Film Forum has a small screen for Cinemascope, to be sure…but quality careful projection (and of 35mm prints often), good sound—and the fact that a revival screen exists at all anymore, programming by smart folks with solid connections to archives and studio vaults worldwide…I’m grateful for the place.
Given the nature of New York real estate, its a small miracle that Film Forum exists at all. I guess the price to pay is the small screen. I would die to see films there BIG, but I’m willing to pay that price. The only other non-profit theater in Manhattan is Anthology Film Archives, and that’s because they own their building.
At least for this 6'3" person, I find the seats comfortable enough, if not up to stadium seat standards. The screens are relatively small, but the projection is consistently high quality. And no 10 minute stream of ads before the movies. And top-notch baked goods and popcorn and coffee beverages.
“When walking through Chinatown, new buildings are popping up left and right while older buildings are at the same time being knocked down. One building in particular was an incredible historic relic that was in pristine condition before it was destroyed last year. The Loews Canal Theatre, which served as a movie theatre, was built in 1927. It was in business well into the 1970’s until its eventual closure in 1980. It could have become a truly interesting piece of Chinatown’s "Historic Chinatown” segment of the area to be created but instead it was demolished to make room for a luxury condominium building."
I agree with all the comments about screen size at FF. But with real estate prices the way they are in Manhattan, I’m sure the staff had a business plan for costs/size that would allow them to do what they do. They are a non-profit after all, and seem to be a well run one at that. And for all the sell-out shows, I’ve also been to many sparsely attended in those small theaters.
In 1929 the existing buildings on this block were demolished to erect two apartment blocks called Ageloff Towers, still standing, that have some nice deco details.
This area, the former site of the Apollo, is now being redeveloped as the massive “Essex Crossing” project which will include a multiplex cinema.
Yes, in fact they’re one of the very few theaters anywhere that runs 3D revivals using 35mm left/right prints on dual interlocked projectors.
Film Forum has a small screen for Cinemascope, to be sure…but quality careful projection (and of 35mm prints often), good sound—and the fact that a revival screen exists at all anymore, programming by smart folks with solid connections to archives and studio vaults worldwide…I’m grateful for the place.
Given the nature of New York real estate, its a small miracle that Film Forum exists at all. I guess the price to pay is the small screen. I would die to see films there BIG, but I’m willing to pay that price. The only other non-profit theater in Manhattan is Anthology Film Archives, and that’s because they own their building.
At least for this 6'3" person, I find the seats comfortable enough, if not up to stadium seat standards. The screens are relatively small, but the projection is consistently high quality. And no 10 minute stream of ads before the movies. And top-notch baked goods and popcorn and coffee beverages.
That would be the Loews Hollywood, see the listing with photos on this site. And there’s a link to a photo from when it was operating.
Glad to hear that, thanks for the correction Luis.
This from a blog article about Chinatown development…True?
View link
“When walking through Chinatown, new buildings are popping up left and right while older buildings are at the same time being knocked down. One building in particular was an incredible historic relic that was in pristine condition before it was destroyed last year. The Loews Canal Theatre, which served as a movie theatre, was built in 1927. It was in business well into the 1970’s until its eventual closure in 1980. It could have become a truly interesting piece of Chinatown’s "Historic Chinatown” segment of the area to be created but instead it was demolished to make room for a luxury condominium building."
I agree with all the comments about screen size at FF. But with real estate prices the way they are in Manhattan, I’m sure the staff had a business plan for costs/size that would allow them to do what they do. They are a non-profit after all, and seem to be a well run one at that. And for all the sell-out shows, I’ve also been to many sparsely attended in those small theaters.
I went there just a few times before it closed, and remember the first time especially: “what the hell, this is 16mm rear projection!”
In 1929 the existing buildings on this block were demolished to erect two apartment blocks called Ageloff Towers, still standing, that have some nice deco details.