Thats very interesting about the wide release of Duel in the Sun. Am I correct that for a major movie that was almost unheard of back then? What about “B” films, did they ever open saturated like would become the norm in the 60’s with Premiere Showcase?
I personally am not a huge fan of the Star Wars films but a 70mm festival would insure sell-out crowds. I would love to see the great epics that cant be watched properly on television like Ben Hur, Lawrence of Arabia, Cleopatra and even Titanic.
Some good comments are made in the above posts but I still have to say a classic film series at RCMH can make a profit. As a regular thing, no the expenses are way too high. As a festival for a few shows with the right films you can do a decent gross. The thing is the work involved equals a small profit compared to the returns of a sold out concert. But, if the halls sitting empty a few hundred thousand is still nice pocket change. There is so much sentimentality attached to the hall, it is different from seeing a classic film series at the Zeigfeld. I saw the screenings of Jaws and Psycho and can attest they were virtually sold out. No matter what percentage Universal took that night the hall made a nice profit on 6000 tickets, not to mention the concession.
I met a friend here tonight to see Hide and Seek. I had not been here in a few years. This has to be the cleanest theatre I have ever been in. The place is almost sterile clean. Mens room, lobby auditorium floors just everything. The theatres are really tiny and the screen is the same for flat and scope but the seats are very comfortable.
The Film Forum has amazing booking but I would never travel there to see something like Raging Bull. But now that it’s at the Ziegfeld that’s another story. I don’t mind seeing “smaller” films at Film Forum but even the restored print of Picnic a few years ago screamed to be shown on a huge Cinemascope screen, I would love to see that at the Ziegfeld or RCMH.
Thats done on purpose so they can double book films onto one screen. Many of these are in the first few weeks and the distributor would never allow the screen to be split. In addition to the papers being wrong they give they wrong times on the tape so if anyone checks they can say that particular movie is playing alone. This causes people to show up at the theatres furious. It’s worth it though to give out a few free passes to be able to not have to pass on a film on it’s opening week because your stuck with the 5th week of a commitment on an ongoing film. Check out the Kent in brooklyn during peak release times they will have 5 movies advertised all with times like 130 330 530 730 930.
How do they run movies on the screen? Is it video projection which I doubt would be bright enough? XXX films have not been produced for many years in 35mm. There was a porno drive-in theatre in Scranton PA till the late 90’s.
BoxOfficeBill
Thats very interesting about the wide release of Duel in the Sun. Am I correct that for a major movie that was almost unheard of back then? What about “B” films, did they ever open saturated like would become the norm in the 60’s with Premiere Showcase?
I personally am not a huge fan of the Star Wars films but a 70mm festival would insure sell-out crowds. I would love to see the great epics that cant be watched properly on television like Ben Hur, Lawrence of Arabia, Cleopatra and even Titanic.
Some good comments are made in the above posts but I still have to say a classic film series at RCMH can make a profit. As a regular thing, no the expenses are way too high. As a festival for a few shows with the right films you can do a decent gross. The thing is the work involved equals a small profit compared to the returns of a sold out concert. But, if the halls sitting empty a few hundred thousand is still nice pocket change. There is so much sentimentality attached to the hall, it is different from seeing a classic film series at the Zeigfeld. I saw the screenings of Jaws and Psycho and can attest they were virtually sold out. No matter what percentage Universal took that night the hall made a nice profit on 6000 tickets, not to mention the concession.
The last films series at RCMH of Universal classics did sell out business, believe me they made a profit.
I met a friend here tonight to see Hide and Seek. I had not been here in a few years. This has to be the cleanest theatre I have ever been in. The place is almost sterile clean. Mens room, lobby auditorium floors just everything. The theatres are really tiny and the screen is the same for flat and scope but the seats are very comfortable.
Look at the great line on the marquee for the other theatre. “An all sarong show” with the features Swamp Woman and Jungle Man.
Such nicer times
Jim
I always wondered also how they have not run out of room all these years if they did not move some of them.
RobertC
Mindy was also a regular at The Cinemart, as was Ron Eldard and Annabella Scignoria (Im sure I spelled her name wrong)
This is a sad day for movies.
The Film Forum has amazing booking but I would never travel there to see something like Raging Bull. But now that it’s at the Ziegfeld that’s another story. I don’t mind seeing “smaller” films at Film Forum but even the restored print of Picnic a few years ago screamed to be shown on a huge Cinemascope screen, I would love to see that at the Ziegfeld or RCMH.
The indoor did not stay open all winter?
Thats done on purpose so they can double book films onto one screen. Many of these are in the first few weeks and the distributor would never allow the screen to be split. In addition to the papers being wrong they give they wrong times on the tape so if anyone checks they can say that particular movie is playing alone. This causes people to show up at the theatres furious. It’s worth it though to give out a few free passes to be able to not have to pass on a film on it’s opening week because your stuck with the 5th week of a commitment on an ongoing film. Check out the Kent in brooklyn during peak release times they will have 5 movies advertised all with times like 130 330 530 730 930.
I think this may have been the Tom Sawyer that played Radio City Music Hall starring Johnny Whitaker. I think it was Readers Digest that produced it.
From the looks of these pictures the balcony may still exist above the stores drop ceilings.
Gerald
I think you are correct. I am sure it played there.
Why cant they call it the IFC Waverly?
Wow this must have been a great neighborhood house in it’s day.
How do they run movies on the screen? Is it video projection which I doubt would be bright enough? XXX films have not been produced for many years in 35mm. There was a porno drive-in theatre in Scranton PA till the late 90’s.
That’s a giveaway price, how small is this town?
Although it seems to be at a snails pace, it looks like work is being done when I drive by.
No gambeling :(
View link
This picture shows the X in it’s glory days
Why would they go bargain here? I was at these theatres a few years ago and they were getting huge crowds.
It’s odd with all the neighborhood houses that have closed over the past twenty years not one of these cinema pubs has ever opened in NY.