Loew's Jersey Theatre

Thanks CC for that verification. Didn’t mean to sound like a Kael basher earlier – I always enjoyed reading her reviews, even when I disagreed with her. It’s just that she seemed to miss the boat by a mile when it came to some of my all-time favorites, not just “West Side Story” but “Doctor Zhivago”, “Star Wars”, etc. She called “2001” a “monumentally unimaginative movie” – huh? On the other hand, she said “Last Tango in Paris” has “changed the face of an art form”. Does anybody else still think that? Did anyone except her EVER think it? I guess the fact that I still remember the adjectives and phrases she used to put down the movies I loved the most proves that I’m a Kael fan.

Let’s face it WSS is a LONG movie. While I really enjoyed seeing it at The Ziegefeld, I went more as a film historian/buff, whatever you want to call it than I did as a fan of musicals or of WSS. There were moments when I was briefly wishing that things would move along at a faster pace. But I also reminded myself that this film was not made for the 2006 audience. It was made for the people of the late 50s and early 60s who were more interested not only in musicals but actually going out and sitting in a movie theater for 2 ½ hours. As we all know movie-going back then was a different more significant experience than it is now. Film school taught me to expand my attention span which as a kid raised in the 70s, was probably shorter than previous generations but no doubt LONGER than kids today, that’s for sure. Overall, the length of this film didn’t take anything away from the experience of seeing it on the big screen.

CC: Wasn’t “Gee, Officer Krupke” placed AFTER the rumble in the play as well? That makes no sense at all. I think the reversals of that song and “Cool” were the work of the late great screenwriter Ernest Lehman.

I think Kael’s daughter was being sarcastic. If she didn’t like the music, then having to sit through it for two and a half hours would be like a punishment to her, an eternity. Because of Pauline’s job, they most likely saw it on opening week or even opening night, so the soundtrack album wouldn’t have been overplayed yet.

I remember Kael making fun of the “blast of stereophonic music” when the overture started. Seems to me like she’d already made up her mind not to like the movie in the first 30 seconds. Another story about her and WSS: on her way out of the theater after seeing it with her daughter, they overheard someone saying, “I could listen to that music forever.” Kael’s daughter shot back, “We HAVE been listening to it forever!” That remark must have made her mother very proud. There really is no accounting for taste, especially somebody else’s.

I was at the OLD YELLER screening and it was fairly lighty attended and, because of the pre-film festivities, I now know more about greyhounds than I ever need to.

I don’t know if the March programs will tickle your fancy, but there will be two programs that March so hopefully they will step up the schedule:

March 10 & 11: Bad Day at Black Rock, East of Eden & Rebel Without a Cause. The series has something to do with films made or released in ‘55 that didn’t get nominated for an Academy Award.

March 24 & 25: Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade, Harvey & The Ten Commandments. The latter should satisfy those buffs who want to see movies made for the big screen.

Bill, How was WSS, will be there tomorrow night.
Fairly good crowd for the Misfits.
Can’t tell you how much this film benefits from the big, big screen treatment. Gable and Monroe were made for movie palaces and the stunning Ansel Adams like photography is beautiful with the chasing of the mustangs downright thrilling. No way are you going to get the feeling of exhilaration of what these men do at Film Forum or on TCM.
A great choice.

Jim,

Excellent points…the thing is, the Loews Jersey needs to bet the pot and lay their cards on the table. When the Lafayette first started BigScreenClassics, the film prints weren’t good, the large screen kept moving causing the films to be out of focus, the theater was old and dilapidated, the projection and sound not very good and the houses were far from full. But, myself and many diehards went back week after week (and I live 30 min. away), plus, the lafayette festivals was run by guys who truly loved the movie experience and they kept it going and each week, made it better and better. They lobbied for better prints, and they put their money were there mouths were by pouring money into the re-modeling of the theater to make it better. (on top of that, the seniors get a free pass, so thats more money not made)But, now, 3 years later, the lafayette is the place to go. Sparkling prints, Wurlitzer organ before the show, even Nelson Page’s film introduction and special guest is always fun (no one ever boos and says start the film). Movies every week (not including special film festivals they do) starting at 11:30 am, you still have the day to yourself.
The point I’m making is that they took a chance and kept at it. It now rocks, evry week there’s a huge house for the morning shows. I’m not sure that showing “The Misfits” at 8pm on a Saturday is the way to go, it’s too late. The jersey needs to re=assess and go for it. If it doesn’t work, then it’s a goner anyway, there’s no beating the moneypeople (this is not a Capra film) But if it clicks, the Loews Jersey could be on it’s way to being a true showcase moviehouse again…take the shot boys!!!
The point I’m making

Rhett-

I think all of your ideas are really great. Also speaking with all due respect here, but the Loews Jersey needs to have a more active schedule. I think if there is an issue with it’s survival, it has to show that it’s not just sitting there with a few films scheduled once a month. I also say that because I want to go there more often. Maybe they can also try using it more often as a live music venue. I know that Bright Eyes played there not that long ago, maybe they can do more like that, and it would probably bring in more revenue. Hell if there was some good bands playing there I would definitely go. Overall, if they want to avoid being shut down, they’re going to have to step up their activity a bit. They should A) fix the air conditioning so the place can stay open in the summer and B) book as many films and events as possible. Maybe that’s easier said than done, but it’s my two cents.

Hardbop… you are right. Prehaps if the developers can leave the Jersey alone and build near or close to the theater, it might not be so bad. Nothing is official- as of yet, but I think you agree that the Jersey, one of the last of the truly magnificent movie palaces that is still operating albeit on a limited basis should be saved. Travelling here is not an issue for me either. I live in Brooklyn and the tolls cost me 15.00.9.00 for the Verazzamo and 6.00 for the Bayonne Bridge, but I don`t care.Truth of the matter is that with all the crummy movies that are being released these days,if not for the experience of going to the Jersey, I probably would not go to the movies at all.

As somebody who regularly makes the trek from NYC to attend Loew’s J.C. screenings I think downtown J.C. could use a Starbucks or a Rite Aid or anything that would bring some life to the area. It is pretty rundown. That downtown area could use some redevelopment. There are plenty of seedy buildings and land right around the cinema that could be used for buildings. Leave the theatre alone, but that area needs a fresh infusion of capital.

Sad to say, the only thing that will save the JERSEY from the greed of developers is money — BIG MONEY! You must always cultivate a Friend on the city council who will keep his ear to the ground and advise you as to which politician is getting how much money under the table, then you must discretely approach him vote in your favor. If he is getting a hundred thousand for his “progressive” vote, you must come up with $250.000 for his “more progressive” vote; if he is getting a million, you must present him $250 million, plus swear to turn all your volunteers into his campaign volunteers next voting year. To do anything less than this is simply naieve as to how politics works, and quite futile. Once Big Money wants a site, consider that site SOLD unless you can out bid that money. This is a fact of life in America today, and I have only pity for those unable to see that reality. Remember that there is really no such thing as morals in politics, which is defined as the acqusition of power through money. If you can’t furnish lots of money to a politician, then he will see you and your cause as part of the problem and not the solution (to HIS problem which is always Money). Now if you can ASSUREDLY get overwhelming numbers of voters lined up against him, that may get him to favor your cause even if you don’t have Big Money, unless he is a ‘Lame Duck’ in which case his attitude wll be: “The public (voters) be damned!” In such cases, only Lots of Money will help you with him. You respond to this by saying: ‘But bribery is illegal.’ Then I say as the French do: ‘It is to laugh.’

By all means, photograph more of the JERSEY, and arrange now to salvage artifacts, but don’t break your heart by trying to resist BIG MONEY; it is the ultimate ruler everywhere in our society in this nation, and in most all others. The wonderful JERSEY is but another ‘pebble’ in the on-rushing ocean of Big Money.

Is the Jersey to go the way of so many other movie palsces? This MUST NOT happen. Let the greedy momey grubbing developers look elsewhere. I am ready to do my part even if it requires some good old fashioned 60s style sit ins or demonstrations. Does Journal SQ really need to be redevoloped? Who needs {or wants} another sterile urban mall with a “Target”, a “Gap”, an “Old Navy” a “Rite Aid” drug store or another{of course} “Starbucks Coffee”.The “blandification” of way too many urban areas is leaving a bad taste in too many peoples mouth.Maybe the Jersey will come out of this OK- we can all pray, but this website is The place to rally the “troops” to the Jerseys defence. I personally do not want to see "closed", "demolished" or "retail" whenever I search theaters for the Jersey.Some of my best moviegoing has taken place at this theater over the last year. It never fails to impress me no matter how many times I go. The people I have met there seem loke I have known them for a long time and the general feeling of friendliness and enthusiasm of the people who staff it and volunteer is something that you never will experience at any multiplex. The closing or demolition of this theater will be like ripping the heart out of Journal Sq. Lets not let this one close! We have the power to save it, so let`s use it.

I would say the developers are anxious to get some kind of mixed retail and housing on the spot where the Jersey is. Jersey City is HOT, HOT, HOT right now. That location is GOLDEN. You’re situatied between Newark (believe it or not, a luke warm/cool area getting warmer every friggin' year) and NYC which, as everyone knows is sizzling. For commuters, that site would be fantastic.

No landmark preservation in NJ, huh?