fact that the screen was long and narrow, and that a film such as WSS was a perfect fit for such a movie theatre screen. What was striking about the Ziegfeld Theatre is how incredibly cavernous and palatial-looking it was, both inside and out. There were no rude customers, the projectionist was good, and the exuberant, friendly crowd really was into the film, too. Another striking thing about the Ziegfeld Cinema were the restrooms; they, too were sort of cavernous-looking, and clean. The ladies' room had a fancy, high-heeled boot over the entrance, while the mens' room had a fancy hat/beltbuckle. What a cool place, and a perfect place to view a film such as WSS

“Hancock” is playing in 4K at the following theatres:

AMC Plaza Bonita 14 , National City, CA
AMC Tyler 16 , Riverside, CA
AMC Orchards 12 , Westminster , CO
AMC Avenue Forsyth 12 , Cumming , GA
AMC Highland Village 12 , Highlands Village, TX
AMC Yonge Dundas 24 , Toronto, Canada
Cinemark Tinseltown Plano , Plano, TX
Marcus Majestic Brookfield , Waukesha, WI
Muvico Rosemount 18 , Rosemount, IL

I see from an entry way above that THE SAND PEBBLES once played at the Ziegfeld [06.10.1970 … THE SAND PEBBLES (RE, 2 weeks)]. Now, Ziegfeld Man here told me he’s never seen it, but I recommended he get the 2-disc DVD edition from last year and give it a watch. Have you watched it yet, Gary? If you didn’t like it, you won’t hurt my feelings saying so, even if it is one of my favorite movies. What do others who view these posts think of SAND PEBBLES?

Does anyone know when the classic series will come back to the Ziegfield? Id give my right arm if they would get The Poseidon Adventure! www.entertainmenttodayandbeyond.com

My friend and I caught the 7:30pm (Sun 7/6) showing of “Hancock” showing in DP. There was an article circulating that indicated that Sony was debuting this movie in 4K DP across the country. I don’t know if this venue had it and if it did, it didn’t seem noticeably better than 2K. The ticket taker didn’t know either. He just said to enjoy the movie as its is “crystal clear.” Okay fine.

There was a sparse audience that seemed to enjoy the movie in spite of the fact that there was no curtains drawn or opened at any time prior to the movie or at the close of it. And no Dolby Cinema trailer or any DP trailer to denote the system used to project the movie either. As far as the movie is concerned, I’d give it two snores and several yawns. For those who were in attendance at this showing, it was me snoring in row 5 during parts of the movie. Sorry.

Ah!! The New Amsterdam—with great anticipation I followed the resurrection in the 90’s and was there the second or third night of “King David” which reopened the theatre. I couldn’t wait to get back and saw “The Lion King” in December of 1997, the year it opened.
When “Mary Poppins” moved in, I returned again just to marvel at the place—there is nothing, in my mind, to compare to it.

They give tours—do yourself a favor and see it, if you haven’t.

This is why I must confess that there are so many times I have been to the Ziegfeld REGARDLESS of what’s playing. I absolutely hated “Phantom of the Opera,” but was happy to be at the Ziegfeld on Christmas day…where I am, actually, every Christmas day.

Best

For the weekend Friday was the better day for the film in the 5 theatres.
6/20 $98,657 gross 0% change 5 theatres $19,731 per theatre
Total Gross: $98,657

6/21 $61,260 gross -37.91% change 5 theatres $12,252 per theatre
Total Gross: $159,917

6/22 $60,380 gross -1.44% change 5 theatres $12,076 per theatre
Total Gross: $220,297

Kit Kittredge did $44,500 per theatre on opening weekend. That’s especially good since all the other theatres showing it (in Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta) were megaplexes. Makes you wonder if the New York average was higher than the average (more like $60,000-70,000).

And a question for Michael Coate: wasn’t 70mm DTS tested at this theatre for My Fair Lady? I remember reading that on in70mm.com.

A single theater roadshow for the mezz should be $48.00 if it is figured out compared to Broadway prices today. This does not figure in premium pricing for a hit film which would then bring it to 100.00 to 150.00.
Would I pay that to see some of my favorite 70mm films at the old Odeon Leicester, NY Criterion or Rivoli?
Yeah. I mean I ’d rather spend money on that than todays Broadway musicals.

Wonderful! the Ziegfeld opened for NYC exclusives, not to compete with numerous nearby moviehouses. 1960s Road Show prices today would be higher than $20.