Museum of the Moving Image

Located in Queens, in part of the former Astoria Studios, which were founded in 1920 by Jesse Lasky and Adolf Zukor for their Famous Players-Lasky Corporation (known as Paramount from 1927). Films made at the Astoria Studios include: D.W. Griffith’s “Sally of the Sawdust” starring W.C. Fields, Rudolph Vanentino in "Monsieur Beaucaire" and "The Sainted Devil", "Glorifying the American Girl", the 4 Marx Brothers in "Cocoanuts" and "Animal Crackers", Paul Robson in "The Emperor Jones".

The studio’s were little used after World War II, and in 1976, were declared a National Historic Monument. In 1983, it was taken over and expanded by real estate developer George S. Kaufman. Known as the Kaufman-Astoria Studios, films such as "The Wiz", "All That Jazz", "Fort Apache, The Bronx", "Arthur", "Ishtar, "Radio Days", "The Money Pit", “The Secret of My Success" and "Radio Days” were all filmed here. The Kaufman-Astoria Studios has also hosted recordings of "The Cosby Show", "Sesame Street" & "Whoopie".

The American Museum of the Moving Image was opened in one of the studio buildings on the Astoria lot in 1988. The museum exhibits many artifats from the Astoria Studio, and had a 200-seat movie theatre and a 60-seat screening room.

In 2008, it was closed for a refurbishment, and re-opened January 5, 2011. The Summer M. Redstone auditorium has 267 seats, a 33.5 x 18 feet screen and a movie curtain. The Celeste and Armand Bartos Screening Room has 68 seats and a 16 feet 6 inch x 9 foot x 4 inch curtain.

Recent comments (view all 30 comments)

HowardBHaas on May 9, 2018 at 2:42 pm

I had screen size figures placed in the Intro above some time ago. I’ve enjoyed the 70mm epics that I’ve seen here. Having been in the City Cinemas Village East (which is also getting 2001: A Space Odyssey in 70mm), I’d say the main aud there has a similar sized screen. Projection & surround sound are top notch in both MOVI and the Village East.

HowardBHaas on July 11, 2018 at 4:44 am

This summer’s 70mm festival here also includes (in addition to 2001) Continuing through September 9, the series also features three classic Hollywood musicals—The Sound of Music (1965), West Side Story (1961), and Hello, Dolly! (1969)—Cleopatra (1963), starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, directed by Joseph Mankiewicz; Tobe Hooper’s sci-fi cult favorite Lifeforce (1985); and Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master (2012) and Phantom Thread (2017). I’ve posted the press release here- http://in70mm.com/news/2018/momi/index.htm I am not familiar with Lifeforce, but all the others would be restored prints.

HowardBHaas on August 13, 2018 at 4:28 am

I enjoyed yesterday the restored “Hello, Dolly!” in what looked to me like a perfect, new 70mm print! 2.2 aspect ratio. Surround sound. Proper use of the curtain before movie & at intermission & after movie. Others who attended were in awe of how great the new “2001” print looked. I’m looking forward to the rare screening of the epic 4 hour+ “Cleopatra” next weekend!

HowardBHaas on August 18, 2018 at 7:06 pm

Enjoyed today the restored 4 hour 10 minute “Cleopatra” (1963) in what looked like like a perfect, new 70mm print! 2.2 aspect ratio. Surround sound. Proper use of the curtain before movie, at intermission & after movie. Surround sound.

HowardBHaas on June 30, 2019 at 11:54 am

on Thursday, this year’s 70mm film festival was announced. 2001: A Space Odyssey (2018 Nolan print), Roma, Dunkirk, Hamlet, Ready Player One (which is 35mm blow up to 70mm), It’s a Mad,Mad,Mad,Mad World (20 min intermission includes police-call radio. Mad World’s original aspect ratio was 2.76 wide, which I’ve seen this place show with Khartoum. http://www.movingimage.us/programs/2019/08/01/detail/see-it-big-70mm/

Bill Huelbig on December 29, 2019 at 5:42 am

“2001” is being shown here 27 times between January 17th and July 18th, 2020. This makes my path to 100 theatrical viewings very easy. I’m currently at 91.

vindanpar on December 29, 2019 at 1:07 pm

70mm rarely shown: CCBB, Dr Dolittle, Barrabas, Magnificent Men, Cheyenne Autumn, The Hallelujah Trail, The Agony and the Ecstasy, Lord Jim.

Cleopatra most underrated epic ever. What a raw deal it got. Oh to have seen the original 6 hour cut. ‘I asked it of Caesar, I demand it of you!’

HowardBHaas on December 29, 2019 at 1:35 pm

I think the only 70mm print of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is faded to pink. I saw the Swedish, nice 70mm print of Cheyenne Autumn at the AFI Silver. I missed & would like to see the nice 70mm prints of Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, The Agony and the Ecstasy and Lord Jim.

Ed Solero on March 13, 2020 at 12:02 pm

Hope we get through this situation before the 2001:A Space Odyssey exhibit moves on!

Comfortably Cool on May 23, 2024 at 10:48 am

“See It Big at the ‘90s Multiplex” is the title of a new revival series starting tomorrow. Details here