Loew's Jersey Theatre

Or how about The Thin Man series, their dogs name was Asta.

While we are on the subject, how about Rin Tin Tin, A Black Stalion movie, or -if I can get ridiculous- Francis the Talking Mule.Sorry Jersey programers, this is one show Ill just sit out- even though The Misfits- Gables last film does have some merit.How about some big screen epics along the lines of Spartacus, Doctor Zhivago, Around the World in 80 Days {1956} or the ever awesome king of them all- Ben Hur.

I’m surprised nobody has mentioned one of MGM’s big stars of the 1940’s: Lassie.

Vincent: The Loew’s did play the 1933 King Kong a few years ago. I think it was in 2002. I sat in the front row and stared up at it in awe.

Vincent, you must be waiting for the Music Hall to show it AGAIN, right?

Yes, but my question was different. Besides the Loew’s Jersey, are there any other theatres now operating that still use “Loew’s” in their name, but are not part of Loews Cineplex (and therefore will not be part of AMC)?

> Couldn’t the Jersey have found some animal themed films from the 1930’s

perhaps Bringing Up Baby ?

When Bye Bye Birdie played the Film Forum a few years ago, audiences went crazy for it. It was so successful they bought it back at the end of the year for a special encore engagement.

I too would love seeing it at the Loew’s. I enjoyed seeing Jailhouse Rock there last year.

I’ve never seen ‘Bye-Bye Birdie’ but it sounds like one of those films that although it may not be that great a movie,it has alot of camp value or may be famous for a particular scene or set design, etc. Elvis movies are alot like that. I haven’t seen every Elvis film, but I have seen alot of them and I can’t say I ever walked away from one and said ‘damn..what an amazing film!’. Elvis movies are fun to watch for one reason only…Elvis. Some Elvis films like ‘The Trouble With Girls’ are barely worth sitting through, and even for all of the mythical hype that’s been attached to ‘Viva Las Vegas’ it’s hardly a very memorable film. I actually saw ‘Viva Las Vegas’ years ago at The Biograph on 57th St. and I can’t say I remember much of it. Elvis films do have great production value and of course there is usually at least one hit single performed in it. A fave is when Elvis does ‘Bossa Nova Baby’ in “Fun in Alcapulco”. He sings, dances, AND plays the organ. No wonder he’s the frickin' king!!!

Don’t get me wrong, I think the staff at the Loews Jersey does amazing job, and I feel wierd criticizing such a great place, but I have to say that February’s line up has me scratchin my head a little. I agree with Vicent that maybe the Loews Jersey should stick to programming films that are roughly of the movie palace era, I guess that means choosing films that date up until the early 1980s(?). ‘Best In Show’ does seem an odd choice. I can’t say that I’m ready to run out to see ‘Old Yeller’ or ‘The Misfits’ either. I’ve seen parts of both and it seems strange that these two films, even though they’re classics, would be chosen for an ‘animal rescue’ film fest. They’re not what I would consider very uplifting. But once again..who am I to complain? I’m just glad the Loews Jersey exists the way it does. Not every film they program is going to please everybody.

A lot of people criticize it because it dumps a lot of the Broadway detritus-eg the lame satirical stuff, the filler songs(An English Teacher, Fine Upstanding American Boy, What Did I ever See In Him) etc. But I don’t know anybody who calls it dull. Maybe you need to see it on a screen. Margaret is great as well in How Lovely to be a Woman and Lot of Livin to Do.
I may also be the only one on the planet who likes The Rose Adagio on amphetamines. When I was a boy the classical segments on Ed Sullivan used to drive me crazy and I couldn’t wait for them to end. So I find it pretty funny when the dancers end up throwing the roses at the conductor.

While I happen to like Best in Show which is probably the best of the Guest it certainly is not the kind of film that needs a movie palace to set it off. I wonder if it will bring in many people on a Friday night.
I have found that the Loews does best when they show big old fashioned entertainments the kind that people went to movie palaces for. Like Martin and Lewis, Abbott and Costello and Ben Hur.
I’m still waiting for my Saturday night tribute to the beloved Ann Margaret- Bye Bye Birdie and Viva Las Vegas. If they can get a pristine eye popping early 60’s technicolor print of Birdie I tell you it is the ultimate movie trip. And those Johnny Green arrangements in stereo!