Ziegfeld Theatre
141 W. 54th Street,
New York,
NY
10019
141 W. 54th Street,
New York,
NY
10019
131 people
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The Ziegfeld has two Century JJ 35/70MM projectors plus their D/Cinema video projector in the booth. The theatre can run change-over presentations but chooses not to.
Sorry David, that “reel” pun is used so many times in forums such as this, it tends to loose it’s meaning. Your point is now taken! I think the Zeigfeld only has one Century JJ in the booth.
Jeff: I thought it was clear that when I wrote “reel” picture show, I meant a changeover house. I also thought the Ziegfeld was equipped for both platter and reel to reel presentation. Can anyone confirm this?
DavidM— These films need to be run reel-to-reel, with changeovers, not on a platter. They are only set up for one machine with a platter. You’re not going to see any decent 70mm films in NY unless they change their configuration.
Dear Craig O'Connor:
If this is true, that there is an available 70MM print of “West Side Story” and the Ziegfeld still has the capability to do a “reel” picture show, then you should take every step to get that print into your theater next month. I am confident that there are projectionists galore (I was there the night “Lawrence of Arabia” was saved.) who can come in and run the show.
Hopefully, you can make this series even more special than it already is!
I remember vividly that ‘89 engagement at the Dome! That was the first time I had ever seen “West Side Story,” and the presentation made a big impression on me. Details here:
View link (scroll down to September 29)
Although, as far as I know, no bookings have been made, I feel confident it will screen somewhere in L.A. at least once in the near future. We on the West Coast have been VERY lucky the last few years in regard to large-format classics. In fact, I’ll take this opportunity to relay just how cool it was to see the new 70mm print of “Grand Prix” just a few weeks ago, not to mention the slate of stuff recently screened at the Egyptian and Aero!
Thanks Michael. Hopefully the Ziegfeld will take the necessary steps to demonstrate that they have the skills required to run this film. And hopefully it will find its way here in LA as well. Last time I saw it on the big screen was around the late 80’s at the Cinerama Dome.
Regarding Sony & MGM/UA, I believe Sony still owns a limited stake in MGM. In this era of corporate mergers, it’s very difficult to keep track or ascertain a major studio’s identity solely by the films they produce.
JSA
Peter,
You’re correct; MGM currently own the rights to “West Side Story.” Sony had the rights, briefly, which was when they did some restoration work and had the print struck. (It’s getting more and more confusing trying to keep straight all of the studio mergers and acquisitions and who owns what.)
JSA,
Not sure about the sound format; it’s probably DTS. Not sure about any bookings, either. If the Ziegfeld is only a platter booth, then that might be a dealbreaker, as has been mentioned earlier in this discussion, regarding the possibility of booking “archive” and limited quantity prints.
Forrest136,
Lousy list? Seems more like you have lousy taste in movies. :–)
Classics? What a lousy list! Off to the local DVD rental store!
All of the MGM/UA films – including West Side Story – are now back in the hands of MGM, not Sony.
Michael: WOW!! Wonderful news!!! Any information regarding sound format? Potential screenings?
Regards,
JSA
I notice that “West Side Story” is among the Ziegfeld’s scheduled classics. Coincidentally, I’ve heard that Sony (who now owns the rights) has recently struck a new 70mm print…
Here is the schedule for the Fall season of Ziegfeld Classics:
View link
As I left the Ziegfeld tonight after seeing one more underwhelming current movie (“World Trade Center”), the more I couldn’t wait for the classics to begin.
The Aero screened the restored print of Cleopatra. It was also shown at the Academy of Motion Picures.
The Aero Theatre is a change-over house and has a top operator in the booth.
WOW they screened Cleopatra in 70mm at the Aero, that’s something I would LOVE to see at the Ziegfeld.
Considering TALLADEGA NIGHTS is one of the biggest hits of the year I am sure Pacific is not even considering resorting to “classics” yet. I wish the Ziegfeld did not have to resort to bringing back TRON, but bless them for trying something.
Getting back on topic, out here on the Left Coast (where the mighty Cinerama Dome is currently running “Talladega Nights” – WTF?!?!) I am still jealous and envious of the Ziegfeld’s fall schedule. Enjoy yourselves. Pacific/Arclight managment, I hope you’re reading this!
Ironic, Vincent, how that sounds exactly like the sort of story Oliver Stone would typically tell! This time out, however, he’s checked his politics and decided to focus on a human story of survival amidst the most cataclysmic disaster imaginable. I’ve got no problem with that. I’m sure in due time we’ll see many filmmakers take a stab at more political ruminations on the events of and leading up to the 9/11 attacks.
Lets not let this degenerate into a political argument. Everyone has strong opinions on 9/11, but please, this isn’t the place.
That was done already, it was a little film called “Fahrenheit 9/11.”
What about the story about how our great leaders allowed this to happen. Years of willful neglect, ego and stupdity. That’s the real story. We all know what happened after.
A Ziegfeld event makes the news again â€" this time, last night’s private premier of Oliver Stone’s “World Trade Centerâ€. Despite the oppressive heat wave and the looming possibility of power outages, the show went on as scheduled and crowds gathered outside of the theater – attendees included dignitaries such as former mayor Rudolph Giuliani, as well as film cast members along with police officers and firefighters depicted in the movie and their families.
Of course, everyone seemed to have an opinion about whether or it was too soon to show such a film, but many of those in attendance felt that, like any other event in history, it had a story that should be told.
Here’s a list of a few classics screened between May and July of this year in the LA area:
Aero Theatre, Santa Monica:
Sunset Boulevard (May 17)
Cleopatra ( Jun 24, in 70 mm)
The Sound of Music (Jun 25, in 70 mm)
Vertigo (Jun 29, in 70 mm)
A Hard Day’s Night (Jul 15)
Wizard of Oz (Jul 22)
Arclight, Hollywood:
Lawrence of Arabia (Jun 7, in 70 mm DTS)
The King and I (Jun 7)
Bay Theatre, Seal Beach:
Frankenstein (Jun 9-12)
Taxi Driver (Jun 16-19)
To Kill a Mockingbird (Jun 25-28)
The Shining (Jul 7-10)
Bridge on the River Kwai (Jul 23-26)
Egyptian, Hollywood:
Around the World in 80 Days (May 5, in Todd-AO)
South Pacific (May 6, in 70 mm)
Patton (May 7, in 70 mm)
Brainstorm (May 10, in 70 mm)
Mad Max: The Road Warrior (May 11, in 70 mm)
The Guns of Navarone ( May 12)
Some Came Running (May 17)
Revenge of Frankenstein (Jun 8)
Horror of Dracula (Jun 9)
El Capitan, Hollywood:
Dumbo (May 26 – Jun 7)
Warner Grand, San Pedro:
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (May 7)
Mary Poppins (Jun 4)
Thats one of the main problems with the chains is that they no longer want to pay for a full time skilled projectionist to be on staff. Many of the long time skilled projectionists in major market have left the field because of the cut-backs the chains have made in their field. So when they worked a full 40+ hour week, they are now cut to 20-25 hours a week. The chains build bigger and bigger complexes, but they cut on the skilled staff to operate the booth. So the studios have records of problems that the major theatres have had with presentations.
I’m for seeing these series work. They should be more of an Event than just the same old films in series.