Some of the comments here (including one of mine) inadvertently led to some posted misinformation here concerning this particular theater, though it is easy to see how things got a bit confused. The picture that I posted on November 14, 2009 and the one posted by Gerald A. DeLuca are not of the King Square Cinema (which was located on Charlotte Street and has been demolished). They are of the almost identically named King Square Cinemas that has a separate entry here on CT and faces Kings Square on its north side. That theater still stands as of 2012 though closed.
As noted this theater was originally named the Unique, then the Strand, then the Odeon, and finally the King Square Cinema before it was demolished. The Kings Square Cinemas began life as the Paramount before it was renamed the Kings Square Cinemas.
Something is odd here. The picture that accompanies the above referenced article is basically the same as the ones in the pictures indicated within the comments for the King Square Cinema, but the addresses in the CT listings are different; also the listing for the King Square Cinema would seem to indicate that the Kings Square is at least partially demolished if not completely.
This theater was frequently used by the movie industry during the golden age of Hollywood for sneak previews and test screenings as it was far enough away from Hollywood to provide a more accurate barometer in terms of audience reaction to films prior to release. This fact is inherent Joe Gillis’s line in “Sunset Boulevard” when he says to Norma Desmond, with regard to her planned comeback film about Salome, “They’ll love it in Pomona”.
The announcement does not make clear if these showings will be on the theater’s Cinerama strip screen or not. Last September, during the Seattle Cinerama’s wide screen festival, all of the films shown were on the magnificent Cinerama screen, but given that some of the films in this upcoming series are in 35mm, I am guessing that the strip screen won’t be used this time around.
According to Martin Hart’s Widescreen Museum website, only films shot in Ultra Panavision 70 were rectified for Cinerama screenings; films such as “2001” which were in Super Panavison 70 were not. So this new print should be comparable to original roadshow screenings, except that I would bet in has a digital soundtrack instead of the original magnetic tracks.
A very large, slightly curved screen is normally used at the Seattle Cinerama; the Cinerama strip screen is behind it and I have read that it takes a day or two to get the Cinerama screen ready for use. Some previous showings of “2001” at the Seattle Cinerama over the last few years have been on the regular screen.
The Cinerama will be hosting a classic science fiction film festival from April 19 through May 2, 2012. Five titles will be in 70mm, including a new print of “2001”.
Details and schedule here: View link
The Cinerama Theater in Seattle will showing a new 70mm print of “2001” as a part of their upcoming science fiction film festival. If they can get one, one would think the Dome could too.
It is interesting that TOdd-AO was used for some of the special effects shots. I had heard of old VistaVision cameras used for effects shots before but not Todd-AO.
It is interesting that Pittsburgh had two theaters named Penn that would have operated at least for awhile at the same time, although, in a practical sense, I suppose it would have been difficult to confuse Loew’s Penn and this Penn.
DEFG: Thanks for the kind remarks; I very much appreciate your comments as well.
I re-checked the finding aid for the Miller Collection of Cinerama theater plans at UCLA; it can be viewed here. It does not list any box containing plans for a new, purpose-built Cinerama house within NYC, but there are gaps in the box sequencing. It is possible that those who did the indexing for the finding aide were unable to identify the proposed locations for some of the theaters.
Also, possibly, the theater’s plans might have been included in the plans for the new Cinerama NYC offices or may have been among those generic plans mentioned at the end of the list. Then too, given the price of real estate, especially in Manhattan, it is possible that Cinerama dropped the idea or thought that another retrofit might be more practical, or by the time that the discussion were going forward, Cinerama may have decided that that the investment was no longer practical.
One day I hope to get out to UCLA and take a look myself
Over the years, Cinerama considered installing the process in a number of other NYC area theaters. According to the J. Evan Miller collection of Cinerama Theater plans housed at UCLA, at least preliminary plans or sketches were created for both Loew’s State and the Rivoli in Manhattan, the Meadowbrook in East Meadowbrook, and the Century in Huntington. There were also plans for a Cinerama New York office which would have included a screening room.
An article about this classic theater with photos.
This page has pictures of this theater both as the Unique and the Kings Square.
Some of the comments here (including one of mine) inadvertently led to some posted misinformation here concerning this particular theater, though it is easy to see how things got a bit confused. The picture that I posted on November 14, 2009 and the one posted by Gerald A. DeLuca are not of the King Square Cinema (which was located on Charlotte Street and has been demolished). They are of the almost identically named King Square Cinemas that has a separate entry here on CT and faces Kings Square on its north side. That theater still stands as of 2012 though closed.
As noted this theater was originally named the Unique, then the Strand, then the Odeon, and finally the King Square Cinema before it was demolished. The Kings Square Cinemas began life as the Paramount before it was renamed the Kings Square Cinemas.
Something is odd here. The picture that accompanies the above referenced article is basically the same as the ones in the pictures indicated within the comments for the King Square Cinema, but the addresses in the CT listings are different; also the listing for the King Square Cinema would seem to indicate that the Kings Square is at least partially demolished if not completely.
This theater was frequently used by the movie industry during the golden age of Hollywood for sneak previews and test screenings as it was far enough away from Hollywood to provide a more accurate barometer in terms of audience reaction to films prior to release. This fact is inherent Joe Gillis’s line in “Sunset Boulevard” when he says to Norma Desmond, with regard to her planned comeback film about Salome, “They’ll love it in Pomona”.
The announcement does not make clear if these showings will be on the theater’s Cinerama strip screen or not. Last September, during the Seattle Cinerama’s wide screen festival, all of the films shown were on the magnificent Cinerama screen, but given that some of the films in this upcoming series are in 35mm, I am guessing that the strip screen won’t be used this time around.
According to Martin Hart’s Widescreen Museum website, only films shot in Ultra Panavision 70 were rectified for Cinerama screenings; films such as “2001” which were in Super Panavison 70 were not. So this new print should be comparable to original roadshow screenings, except that I would bet in has a digital soundtrack instead of the original magnetic tracks.
A very large, slightly curved screen is normally used at the Seattle Cinerama; the Cinerama strip screen is behind it and I have read that it takes a day or two to get the Cinerama screen ready for use. Some previous showings of “2001” at the Seattle Cinerama over the last few years have been on the regular screen.
The Cinerama will be hosting a classic science fiction film festival from April 19 through May 2, 2012. Five titles will be in 70mm, including a new print of “2001”. Details and schedule here: View link
The Cinerama Theater in Seattle will showing a new 70mm print of “2001” as a part of their upcoming science fiction film festival. If they can get one, one would think the Dome could too.
It is interesting that TOdd-AO was used for some of the special effects shots. I had heard of old VistaVision cameras used for effects shots before but not Todd-AO.
This theater and the Rosebud have been closed; reopening depends on a successful resolution of their financial problems. View link
This theater and another in Milwaukee are now closed but may reopen after all of their current financial troubles are resolved: View link
An article about the proposed plans for the conversion of the Metro Theater into a gym. View link
Interior picture. This may have been posted previously, but many previous links are dead.
Exterior in 1957: View link
This webpage has a picture that partially shows the Joy along with some memories.
The Pavilion can be partially seen in this photo.
Scene in the 1964 film version of “Night Must Fall” were filmed inside and outside of the Pavilion Cinema.
A picture of the Rex in either late 1942 or early 1943.
The online source for this photo of the Scala claims that it is from 1925.
It is interesting that Pittsburgh had two theaters named Penn that would have operated at least for awhile at the same time, although, in a practical sense, I suppose it would have been difficult to confuse Loew’s Penn and this Penn.
Plans have been announced to reopen this theater. View link
This theater is apparently going to be restored. View link
DEFG: Thanks for the kind remarks; I very much appreciate your comments as well.
I re-checked the finding aid for the Miller Collection of Cinerama theater plans at UCLA; it can be viewed here. It does not list any box containing plans for a new, purpose-built Cinerama house within NYC, but there are gaps in the box sequencing. It is possible that those who did the indexing for the finding aide were unable to identify the proposed locations for some of the theaters.
Also, possibly, the theater’s plans might have been included in the plans for the new Cinerama NYC offices or may have been among those generic plans mentioned at the end of the list. Then too, given the price of real estate, especially in Manhattan, it is possible that Cinerama dropped the idea or thought that another retrofit might be more practical, or by the time that the discussion were going forward, Cinerama may have decided that that the investment was no longer practical.
One day I hope to get out to UCLA and take a look myself
The Temple Theatre in 1964. View link
Over the years, Cinerama considered installing the process in a number of other NYC area theaters. According to the J. Evan Miller collection of Cinerama Theater plans housed at UCLA, at least preliminary plans or sketches were created for both Loew’s State and the Rivoli in Manhattan, the Meadowbrook in East Meadowbrook, and the Century in Huntington. There were also plans for a Cinerama New York office which would have included a screening room.
The Baltimore Sun also recently ran this photo essay about the Parkway.