As of this past Tuesday the Sunshine stopped sells tickets but instead when you pay the addmission you recieve what looks like a supermarket receipt that gets zapped by a bar code reader carrying usher inside the theatre. Stupid, Stupid, Stupid.
I really don’t understand you guys getting all gushy about this lousy theatre. The only reason I attend this place is because I’m able to watch films there for free. Otherwise I’d stay away! Sorry but the projection is horrible in the two small theatres and NO STEREO SOUND! Big time keystoneing in the attic auditorium. Cloudy picture in the basement. No stadium seating on the main theatre. It’s time someone build another state-of-the-art indie theatre. PLEASE!!!
As a kid, I was always fascinated with this theatre even though it closed long before I was born. I do remember the skeleton of the marquee was still up until the early 80’s
As recently as 1998, the marble tile that read “Palace Threatre” located where the theatre entrance once stood was still there but in poor condition, of course. I wonder it it’s stiil there?
I went to the Quartet only once during the winter of ‘78 to watch “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and remember waiting almost an hour on line inside a beautiful large lobby before the ushers let people into the auditoriums. The auditorium itself was small but the screen was big enough to enjoy the movie.
Last time I was in the Williamsburg, I watched a Mexican double bill that consisted of a comedy starring the lengendary Cantinflas, followed by a b&w drama about a crime fighting wrestler who never took off his mask. This was in 1979 when they ran Spanish-lingo fare but soon after changed policy to run grindhouse junk. Eventually the Williamsburg closed in 1983 with the last movie to play being the American remake of “Breathless” starring Richard Gere.
Look people, The Angelika is a dump! The Quad is a dump! The Cinema Village is a dump! The Film Forum is a dump! The Village East – with the exception of the original yiddish auditorium – is a total dump! With ticket prices now At $10.50, The Sunshine is THE only art-house worth attending. ‘Nuff said!
Unlike most people, I was happy to see the Criterion go to make way for the new Loews E-Walk and AMC Empire. In the summer of ‘90 I entered the Criterion for the first and only time to see “Die Hard 2” in 70mm on “balcony” level auditorium, then sneaking onto the “orchestra” theatre before that was twinned. Not impressed with what I saw I checkout the restrooms in the basement which were in pityful condition. Also, to my surprise there was this long abandoned hallway that eventually lead to an emergency exit door to one of the cheap, poorly constructed auditoriums in the basement. This was truly one of the grossest filmgoing experiances of my life. The place was dark and ugly and thought “what the hell have I gotten myself into” and wondered if the NYPD should close this place down. I checked out all four theatres and all had THE worst projection and sound I ever seen. The place was just filthy and the patrons seedy. I didn’t want to sit next to any of those weirdos. Luckily I managed to get out of there alive and never went back. Good-bye Criterion!
Last time I ever set foot in the Kenmore was in spring of ‘85 and it was a total piece of shit. This place was so scary to be in I’m surprised it was open for another 14 years. I’m not surprised however about how the NYPD closed this place. When you’ve got a theatre in a “ghetto” neighborhood with animals that don’t know how to behave themselves shooting each other over seats, then it makes total sense to shut the place down for good.
Wow, I didn’t realize that the Slave was originally the Regent. I remember hearing about all the crazy going ons at the Regent through a friend who frequented that place in the early 80’s. The Slave didn’t last long even though they offered double bills at a dollar the area was just too “ghetto”. Also, when not showing movies, the place just became a meeting hall where angry Blacks would congregate to vent their frustration about the “evil” white man and the Jews. Good riddance Slave One. We’re better off without places like this!
Hardbop…
Prior to the introduction of CinemaScope in ‘53 just about every movie was shot in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio. In order to show a film like that today properly you have to install a 1.33:1 lens. These lenses cost money and I don’t think any theatre manager is going to put up the dough to buy one. And besides, even if they had one in possession I doubt that any of the teenagers they’ve hired to run the equipment would know how to or care to install it.
Mike…
The Kingsway first made into a quad in ‘82 when the backstage area waa made into a theatre with “Annie” being the first movie shown in that auditorium then turned fiveplex in '84 just in time for the release of “Ghostbusters”.
Hey Philipgoldberg…
I don’t know where you get your info but the Rugby NEVER showed XXX hardcore porn. I know ‘cause it was one of the theatres I went to as a kid. In it’s last days they ran all kinds of films not just Kung Fu but usually double bills that consisted of one new release and a second run by the same studio and the admission was about $3.00. This theatre closed just before summer of '84 and remember one of the last movies to play there was a “giallo” Italian zombie flick called “Night of the Zombies”. The theatre was indeed rough or “ghetto” with the pungent stank of marijuana everywhere. Didn’t mind it closing down since it was bound to happen.
Hey Robert R.
The Haven was one of my favorite theatres as a kid and was a regular from ‘81 to '84 when the area started to become “ghetto”. Just curious , exactly how big was the Haven? I mean how many seats? And why was the balcony never fixed? I never got to watch from the balcony. Darn!!!
Hey saps and Don
Come to think of it I do remember sometimes the Movieplex would run a film that was also playing at let’s say the UA Critirion which was just a couple of blocks away on B'way but it was the Criterion that would get listed in the ads and not the Movieplex. So my bad. Although I did remember wondering back then that if Movieplex ran films that were also booked at the UA then something must be wrong with the version of the movie they are playing. Possibly reject prints that the studios didn’t want showcased at the major bookings? hum…
Hey Don…
Your explanation about why the Movieplex 42 was not listed on any movie ads for films that were running there in the newspapers makes no sense. If it were because of the low cost of admission than why are the Brooklyn and Queens theatres where you can see any first fun release for a couple of dollars less still listed in the ads? Also, I’ve never heard about this “policy” that the newspapers have or had about not advertising movies on 42 street. I’m sure if I look at any old issue of the New York Times there will be an ads for movies playing on that street. I mean there were even ads for pornos up until 1976, so c'mon.
Hardbop…
I remember this theatre even though I’d never gone inside only because it just looked real seedy. From what I recall it had six screens and the strangest thing of it all was the fact that for some odd reason this theatre was never listed in any of the newspapers adds of movies being played there at the time. So on paper the theatre didn’t exist.
Hey Bway…
You’re right, the AMC Pleasure Island is a magnificent megaplex and when I lived in Orlando was my favorite theatre to go to. This was only the second Mega I’d ever been to just after being totally dissapointed when I’d gone to the Regal 22 Oviedo Marketplace with it’s lousy projection and sound and unremarkable interiors. Unlike Oviedo, Pleasure Island is what every Megaplex should be like. Another O-Town Mega worth mentioning is Muvico’s Pointe Orlando with it’s Imax screen.
Compared to the other art movie houses in Manhattan (Angelika, Film Forum, Cinema Village) the film presentation at the Sunshine is by far the most superior. Actually, I’d say it’s on par with the mainstream theatres like Loews or Regal. Also, like many mainstream theatres if you didn’t like the movie you paid to see, it’s very easy to watch something else. Yah, the Sunshine is great!
They Are Not Tickets! They are Supermearket Receipts!
As of this past Tuesday the Sunshine stopped sells tickets but instead when you pay the addmission you recieve what looks like a supermarket receipt that gets zapped by a bar code reader carrying usher inside the theatre. Stupid, Stupid, Stupid.
Does anyone know when this theatre opened and closed??? And what is a “blue Law”?
Well, IFC is renovating the Waverly into a three-screener.
I really don’t understand you guys getting all gushy about this lousy theatre. The only reason I attend this place is because I’m able to watch films there for free. Otherwise I’d stay away! Sorry but the projection is horrible in the two small theatres and NO STEREO SOUND! Big time keystoneing in the attic auditorium. Cloudy picture in the basement. No stadium seating on the main theatre. It’s time someone build another state-of-the-art indie theatre. PLEASE!!!
As a kid, I was always fascinated with this theatre even though it closed long before I was born. I do remember the skeleton of the marquee was still up until the early 80’s
As recently as 1998, the marble tile that read “Palace Threatre” located where the theatre entrance once stood was still there but in poor condition, of course. I wonder it it’s stiil there?
I went to the Quartet only once during the winter of ‘78 to watch “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and remember waiting almost an hour on line inside a beautiful large lobby before the ushers let people into the auditoriums. The auditorium itself was small but the screen was big enough to enjoy the movie.
Actually, the seating capacity is closer to 3800
Last time I was in the Williamsburg, I watched a Mexican double bill that consisted of a comedy starring the lengendary Cantinflas, followed by a b&w drama about a crime fighting wrestler who never took off his mask. This was in 1979 when they ran Spanish-lingo fare but soon after changed policy to run grindhouse junk. Eventually the Williamsburg closed in 1983 with the last movie to play being the American remake of “Breathless” starring Richard Gere.
Look people, The Angelika is a dump! The Quad is a dump! The Cinema Village is a dump! The Film Forum is a dump! The Village East – with the exception of the original yiddish auditorium – is a total dump! With ticket prices now At $10.50, The Sunshine is THE only art-house worth attending. ‘Nuff said!
Unlike most people, I was happy to see the Criterion go to make way for the new Loews E-Walk and AMC Empire. In the summer of ‘90 I entered the Criterion for the first and only time to see “Die Hard 2” in 70mm on “balcony” level auditorium, then sneaking onto the “orchestra” theatre before that was twinned. Not impressed with what I saw I checkout the restrooms in the basement which were in pityful condition. Also, to my surprise there was this long abandoned hallway that eventually lead to an emergency exit door to one of the cheap, poorly constructed auditoriums in the basement. This was truly one of the grossest filmgoing experiances of my life. The place was dark and ugly and thought “what the hell have I gotten myself into” and wondered if the NYPD should close this place down. I checked out all four theatres and all had THE worst projection and sound I ever seen. The place was just filthy and the patrons seedy. I didn’t want to sit next to any of those weirdos. Luckily I managed to get out of there alive and never went back. Good-bye Criterion!
Last time I ever set foot in the Kenmore was in spring of ‘85 and it was a total piece of shit. This place was so scary to be in I’m surprised it was open for another 14 years. I’m not surprised however about how the NYPD closed this place. When you’ve got a theatre in a “ghetto” neighborhood with animals that don’t know how to behave themselves shooting each other over seats, then it makes total sense to shut the place down for good.
Wow, I didn’t realize that the Slave was originally the Regent. I remember hearing about all the crazy going ons at the Regent through a friend who frequented that place in the early 80’s. The Slave didn’t last long even though they offered double bills at a dollar the area was just too “ghetto”. Also, when not showing movies, the place just became a meeting hall where angry Blacks would congregate to vent their frustration about the “evil” white man and the Jews. Good riddance Slave One. We’re better off without places like this!
Hardbop…
Prior to the introduction of CinemaScope in ‘53 just about every movie was shot in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio. In order to show a film like that today properly you have to install a 1.33:1 lens. These lenses cost money and I don’t think any theatre manager is going to put up the dough to buy one. And besides, even if they had one in possession I doubt that any of the teenagers they’ve hired to run the equipment would know how to or care to install it.
Mike…
The Kingsway first made into a quad in ‘82 when the backstage area waa made into a theatre with “Annie” being the first movie shown in that auditorium then turned fiveplex in '84 just in time for the release of “Ghostbusters”.
Hey Philipgoldberg…
I don’t know where you get your info but the Rugby NEVER showed XXX hardcore porn. I know ‘cause it was one of the theatres I went to as a kid. In it’s last days they ran all kinds of films not just Kung Fu but usually double bills that consisted of one new release and a second run by the same studio and the admission was about $3.00. This theatre closed just before summer of '84 and remember one of the last movies to play there was a “giallo” Italian zombie flick called “Night of the Zombies”. The theatre was indeed rough or “ghetto” with the pungent stank of marijuana everywhere. Didn’t mind it closing down since it was bound to happen.
From what I recall this theatre closed in late ‘83 or early '84 and don’t remember it being a second run and was beautifully kept till the end.
Hey Robert R.
The Haven was one of my favorite theatres as a kid and was a regular from ‘81 to '84 when the area started to become “ghetto”. Just curious , exactly how big was the Haven? I mean how many seats? And why was the balcony never fixed? I never got to watch from the balcony. Darn!!!
Hey saps and Don
Come to think of it I do remember sometimes the Movieplex would run a film that was also playing at let’s say the UA Critirion which was just a couple of blocks away on B'way but it was the Criterion that would get listed in the ads and not the Movieplex. So my bad. Although I did remember wondering back then that if Movieplex ran films that were also booked at the UA then something must be wrong with the version of the movie they are playing. Possibly reject prints that the studios didn’t want showcased at the major bookings? hum…
Hey Don…
Your explanation about why the Movieplex 42 was not listed on any movie ads for films that were running there in the newspapers makes no sense. If it were because of the low cost of admission than why are the Brooklyn and Queens theatres where you can see any first fun release for a couple of dollars less still listed in the ads? Also, I’ve never heard about this “policy” that the newspapers have or had about not advertising movies on 42 street. I’m sure if I look at any old issue of the New York Times there will be an ads for movies playing on that street. I mean there were even ads for pornos up until 1976, so c'mon.
Hardbop…
I remember this theatre even though I’d never gone inside only because it just looked real seedy. From what I recall it had six screens and the strangest thing of it all was the fact that for some odd reason this theatre was never listed in any of the newspapers adds of movies being played there at the time. So on paper the theatre didn’t exist.
Hey Bway…
You’re right, the AMC Pleasure Island is a magnificent megaplex and when I lived in Orlando was my favorite theatre to go to. This was only the second Mega I’d ever been to just after being totally dissapointed when I’d gone to the Regal 22 Oviedo Marketplace with it’s lousy projection and sound and unremarkable interiors. Unlike Oviedo, Pleasure Island is what every Megaplex should be like. Another O-Town Mega worth mentioning is Muvico’s Pointe Orlando with it’s Imax screen.
Compared to the other art movie houses in Manhattan (Angelika, Film Forum, Cinema Village) the film presentation at the Sunshine is by far the most superior. Actually, I’d say it’s on par with the mainstream theatres like Loews or Regal. Also, like many mainstream theatres if you didn’t like the movie you paid to see, it’s very easy to watch something else. Yah, the Sunshine is great!