I wonder though, if they’re letting this house degrade so that it can be demolished and replaced by something even more degraded. Sorry to be a bit negative…
If I had even a little bit of Warren Buffet-style money, after I’d tended to some charities, I’d locate the blueprints of Grauman’s Metropolitan (they must exist somewhere!) and have it rebuilt in its original form. And most importantly, in a location where it would never be wrecked by alteration or demolition. This house is one of the most unique in the world, right up there with Radio City, the NY Roxy, the UA in LA, and the Shrine Auditorium. Maybe I’ll give Mr. Buffet a call…
Unfortunately, the Metro seems headed for radical alteration. The facade, which I saw in rundown condition a few months ago, will apparently be retained. Story in Calcutta ‘Telegraph’:
Thanks Joe, for the perceptive background information. I visited the site this past weekend, and indeed, the first thing I thought was: Jugendstil. The facade would be perfectly at home in, say, Riga, Latvia – which I visited not long ago.
Similarly, I think the facade looks as if it could have been designed by the noteworthy Arts & Crafts architect Halsey Ricardo, whose spectacular Debenham House in London (1906) is encased in innovative terracotta and glazed tile work.
There is access to the Liberty’s former balcony lobby, which underwent an obvious Art Deco makeover. There are touches of ‘Radio City Moderne’ to be found, but not much else.
I fully agree that if the facade had to be classified as just one style, it would be Art Nouveau.
Hats off to the Cinerama’s team! Anyone who would show the much-maligned ‘South Pacific’ in Todd-AO gets my applause (worth seeing/hearing for Alfred Newman’s music direction alone, let alone Shamroy’s psychedelic color carnival).
I saw ‘Grand Prix’ & ‘2001’ in original release here, life-changing, of course. And in revival, ‘Oklahoma’ (though I think the CinemaScope version is better in subtle ways). Presentation of pix like ‘Exorcist’, ‘Excalibur’ and ‘Barry Lyndon’ at the Cinerama always made you feel like their celluloid was twice as wide as it really was.
Hopefully, a future festival might showcase not only ‘Grand Prix’ but anything and everything in Ultra-Panavision 70, from ‘Raintree County’ to ‘Fall of the Roman Empire’ (the Forum scenes outdo anything in ‘Cleopatra’ by a mile), plus ‘Mad World’, ‘Hallelujah Trail’, etc. And what about ‘El Cid’, ‘King of Kings’, ‘Exodus’, ‘Dr. Z’ & ‘Ryan’s Daughter’?
Seeing the restored 1954 ‘A Star Is Born’ here in the 80s also proved that plain old CinemaScope looks pretty dandy, too. I’d also add ‘The Egyptian’ as a reason to make a pilgrimage, as well. (For CinemaScope presentation, the mega-screen was specially masked top and bottom with matte cloth for 2.55:1 a/r; the attention to detail was impeccable.)
I’m a realist though, acquiring worthy prints of these more obscure titles might be impossible.
PS: I saw ‘Ben-Hur’ in its ‘69 re-release, which played at the Paramount across town. Supposedly, like 'Gone/Wind’, it was in 70, but having worked at the Paramount in the 70s, and having examined the projectors, they were just Simplex 35mm – I had expected Norelco/Philips 35/70 hardware, but no…
There were a few events this summer at the Vogue, including chamber music and opera arias. I did not attend, but a friend said the theatre was pleasant and promising, and that renovation was still underway.
I saw ‘Paint Your Wagon’ (‘La kermesse de l'Ouest’) here in 1970. Dubbed into French, songs in original English. Outstanding sound & projection.
Gooper
commented about
Pagodeon
Jun 20, 2011 at 9:11 pm
I always thought it was an actual Shinto temple because any advertisement of what it was was very low key. It is certainly an oddball as far as its neighbors are concerned, but it does not stand out. You have to look for it.
I saw many films here, including ‘The Deer Hinter’, the first ‘Star Trek’ picture, as well as ‘Apocalypse Now’, both with practically empty houses, as it wasn’t the tourist season. Nevertheless the Pearl & Dean lineup was before every show. The projection and sound were superb. The floor in the stalls was composed of mere wooden boards, and you could smoke, as some seat backs had ashtrays. I also saw ‘Life of Brian’ here and I was politely asked if I wished to boycott the performance. I politely declined, and the show, which was practically a private viewing, went on. My compliments to the management.
I saw many a picture at the PPP in the early 80s, including ALL of Bertolucci’s ‘1900’. They issued handy discount cards to we poor students. It was always cheaper than the Phoenix across town.
(I wonder what happened to the Jolson/Jazz Singer 3-D sign/sculpture?)
I have seen several pictures at the Regal, and it certainly deserves restoration. It is in the original ‘New Delhi Style’, and is therefore of high historic value. There are private boxes for elite customers. In 1982 I met the manager, who had worked there since the Raj (British) era.
Here is an account of the occasion by Kunal Dutt:
http://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/at-midnight-regal-turned-into-sangam-of-cinema-lovers/1018603
A conversion to multiplex is planned.
As of March, 2017, the Regal closed its doors in an event that was SRO and emotional for all.
Currently, the Audion is a yoga studio.
After serving as a venue for infrequent music events, the Pix-Village-Grand Central is now a branch of Umpqua Bank.
I wonder though, if they’re letting this house degrade so that it can be demolished and replaced by something even more degraded. Sorry to be a bit negative…
If I had even a little bit of Warren Buffet-style money, after I’d tended to some charities, I’d locate the blueprints of Grauman’s Metropolitan (they must exist somewhere!) and have it rebuilt in its original form. And most importantly, in a location where it would never be wrecked by alteration or demolition. This house is one of the most unique in the world, right up there with Radio City, the NY Roxy, the UA in LA, and the Shrine Auditorium. Maybe I’ll give Mr. Buffet a call…
This house, in its original Grauman condition, is so powerful, it’s spooky.
Unfortunately, the Metro seems headed for radical alteration. The facade, which I saw in rundown condition a few months ago, will apparently be retained. Story in Calcutta ‘Telegraph’:
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120627/jsp/calcutta/story_15659819.jsp
Thanks Joe, for the perceptive background information. I visited the site this past weekend, and indeed, the first thing I thought was: Jugendstil. The facade would be perfectly at home in, say, Riga, Latvia – which I visited not long ago.
Similarly, I think the facade looks as if it could have been designed by the noteworthy Arts & Crafts architect Halsey Ricardo, whose spectacular Debenham House in London (1906) is encased in innovative terracotta and glazed tile work.
There is access to the Liberty’s former balcony lobby, which underwent an obvious Art Deco makeover. There are touches of ‘Radio City Moderne’ to be found, but not much else.
I fully agree that if the facade had to be classified as just one style, it would be Art Nouveau.
Hats off to the Cinerama’s team! Anyone who would show the much-maligned ‘South Pacific’ in Todd-AO gets my applause (worth seeing/hearing for Alfred Newman’s music direction alone, let alone Shamroy’s psychedelic color carnival).
I saw ‘Grand Prix’ & ‘2001’ in original release here, life-changing, of course. And in revival, ‘Oklahoma’ (though I think the CinemaScope version is better in subtle ways). Presentation of pix like ‘Exorcist’, ‘Excalibur’ and ‘Barry Lyndon’ at the Cinerama always made you feel like their celluloid was twice as wide as it really was.
Hopefully, a future festival might showcase not only ‘Grand Prix’ but anything and everything in Ultra-Panavision 70, from ‘Raintree County’ to ‘Fall of the Roman Empire’ (the Forum scenes outdo anything in ‘Cleopatra’ by a mile), plus ‘Mad World’, ‘Hallelujah Trail’, etc. And what about ‘El Cid’, ‘King of Kings’, ‘Exodus’, ‘Dr. Z’ & ‘Ryan’s Daughter’?
Seeing the restored 1954 ‘A Star Is Born’ here in the 80s also proved that plain old CinemaScope looks pretty dandy, too. I’d also add ‘The Egyptian’ as a reason to make a pilgrimage, as well. (For CinemaScope presentation, the mega-screen was specially masked top and bottom with matte cloth for 2.55:1 a/r; the attention to detail was impeccable.)
I’m a realist though, acquiring worthy prints of these more obscure titles might be impossible.
PS: I saw ‘Ben-Hur’ in its ‘69 re-release, which played at the Paramount across town. Supposedly, like 'Gone/Wind’, it was in 70, but having worked at the Paramount in the 70s, and having examined the projectors, they were just Simplex 35mm – I had expected Norelco/Philips 35/70 hardware, but no…
There were a few events this summer at the Vogue, including chamber music and opera arias. I did not attend, but a friend said the theatre was pleasant and promising, and that renovation was still underway.
I saw ‘Nicholas and Alexandra’ here in 1971 and was quite impressed with this fine house.
I saw ‘Paint Your Wagon’ (‘La kermesse de l'Ouest’) here in 1970. Dubbed into French, songs in original English. Outstanding sound & projection.
I always thought it was an actual Shinto temple because any advertisement of what it was was very low key. It is certainly an oddball as far as its neighbors are concerned, but it does not stand out. You have to look for it.
I saw many films here, including ‘The Deer Hinter’, the first ‘Star Trek’ picture, as well as ‘Apocalypse Now’, both with practically empty houses, as it wasn’t the tourist season. Nevertheless the Pearl & Dean lineup was before every show. The projection and sound were superb. The floor in the stalls was composed of mere wooden boards, and you could smoke, as some seat backs had ashtrays. I also saw ‘Life of Brian’ here and I was politely asked if I wished to boycott the performance. I politely declined, and the show, which was practically a private viewing, went on. My compliments to the management.
When it was the Warner West End in 1973, I saw ‘O Lucky Man’ here. The ending of the film itself took place right outside this very theatre.
Just like in the photo above, I saw ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ here in 1970, a splendid presentation, naturally.
I saw many a picture at the PPP in the early 80s, including ALL of Bertolucci’s ‘1900’. They issued handy discount cards to we poor students. It was always cheaper than the Phoenix across town.
(I wonder what happened to the Jolson/Jazz Singer 3-D sign/sculpture?)
I have seen several pictures at the Regal, and it certainly deserves restoration. It is in the original ‘New Delhi Style’, and is therefore of high historic value. There are private boxes for elite customers. In 1982 I met the manager, who had worked there since the Raj (British) era.
I walked by the Raj Mandir in 1988. Glad to see it is flourishing!
I saw a big Amitabh picture here in 1982!
A major first-run house.
I have walked by the Metro in Calcutta many times but have never been inside. The Deco facade is a landmark on busy Chowringhee.
Every year on the 4th of July, the town fireworks took place at the Ellen. Overflow cars lined up on Mtn View St. to watch the show.