Hey Scott, great hearing from you! You are right, my friend, it was indead the Kapahulu that had the ladder. I can remember sitting in a seat just outside the booth door at the Kaimuki to escape the small booth. I did the same at the Hawaii and OMG the Rex! You of course worked EVERYWHERE, doing that vacation relief schedule which kept you very busy. We sure had a lot of great times working the theatres in Hawaii. I still keep in touch with a few of the guys, mainly Artie Wheeler who is now retired, I hope Westly is doing well. Remember the time I sent you on that job running that 3 strip show, was it Napoleon? I remember thinking “who in the world am I going to trust to run that”? Then I thought, well Scott B of course. I had heard you were back in Hawaii working at the beloved Palace in Hilo. I sure hope you got thru the earthquake ok and that the Palace suffered no damage.
I agree Bill, it’s quite a movie! Myself and Most of the folks at the screening I attended thought it ran a bit long, but other than that enjoyed it very much, and yes, Craig is the best Bond since Connery. (although not better)I did not see the movie at the Ziegfeld but the version I saw was 35mm film, I do not know of any digital versions playing anywhere. Perhaps the sign refered to the sound which is Dolby Digital.
Thank you Jay for that informative link.
I can’t answer your question regarding film contract costs. I am sure things have changed since my day. I know a couple of film buyers (bookers) I often run into them at screenings and will pose the question.
Warren, Thanks you for that wonderful post. It sure brought back great memories of those “Selected Short Subjects” which was a short snipe we ran at the end of the coming attractions.
Even if your local theatre did not have a stage show, a day at the movies included “Two Big Hits”, a serial, cartoon, Travelogue and newsreel. All that, and popcorn and sodas for under a buck.
Ah Warren, we must get together and build a time machine.
Thanks for sharing warren, it is a nice article View link
There is mention of the 3-D portion including “that new screen” does anyone kbow what the new screen is and if they are still running 2 projector 70mm interlock for the 3-D part of the show? REndres?
SEX FILMS! VIOLENCE-FILLED!
Good thing we got rid of that den-of-iniquity
As for “traffic flowing at a normal rate”, is that even possible?
more of an oxymoron. Thanks for that article : ))
We always had problems with folks making illegal exits from the theatre parking lot onto Route 35 heading north, somehing you were not permitted to do but folks did anyway. Then of course there is the bridge; which breaks down or gets stuck from time to time making a traffic mess. Getting to the theatre from the Garden State heading south was also an adventure if you did not know where you were going.
I am not going to give any credibility to Jim’s unnecessary and inappropriate post by commenting on it, however I do want to thank Patrick for his thoughts. In addition to the educational and
thought-provoking comments often posted, we do have a lot of fun here.
I look forward so very much to visits and contributions to this outstanding site.
Oh Peter, I am so sorry I missed that!
Perhaps next Hallowen you will play it again and let me make a changeover :)
I played in 16mm in my basement theatre many years ago. I just kept watching it over and over again before returning the print.
I would agree ET was rather dumb and 2001 deserves all the praise written here. But if we could just go back a few years to simplier times, One of my favorite horror movies from the 50s was the 1951 Howard Hawks production of “The Thing” I watched again recently and thought it held up rather well.
I think it has excellent direction, Hawks did not take direction credit but it has his stamp all over it. Of course the kids today would find it tame by todays standards. Has it ever played at Loew’s Jersey?
Does anyone else think it was a good film for it’s time?
I will bring this whole intermission thing up at the next screening I attend with Paramont/Dreamworks people in attendance, perhaps I can get to the truth. Meantime, does no one at Clearview know what is up with this? I would hope there will be an overture at least, which of course the guys in the booth will play with the lights out and the curtains open on a white sheet. :(
As for all this roadshow.reserved seating mess, I am done, stick a fork in me I’m done. It was bad enought dealing with all this back then, I am not going to rehash it all again in my old age.
So have fun with this discussion guys I’ll just sit back and read.
I must say it is very entertaining and informative reading all of the posts here.
Yes Peter, around that time there was a fine line drawn between roadshows and reserved seating performances (hard ticket)
There also was a 70mm re-release of “This is Cinerama” around that time which was reserved seating. I remember thinking during the engagement of “Fiddler on the Roof”, which was a roadshow, that the end of all this was just about here. Michael Coate probably has more to add on that subject.
Erik, The roadshow engagement of Dreamgirls is designed to make an evening of moviegoing more like a live theatrical experience.
Variety reports that Hollywood’s Cinerama Dome, New York’s Ziegfeld Theatre and San Francisco’s Metreon will all host the “Dreamgirls” roadshow, which features reserved seating, and an intermission,
The last film to have an official roadshow, Variety says, was another film musical, 1972’s “Man of La Mancha.”
JodarMovieFan, I am sorry to hear of your negative visit to
Fairfax Cinema Deluxe, perhaps there was some sort of glitch in the ticketing system, which happens during the first week or so of a new theatres opening. Perhaps the screen function which allows you to pick your seat was not working properly, I hope you will visit again where I am sure you will find things have improved. By the way you really need to inform management of problems with staff, the sort of tratment you recieved is simply not tolorated.
As for the Dreamgirls hard ticket presentation, I umderstand the movie will be played in a digital format, the media is accompaned by a script which controls things like lights,curtains etc, it will be interesting to see how the new generation of folks running movies these days will handle this. Somehow I doubt it will be the same as it was in the good ole days.
I am a bit miffed by the comment made by JodarMovieFan regarding National Amusements Directors Hall seating policy.
Having been involved in the operation and set up of this policy, during my time with National Amusements, I can tell we did not dictate where a patron may sit. When purchasing Directors Hall tickets, patrons pick exactly which seats they want to sit in.
Ushers will not disturb you if you sit in the wrong seat unless that particular seat was choosen by another patron, at which time you are politly informed of the error and asked, as a courtesy to the other patron, and as delicatly as possible, to kindly move to the seat you originally chose when you purchased your ticket. That is the way the policy is written and I would be very surprised to find it had been violated. When it comes to customer service, their may be others who do it as well but none does it better than National Amusements.
a company I was proud to work for for over 20 years.
JSA, Some in the industry are anxiously watching the response to: “Nightmare†It won’t be the only movie to be re-released in digital 3D â€" you’ll soon be seeing Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and Titanic.
As for the polls, perhaps the folks in Hollywood should pay a bit of attention to them. Yeah, that will happen. Of course the polls are taken by die-hard movie lovers like us, so I am not surprised by the results.
By the way, I am sure it will not be a problem at El Captain. but when ever you see digital 3-D or IMAX 3-D it’s best not to sit to close to the screen. I saw “Chicken Little†in a small screening room and then again in a theatre, it was much better in the theatre where I did not sit to close to the screen. In a small theatre the images tend to be a bit overwhelming. Well, at least to an old man like me, I am sure the younger folk love it that way.
JSA, A lot of people including myself thought something would come of 70mm DTS. As you know, the Ziegfeld installed a 70mm DTS reader and presented a movie or two, LOA I believe was one. DTS had the promise of cheaper, than standard magnetic, prints, improved digital sound and low cost booth maintenance. Alas, only a few pictures were made avalable and few took it to the next level, so the idea passed away. I would agree with you regarding the quality of digital, it just gets better and better. If you have not yet experienced digital 3-D I recommend you do, it is quite good. I would love to hear from some technical people who can expand on all of this. Also, what has our resident 70mm expert Michael Coate heard.
While I hope the situation will someday change, my industry friends tell me, except for IMAX, 70mm is dead.
The general feelimg in Hollywood seems to be, why bother with the expense of 70mm when Digital can be as good or better.
All of us who loved 70mm will have to get used to the thinking of the new blood in the industry and accept the fact that with the exception of 70mm revivals and IMAX, Digital is the future of movies.
Progress, I guess.
Oh yes, I did not mention some of still functioning legit theatres and of course the Beacon. There is also the St.George,
a fairly well restored palace on Staten Island which is used as a concert venue. I think the Brooklyn Paramoun twhich except for the main audutorium floor (a gym I nelieve) is also mostly intact. Also in Brooklyn, the Loew’s Kings which is still intact but in bad shape and in desperate need of some love and resoration.
Oh well now your just showin off :)
All the old great NY theatres: Roxy, Paramount, Rivoli,
Loew’s State, and Capital are sadly gone.
All that remains is Radio City Music Hall, which is for the most part used for concerts, and the Palace, which runs very much like the Pantages. Also there is the Ziegfeld, which is a movie house and while it cannot be considered a palace. It is one of, if not the last, single screen theatre in NY.
Thanks for info William, I am so jealous.
It must be nice to have so many grand theatres still intact.
Here in New York, with the exception of Radio City Music Hall, all of the wonderful old theatres have either been torn down or converted into small little movie theatre boxes. The young New Yorkers will never experience the thrill of watching a movie in a real movie palace.
Hey Scott, great hearing from you! You are right, my friend, it was indead the Kapahulu that had the ladder. I can remember sitting in a seat just outside the booth door at the Kaimuki to escape the small booth. I did the same at the Hawaii and OMG the Rex! You of course worked EVERYWHERE, doing that vacation relief schedule which kept you very busy. We sure had a lot of great times working the theatres in Hawaii. I still keep in touch with a few of the guys, mainly Artie Wheeler who is now retired, I hope Westly is doing well. Remember the time I sent you on that job running that 3 strip show, was it Napoleon? I remember thinking “who in the world am I going to trust to run that”? Then I thought, well Scott B of course. I had heard you were back in Hawaii working at the beloved Palace in Hilo. I sure hope you got thru the earthquake ok and that the Palace suffered no damage.
I agree Bill, it’s quite a movie! Myself and Most of the folks at the screening I attended thought it ran a bit long, but other than that enjoyed it very much, and yes, Craig is the best Bond since Connery. (although not better)I did not see the movie at the Ziegfeld but the version I saw was 35mm film, I do not know of any digital versions playing anywhere. Perhaps the sign refered to the sound which is Dolby Digital.
I wonder if REndres has more details about the problems with the LED screen
This sort of thing is just not supposed to happpen at RCMH
Thank you Jay for that informative link.
I can’t answer your question regarding film contract costs. I am sure things have changed since my day. I know a couple of film buyers (bookers) I often run into them at screenings and will pose the question.
Warren, Thanks you for that wonderful post. It sure brought back great memories of those “Selected Short Subjects” which was a short snipe we ran at the end of the coming attractions.
Even if your local theatre did not have a stage show, a day at the movies included “Two Big Hits”, a serial, cartoon, Travelogue and newsreel. All that, and popcorn and sodas for under a buck.
Ah Warren, we must get together and build a time machine.
Thanks for sharing warren, it is a nice article
View link
There is mention of the 3-D portion including “that new screen” does anyone kbow what the new screen is and if they are still running 2 projector 70mm interlock for the 3-D part of the show? REndres?
Just to be sure everyone knows, the quiz show Jeopardy, which was taped taped last month at RCMH, is now being shown thru 11/19 on ABC.
SEX FILMS! VIOLENCE-FILLED!
Good thing we got rid of that den-of-iniquity
As for “traffic flowing at a normal rate”, is that even possible?
more of an oxymoron. Thanks for that article : ))
We always had problems with folks making illegal exits from the theatre parking lot onto Route 35 heading north, somehing you were not permitted to do but folks did anyway. Then of course there is the bridge; which breaks down or gets stuck from time to time making a traffic mess. Getting to the theatre from the Garden State heading south was also an adventure if you did not know where you were going.
I am not going to give any credibility to Jim’s unnecessary and inappropriate post by commenting on it, however I do want to thank Patrick for his thoughts. In addition to the educational and
thought-provoking comments often posted, we do have a lot of fun here.
I look forward so very much to visits and contributions to this outstanding site.
Oh Peter, I am so sorry I missed that!
Perhaps next Hallowen you will play it again and let me make a changeover :)
I played in 16mm in my basement theatre many years ago. I just kept watching it over and over again before returning the print.
I would agree ET was rather dumb and 2001 deserves all the praise written here. But if we could just go back a few years to simplier times, One of my favorite horror movies from the 50s was the 1951 Howard Hawks production of “The Thing” I watched again recently and thought it held up rather well.
I think it has excellent direction, Hawks did not take direction credit but it has his stamp all over it. Of course the kids today would find it tame by todays standards. Has it ever played at Loew’s Jersey?
Does anyone else think it was a good film for it’s time?
Not yet Gus.
I will bring this whole intermission thing up at the next screening I attend with Paramont/Dreamworks people in attendance, perhaps I can get to the truth. Meantime, does no one at Clearview know what is up with this? I would hope there will be an overture at least, which of course the guys in the booth will play with the lights out and the curtains open on a white sheet. :(
As for all this roadshow.reserved seating mess, I am done, stick a fork in me I’m done. It was bad enought dealing with all this back then, I am not going to rehash it all again in my old age.
So have fun with this discussion guys I’ll just sit back and read.
I must say it is very entertaining and informative reading all of the posts here.
Check Please!!
Yes Peter, around that time there was a fine line drawn between roadshows and reserved seating performances (hard ticket)
There also was a 70mm re-release of “This is Cinerama” around that time which was reserved seating. I remember thinking during the engagement of “Fiddler on the Roof”, which was a roadshow, that the end of all this was just about here. Michael Coate probably has more to add on that subject.
Erik, The roadshow engagement of Dreamgirls is designed to make an evening of moviegoing more like a live theatrical experience.
Variety reports that Hollywood’s Cinerama Dome, New York’s Ziegfeld Theatre and San Francisco’s Metreon will all host the “Dreamgirls” roadshow, which features reserved seating, and an intermission,
The last film to have an official roadshow, Variety says, was another film musical, 1972’s “Man of La Mancha.”
JodarMovieFan, I am sorry to hear of your negative visit to
Fairfax Cinema Deluxe, perhaps there was some sort of glitch in the ticketing system, which happens during the first week or so of a new theatres opening. Perhaps the screen function which allows you to pick your seat was not working properly, I hope you will visit again where I am sure you will find things have improved. By the way you really need to inform management of problems with staff, the sort of tratment you recieved is simply not tolorated.
As for the Dreamgirls hard ticket presentation, I umderstand the movie will be played in a digital format, the media is accompaned by a script which controls things like lights,curtains etc, it will be interesting to see how the new generation of folks running movies these days will handle this. Somehow I doubt it will be the same as it was in the good ole days.
I am a bit miffed by the comment made by JodarMovieFan regarding National Amusements Directors Hall seating policy.
Having been involved in the operation and set up of this policy, during my time with National Amusements, I can tell we did not dictate where a patron may sit. When purchasing Directors Hall tickets, patrons pick exactly which seats they want to sit in.
Ushers will not disturb you if you sit in the wrong seat unless that particular seat was choosen by another patron, at which time you are politly informed of the error and asked, as a courtesy to the other patron, and as delicatly as possible, to kindly move to the seat you originally chose when you purchased your ticket. That is the way the policy is written and I would be very surprised to find it had been violated. When it comes to customer service, their may be others who do it as well but none does it better than National Amusements.
a company I was proud to work for for over 20 years.
JSA, Some in the industry are anxiously watching the response to: “Nightmare†It won’t be the only movie to be re-released in digital 3D â€" you’ll soon be seeing Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and Titanic.
As for the polls, perhaps the folks in Hollywood should pay a bit of attention to them. Yeah, that will happen. Of course the polls are taken by die-hard movie lovers like us, so I am not surprised by the results.
By the way, I am sure it will not be a problem at El Captain. but when ever you see digital 3-D or IMAX 3-D it’s best not to sit to close to the screen. I saw “Chicken Little†in a small screening room and then again in a theatre, it was much better in the theatre where I did not sit to close to the screen. In a small theatre the images tend to be a bit overwhelming. Well, at least to an old man like me, I am sure the younger folk love it that way.
REndres, what are your thoughts about all of this?
JSA, A lot of people including myself thought something would come of 70mm DTS. As you know, the Ziegfeld installed a 70mm DTS reader and presented a movie or two, LOA I believe was one. DTS had the promise of cheaper, than standard magnetic, prints, improved digital sound and low cost booth maintenance. Alas, only a few pictures were made avalable and few took it to the next level, so the idea passed away. I would agree with you regarding the quality of digital, it just gets better and better. If you have not yet experienced digital 3-D I recommend you do, it is quite good. I would love to hear from some technical people who can expand on all of this. Also, what has our resident 70mm expert Michael Coate heard.
While I hope the situation will someday change, my industry friends tell me, except for IMAX, 70mm is dead.
The general feelimg in Hollywood seems to be, why bother with the expense of 70mm when Digital can be as good or better.
All of us who loved 70mm will have to get used to the thinking of the new blood in the industry and accept the fact that with the exception of 70mm revivals and IMAX, Digital is the future of movies.
Progress, I guess.
Oh yes, I did not mention some of still functioning legit theatres and of course the Beacon. There is also the St.George,
a fairly well restored palace on Staten Island which is used as a concert venue. I think the Brooklyn Paramoun twhich except for the main audutorium floor (a gym I nelieve) is also mostly intact. Also in Brooklyn, the Loew’s Kings which is still intact but in bad shape and in desperate need of some love and resoration.
Oh well now your just showin off :)
All the old great NY theatres: Roxy, Paramount, Rivoli,
Loew’s State, and Capital are sadly gone.
All that remains is Radio City Music Hall, which is for the most part used for concerts, and the Palace, which runs very much like the Pantages. Also there is the Ziegfeld, which is a movie house and while it cannot be considered a palace. It is one of, if not the last, single screen theatre in NY.
Thanks for info William, I am so jealous.
It must be nice to have so many grand theatres still intact.
Here in New York, with the exception of Radio City Music Hall, all of the wonderful old theatres have either been torn down or converted into small little movie theatre boxes. The young New Yorkers will never experience the thrill of watching a movie in a real movie palace.