Comments from Theaterat

East Cost Rocker… Sorry to hear about your mother`s death. On the way you took to the VZ from Luna Park, there were at one time no less than7 theaters there. They were the SHORE, the TILYOU, the STILLWELL, the BENSON, the ORIENTAL, the HOLLYWOOD and the DYKER. Also, not too far away from these were the MERMAID, the SURF, the TRUMP Cinema, the TUXEDO and the DELUXE. Each and every one is now closed, abandoned, demolished, or used for retail. As long as we remember them, they will be , as Neil Young says in RUST NEVER SLEEPS- “gone, but not forgottren”.

Box office Bill… Remember seeing ITS A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD and AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS at the Alpine in the late 60s.These films- wich were in a widescreen format DID look good on the Alpines screen. When it was firstplexed in the late 70s- early 80`s it was not too bad and I did manage to see a few films there at that time.After not going for many years when I did return to see PASSION OF THE CHRIST 2 years ago, it was absolutely in rock bottom condition. I based my initial entry on that. And speaking about the PASSION, I found Mel Gibsons non epic on the life of Christ to be way too brutal and way to graphic, Even though Gibson took a chance and made a movie peopkle actually went to see, I thgought the whole crucifixion and aftermath were handled better in BEN HUR and KING OF KINGS, but that is just my humble opinion.

The ALPINE definately will close- the date is yet to be announced, but it does not have too long for the world. A good friend of mine {he insisted that I not give his name} is friendly with the manager. He says it should be either in the late spring or early summer. They probably will announce the closing at the last minute. Even though this theater is absolutely THE worst multiplex I ever been to, even in its so called “glory days” it was never a great theater in the Loew`s tradition. The inside was rather plain- especially when compared to the ORIENTAL, 46TH>ST, KINGS, or other Loews theaters. The fact that it did not have a balcony always made me think this theater was designed “on the cheap”, but it was an alright theater to see a movie at in most of the 60s and early 70s.When this one goes- and it will be going soon- the closest theater will be the PAVILLION in the Windsor Terrace area, or the UA SHEEPSHEAD on Knapp ST near the Belt Parkway. Does anybody really care?

The TEN COMMANDMENTS is usually shown on the Channel 7 movie on Easter night, but there will be no comparison to seeing it on the big screen- the way it is supposed to be seen.I remember seeing a re release of it at the Loew1s 46th.St theater in Brooklyn in the summer of 1966 and another re release of it on St Patricks Day in 1984 at a theater on Bway in NY.I can`t remember what theater it was, but I went with my friend Mike B{ More of a film buff than theaterbuff} and the print quality and presentation were first rate. You just HAVE to see the parting of the Red Sea on the big screen! One of the best special effects { for my money anyway} ever filmed. Oh almost forgot The Plagues and the Exodus.

EDR try comparing THAT to the ambience and atmosphere of a multiplex!

Or how about Charlton and Sophia Loren in EL CID? I never actually saw the entire film- only bits and pieces of it on TV many years ago, but it is definately one to see on the big screen.Also Bill Huelbig-remember when ALL the PLANET of the Apes movies all played together in the early 70s? Did you “go ape' back then?I did and even though one and two were the best, it was a great day {literally} at the movies.

It would be even better if the TEN COMMANDMENTS and BEN HUR played as a double feature! This would probably run for over 9 hours with intermissions, setting up the films and introductions, but I am down for it. Maybe someday.Still,nothing can compare to seeing these epics on a big screen at a great theater.

Guess that the 46th.st AND the Boro Park theaters could have existed as they did.Even though Boro Park was a predominately Jewish{ non Hasidic} neighborhood back then, it was the influx of the ultra religious Hasidics that put pressure on BOTH of these theaters to close on the Sabbath and not to have Rock `n roll concerts either.I really do not want to get off on a tangent here, but I always thought that there was supposed to be a seperation of Religion and state- or in this case private business in America.Religion should be a private matter between the believer and God {in whatever form He exists } for that person. Although I condider myself to be a Christian, I never foist my religious values upon others. And, by the same token, I do not want them to be foisted upon me.I am not saying that these issues closed these theaters, but the sad fact is that they never will return.

It is also NOT pronounced as LOW-EEES.

Box Office Bill… Good to heasr from you again. Besides the Bay Ridge, wrestling was sometimes held at the Roll- a- Rama{ Ex Stillwell} in the early 60s and another theater on Eastern Parkway, but I`m not sure of its name.

Posted by Theaterat for Phil Phil.I would like to share a Kings memory with the viewers. I DO agree, the magnificent Loews Kings is worth saving and I applaud all those who are working to that end.I remember in early 59{ possibly January} the great film version of Jules Vernes “Around The World in 80 Days” was playing at the Kings. Back then, if a film was popular, it would be re-released. Any way, it was a Sunday afternoon. My father- a Jules Verne and movie fan like me asked me it I wantes to go. I said “yes' and we drove to the Kings in the familys ~52 Cadillac. I never was at the Kings before, so my father told me it is like going to a palace and a museum rolled in one. He was right! The whole place just blew mw away!No need to describe it again, but I never will forget the mens room with its richly decorated wood paneling and art work and the forest of columns in the lobby. I remember sitting center stage in the first row of the balcony in the Smoking Section. Remember them? I am not sure if the movie was presented in Todd A_O or widescreen, but it did not matter.I was so mesmerized by the movie and the great theater that was showing it that I just sat there in rapt attention.Since then, I have seen other epics at other theaters, but on that very cold Sunday way back then, I realized that this was what movie going was all about.About 9 years later, in early 68 it was re-released for the last time before going to TV. I did see it at the Alpine, but the experience was not the same.My friend Theaterat tells me that the Loews Jersey is in the Kings tradition, but I have yet to see it.Will try to go in the near future.Posted by Theaterat for PhilPhil

Here is a description of the Benson theater after it became a twin. The entire theater was gutted. A new floor was poured and a thick wall was built right down the middle. The basement level bathrooms were completely modernized and had an anti odor system added. The lobby was left pretty much intact, but it was painted to freshen it up. A wall was added to the entrance of each auditorium and the candy counter was designed in a “v” shape so patrons from theater 1 and 2 could be servwed.When you bought your ticket, the ticket taker would show you in. Due to the design, you could not switch theaters.A thick curtain was hung on each side of the wall. It was probably soundproof because you could not hear the movie in the next theater. All the seats seemed new. Each theater had 2 blocks of seats seperated by 2 aisles. The seats in theater1 went up to the side wall on the left side, and the seats in theater 2 terminated on the right wall. These groups of seats were left open near the fire exits. A new screen was added to each theater. The domed celing was eluiminated- at least inside. This was the Benson Reborn. It was a rather pleasant theater that reminded me iof an “art” theater that would be right at home on NYs upper East Side.It was also the first theater in Bensonhurst to go multiplex. It opened in its new incarnation in early April of 1975I went to see fellini`s “Amarcord” at that time. and continued to go right up to the end in 1987. Unlike the Benson of old, the new version was kept clean and was a popular place to catch a movie for most of its run.