Well….hate to get TOO political here, but maybe, just maybe, if we’d get our troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan, there’d be more money for such things as the renovation of some of the graceful old movie palaces that used to dot the United States landscape overall, including the Wollaston Theatre.
You’re welcome, newt wallen. I understand how you feel. Ordinarily, I’d encourage you to keep plugging away and persevere, but from what you’re describing here, it sounds like this was a fight that you just couldn’t win, and that it wasn’t for lack of trying. It’s too bad that the company that owned the building that your theatre was situated in wouldn’t promote the classic films that you so liked to show. It is a great deal for one’s pride to lose something that means a great deal to them, and, again, I understand how you feel. Anyway, all the best of luck in whatever else you opt to pursue.
I saw “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”, ‘How the West was Won", and “2001: A Space Odyssey”, all during the times when they were popular, as an adolescent. The rest of the ones on the list, however, I was either too young to see, or not really able to deal with the subject matter of. The series of blaxploitation films took hold in our area as well, and, while I never thought about it, I think you’re right about their also having contributed to the demise of many of the various movie palaces, as well as the movie industry itself, which, imho, began its decline in earnest during the 1970’s, even though there were still some good films to be had.
Hey, again—I’m really and truly sorry to see that happen to you, newt wallen. At least you didn’t go down without a fight. I think that the vast majority of people don’t appreciate many of the older classics, because there’s an anti-arts, anti-intellectual streak that’s prevalent all through our society and culture today, and, frankly, not to get too, too political about this, I sincerely doubt that the election of a new president will help remedy that.
However, I do tend to differ somewhat with your father’s analysis of this whole situation, and retain some bit of hope that the great old classic films will once again become popular. I think there’s a meanspiritedness in today’s society that doesn’t make a whole lot of room for small pleasures, but, again, here’s hoping that things will come together again for you at some point. All the best.
That is so sad, newt wallen. Although I’m not in the Los Angeles area (I’m on the east coast), I, too hate to see the classic films die, but I don’t think they’ll die off altogether, as those kinds of films (Classics) will always have an audience. There’ll always be people who prefer going to the movies and seeing them as they’re meant to be viewed….on a great big, wide movie theatre screen. Again, I’m really sorry to hear that your once-a-month Classic Film event had to end. Let’s hope that you’re able to revive them again soon.
With very rare exceptions, I avoid the big suburban multiplex cinemas like the plague, because they play schlocky movies, have ruder, more immature audiences (both kids and adults alike), they’re too antiseptic-looking for my tastes, the whole atmosphere is sort of plastic, if one gets the drift, plus it gets SUPER-expensive, especially with concessions, etc. The two left-over rerpertory movie houses in our area, the Coolidge and the Brattle, are the only hope, altlhough I’ve driven to neighboring states on a number of occasions to see my alltime favorite film, West Side Story.
You both have a point, Scott and movie534. On the one hand, if the theatre owner was really arrears on his utility bills, and the electric company, for whatever reason(s) failed to issue a warning of an impending shut-off, then they were either negligent or unethical, and that shutting the utilities down abruptly after only ten days was too harsh. If, on the other hand, it was an emergency, well, that can be a different story sometimes. Stuff like that can and does happen. If, on the other hand, the electric company had others to deal with prior to the movie theatre owner’s paying up the bill, well, unfortunately, the theatre owner would end up having to wait his turn. In any case, I’m glad to hear that the theatre owner paid his electric bill and got the power in his theatre restored.
Thanks, JSA. I’ve heard of the Egyptian, but not the Aero or the Bay.
Btw, longislandmovies, that “American Cinema Classics Series that you run every year consisting of six to eight films sounds terrific. What films have you run so far? Just curious.
Oh, geesh!! What a drag. One would think that the Electric company would be more flexible and restore the power to the theatre that day, since the owner paid the bill. That’s pretty nasty of them not to.
btw, longislandmovies, “Milk” is coming to our area too; The Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, MA., later this month. Enjoy “Lawrence of Arabia”. It, too is a wonderful film, although, like most films, it admittedly doesn’t hold the same special place in my heart regarding movies as “West Side Story”.
Looks like a beautiful theatre, both inside and out. Hope to be able to drive north sometime (in good weather, of course). Would you show older classic films such as West Side Story, and other great classics in this theatre? Just curious.
Thanks, movie534. All the postings on here and on other threads on this site are part of the reason why I hold yearly memberships to both the Coolidge Corner Theatre and the Brattle Theatre.
Ouch!! I’d hate to see that happen. It would be a real shame if the retro cinemas and retro movies were to just disappear altogether. Making quick money hand over fist has become the American way, and DVD is the way to do it. If that comes true, there’ll be only two rather unpalatable choices: either going to a multiplex cinema that shows really junky, schlocky movies, seeing today’s art movies that may or may not be particularly interesting, or “biting the bullet” and getting DVD players and older films for DVD watching. This is something that I don’t want to do, and hope doesn’t happen, which is why I now hold yearly memberships to both the Brattle and the Coolidge Corner Theatres.
Well….hate to get TOO political here, but maybe, just maybe, if we’d get our troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan, there’d be more money for such things as the renovation of some of the graceful old movie palaces that used to dot the United States landscape overall, including the Wollaston Theatre.
You’re welcome, newt wallen. I understand how you feel. Ordinarily, I’d encourage you to keep plugging away and persevere, but from what you’re describing here, it sounds like this was a fight that you just couldn’t win, and that it wasn’t for lack of trying. It’s too bad that the company that owned the building that your theatre was situated in wouldn’t promote the classic films that you so liked to show. It is a great deal for one’s pride to lose something that means a great deal to them, and, again, I understand how you feel. Anyway, all the best of luck in whatever else you opt to pursue.
What a terrible thing to happen! Here’s hoping that the city will come through and give some funding for the renovation and re-opening of the theatre.
I saw “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”, ‘How the West was Won", and “2001: A Space Odyssey”, all during the times when they were popular, as an adolescent. The rest of the ones on the list, however, I was either too young to see, or not really able to deal with the subject matter of. The series of blaxploitation films took hold in our area as well, and, while I never thought about it, I think you’re right about their also having contributed to the demise of many of the various movie palaces, as well as the movie industry itself, which, imho, began its decline in earnest during the 1970’s, even though there were still some good films to be had.
Hey, again—I’m really and truly sorry to see that happen to you, newt wallen. At least you didn’t go down without a fight. I think that the vast majority of people don’t appreciate many of the older classics, because there’s an anti-arts, anti-intellectual streak that’s prevalent all through our society and culture today, and, frankly, not to get too, too political about this, I sincerely doubt that the election of a new president will help remedy that.
However, I do tend to differ somewhat with your father’s analysis of this whole situation, and retain some bit of hope that the great old classic films will once again become popular. I think there’s a meanspiritedness in today’s society that doesn’t make a whole lot of room for small pleasures, but, again, here’s hoping that things will come together again for you at some point. All the best.
That’s too bad, larry. There’s no reason why females can’t be just as capable of being good ushers, or receive equal pay.
That is so sad, newt wallen. Although I’m not in the Los Angeles area (I’m on the east coast), I, too hate to see the classic films die, but I don’t think they’ll die off altogether, as those kinds of films (Classics) will always have an audience. There’ll always be people who prefer going to the movies and seeing them as they’re meant to be viewed….on a great big, wide movie theatre screen. Again, I’m really sorry to hear that your once-a-month Classic Film event had to end. Let’s hope that you’re able to revive them again soon.
With very rare exceptions, I avoid the big suburban multiplex cinemas like the plague, because they play schlocky movies, have ruder, more immature audiences (both kids and adults alike), they’re too antiseptic-looking for my tastes, the whole atmosphere is sort of plastic, if one gets the drift, plus it gets SUPER-expensive, especially with concessions, etc. The two left-over rerpertory movie houses in our area, the Coolidge and the Brattle, are the only hope, altlhough I’ve driven to neighboring states on a number of occasions to see my alltime favorite film, West Side Story.
The Silver Screen Program that Showcase (Now National Amusements) shows are often quite wonderful.
Not sure, Ron.
Okay. Thanks, Michael. I’ll be watching and waiting.
You both have a point, Scott and movie534. On the one hand, if the theatre owner was really arrears on his utility bills, and the electric company, for whatever reason(s) failed to issue a warning of an impending shut-off, then they were either negligent or unethical, and that shutting the utilities down abruptly after only ten days was too harsh. If, on the other hand, it was an emergency, well, that can be a different story sometimes. Stuff like that can and does happen. If, on the other hand, the electric company had others to deal with prior to the movie theatre owner’s paying up the bill, well, unfortunately, the theatre owner would end up having to wait his turn. In any case, I’m glad to hear that the theatre owner paid his electric bill and got the power in his theatre restored.
Beautiful article. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, JSA. I’ve heard of the Egyptian, but not the Aero or the Bay.
Btw, longislandmovies, that “American Cinema Classics Series that you run every year consisting of six to eight films sounds terrific. What films have you run so far? Just curious.
Sean Penn, who stars as Milk in the movie, is a good actor, so I’d go partly out of wanting to see him
perform, too.
Oh, geesh!! What a drag. One would think that the Electric company would be more flexible and restore the power to the theatre that day, since the owner paid the bill. That’s pretty nasty of them not to.
Where’s that, JSA?
btw, longislandmovies, “Milk” is coming to our area too; The Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, MA., later this month. Enjoy “Lawrence of Arabia”. It, too is a wonderful film, although, like most films, it admittedly doesn’t hold the same special place in my heart regarding movies as “West Side Story”.
Good question, Ron.
This is so sad.
Oh, wow. Have a great time. Lawrence of Arabia periodically comes to our area, also.
Looks like a beautiful theatre, both inside and out. Hope to be able to drive north sometime (in good weather, of course). Would you show older classic films such as West Side Story, and other great classics in this theatre? Just curious.
Thanks, larry. I with the view that outside ads and commercials are unacceptable…and unattractive, to boot.
Thanks for the correction, PeterApruzzese. That’s good to know.
btw, longislandmovies, where is Lawrence of Arabia opening for you? Just curious.
I recently saw “Jaws” at Brooklline’s Coolidge Corner Theatre. Wonderful print, and the film was good, too.
Thanks, movie534. All the postings on here and on other threads on this site are part of the reason why I hold yearly memberships to both the Coolidge Corner Theatre and the Brattle Theatre.
Ouch!! I’d hate to see that happen. It would be a real shame if the retro cinemas and retro movies were to just disappear altogether. Making quick money hand over fist has become the American way, and DVD is the way to do it. If that comes true, there’ll be only two rather unpalatable choices: either going to a multiplex cinema that shows really junky, schlocky movies, seeing today’s art movies that may or may not be particularly interesting, or “biting the bullet” and getting DVD players and older films for DVD watching. This is something that I don’t want to do, and hope doesn’t happen, which is why I now hold yearly memberships to both the Brattle and the Coolidge Corner Theatres.