Comments from Al Alvarez

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Miami Theatre on Jul 17, 2007 at 2:09 pm

The Miami on a postcard.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Town Theatre on Jul 17, 2007 at 2:04 pm

The photos of the Town.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Coral Theatre on Jul 17, 2007 at 11:15 am

The Coral in 1964.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Adult theater pioneer Jim Mitchell passes away on Jul 17, 2007 at 11:13 am

I disagree. His place in movie history is as valid, if not more, than many others in the industry who in the pursuit of profit inadvertently stumbled into art.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Sheridan Theatre on Jul 17, 2007 at 7:06 am

Happy holidays from Florida State Theatres, 1965.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Baronet and Coronet Theatre on Jul 17, 2007 at 5:47 am

THE LUCK OF GINGER COFFEY at the Baronet.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Colony Theatre on Jul 17, 2007 at 5:31 am

Merry Christmas from Florida State Theatres, 1966.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Riviera Theatre on Jul 15, 2007 at 4:58 pm

I worked with Matty Tylek at ABC & Plitt. He eventually moved over to Petengill and took it over when Howard retired, eventually renaming the agency Pettengill/Tylek and moving from Coral Gables to Miami Shores. Diener Hauser & Bates proved to be a relentless competitor with New York connections and they eventually took over the placement market in South Florida.

Were you around during the Loews Tom Elefante days of the Riviera?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Riviera Theatre on Jul 15, 2007 at 3:56 pm

I remember the day tragic day well now, Big Ed. He was run over by a drunk driver on a downtown Miami sidewalks while on his way to work at Wometco early in the day.

I was working for Pettengill Advertising at the time and Marvin Reed was a true gentlemen and professional, well respected by everyone in the local industry.

Wometco’s booking and marketing people worked hard on promoting American International Picture’s less than stellar films. Years later, when AIP was bought by Orion, the loyalties remained and all Orion films went to Wometco in spite of AMC’s local clout.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Possible Hollywood strike on Jul 15, 2007 at 3:16 pm

LOL, Jerry. I wasn’t aware that writers were involved in this summer’s crop of record breaking movies.

Oh, yeah, that HARRY POTTER woman.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about LOL Comedy Lounge on Jul 14, 2007 at 6:23 pm

You can still see live naked girls just a block say from the New Amsterdam and there are three porn bookstores in a row on 41st street and 8th.

Don’t believe all the Guliani hype.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about RKO Proctor's 125th Street Theatre on Jul 12, 2007 at 1:13 am

Bob, do you remember the Sunset?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Lyric Theatre on Jul 12, 2007 at 1:07 am

The intro explains that.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Lyric Theatre on Jul 11, 2007 at 1:46 pm

40c to 95c in 1957 for two subrun movies.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Tropicaire Drive-In on Jul 11, 2007 at 6:42 am

Several shots the Dixie Drive-in, Perrine/Goulds can be seen on this website.

http://www.pbase.com/donboyd/image/81425318

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Surf Theatre on Jul 11, 2007 at 6:21 am

Loew’s took over the Konover Theatre, a luxurious live theatre and lounge inside the Konover Hotel (Castle Beach, 54th & Collins) in 1976. It featured bar service to your seat and valet parking. I saw TAXI DRIVER and THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING there.

Does anyone else remember that short-lived experiment?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Roxy Theatre on Jul 11, 2007 at 5:18 am

Fred,

There is small photo of the Downtown Miami Roxy on this flyer. See if it brings back any memories and perhaps you can add the page.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Riviera Theatre on Jul 11, 2007 at 5:14 am

Big Ed Longo,

Do you know if manager Marvin Reed eventually became head of marketing for Wometco? His name sounds very familiar.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Paramount Theatre on Jul 11, 2007 at 4:53 am

Apparently a SPARKS' theatre in 1932 before being extensively remodeled.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Normandy Theatre on Jul 11, 2007 at 4:38 am

As the Wometco NORMANDY, it hosted the World Premiere of Jackie Mason’s film THE STOOLIE in 1972. It was to be his one starring vehicle to date and a John Avildsen film, to boot.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Cinema 10 at the Miracle Center on Jul 11, 2007 at 3:59 am

This was the theatre with the parking lot entrance so steep my car kept falling backwards. A stopped going for fear of the parking lot ramp. My car would groan at the mere sight of it.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about New York Theatre on Jul 10, 2007 at 3:57 pm

Damn you, Hollywood!
Now I’m craving Nathan’s hot dog and I am nowhere near New York.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Mayfair Theatre on Jul 10, 2007 at 2:20 pm

LOL. The Tivoli did similar programming. My mother would take us to see some popular family musical film from Spain and the second feature would be some Mexican soft core porn or violence filler.
I also remember the Tower’s name for the subtitled version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. It was LA NOVICIA REBELDE or literally, THE REBEL NUN.

I saw THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY on a double feature with HANG ‘EM HIGH at the Olympia.

Have you found this website yet?
http://www.pbase.com/donboyd/memories

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Sheridan Theatre on Jul 10, 2007 at 2:55 am

Thanks Louis. I need to figure out a way to blow up the postcard images. The Strand Art was already porn during my Miami movie-going days and I don’t think I ever went in. I will keep an eye out for photos.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Mayfair Theatre on Jul 10, 2007 at 2:36 am

Louis,

Although the Olympia, Miami, Florida and Paramount provided good memories of popcorn, Disney, and Doris Day, The Mayfair was a more serious place during the arty days and I knew I would see something different if I could get past the movie rating. It helped me develop an early love for foreign language and controversial films I still have today.

The Carib, Sheridan, Bay Harbor, Miracle, Coral, Twin Gables, Sunny Isles and Cinematheque (Absinthe) were also among my favorites.

The Omni never took off and its fate was sealed after the downtown race riots. I grew up with Spanish films at the Tivoli and Tower but avoided them once I figured out how to take the bus.