Loew's Jersey Theatre
54 Journal Square,
Jersey City,
NJ
07306
54 Journal Square,
Jersey City,
NJ
07306
98 people
favorited this theater
Showing 551 - 575 of 1,509 comments
It amazes me how much hype goes into these weekends, then I read about all these projection problems. I know everyone here is volunteers, but I also know that up till a few years ago, there actually was a person who was a union projectionist running the films. After constantly banging his head against the wall with the people in charge, he left. Any wonder why the shows are the way they are? And to GabeDF, yes, carbons do get extremely hot. I know, because I ran them for the first 7 years I was in the union. I remember climbing those mountains, with film cans in arms. THOSE were great times. I would give anything to do carbons and changeovers again.
Agreed, Jimmy D., the masking at the top of the screen was incorrect for the film presented. Also I went on the tour of the Loew’s and when we were in the projection booth, I was pretty sure I saw more than 3 reels. I also strongly suspect that the intermission was presented at the end of the wrong reel.
But I’m not complaining…Despite the lackluster film presentation, Dennis James is a MASTER of the art of playing the organ FOR silent films. I have made this judgment after having heard him play only once. His playing is perfection defined.
Question: when were the lights under the marquee installed!? It is a wonderful effect and one I’ve been looking forward to for a long time.
Regarding the organ event this past weekend,
Friday night and Saturday afternoon’s concerts were a lot of fun. Didn’t make Sunday.
But Saturday night’s movie show – what happened? I’ve been to a bunch of Loews events and, aside from some minor stuff that you can expect from a theater that’s not open full time, they are usually good. Except for Dennis James' playing – which was spectacular – the rest of the film show was decidely sub-par. Missing the intermission point at the end of the third reel was a pretty bad error (you could tell the intermission was coming up as he was playing to a climax and they began to raise the organ lift). When the projectionist continued past the intermission point with the film, it took Dennis a good minute or so to find his other music book, start playing (trying to catch up), and the organ guys to lower the console again. Then as the film is moving towards its climax, the screen goes dark at a reel change and the ‘intermission’ happens. Again, Dennis was caught off guard but handled it as well as possible. Having that intermission incorrectly in that spot really did spoil the ending of the movie.
On the way out, I heard somebody from the organ society complaining loudly about the projection errors and I can’t say I blame him.
Looking forward to the Phantom show – my all-time favorite silent movie – and hoping for the best. I don’t want to sound too negative, but I so want these shows to be right.
I wrote to the Loews Jersey staff via their website about the problems with Saturday’s movie but didn;t hear back. I hope they read this note here (my first posting).
Alto – that doesn’t make sense. 35mm films are on 20 minute reels and that is how Loews normally shows them (I’ve been to enough shows there to recognized when they change from each projector). This was a 6 reel movie, and they incorrectly put an intermission at the end of the 5th reel instead of the end of the 3rd as Dennis most likely told them to. Another thing – why was the film image spilling on to the top black curtain? I’ve never seen that happen there previously.
I really can’t get that Dennis James/Lee Irwin “The Eagle” (Valentino) arrangement out of my head. This is my kind of music. It mixes classical and popular themes and just “takes one away” (being the romantic that I am).
This was played by James at the Loew’s Jersey on Saturday night (only this the Irwin recording):
http://www.gstos.org/twoia/twoia2.mp3
It may be sacrilege to say so, but James is better than Irwin was.
They could not have chosen a better piece to preface the silent movie at the Loew’s Jersey; and what better place to watch it than a 3,300 seat Italian Baroque cinema palace with a movable orchestra lift.
I am finally learning at just how high a plane these cinema palaces used to operate, artistically. I found the experience to be elevating in the best sense. Too bad the Great Depression had to go and ruin things. Going to the movies at a cracker box multiplex is NOT the same thing, by any means; and I choose to not do so, usually. Who needs it? On the other hand, I would have paid far more than I did for this last weekend’s events. There is “going to the multiplex” and then there is “going to the cinema—as it used to be” and still should be.
It’s not so much the granduer that gets to me as it is the quality of the presentation. “Did they know how to do certain things in the 1920s that we have forgotten how to do?” Certainly. “Who is educated enough today to understand this?” Far too few people, very sadly. Still it is a great feeling when just one person “gets it” and you see it in their eyes; and it is absolutely thrilling when hundreds of people around you “get it.” So I’m recovering from my whirlwind weekend — in Jersey City of all places (my home town—who would have believed it?).
One thing about Jersey City—we generally don’t knock down our precious landmarks. We will go out of our way to save them, and 90 percent of the time we succeed.
I am in utter and complete awe at what occurred at the Loew’s Jersey this weekend. If you would have told me in 1975 that this would happen someday, I would have laughed in your face. (In point of fact, I literally cried when the theatre lost its organ when it was multi-plexed).
I am in utter and complete amazement over this past weekend. Not in my wildest dreams…(and these were my wildest dreams).
The organ was like velvet no matter how loud or soft it got, Dennis James playing during the silent film was the best I have ever heard accompany a silent film (a true art form all its own), Eddington blew me away, and whatever that 2nd classical piece was that Lew Williams played sent me to heaven—and by the way—New York isn’t the only place now where you can see the orchestra pit travel up (or down) from the basement!
I was brave and climbed the “mountain” to the projection booth. I saw the transformers (and something called rectifiers) for the first time. Does the carbon arc really get to 6,000 celcius? Pretty amazing stuff! Boulevard Drinks is a lifesaver for a quick cup of coffee and a hotdog. Ralph doesn’t like Warren and Dubin!? You could have fooled me!
WHAT A WONDERful three days, that will long stand out in my memory as a truly special time. I will be there for the next organ concert in March, as well as many times before then, for the classic films.
First, I want to mention that I enjoyed the previous weekend’s Marlene Dietrich films.
“Wonder Weekend†was fantastic. The highlight for me was the silent film screening (“Flesh and the Devil†starring Greta Garbo) with live organ accompaniment by Dennis James â€" playing to an audience of approximately 400 film-lovers and theatre organ enthusiasts! The music, scored specifically for this screening, brilliantly complimented the film. The event brought in many new patrons as well as some of the “regularsâ€.
With regards to the comments about the awkward intermission, I am going to defend the projection crew on this one. The film was spread across THREE reels (and the last reel happened to be about only 30 minutes long) â€" therefore, the intermission could not occur exactly midway, or else it would require stopping in the middle of a reel (and stopping after the first reel would have been premature). At almost two hours length, the movie, in my opinion, was long enough to justify a break at some point, if for no other reason than to give the organist a rest! Other than the organist and a couple of patrons, nobody else seemed to notice or care, judging by the overall positive response of the audience.
Organist Ralph Ringstad performing with the Silver Starlite Orchestra on Sunday was a great finish to the weekend. GSTOS is already making plans for another organ concert (Sun., 8 Mar. 2009) (mentioned in the “Wonder Weekend†print program).
Meanwhile, just in time for Halloween, there is the much-anticipated screening of the 1925 silent classic “The Phantom of the Opera†with live organ music (Sat., 25 Oct. @ 8 p.m.) â€" that should be absolutely thrilling! In addition, other horror films that weekend include a Val Lewton double feature: 1942’s “Cat People†and 1945’s “The Body Snatcher†(Fri., 24 Oct. @ 8 p.m.).
Other coming attractions…
The UFO-themed “Culture of Contact†festival, featuring an 35mm print screening of the 1953 sci-fi classic “War of the Worlds†(Fri., 17 Oct. @ 9 p.m.).
Alternative rock band The Magnetic Fields in concert (Thu., 23 Oct. @ 8 p.m.). A crowd of 1500 is expected! (MANY volunteer ushers will be needed – interested parties should contact the theatre.)
Loew’s Jersey and Jersey City present their annual Halloween “Haunted Palace†(Fri. evening, 31 Oct.) â€" “trick-or-treat†goodie bags, live family entertainment and costume contests for kids of all ages. (Volunteer help wanted.)
…a VERY busy autumn at Loew’s Jersey!
I agree about the intermission. It was an odd place to stop the film, right in the middle of a scene. And the intermission didn’t even come in the “middle” of the film. It seemed to come about ¾’s of the way through the film. Very odd.
I have always found the film projection pretty iffy.
They spend so much time and effort to set up these presentations and about 50% of the time there are always problems.
Last week for Destry one of the projectors was out of focus and obviously no one on the staff saw it. It wasn’t much but the one projector was perfectly focused so I always wonder why nobody sees this.
I remember one time where they left out an entire reel and then played it after the movie.
With Flesh the film was started with the countdown. Not good.
But the thing that I really thought was amateurish is that they put in an intermission and there wasn’t even one.
Just because this was a roadshow doesn’t mean it had an intermission.
And even if they did there would have been a title card saying so.
So what did they do?
They turned off the projectors in the middle of a crucial scene!
It just went dead!
I doubt if even it had an intermission when it was first shown they
would have pulled the plug at this point in the movie.
As I said they have gone to so much work, an enormous amount of time, an incredible effort and I’m sure a lot of anguish as well to
make this great theater alive again.
It would be nice if after all this work the presentation of the movie was also top notch.
By the way the film was in very good condition and the accompianist was one of the best if not the best I have ever heard with a silent film. And I have heard a few.
Interesting his thoughts about Mr Irwin. Here is a case where the student boldy outshines his mentor.
Attended the Friday night buffet supper and the Jelani Eddington concert, both of which was an outstanding success. All the people from the Garden State Theater Organ Society and the Friends of the Loews should be congratulated for their endeavors in bringing back the “thunder of the Wonder”. Looking forward to future concerts.
I was out at the Loew’s for the FLESH AND THE DEVIL and things went pretty well. I’ve attended screenings here, off an on, since ‘01. I hadn’t been to a screening since November '06 and this screening seemed to be the most well-attended that I’ve been at. There was a big crowd on hand. Part of the reason for the big crowd, in addition to people like me tbere to see the film, were people affiliated with the Organ Society of New Jersey.
The bad news was the lime rickey machine at the luncheonette next was out of commission and I couldn’t get my lime rickey fix.
At the end of the month, the silent PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will also be screening.
How did the Wonder Weekend go? I know Dennis James was playing the Saturday night movie (we had him at the Lafayette a few years ago and he was terrific).
Ralph Ringstadt is at it again! Some more great videos of his performances at the Jersey are on YouTube. Just search on “ralph ringstadt” at Youtube to find five more video performances.
Loew’s Wonder Weekend…
http://loewsjersey.org/content/view/57/
http://www.gstos.org/ww/
The Loew’s Jersey organ will be rededicated from October 3 through 5.
As a part of the Weekend, “Flesh and the Devil” with Greta Garbo will be shown on the 50 foot wide screen with theatre organ accompaniment.
So be there or be square (Journal “Square”… Get it? Groan…“).
Seriously, this will be a truly historical musical event, and a great show. Don’t miss it.
The 2008-2009 classic film season opens with a weekend featuring one of my personal favorites – sultry cabaret singer and glam actress Marlene Dietrich!
26 Sept. (Friday)
8 p.m.: “Der Blaue Engel†(“The Blue Angelâ€) (1930, 1:46)
27 Sept. (Saturday)
7 p.m.: “Shanghai Express†(1932, 1:20)
9 p.m.: “Destry Rides Again†(1939, 1:34)
Gee, I wonder who was there at 9 A.M. for the first showing?!? Thanks.
I think in this instance the A & C is for Abbott & Costello. “A & C meet Frankenstein” sort of gives it away.
Based on swampdevil’s comment I gather that Bob Furmanek is an Abbott & Costello buff.
Swampdevil, what’s “A & C”? arthouse & classic films? or perhaps you’d explain what the abbreviation stands for………
What theatre in NYC was it that “A&C meet Frankenstein” premiered at back in, I think, 1948? I believe I’ve seen a photo of Karloff outside the theatre pointing at the poster.
Bobs knowledge and contributions to cinema treasures are second to none.Plus, being a A & C buff automatically certifies him as a cool guy.But…he never lets a chance go by to take a dig at the FOL!!
Let it go…….
Yep, that’s the room I was wondering about. Thanks for all of your great answers.
A little commentary on what it used to be like to go to the movies (and still is at the Loew’s Jersey)…
“It was a beautiful thing” and it was (warning: just a little off color language here and he sounds like my Dad; but this gentleman expresses exactly how I feel about it). I’m sure we can all agree with him…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJHIsRW42m4
GabeDF: Hmmm…. the left front space? Do you mean the office that’s tucked away behind the left ticket booth in the outer lobby that Friends of the Loews now uses? If so, it was a store originally. Most movie palaces has retail stores on the outside theatre frontage to generate additional income. Being that it was on such an odd shaped lot, the architects could only fit one little corner store in. It was a little luncheonette that sold cigars. (I think United was the brand???) Actually, if you look up in the photo of the Jersey at the top of this page… you can JUST BARELY see the word “United” above the storefront in the picture. Next to it is the word (which you can’t see) “Cigars”. The letters and frames, as well as the double doors to this store are down in the Female Usher’s Room, in the never-built lounge section.
The store, after it closed, has had a change-around. The area is split by a wall, and the Jersey city Police have a little substation there. The Friends of the Loews share the side closest to the theatre, and for access, they made an accessway through one of the little ticket booths, which is to the left as you walk in. The “management office” is quite tiny with 5 computer stations… one of those cubicle-type affairs.
And now… the “Has-To-Be-Said” Department:
Some of you have read comments posted by Bob Furmanek regarding the Loew’s Jersey, and may be wondering why, since his first post on Sept 24, 2004 (!!), it seems like he is poo-pooing the theatre with trivial posts, such as “when I was in charge of programming… things were SO MUCH BETTER…” Take some time to look back and check out all of the posts. As you can imagine, there WAS a disagreement between the Friends of the Loews and Mr. Furmanek. The latter chose to leave on his own accord. (Hey, these things happen in life, don’t they?) In the time that Mr. Furmanek has left, much work has been accomplished on the theatre, mostly backstage to bring in concert performers. (revamped dressing rooms, and the installation of two showers. Can you believe the Loews Jersey was built with one… ONE…. shower for all the performers???) Now, mind you… I’ve been a good boy for the past FOUR years, quietly reading Mr. Furmanek’s posts, but it DOES get tiring, reading how… “he doesn’t know how many people were in attendance at the movie this past Friday… but when HE was in charge… WOO-HOO… there just HAD to be more people there.
Now, to be fair, not ALL of his posts contain something negative, and some don’t even contain the letter “I”, as in referring to how “he did something” when he was there. This is refreshing… a nice POSITIVE contribution to these boards. Nothing political in nature, or one-sided.
We still love Bob, and think he’s a great guy… Will he ever be placed back in charge of film programming…. most likely not. Why? The easiest way to describe the reason can be summed up in his own words. His posting here on December 10th, 2004 at 9:54 AM can be taken BOTH ways.
Love ya, Bob… but it’s been almost 5 years now. Let it go, huh?
Really, a sink isn’t too much to ask for.
Maharmusic: thanks for looking at the blueprints. You’re right, that was the Assistant Manager’s Office on the 1st floor.
I suppose that the people of the 1920s were in better shape than we generally are today. Or at least they developed the stamina of a mountain climber by climbing up all those steps every day.
Speaking of the fancy office on the left front side, orchestra floor — what was in that space originally? I’m going to guess and say a lounge for the ticket booth girls? or was the Assistant Manager’s office a suite?
God bless that wife of the Hartz executive in giving something back to the theatre. Some people have a conscience.
I clearly remember the theatre before 1974. It was in remarkably good condition and still felt and looked completely/totally like a 1920s movie palace. Yes, it was a little dusty in the higher reaches and somewhat dimly lit, but it was cared for. Someone really cared about that place in the 1960s/early 1970s — much as we do today.
And folk’s if you took something from the theatre in 1974 or 1986, please have the decency to return it to where it belongs.
Has there every been any thought to decorating the theatre with new or reproduction items? It’s just a thought of mine, but why can’t they put a cheap, fake, yet convincing painting in that place against the lobby wall with a red sheet over it (the middle wall between the two auditorium entrances)? It would look better than a red sheet.
Are there any plans to restore the plasterwork and the to paint the interior. It has always been my feeling, that if they just restored one section of the lobby wall (between a set of columns) that it would “sell” complete restoration of the theatre; because I suspect that most people are unaware of just how beautiful it originally was. Yet one red and worn damask wall panel should be left as it is now, in remembrance of the theatre’s long history.
I’m sorry, but if they can afford a nice management office, surely they can afford to do a little more decorating in the public rooms? In my opinion, of course.
Mahermusic said “I hate going down two flights to the mezzanine bathroom to wash up after working up there!”
Boy, in 2001 when we got the booth operating and presented the first 35mm shows, management promised they would replace the broken sink in the booth level bathroom – the one at the end of the hall.
It’s 7 years later and management still hasn’t replaced that sink??!! You get dirty working with carbon arc. Tell ‘em to stop spending money on their comfy office downstairs and take care of the poor volunteer film operators! :)
Nope… no elevator. Never mind the people walking up there… think of the poor kids that had to schlep the film cans up to the projection room! And the projectors… when they came in, had to be CARRIED up to the projection room up the grand staircase. Insane? Yes!… but it had to be done.
The elevator wasn’t something that was originally planned, and then slashed due to cost-cutting in May of 1928…. (we’d know because it would be in the blueprints…) it was just never planned.
More neat Jersey trivia: it was the Assistant Manager’s office on the Orchestra floor, right next to the grand staircase, that was turned into an ADA restroom. The Manager’s office was on the 2nd floor promenade. Behind the wall in the Assistant Manager’s office, a large walk-in safe was covered over with sheetrock. That’s where all the 35-cent admissions were kept until a run to the bank!
Whoops… I believe I made a mistake. I think it was the St. George that was brazenly stolen from the Paradise tower clock… is this correct?