much improved 2014 rendering (though I’d rather than original theater have stayed)–
https://www.citmagazine.com/article/1228193/leicester-square-odeon-cinema-demolished-new-hotel
I do know not what is more outrageous, London’s flagship, premiere movie theater not using any tabs/curtains or anyone thinking moviegoers will pay what CF100 reports above, per seats.
Last I asked Vue West End staff, which was 2 or 3 years ago, “tabs” (curtains) & masking/matting, might be used in screens 5,6,7. Last 2 times I saw movies in aud 2, which was in 2012-13, no curtain was used, no masking- the scope movie was letterboxed. As a visitor, I’m not eager to pay top prices for such a presentation. I’ve always been in awe of this Odeon, and seen more movies in recent years (except this year as it was being gutted) and hope for masking & curtain to be used.
I saw Stealing Beauty and The Dreamers at the Beekman when they were issued. https://variety.com/2018/film/global/bernardo-bertolucci-dead-dies-director-the-last-emperor-1203036077/
Last month, I saw that the Mens toilets had been totally redone & were nice looking. Staff said they had been redone about 4 months prior to my visit. I don’t recall that the downstairs foyer or the ground floor space had changed. I enjoyed 2 classic movies, An American Werewolf in London (DCP) & Death Line (1972, 35mm), both perfect for this visitor from the States. As to the prior comment, I enjoyed better the sightlines from the balcony/circle, which had been open during weekday matinees, and alas is now the 2nd screen. I do have my favorite vantage point in the stalls, about the 10th row from the screen. I’ve not seen a movie in the upstairs auditorium.
Website identifies the 3 films for Jan, Feb, March, on Friday eves at 8 PM, each in 35mm, for only $5 each with 30 minutes of organ playing before, and free popcorn. Jan 25, The Breakfast Club, Feb 15, Pretty Woman, March 8, The Karate Kid. Of course, check website for any changes.
I’m glad to see the ladies on the side walls. I would hope for use of curtains (tabs) & masking/matting. The AMC Lincoln Square (New York City) page indicates recent conversion (by Odeon’s owner AMC) of non historic but ornate “Loews” auditorium so that all ornate decoration has been removed from that auditorium, and installed is a “floating screen” with “flat” movies simply letterboxed, not masked/matted.
Thanks, pl86. the Godfather would’ve been 35mm. I’d be eager if you dug thru old files for the classic 70mm screenings. That explains where that 1990s 70mm (blow up) of The Wild Bunch was. That huge screen & wonderful ornate auditorium, which used its curtain when it opened, would’ve been a great place for epic 70mm movies.
Will stay independent, not be part of Curzon, because people want it independent! https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/nov/03/protests-prompt-phoenix-cinema-to-drop-curzon-takeover
I saw movies when it was a single screener sitting in both stalls & balcony/circle, and agree with Lionel as to his commments. I preferred the sightlines from the balcony. I’ve since seen more movies in the main floor auditorium, finding the rows I like most there. There are still 70mm presentations including currently 2001 and Die Hard.
article about conversion to office space. The rendering show 2 statues on the exterior will reappear.https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/construction-work-begins-on-40m-redevelopment-of-leeds-city-centre-landmark-1-9006462
another article about the great news!
https://www.savebritainsheritage.org/campaigns/item/526/Listing-success-Historic-cinema-in-Londons-West-End-is-celebrated-and-protected-through-listing
For some months, there’s been a once a week evening classic. I’m told by a friend who attended that last night’s Young Frankenstein was packed, the large auditorium # 1 filled except 1st 3 rows. These are shown as theatrical quality 2 k.
Yes, I’d see First Man in 70mm Imax somewhere, but since only digital Imax, I doubt I will spend the extra ticket cost. More likely I will see it in a movie theater in scope, not in an Imax.
There is a “locked” article today at Phila. Business Journal where renderings (free to see) indicate plan to change name to Philadelphia Film Center (with wording on the main facade as Midtown wording used to be) & to change raised upper section of main auditorium into 2 more auditoriums with screens, so that together with ex ballroom auditorium, the building will have 4 screens.
yep, retail sounds sad for this space! article –
Stillman Development will be responsible for the $100 million project, and has signed a 73-year lease for the space, which will be reconceived as a multi-floor retail space.
The extensive renovation plan is set to incorporate elements of the theatre’s original design, and will preserve the original proscenium, dome, and boxes.
The plans also include restoration of architectural features and will lift the property façade by five feet, which will result in higher ceilings on the ground floor. Developers have also planned to construct a two story glass box and outdoor space on the property.
According to reports, the developers hope to appeal to “entertainment-focused retailers”.
The property has changed hands a number of times over the years, most recently having been leased to an entertainment and multimedia company based in Singapore. In 2014, a deal fell through for the much-discussed Broadway 4D project.
Developers estimate that the project will take at least two years to complete.
short article with the relevant parts sounding way better than the wrecking ball mentioned as a possibility in recent comment:
sources told The Post, the theater with 100 feet of sidewalk frontage has been leased to Oracle Projects International, a Singapore-based producer and designer of technology-driven entertainment and multimedia events.
Oracle Special Projects says it specializes in “delivering complete customized turnkey solutions for world-class special events, permanent installations and landmark attractions around the world.” It says its “proprietary 360-degree Video Project Dome venues” have “revolutionized the events and entertainment sphere.”
Ah, the 4th paragraph here says the 2.89 is letterboxed http://www.in70mm.com/news/2008/west_digital/index.htm
I’m no expert on Cinerama so can’t say for sure.
“amorphous blob” (to quote above) 2008 rendering- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/coming-soon-movies-in-the-odeon-basement-6830391.html
much improved 2014 rendering (though I’d rather than original theater have stayed)– https://www.citmagazine.com/article/1228193/leicester-square-odeon-cinema-demolished-new-hotel
I do know not what is more outrageous, London’s flagship, premiere movie theater not using any tabs/curtains or anyone thinking moviegoers will pay what CF100 reports above, per seats.
Last I asked Vue West End staff, which was 2 or 3 years ago, “tabs” (curtains) & masking/matting, might be used in screens 5,6,7. Last 2 times I saw movies in aud 2, which was in 2012-13, no curtain was used, no masking- the scope movie was letterboxed. As a visitor, I’m not eager to pay top prices for such a presentation. I’ve always been in awe of this Odeon, and seen more movies in recent years (except this year as it was being gutted) and hope for masking & curtain to be used.
I saw Stealing Beauty and The Dreamers at the Beekman when they were issued. https://variety.com/2018/film/global/bernardo-bertolucci-dead-dies-director-the-last-emperor-1203036077/
Last month, I saw that the Mens toilets had been totally redone & were nice looking. Staff said they had been redone about 4 months prior to my visit. I don’t recall that the downstairs foyer or the ground floor space had changed. I enjoyed 2 classic movies, An American Werewolf in London (DCP) & Death Line (1972, 35mm), both perfect for this visitor from the States. As to the prior comment, I enjoyed better the sightlines from the balcony/circle, which had been open during weekday matinees, and alas is now the 2nd screen. I do have my favorite vantage point in the stalls, about the 10th row from the screen. I’ve not seen a movie in the upstairs auditorium.
Website identifies the 3 films for Jan, Feb, March, on Friday eves at 8 PM, each in 35mm, for only $5 each with 30 minutes of organ playing before, and free popcorn. Jan 25, The Breakfast Club, Feb 15, Pretty Woman, March 8, The Karate Kid. Of course, check website for any changes.
I’m glad to see the ladies on the side walls. I would hope for use of curtains (tabs) & masking/matting. The AMC Lincoln Square (New York City) page indicates recent conversion (by Odeon’s owner AMC) of non historic but ornate “Loews” auditorium so that all ornate decoration has been removed from that auditorium, and installed is a “floating screen” with “flat” movies simply letterboxed, not masked/matted.
Thanks, pl86. the Godfather would’ve been 35mm. I’d be eager if you dug thru old files for the classic 70mm screenings. That explains where that 1990s 70mm (blow up) of The Wild Bunch was. That huge screen & wonderful ornate auditorium, which used its curtain when it opened, would’ve been a great place for epic 70mm movies.
Which classic movies were shown in 70mm in the huge Loews auditorium?
Will stay independent, not be part of Curzon, because people want it independent! https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/nov/03/protests-prompt-phoenix-cinema-to-drop-curzon-takeover
I saw movies when it was a single screener sitting in both stalls & balcony/circle, and agree with Lionel as to his commments. I preferred the sightlines from the balcony. I’ve since seen more movies in the main floor auditorium, finding the rows I like most there. There are still 70mm presentations including currently 2001 and Die Hard.
article about conversion to office space. The rendering show 2 statues on the exterior will reappear.https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/construction-work-begins-on-40m-redevelopment-of-leeds-city-centre-landmark-1-9006462
article about name change https://www.redbankgreen.com/2018/10/red-bank-basie-marquee/
I only think of movies as “letterboxed” if they are not matted/masked, in which case I won’t return!
The decorated Loews auditorium’s screen dimensions are in the intro above.
another article about the great news! https://www.savebritainsheritage.org/campaigns/item/526/Listing-success-Historic-cinema-in-Londons-West-End-is-celebrated-and-protected-through-listing
So that’s where those Trust scenes were filmed! Thank you.
For some months, there’s been a once a week evening classic. I’m told by a friend who attended that last night’s Young Frankenstein was packed, the large auditorium # 1 filled except 1st 3 rows. These are shown as theatrical quality 2 k.
Yes, I’d see First Man in 70mm Imax somewhere, but since only digital Imax, I doubt I will spend the extra ticket cost. More likely I will see it in a movie theater in scope, not in an Imax.
MarkP, I hope they put the Newark letters back on after the film shoot!
There is a “locked” article today at Phila. Business Journal where renderings (free to see) indicate plan to change name to Philadelphia Film Center (with wording on the main facade as Midtown wording used to be) & to change raised upper section of main auditorium into 2 more auditoriums with screens, so that together with ex ballroom auditorium, the building will have 4 screens.
the marquee pictured in the linked article looks beautiful!
yep, retail sounds sad for this space! article – Stillman Development will be responsible for the $100 million project, and has signed a 73-year lease for the space, which will be reconceived as a multi-floor retail space.
The extensive renovation plan is set to incorporate elements of the theatre’s original design, and will preserve the original proscenium, dome, and boxes.
The plans also include restoration of architectural features and will lift the property façade by five feet, which will result in higher ceilings on the ground floor. Developers have also planned to construct a two story glass box and outdoor space on the property.
According to reports, the developers hope to appeal to “entertainment-focused retailers”.
The property has changed hands a number of times over the years, most recently having been leased to an entertainment and multimedia company based in Singapore. In 2014, a deal fell through for the much-discussed Broadway 4D project.
Developers estimate that the project will take at least two years to complete.
short article with the relevant parts sounding way better than the wrecking ball mentioned as a possibility in recent comment:
sources told The Post, the theater with 100 feet of sidewalk frontage has been leased to Oracle Projects International, a Singapore-based producer and designer of technology-driven entertainment and multimedia events. Oracle Special Projects says it specializes in “delivering complete customized turnkey solutions for world-class special events, permanent installations and landmark attractions around the world.” It says its “proprietary 360-degree Video Project Dome venues” have “revolutionized the events and entertainment sphere.”
Ah, the 4th paragraph here says the 2.89 is letterboxed http://www.in70mm.com/news/2008/west_digital/index.htm I’m no expert on Cinerama so can’t say for sure.