I believe that a triplex apartment building or theater would have a common entrance.
However, on that website I do see that the theater’s Re-opening was advertised as the RKO Stanley Warner Triplex, but I don’t believe that it ever functioned under that name, especially since Stanley Warner only operated the Orleans and not the Cinerama or Penthouse.
By the way, the link posted by Cinerama – https://incinerama.com/warnerny.htm – is a treasure trove of rare photos, advertisements, newspaper and trade magazine articles, and more. Well worth a look.
While the Strand was eventually divided into three screens, with the Orleans built on the stage using a separate entrance on 47th Street, I wouldn’t exactly call this a triplex.
I know the acrimonious discussion of what constitutes a “roadshow” has been mercifully deleted, but in looking at the show-biz bible Variety’s review of the original West Side Story (dated 9/27/61) please note the following quoted passage:
“The Robert Wise production, said to cost $6,000,000, should pile up handsome returns, first on a roadshow basis and later in general runs.”
Ridethetrain, I’m really enjoying all your opening day ads, reopening ads, etc. Do you think that you could also include the date of the ads in your postings?
Some people and/or historians tend the ignore or downplay the five-decade history of successful motion picture exhibition at the 42d Street theaters.
For example, even on this site the description of the New Amsterdam contains the misinformation that the New Amsterdam was a second run theater, when it is well documented that it showed first-run double features for most of its cinematic history.
So I’m not surprised that the Disney book glossed over or omitted the years between 1937 and its re-opening back as a legitimate theater.
There are so many theaters that, in retrospect, I wish I had gone into, no matter what was playing, because now I will never have the opportunity again.
Luckily, I was a steady habitué of all the 42nd St theaters, so at least I have those memories.
According to Bosley Crowther in the Times, “The wide screen upon which the picture is projected twice a day at the Booth enhances somewhat its scenic grandeur, but exaggerates the size of its close views. Pan shots are blurred in many instances, and some slight distortion does occur for those who happen to be seated forward of the middle of the house. The stereophonic sound is an improvement…”
Photo added
Since LIU owns the location, I guess it is Barclays that pulled out.
Someone on the Kings thread said LIU pulled out. What’s the story?
I believe that a triplex apartment building or theater would have a common entrance.
However, on that website I do see that the theater’s Re-opening was advertised as the RKO Stanley Warner Triplex, but I don’t believe that it ever functioned under that name, especially since Stanley Warner only operated the Orleans and not the Cinerama or Penthouse.
By the way, the link posted by Cinerama – https://incinerama.com/warnerny.htm – is a treasure trove of rare photos, advertisements, newspaper and trade magazine articles, and more. Well worth a look.
While the Strand was eventually divided into three screens, with the Orleans built on the stage using a separate entrance on 47th Street, I wouldn’t exactly call this a triplex.
If this place has upgraded to recliners, I doubt it still has 4,900 seats.
Season 3, episode 7 of the CBS show Tough as Nails featured challenges both inside and outside this theater, which looked great on TV.
The building is now demolished.
I know the acrimonious discussion of what constitutes a “roadshow” has been mercifully deleted, but in looking at the show-biz bible Variety’s review of the original West Side Story (dated 9/27/61) please note the following quoted passage:
“The Robert Wise production, said to cost $6,000,000, should pile up handsome returns, first on a roadshow basis and later in general runs.”
I wonder if that settles anything…
Comment added under photo of “Bad Seed/Tea and Sympathy” ad
Two camp classics. You could show the same bill today, to the same crowd. Only a bit older now…
Ed, you’re a cockeyed optimist
I really like the new name
Ridethetrain, I’m really enjoying all your opening day ads, reopening ads, etc. Do you think that you could also include the date of the ads in your postings?
Some people and/or historians tend the ignore or downplay the five-decade history of successful motion picture exhibition at the 42d Street theaters.
For example, even on this site the description of the New Amsterdam contains the misinformation that the New Amsterdam was a second run theater, when it is well documented that it showed first-run double features for most of its cinematic history.
So I’m not surprised that the Disney book glossed over or omitted the years between 1937 and its re-opening back as a legitimate theater.
There are so many theaters that, in retrospect, I wish I had gone into, no matter what was playing, because now I will never have the opportunity again.
Luckily, I was a steady habitué of all the 42nd St theaters, so at least I have those memories.
Ed, you don’t say much but you get your point across.
According to Bosley Crowther in the Times, “The wide screen upon which the picture is projected twice a day at the Booth enhances somewhat its scenic grandeur, but exaggerates the size of its close views. Pan shots are blurred in many instances, and some slight distortion does occur for those who happen to be seated forward of the middle of the house. The stereophonic sound is an improvement…”
Opening day advertisement from the New York Times posted in photos
This house appears in the new release Long Weekend.
There’s a brief shot of the lighted marquee in the new movie Nomadland
We could’ve played Proctor’s…!
Word of mouth (get it?)
But not during hard-ticket, reserved-seats performances…