Comments from Al Alvarez

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Gables Triple on May 8, 2009 at 5:10 pm

The architect was Robert C. Broward.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Remembering Cinerama (Part 29: Pittsburgh) on May 6, 2009 at 12:19 pm

The most fabulous story telling medium in the history of entertainment!

http://issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_100254-1

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Loew's Delancey Theatre on May 6, 2009 at 10:36 am

Part of this marquee was behind the bar of a Times Square bar that closed and demolished in the last few years. Does anyone know where it went?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Theater chain on the brain on May 5, 2009 at 5:08 pm

These cookie-cutter multiplex operations have paid off handsomely as customers swarmed to them at the expense of smaller theatres.

Viacom’s money troubles have nothing to do with their theatre operations. The theatres are being sold in order to help make the corporate giant’s interest payments.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Cinema Studio 1 & 2 on May 3, 2009 at 5:17 pm

The Colonial Bank (1964 Broadway) became Bank Leumi Trust in the eighties. The Cinema Studio was located just next to it at 1968 Broadway.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Rivoli Theatre on May 1, 2009 at 1:51 pm

An article regarding the $1,250,000 front payment made by the Rivoli for rights to show the “CLEOPATRA” roadshow can be found here.

http://issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_011463

Although it was obviously an industry publicity stunt, it was a good one.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about State Theatre on May 1, 2009 at 1:21 pm

Here is a postcard view that clearly shows another building between the State and the corner. The marquee seems to read ‘BELLE OF THE NINETIES" which would make it 1934.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Strand Theatre on May 1, 2009 at 1:16 pm

Thanks for the kind words, Louis.

Here is a 1941 Wometco Christmas ad with yet another “Havana” themed movie at the Strand.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Cinema Studio 1 & 2 on May 1, 2009 at 8:45 am

Warren, since the 1931 Broadway address is listed as the address for the Arcade Theatre in Film Daily yearbooks I suspect it was possibly caused by Lincoln Square Arcade access perhaps changing traditional east and west assignments.

Since the Studio Cinema was built from the ground up in 1946 (the first post-war new build in NYC according to Brecht) it may have inherited the number from the Arcade but, you are correct, I cannot find anything with that number attached to the Studio Cinema, or in fact any number.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Cinema Studio 1 & 2 on Apr 30, 2009 at 4:12 pm

How it have been above 66th street when called Studio 65?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Radio City Music Hall on Apr 30, 2009 at 10:08 am

The Tuxedo and Pastime were on the east side on 42nd and 54th, respectively.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Radio City Music Hall on Apr 30, 2009 at 10:05 am

Here is my list of operating midtown cinemas in 1934.

LOEWS 42ND STREET
CAMEO
LYRIC
TIMES SQUARE
APOLLO
HARRIS
SELWYN
LIBERTY
TIMES
STANLEY
TUXEDO
RIALTO
PARAMOUNT
IDEAL
NEW YORK
ASTOR
CRITERION
STATE
GAIETY
GLOBE
MIAMI
MAYFAIR
PALACE
CENTRAL
STRAND
CARUSO (Hindenberg)
CENTER
WESTMINSTER
CASINO
RIVOLI
LITTLE PICTURE HOUSE
ROXY
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
TRANS-LUX 50-1
TRANS-LUX 50-2
CAPITOL
HOLLYWOOD
LEXINGTON
PASTIME
ZIEGFELD
55th ST. PLAYHOUSE
CHALONER (Town)

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Loew's Capitol Theatre on Apr 28, 2009 at 10:18 am

The Capitol opening, December 1919.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about B.S. Moss' Broadway Theatre on Apr 27, 2009 at 10:01 am

20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA (1916)

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about 44th Street Theatre on Apr 27, 2009 at 9:58 am

JOAN THE WOMAN.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Liberty Theatre on Apr 27, 2009 at 9:57 am

Intolerance

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Rialto Theatre on Apr 27, 2009 at 9:56 am

Opening Next Saturday Noon:

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about AMC and Cinemark might merge on Apr 26, 2009 at 12:40 am

I meant Cinemark…

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about AMC and Cinemark might merge on Apr 26, 2009 at 12:40 am

Hmmm.

What exactly is an “electric scootered wife” and what further explanation does a power failure require?

Is “the wife” disabled or just really lazy? Did her scooter derive its power from AMC Theatres?

Both AMC and Carmike have some bad operations and young staff and both have really good operations with young staff, but really…aren’t the customers the real idiots?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about "American Theatres of Today" special reprint edition update on Apr 24, 2009 at 8:31 pm

I received my copy today and it was well worth the wait.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Olympia Theatre at Gusman Center on Apr 24, 2009 at 7:58 pm

The name here should be changed to Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts.

http://gusmancenter.org/

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Rivoli Theatre on Apr 24, 2009 at 6:12 pm

The Rivoli may have abandoned stage shows but it still had stage in the mid forties when it was used by Skouras for fund raising benefits on a regular basis.

It was apparently also also quite large.

Jan. 1943
“one hundred women in uniform from various war organizations will appear on the stage in formation” (Jan 1943)

March 1943
Evening performance canceled for Stage Show to benefit the Good Neighbors Center.

Nov. 1945
Movies cancelled for a revue version of “East Side, West Side” to benefit St. Vincents Hospital

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Strand Theatre on Apr 24, 2009 at 11:47 am

Louis, glad I am not the only one who enjoys these old ads.

The Tivoli was a Paramount (Sparks) Theatre until the early fifties but was apparently owned by the same guy after that. It advertised jointly with the Strand in The Herald when they both switched to Spanish language films in the late fifties. I guess there were no Spanish language newspapers in town yet and they most likely shared a film booker and not an owner.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Historic Tower Theatres to show Cuban Film Festival on Apr 24, 2009 at 12:26 am

JSA, “Celia” and “La Mala” are most likely U.S. driven. Both legendary ladies CELIA and LA LUPE are tabu on the island, especially as they were both black and anti-Castro.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Historic Tower Theatres to show Cuban Film Festival on Apr 24, 2009 at 12:20 am

These are films from Cuba.

There have been fewer each year as Castro feels movies about life in Cuba are undermining in the revolution and has cut funding.