Today, with DVD releases coming so soon after a movie’s initial release, it’s a wonder a movie is in the theaters for 3 weeks! I can remember, when I was a kid in the ‘70’s and 80’s, a movie sticking around for several months.
I fondly remember the Summer of 1978, when it seemed that every movie I was loving at the time, was still playing in theaters:
I only went to this theater once in 1995 to see Woody Allen’s MIGHTY APHRODITE. Three years later, I was walking down Third Avenue and was shocked (and pissed!) to see it had closed.
Speaking of Woody Allen, the exterior of this theater can be seen in HUSBANDS AND WIVES, when Sydney Pollack and his girlfriend are walking out of the theater, having just seen RAN.
I’ve only had one opportunity to see a movie at this legendary theater. I was visiting family in L.A. at Thanksgiving 1997 and went to see ALIEN RESURECTION back when it was still called Mann’s. I expected it to suck and it did, but I didn’t care. I would have seen anything that was playing there if it meant I could experience the magic of this theater. It was worth it.
I always figured the SPRING months were the slowest. Summer speaks for itself with most everyone flocking to see the endless and mindless sequel blockbusters that plague the theaters. Fall and winter are when people are rushing to see Oscar-race contenders. Spring feels like that slow period in between the Oscars and the next coming summer.
I was a student at the University of Buffalo from 1985 to 1988 and I practically lived at this theater because it was on the other side of the huge parking lot across from my dorm building, Goodyear Hall. I saw nearly every midnight movie they played during those years including, PINK FLOYD THE WALL, PINK FLOYD AT POMPEII, THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME, JIMI HENDRIX, BLADE RUNNER, RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD and a couple of old STAR TREK movies.
Even then, they were mostly art films at a time that I hadn’t developed an appreciation for them yet. However, after some time, I figured out that the Amherst Theater would show films released by Columbia Pictures and Orion Pictures (when they existed). I think I saw PLATOON three times when it opened there. This theater also had the courage to book the film ISHTAR when it opened. Sad, sad, sad!
The manager of this theater at that time was notorious for hitting on his female college employees. Every one of them would quit on him eventually.
I’m glad after nearly 20 years, it did not close down.
If there’s anybody else out there who attended UB between 1985 and 1988 and lived on the Amherst campus, I’d love, love, love to hear from you!
The Ziegfeld Theatre is one of the (very) few reasons I’ll miss living in Manhattan. The last great movie screen left in the city. I didn’t go there very much, but when I did, it felt like pure movie magic:
Premieres – CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, GANDHI, CHICAGO
Revivals – VERTIGO, STAR WARS (SE), RAGING BULL
This theater was often the furthest I would drive out from Westhampton Beach to see a movie. Some special movie memories include the re-release of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK in 1981, MEDITERRANEO in 1992 and TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME; me and my friends getting completely freaked out by David Lynch’s visions.
But the best memory of all was L.A. CONFIDENTIAL in 1997 – went to see it with an old friend and in the theater, not far from us, was Roy Scheider and his wife (he’s a permanent resident of Sagaponeck, L.I.). On top of that, my friend had actually been nanny to his kids when she lived in L.A. during his SEAQUEST days. So when the movie was over, she introduced me to him outside the theater. It’s the only full-length conversation I’ve ever had with a celebrity. A great actor and a very nice man!
I lived on East 86th Street, a short walk away from this theater, from 1994 to 2003. Nothing spectacular, but one of the few remaining good size single screen theaters in Manhattan, nonetheless. I saw movies like PULP FICTION, STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT, DOGMA and DARK BLUE there.
There are no other movie theaters in Hampton Bays.
Although I’ve gone to this theater every summer since it opened, it is because of this theater that United Artists decided to close the single-screen Westhampton Beach theater in 1996 when it was under their ownership. That was my favorite movie theater. It was closed, renovated and re-opened as a performing arts theatre.
I visited Cairo during Thanksgiving 1998 and came across this theater when we were sight seeing in the streets. The left marquee displayed the American film, TURBULENCE, with Arabic subtitles.
I saw another news clip on the “Today” show this morning regarding this device. I believe it’s called the “TECHNO-TATTLETALE” and Regal Cinemas is trying it out. You can press buttons for picture problems, sounds problems or disruptive people problems.
AIAlvarez, I hear you. But as much as I love owning DVD’s, in a way, I think the ease and the speed at which one can own their favorite movies has killed the movie-going experience. When I was a kid, my favorite movies like KING KONG, STAR WARS, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (remember the 1979 re-released PG version?) and GREASE somehow took on a more special meaning when they were periodically re-released in movie theaters over a period of several years before eventually ending up on HBO and then broadcast television.
It was only a few years ago that what seemed like one last attempt at a theatrical double feature was made, when I saw an add for HOSTAGE and SIN CITY on the same bill.
As for GRINDHOUSE, I’ll give it a look when it becomes available through Netflix.
Irv, I feel just as you do. I miss the days of Cinema Village revivals. I saw classic films like BREATHLESS, the original Japanese version of GODZILLA, Fellini’s 8 ½ and a festival of Bugs Bunny cartoons!
Apparently, there is a new device that one or more theater chains are trying called the “TECHNO-TATTLER” which a movie-going audience member can use to silently alert the theater manager during a movie if someone is behaving in an inconsiderate manner.
FINALLY, SOME OF US WILL STRIKE BACK!!!
Does anyone have any additional information about this device?
I was ten years-old when STAR WARS opened in May of 1977. I was completely unaware of its opening or what kind of a film it was. I was still standing around waiting for the remake of KING KONG to be re-released so I could see it again. I remember a friend asking me if I wanted to go see STAR WARS with him. Because I knew nothing about it, I said no and told him I’d rather see FOR THE LOVE OF BENJI instead because Benji was already a familiar movie character (What in heaven’s name could I have been thinking????).
About a month later, my dad told me he was taking me and my little brother to go see it. We went to see it at the theater in East Hampton, Long Island. To make a long story short, I’ve been hooked for the last 30 years!
I grew up in Great Neck from 1979 to 1993 and I live there again now on South Middle Neck Road. I still go to the Squire once in a while (my last movie there was LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA), but it’s definately not what it once was. Too many chopped-up theaters.
I seem to recall that the last movie that played there when it was a single screen was THE VERDICT in 1982.
I, too, remember when RETURN OF THE JEDI opened there in 1983. Saw it two days after it opened and the theater was packed to the rim. I can still remember screaming, cheering kids during the battle of Endor.
Would you believe I’ve been a summer resident of Westhampton Beach since 1977 and have NEVER seen a movie at this theater? The fact of the matter is that it was always too far of a drive and the movie times were often limited. I’m glad to see it’s still open, though.
Now, about those infamous SAG HARBOUR letter on the front facade of the building – I take it from the recent photos that they are back in their proper place? There was a much-publisized battle going on over the future of those letter which, I believe, was being led by Roy Scheider’s wife.
I was there recently to see THE NAMESAKE and a revival of CITIZEN KANE. Back when it was mainstream Hollywood films, I saw titles like THE UNTOUCHABLES, BACK TO THE FUTURE-PART III and TOTAL RECALL. I’m glad to see they haven’t closed up this theater (yet!).
Oops! Sorry, jbel. I see now that you already covered the HUSBANDS AND WIVES trivia.
Today, with DVD releases coming so soon after a movie’s initial release, it’s a wonder a movie is in the theaters for 3 weeks! I can remember, when I was a kid in the ‘70’s and 80’s, a movie sticking around for several months.
I fondly remember the Summer of 1978, when it seemed that every movie I was loving at the time, was still playing in theaters:
I only went to this theater once in 1995 to see Woody Allen’s MIGHTY APHRODITE. Three years later, I was walking down Third Avenue and was shocked (and pissed!) to see it had closed.
Speaking of Woody Allen, the exterior of this theater can be seen in HUSBANDS AND WIVES, when Sydney Pollack and his girlfriend are walking out of the theater, having just seen RAN.
I’ve only had one opportunity to see a movie at this legendary theater. I was visiting family in L.A. at Thanksgiving 1997 and went to see ALIEN RESURECTION back when it was still called Mann’s. I expected it to suck and it did, but I didn’t care. I would have seen anything that was playing there if it meant I could experience the magic of this theater. It was worth it.
I always figured the SPRING months were the slowest. Summer speaks for itself with most everyone flocking to see the endless and mindless sequel blockbusters that plague the theaters. Fall and winter are when people are rushing to see Oscar-race contenders. Spring feels like that slow period in between the Oscars and the next coming summer.
WOW! Where do I begin?
I was a student at the University of Buffalo from 1985 to 1988 and I practically lived at this theater because it was on the other side of the huge parking lot across from my dorm building, Goodyear Hall. I saw nearly every midnight movie they played during those years including, PINK FLOYD THE WALL, PINK FLOYD AT POMPEII, THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME, JIMI HENDRIX, BLADE RUNNER, RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD and a couple of old STAR TREK movies.
Even then, they were mostly art films at a time that I hadn’t developed an appreciation for them yet. However, after some time, I figured out that the Amherst Theater would show films released by Columbia Pictures and Orion Pictures (when they existed). I think I saw PLATOON three times when it opened there. This theater also had the courage to book the film ISHTAR when it opened. Sad, sad, sad!
The manager of this theater at that time was notorious for hitting on his female college employees. Every one of them would quit on him eventually.
I’m glad after nearly 20 years, it did not close down.
If there’s anybody else out there who attended UB between 1985 and 1988 and lived on the Amherst campus, I’d love, love, love to hear from you!
With a name like Fredonia, I hope the theater showed DUCK SOUP on a regular basis (ha, ha!).
The Ziegfeld Theatre is one of the (very) few reasons I’ll miss living in Manhattan. The last great movie screen left in the city. I didn’t go there very much, but when I did, it felt like pure movie magic:
Premieres – CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, GANDHI, CHICAGO
Revivals – VERTIGO, STAR WARS (SE), RAGING BULL
I hope it never closes.
I saw Fellini’s LA DOLCE VITA there in 1997, shortly after re-opening. I haven’t been to a movie there since.
This is the only movie theater I ever saw a traditional midnight showing of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW.
This theater was often the furthest I would drive out from Westhampton Beach to see a movie. Some special movie memories include the re-release of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK in 1981, MEDITERRANEO in 1992 and TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME; me and my friends getting completely freaked out by David Lynch’s visions.
But the best memory of all was L.A. CONFIDENTIAL in 1997 – went to see it with an old friend and in the theater, not far from us, was Roy Scheider and his wife (he’s a permanent resident of Sagaponeck, L.I.). On top of that, my friend had actually been nanny to his kids when she lived in L.A. during his SEAQUEST days. So when the movie was over, she introduced me to him outside the theater. It’s the only full-length conversation I’ve ever had with a celebrity. A great actor and a very nice man!
I lived on East 86th Street, a short walk away from this theater, from 1994 to 2003. Nothing spectacular, but one of the few remaining good size single screen theaters in Manhattan, nonetheless. I saw movies like PULP FICTION, STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT, DOGMA and DARK BLUE there.
There are no other movie theaters in Hampton Bays.
Although I’ve gone to this theater every summer since it opened, it is because of this theater that United Artists decided to close the single-screen Westhampton Beach theater in 1996 when it was under their ownership. That was my favorite movie theater. It was closed, renovated and re-opened as a performing arts theatre.
I visited Cairo during Thanksgiving 1998 and came across this theater when we were sight seeing in the streets. The left marquee displayed the American film, TURBULENCE, with Arabic subtitles.
I saw another news clip on the “Today” show this morning regarding this device. I believe it’s called the “TECHNO-TATTLETALE” and Regal Cinemas is trying it out. You can press buttons for picture problems, sounds problems or disruptive people problems.
AIAlvarez, I hear you. But as much as I love owning DVD’s, in a way, I think the ease and the speed at which one can own their favorite movies has killed the movie-going experience. When I was a kid, my favorite movies like KING KONG, STAR WARS, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (remember the 1979 re-released PG version?) and GREASE somehow took on a more special meaning when they were periodically re-released in movie theaters over a period of several years before eventually ending up on HBO and then broadcast television.
It was only a few years ago that what seemed like one last attempt at a theatrical double feature was made, when I saw an add for HOSTAGE and SIN CITY on the same bill.
As for GRINDHOUSE, I’ll give it a look when it becomes available through Netflix.
Irv, I feel just as you do. I miss the days of Cinema Village revivals. I saw classic films like BREATHLESS, the original Japanese version of GODZILLA, Fellini’s 8 ½ and a festival of Bugs Bunny cartoons!
Apparently, there is a new device that one or more theater chains are trying called the “TECHNO-TATTLER” which a movie-going audience member can use to silently alert the theater manager during a movie if someone is behaving in an inconsiderate manner.
FINALLY, SOME OF US WILL STRIKE BACK!!!
Does anyone have any additional information about this device?
The only movie I ever saw at The Sutton was THE FULL MONTY in 1997.
Just thought I’d add these two “list” thoughts…
Popular 1977 films when STAR WARS was released:
Popular 1977 summer films after STAR WARS was released:
I was ten years-old when STAR WARS opened in May of 1977. I was completely unaware of its opening or what kind of a film it was. I was still standing around waiting for the remake of KING KONG to be re-released so I could see it again. I remember a friend asking me if I wanted to go see STAR WARS with him. Because I knew nothing about it, I said no and told him I’d rather see FOR THE LOVE OF BENJI instead because Benji was already a familiar movie character (What in heaven’s name could I have been thinking????).
About a month later, my dad told me he was taking me and my little brother to go see it. We went to see it at the theater in East Hampton, Long Island. To make a long story short, I’ve been hooked for the last 30 years!
Thanks LM! The capitol letters have finally triumphed!
I grew up in Great Neck from 1979 to 1993 and I live there again now on South Middle Neck Road. I still go to the Squire once in a while (my last movie there was LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA), but it’s definately not what it once was. Too many chopped-up theaters.
I seem to recall that the last movie that played there when it was a single screen was THE VERDICT in 1982.
I, too, remember when RETURN OF THE JEDI opened there in 1983. Saw it two days after it opened and the theater was packed to the rim. I can still remember screaming, cheering kids during the battle of Endor.
Would you believe I’ve been a summer resident of Westhampton Beach since 1977 and have NEVER seen a movie at this theater? The fact of the matter is that it was always too far of a drive and the movie times were often limited. I’m glad to see it’s still open, though.
Now, about those infamous SAG HARBOUR letter on the front facade of the building – I take it from the recent photos that they are back in their proper place? There was a much-publisized battle going on over the future of those letter which, I believe, was being led by Roy Scheider’s wife.
I was there recently to see THE NAMESAKE and a revival of CITIZEN KANE. Back when it was mainstream Hollywood films, I saw titles like THE UNTOUCHABLES, BACK TO THE FUTURE-PART III and TOTAL RECALL. I’m glad to see they haven’t closed up this theater (yet!).