Thanks for the two great ads, Robert. You always see hype like “one of the greatest” tossed around in movie ads, but in the case of “West Side Story”, they were being 100% accurate.
What a classy coming attractions announcement for “The Nun’s Story”, as befitting one of the finest movies ever made. Out of all the excellent movies Audrey made, I’d choose this one as her best. The long-awaited DVD release is set for November 8th.
Do they have tours of the Chinese Theater? I was there two years ago and bought a ticket to “The School of Rock” mainly to see the theater like Knatcal did. The movie turned out to be very good anyway, but I’d hate to have to sit through something like “The Dukes of Hazzard”.
I was wrong about the song – it was sung by “The Pennypipers”. It was an early credit for John Williams. He wrote the film’s score and the music for the title song.
I feel bad about Natalie. Now I’m glad I did go to see it in wide release, at the Rivoli in Rutherford NJ. All I can remember about it now is the title song, sung by (I think) the Association. Got to check on that …
Strange how one of the all-time great Christmas movies opened on June 4th. Maybe it was so popular it played right through the rest of the year after leaving the Roxy?
I was only 4 years old when these great classics played the Hall in 1959, but Bill’s amazingly detailed memories are the next best thing to having been there too. As for the programs, my printer sure is getting a workout.
Thanks, Bill. Of all the Radio City programs I’d want to see, that one for “North by Northwest” might be my #1 choice. I’m really glad you saved it for all these 46 years, and thanks too for sharing your memories of the night you saw it. You don’t happen to have the program for “The Nun’s Story” laying around the house, do you?
I think the Bergen Mall (and the Garden State Plaza) were among the first of their kind in the whole state. They’re the only malls I was ever aware of as a kid, so they were special places to me back then. Hard to believe nowadays, with thousands of malls having sprung up all over the place like weeds.
I’d say that was a very bad decision on the Director’s part, considering how many Frank Sinatra fans there are in neighboring Hoboken (his birthplace) alone, not to mention the rest of North Jersey and Manhattan too.
The Jersey was planning a Sinatra festival a couple of years ago but it never came about (unless I just missed it). I remember them showing the trailer for “Robin and the 7 Hoods”.
Thanks for the great Godfather ad, Robert. I wonder if Brando attended the premiere? It said the entire cast was going to be there, but somehow I can’t see him being a part of that. Then again, since his career was in a slump at the time, maybe he did.
Robert: Here are two earlier posts concerning the air conditioning:
RE the air conditioning… the Jersey DOES have air, but it doesn`t work too good. It was on Sat 6-4 for Tron and Star Trek II and while it was cool, it just isnt strong enough to cool the entire theater, especially on a hot and humid day {or in this case, a night}.
posted by Theaterat on Jun 6, 2005 at 11:17am
That’s not air conditioning. It’s the return air system which just moves the air around the building. The AC system is in terrible shape and is going to require MAJOR funds to repair.
posted by Bob Furmanek on Jun 6, 2005 at 11:20am
One way to prove everything Vito said is true: when the young people of today are my age (50) or older, will they be able to look back with fond memories and affection on the stupid comic book adaptations and remakes of 40-year-old TV sitcoms that are being made today? Movies have been dumbed down almost to the point of no return – do you think this trend can ever be reversed?
I’m afraid that’s asking too much. If we get three or four really good movies a year, that’s a whole lot. In the old days, there’d be three or four good ones every month.
I agree with Vincent. The same goes for the other roadshow musical in Robert’s ad, “Goodbye, Mr. Chips”. I’d avoided seeing that for years because of its reputation as a big bomb. But I saw it on TCM last year and it was excellent all around, with one of Peter O'Toole’s best performances.
As hot as it is outside, imagine how hot it must be inside the Loew’s right now! Can’t wait till fall, for the Loew’s as well as the return of good weather.
Thanks for the two great ads, Robert. You always see hype like “one of the greatest” tossed around in movie ads, but in the case of “West Side Story”, they were being 100% accurate.
What a classy coming attractions announcement for “The Nun’s Story”, as befitting one of the finest movies ever made. Out of all the excellent movies Audrey made, I’d choose this one as her best. The long-awaited DVD release is set for November 8th.
Do they have tours of the Chinese Theater? I was there two years ago and bought a ticket to “The School of Rock” mainly to see the theater like Knatcal did. The movie turned out to be very good anyway, but I’d hate to have to sit through something like “The Dukes of Hazzard”.
I was wrong about the song – it was sung by “The Pennypipers”. It was an early credit for John Williams. He wrote the film’s score and the music for the title song.
I feel bad about Natalie. Now I’m glad I did go to see it in wide release, at the Rivoli in Rutherford NJ. All I can remember about it now is the title song, sung by (I think) the Association. Got to check on that …
Strange how one of the all-time great Christmas movies opened on June 4th. Maybe it was so popular it played right through the rest of the year after leaving the Roxy?
I was only 4 years old when these great classics played the Hall in 1959, but Bill’s amazingly detailed memories are the next best thing to having been there too. As for the programs, my printer sure is getting a workout.
Thanks, Bill. Of all the Radio City programs I’d want to see, that one for “North by Northwest” might be my #1 choice. I’m really glad you saved it for all these 46 years, and thanks too for sharing your memories of the night you saw it. You don’t happen to have the program for “The Nun’s Story” laying around the house, do you?
Now I’m really depressed – the march of film history as it progresses from Oklahoma to West Side Story to Fiddler on the Roof to … The Island.
It must have been Harry and Walter on July 4 in 1976. “1776” played the Music Hall in 1972, as the Christmas show.
I think the Bergen Mall (and the Garden State Plaza) were among the first of their kind in the whole state. They’re the only malls I was ever aware of as a kid, so they were special places to me back then. Hard to believe nowadays, with thousands of malls having sprung up all over the place like weeds.
I’d say that was a very bad decision on the Director’s part, considering how many Frank Sinatra fans there are in neighboring Hoboken (his birthplace) alone, not to mention the rest of North Jersey and Manhattan too.
The echo is always great, but it really added a special dimension to the presentation of “Ben-Hur”.
The Jersey was planning a Sinatra festival a couple of years ago but it never came about (unless I just missed it). I remember them showing the trailer for “Robin and the 7 Hoods”.
Thanks for the great Godfather ad, Robert. I wonder if Brando attended the premiere? It said the entire cast was going to be there, but somehow I can’t see him being a part of that. Then again, since his career was in a slump at the time, maybe he did.
Thanks again, Warren. I especially like the 4th one (“Held Over! By Public Clamor!)
Robert: Here are two earlier posts concerning the air conditioning:
RE the air conditioning… the Jersey DOES have air, but it doesn`t work too good. It was on Sat 6-4 for Tron and Star Trek II and while it was cool, it just isnt strong enough to cool the entire theater, especially on a hot and humid day {or in this case, a night}.
posted by Theaterat on Jun 6, 2005 at 11:17am
That’s not air conditioning. It’s the return air system which just moves the air around the building. The AC system is in terrible shape and is going to require MAJOR funds to repair.
posted by Bob Furmanek on Jun 6, 2005 at 11:20am
Great, iconic picture of Marilyn. You think the feature playing at the State was “Blackboard Jungle”? It says something about “teen”.
Oh boy – what I wouldn’t give for a trip in a time machine back to 9/21/64, destination Paramount Theatre.
One way to prove everything Vito said is true: when the young people of today are my age (50) or older, will they be able to look back with fond memories and affection on the stupid comic book adaptations and remakes of 40-year-old TV sitcoms that are being made today? Movies have been dumbed down almost to the point of no return – do you think this trend can ever be reversed?
I’m afraid that’s asking too much. If we get three or four really good movies a year, that’s a whole lot. In the old days, there’d be three or four good ones every month.
You think the “Young Man With Humor” Gary Morton is the same guy who married Lucy after she broke up with Desi?
I agree with Vincent. The same goes for the other roadshow musical in Robert’s ad, “Goodbye, Mr. Chips”. I’d avoided seeing that for years because of its reputation as a big bomb. But I saw it on TCM last year and it was excellent all around, with one of Peter O'Toole’s best performances.
As hot as it is outside, imagine how hot it must be inside the Loew’s right now! Can’t wait till fall, for the Loew’s as well as the return of good weather.
Warren, that “Boeing Boeing” ad is wild. It’s pure ‘60’s. Check out the body measurements under each actress’ name (Thelma Ritter: ? ? ?).