It is exciting. It’s also strange because the locations never look exactly like they did in the movie. Take the “House on Haunted Hill”, for example. It looks not at all threatening in the daytime -it’s actually quite beautiful:
Before the show Nelson spoke about visiting many of the “Vertigo” locations when he was in San Francisco. He said some people may think it was a crazy thing to do, but I know exactly how he feels. When a movie is that good …
Besides, I’ve done it myself. Last year, on a trip to LA, I visited locations for the ‘50s classics “Sunset Boulevard”, “Rebel Without a Cause”, “House on Haunted Hill” and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”. I hope to visit the “Vertigo” locations one day.
Pete: I had a strong feeling that was your decision! After all, that was the way Hitchcock intended it to end. I can still remember the first time I saw “Vertigo” on network TV (NBC?) in the ‘60’s. I must’ve been about 12 or 13. That unbelievable final shot, followed immediately by the Paramount logo, and that’s the end. I think I said to myself in amazement, “What did I just see?!”
Jeff: I said to myself, if it wasn’t raining, I’m going. For some reason, something goes wrong with the trains every time I try to go to Suffern on a rainy day. On one such day a few years ago I made it on time for “The Thief of Bagdad”, only to come right back home because the basement of the theater was flooded and the show was cancelled!
It was a privilege to attend the Lafayette’s showing of “Vertigo” yesterday morning, a show that had been planned for many years, according to Nelson. I don’t know if it was planned by Pete, or it was the condition the print arrived in, but the 1996 restoration’s opening Universal logo and end-of-film restoration credits were not seen. The film began and ended with the Paramount logo, meaning that we saw “Vertigo” the way its original audience did back in 1958. I like to think it was Pete’s idea – he’s such a great showman!
Al: It’s not exactly what you asked for, but I found two ads for “Boys' Night Out”. The first is at the Hyway Theatre in Fair Lawn NJ. The date is August 4, 1962:
The next one is at the Loew’s Jersey in Jersey City, which is, incredibly, still open and showing classic films one weekend a month except in summer. Look in the top left corner. Date is around July 7, 1962:
Denny: I was 8 when I saw “West Side Story” at the Route 3. When I got older I regretted not seeing it first in a big indoor theater with speakers all over the place, but you may be right. The movie was so good, its impact was the same no matter where you first saw it. It may have even been heightened by having that music blasting at you from a speaker positioned just inches away from your ears!
Al: I don’t remember “Boys Night Out” playing there, but here are ads featuring two other 1961 attractions: “The Parent Trap” and “Homicidal”. I saw “Homicidal” at the Route 3, when I was 6 (!)
Sad to see the Loew’s era in Secaucus coming to an end. I attended the very first show at the old Harmon Cove Quad: “King Kong” (Jessica Lange version) in 1976. I walked there from Rutherford to see “It’s Alive” in 1977. And the biggest opening night crowd I’d ever been part of there was unfortunately for a very bad movie: “Jaws 2” (1978).
Mike, that’s too bad because this is such a great place to keep those memories alive, and to share them with people who’ll really enjoy reading about them.
I hear ya, Chris. In the 1970s I used to see about 45-50 movies a year. This year I’ve seen about 6.
These days I get my movie fix from a TV show: “Mad Men.” It takes place in the ‘60s, and its quality is comparable to the best theatrical films of the '60s.
I had a feeling this theater was closing soon. The Route 3 marquee (a new one, by the way) always displays the movie names with letters missing, and some of the letters that are up there are hanging off the sign ready to fall off. A sad sight.
This article put into print what I’ve been saying for many years: 1959 (and 1962 while we’re at it) were both better movie years than 1939. But that’s just me – it does feel good to see someone else thinks the same way.
While we’re on the topic of personal opinions, I’d like to recommend three movies to anyone who thinks Marilyn can’t act: “Bus Stop”, “Some Like It Hot” and “The Misfits”.
I’m hoping Cinerama in September will become an annual event. I was lucky enough to be able to attend last September, and even got a free Blu-Ray of “How the West Was Won” (which has since been screened more than any other movie in my collection).
Poor New Haven. Only one Cinerama presentation, and it had to be that one. At least Hartford wasn’t too far away.
I’m looking forward to attending this theater. Hoboken has been too long without one.
As remakes go, that was an extremely good one – one of the best ever, actually. But nothing beats the original.
It is exciting. It’s also strange because the locations never look exactly like they did in the movie. Take the “House on Haunted Hill”, for example. It looks not at all threatening in the daytime -it’s actually quite beautiful:
View link
Before the show Nelson spoke about visiting many of the “Vertigo” locations when he was in San Francisco. He said some people may think it was a crazy thing to do, but I know exactly how he feels. When a movie is that good …
Besides, I’ve done it myself. Last year, on a trip to LA, I visited locations for the ‘50s classics “Sunset Boulevard”, “Rebel Without a Cause”, “House on Haunted Hill” and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”. I hope to visit the “Vertigo” locations one day.
Pete: I had a strong feeling that was your decision! After all, that was the way Hitchcock intended it to end. I can still remember the first time I saw “Vertigo” on network TV (NBC?) in the ‘60’s. I must’ve been about 12 or 13. That unbelievable final shot, followed immediately by the Paramount logo, and that’s the end. I think I said to myself in amazement, “What did I just see?!”
Jeff: I said to myself, if it wasn’t raining, I’m going. For some reason, something goes wrong with the trains every time I try to go to Suffern on a rainy day. On one such day a few years ago I made it on time for “The Thief of Bagdad”, only to come right back home because the basement of the theater was flooded and the show was cancelled!
It was a privilege to attend the Lafayette’s showing of “Vertigo” yesterday morning, a show that had been planned for many years, according to Nelson. I don’t know if it was planned by Pete, or it was the condition the print arrived in, but the 1996 restoration’s opening Universal logo and end-of-film restoration credits were not seen. The film began and ended with the Paramount logo, meaning that we saw “Vertigo” the way its original audience did back in 1958. I like to think it was Pete’s idea – he’s such a great showman!
Al: It’s not exactly what you asked for, but I found two ads for “Boys' Night Out”. The first is at the Hyway Theatre in Fair Lawn NJ. The date is August 4, 1962:
View link
The next one is at the Loew’s Jersey in Jersey City, which is, incredibly, still open and showing classic films one weekend a month except in summer. Look in the top left corner. Date is around July 7, 1962:
View link
I goofed there: “Boys Night Out” was 1962. I’ll check my newspaper clippings tonight – maybe I have an ad for it.
Denny: I was 8 when I saw “West Side Story” at the Route 3. When I got older I regretted not seeing it first in a big indoor theater with speakers all over the place, but you may be right. The movie was so good, its impact was the same no matter where you first saw it. It may have even been heightened by having that music blasting at you from a speaker positioned just inches away from your ears!
Al: I don’t remember “Boys Night Out” playing there, but here are ads featuring two other 1961 attractions: “The Parent Trap” and “Homicidal”. I saw “Homicidal” at the Route 3, when I was 6 (!)
View link
View link
Sad to see the Loew’s era in Secaucus coming to an end. I attended the very first show at the old Harmon Cove Quad: “King Kong” (Jessica Lange version) in 1976. I walked there from Rutherford to see “It’s Alive” in 1977. And the biggest opening night crowd I’d ever been part of there was unfortunately for a very bad movie: “Jaws 2” (1978).
Mike, that’s too bad because this is such a great place to keep those memories alive, and to share them with people who’ll really enjoy reading about them.
MikeRogers: Your stories are great! They’re what this website is all about. I’m glad you finally found your way to Cinema Treasures.
I hear ya, Chris. In the 1970s I used to see about 45-50 movies a year. This year I’ve seen about 6.
These days I get my movie fix from a TV show: “Mad Men.” It takes place in the ‘60s, and its quality is comparable to the best theatrical films of the '60s.
I had a feeling this theater was closing soon. The Route 3 marquee (a new one, by the way) always displays the movie names with letters missing, and some of the letters that are up there are hanging off the sign ready to fall off. A sad sight.
Bob – I guess we have to agree to disagree on Marilyn.
I also forgot “All About Eve”.
Jeff, your next-to-last photo looks exactly like the one you took at the “It’s a Wonderful Life” Christmas show, only without all the people.
This article put into print what I’ve been saying for many years: 1959 (and 1962 while we’re at it) were both better movie years than 1939. But that’s just me – it does feel good to see someone else thinks the same way.
While we’re on the topic of personal opinions, I’d like to recommend three movies to anyone who thinks Marilyn can’t act: “Bus Stop”, “Some Like It Hot” and “The Misfits”.
Wow – “Vertigo”. I figure it hasn’t been shown at the Lafayette since 1958, right?
For $30 and up, they’d better open and close the curtains VERRRY slowly at every show :)
Maybe they were selling Cinerama T-shirts. The one I got in Dayton OH is 13 years old, but no holes in it yet.
Good to hear they’re selling Cinerama merchandise. Last January I asked about that in the Arclight store, but they had nothing. Things are looking up.
I’m hoping Cinerama in September will become an annual event. I was lucky enough to be able to attend last September, and even got a free Blu-Ray of “How the West Was Won” (which has since been screened more than any other movie in my collection).