Ziegfeld Theatre
141 W. 54th Street,
New York,
NY
10019
141 W. 54th Street,
New York,
NY
10019
131 people
favorited this theater
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JSA: I’ve always wondered about that too. I saw that double bill, when I was 15. It ran 5 ½ hours, and it was my first time seeing “Around the World in 80 Days”. I can recall both films looking great up on that screen (it was also my first time at the Ziegfeld) and I could swear they had multi-track stereo sound. I talked myself into believing that both films were shown in 70mm at the time, but of course I had no way of knowing for sure. I didn’t know then about the oval-shaped cue marks (35mm) vs. the round cue marks (70mm) at the end of every reel.
How did “Ishtar” play for five weeks?
Who could resist “Can’t Stop the Music” in 70 MM?!
I wonder if “Around the World in 80 Days” and “West Side Story” were screened in 70 MM during that double bill in 1970…
I’m amazed they made it through 1987 alive, look at that lineup of junk!
Wow…. it amazes me how often, even in the 70’s, this theatre was closed for weeks, even months, at a time.
ZIEGFELD
Part II: The 1980s
Walter Reade: 1980-87
Cineplex Odeon: 1987-89
02.15.1980 … SATURN 3 (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.21.1980 … APOCALYPSE NOW (RE, 4 Weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
04.17.1980 … THE WATCHER IN THE WOODS (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.02.1980 … FANTASIA (RE, 2 weeks, Stereo)
05.16.1980 … FAME (5 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
06.20.1980 … CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC (6 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
08.01.1980 … RAISE THE TITANIC (11 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10.17.1980 … TIMES SQUARE (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.26.1980 … PAUL McCARTNEY & WINGS: ROCKSHOW (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.19.1980 … THE JAZZ SINGER (8 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
02.13.1981 … CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (RE, “The Special Edition,†4 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
03.13.1981 … FANTASIA (RE, 5 weeks, Stereo)
04.17.1981 … LION OF THE DESERT (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.05.1981 … theater closed (3 weeks)
06.26.1981 … THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.07.1981 … BEATLEMANIA (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.21.1981 … HONKY TONK FREEWAY (7 weeks)
10.09.1981 … theater closed (9 weeks)
12.11.1981 … PENIES FROM HEAVEN (9 weeks)
02.12.1982 … QUEST FOR FIRE (5 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
03.19.1982 … VICTOR/VICTORIA (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.21.1982 … AC/DC: LET THERE BE ROCK (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo “Wall of Soundâ€)
06.11.1982 … GREASE 2 (5 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07.16.1982 … RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (RE, 3 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
08.06.1982 … PINK FLOYD: THE WALL (7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
09.24.1982 … YES, GEORGIO (5 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10.29.1982 … TESS (RE, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11.05.1982 … FANTASIA (RE, 5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.08.1982 … GANDHI (31 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07.15.1983 … STAYING ALIVE (11 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
09.30.1983 … BRAINSTORM (7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
11.18.1983 … YENTL (13 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.17.1984 … FANTASIA (RE, 4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.16.1984 … A STAR IS BORN (RE, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.30.1984 … ANTARCTICA (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.04.1984 … theater closed (7 weeks)
06.22.1984 … THE KARATE KID (12 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.14.1984 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (RE, 2 weeks)
09.28.1984 … theater closed (3 weeks)
10.19.1984 … THE RAZOR’S EDGE (8 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12.14.1984 … A PASSAGE TO INDIA (15 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.29.1985 … KING DAVID (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.26.1985 … theater closed (9 weeks)
06.28.1985 … ST. ELMO’S FIRE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.10.1985 … SILVERADO (6 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
08.23.1985 … GHOST BUSTERS (RE, 7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10.11.1985 … FANTASIA (RE, 6 weeks, Digital Stereo)
11.22.1985 … WHITE NIGHTS (10 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
01.31.1986 … DOWN AND OUT IN BEVERLY HILLS (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.21.1986 … JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS (4 weeks)
04.18.1986 … ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS (6 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
05.30.1986 … theater closed (4 weeks)
06.27.1986 … AMERICAN ANTHEM (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.18.1986 … PIRATES (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.30.1986 … FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.05.1986 … theater closed (3 weeks)
09.26.1986 … PATHS OF GLORY / FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1 day)
09.27.1986 … BIRDMAN OF ALCATRAZ / I WALK ALONE (1 day)
09.28.1986 … ELMER GANTRY / ALONG THE GREAT DIVIDE (1 day)
09.29.1986 … ACE IN THE HOLE / SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS (1 day)
09.30.1986 … LUST FOR LIFE / THE PROFESSIONALS (1 day)
10.01.1986 … DETECTIVE STORY / THE CRIMSON PIRATE (1 day)
10.03.1986 … TOUGH GUYS (7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
11.21.1986 … theater closed (1 week)
11.26.1986 … NUTCRACKER (5 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12.31.1986 … WISDOM (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
01.23.1987 … theater closed (1 week)
01.30.1987 … OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.13.1987 … HEAT (3 weeks)
04.03.1987 … theater closed (1 week)
04.10.1987 … THREE FOR THE ROAD (1 week)
04.17.1987 … theater closed (4 weeks)
05.15.1987 … ISHTAR (5 weeks)
06.19.1987 … ROXANNE (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.07.1987 … WHO’S THAT GIRL (3 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
08.28.1987 … THE FOURTH PROTOCOL (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.08.1987 … HAIL! HAIL! ROCK ’N’ ROLL (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.06.1987 … CRY FREEDOM (10 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
01.15.1988 … GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM (9 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
03.18.1988 … D.O.A. (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.15.1988 … APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH (2 weeks)
04.29.1988 … POWAQQATSI (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
06.22.1988 … WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT (7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
08.12.1988 … THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST (15 weeks, Dolby Stereo, 70mm-Dolby Stereo from 4th week)
11.23.1988 … COCOON: THE RETURN (7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
01.13.1989 … TALK RADIO (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.08.1989 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (RE, “Director’s Cut,†20 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo SR)
06.30.1989 … THE KARATE KID PART III (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.09.1989 … THE ABYSS (5 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
09.15.1989 … SEA OF LOVE (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.25.1989 … THE BEAR (8 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12.20.1989 … BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY (9 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo SR)
About two years ago on this page, Al Alvarez posted a list of the ZIEGFELD’s bookings. I appreciated the time and effort Al put into the post as well as his intent, but I was left frustrated and short-changed by the end result.
So, with this posting, I’d like to present to Cinema Treasures readers a “new-and-improved†version of the theater’s bookings from the 1970s. The list is presented with my preferred layout & formatting. In addition, (1) release dates have been corrected, (2) bookings missing from the earlier posting have been identified and included, (3) the duration of an engagement’s booking has been provided, and (4) for those with an interest in technology and the whole moviegoing experience thing (for which this theater was well-known), a notation for presentation format has been included.
ZIEGFELD
Part I: Grand Opening & The 1970s
Compiled by Michael Coate
Not included in this filmography are test screenings, sneak-preview screenings, midnight screenings, film festivals, premieres and other private events. The dates represent the first day of commercial release, and, where known, the presentation format has been provided. (No format notation implies a 35mm presentation with monaural sound.)
Ownership: Walter Reade 1969-79
RE = Re-Issue/Return Engagement
MO = Move-over (i.e. continuation of an engagement from another theater)
RPE = Reserved-Performance “Roadshow†Engagement
RSE = Reserved-Seat “Roadshow†Engagement
12.18.1969 … MAROONED (RSE, 9 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
02.18.1970 … GONE WITH THE WIND (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
02.25.1970 … DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
03.04.1970 … THE BIBLE: IN THE BEGINNING… (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
03.11.1970 … THE SOUND OF MUSIC (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
03.18.1970 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (RE, 6 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
05.01.1970 … WAR AND PEACE (RE, Part I, 1 week)
05.08.1970 … WAR AND PEACE (RE, Part II, 1 week)
05.15.1970 … WAR AND PEACE (RE, Part I, 1 week)
05.22.1970 … WAR AND PEACE (RE, Part II, 1 week)
05.29.1970 … ZIEGFELD GIRL / THE GREAT ZIEGFELD / ZIEGFELD FOLLIES (RE, 2 weeks)
06.10.1970 … THE SAND PEBBLES (RE, 2 weeks)
06.24.1970 … GONE WITH THE WIND (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
07.01.1970 … THE BOATNIKS (4 weeks)
07.29.1970 … AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS / WEST SIDE STORY (RE, 2 weeks)
08.12.1970 … SOLDIER BLUE (8 weeks)
10.07.1970 … A HARD DAY’S NIGHT / HELP! / YELLOW SUBMARINE / LET IT BE (2 weeks)
10.21.1970 … A NIGHT AT THE OPERA / A DAY AT THE CIRCUS / A DAY AT THE RACES / THE BIG STORE (2 weeks)
11.04.1970 … theater closed (1 week)
11.10.1970 … RYAN’S DAUGHTER (RPE, 33 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
06.30.1971 … PETER RABBIT AND TALES OF BEATRIX POTTER (RPE, 4 weeks, Stereo)
07.30.1971 … CLEOPATRA (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
08.11.1971 … KLUTE (MO, 1 week)
08.18.1971 … THE ANDERSON TAPES (MO, 1 week)
08.25.1971 … BANANAS (1 week)
09.01.1971 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY / YELLOW SUBMARINE (RE, 2 weeks)
09.15.1971 … theater closed (14 weeks)
12.22.1971 … STAR SPANGLED GIRL (5 weeks)
01.26.1972 … theater closed (3 weeks)
02.14.1972 … CABARET (26 weeks)
08.11.1972 … WOODSTOCK (RE, 1 week, Stereo)
08.18.1972 … WAR AND PEACE (RE, 1 week)
08.23.1972 … theater closed (3 weeks)
09.15.1972 … BLACKBOARD JUNGLE / ROCK ROCK ROCK / THE WILD ONE / JAILHOUSE ROCK / THE THING (RE, 1 week)
09.22.1972 … theater closed (3 weeks)
10.15.1972 … FELLINI’S ROMA (8 weeks)
12.10.1972 … SLEUTH (12 weeks)
03.28.1973 … I AM A DANCER (RSE, 6 weeks)
05.11.1973 … THIS IS CINERAMA (RPE, RE, 14 weeks 70mm-Stereo)
08.17.1973 … ROMEO AND JULIET (RE, 9 weeks)
10.19.1973 … FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER (MO, 2 weeks)
10.31.1973 … theater closed (7 weeks)
12.19.1973 … THE DAY OF THE DOLPHIN (16 weeks, Stereo)
04.15.1974 … LADIES & GENTLEMEN, THE ROLLING STONES (3 weeks, Quadraphonic Sound)
05.10.1974 … theater closed (2 weeks)
05.24.1974 … THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT! (18 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
09.27.1974 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (RE, 7 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
11.15.1974 … EARTHQUAKE (18 weeks, Sensurround)
03.19.1975 … TOMMY (14 weeks, Quintaphonic Sound)
06.25.1975 … ROLLERBALL (8 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
08.22.1975 … THE JOLSON STORY (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
09.05.1975 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (RE, 3 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
09.24.1975 … GIVE ’EM HELL, HARRY! (2 weeks)
10.10.1975 … LISZTOMANIA (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.05.1975 … CONDUCT UNBECOMING (2 weeks)
11.21.1975 … THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (RE, 2 weeks)
12.05.1975 … theater closed (2 weeks)
12.18.1975 … BARRY LYNDON (14 weeks)
03.26.1976 … MOSES (7 weeks, Super SpectraSound)
05.16.1976 … THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT, PART II (11 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
07.28.1976 … THE RETURN OF A MAN CALLED HORSE (8 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
09.22.1976 … theater closed (2 weeks)
10.06.1976 … SOLARIS (4 weeks)
11.03.1976 … theater closed (7 weeks)
12.25.1976 … A STAR IS BORN (8 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
02.16.1977 … theater closed (15 weeks)
06.03.1977 … THE GRATEFUL DEAD MOVIE (3 weeks, Stereo)
06.22.1977 … NEW YORK, NEW YORK (9 weeks)
08.24.1977 … theater closed (6 weeks)
10.07.1977 … TOMMY (RE, 6 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
11.16.1977 … CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (23 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
04.26.1978 … THE LAST WALTZ (12 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.19.1978 … REVENGE OF THE PINK PANTHER (4 weeks)
08.16.1978 … GREASE (MO, 7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10.05.1978 … THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL (6 weeks)
11.15.1978 … THE LORD OF THE RINGS (12 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.09.1979 … MURDER BY DECREE (5 weeks)
03.14.1979 … HAIR (10 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.25.1979 … THE PRISONER OF ZENDA (4 weeks)
06.22.1979 … THE MUPPET MOVIE (3 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07.13.1979 … DRACULA (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.15.1979 … APOCALYPSE NOW (RPE, 12 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
11.07.1979 … THE ROSE (14 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
Interviews in 1981 with Spielberg indicated that he saw the character as a variant on Fred C. Dobbs (Humphrey Bogart in Treasure of the Sierra Madre).
To Rhett39 : It is indeed possible that GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH could have, at least partially, influenced the Indy costume since it is a matter of record that it was the first movie Spielberg ever saw as a child.
are the Bond films being shown in 4K DLP since they were mastered that way – I know the Ziegfeld has a NEC system, but wasn’t sure if it was outfitted as such to playback 4K.
Hi Everyone:
Slight change in plans, this coming Saturday, April 19th, I will be introducing the afternoon showing of “Goldfinger” instead of the evening showing.
I am really looking forward to this as I have never seen the film on as big a screen as the Ziegfeld, but more on that in my intro. Would you believe that the film played 24 hours a day at the De Mille-incredible.
See you at the movies,
Best
“Jones” will be there at least until July 18th when “Mamma Mia” opens at the Ziegfeld, hopefully for an exclusive run.
Out of the upcoming two summer movies, Indiana Jones will have a long stay at the theater throughout the summer.
Saw a screening of ‘Shine A Light’ tonight at the Ziegfeld. I love having excuses to go this theater.
I’m a big Stones and Scorcese fan, and at best this was a fun film. Looked and sounded great. But unlike Scorcese’s other concert film ‘The Last Waltz’ this movie didn’t have much to offer much other than making you feel that you were actually at a Stones show. ‘The Last Waltz’ felt like it went a little more in depth and didn’t just feel like a concert film. The occasional cutaways in ‘Shine A Light’ to archival interview footage was fun. I actually wish there was more of it. Keith’s portion of the film was somewhat poignant being that he is the most weather-beaten rock star/trooper of all time, and he, in my opinion, is really starting to show it. The other scene stealer was Buddy Guy’s performance. If there were any scenes in the film that screamed ‘the Stones still got it’ it was that one. Guy and the Stones together created a really memorable performance. Jack White’s performance of ‘Loving Cup’ was notable but a tad uninspired. Christina Aguillera? Same thing. Even though she can project real well as a vocalist, it just seemed like generic ‘American Idol’ white soul wannabe stuff. Other than that, it was nothing more than just a film that made you feel like you were at the show. Nothing gained, nothing lost. I’m a little surprised Scorcese chose to do this project. It was well done, but not necessarily a strong picture.
As for Indiana Jones model being Chuck Heston in “Incas”…I alsways believed it was his role in “Greatest Show on Earth”…the jacket, hat, whip at his side at times…pure Indy look…I’d love to know if Spielberg had that in mind
I’m sorry Howard, but when it comes to Clearview, there’s a nerve that gets pinched every time. As far as Al’s comment, it is that incompetence he speaks of by a rotten few, that ruined the job for people like me. Most of the chains and independents are all sharing the booth these days. You both have to forgive me, but 33 years on the job will do this to a person.
I did meet a union projectionist in Nov 07 when i was there.
Most Manhattan chain theatres are only part time union. Previous posts will reveal the Ziegfeld’s disastrous history with Local 306 incompetence.
Actually, I meant to ask if anybody actually knows if Ziegfeld using union projectionists. Wasn’t looking for mere conjecture.
I can’t see how they wouldn’t use union projectionists. Local 306 is one of the last strong projectionists unions. But, given how Jimmy D and his band of pencil pushers got rid of the rest of us, (including myself) I would not put it past them that they tried manager/operator, especially that night the boob manager said the focus was bad because they were projecting reel-to-reel. Give me a break. My 15 year old daughter could have come up with a better excuse, and she knows nothing about projection.
Does the Ziegfeld use union projectionists?
If not usually, what about for movie premieres?
Perhaps Clearview should’ve had top projectionists for the prior weekend Friday & Saturday for the reel to reel presentation of “Planet of the Apes” & skipped the not so well attended weekday shows (50 attending at 5 PM)
Charlton Heston film festivals are called “Hest Fests.” Anyway, the last Heston movie I watched on DVD was “Diamond Head.” A soap opera, it was originally supposed to be a Clark Gable movie, but it’s not that bad a Heston movie. He played his typical “modern” character — a bastard prick. Hey look, even PLANET’s Taylor wasn’t exactly a nice guy, and look at the character he played years before in “The Naked Jungle.” And as the Ziegfeld will be showing the latest Indiana Jones soon, let’s remember that the model for the character was Heston in a nearly forgotten film, “Secret of the Incas.”
This week TCM devoted a special day to Richard Widmark—don’t be surprised if you see something similar this week for Heston.
Just watching a story on CBS Sunday Morning—Heston’s favorite role was “Will Penny.”
And just look at that amazing list above.
Don’t forget “Touch of Evil”: “He was some kind of a man… What does it matter what you say about people?”
Adiós.
All politics aside…Heston will always be associated with the BIG movie and one of Hollywood’s greatest stars…Maybe the Zeigfeld could stage a Classic Big Screen series with Heston’s work: think about it:
-Ben-Hur (the last movie I saw at the Ziegfeld)
-El Cid
-Ten Commandments
-El Cid
-Greatest Story Ever Told
-Earthquake
-Khartoum
-55 Days at Peking
-Greatest Show on Earth
-Planet of the Apes
-Soylent Green
-Agony and the Ecstacy
-The Big Country
Imagine what a film festival like that would be like at the Ziegfeld. But because so many will push a political agenda into it, it would/could never happen. Thanks for all the great movie memories Chuck..Godspeed…
I had a really strong sense this was about to happen while I was in New York. I just felt there was something larger going on. I was a huge fan of Heston’s when I was a kid.