Ziegfeld Theatre

Yes, Clearview leases the Ziegfeld Theater. The theater and the land are owned by the billionaire Fisher Brothers who own the Alliance Capital office tower accross the plaza. Fisher’s ownership, much more than Clearview’s leasing, gives me hope that this theater will survive for the long term. The Paris Theater, which sits in one of the worlds most expensive retail corridors is owned by the billionaire Solow who also owns the exlcusive 9 W 57th Street tower next door. The Paris has an illustrious history, as does The Ziegfeld and Solow doesn’t necessarily need the extra dollars a higher paying retailer would pay. In other hands, The Paris would already be long gone.

I believe the same holds true at The Ziegfeld. The Fishers have gobs of money. The Ziegfeld is an icon. If Clearivew had title to the land and building, this theater would be a Condo by now. These are The Dolans we’re talking about, who have run The Knicks, The Rangers and The Wiz into the ground.

It’s also why I believe that the Ziegfeld’s interior should be landmarked once it reaches it’s 40th aniversary. That would help ensure that this treasure is here for future generations.

And I almost forgot, I am helping to restore movies to a historic theatre, the Ritz in Elizabeth N.J.

Howard: they used both curtains before “West Side Story” on Saturday afternoon, but did not use them for “The Sound of Music” on Saturday night. Nor did they use them tonight for “West Side Story” (just got back – no matter how many times you see it, it never ceases to be amazing, especially on that big screen). I guess it depends on who’s working each particular show. I hope the curtain-using person is on duty when Rory attends “Planet of the Apes”.

I asked a simple question: whether the curtain has been repaired?
I didn’t ask for anybody to bash the hand that feeds us, the wonderful theater chain keeping in top shape the Ziegfeld and presenting this wonderful classic movie series. On other pages today on this website, there’s church bashing. You got millions to buy & restore a theater and keep it in wonderful shape? If not, be grateful to those that do.

The Ziegfeld won’t always be there for us. In the last several years, the Astor Plaza, the Beekman, the Metro, the Sutton, and others ceased to show movies. The back seat drivers- the Clearview bashers! and the church bashers, will never take their place. They won’t buy a historic theater, they won’t lease one, they won’t help save them. Easy to bash. I’m going to credit Clearview and cherish the company for as long as it exists, and operates those theaters that we cherish.

I earlier suggested that only the original Planet of the Apes film would be shown and my suggestion has not been contradicted. This is a brand new print, for its 40th anniversary.

There was an article in the 1990s that stated the Ziegfeld’s screen is 52 feet wide x 22.7 feet height. Scope and “flat” movies look impressive.

Now, I am going to ask a question.
Is at least one curtain being used now? Last I read, a repair was needed.

Thanks, Craig – great news! Rory will be happy. It looks like he made the right decision to make the trip to New York after all. I dare say “Planet of the Apes” hasn’t been seen on a screen this big in NYC since it opened at the Loew’s Capitol 40 years ago.

Hello all….

I hope everyone is enjoying the Classics!

Just wanted to let everyone know that the print of PLANET OF THE APES is brand new! We will be the very first theatre to run it! So, it will look and sound amazing!

Enjoy, my friends!

Craig from Clearview

There is a bronze monument on the Chelsea Hotel, which says that he wrote it there. It’s also mentioned in one of the doc’s on the new “2001” DVD which is fabulous.

See you all at JAWS-special tribute to Roy Scheider.

Thanks

The great science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke died today at the age of 90. I spent many an hour at the Ziegfeld over the years watching his brilliant collaboration with Stanley Kubrick, “2001: A Space Odyssey”.

Back in the 70’s I went to the “Go Ape” marathon at the Crossbay theater in Ozone Park, Queens. It was all 5 movies in order. It was great fun and the most amount of movies I’ve ever seen in one sitting. If The Ziegfeld is advertising this as “Go Ape” week, I would assume they plan on showing all of them. Will The Ziegfeld show all in one day? Will they allow people to pay one admission and stay as long as they like?

Clearview is saying that the March 28th thru April 3rd gig at the Ziegfeld is a “GO APE WEEK.” Does that mean PLANET OF THE APES will be shown with all or some of its sequels, or will it just be the 1968 original?

Does anyone think its necesary to buy West Side Story tickets online ahead of time for the 4.30 showing Thursday? Or will buying them at the box office suffice?

Any information on when Mama Mia is opening. I bet they will keep it for a Christmas release. I wold love to see a preview of it.