Nice to see a movie theatre named after the famous Italian film, but the descripton has a factual error. In that film there was no “church turned movie house.” It was a Sicilian village cinema and presumably built as a cinema, unlike its Fort Lauderdale namesake. True, there is a priest who oversees the “censoring” of the films for the townspeople, until the place burns, a new owner takes over, and the priest has no more censorship privileges. But there is nothing in the screenplay about its ever having been a church.
Yes, I would like to see photos of all those theatres. Do either of you remember the Broadway? I posted it a while ago but as of now there are no comments. Look here.
Yes, I myself did. I remember seeing Rossellini’s “Francesco, giullare di Dio” there as well as Marcel Hanoun’s “Une simple histoire” and Dziga Vertov’s “Three Songs of Lenin.” Awesome place!
No popcorn. Whispering was anathema.
When the Anthology Film Archives had its showings at this theatre, the theatre itself was known as the “The Invisible Cinema,” according to this article on the origins of Anthology. Here is a photo of that theatre interior with the all-black, side-partitioned seating to avoid distractions and enable total concentration on the movie. When this became the Public/Little Theatre regular seating was substituted.
Although I didn’t see these two movies when they played the Art in October 1959, since I was away at school, the double bill is probably one of the oddest (and best) bits of programming that ever came there. “Strangers” by Roberto Rossellini is also known as “Viaggio in Italia” or “Voyage to Italy” and was a major influence on the French New Wave directors. Some critics, especially the French ones, rank it among the best films of all time. “Strange Deception” is really “Il Cristo Proibito” or “Forbidden Christ” and was directed by Curzio Malaparte, his only film. Both films were shown ALMOST NOWHERE. Both are available on video today, but what a unique experience, if you really like movies, to have seen them both in 35mm prints! I am sure that, sadly, the program bombed completely.
Here is a photograph I took of the Palladium (E.M. Loew’s) not too long ago.
Here is a photo I took of the Strand a while back. It includes the length of the auditorium along the exterior.
Here is a photo of the Orpheum which I took in 2001.
Here is a photo I took of the State Palace in 2001.
Here is a photo I took of the Saenger in 2001.
I saw the film “Himalaya” here in August 2001. This seemed to be the only art house in the city and as such must be indispensable.
Nice to see a movie theatre named after the famous Italian film, but the descripton has a factual error. In that film there was no “church turned movie house.” It was a Sicilian village cinema and presumably built as a cinema, unlike its Fort Lauderdale namesake. True, there is a priest who oversees the “censoring” of the films for the townspeople, until the place burns, a new owner takes over, and the priest has no more censorship privileges. But there is nothing in the screenplay about its ever having been a church.
Here is a photo of the Joy and its impressive marquee. I took the picture in August 2001.
Here is a photo of the Vogue which I took in 1998 when I went there to see “Saving Private Ryan.”
Here’s a nice old postcard of the Colonial, mailed in 1914.
I remember as a child being driven by there. Never visited. Perhaps a photo will turn up.
Here are two recent photos I took of the Royal. ONE TWO
Yes, I would like to see photos of all those theatres. Do either of you remember the Broadway? I posted it a while ago but as of now there are no comments. Look here.
Read a reflection on the Orpheum and the lost Olympia in this letter to the editor .
Read a reflection on the lost Olympia and words about the still-existing Orpheum in this article .
Is this photo of the Lyric from 1936 of the same theatre under discussion here?
Here is an old postcard showing the Empire Theatre. Check also news on the Empire about the theatre’s imminent demolition.
Is the Keith’s in thisold postcard the theatre that became the Victory? The card has a 1906 date on it.
This old postcard shows the State in 1939 or so. The film on the marquee is “Love Affair” with Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer.
Yes, I myself did. I remember seeing Rossellini’s “Francesco, giullare di Dio” there as well as Marcel Hanoun’s “Une simple histoire” and Dziga Vertov’s “Three Songs of Lenin.” Awesome place!
No popcorn. Whispering was anathema.
Here’s another old postcard showing the Empire, slightly different from the first one posted by TC.
When the Anthology Film Archives had its showings at this theatre, the theatre itself was known as the “The Invisible Cinema,” according to this article on the origins of Anthology. Here is a photo of that theatre interior with the all-black, side-partitioned seating to avoid distractions and enable total concentration on the movie. When this became the Public/Little Theatre regular seating was substituted.
Sic transit gloria theatrorum.
Nice web photo here.
Although I didn’t see these two movies when they played the Art in October 1959, since I was away at school, the double bill is probably one of the oddest (and best) bits of programming that ever came there. “Strangers” by Roberto Rossellini is also known as “Viaggio in Italia” or “Voyage to Italy” and was a major influence on the French New Wave directors. Some critics, especially the French ones, rank it among the best films of all time. “Strange Deception” is really “Il Cristo Proibito” or “Forbidden Christ” and was directed by Curzio Malaparte, his only film. Both films were shown ALMOST NOWHERE. Both are available on video today, but what a unique experience, if you really like movies, to have seen them both in 35mm prints! I am sure that, sadly, the program bombed completely.