A “legit” movie theater, yes, but it always did play the offbeat, foreign language, and somewhat sensational motion picture fare; its eventual move to hard-core adult films was not surprising or unexpected.
The DeMille, formally the Columbia and then the Mayfair, always seemed like a stepchild in the Times Square movie scene. Looking through old ads when it was part of the Loew’s chain, it rarely had quality exclusives and always seem to be buried in their display ads, probably even worse under Brandt. With no loving parent to watch over it and take care of it, it’s no wonder it eventually sunk.
The Warner/Cinerama was ok as a twin, at least it kept many of the architectural details, especially upstairs was still breathtaking.
The Criterion was not too bad when it was just a twin, but the nadir of Times Square moviegoing had to be those basement screens. I still shudder when I think of my experiences down there.
Since this theater returned it to its roots as a playhouse in 1957, I somewhat doubt that it was showing naughty movies in 1964. This must be another theater, and not the Globe also known as the Lunt-Fontanne…
A “legit” movie theater, yes, but it always did play the offbeat, foreign language, and somewhat sensational motion picture fare; its eventual move to hard-core adult films was not surprising or unexpected.
Not exactly “just like,” but whatever…
There is a quick shot of the marquee near the end of movie The Killer that Stalked New York (1950)
New comment added to a photo.
Joe, based on your previous posts, it appears to me, and I mean this in the nicest way, that you do seem to have the worst taste in movies…
I wonder what were the other two reserved seat spectacles.
I hope we will soon have the opportunity to see it again on a big screen
The article about the Landmark 57 closing mentioned that City Cinemas had closed their East side theaters; did they mean these screens?
Also a little off topic, LOL, how does one italicize or bold a word or comment? I have looked for instructions on the site, to no avail.
All movie theaters in New York City are still closed
A film noir about the newspaper business starring a late-career Humphrey Bogart trying to fill 5886 seats per show? Good luck with that…
I don’t think they necessarily had reserve seating in the entire first and second mezzanines, perhaps only the first few rows of each…
Isn’t that Warner in this photo the Strand?
The DeMille, formally the Columbia and then the Mayfair, always seemed like a stepchild in the Times Square movie scene. Looking through old ads when it was part of the Loew’s chain, it rarely had quality exclusives and always seem to be buried in their display ads, probably even worse under Brandt. With no loving parent to watch over it and take care of it, it’s no wonder it eventually sunk.
The Warner/Cinerama was ok as a twin, at least it kept many of the architectural details, especially upstairs was still breathtaking.
The Criterion was not too bad when it was just a twin, but the nadir of Times Square moviegoing had to be those basement screens. I still shudder when I think of my experiences down there.
Yeah, but maybe with the Capitol being the first to close, and at such an early date, spared it the ignomy of presenting exploitation fare.
Still, I wish it had remained longer to give me a chance to visit, even if I had to sit through Fists of Fury or Emmanuelle…
That McDonald’s on 42nd St. had such a nice flashy marquee, flashing lights and hoopla, I’ll be sorry to see it shut down
Der Bingle?
Don’t dig that kind of croonin', chum…!
I guess you better delete the one from 2016 then
Since this seems to be the corner of 43rd St. and Broadway, I’m having some trouble spotting the Mayfair theater
I see the marquee of the Palace Theater is promoting the upcoming return to legit theater with Gwen Verdon in Sweet Charity
Psycho opening day ad added to photos.
Jesus Christ…! (And I mean that as a prayer.)
Sorry, the front page of the site is reserved for three year old stories that are never changed or updated
Since this theater returned it to its roots as a playhouse in 1957, I somewhat doubt that it was showing naughty movies in 1964. This must be another theater, and not the Globe also known as the Lunt-Fontanne…
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