Just in case, I left a lengthy voice mail for Craig this morning not only expressing regret that the series was reaching a conclusion but also alerting him that there were many important, articulate comments, both positive and negative, right here, that he definitely needed to see. I also told him to expect e-mails from us, again, both positive and negative, all in the spirit of having an even better series next time.
My sincere apologies for the language. It will definitely not happen again, and I thank you for the criticism, you were absolutely appropriate about it, and I deserved to be taken to task-I am embarrassed and apologize for losing it. And I have no excuses, so I won’t even try. I believe that we all want the same thing, i.e, the Ziegfeld to survive, the classics series to survive, and a great experience there. If anything, the ups and downs of this series has shown me that there is a passionate force of individuals out there, and, sorry Jeff, although I respect everything you’ve said, absolutely everything, I cannot assume that anyone from Clearview is reading these comments. Maybe they are, but there is so much at stake here,that I can’t assume it—-it is absolutely worth speaking your mind directly to Craig. That’s just my way of thinking. It was so important to me that we had the “Definitive” version of CE3K, that I was in touch with first Monique, and then Craig, whom she referred me, too, constantly.
As the festival ends, we now have much bigger issues than this—I see the passion in all these posts, and it’s great (except, again for my language). Ed, I miss the UA Cinema 150 so much, I could cry.
I went to see “Hook” there opening night (I know kids seem to love this movie, but I hated it) Regardless, I drove over an hour just to see it in that theater. Now I can’t do that anymore.
Again, I am not a movie professional, and there are so many professionals as well as Ziegfeld and movie lovers here, that I believe that you can cut and paste your comments and send them directly to Craig—everyone is articulate and to the point ( well, maybe except me and my foul mouth, Vito, an extra apology to you-I truly am humiliated in looking at what I said)!
I am finally glad that Saps injected a bit of humor into this. If everyone can please calm down for a second. I was in the projection booth Saturday night before the screening of Lawrence. it was my second time there. I introduced CE3K back on 3/17, and I wanted to say hello again to thank him for making it such a special night for me. I had seen the posts about the “out of sync” problem, and was about to address it to him, when he said, stopping me, “Gary, I know what you’re going to say, the film is out of sync.” There was a tech up there on Saturday afternoon working on the DTS decoder-Marvin is not allowed to open it up and touch it-in fact he wouldn’t dare. He isa consummate profesional, a man in his seventies, a projectionist for over 40 years—and he knew that even Saturday night’s showing was not going to be “perfect”, and he was far from happy about it because the print was worn-but it wasn’t “alien” which he previewed and was unwatchable.
In mixing technologies, a 70mm print without mag tracks, DTS, brain wraps-I’m surprised shit doesn’t happen more often. I looked at the way the film was wrapped around all of those rollers from the platters to the projector, and thought, “Oh my God, what a Rube Goldberg,"but Marvin did not bring the platters to the Ziegfeld. I was not at the "Ten Commandments” screening- I was exhausted from “Lawrence” Saturday night-but my friend, who was there, told me that it was great, but not perfect, sometimes, a focus problem, given the age of the movie. Still a great time.
We are really in a transitional period, the Ziegfeld is installing digital equipment shortly, wihin a month—for it to be a first run house and a revival house is not going to be without problems—I still say that it was ballsy of them to even try such a concept for TWO MONTHS. Yeah, I also yearn for the DeMille and the Rivoli, but it ain’t happening.
Remember what Craig said above, “I think it’s a great program
that can only grow in time. Let’s see what happens….”
Yeah, I would love so see a perfect “Lawrence,” but disregarding, for the moment, the synch issues, the print was not perfect. So, can we all calm down, lose the attitude a bit, work towards KEEPING THE PROGRAM GOING, realize and state there are very important issues to deal with, and move on toan even better program next time.
Fabulous presentation of “Lawrence” Saturday night- as the “festival” is drawing to a close, let’s try to keep the momentum going for the future. What was good about this two month delight? What would you want for the future? A Rodgers & Hammerstein week? Oklahoma in Todd-AO? Jaws? River Kwai? Spartacus? Ten Commandments?
Midnight Cowboy? French Connection? Dog Day Afternoon? send to www.clearviewcinemas.com Have some nice things to say about Craig, Monique, Nikki, Marvin, everybody else. This is your Ziegfeld and we can make it happen!!!
Respectfully submitted,
and thanks for the fun, Ed, Pablo, Bill, Irv-EVERYBODY-AWESOME
Just checked with the box office and, indeed, there is a special screening of something instead of a 2:30 showing of “Lawrence”,which will be shown Saturday only at night (I’ll be there) and twice on Sunday. She did apologize and own up to the fact that it was advertised wrong in the original flyer distributed at the theater.
you’re right! I don’t see a 2:30 pm show for Saturday, but one for Sunday. This doesn’t make any sense, but something may have changed. I’ll call the theatre later for clarification. Thanks for the heads-up.
Go to customer comments on www.clearviewcinemas.com and tell them of your nice visit and Ziegfeld experience, it will go a long way towards ensuring that the festival will be a continuing event. By the way, I’ve been to Atlanta twice. No complaints-people very nice to me.
As the one who introduced CE3K last Friday evening, I am going to take the liberty to respond—YOU ARE ALL RIGHT! If I could have pulled it off, I, too, would have lobbied for the'77 original that had me so taken away that I didn’t realize that I was watching it with a 102 fever ( I was out of work for three days after with the flu). This whole issue of “best version” has ben going on for years. When I first saw the 1980 “Special Edition” ( only on video), what upset me the most was not the ending, but the SEVERE editing of Neary’s sequence in which he rips the house and garden apart as he attempts to re-create the vision that’s haunting him, i.e., Devil’s tower. To me this is the heart and soul of the film. Yeah I also miss the original scene at the power station, Roy looking at the pillow,etc. But without watching Roy go totally nuts as he does in the original, I thought the film was ruined.
The “Definitive Director’s Cut,” I’ll take that anyday!
I’ve asked Craig to allow me to say a few words at the Saturday afternoon screening of “Lawrence,” so you may be seeing my puss again.
Thanks for the kind words, I’ll probably be at the afternoon screening of Lawrence on Saturday and am thinking of asking Craig to talk again in light of Premiere’s voting O'Toole’s performance as the greatest in film history (see newest issue) I have Lawrence on VHS, laser, and DVD-(I also have a home theatre with an 80 inch screen.) I refuse to watch any of them-can’t match the Ziegfeld experience. Isn’t this what it’s all about?
WOW: Everyone, can we all calm down, please. Remember what Craig told me above, “A great program that can only grow in time!” The man really wants this program to succeed, and is open to constructive criticism. But he is not the President of Clearview Cinemas. The first time I ever spoke to him, I offered some “constructive criticism.” He immediately said, “I know, the overtures, the intermissions…” And then I said, “Not at all.” I told him that Clearview could have done a better job in getting the word out to everyone about the program. Sure, print quality, sound, overtures, ALL IMPORTANT! I agree with all of you, But as a start, I am grateful for two things, first, that the Ziegfeld is still standing and functioning as a theatre and secondly, that they gambled on two months of classics, yes, TWO MONTHS, as an experiment.
The “kinks” can work out in time, as long as the program can continue. I really believe that a first priority is to ensure that the program can continue on some regular basis.
Hey, I respect all of your opinions, I wouldn’t settle for the 1980 Special Edition of CE3K, I would have been embarrased to introduce it. I was in constant touch with Craig about this, and guess what, that great print that you’ve all been complimenting came directly from Steven Spielberg. I am not making this up. Craig worked very hard to make that happen!
What can I say, of course, Clearview has to make money to keep the place open and at the same time is gambling that a festival of movies that are all available on home video will draw an audience. I absolutely applaud that. Would CE3K or Lawrence look as good at the Film Forum? I recently saw “Barry Lyndon” at MOMA, nice theatre, but not the Ziegfeld. I am not saying, lower your standards, settle for mediocrity—I wanted a great print and the “right” version of CE3K, and best of all I wanted to introduce it. I worked very hard to make all this happen ( and screamed at the “Film Critic” at ‘Time Out’ for his ignorance of the ‘Definitive Director’s Cut’ )
You have issues, tell Craig about them, but please remember that if this program can’t continue, then all the issues will be dead issues-and then we will have nothing but our DVD’s.
Thank you for asking for a copy of my intro: Here it is:
Good Evening and Welcome:
WE WANT EVERYTHING TO BE PERFECT TONIGHT ! SO, RIGHT BEFORE
YOU CAME IN, WE DID A SOUND CHECK, THEN WE DID A PICTURE
CHECK,—NOW, ONE MORE CHECK TO DO! WE NEED TO DO AN
ENTHUSIASM CHECK- HOW IS EVERYBODY’S ENTHUSIAM!!!
SO, MAYBE YOU WERE EXPECTING STEVEN SPIELBERG TONIGHT?
WELL, CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET? HE’S JUST A LITTLE TOO BUSY RIGHT
NOW â€"AND THAT’S BECAUSE HE, AND GEORGE LUCAS, AND HARRISON
FORD ARE IN pre-production on Indiana Jones 4.
BUT I DID GET A RATHER CRYPTIC E-MAIL FROM HIM:
It said, “Gary, make sure YOU eat before your talk tonightâ€"I suggest a BIG PLATE of
mashed potatoes and a VERY LARGE FORK. AND STOP PLAYING WITH THE
POTATOES!†WHAT’S THAT ALL ABOUT?????
OK, I BETTER GET STARTED OR MY INTRO WILL BE LONGER THAN BEN-HUR
In a few moments, we’ll be on our way, to “THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON.†AND
I THANK ALL OF YOU, IN ADVANCE, FOR THIS VERY SPECIAL
OPPORTUNITY TO PREPARE YOU FOR THE JOURNEY.
About 20 years ago, I got the shock of my life. I used to be a high school teacher, and I
loved to talk movies with kids. And one day, with one young man, the movie was Jaws.
And we were both really into it. He loved the thrill and tension AND ROLLER
COASTER RIDE of the movie, but as a teacher, I wanted him to know what makes great
films workâ€"the brilliant editing that propels the story forward; the underwater shots
from the shark’s point of view, that enhance the terror; that pulsating, pounding,
magnificent score by John Williams; and, especially Spielberg’s astonishing use of the
wide screen as, Quint is dragged, kicking and screaming, across the entire deck of the
sinking Orca in his final showdown with the shark . And this kid, who loved Jaws, and
who was really smart, just wasn’t getting it. AND I COULDN’T UNDERSTAND
WHY, WE BOTH HAD SEEN THE SAME MOVIE! OR SO I THOUGHT !!!
So finally he said to me. Mr. Joseph,†You have to understand something, I’ve only seen
Jaws on videotape, never in a theater.â€
Now if that isn’t a MANDATE FOR what’s been going on IN THIS THEATER for the
last SEVERAL WEEKS, I don’t know what is.
LOOK: IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS
1, YOU’VE BEEN MADE OFFERS THAT YOU CAN’T REFUSE
YOU’VE RACED CHARIOTS WITH JUDAH BEN-HUR
3, YOU’VE RUMBLED IN THE STREETS WITH THE JETS AND THE SHARKS.
YOU’VE FOUND LOVE IN THE ICE AND SNOW WITH Dr. ZHIVAGO
YOU’VE BEEN SINGING IN THE RAIN
THIS AFTERNOON, YOU WENT TO JUPITER AND BEYOND..
NEXT WEEK YOU RIDE INTO THE DESERT WITH LAWRENCE, AND YOU KNOW THE CAMELS WILL BE HUGE.
DOES IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS?
WELL, ACTUALLY, ……..IT DOES! RIGHT NOW!
This REALLY is an HISTORIC EVENINGâ€" because†Close Encounters†had its world premiere-right here- at the Ziegfeld on November 16, 1977.
The next morning in The New York Times, Vincent Canby wrote:†Steven Spielberg’s giant, spectacular Close Encounters of the Third Kind is one of the best, most-elaborate science fiction movies ever made——– The film is breathtaking——– the Close Encounter in which the earthlings and the alien creatures come together, a sequence as beautiful as anything I’ve ever seen, has been deliberately designed to suggest a religious experience of the first kind. Whether or not you believe it, this climax involves the imagination in surprising, moving ways. This is a day in which the earth might have stood still. If indeed, we are not alone, it would be fun to believe that the creatures who one day visit us are of the order that Mr. Spielberg has conceived.â€
Now, speaking of “religious experiences†just a few blocks from here, there once stood the ultimate Movie Palace, so fabulous and beautiful, that it was dubbed the “Cathedral of the Motion Picture.†ANYBODY REMEMBER ? This was the world famous ROXY THEATRE.
Oh yes, and one other thingâ€"the Roxy showed great movies on a great big screen—-for JUST over three decades. All gone, like the rest of New York’s GREAT single screen MOVIE palaces including, most recently, Loew’s Astor Plaza.
ALL GONE EXCEPT FOR THE ZIEGFELD!
BUT THE ZIEGFELD IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A BIG SCREEN AND BIG SOUND, THE ZIEGFELD WOULD NOT BE THE ZIEGFELD WITHOUT THESE HARD WORKING PROFESSIONALS WHO PRIDEFULLY RUN THIS PLACEâ€"ALL HERE TO MAKE YOUR ZIEGFELD EXPERIENCE THE ABSOLUTE BEST!
For those of you in the audience who have experienced Close Encounters on the “big screen,†well, you know why you are back here tonightâ€"I think it has something to do with those mashed potatoes. But for those of you who have never seen the film, or heaven forbid, those of you who have only seen it on home video or TV, I promise you ONE HELL OF A RIDE.
The real Close Encounters aficionados know that there are multiple versions of the film, but, don’t worry, tonight we are going to see the GREATEST—– Spielberg’s Definitive Director’s Cut from 1998. You don’t have to go inside the spaceship with Roy Nearyâ€"by film’s end, your own imagination will take you there as John Williams’s music soars!
But just before that, in one of my favorite scenes, the scientist, Claude Lacombe, asks Roy Neary, “Mr. Neary, what do you want?†And Neary answers, “I just want to know that it’s really happening.â€
Well, tonight———– as Norma Desmond would say——— for all you wonderful people out there in the dark—– here—— at the world famous Ziegfeld——– “ It is really happening!â€
As they say in the film:
“I DON’T THINK WE COULD ASK FOR A MORE BEAUTIFUL EVENING, DO YOU?
Got the following e-mail from Craig-which I’m sure he won’t mind my sharing with you.
“Hi Gary,
Happy to hear that everything went well. I wanted to be there, but had
to be at another theatre for our Grand Opening in NJ.
Yes, I agree with you on the classics! I think it’s a great program
that can only grow in time. Let’s see what happens…."
Well, to me the fact that a place like the Ziegfeld still exists, as I tried to convey in my talk, is both a miracle and a blessing. And the classics program—so fabulous that I think I am not overstepping any bounds to say that we would all like this to continue and indeed “grow in time.” I believe that we and everyone we know can make this “grow in time.” I don’t need to and don’t want to preach-we all know what we have to do. I’d rather spend my time enjoying more big-screen classics at the Ziegfeld. Each of us can think of 40 more cherished titles. I would start with “The Shawshank Redemption” which I’ve never seen in a thatre—because “Hope is a good thing.”
Thank you for all the kind words that you’ve said about my “speech,” Friday night at CE3K, I was a bit nervous as I hadn’t spoken before a group in many years, but I did make every effort to talk about the importance of seeing films in theaters, for generations to follow, and my love for the Ziegfeld, with all it’s flaws. So thank you for the great reception. I have a very good feeling that this program will continue, in whatever schedule and format, that can be feasible—and can only get better. In fact, the program was never supposed to last as long as it did. The positive feedback on those little white cards, the feedback here, (which Craig reads), and more feedback to clearviewcinemas.com can make it happen—and they welcome constructive criticism. There was a lot of confusion on the correct version of CE3K (although I really did meet someone at Friday’s screening who likes to see Dreyfuss enter the spaceship). I worked very hard with Monique and then Craig, who actually got the print from Spielberg’s people, whichj I agree looked great and sounded great. Would 70mm have looked better, hey I can’t worry too much about these things. Just seeing that mothership turn over on the widescreen was good enough for me, and actually having the opportunity to introduce—an absolute peak moment in my life. And I encourage any of you to do the same for your favorite—all I had to do was ask and then figure out what I wanted to say. As the new guy, again, I thank you, and feel that I have a whole new group of friends. See you at Lawrence
One last thing, that someone will get a chuckle about. In August of 2004, I saw “2001” at the Walter Reade at Lincoln Center. Beautiful picture and sound. Right before the screening-the management got up to apologize that they had gotten “the wrong print.” This one had the appropriate intermission, so he was apologizing that there would be a break in the film. Go Figure!!
Thanks for the heads up on the schedule change. I’m still introducing the evening showing of CE3K tonight. If you are there, please come up to say hello to me at the end of the film. I feel like I already know all of you but would love to shake hands and thank you for coming, personally.
I still consider myself the new guy, and am deeply indebted to your kind words re: the Friday intro to CE3K but also I am in absolute awe of the knowledge and enthusiasm that you people display. I always believed in what Marcus Loew said, “We sell tickets to theaters not movies.” I think I got that right. In other words, how the movie is shown and where it is shown is just as important as the movie. I see that pride all over these postings. I think that the Ziegfeld mostly gets it right, and if not they’re really working to. After the last screening I saw which was “Raiders,” I was looking for Monique just in case I never made it back before CE3K. I was told that she was in the auditorium—-I found her sweeping up popcorn with the rest of the staff—and she’s the manager.
Regarding Craig-I sent him a head’s up e-mail over the weekend just to make sure that he was cognizant of the audio issues that have been raised especially on Zhivago.
His reply:
“I have been reading the comments on Cinema Treasures and I know that we have a very loyal and vocal fan base out there!”
In all of my dealings with him, both phone and e-mail I have to say that he really wants this Classics Program to work and is very open to feedback, both good and bad. We all know the place has to make money to do this, and Craig really wants it to work. He welcomes our physical presence and financial support, our constructive criticism, and all the nice things that we can possibly say on WWW.Clearview.com, which will all go to his boss.
Overall, yeah with some relatively minor reservations. I think we are all having a great time. I could have probably asked Monique for a free ticket for CE3K given I’m introducing, instead I bought a ticket on line. I would even send a donation if they asked for one, I was a member of MOMA all of last year and only went to one screening. Not to knock MOMA-but Barry Lyndon at MOMA is not Barry Lyndon at the Ziegfeld.
FINALLY- VERY IMPORTANT VERY IMPORTANT VERY IMPORTANT
PLEASE IGNORE THE BLURB IN THE NEW ISSUE OF TIME OUT. WE ARE NOT SEEING THE “1980 SPECIAL EDITION” I WOULD NEVER INTRODUCE THAT OR EVEN SHOW UP—WE ARE SEEING THE “DEFINITIVE DIRECTOR’S CUT” (ON DVD IT’S THE COLLECTOR’S EDITION") I LOVE TONY AND AM A CHARTER SUBSCRIBER- I GOT INTO A BIG FIGHT WITH THEM TODAY ON THE PHONE ABOUT THIS. THEY DROPPED THE BALL- SINCE I HAD TO EDUCATE THEM THAT THERE REALLY IS A THIRD, BETTER EDITION. I THINK, AFTER TALKING WITH ME, THEY’LL NEVER SCREW THIS UP AGAIN.
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR KIND WORDS AND SUPPORT-SEE YOU AT DEVIL’S TOWER.
Although I’ve been sick all weekend and couldn’t get to any screenings, it’s great just reading your comments.As far as I’m concerned, Ziegfeld=Big Picture + Big Sound (Wouldn’t that be great on a T-shirt) I just e-mailed Craig at Clearview to take a look at these comments, so he can be apprised of them, especially the audio issues, bright and early Monday AM. With “Out Of This World Week” and “Lawrence” coming up, the sound has to be big.
I’m looking forward to meeting you all, at Devil’s Tower, for the landing, this coming Friday evening. John Williams score will SOAR!!!
You just took me back to 1966, when I saw Dr. Zhivago at the Crossbay in Ozone Park (another lost theater?) An incredibly romantic and powerful movie, and that music!! My teenage fantasies were with Julie in the snow. By the way, anybody like “Demon Seed,” which finally came out on DVD last year. A really novel Sci-Fi with Julie doing incredible acting.
Monique told me that after “Lawrence,” the theater was coming back with “Ice Age 2”
But as far as “I hope this series never ends”—this is why Craig keeps emphasizing that people visit the Clearview web site and lay on as much positive feedback as possible. The top brass, i.e., his bosses, really listen. I will be emphasizing this in my intro at CE3K. I’m not kidding, after I sent my first feedback (you have to fill out a brief survey and leave comments), I got a nice thank you e-mail from Craig’s boss which was cc’d to his the whole office.
If our whole group inundates Clearview ( and wow am I happy I discovered this group) it will really make a difference. If everyone else who comes to these screenings also does it, then I really believe this can continue on some regular basis, at worst, during the slow season, which, I presume is now.
One great theater and thousands of classics- I would love to have a T shirt with that on it!!
Wow, Ed, I remember the Center as a tiny place, somehow the exterior looks the same, but not the marquee—it’s been a long time. Let me try this one. Sometime, either 1955 or 1956, my family spent the summer in the Rockaways in the days of bungalows and rooming houses. Maybe around B.30th street. On the Boardwalk was something called an “open-air” theater, where the roof would close during daytime showings and open up at night. I think I saw “Carousel” there. What do you think?
The Central was doing very nicely until 1979 ( I saw Close Encounters there in 1977, which I think about often ) The opening of the Sunrise Multiplex in 1979 basically killed this theater, which is sorely missed, as there are no theatres left in the Five Towns. The theatre briefly triplexed and then died, being replaced by the abomination known as the “Cedarhurst Center,” which opened with the best of intentions as a really beautiful building with commercial space. Nice boutiques, little restaurants, and a health club. Within a few years, the place became a “white elephant”; some stores remain, the health club has changed hands a few times, but it never lived up to its expectations. A few years ago there was interest in turning it back into a movie theatre, but it never happened. Cedarhurst is a splendid little village with nice people and nice stores. I work there. Boy, do I wish the Central was still there.
Ed, I left Sunnyside in 1960 and never went back, but, you know those doors look very familiar. Ironically, my big sister (she’s 60) turned me on to films and I have a very nice memory of seeing “North by Northwest” there in 1958. I was 7 ½!!! As I got older, I got into a regular Saturday “habit” either at the Bliss or Sunnyside. “The Fly” “House on Haunted Hill” William Castle was my hero!!! One funny memory-all my friends went to see “Sink the Bismarck” at the Bliss—not me-I had to see “The Tingler” at the Sunnyside. I remember one other place The Center or Centre, but that was off limits- for my parents only. What did they show there?
Dear Bob, Bill, Ed, Irv and and everyone. Thank you for all your kind words. I already feel that I have a brand new group of friends who share the passion that I do for great movies and the Ziegfeld. Yes, it was me at the “Ben-Hur” screening who had the discussion with Monique, and particularly I was emphasizing the importance of the version of “Close Encounters” that would be shown. She is a great manager, but a little young to remember the ins and outs of 1977 vs 1980 vs “ The Definitive Director’s Cut,” so she encouraged me to contact Craig, which I did. He assured me that it would be the “Definitive” that would be shown, which gave me a sigh of relief. yeah, maybe 1977 would be better, but definitely not the 1980" Special Edition.“
In 1999, the "Definitive” was shown at Lincoln Square for Columbia’s 75th anniversary. The theatre was packed on a Sunday night and we all had a great time, as we will next week.
I grew up in Sunnyside, Queens in the late 50’s and spent my Saturdays at Century’s Bliss (isn’t that a great name for a theatre) and the Sunnyside. I’m sure both long gone. Multiplexing destroyed a great theatre on Long Island, the Central in Cedarhurst, where I first saw “Close Encounters,” I had a headache and fever (which i didn’t realize at the time), but went anyway. It was a fund raiser for the school I worked in. The movie was so enthralling and wonderful it didn’t matter that I was sick. I think about that evening often. The last great single screen on LI, the Cinema 150 in Syosset/Woodbury is gone also. Whatever your issues are with the Ziegfeld, I think we all feel fortunate that we have it.
I went to “Raiders,” “West Side Story” “Ben-Hur”, and hopefully more this weekend. Does it get any better than this.
You are all a great bunch of people with a talent for enthusiasm, and I thank you for welcoming me into the group. See you at the movies.
As I said, several posts above, I am the new kid in town (although I’m 55.) I’ve spent the last two hours reading all the posts on the Classic series, both positive and negative, and am getting a hell of an education on print quality, aspect ratios, curtains, and Ziegfeld history. I love it all, this is a great site. Close Encounters is one of my all time favorites, and I worked up the nerve to ask both Monique and Craig if I could introduce the first screening of the film next Friday, March 17th at 8:15 PM. They said yes. I promise you that I will have some very nice things to say about the film, the series, and the theatre, which despite it’s flaws, I believe we would all miss if it were torn down. The bottom line-nothing matches “Close Encounters” on the “Big Screen” as Irv just mentioned above, regardless of 35 mm, 70 mm, 6 track, whatever.
I feel privileged to be able to introduce this film and humble in light of the expertise shown by the members on this site.
Regardless of anything, I believe that we all agree that this series, with it’s flaws, is great for New York. I respect all of your opinions, promise to be brief, and hopefully interesting—and then ON WITH THE SHOW!
Kudos-right on-only one Ziegfeld and thousands of big screen classics- how about Jaws, Back to the Future, Saturday Night Fever, Guys and Dolls, Midnight Cowboy, Mary Poppins-Yeah, Mary Poppins!!
You got more-I’m sure you do-LET THEM KNOW!
REMEMBER WHAT “THE WOLF” (HARVEY KEITEL) SAID IN “PULP FICTION”—“LET’S NOT STAND AROUND AND S..K EACH OTHER’S XXXX JUST YET”
Just in case, I left a lengthy voice mail for Craig this morning not only expressing regret that the series was reaching a conclusion but also alerting him that there were many important, articulate comments, both positive and negative, right here, that he definitely needed to see. I also told him to expect e-mails from us, again, both positive and negative, all in the spirit of having an even better series next time.
Thanks,
Gary
To all:
My sincere apologies for the language. It will definitely not happen again, and I thank you for the criticism, you were absolutely appropriate about it, and I deserved to be taken to task-I am embarrassed and apologize for losing it. And I have no excuses, so I won’t even try. I believe that we all want the same thing, i.e, the Ziegfeld to survive, the classics series to survive, and a great experience there. If anything, the ups and downs of this series has shown me that there is a passionate force of individuals out there, and, sorry Jeff, although I respect everything you’ve said, absolutely everything, I cannot assume that anyone from Clearview is reading these comments. Maybe they are, but there is so much at stake here,that I can’t assume it—-it is absolutely worth speaking your mind directly to Craig. That’s just my way of thinking. It was so important to me that we had the “Definitive” version of CE3K, that I was in touch with first Monique, and then Craig, whom she referred me, too, constantly.
As the festival ends, we now have much bigger issues than this—I see the passion in all these posts, and it’s great (except, again for my language). Ed, I miss the UA Cinema 150 so much, I could cry.
I went to see “Hook” there opening night (I know kids seem to love this movie, but I hated it) Regardless, I drove over an hour just to see it in that theater. Now I can’t do that anymore.
Again, I am not a movie professional, and there are so many professionals as well as Ziegfeld and movie lovers here, that I believe that you can cut and paste your comments and send them directly to Craig—everyone is articulate and to the point ( well, maybe except me and my foul mouth, Vito, an extra apology to you-I truly am humiliated in looking at what I said)!
Gary
I am finally glad that Saps injected a bit of humor into this. If everyone can please calm down for a second. I was in the projection booth Saturday night before the screening of Lawrence. it was my second time there. I introduced CE3K back on 3/17, and I wanted to say hello again to thank him for making it such a special night for me. I had seen the posts about the “out of sync” problem, and was about to address it to him, when he said, stopping me, “Gary, I know what you’re going to say, the film is out of sync.” There was a tech up there on Saturday afternoon working on the DTS decoder-Marvin is not allowed to open it up and touch it-in fact he wouldn’t dare. He isa consummate profesional, a man in his seventies, a projectionist for over 40 years—and he knew that even Saturday night’s showing was not going to be “perfect”, and he was far from happy about it because the print was worn-but it wasn’t “alien” which he previewed and was unwatchable.
In mixing technologies, a 70mm print without mag tracks, DTS, brain wraps-I’m surprised shit doesn’t happen more often. I looked at the way the film was wrapped around all of those rollers from the platters to the projector, and thought, “Oh my God, what a Rube Goldberg,"but Marvin did not bring the platters to the Ziegfeld. I was not at the "Ten Commandments” screening- I was exhausted from “Lawrence” Saturday night-but my friend, who was there, told me that it was great, but not perfect, sometimes, a focus problem, given the age of the movie. Still a great time.
We are really in a transitional period, the Ziegfeld is installing digital equipment shortly, wihin a month—for it to be a first run house and a revival house is not going to be without problems—I still say that it was ballsy of them to even try such a concept for TWO MONTHS. Yeah, I also yearn for the DeMille and the Rivoli, but it ain’t happening.
Remember what Craig said above, “I think it’s a great program
that can only grow in time. Let’s see what happens….”
Yeah, I would love so see a perfect “Lawrence,” but disregarding, for the moment, the synch issues, the print was not perfect. So, can we all calm down, lose the attitude a bit, work towards KEEPING THE PROGRAM GOING, realize and state there are very important issues to deal with, and move on toan even better program next time.
Thanks for listening,
Gary
Wow! Wow! Wow! INCREDIBLE STORY—LADIES & GENTLEMEN, WE CAN AND ARE MAKING THIS HAPPEN.
IT IS WRITTEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS ALL!
GARY
Fabulous presentation of “Lawrence” Saturday night- as the “festival” is drawing to a close, let’s try to keep the momentum going for the future. What was good about this two month delight? What would you want for the future? A Rodgers & Hammerstein week? Oklahoma in Todd-AO? Jaws? River Kwai? Spartacus? Ten Commandments?
Midnight Cowboy? French Connection? Dog Day Afternoon? send to www.clearviewcinemas.com Have some nice things to say about Craig, Monique, Nikki, Marvin, everybody else. This is your Ziegfeld and we can make it happen!!!
Respectfully submitted,
and thanks for the fun, Ed, Pablo, Bill, Irv-EVERYBODY-AWESOME
GARY
Just checked with the box office and, indeed, there is a special screening of something instead of a 2:30 showing of “Lawrence”,which will be shown Saturday only at night (I’ll be there) and twice on Sunday. She did apologize and own up to the fact that it was advertised wrong in the original flyer distributed at the theater.
Gary
you’re right! I don’t see a 2:30 pm show for Saturday, but one for Sunday. This doesn’t make any sense, but something may have changed. I’ll call the theatre later for clarification. Thanks for the heads-up.
Gary
Stan:
Go to customer comments on www.clearviewcinemas.com and tell them of your nice visit and Ziegfeld experience, it will go a long way towards ensuring that the festival will be a continuing event. By the way, I’ve been to Atlanta twice. No complaints-people very nice to me.
Thanks,
Gary
As the one who introduced CE3K last Friday evening, I am going to take the liberty to respond—YOU ARE ALL RIGHT! If I could have pulled it off, I, too, would have lobbied for the'77 original that had me so taken away that I didn’t realize that I was watching it with a 102 fever ( I was out of work for three days after with the flu). This whole issue of “best version” has ben going on for years. When I first saw the 1980 “Special Edition” ( only on video), what upset me the most was not the ending, but the SEVERE editing of Neary’s sequence in which he rips the house and garden apart as he attempts to re-create the vision that’s haunting him, i.e., Devil’s tower. To me this is the heart and soul of the film. Yeah I also miss the original scene at the power station, Roy looking at the pillow,etc. But without watching Roy go totally nuts as he does in the original, I thought the film was ruined.
The “Definitive Director’s Cut,” I’ll take that anyday!
I’ve asked Craig to allow me to say a few words at the Saturday afternoon screening of “Lawrence,” so you may be seeing my puss again.
Thanks,
Gary
Irv:
Irv
Thanks for the kind words, I’ll probably be at the afternoon screening of Lawrence on Saturday and am thinking of asking Craig to talk again in light of Premiere’s voting O'Toole’s performance as the greatest in film history (see newest issue) I have Lawrence on VHS, laser, and DVD-(I also have a home theatre with an 80 inch screen.) I refuse to watch any of them-can’t match the Ziegfeld experience. Isn’t this what it’s all about?
Gary
Gary
WOW: Everyone, can we all calm down, please. Remember what Craig told me above, “A great program that can only grow in time!” The man really wants this program to succeed, and is open to constructive criticism. But he is not the President of Clearview Cinemas. The first time I ever spoke to him, I offered some “constructive criticism.” He immediately said, “I know, the overtures, the intermissions…” And then I said, “Not at all.” I told him that Clearview could have done a better job in getting the word out to everyone about the program. Sure, print quality, sound, overtures, ALL IMPORTANT! I agree with all of you, But as a start, I am grateful for two things, first, that the Ziegfeld is still standing and functioning as a theatre and secondly, that they gambled on two months of classics, yes, TWO MONTHS, as an experiment.
The “kinks” can work out in time, as long as the program can continue. I really believe that a first priority is to ensure that the program can continue on some regular basis.
Hey, I respect all of your opinions, I wouldn’t settle for the 1980 Special Edition of CE3K, I would have been embarrased to introduce it. I was in constant touch with Craig about this, and guess what, that great print that you’ve all been complimenting came directly from Steven Spielberg. I am not making this up. Craig worked very hard to make that happen!
What can I say, of course, Clearview has to make money to keep the place open and at the same time is gambling that a festival of movies that are all available on home video will draw an audience. I absolutely applaud that. Would CE3K or Lawrence look as good at the Film Forum? I recently saw “Barry Lyndon” at MOMA, nice theatre, but not the Ziegfeld. I am not saying, lower your standards, settle for mediocrity—I wanted a great print and the “right” version of CE3K, and best of all I wanted to introduce it. I worked very hard to make all this happen ( and screamed at the “Film Critic” at ‘Time Out’ for his ignorance of the ‘Definitive Director’s Cut’ )
You have issues, tell Craig about them, but please remember that if this program can’t continue, then all the issues will be dead issues-and then we will have nothing but our DVD’s.
Thank you for asking for a copy of my intro: Here it is:
Good Evening and Welcome:
WE WANT EVERYTHING TO BE PERFECT TONIGHT ! SO, RIGHT BEFORE
YOU CAME IN, WE DID A SOUND CHECK, THEN WE DID A PICTURE
CHECK,—NOW, ONE MORE CHECK TO DO! WE NEED TO DO AN
ENTHUSIASM CHECK- HOW IS EVERYBODY’S ENTHUSIAM!!!
SO, MAYBE YOU WERE EXPECTING STEVEN SPIELBERG TONIGHT?
WELL, CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET? HE’S JUST A LITTLE TOO BUSY RIGHT
NOW â€"AND THAT’S BECAUSE HE, AND GEORGE LUCAS, AND HARRISON
FORD ARE IN pre-production on Indiana Jones 4.
BUT I DID GET A RATHER CRYPTIC E-MAIL FROM HIM:
It said, “Gary, make sure YOU eat before your talk tonightâ€"I suggest a BIG PLATE of
mashed potatoes and a VERY LARGE FORK. AND STOP PLAYING WITH THE
POTATOES!†WHAT’S THAT ALL ABOUT?????
OK, I BETTER GET STARTED OR MY INTRO WILL BE LONGER THAN BEN-HUR
In a few moments, we’ll be on our way, to “THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON.†AND
I THANK ALL OF YOU, IN ADVANCE, FOR THIS VERY SPECIAL
OPPORTUNITY TO PREPARE YOU FOR THE JOURNEY.
About 20 years ago, I got the shock of my life. I used to be a high school teacher, and I
loved to talk movies with kids. And one day, with one young man, the movie was Jaws.
And we were both really into it. He loved the thrill and tension AND ROLLER
COASTER RIDE of the movie, but as a teacher, I wanted him to know what makes great
films workâ€"the brilliant editing that propels the story forward; the underwater shots
from the shark’s point of view, that enhance the terror; that pulsating, pounding,
magnificent score by John Williams; and, especially Spielberg’s astonishing use of the
wide screen as, Quint is dragged, kicking and screaming, across the entire deck of the
sinking Orca in his final showdown with the shark . And this kid, who loved Jaws, and
who was really smart, just wasn’t getting it. AND I COULDN’T UNDERSTAND
WHY, WE BOTH HAD SEEN THE SAME MOVIE! OR SO I THOUGHT !!!
So finally he said to me. Mr. Joseph,†You have to understand something, I’ve only seen
Jaws on videotape, never in a theater.â€
Now if that isn’t a MANDATE FOR what’s been going on IN THIS THEATER for the
last SEVERAL WEEKS, I don’t know what is.
LOOK: IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS
1, YOU’VE BEEN MADE OFFERS THAT YOU CAN’T REFUSE
3, YOU’VE RUMBLED IN THE STREETS WITH THE JETS AND THE SHARKS.
YOU’VE FOUND LOVE IN THE ICE AND SNOW WITH Dr. ZHIVAGO
YOU’VE BEEN SINGING IN THE RAIN
THIS AFTERNOON, YOU WENT TO JUPITER AND BEYOND..
NEXT WEEK YOU RIDE INTO THE DESERT WITH LAWRENCE, AND YOU KNOW THE CAMELS WILL BE HUGE.
DOES IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS?
WELL, ACTUALLY, ……..IT DOES! RIGHT NOW!
This REALLY is an HISTORIC EVENINGâ€" because†Close Encounters†had its world premiere-right here- at the Ziegfeld on November 16, 1977.
The next morning in The New York Times, Vincent Canby wrote:†Steven Spielberg’s giant, spectacular Close Encounters of the Third Kind is one of the best, most-elaborate science fiction movies ever made——– The film is breathtaking——– the Close Encounter in which the earthlings and the alien creatures come together, a sequence as beautiful as anything I’ve ever seen, has been deliberately designed to suggest a religious experience of the first kind. Whether or not you believe it, this climax involves the imagination in surprising, moving ways. This is a day in which the earth might have stood still. If indeed, we are not alone, it would be fun to believe that the creatures who one day visit us are of the order that Mr. Spielberg has conceived.â€
Now, speaking of “religious experiences†just a few blocks from here, there once stood the ultimate Movie Palace, so fabulous and beautiful, that it was dubbed the “Cathedral of the Motion Picture.†ANYBODY REMEMBER ? This was the world famous ROXY THEATRE.
NOW, GET THIS: Almost 6000 seats, six box offices, a five story grand foyer and rotunda, ushers in black tie, dazzling Baroque décor, lounges, smoking rooms, three organ consoles, twenty-one-bell cathedral chimes, a resident symphony orchestra of 110 musicians and four conductors, a chorus of one hundred voices, and a ballet company of fifty dancers.
Oh yes, and one other thingâ€"the Roxy showed great movies on a great big screen—-for JUST over three decades. All gone, like the rest of New York’s GREAT single screen MOVIE palaces including, most recently, Loew’s Astor Plaza.
ALL GONE EXCEPT FOR THE ZIEGFELD!
BUT THE ZIEGFELD IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A BIG SCREEN AND BIG SOUND, THE ZIEGFELD WOULD NOT BE THE ZIEGFELD WITHOUT THESE HARD WORKING PROFESSIONALS WHO PRIDEFULLY RUN THIS PLACEâ€"ALL HERE TO MAKE YOUR ZIEGFELD EXPERIENCE THE ABSOLUTE BEST!
For those of you in the audience who have experienced Close Encounters on the “big screen,†well, you know why you are back here tonightâ€"I think it has something to do with those mashed potatoes. But for those of you who have never seen the film, or heaven forbid, those of you who have only seen it on home video or TV, I promise you ONE HELL OF A RIDE.
The real Close Encounters aficionados know that there are multiple versions of the film, but, don’t worry, tonight we are going to see the GREATEST—– Spielberg’s Definitive Director’s Cut from 1998. You don’t have to go inside the spaceship with Roy Nearyâ€"by film’s end, your own imagination will take you there as John Williams’s music soars!
But just before that, in one of my favorite scenes, the scientist, Claude Lacombe, asks Roy Neary, “Mr. Neary, what do you want?†And Neary answers, “I just want to know that it’s really happening.â€
Well, tonight———– as Norma Desmond would say——— for all you wonderful people out there in the dark—– here—— at the world famous Ziegfeld——– “ It is really happening!â€
As they say in the film:
“I DON’T THINK WE COULD ASK FOR A MORE BEAUTIFUL EVENING, DO YOU?
Thank you for coming and enjoy the show!
Gary
Correction:
The post was from Gary, the e-mail quoted was from Craig
Thanks
P.S.
Got the following e-mail from Craig-which I’m sure he won’t mind my sharing with you.
“Hi Gary,
Happy to hear that everything went well. I wanted to be there, but had
to be at another theatre for our Grand Opening in NJ.
Yes, I agree with you on the classics! I think it’s a great program
that can only grow in time. Let’s see what happens…."
Well, to me the fact that a place like the Ziegfeld still exists, as I tried to convey in my talk, is both a miracle and a blessing. And the classics program—so fabulous that I think I am not overstepping any bounds to say that we would all like this to continue and indeed “grow in time.” I believe that we and everyone we know can make this “grow in time.” I don’t need to and don’t want to preach-we all know what we have to do. I’d rather spend my time enjoying more big-screen classics at the Ziegfeld. Each of us can think of 40 more cherished titles. I would start with “The Shawshank Redemption” which I’ve never seen in a thatre—because “Hope is a good thing.”
To Arabia……
Gary
Craig
Dear Everybody:
Thank you for all the kind words that you’ve said about my “speech,” Friday night at CE3K, I was a bit nervous as I hadn’t spoken before a group in many years, but I did make every effort to talk about the importance of seeing films in theaters, for generations to follow, and my love for the Ziegfeld, with all it’s flaws. So thank you for the great reception. I have a very good feeling that this program will continue, in whatever schedule and format, that can be feasible—and can only get better. In fact, the program was never supposed to last as long as it did. The positive feedback on those little white cards, the feedback here, (which Craig reads), and more feedback to clearviewcinemas.com can make it happen—and they welcome constructive criticism. There was a lot of confusion on the correct version of CE3K (although I really did meet someone at Friday’s screening who likes to see Dreyfuss enter the spaceship). I worked very hard with Monique and then Craig, who actually got the print from Spielberg’s people, whichj I agree looked great and sounded great. Would 70mm have looked better, hey I can’t worry too much about these things. Just seeing that mothership turn over on the widescreen was good enough for me, and actually having the opportunity to introduce—an absolute peak moment in my life. And I encourage any of you to do the same for your favorite—all I had to do was ask and then figure out what I wanted to say. As the new guy, again, I thank you, and feel that I have a whole new group of friends. See you at Lawrence
One last thing, that someone will get a chuckle about. In August of 2004, I saw “2001” at the Walter Reade at Lincoln Center. Beautiful picture and sound. Right before the screening-the management got up to apologize that they had gotten “the wrong print.” This one had the appropriate intermission, so he was apologizing that there would be a break in the film. Go Figure!!
Gary
Hi Guys:
Thanks for the heads up on the schedule change. I’m still introducing the evening showing of CE3K tonight. If you are there, please come up to say hello to me at the end of the film. I feel like I already know all of you but would love to shake hands and thank you for coming, personally.
Gary
Hi people:
I still consider myself the new guy, and am deeply indebted to your kind words re: the Friday intro to CE3K but also I am in absolute awe of the knowledge and enthusiasm that you people display. I always believed in what Marcus Loew said, “We sell tickets to theaters not movies.” I think I got that right. In other words, how the movie is shown and where it is shown is just as important as the movie. I see that pride all over these postings. I think that the Ziegfeld mostly gets it right, and if not they’re really working to. After the last screening I saw which was “Raiders,” I was looking for Monique just in case I never made it back before CE3K. I was told that she was in the auditorium—-I found her sweeping up popcorn with the rest of the staff—and she’s the manager.
Regarding Craig-I sent him a head’s up e-mail over the weekend just to make sure that he was cognizant of the audio issues that have been raised especially on Zhivago.
His reply:
“I have been reading the comments on Cinema Treasures and I know that we have a very loyal and vocal fan base out there!”
In all of my dealings with him, both phone and e-mail I have to say that he really wants this Classics Program to work and is very open to feedback, both good and bad. We all know the place has to make money to do this, and Craig really wants it to work. He welcomes our physical presence and financial support, our constructive criticism, and all the nice things that we can possibly say on WWW.Clearview.com, which will all go to his boss.
Overall, yeah with some relatively minor reservations. I think we are all having a great time. I could have probably asked Monique for a free ticket for CE3K given I’m introducing, instead I bought a ticket on line. I would even send a donation if they asked for one, I was a member of MOMA all of last year and only went to one screening. Not to knock MOMA-but Barry Lyndon at MOMA is not Barry Lyndon at the Ziegfeld.
FINALLY- VERY IMPORTANT VERY IMPORTANT VERY IMPORTANT
PLEASE IGNORE THE BLURB IN THE NEW ISSUE OF TIME OUT. WE ARE NOT SEEING THE “1980 SPECIAL EDITION” I WOULD NEVER INTRODUCE THAT OR EVEN SHOW UP—WE ARE SEEING THE “DEFINITIVE DIRECTOR’S CUT” (ON DVD IT’S THE COLLECTOR’S EDITION") I LOVE TONY AND AM A CHARTER SUBSCRIBER- I GOT INTO A BIG FIGHT WITH THEM TODAY ON THE PHONE ABOUT THIS. THEY DROPPED THE BALL- SINCE I HAD TO EDUCATE THEM THAT THERE REALLY IS A THIRD, BETTER EDITION. I THINK, AFTER TALKING WITH ME, THEY’LL NEVER SCREW THIS UP AGAIN.
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR KIND WORDS AND SUPPORT-SEE YOU AT DEVIL’S TOWER.
GARY
Hi Everyone,
Although I’ve been sick all weekend and couldn’t get to any screenings, it’s great just reading your comments.As far as I’m concerned, Ziegfeld=Big Picture + Big Sound (Wouldn’t that be great on a T-shirt) I just e-mailed Craig at Clearview to take a look at these comments, so he can be apprised of them, especially the audio issues, bright and early Monday AM. With “Out Of This World Week” and “Lawrence” coming up, the sound has to be big.
I’m looking forward to meeting you all, at Devil’s Tower, for the landing, this coming Friday evening. John Williams score will SOAR!!!
HAPPY PURIM AND ST PATRICK’S DAY
GARY
Irv:
You just took me back to 1966, when I saw Dr. Zhivago at the Crossbay in Ozone Park (another lost theater?) An incredibly romantic and powerful movie, and that music!! My teenage fantasies were with Julie in the snow. By the way, anybody like “Demon Seed,” which finally came out on DVD last year. A really novel Sci-Fi with Julie doing incredible acting.
Monique told me that after “Lawrence,” the theater was coming back with “Ice Age 2”
But as far as “I hope this series never ends”—this is why Craig keeps emphasizing that people visit the Clearview web site and lay on as much positive feedback as possible. The top brass, i.e., his bosses, really listen. I will be emphasizing this in my intro at CE3K. I’m not kidding, after I sent my first feedback (you have to fill out a brief survey and leave comments), I got a nice thank you e-mail from Craig’s boss which was cc’d to his the whole office.
If our whole group inundates Clearview ( and wow am I happy I discovered this group) it will really make a difference. If everyone else who comes to these screenings also does it, then I really believe this can continue on some regular basis, at worst, during the slow season, which, I presume is now.
One great theater and thousands of classics- I would love to have a T shirt with that on it!!
Gary
Wow, Ed, I remember the Center as a tiny place, somehow the exterior looks the same, but not the marquee—it’s been a long time. Let me try this one. Sometime, either 1955 or 1956, my family spent the summer in the Rockaways in the days of bungalows and rooming houses. Maybe around B.30th street. On the Boardwalk was something called an “open-air” theater, where the roof would close during daytime showings and open up at night. I think I saw “Carousel” there. What do you think?
The Central was doing very nicely until 1979 ( I saw Close Encounters there in 1977, which I think about often ) The opening of the Sunrise Multiplex in 1979 basically killed this theater, which is sorely missed, as there are no theatres left in the Five Towns. The theatre briefly triplexed and then died, being replaced by the abomination known as the “Cedarhurst Center,” which opened with the best of intentions as a really beautiful building with commercial space. Nice boutiques, little restaurants, and a health club. Within a few years, the place became a “white elephant”; some stores remain, the health club has changed hands a few times, but it never lived up to its expectations. A few years ago there was interest in turning it back into a movie theatre, but it never happened. Cedarhurst is a splendid little village with nice people and nice stores. I work there. Boy, do I wish the Central was still there.
Ed, I left Sunnyside in 1960 and never went back, but, you know those doors look very familiar. Ironically, my big sister (she’s 60) turned me on to films and I have a very nice memory of seeing “North by Northwest” there in 1958. I was 7 ½!!! As I got older, I got into a regular Saturday “habit” either at the Bliss or Sunnyside. “The Fly” “House on Haunted Hill” William Castle was my hero!!! One funny memory-all my friends went to see “Sink the Bismarck” at the Bliss—not me-I had to see “The Tingler” at the Sunnyside. I remember one other place The Center or Centre, but that was off limits- for my parents only. What did they show there?
Dear Bob, Bill, Ed, Irv and and everyone. Thank you for all your kind words. I already feel that I have a brand new group of friends who share the passion that I do for great movies and the Ziegfeld. Yes, it was me at the “Ben-Hur” screening who had the discussion with Monique, and particularly I was emphasizing the importance of the version of “Close Encounters” that would be shown. She is a great manager, but a little young to remember the ins and outs of 1977 vs 1980 vs “ The Definitive Director’s Cut,” so she encouraged me to contact Craig, which I did. He assured me that it would be the “Definitive” that would be shown, which gave me a sigh of relief. yeah, maybe 1977 would be better, but definitely not the 1980" Special Edition.“
In 1999, the "Definitive” was shown at Lincoln Square for Columbia’s 75th anniversary. The theatre was packed on a Sunday night and we all had a great time, as we will next week.
I grew up in Sunnyside, Queens in the late 50’s and spent my Saturdays at Century’s Bliss (isn’t that a great name for a theatre) and the Sunnyside. I’m sure both long gone. Multiplexing destroyed a great theatre on Long Island, the Central in Cedarhurst, where I first saw “Close Encounters,” I had a headache and fever (which i didn’t realize at the time), but went anyway. It was a fund raiser for the school I worked in. The movie was so enthralling and wonderful it didn’t matter that I was sick. I think about that evening often. The last great single screen on LI, the Cinema 150 in Syosset/Woodbury is gone also. Whatever your issues are with the Ziegfeld, I think we all feel fortunate that we have it.
I went to “Raiders,” “West Side Story” “Ben-Hur”, and hopefully more this weekend. Does it get any better than this.
You are all a great bunch of people with a talent for enthusiasm, and I thank you for welcoming me into the group. See you at the movies.
Best,
Gary
Dear Cinema Treasures Friends:
As I said, several posts above, I am the new kid in town (although I’m 55.) I’ve spent the last two hours reading all the posts on the Classic series, both positive and negative, and am getting a hell of an education on print quality, aspect ratios, curtains, and Ziegfeld history. I love it all, this is a great site. Close Encounters is one of my all time favorites, and I worked up the nerve to ask both Monique and Craig if I could introduce the first screening of the film next Friday, March 17th at 8:15 PM. They said yes. I promise you that I will have some very nice things to say about the film, the series, and the theatre, which despite it’s flaws, I believe we would all miss if it were torn down. The bottom line-nothing matches “Close Encounters” on the “Big Screen” as Irv just mentioned above, regardless of 35 mm, 70 mm, 6 track, whatever.
I feel privileged to be able to introduce this film and humble in light of the expertise shown by the members on this site.
Regardless of anything, I believe that we all agree that this series, with it’s flaws, is great for New York. I respect all of your opinions, promise to be brief, and hopefully interesting—and then ON WITH THE SHOW!
Thanks, in advance, for listening
Gary
THAT IS:
CLEARVIEWCINEMAS.COM
Kudos-right on-only one Ziegfeld and thousands of big screen classics- how about Jaws, Back to the Future, Saturday Night Fever, Guys and Dolls, Midnight Cowboy, Mary Poppins-Yeah, Mary Poppins!!
You got more-I’m sure you do-LET THEM KNOW!
REMEMBER WHAT “THE WOLF” (HARVEY KEITEL) SAID IN “PULP FICTION”—“LET’S NOT STAND AROUND AND S..K EACH OTHER’S XXXX JUST YET”
GET ON CLEARVIEW.COM!!!