Lafayette Theatre

97 Lafayette Avenue,
Suffern, NY 10901

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Showing 851 - 875 of 915 comments

movieguy
movieguy on April 26, 2005 at 2:01 pm

The Lafayete is the ONLY MOVIE PALACE in the ENTIRE TRI-Sate area that shows new movies 7 Days a week in addition to BIG SCREEN CLASSICS! Hats off to Nelson,Pete,Bob and the entire staff!
Lets all celebrate the 100th Anniv of the GRAND LAFAYETTE

Richardhaines
Richardhaines on April 24, 2005 at 2:43 pm

The technical terms were bilateral and dual bilateral area tracks.
Both were used at least through the early seventies. 35mm Technicolor prints of “The Adventurers” were bilateral (single line) area tracks. The 1971 re-issue of “Lawrence of Arabia” also had this type of track.

Richardhaines
Richardhaines on April 24, 2005 at 2:27 pm

I agree that the print of “Suspician” had excellent contrast
and sharpness. It was the best copy I’ve seen of it.
As always, Pete and Nelson put on a topnotch show.
I must say that the new prints they’re making
today of black and white classics look much better than those
shown at the Regency and other rep houses of the seventies.
Part of the problem was that Kodak had removed some of the silver
content at the time which resulted in poor contrast. They have resolved this problem and current estar B&W stock generates rich
blacks and a nice grayscale like pre-seventies stock.

It’s amazing what a difference watching a movie on a large silver screen in a palace makes in your enjoyment of the film. I thought this was one of Hitchcock’s lesser efforts
but the Lafayette screening improved my appreciation of the picture.
I’m still in awe of the artistry that went into the lighting design and compositions of these classics.

Pete informed me that they utilized two types of optical sound for the reels, single line and double line area tracks which accounts
for the volume difference between part A and part B of some reels.
I guess two facilites were involved with the transfer from nitrate to safety which would account for the different preservation track negatives.

evmovieguy
evmovieguy on April 23, 2005 at 11:00 pm

Went to the Lafayette today for the first time and it was amazing. Even though the show as a little on the early side for me it was well worth it. I had to make the trek there from the city; door-to-door it took me about two hours, although the train ride itself was about an hour. Thankfully the train station was about a 5-10 minute walk to the theater. The theater itself was an amazing space. Great job by the man at the Wurlitzer. Somebody buy him a drink! He could really slam it out up there.

The print of Hitchcock’s “Suspicion” that was screened couldn’t have been better. Amazing celluloid clarity and fabulous sound. The host of the series that introduced the film said that it was a virgin print direct from the Library of Congress. Still amazing to see that analog technology achieved such great results. I am looking forward to many more Saturdays at the Lafayette, just like the other folks in the audience that filled a good two-thirds or more of the seats for today’s show. Good to see that many people (of all ages that is) showing up.

Can’t wait to see ‘Godzilla’ next week and all of the other films that are scheduled like ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’, and Jerry Lewis in “Who’s Minding the Store”.

Hail the Lafayette!

PeterApruzzese
PeterApruzzese on April 7, 2005 at 9:06 am

Just a reminder to everyone that the Silent Film Festival begins tomorrow night at the Lafayette Theatre.

Complete details here: www.bigscreenclassics.com/indexlafayette.htm

See you then!

JeffS
JeffS on March 30, 2005 at 3:00 pm

I have to agree with your opinion on the use of color. You also have to remember that color in the 1935-1950’s period was an era when photography was more or less considered a black & white medium, so the use of rich Technicolor made the film all the more special. Few people even realize that Technicolor was in reality a black & white photography process (shooting the three primary colors on three b&W negatives) and actually ‘printing’ the positive release print much the same way a printing press does the Sunday comics. It really isn’t color film at all, and was truly an amazing process. And while the single negative color film that Kodak developed also revolutionized the industry (and positive print stock), Kodak really should be embarassed at how badly their Eastmancolor stock has performed. Even Kodacolor 35mm photo negatives I have from 40 years ago have turned, as well as early Ektachrome slides. What a shame they did not know how bad it would be. Fortunately Kodachrome held up through the test of time, but noting was really made in motion pictures using Kodachrome except some 16mm stuff, it’s mostly home 35mm slides.

Today, I think of certain directors like Tim Burton who try to banish all color from his films with shades of tinted greys. The look and style of the old Technicolor musicals and films is gone. They look that way because the were designed to look that way. Bright, colorful, and garish. When projected onto a silvered screen, with very bright arc or xenon light, they really do shine (and that’s no pun).

Richardhaines
Richardhaines on March 30, 2005 at 1:15 pm

Of course, all movies made prior to 1968, are going to have more vibrant color regardless of format because of the style of photography of that era. It was in the seventies that cinematographers began to de-saturate and mute the colors. Most post-1970 films will lack the vibrancy of pre-seventies color
film. When the Lafayette played an EK showprint of “Planet of the Apes”, the rich blue skies and vivid fleshtones also gave that ‘Technicolor’ appearance.

Color was an integral part of most movies made between 1935-1970. It was used for atmosphere and creatively incorporated into the narrative. Most features were aesthetically beautiful to watch. Today, color is used functionaly. In many cases, the cinematography is rather murky and ugly. Very few films are aethetically beautiful to watch, at least in my opinion.

Personally, I prefer the look of pre-1970 color movies although there are advocates of the current de-saturated style of cinematography.

Richardhaines
Richardhaines on March 30, 2005 at 1:08 pm

Actually, most cartoons floating around are nineties' reprints on estar LPP stock. Original IB cartoons are very rare and are usually
quite worn since they played more often than features.

Pete is correct in that silver screens add luminance and improve the contrast of all prints. They give a better presentation, especially in large screen houses with a long through like this restored movie palace.

On the other hand, original IB prints look even more spectacular than the properly timed LPP copies of “Meet Me in St. Louis” and
“The Easter Parade”. I saw a re-issue IB of “The Wizard of Oz” and an original IB/Technirama print of “Zulu” there and they were breathtaking. The reds and other primaries really glow from the screen and the blacks are non-transparent. What interesting from a technical standpoint is that while Eastmancolor positive prints are technically sharper than an IB print, the Technicolor copies give the appearance of being much sharper since the contrast is superior and the vibrant dyes generate a three dimensional illusion. “Zulu” was especially sharp because it was shot in Technirama and reduction printed to standard scope. No one does print downs these days even though it would dramatically improve the resolution and sharpness of high speed Eastmancolor prints.

JeffS
JeffS on March 27, 2005 at 5:33 pm

The cartoon was LPP? That’s one up on me Pete! I could have sworn it was IB Tech, as I thought most of those cartoons floating around the collector circuit are.

PeterApruzzese
PeterApruzzese on March 27, 2005 at 9:09 am

Hi, Robert.

Jeff is correct about Easter Parade, it wasn’t an original Technicolor print although there were sections that did look almost as good as one. The cartoon wasn’t Technicolor, either. Just a very nicely timed LPP print.

I think our silver screen adds a certain vibrancy to the image if the print has good color. I’ve had numerous knowledgeable collectors ask where I’d gotten Technicolor prints of certain films, when I wasn’t showing a Technicolor print!

Thank you for your attendance, Robert. Please be sure to introduce yourself next time you come to a show.

Pete Apruzzese

JeffS
JeffS on March 26, 2005 at 8:10 pm

Easter Parade wasn’t IB Technicolor. That was an LPP print on polyestar. Pete will give you more details when he see’s your message. The cartoon was IB Tech I believe. The Easter Greeting snipe was sepia tinted acetate stock, and is 50 years old.

RobertR
RobertR on March 26, 2005 at 5:03 pm

Anyone who wants to know what real IB Technicolor is, hopefully saw the print this morning of Easter Parade. One of the friends I was with was one of those non-believers who thought the DVD was incredible. When he saw the vivid Technicolor on the screen he said “OMG now I know what you have been talking about”. He said he never saw shades of yellow, purple and blue before like that. Rich deep vivid colors. The Lafayette is a treasure from the projection, to the mighty Wurlitzer to the vintage Looney Toon with Bugs Bunny. I half expected to walk outside and it was 1945, you guys are the best !!!!!!

PeterApruzzese
PeterApruzzese on March 15, 2005 at 9:41 am

Thank you, Richard.

The Silent Film Festival schedule is now available. Three days – April 8-10, 2005 with nine programs, all accompanied by live music by orchestra, pipe organ and piano. This is the year’s biggest silent film event in the New York-metro area and you don’t want to miss it. Go here www.bigscreenclassics.com/indexlafayette.htm for information or to buy advance multi-show tickets.

Pete Apruzzese
Director of Film Programming
Big Screen Classics at the Lafayette Theatre

Richardhaines
Richardhaines on March 13, 2005 at 3:38 pm

The Lafayette is the best cinema for repertory classics that I’ve ever attended. Beautiful architecture, topnotch projection and sound, curtains, great prints, a balcony and great showmanship.
Organ music plays before the shows and there are cartoons and serials.

This theater makes up for the loss of the NYC rep houses like The Elgin, Regency, Bleecker street, Carnegie Hall cinema and The Art.
The absolute best place to see any film in New York state, new or
old.

This theater is exactly what I described in my book, “The Moviegoing
Experience 1968-2001” as the standard for quality exhibition that is very rare today.

andyc
andyc on March 10, 2005 at 8:44 am

Is anyone planning to drive to the lafayette from nyc on saturday morning 3/12 to see the magnificent seven, that might consider giving me a lift? thanks in advance!

Benmosche
Benmosche on January 24, 2005 at 10:50 am

I can’t begin to describe what a treasure it was to find this website. The appreciation for the Lafayette that was expressed in your postings (and I read them all) is the driving force for our work. The patrons are what keep this institution running and I thank you for your passion for film and love of history.

Many thanks,
Ari

RobertR
RobertR on January 10, 2005 at 5:09 am

I drove from Forest Hills with 4 friends yesterday to see The Aviator at the Lafayatte. We all love seeing the cinema classics there so much we decided it was worth the drive to see a first run movie as well. We did lunch at the diner and then caught the first show. I have told so many people at work about this gem, and many of them asked the directions to make the trip to see a movie.

Freddie
Freddie on December 29, 2004 at 9:52 pm

Long live the Lafayette!
After leaving a multiplex without seeing “The Aviator” the other night, I found out that the film was showing at The Lafayette Theatre in……Suffern? Oh yeah, I’d driven by before, but had never been inside.
We set out early fron Hewitt, fearing the usual mad lines we encounter at the multi-type joints. So this gave us the opportunity of being the first to enter The Lafayette.
Why we stood in an aisle for a good 10 minutes before taking our seat can only be explained by being there! What a marvelous place! It brought us right back to the 1950s/1960s, when movie theatres still existed.
The movie was good, but even if it hadn’t been, our night at The Lafayette is something that we’ll be often repeating now. Thank you to the fine beings who’ve preserved a treasure.
Fred Gasparini & Joan Lynn Banner
Hewitt, N.J.

JeffS
JeffS on December 19, 2004 at 10:33 am

Hats off to Pete & the Lafayette management. It was a great show Yesterday. The best of the season. The entire day was a fun film day!

PeterApruzzese
PeterApruzzese on December 19, 2004 at 10:14 am

Glad to hear you enjoyed the show, Robert.

I think it was a stage house, the “Hines Playhouse”. I didn’t see any ads for it in the papers starting in 1928, so it may have only existed prior to then. There was another movie house in Suffern, it was called “The Strand” and opened sometime in the 30s and was gone by the 50s. I came across ads for it in the newspaper microfilms when researching the 3D films that played at the Lafayette, The Strand billed itself as “The Family Theatre”, or something like that. I have to look at my files at the office to see if I saved any copies of their ads.

RobertR
RobertR on December 19, 2004 at 9:56 am

Was that another movie theatre across the sreet that says playhouse on the top?

RobertR
RobertR on December 19, 2004 at 9:29 am

Pete

I had a great time, I brought two friends who went crazy when they saw how incredible the theatre was. The prints were awesome, seeing a real technicolor print was the best part. My friend and I were just discussing the recent DVD version of Meet Me In St Louis. Although the print says resored they always seem to tone down the color on these transfers to make them more realistic looking. Real IB-Tecnicolor of the 30’s and 40’s had a bright almost gaudy looking color. This is what made these films have that special look. The cartoon you guys ran captured that perfectly. My friends want to see almost every classic you have on your spring program.

PeterApruzzese
PeterApruzzese on December 19, 2004 at 9:16 am

Hope you guys made the show yesterday, it was a doozy!

Pete Apruzzese
Director of Film Programming
Big Screen Classics at the Lafayete Theatre

umbaba
umbaba on December 18, 2004 at 6:23 am

The Lafayette is the ONLY theater to get it right. If it wasn’t for the theater and it’s offerings, I don’t think I’d be loving movies like I have considering the crap that’s out there now parading as the next big thing. Now is the time for the overrated drek that’s going to win Oscars. Me?? I’m looking forward to “Wonderful Life” for the 300th time.