Sunshine Cinema
143 E. Houston Street,
New York,
NY
10002
143 E. Houston Street,
New York,
NY
10002
40 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 75 of 105 comments
Tree of Life is playing at this theater before it goes nationwide soon. It’s been selling well. Is Landmark showing it in digital projection or regular 35mm film?
i find the photo posted by jflundy on 1/5/08 most interesting. first off it was neat to see the theater with a big ornate old fashion marquee. but what i find most fascinating is that date given for the. photo 6/23/29. unless NYC widened Houston St. subsequent to the photo being taken the street in front of the theater is wayyyyyyyyyyyy to narrow to be Houston Street. is it at all possible that the photo is not of the Sunshine Cinema that exists today?
This theatre had the New York premiere of Paranormal Activity (before the film before popular).
This was showing Slavic films in 1937-1938 as the Chopin.
The historical drama THE CHILDREN OF HUANG SHI was shown here at this theater on May 23, 2008.
I also forgot to mention that the dramatic film THE VISITOR was shown at this theater on April 18, 2008.
SUNSHINE CINEMA movie list from 2002 to today
2/22/02- MONSOON WEDDING
3/15/02- KISSING JESSICA STEIN
5/31/02- THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
9/20/02- BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE
9/20/02- SPIRITED AWAY
11/1/02- COMEDIAN
11/15/02- TALK TO HER
11/29/02- RABBIT-PROOF FENCE
12/19/02- ADAPTATION
3/14/03- BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM
4/11/03- BETTER LUCK TOMORROW
7/4/03- SWIMMING POOL
8/15/03- AMERICAN SPLENDOR
10/17/03- PIECES OF APRIL
10/24/03- IN THE CUT
11/21/03- THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS
11/26/03- THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE
12/12/03- GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING
12/19/03- HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG
2/6/04- THE DREAMERS
6/11/04- NAPOLEON DYNAMITE
9/24/04- THE MOTORCYCLE DIARIES
11/12/04- KINSEY
11/19/04- BAD EDUCATION
11/24/04- A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT
12/17/04- THE SEA INSIDE
12/24/04- THE WOODSMAN
3/18/05- MELINDA AND MELINDA
5/13/05- LAYER CAKE
5/13/05- MAD HOT BALLROOM
6/10/05- HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE
6/17/05- MY SUMMER OF LOVE
11/11/05- BEE SEASON
11/11/05- PRIDE & PREJUDICE
11/16/05- BREAKFAST ON PLUTO
12/14/05- THE THREE BURIALS OF MELAQUIDES ESTRADA
12/23/05- CACHE (HIDDEN)
1/20/06- LOOKING FOR COMEDY IN THE MUSLIM WORLD
2/17/06- NIGHT WATCH
5/24/06- AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
6/9/06- A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION
7/7/06- A SCANNER DARKLY
9/8/06- THE PROTECTOR
9/15/06- THE U.S. vs JOHN LENNON
9/22/06- FEAST
9/27/06- THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND
10/20/06- RUNNING WITH SCISSORS
11/3/06- VOLVER
11/10/06- COPYING BEETHOVEN
11/17/06- FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
11/23/06- BOBBY
12/20/06- LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
12/29/06- MISS POTTER
12/29/06- PAN’S LABYRINTH
1/26/07- BREAKING AND ENTERING
4/20/07- JINDABYNE
5/4/07- AWAY FROM HER
5/18/07- ONCE
7/13/07- INTRODUCING THE DWIGHTS
7/13/07- SUNSHINE
8/10/07- ROCKET SCIENCE
8/17/07- THE 11TH HOUR
8/17/07- DEATH AT A FUNERAL
9/7/07- THE HUNTING PARTY
9/21/07- INTO THE WILD
9/28/07- LUST, CAUTION
10/12/07- SLEUTH
10/12/07- WE OWN THE NIGHT
10/19/07- RESERVATION ROAD
12/7/07- GRACE IS GONE
12/14/07- THE KITE RUNNER
12/14/07- YOUTH WITHOUT YOUTH
12/28/07- THE ORPHANAGE
1/18/08- CASSANDRA’S DREAM
3/7/08- SNOW ANGELS
4/18/08- THE LIFE BEFORE HER EYES
4/25/08- THEN SHE FOUND ME
6/6/08- MONGOL
6/20/08- BRICK LANE
7/25/08- AMERICAN TEEN
7/25/08- BAGHEAD
A brief note on the architects: Lorenz F.J. Weiher was responsible for the 1917 renovation.
Wow. Great image, J.F. Look at how narrow East Houston was back then! The entire row of buildings across from the Sunshine (and as far into the distance as can be seen down Houston in this image) were razed at some point when the street was widened. If I’m not mistaken a narrow traffic island exists where the opposing curb used to be situated. The street is at least twice as wide as it used to be – perhaps three times as much.
Here is a 1929 photo of the Sunshine Theater on E. Houston Street.
Check out that great marquee it once had. A Vitaphone Talkie was playing.
View link 028
Photo taken 6-23-1929
The 1913 accident at the Houston Hippodrome was the direct reason for the Board of Aldermen to pass a new building code. After careful examination the Fire Commissioner concluded that there had been no violation of the existing laws and that persistent rumors about overcrowding at the HH proved unfounded but most officials agreed that something needed to be done to make filmgoing safer. The new bill regulating moving picture exhibition and theatrical performances (especially vaudeville) had lingered on the council’s agenda since 1911. It was passed in July 1913.
Starting this past Friday, the digital presentation of Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner: The Final Cut” has been expanded to include the Sunshine Cinema on a day-and-date basis with the AMC Empire 25. The movie intially opened on October 5th in an exclusive two-week engagement at the Ziegfeld Theatre. That engagement was moved over to the Empire beginning October 19th due to popular demand. The movie is also being presented at the Ziegfeld for midnight only showings (while “Bee Movie” plays by day). While not technically a re-release (there are significant changes from the original release edit), I’m quite thrilled that a 25 year old film can be such a smashing success at the box office!
Gosh Ms. Action Jackson, what a reactionary you are. You have absolutley failed to understand what I was trying to convey in my blog as well as demonstrated to all that are reading you possess a total lack of intellect and on top of that be a bit of a bigot yourself by the assumptions you’ve made about me. To set the record straight, I didn’t just come from Des Moines or Middle America or any Red State and I’ve lived in the Tri-State area for a good portion of my life. In my blog I never mentioned anything about the ethnicity of the staff at Sunshine but the inappropriate manner in which some of them conducted themselves. Movie Theatres are a business and with any other business you want to make sure you have the best possible staff and know how to behave appropriately. I’m sure if you ran a theatre you wouldn’t want your employees showing up to work with a rag and shoe lace on their heads. I’m sure you wouldn’t be happy about the disgusting washrooms or popcorn scattered everywhere while your staff chooses to lounge around screaming, cursing and playing games. And I really doubt you’d be pleased if someone were making advances on your boyfriend or husband right in front of you while he’s just tring to order you popcorn and soda. You can’t possibly believe that’s a proper way to run a business. And as for the “N” word, even if it’s among African-Americans, it’s not very professional to speak in that kind of language in the work place. Do what you want in your home but the rest of us don’t want to be subjected to that kind of garbage.
Celluloid Fiend
Where are you from? Des Moines? I think the exotic urban landscape of NYC has you tripped out. I’m a (gasp) black woman with tattoos and piercings and I’ve never been incarcerated, on parole, or on welfare, but I can be loud! wink Not all black folks are bangers and slangers! I’m sure most the staff intend a life beyond taring theater tickets for you. And the so-called n-word is a common idiom such as ‘dude’ is to white boys. So what do you call that? The D-word? I have another one. Peckerwood.
I like the facade of this place, and its over-all structure. You could see the old ceilings on the 3rd floor which are reinforced by metal beams. Cool blow-up posters of the greats, on their walls by the stairs. Stadium seats are definitely a plus. Do they have stadium seating only in their downstairs theater? The theaters on the 3rd floor weren’t. Hands down, best projection I’ve seen in the city in years, arthouse or multiplex!
Recently I went to the Sunshine Cinemas for the first time in a while and was shocked to see how sloppy and disorganized everyone was. I knew I was in trouble when my date and I approached the concession stand and the attandant started hitting on her. Totally disrespectful and akward. Then we were given the wrong directions by the ticket ripper who didn’t seem to know which movies were playing where. Later on I witnessed two employees in a waiting area playing video games and fixing each other’s hair. On our way out through the lobby ushers were lounging around talking out loud yelling swear and racial slurs like the “N” word. Also, I noticed the appearance of piercings, tattoos and gang gear like silk rags on their heads. The first time I went to the Sunshine the staff was clean. couteous and knowledgeable. Now it looks as though they’ve recruited the staff from a nearby correctional facility.
Thanks Warren. I believe we have now solved this ‘other’ Houston Hippodrome Theatre. It must have been a live theatre known as the Houston Hippodrome, 67 E. Houston Street and by 1930 and into 1931 at least, had become a movie theatre known as the Houston Theatre with a seating capacity of 546. It should be added with its own page on CinemaTreasures.
In the American Motion Picture Directory 1914-1915 the Houston Hippodrome, 141 E. Houston Street, Manhattan, NY is listed. This address is also listed as being the Sunshine Theatre in the Film Daily Yearbook’s;1926 & 1927 editions with a seating capacity of 600.
I can’t find another Houston Hippodrome Theatre, but in the 1930 edition of Film Daily Yearbook there is the Houston Theatre, 67 Houston Street, Manhattan, NY with a seating capacity of 546. This must be the Houston Hippodrome, 67 W. Houston Street in the photo that is for sale. It has gone from listings in 1941 which is the next year’s F.D.Y. that I have. Currently, I can’t see the Houston Theatre listed on this site. btw 67 W. Houston Street seems to be known as 159 Wooster Street nowadays!.
Thank you Lost Memory. Looks like we have another mystery theatre if the ebay shot is really a Manhattan location.
Is this the old Houston Hippodrome?
View link
I actually was sent six passes by Landmark (Damien) so it paid off. At $10.75 a movie that is a nice perk.
One quibble, Landmark certainly doesn’t empower its employees to make decisions. I used two this weekend, one Saturday and the other Sunday. I get there Saturday and the ticket taker/cashier/snack bar attendant (they multi-task at Landmark I guess) had “to ask her manager” before she could accept the pass.“ Sunday, the ticket taker/cashier/snack bar attendant said she "had to ask the manager” about my pass and then I had to sign my name to a form before I got my ticket. I felt like a criminal.
Having worked for Damien and The Sunshine Cinema back in 2001, I have the utmost respect for them and the Landmark Organization for getting it right in a niche market all across the country. They, like many other service oriented businesses, are constantly looking for the right people for the right position at a reasonable wage. NYC is a tough town to keep staff content, hospitable and productive. Technology is making things a little less personal in the theatre industry, and that is not to be taken lightly. One communicative floor person or one friendly snack bar attendant is worth more than three ineffective employees, so numbers don’t count. If technology is going to streamline operations and cut costs, so be it. Otherwise, the Sunshine may go back to being a four level warehouse for door parts.
Nice that they resonded back to you…
Anytime I wrote to crappy Clearview Cinemas ( worst chain in Westchester County) a reply never came. And I had written to offer suggestions as opposed to criticisms, but still to no avail.
Yesterday I walked by Central Plaza Cinema, Yonkers and noticed paint stains on the poster cases that have been there ( not kidding) for at least one year. No point in saying anything, just thought about how wonderful a place it was under General Cinema.
At least Landmark cares…
Here is the response from Landmark regarding the experience I had last week. I e-mailed them my complaints. My e-mail was sent to Landmark’s national site and it must have been routed to the Sunshine in NYC. Looks like they are going to “do the right thing.” But until I have the tickets in hand, I’ll reserve judgment. I received a similar response from someone at the Angelika who was all apologetic over a similar projection snafu, but I never received my promised tickets.
Dear Mr. xxxx,
I would like to apologize for your experiences at the Sunshine Cinema last Monday. It is my ongoing endeavor to provide the best movie going experience in the city and I am sorry to have so greatly failed to do so during your visit.
Please allow me to address the issues raised in your email:
The improper positioning of the movie: This weekend, I spoke to the projectionist responsible for the presentation on Monday and she acknowledged both the error, which she’d noticed during the film’s closing credits, and the fact that she’d not waited for the start of the feature to ensure proper presentation quality (she’d left the booth during the trailers to start another film; this is personally my fault due to my inability to reach the theatre after Sunday’s snowfall; had I been there, she wouldn’t have needed to be so rushed). She has been reprimanded for both oversights.
I cannot explain the lack of houselights when you entered the auditorium. Our lighting system is automated and, in this particular case, our projector must have failed to properly detect the “lights up” cue at the conclusion of the previous film. This is not, I can assure you, a common occurrence at the Sunshine.
The failure of the on-duty usher to check the presentation has also been dealt with via disciplinary action.
The theatre’s staffing: Staffing was actually normal for a wintertime Monday afternoon. Since installation of a new computer system a few months back, we’ve made the decision to sell tickets from our concession stand during off-peak periods. This has the benefits of A.) ensuring that patrons such as yourself never need conduct a ticketing transaction in cold/snow/rain/heat and B.) providing visitors to the theatre, who might not otherwise visit our concession stand, the opportunity to be exposed to some of our more eclectic food offerings, such as Japanese Pocky, vegan cookies, and wasabi peas. During peak periods of business, when we can’t accommodate both ticket and concession sales in the lobby, we still utilize our exterior box office. (Also note: The benefits listed are truly the only benefits we’re seeking to derive from this arrangement. We’re still scheduling both box office and concession attendants for these shifts, not just trying to save money on staffing.) (Should you ever encounter just one attendant, in all likelihood that attendant is “covering a break.”)
Again, please allow me apologize for the poor conditions noted in your email and thank you for bringing them to my attention. I take pride in the Sunshine’s reputation for excellence and am disappointed to have tarnished it. I’d like to request that you allow me the opportunity to do better by being my guest during a future visit. If you’d be willing to supply a mailing address, I would love the chance to prove that your last visit was a fluke by supplying you with some V.I.P. Guest Passes. Should you ever have anything you’d like to discuss during a future visit, or just want to say hi, please ask for me by name.
Sincerely,
General Manager
Landmark’s Sunshine Cinema
143 East Houston Street
No, this film was clearly not framed properly. The “missing part of the film” was showing on the black masking on the bottom. If they moved the film up it would have been ok.