There was also a porno movie that had the porno star buck naked in the booth of the Bay Cinema. I actually showed that movie but alas was not there when they filmed it. I believe that it was Neeto theater productions that filmed that movie there.
Yes it was porno in the 70’s I was there working as a projectionist. It was run by neeteo (or neato) theaters and were a great company to work for. When Walter Reade took it over I was there showing the opening day through ET (that ran 6 months) until the early 80s.
I actually wrired the 8 track mag sound in that theater when they put dolby in. I kept that theater running great and we had great sound and presentation. I really miss the place but life goes on.
I totally forgot about the lens and aperture change we did at the Thalia. We did a lot of that for one reason only. To have a great presentation. Automation took a lot away from the projectionists ability to give great presentations. We really cared about what quality people saw on the screens where we worked and it was hard to convince management to do something so we went through back doors.
I worked at the Symphony theater for quite a few years as a projectionist. At that time I believe that it was owned by Columbia University (I could be wrong but that’s what I heard) and was managed by a man named Sam Figler. Sam was an interesting person that used to be the personal assistant for the Shuberts. I understand that he created the Gregg shorthand language and sold it to Gregg for almost nothing. I was there until they closed it as a regular theater in the 70’s. They reopened it briefly as a spanish theater and had some live shows there as well. I still have an old oak coat rack that was in the theater and I used to have the twin 78 RPM players that they used for silent film. I gave it to a friend of mine that I lost track of. What a shame.
I worked my first shift as a projectionist in this grand old theater. I actually have a cup dispenser that was used in this theater. You know the ones that you put a penny in and got a cone shaped cup. I loved working there and had many good times. The first movies I ran there were Dirty Harry and The Wild Bunch. I’ll never forget those times. It was a ball. I only wish I had some photos of the building’s marquee
I worked at the Kips Bay as the projectionist during the porno days as well as after Walter Reade changed it to the Bay Cinema. I was flabergasted that a porn house had ToddAO 35/70MM projectors showing porn. There is one porno movie that actually was shot partially in the Kips Bay booth.
When Walter Reade opened it again as a first run theater I was the projectionist for the opening day and stayed there for quite a number of years. I actually rewired the booth for Dolby mag sound and Albert Broccoli actually commented that the Bay Cinema gave the best performance of one of the Bond movies we showed.
I opened ET there that ran for 6 months and was proud to have this movie house be known as one of the best presentations in New York. When Woody Allen opened Stardust Memories in the Bay Cinema I worked with United Artists and they put in Xenon lamps (took away the old carbon arc lamps) and a new screen.
I really enjoyed working there and sometimes miss the fun we used to have. I have lot’s of stories to tell about this great theater.
Thanks for the posting of the picture. I have fond memories when I worked there as a projectionist. What a grand theater it was at one time.
Hi,
Does anyone have a high res copy of the Earl. The one listed at /theaters/5968_0_2_0_C/ is only 360 X 480. Does anyone have bigger?
Thanks,
Steve
There was also a porno movie that had the porno star buck naked in the booth of the Bay Cinema. I actually showed that movie but alas was not there when they filmed it. I believe that it was Neeto theater productions that filmed that movie there.
Yes it was porno in the 70’s I was there working as a projectionist. It was run by neeteo (or neato) theaters and were a great company to work for. When Walter Reade took it over I was there showing the opening day through ET (that ran 6 months) until the early 80s.
I actually wrired the 8 track mag sound in that theater when they put dolby in. I kept that theater running great and we had great sound and presentation. I really miss the place but life goes on.
I totally forgot about the lens and aperture change we did at the Thalia. We did a lot of that for one reason only. To have a great presentation. Automation took a lot away from the projectionists ability to give great presentations. We really cared about what quality people saw on the screens where we worked and it was hard to convince management to do something so we went through back doors.
So what is the Symphony doing now?
I would love to see pictures of the Earl if anyone has any. Especially the Marquee
I worked at the Symphony theater for quite a few years as a projectionist. At that time I believe that it was owned by Columbia University (I could be wrong but that’s what I heard) and was managed by a man named Sam Figler. Sam was an interesting person that used to be the personal assistant for the Shuberts. I understand that he created the Gregg shorthand language and sold it to Gregg for almost nothing. I was there until they closed it as a regular theater in the 70’s. They reopened it briefly as a spanish theater and had some live shows there as well. I still have an old oak coat rack that was in the theater and I used to have the twin 78 RPM players that they used for silent film. I gave it to a friend of mine that I lost track of. What a shame.
I worked my first shift as a projectionist in this grand old theater. I actually have a cup dispenser that was used in this theater. You know the ones that you put a penny in and got a cone shaped cup. I loved working there and had many good times. The first movies I ran there were Dirty Harry and The Wild Bunch. I’ll never forget those times. It was a ball. I only wish I had some photos of the building’s marquee
I worked at the Kips Bay as the projectionist during the porno days as well as after Walter Reade changed it to the Bay Cinema. I was flabergasted that a porn house had ToddAO 35/70MM projectors showing porn. There is one porno movie that actually was shot partially in the Kips Bay booth.
When Walter Reade opened it again as a first run theater I was the projectionist for the opening day and stayed there for quite a number of years. I actually rewired the booth for Dolby mag sound and Albert Broccoli actually commented that the Bay Cinema gave the best performance of one of the Bond movies we showed.
I opened ET there that ran for 6 months and was proud to have this movie house be known as one of the best presentations in New York. When Woody Allen opened Stardust Memories in the Bay Cinema I worked with United Artists and they put in Xenon lamps (took away the old carbon arc lamps) and a new screen.
I really enjoyed working there and sometimes miss the fun we used to have. I have lot’s of stories to tell about this great theater.