Comments from Al Alvarez

Showing 2,226 - 2,250 of 3,427 comments

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Strand Theatre on Dec 9, 2008 at 8:43 am

Louis, the Lyric (817 NW 2ND AVENUE) may still be there as a church.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Historic Ioka Theater to close Christmas Eve on Dec 3, 2008 at 7:51 am

U.S. states where the sprinkler companies haven’t lobbied do not have such laws either. I can’t think of a single case where they saved anyone in a theatre. If they passed out from smoke inhalation, they would probably drown.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Historic Ioka Theater to close Christmas Eve on Dec 2, 2008 at 1:02 pm

British laws do not require sprinkler systems as they see it as a property saver and not a life saver. How many lives has a sprinkler system ever saved?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Radio City Music Hall on Nov 14, 2008 at 7:00 am

According to a 1958 NYT article, ticket prices were around $1.80 on the east side, $2.00 at Broadway first-runs, and from $2.50-$3.50 for Roadshows. No mention of RCMH.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Pix Theatre on Nov 11, 2008 at 9:43 am

“Hot Girls For Men Only” was a 1968 British film.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Teatro Trail Theatre on Nov 7, 2008 at 6:00 pm

I went by this theatre today and a new marquee sign and front doors have been installed. It appears to be getting ready to re-open, perhaps once again as a legit house for local Spanish language productions.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Rialto Theatre on Nov 5, 2008 at 5:44 am

Well said, Ed. I couldn’t agree more.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Non-Digital marquees in NYC on Nov 3, 2008 at 5:12 pm

…and the Zieg.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about UGC Salford Quays on Oct 30, 2008 at 11:23 am

This was indeed already closed and gutted when Cineworld took over.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Signs go up as well as prices on Oct 30, 2008 at 6:30 am

I started working in the movie industry in 1974. Back then everyone said rude patrons and high prices would soon drive us out of business. I am still waiting.

The arguments made above are variations of complaints reported in Variety as early as the introduction of sound.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Strand Theatre on Oct 21, 2008 at 6:48 am

No Louis, the 1924 edition does not carry addresses.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Walter Reade Theater on Oct 11, 2008 at 12:09 pm

In 1965 the Philharmonic Hall at this address was screening movies.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about United Artists 64th & 2nd Avenue on Oct 11, 2008 at 12:03 pm

Columbia I & II was the opening name of this theatre.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Rialto Theatre on Oct 8, 2008 at 1:35 pm

saps, Rialto II would have been the basement screen here in September of 1969.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about ABBA Movie Musical saves theater on Oct 4, 2008 at 10:35 am

According to Variety it is still in fourth place in the UK historically. I imagine “The Full Monty” and “Shrek 2” may be in there also.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Radio City Music Hall on Oct 3, 2008 at 1:33 pm

By 1966 many east side houses were outgrossing Broadway and the Sutton had just come off record breaking runs of “Zorba The Greek” and “Thunderball”.

There were also few roadshow houses available since “The Sound of Music”, “Doctor Zhivago”, “Cast a Giant Shadow”, and “My Fair Lady” were already running and “Hawaii”, “Is Paris Burning?, "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum”, “Grand Prix”, “The Sand Pebbles” and “The Bible..In the Beginning” were all scrambling for hard ticket runs before the year’s end.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Baronet and Coronet Theatre on Oct 2, 2008 at 2:58 pm

Queens and Arcadia should be added as AKA names here. The site showed films under both names.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about AMC Lincoln Square 13 on Sep 30, 2008 at 8:19 am

Judge Cooper is actually on the mark. Some popcorn kernels simply never pop.

As a dentist friend once told me, “No healthy tooth can be hurt by a raw kernel of popcorn. It is ridiculous for anyone to hold a movie theatre responsible for their existing rotten dental condition”.

Movie theatres around the world import American midwestern corn because it has a higher internal humidity level and therefore a higher popping ratio, yielding a more efficient popcorn to “old maid” (unpopped kernel) ratio.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Apollo Theater on Sep 29, 2008 at 12:33 pm

The “100” number refers only to those who were vocal.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Radio City Music Hall on Sep 29, 2008 at 12:24 pm

“The Blue Max” played at the Victoria in early 1967 on a continuous showing run.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Radio City Music Hall on Sep 27, 2008 at 8:03 am

Although there were many private screenings at Radio City, “The Blue Max” opened commercially at the Sutton and “The Seven-per-cent Solution” at the Plaza.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about The age of the roadshow on Sep 26, 2008 at 7:44 am

I think the closest current thing may be the possible Oscar qualifying runs of “Che” at year’s end. They may be presented in two parts and with a boxed lunch as was done with “War and Peace” and “Berlin Alexanderplatz”. This is more due to the length of the film than an attempt at prestige.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about The age of the roadshow on Sep 25, 2008 at 7:03 am

Where was this implied? Even the Widescreen Museum website dates them to the silent era. I believe “The Birth of a Nation” (1915) was the first roadshow.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Wometco's 167th Theatre on Sep 23, 2008 at 9:53 am

This is as close as I got, amyd.

http://www.pbase.com/image/80670007

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about International Theatre on Sep 21, 2008 at 1:14 pm

There was a Columbus Theatre at 981 West 8th Avenue and still showing films in 1938. Does anyone know if it was this same location?