I disagree with Greg M’s comments. While this theater certainly was better as a single screen (what carved up multiplex isn’t?), this is one of the fewer movie theaters in Westchester that has not been completely ruined. True, the upstairs screen (former balcony) is horrible. But Clearview actually has sunk some doughs into upgrades. Believe me, there are a lot worse in Westchester. Indeed, most of them.
As for being safe in Bronxville, it’s probably the only place in Westchester that still is.
I have been here a number of times and the auditoriums, in general, are terrible. The sightlines are terrible. In some auditoriums, you can’t help but sit on top of the screen.
The living rooms are a cute idea, but the loveseats/couches have low backs and, with a lack of back support, your neck actually hurts after 15 minutes.
This whole complex is a good idea for the area, but done so poorly.
This place is a complete dump. The last time I was there, it was crowded and I was sitting close to the front. I looked down at the floor and saw a large area of dried blood.
I am not surprised about the lip-synching. I went to the RCMH show about ten years ago for the first time in years and was startled to see how canned a production it is. There is not one spontaneous moment. And it is badly paced for youngsters. Right in the middle of the Nativity, my 10 year-old godson asked loudly, “Is this almost over?!” Bring back any Christmas prior to 1967, please.
Roadshow, thanks for the clarification. I could swear there was an overture on the DVD, but I am sure you are right. We essentially had the overture for about 90 minutes prior to the screening as they played the soundtrack on a loop for the early arrivals. I heard that, in the Rocky room, “Gonna Fly Now” was played ad nauseum.
I was at the AFI event and saw “The Sound of Music.” They did not do an overture. We had the same intermission problem. As soon as the intermission went up on the screen, people start to leave. But, they went straight to the blank screen entr'acte. Most people in the audience didn’t understand what was happening. They thought they were missing part of the film. Very confusing and it dampened what should have been a wonderful night. No exit music either. All of it exists on the DVD.
BTW, in our auditorium, Julie Andrews was introduced by George Stevens Jr. In the audience was the girl who played Liesl as well as the widow of Robert Wise.
The theater marquee still exists in a fashion on Warburton Avenue. It now houses a few boutiques and an ice cream parlor. What good is the ice cream parlor now without the theater?
This theater was one of the only places to see Mary Poppins in Westchester when it had its wide release. I was there opening night and the place was packed. I always thought the lounge was cool….and a lot of what is described above remained intact into the 60s and 70s. Saw the Exorcist there.
It still looks the same from the outside…..even as a funeral parlor.
It indeed was a Premiere Showcase as I saw the first film offered “Road to Hong Kong” at this drive-in. About a few years later, the drive-in got into a lot of trouble with the department store across the street. It seems the theater was now showing nothing but porno and the local parents complained their kids could see it from the department store parking lot across the street.
It indeed was a Premiere Showcase as I saw the first film offered “Road to Hong Kong” at this drive-in. About a few years later, the drive-in got into a lot of trouble with the department store across the street. It seems the theater was now showing nothing but porno and the local parents complained their kids could see it from the department store parking lot across the street.
This was a terrific theater that I frequented as a kid in the 60s. The first movie I ever saw was in this theater: Tom Thumb. I also saw the Beatles in a Hard Day’s Night there the first day the film opened. Also, remember vividly Bye Bye Birdie.
The theater had a huge smoking lounge on the second level. Also, the lobby was enormous with two tall staircases that took you to the balcony.
I saw Jerry Lewis appear there on a theater publicity tour for The Nutty Professor.
I believe the theater closed around 1968, as did the wonderful RKO Proctor’s a block away. The latter’s building remained virtually intact up until very recently. Loews, however, was almost immediately razed for an ugly parking garage which still remains an eyesore right across the street from City Hall.
Mount Vernon lost all it charm when these two wonderful places closed.
I just visited this area (my hometown) the other day. RKO Proctor’s is now completely an office building and you cannot tell it was once a theater. But they never actually tore it down.
Definitely not Loews…..
I disagree with Greg M’s comments. While this theater certainly was better as a single screen (what carved up multiplex isn’t?), this is one of the fewer movie theaters in Westchester that has not been completely ruined. True, the upstairs screen (former balcony) is horrible. But Clearview actually has sunk some doughs into upgrades. Believe me, there are a lot worse in Westchester. Indeed, most of them.
As for being safe in Bronxville, it’s probably the only place in Westchester that still is.
I have been here a number of times and the auditoriums, in general, are terrible. The sightlines are terrible. In some auditoriums, you can’t help but sit on top of the screen.
The living rooms are a cute idea, but the loveseats/couches have low backs and, with a lack of back support, your neck actually hurts after 15 minutes.
This whole complex is a good idea for the area, but done so poorly.
How could you tell it was “dried blood?” Are you a medical professional?
posted by Warren on Dec 3, 2007 at 8:43am
No, but my friend was a nurse. And, two days prior, I understand that there was a gang fight in the theater.
This place is a complete dump. The last time I was there, it was crowded and I was sitting close to the front. I looked down at the floor and saw a large area of dried blood.
I am not surprised about the lip-synching. I went to the RCMH show about ten years ago for the first time in years and was startled to see how canned a production it is. There is not one spontaneous moment. And it is badly paced for youngsters. Right in the middle of the Nativity, my 10 year-old godson asked loudly, “Is this almost over?!” Bring back any Christmas prior to 1967, please.
Roadshow, thanks for the clarification. I could swear there was an overture on the DVD, but I am sure you are right. We essentially had the overture for about 90 minutes prior to the screening as they played the soundtrack on a loop for the early arrivals. I heard that, in the Rocky room, “Gonna Fly Now” was played ad nauseum.
I was at the AFI event and saw “The Sound of Music.” They did not do an overture. We had the same intermission problem. As soon as the intermission went up on the screen, people start to leave. But, they went straight to the blank screen entr'acte. Most people in the audience didn’t understand what was happening. They thought they were missing part of the film. Very confusing and it dampened what should have been a wonderful night. No exit music either. All of it exists on the DVD.
BTW, in our auditorium, Julie Andrews was introduced by George Stevens Jr. In the audience was the girl who played Liesl as well as the widow of Robert Wise.
The theater marquee still exists in a fashion on Warburton Avenue. It now houses a few boutiques and an ice cream parlor. What good is the ice cream parlor now without the theater?
This theater was one of the only places to see Mary Poppins in Westchester when it had its wide release. I was there opening night and the place was packed. I always thought the lounge was cool….and a lot of what is described above remained intact into the 60s and 70s. Saw the Exorcist there.
It still looks the same from the outside…..even as a funeral parlor.
It indeed was a Premiere Showcase as I saw the first film offered “Road to Hong Kong” at this drive-in. About a few years later, the drive-in got into a lot of trouble with the department store across the street. It seems the theater was now showing nothing but porno and the local parents complained their kids could see it from the department store parking lot across the street.
It is now a Sam’s Club.
It indeed was a Premiere Showcase as I saw the first film offered “Road to Hong Kong” at this drive-in. About a few years later, the drive-in got into a lot of trouble with the department store across the street. It seems the theater was now showing nothing but porno and the local parents complained their kids could see it from the department store parking lot across the street.
It is now a Sam’s Club.
This was a terrific theater that I frequented as a kid in the 60s. The first movie I ever saw was in this theater: Tom Thumb. I also saw the Beatles in a Hard Day’s Night there the first day the film opened. Also, remember vividly Bye Bye Birdie.
The theater had a huge smoking lounge on the second level. Also, the lobby was enormous with two tall staircases that took you to the balcony.
I saw Jerry Lewis appear there on a theater publicity tour for The Nutty Professor.
I believe the theater closed around 1968, as did the wonderful RKO Proctor’s a block away. The latter’s building remained virtually intact up until very recently. Loews, however, was almost immediately razed for an ugly parking garage which still remains an eyesore right across the street from City Hall.
Mount Vernon lost all it charm when these two wonderful places closed.
I just visited this area (my hometown) the other day. RKO Proctor’s is now completely an office building and you cannot tell it was once a theater. But they never actually tore it down.