Re: the article on this theatre Mar 8, 2014 — “Remnants of Times Square’s Loew’s Mayfair Theater” When I was young this was called The DeMille Theatre and I saw many a roadshow film here. I never could figure out why it was just abandoned as a theatre. I’m assuming that since it was once a vaudeville house that it could be renovated into a legit Broadway theatre, If Disney could do it for the New Amsterdam then why not this house too?
This was the Bronx’s ‘Premiere Showcase’ Theatre. Exclusive UA first run films day/dating with Manhattan. First film: “The Road To Hong Kong” (1962) followed by “Birdman of Alcatraz”.
On November 1, 2013 this theatre will be re-named The BowTie Fine Arts Theatre and will become Rockland County’s theatre for art, independent and foreign films. This makes sense as, in addition to the nearby AMC Palisades Theatres, Regal Theatres is opening a new 12-plex in the Nanuet Mall. Nice alternative programming. Already been digitally converted.
If they are going to renovate they need to eliminate the upstairs Theatres There is zero access if you have any trouble climbing stairs. That is the main reason I stopped going there. I drove past today and there is just a closed sign at the box office. Nothing else. I can’t possibly imagine any other kind of business that could use this space.
I think optimist008 is jumping the gun. Alamo is not playing a few of the same films. It’s only one “2 Guns” and I personally think this is an anomaly. When it was the Movieland 6 there were enough films for both theatres and with the Alamo’s policy of also playing art films this shouldn’t happen again
With the Alamos, construction looks can be deceiving. The old Movieland in Yonkers looked for months as if nothing was happening and plans were abandoned. Then all of a sudden, like Christmas, it opened! And it’s beautiful! Don’t worry, it’ll be fine!
Good news. Alamo is having a pre-opening weekend Aug. 2, 3 and 4. It’s a run-thru for the staff. “Singin' in the Rain” @ $2 and all food is half price! I already have my tickets. Grand opening is the following week.
With the closing of the 61st & 2nd (BTW, a horrible theatre name) BowTie will have only one theatre in Manhattan (Chelsea). The Clearview theatre in Greenburgh is a nightmare. I hope BowTie does something here as it is the only convenient theatre showing foreign and indies exclusively. I was discreetly told by one of the employees that since the theatre does good biz being exclusive and “the only game in town” that Cablevision wasn’t going to improve it. I hate going there but I have no option. I’ve only been to a BowTie theatre once (in CT) and was impressed. Hope they do the right thing here.
I need to correct myself. I actually visited the theatre today to see “Ginger and Rosa” in their smaller screening room. It is actually only 16 seats (not 80 as documented in other places). Surprisingly they are large comfortable seats with footrests. And all digital. I also poked my head into the larger auditorium and it’s lovely! I hadn’t been there in years but I will be going back.
I remember back in the 1960’s (prior to first run films opening on 3,000 screens) that United Artists started the then revolutionary “Premiere Showcase” A new first run film would open in one or two theatres in each market (here in the Bronx it was the Luxor). Now I have to shlep to Manhattan and pay upwards of $14 to see a limited release movie because we don’t even know if the film will go to other theatres (we have two terrible art theatres in Westchester but it’s pot luck what will play. Never caught “Robot and Frank”, “Jiro Loves Sushi”, “Last Quartet” or “English Vinglish”. When something does play there are always lines. Thank godness we’re getting an Alamo Drafthouse in a few months.
For a time this theatre was used to show TV pilots and tested with the public. I think it was the mid-60’s I went a couple of times. Only pilot I even remotely recall was some terrible comedy with Bette Davis as an interior decorator.
The ad at the top of this page is the original Loew’s State after it was refurbished in 1959. The Sony State Theatres had a simple marquee under the Virgin Megastore sign. I went there a few times. Always empty. Kinda sad.
The opening attractions in it’s initial incarnation in 1971 were “Kidnapped” with Michael Caine and “The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight”. I was there the first day to see the latter. Love the smell of a new theatre, freshly laid carpet, no musty pospcorn odors yet.
jeffg718’s photo should be at the top of this entry. Not some obscure street view. (Too many of these on the site)
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7r9g5/europetheatre/
Fred…I don’t know if you’re in that area but I’m so looking forward to this, especially after seeing their PSAs. As of now, the only theatres showing ‘specialty fare’ is the Bronxville Triplex (where there is zero parking) and the god-awful Cinema 100 Greenburgh. I just hope their pricing policy is more in line with Westchester County than Manhattan ($14 and up)
Something, or should I say nothing is going on over here. The Alamo website says the theatre should be open in time for the 2102 holiday season. As of yesterday when I drove by there was nothing being done. Not even a sign or notice of anything happening. Have the plans been scrapped? Hope not. I hear only great things about the Alamos!
I hadn’t been to this theatre in years but went recently as they had the Fanthom Event of “Frankenstein” and “Bride of Frankenstein”. Place seemed to be in pretty good shape. thebrat is correct about avoiding theatres 11-12-13. Very poorly designed chopped up auditorium. Problem is you never know which theatre is playing your film until after you get inside. Now I ask.
Re: the article on this theatre Mar 8, 2014 — “Remnants of Times Square’s Loew’s Mayfair Theater” When I was young this was called The DeMille Theatre and I saw many a roadshow film here. I never could figure out why it was just abandoned as a theatre. I’m assuming that since it was once a vaudeville house that it could be renovated into a legit Broadway theatre, If Disney could do it for the New Amsterdam then why not this house too?
What an apt description. One of the more boring NA cookie cutter theatres. Nothing special here…except for the parking.
I went here once a few years back to see “Run, Lola, Run”. What an awful experience. Very gloomy and that damn subway rumbling. Never went back.
This was my neighborhood theatre to catch American-International films. Yeah, saw all the Beach Party films here. RIP Annette!
This was the Bronx’s ‘Premiere Showcase’ Theatre. Exclusive UA first run films day/dating with Manhattan. First film: “The Road To Hong Kong” (1962) followed by “Birdman of Alcatraz”.
This is the theatre where I saw my first James Bond movies! Double feature of Dr. No and From Russia With Love in 1964.
On November 1, 2013 this theatre will be re-named The BowTie Fine Arts Theatre and will become Rockland County’s theatre for art, independent and foreign films. This makes sense as, in addition to the nearby AMC Palisades Theatres, Regal Theatres is opening a new 12-plex in the Nanuet Mall. Nice alternative programming. Already been digitally converted.
If they are going to renovate they need to eliminate the upstairs Theatres There is zero access if you have any trouble climbing stairs. That is the main reason I stopped going there. I drove past today and there is just a closed sign at the box office. Nothing else. I can’t possibly imagine any other kind of business that could use this space.
I think optimist008 is jumping the gun. Alamo is not playing a few of the same films. It’s only one “2 Guns” and I personally think this is an anomaly. When it was the Movieland 6 there were enough films for both theatres and with the Alamo’s policy of also playing art films this shouldn’t happen again
With the Alamos, construction looks can be deceiving. The old Movieland in Yonkers looked for months as if nothing was happening and plans were abandoned. Then all of a sudden, like Christmas, it opened! And it’s beautiful! Don’t worry, it’ll be fine!
Good news. Alamo is having a pre-opening weekend Aug. 2, 3 and 4. It’s a run-thru for the staff. “Singin' in the Rain” @ $2 and all food is half price! I already have my tickets. Grand opening is the following week.
With the closing of the 61st & 2nd (BTW, a horrible theatre name) BowTie will have only one theatre in Manhattan (Chelsea). The Clearview theatre in Greenburgh is a nightmare. I hope BowTie does something here as it is the only convenient theatre showing foreign and indies exclusively. I was discreetly told by one of the employees that since the theatre does good biz being exclusive and “the only game in town” that Cablevision wasn’t going to improve it. I hate going there but I have no option. I’ve only been to a BowTie theatre once (in CT) and was impressed. Hope they do the right thing here.
I need to correct myself. I actually visited the theatre today to see “Ginger and Rosa” in their smaller screening room. It is actually only 16 seats (not 80 as documented in other places). Surprisingly they are large comfortable seats with footrests. And all digital. I also poked my head into the larger auditorium and it’s lovely! I hadn’t been there in years but I will be going back.
Description should be changed to “2 screens” as the 80 seater is open.
I remember back in the 1960’s (prior to first run films opening on 3,000 screens) that United Artists started the then revolutionary “Premiere Showcase” A new first run film would open in one or two theatres in each market (here in the Bronx it was the Luxor). Now I have to shlep to Manhattan and pay upwards of $14 to see a limited release movie because we don’t even know if the film will go to other theatres (we have two terrible art theatres in Westchester but it’s pot luck what will play. Never caught “Robot and Frank”, “Jiro Loves Sushi”, “Last Quartet” or “English Vinglish”. When something does play there are always lines. Thank godness we’re getting an Alamo Drafthouse in a few months.
For a time this theatre was used to show TV pilots and tested with the public. I think it was the mid-60’s I went a couple of times. Only pilot I even remotely recall was some terrible comedy with Bette Davis as an interior decorator.
Now THAT’S the Loew’s State 4! Thanks for the fix!
The ad at the top of this page is the original Loew’s State after it was refurbished in 1959. The Sony State Theatres had a simple marquee under the Virgin Megastore sign. I went there a few times. Always empty. Kinda sad.
The opening attractions in it’s initial incarnation in 1971 were “Kidnapped” with Michael Caine and “The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight”. I was there the first day to see the latter. Love the smell of a new theatre, freshly laid carpet, no musty pospcorn odors yet.
jeffg718’s photo should be at the top of this entry. Not some obscure street view. (Too many of these on the site) http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7r9g5/europetheatre/
And yet…it’s still open! YAY!
Fred…I don’t know if you’re in that area but I’m so looking forward to this, especially after seeing their PSAs. As of now, the only theatres showing ‘specialty fare’ is the Bronxville Triplex (where there is zero parking) and the god-awful Cinema 100 Greenburgh. I just hope their pricing policy is more in line with Westchester County than Manhattan ($14 and up)
Opps. I obviously meant 2012. Thanks Fred for the update
Something, or should I say nothing is going on over here. The Alamo website says the theatre should be open in time for the 2102 holiday season. As of yesterday when I drove by there was nothing being done. Not even a sign or notice of anything happening. Have the plans been scrapped? Hope not. I hear only great things about the Alamos!
I hadn’t been to this theatre in years but went recently as they had the Fanthom Event of “Frankenstein” and “Bride of Frankenstein”. Place seemed to be in pretty good shape. thebrat is correct about avoiding theatres 11-12-13. Very poorly designed chopped up auditorium. Problem is you never know which theatre is playing your film until after you get inside. Now I ask.