Saw your posting on the Paramount regarding Ponce. I am not very familiar with the Victoria, although it does ring a bell. My guess is that it was second-fare theatre, probably playing double bills. I am not from Ponce, but my mother’s side of the family is. I will ask her this week for any recollections.
I do remember once during the mid 70’s we were in Ponce visiting relatives, when someone proposed to go to the movies. We all went to the Fox, but they were playing “Hitler: The Last 10 Days” with Alec Guinness. Since my mother didn’t like war movies, we didn’t go in.
Glad to hear that you had a nice vacation! Last I heard, the theater was going to be renovated. If so, then it would make sense to gut the inside, because the theater was triplexed in the early 80’s. But the whole building? Wow, that’s not a good sign. Hopefully what you saw are the first steps in rebuilding the venue.
Did you by any chance spot the Metropolitan, also in Ponce de Leon Ave.? It’s probably now operated by a church.
I have many wonderful memories of the great movie theaters that once graced both the Ponce de Leon Avenue (Metropolitan, Paramount, Metro, etc.) and Fernandez Juncos (Cinerama, Cortes 1), which ran paralell to it.
This issue with respect to the WSS audio mix is puzzling, and dissapointing, if it turns out to be confirmed. I have not seen the new print, but I just bought the “Collector’s Edition” DVD with Dolby Digital (5.1) audio, and this makes me wonder if the audio mix on the disc is also missing the same channels (Have not seen it yet). I am very familiar with the soundtrack, since over the years I’ve owned various versions, including an original Columbia LP. But I am not an expert. Would not place any bets that I could spot the difference. But I can tell that the 6-track audio was absolutely terrific during a late 80’s engagement at the Cinerama Dome.
What’s your opinion Michael? Have you seen the new print?
In my opinion, still the excellence benchmark with respect to the super-hero movies.
It was respectful of its comic-book origins, while trying to adapt the Superman legend to a late 70’s audience. Credit must be given to Mr. Richard Donner, who kept a well-tempered sense of timing in his direction. In addition to all the qualities that Michael Coate mentioned above, I would also include the almost mystical elements related to Superman’s Kryptonian origins and sense of purpose. My favorite scene is when the young Clark bids farewell to his Earth mother, which always brings tears to my eyes. And although the special effects show their age, they still have an “organic†feel that CGI cannot match yet.
As I recall, among the extra scenes included during the ABC broadcast were an introduction of Louis Lane as a child aboard a train that passes through Smallville, and Superman walking through Lex Luthor’s gauntlet of machine gun fire, flame throwers and freezing turbines. There was another scene that takes place in Krypton, but I don’t remember it from the broadcast. All these are included in the current DVD release, plus are also featured in recent 35 mm prints.
I really hope that the issues can be worked out. CT without Vito would be like “Lawrence of Arabia” without Peter O'Toole.
And regarding suggestions for Ziegfeld classics, there’s a brand new 70MM print of West Side Story that just made the rounds in San Francisco and LA, and it’s screaming to be screened at NYC…
I’m in the Los Angeles area. Some of the theatres screening regular classics in 35 mm include the Aero in Santa Monica, the Egyptian in Hollywood and the Bay in Seal Beach.
Regarding the fire at Universal, only the video library and a few of the sets were damaged. None of the stock in their main vault at the site was affected.
As far as the 35 mm classics, there’s no chronic shortage of quality prints in my area.
MPol, You’re welcome. As a side note, the Cinerama Dome did screen “West Side Story” in 70MM a few times during the late 80’s and early 90’s.
Michael, Your contributions to this site are outstanding. The Cinerama series has been a knockout! Keep em' coming!
A question comes to mind: During the first engagement of “2001” at the Egyptian, was that a special (ie “rectified”) print struck for the Dimension 150 screen? And 8-track stereo!?
JSA
“West Side Story” was not a Cinerama production. It was shot in Panavision 70.
JSA
JSA
commented about
Cinema 150on
Sep 18, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Eric,
Thanks for the posting! The photos and the article bring back wonderful memories. The “semi-abstract” art that covered the walls of the auditorium added a classy touch of modernism. There was also a rather large rectangular billboard facing the Baldorioty de Castro Avenue, which was erected around the mid 70’s, and was used to advertise the major attractions at the theater. Some of the designs in the billboard were rather elaborate and impressive, such as the ones for “Gandhi” and “Return of the Jedi”. By the way, the line to see “Return of the Jedi” on opening day was something else!
Well the restored 70 MM print of South Pacific that was shown at the Egyptian about two years ago was not the roadshow version. However, they did screen a faded roadshow print during the same weekend. According to the IMBD, the roadshow version is 171 min, while the other runs for 157 min.
Under the title “How the West was Shown”, the in70mm site has posted a short article and some pictures from this weekend’s Cinerama events at the Dome:
I presume that the Godfather films presented will be the recent restoration effort by Robert Harris, in collaboration with Gordon Willis. If so, I’m giving digital a chance: truly an offer you can’t refuse!
JSA
I hope it’s not true either. But it was posted here a few months ago by an Arclight employee that the Dome no longer ran reel-to-reel. He also mentioned that the “2001” screening earlier this year was run on a platter. Although it was not a bad show, the print was not exactly in mint condition. (You can see all our comments on the show in this thread from Jan 31.) The thing is that this person is no longer a CT member, has not posted in a while, and most, if not all of his comments have been removed. So we don’t really know the whole story of what’s going on at the booth these days.
So to add a twist to the South Pacific event at the Dome later this month, the in70 mm site has now added SP to the list of coming 70 mm screenings. Keep the fingers crossed: maybe it will be “film” after all…
If the Dome does not run reel-to-reel anymore, it’s highly unlikely that we will see a high quality, pristine 70 mm print. It’s a shame, considering the number of 70 mm titles that have been restored in recent years. So it looks like the only viable options under those conditions for South Pacific are 35 mm (on a platter, assuming that a screenable 35 mm print exists) or digital. And with those choices, my guess is that they will opt for digital.
JSA
A step in the right direction. No word on format. Although I don’t count SP as one of my favorites, the recent 70 mm DTS print is good. I wonder if they have re-installed the equipment for reel-to-reel.
Or, could this be a digital presentation?
Luis V,
Saw your posting on the Paramount regarding Ponce. I am not very familiar with the Victoria, although it does ring a bell. My guess is that it was second-fare theatre, probably playing double bills. I am not from Ponce, but my mother’s side of the family is. I will ask her this week for any recollections.
I do remember once during the mid 70’s we were in Ponce visiting relatives, when someone proposed to go to the movies. We all went to the Fox, but they were playing “Hitler: The Last 10 Days” with Alec Guinness. Since my mother didn’t like war movies, we didn’t go in.
JSA
Hello Luis V,
Glad to hear that you had a nice vacation! Last I heard, the theater was going to be renovated. If so, then it would make sense to gut the inside, because the theater was triplexed in the early 80’s. But the whole building? Wow, that’s not a good sign. Hopefully what you saw are the first steps in rebuilding the venue.
Did you by any chance spot the Metropolitan, also in Ponce de Leon Ave.? It’s probably now operated by a church.
I have many wonderful memories of the great movie theaters that once graced both the Ponce de Leon Avenue (Metropolitan, Paramount, Metro, etc.) and Fernandez Juncos (Cinerama, Cortes 1), which ran paralell to it.
JSA
Across from “The China Syndrome”, at the other end of the scale sits “The Concord… Airport ‘79”.
Sorry, couldn’t resist…
JSA
This issue with respect to the WSS audio mix is puzzling, and dissapointing, if it turns out to be confirmed. I have not seen the new print, but I just bought the “Collector’s Edition” DVD with Dolby Digital (5.1) audio, and this makes me wonder if the audio mix on the disc is also missing the same channels (Have not seen it yet). I am very familiar with the soundtrack, since over the years I’ve owned various versions, including an original Columbia LP. But I am not an expert. Would not place any bets that I could spot the difference. But I can tell that the 6-track audio was absolutely terrific during a late 80’s engagement at the Cinerama Dome.
What’s your opinion Michael? Have you seen the new print?
JSA
In my opinion, still the excellence benchmark with respect to the super-hero movies.
It was respectful of its comic-book origins, while trying to adapt the Superman legend to a late 70’s audience. Credit must be given to Mr. Richard Donner, who kept a well-tempered sense of timing in his direction. In addition to all the qualities that Michael Coate mentioned above, I would also include the almost mystical elements related to Superman’s Kryptonian origins and sense of purpose. My favorite scene is when the young Clark bids farewell to his Earth mother, which always brings tears to my eyes. And although the special effects show their age, they still have an “organic†feel that CGI cannot match yet.
As I recall, among the extra scenes included during the ABC broadcast were an introduction of Louis Lane as a child aboard a train that passes through Smallville, and Superman walking through Lex Luthor’s gauntlet of machine gun fire, flame throwers and freezing turbines. There was another scene that takes place in Krypton, but I don’t remember it from the broadcast. All these are included in the current DVD release, plus are also featured in recent 35 mm prints.
JSA
I really hope that the issues can be worked out. CT without Vito would be like “Lawrence of Arabia” without Peter O'Toole.
And regarding suggestions for Ziegfeld classics, there’s a brand new 70MM print of West Side Story that just made the rounds in San Francisco and LA, and it’s screaming to be screened at NYC…
JSA
MPol,
I’m in the Los Angeles area. Some of the theatres screening regular classics in 35 mm include the Aero in Santa Monica, the Egyptian in Hollywood and the Bay in Seal Beach.
JSA
Regarding the fire at Universal, only the video library and a few of the sets were damaged. None of the stock in their main vault at the site was affected.
As far as the 35 mm classics, there’s no chronic shortage of quality prints in my area.
JSA
MPol, You’re welcome. As a side note, the Cinerama Dome did screen “West Side Story” in 70MM a few times during the late 80’s and early 90’s.
Michael, Your contributions to this site are outstanding. The Cinerama series has been a knockout! Keep em' coming!
A question comes to mind: During the first engagement of “2001” at the Egyptian, was that a special (ie “rectified”) print struck for the Dimension 150 screen? And 8-track stereo!?
JSA
“West Side Story” was not a Cinerama production. It was shot in Panavision 70.
JSA
Eric,
Thanks for the posting! The photos and the article bring back wonderful memories. The “semi-abstract” art that covered the walls of the auditorium added a classy touch of modernism. There was also a rather large rectangular billboard facing the Baldorioty de Castro Avenue, which was erected around the mid 70’s, and was used to advertise the major attractions at the theater. Some of the designs in the billboard were rather elaborate and impressive, such as the ones for “Gandhi” and “Return of the Jedi”. By the way, the line to see “Return of the Jedi” on opening day was something else!
Those were the days!
JSA
Yes, last year’s lineup was great. You can’t get much better than “Spartacus”!
I saw WSS at the Dome many years ago. It was absolutely wonderful, the 6-track sound was terrific. Can’t wait to see the new 70 MM print!
Will shoot for Godfather II this weekend…
JSA
Well the restored 70 MM print of South Pacific that was shown at the Egyptian about two years ago was not the roadshow version. However, they did screen a faded roadshow print during the same weekend. According to the IMBD, the roadshow version is 171 min, while the other runs for 157 min.
JSA
Good material Michael! I find it odd that New York City, where it all started, does not have a venue capable to screen 3-strip Cinerama today.
JSA
Under the title “How the West was Shown”, the in70mm site has posted a short article and some pictures from this weekend’s Cinerama events at the Dome:
View link
The 8:00 PM “2001” show is sold out as well!
JSA
I presume that the Godfather films presented will be the recent restoration effort by Robert Harris, in collaboration with Gordon Willis. If so, I’m giving digital a chance: truly an offer you can’t refuse!
JSA
Vito,
I hope it’s not true either. But it was posted here a few months ago by an Arclight employee that the Dome no longer ran reel-to-reel. He also mentioned that the “2001” screening earlier this year was run on a platter. Although it was not a bad show, the print was not exactly in mint condition. (You can see all our comments on the show in this thread from Jan 31.) The thing is that this person is no longer a CT member, has not posted in a while, and most, if not all of his comments have been removed. So we don’t really know the whole story of what’s going on at the booth these days.
JSA
I wonder if anyone from Arclight would be kind enough to update us in matters such as what’s on the booths, sound system, etc.
JSA
So to add a twist to the South Pacific event at the Dome later this month, the in70 mm site has now added SP to the list of coming 70 mm screenings. Keep the fingers crossed: maybe it will be “film” after all…
Here’s the link: http://www.in70mm.com/now_showing/index.htm
JSA
If the Dome does not run reel-to-reel anymore, it’s highly unlikely that we will see a high quality, pristine 70 mm print. It’s a shame, considering the number of 70 mm titles that have been restored in recent years. So it looks like the only viable options under those conditions for South Pacific are 35 mm (on a platter, assuming that a screenable 35 mm print exists) or digital. And with those choices, my guess is that they will opt for digital.
JSA
A step in the right direction. No word on format. Although I don’t count SP as one of my favorites, the recent 70 mm DTS print is good. I wonder if they have re-installed the equipment for reel-to-reel.
Or, could this be a digital presentation?
JSA
Scully and Mulder may be good, but not that good. Batman does not need to worry.
JSA
I’m going to keep my fingers crossed! This was one of my favorite theatres in OC. Best wishes for a succesful rebirth!
JSA
This is great news!