I think MBD is referring to the original Theatre One, which was chopped up sometime after 1983 (I don’t know when, but it was after Return of the Jedi and before Blue Velvet).
I’m pretty sure JeffS was being sarcastic about the “newer = better” mentality. If they fixed up the Tenplex (mostly by restoring Theatre One to its original size), it would be a “showplace”.
Go to this page: http://www.investor.amctheatres.com/releases.cfm and you’ll see a couple of corporate phone numbers in the communications department. I’m sure that if your potential tenant calls, they will direct his call to the appropriate department. If they haven’t yet removed any of the equipment or seats, he could be in good shape. If they have removed them, it will be much more costly to re-equip (figure a half million for used equipment and used seats).
As for knowing it was closing, I’m not sure where I first heard of it. We in the theater business heard about it as soon as they began negotiating years agao to construct the new facility, since that affects the ability to book films in the area. I can’t imagine that it was never discussed at any of the planning board meetings and reported on.
Actually, it should be simple (depending how much money you can raise). Assuming AMC still holds the lease, why not approach them about sub-leasing it? If it’s a potential money-maker (come up with a good business plan that doesn’t involve first-run or second run, though), you should be able to raise the funds. If they can generate a small income (enough to cover property taxes, etc.) from a rental for the time left on their lease, they might do it.
News of its closing was first talked about at least three years ago. I’m not sure why people think it was a secret.
The sound system may be the same, but the room is certainly different now, hence the different sound. When was the last time it was EQ’d?
Also, DTS runs off CD-ROM discs (synchronized via time code printed on the 35mm film) and not DVDs and is generally more reliable than SDDS and on-par with Dolby Digital. Yes, none of the digital formats sound as good as magnetic.
Christopher -
A second run operator would not be able to get Pirates in 3-4 weeks at the Tenplex. They would not be able to get it until the AMC Garden State dropped all of their prints of it, which is probably 10 weeks minimum. Disney and the other studios make it very difficult for second run theatres in this area, because bookings in the county are on a distance basis by location. That’s why the Route 17 Triplex and the Route 4 Tenplex could never show the same film at the same time. That’s why the Cedar Lane Cinemas could not get a second run film until it left the Tenplex completely.
I think Christopher is objecting to Justin’s use of “demolished this weekend”, whereas the place is simply closing instead. Who knows how long it will be until it’s actually demolished.
What films could play there if it re-opened in the future? All Hollywood first-run product will go to AMC Garden State (and can’t play both locations) and art house fare (which has very limited print availabilty) will continue to go to Tenafly and the Cedar Lane in Teaneck.
Too many variables without knowing where you are located.
Your best bet is to go the forums over at www.bigscreenbiz.com and read, read, read. Then ask those folks questions; the posters run theatres of all sizes and shapes.
The auditorium was totally flooded out again, destroying all the temporary renovations and the organ console (the upper and outer lobby are okay). Rumor has it that this time they will be renovating the auditorium completely (and not just rebuilding the “black box”) with new side curtaining, new seats, etc. Sadly, nothing can be done about flooding in that area.
It wasn’t Rich Little, it was an actor by the name of Simon Prescott who did the missing dialog for Lee Van Cleef.
As far as I know, the only print that MGM circulates is the extended 187 minute version from 2003. We screened it at the Lafayette in 2003 and it’s a beauty.
Excellent story, Vito. I nearly got tossed from the Bergen Mall Theatre in Paramus, NJ for trying to do the same thing during a show! As someone who tries to have showmanship during my special presentations, I love reading your war stories of the days gone by.
Excellent story, Vito. I nearly got tossed from the Bergen Mall Theatre in Paramus, NJ for trying to do the same thing during a show! As someone who tries to have showmanship during my special presentations, I love reading your war stories of the days gone by.
According to Variety’s archive, the first week of the 1994 re-release of May Fair Lady did $18,764 at the Ziegfeld. That’s under $2700 a day, divide that by 3 shows a day and you had an average of about 150 a show for the week. Obviously, the night shows were more crowded and the daytime less so. When I saw a weekday matinee of it, there were around 50 people there. Compare that number with the 1989 Lawrence of Arabia re-release which did nearly $80,000 the first week.
I don’t know how the Ziegfeld in NYC survives but someone should run the National the same way. The Ziegfeld even runs “classic” films periodically. – posted by CinemaSightlines on Apr 18, 2007 at 5:45pm
Unfortunately, the Ziegfeld loses money, so I wouldn’t use it as a model for running the National.
It’s mid-town Manhattan, traffic means nothing. Of the 35 or so shows a week they run, I’d bet that fewer than 10 of them have any sort of crowd; I’ve been in there for weekend matinees 2 weeks into a run and there were 30 people inside. That’s why exclusive runs such as Dreamgirls make sense (except you need better films than Dreamgirls), but that’s not up to the theatre.
The best way to express your displeasure for the venues you dislike is to stay away, not steal from them.
Make sure you don’t complain when your favorite theatre closes since you don’t feel any guilt about stealing services from them by theatre hopping.
Bill,
I think MBD is referring to the original Theatre One, which was chopped up sometime after 1983 (I don’t know when, but it was after Return of the Jedi and before Blue Velvet).
…and lose a fortune :)
I’m pretty sure JeffS was being sarcastic about the “newer = better” mentality. If they fixed up the Tenplex (mostly by restoring Theatre One to its original size), it would be a “showplace”.
Christopher:
Go to this page: http://www.investor.amctheatres.com/releases.cfm and you’ll see a couple of corporate phone numbers in the communications department. I’m sure that if your potential tenant calls, they will direct his call to the appropriate department. If they haven’t yet removed any of the equipment or seats, he could be in good shape. If they have removed them, it will be much more costly to re-equip (figure a half million for used equipment and used seats).
As for knowing it was closing, I’m not sure where I first heard of it. We in the theater business heard about it as soon as they began negotiating years agao to construct the new facility, since that affects the ability to book films in the area. I can’t imagine that it was never discussed at any of the planning board meetings and reported on.
Actually, it should be simple (depending how much money you can raise). Assuming AMC still holds the lease, why not approach them about sub-leasing it? If it’s a potential money-maker (come up with a good business plan that doesn’t involve first-run or second run, though), you should be able to raise the funds. If they can generate a small income (enough to cover property taxes, etc.) from a rental for the time left on their lease, they might do it.
News of its closing was first talked about at least three years ago. I’m not sure why people think it was a secret.
The sound system may be the same, but the room is certainly different now, hence the different sound. When was the last time it was EQ’d?
Also, DTS runs off CD-ROM discs (synchronized via time code printed on the 35mm film) and not DVDs and is generally more reliable than SDDS and on-par with Dolby Digital. Yes, none of the digital formats sound as good as magnetic.
Christopher -
A second run operator would not be able to get Pirates in 3-4 weeks at the Tenplex. They would not be able to get it until the AMC Garden State dropped all of their prints of it, which is probably 10 weeks minimum. Disney and the other studios make it very difficult for second run theatres in this area, because bookings in the county are on a distance basis by location. That’s why the Route 17 Triplex and the Route 4 Tenplex could never show the same film at the same time. That’s why the Cedar Lane Cinemas could not get a second run film until it left the Tenplex completely.
I think Christopher is objecting to Justin’s use of “demolished this weekend”, whereas the place is simply closing instead. Who knows how long it will be until it’s actually demolished.
What films could play there if it re-opened in the future? All Hollywood first-run product will go to AMC Garden State (and can’t play both locations) and art house fare (which has very limited print availabilty) will continue to go to Tenafly and the Cedar Lane in Teaneck.
Too many variables without knowing where you are located.
Your best bet is to go the forums over at www.bigscreenbiz.com and read, read, read. Then ask those folks questions; the posters run theatres of all sizes and shapes.
Justin –
The Tenplex has to close, it was part of the deal with the town to get the new location constructed. Heaven and earth can not keep it open.
Strange article, the theatres were not rated for their presentation quality. Only a vague reference to digital projection at the Ziegfeld.
The auditorium was totally flooded out again, destroying all the temporary renovations and the organ console (the upper and outer lobby are okay). Rumor has it that this time they will be renovating the auditorium completely (and not just rebuilding the “black box”) with new side curtaining, new seats, etc. Sadly, nothing can be done about flooding in that area.
It wasn’t Rich Little, it was an actor by the name of Simon Prescott who did the missing dialog for Lee Van Cleef.
As far as I know, the only print that MGM circulates is the extended 187 minute version from 2003. We screened it at the Lafayette in 2003 and it’s a beauty.
The blue laws didn’t affect the other Paramus theatres, so they won’t affect this one either.
Looks like the re-release of Dirty Dancing is pushed back to August.
Excellent story, Vito. I nearly got tossed from the Bergen Mall Theatre in Paramus, NJ for trying to do the same thing during a show! As someone who tries to have showmanship during my special presentations, I love reading your war stories of the days gone by.
Excellent story, Vito. I nearly got tossed from the Bergen Mall Theatre in Paramus, NJ for trying to do the same thing during a show! As someone who tries to have showmanship during my special presentations, I love reading your war stories of the days gone by.
According to Variety’s archive, the first week of the 1994 re-release of May Fair Lady did $18,764 at the Ziegfeld. That’s under $2700 a day, divide that by 3 shows a day and you had an average of about 150 a show for the week. Obviously, the night shows were more crowded and the daytime less so. When I saw a weekday matinee of it, there were around 50 people there. Compare that number with the 1989 Lawrence of Arabia re-release which did nearly $80,000 the first week.
No, that linked story is about a fire in a Washington theatre showing the film.
I don’t know how the Ziegfeld in NYC survives but someone should run the National the same way. The Ziegfeld even runs “classic” films periodically. – posted by CinemaSightlines on Apr 18, 2007 at 5:45pm
Unfortunately, the Ziegfeld loses money, so I wouldn’t use it as a model for running the National.
Grindhouse is a financial disaster, they’re lucky they’re not running it.
It’s mid-town Manhattan, traffic means nothing. Of the 35 or so shows a week they run, I’d bet that fewer than 10 of them have any sort of crowd; I’ve been in there for weekend matinees 2 weeks into a run and there were 30 people inside. That’s why exclusive runs such as Dreamgirls make sense (except you need better films than Dreamgirls), but that’s not up to the theatre.
As far as I know, they are in the middle of a fairly long term lease.