I found a conflicting 1962 Variety story that says seating went from 5400 to 3662 in 1959 and down to 1552 in 1962. Half the balcony and a third of the loge were eliminated.
It went from 5230 to 4400 for Cinerama in 1962 (“The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm”)according to Variety. When “2001” opened in April 1968, the theatre was already targeted for demolition that September.
Yes, the location is still a problem, but it an also offer blockbusters multiple screens and showtimes. That is how the Ziegfeld lost out to the 42nd street locations.
Each deal is different, but the landlord will rarely contribute anything unless they are trying to get a lease renewal. The opposite might be the case here.
Perhaps an upper floor multiplex can replace it as part of the deal. Three screens is tough economics these days in Manhattan in an area with an ageing population and newer competition even if it once was the prime movie-going block in the city.
bigjoe59, the building was being used as a storage facility. Cinemex is doing a complete remodel and will be in putting in digital projectors, recliners and food service to seats. With five or six more screens in the area, the Cinema 1,2,3 and the Beekman’s total five screens will now have to share product in the zone with a newer and better facility. The last time Cineplex Odeon opened there it was just another out of the way multiplex in an over-screened zone. (The plan to close the Baronet/Cornet & Beekman was delayed for years.) Now the Cinema 1,2,3 will have to pay 2017 rent with less product and inferior older facilities.
Once Cinemex re-opens at Clearview’s First & 62nd we may see some movement here. Right now they can get their pick of the top films without much competition.
Yes, that was the Claridge Hotel. But by 1969 when “PAINT YOUR WAGON” opened on a Roadshow basis at the State Two, “MIDNIGHT COWBOY” was already showing the world what Times square had become and by January 1970 Loews State would be showing Swedish porn “WITHOUT A STITCH” on Twin One while these hotels were still operating.
“…the large auditorium of the City Cinemas 1,2,3, is a historic, showplace…”
I know where you are coming from HowardBHaas, but isn’t it ironic that this screen was once considered by Variety as ‘an intimate art house sure-seater’.
Don’t forget the TLC Chinese (no longer Grauman’s) on Hollywood Boulevard or the IFC (no longer Waverly) in Greenwich Village. At least they are still there.
Ed LaPidus, stagehand at the Ziegfeld, could get that done. Don’t ask how. He never actually did anything, but he got paid every week. This scraggly mess of a man often escorted stars down the red carpet at the Ziegfeld. I never quite understood his position. Stagehand Union politics.
Cinemasoul, this theatre is not closing for lack of business.
I found a conflicting 1962 Variety story that says seating went from 5400 to 3662 in 1959 and down to 1552 in 1962. Half the balcony and a third of the loge were eliminated.
It went from 5230 to 4400 for Cinerama in 1962 (“The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm”)according to Variety. When “2001” opened in April 1968, the theatre was already targeted for demolition that September.
Yes, the location is still a problem, but it an also offer blockbusters multiple screens and showtimes. That is how the Ziegfeld lost out to the 42nd street locations.
Each deal is different, but the landlord will rarely contribute anything unless they are trying to get a lease renewal. The opposite might be the case here.
Perhaps an upper floor multiplex can replace it as part of the deal. Three screens is tough economics these days in Manhattan in an area with an ageing population and newer competition even if it once was the prime movie-going block in the city.
bigjoe59, the building was being used as a storage facility. Cinemex is doing a complete remodel and will be in putting in digital projectors, recliners and food service to seats. With five or six more screens in the area, the Cinema 1,2,3 and the Beekman’s total five screens will now have to share product in the zone with a newer and better facility. The last time Cineplex Odeon opened there it was just another out of the way multiplex in an over-screened zone. (The plan to close the Baronet/Cornet & Beekman was delayed for years.) Now the Cinema 1,2,3 will have to pay 2017 rent with less product and inferior older facilities.
Once Cinemex re-opens at Clearview’s First & 62nd we may see some movement here. Right now they can get their pick of the top films without much competition.
Eisner wanted just that. Drabinsky did not.
I think you mean “Daddy’s Gone A-Hunting” and that was summer of 1969. The summer of love.
Shouldn’t you credit TCM for this information?
Shouldn’t you credit TCM for this information?
Yes, that was the Claridge Hotel. But by 1969 when “PAINT YOUR WAGON” opened on a Roadshow basis at the State Two, “MIDNIGHT COWBOY” was already showing the world what Times square had become and by January 1970 Loews State would be showing Swedish porn “WITHOUT A STITCH” on Twin One while these hotels were still operating.
I don’t think the tearing down of these theatres lead to the descent of Times Square into vice, but rather the other way around.
davidcoppock, unlike other chains, UA theatres were never aligned to any particular distributor in New York City and never had many locations.
There is an interior photo on page six.
“…the large auditorium of the City Cinemas 1,2,3, is a historic, showplace…”
I know where you are coming from HowardBHaas, but isn’t it ironic that this screen was once considered by Variety as ‘an intimate art house sure-seater’.
Also, the Cineplex Odeon takeover was in 1987 not 1978.
Hmmn. Can you tell how you see that from that muddy pic?
Three screens in 1971. Four from 1972 to 1985.
The R rated “ALL THAT JAZZ” opened in late 1979 and may have screened at RCMH.
No mention here of the West End musical version of “Mrs. Henderson Presents”. I love this theatre’s history.
Don’t forget the TLC Chinese (no longer Grauman’s) on Hollywood Boulevard or the IFC (no longer Waverly) in Greenwich Village. At least they are still there.
Ed LaPidus, stagehand at the Ziegfeld, could get that done. Don’t ask how. He never actually did anything, but he got paid every week. This scraggly mess of a man often escorted stars down the red carpet at the Ziegfeld. I never quite understood his position. Stagehand Union politics.
http://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/26/style/the-man-who-rolls-out-the-red-carpet.html
How did this get in here?