Luis, I’m glad you appreciate the Intro. As to your question, the Mastbaum was sort of the first lost, if 4000+ seaters are the “mega” definition, since NYC’s Hippodrome was built for other purposes.
I saw movies regularly here. The balcony was indeed closed off. The orchestra had long ago been reseated, so rows were permanently gone, rather than “missing.” 40% sounds too high for seats roped off.
from Beacon Hill page:
An odd thing about this theatre was that the subway ran fairly close behind the screen vibrating the entire house when it did.
They showed a ripoff revival of ‘This Is Cinerama’ one time. Supposedly a new lens enabled them to show Cinerama with one projector. A manager who worked there at the time told me during that run they had 2 boxoffice lines. One waiting to buy tickets and another waiting for refunds.
Supposed to be a scary place to work because of it being 2-3 floors below street level anything could happen and no one outside would notice anything.
posted by BJY on Jan 5, 2005 at 10:11am
Ok, done, old Intro of only 2 or 3 sentences has been replaced. I, too, admire Mr. Rankin’s magnificient description and hope people look down a few comments to read it, too.
I’ve rewritten many of the introductions for downtown Philadelphia movie palaces (as well as many other historic & current Philadelphia region cinemas). I didn’t do the Earle yet because it’s history was so amazing! However, I will get to it eventually.
JodarMovieFan, was the multiplex totally demolished? including its exterior walls?
If the drafthouse is new construction, it should be added separately with its own page. (Cinema Treasures can add it) If the multiplex’s exterior walls stayed and the existing building was rebuilt, then this page can merely be updated.
And, if you’ve seen any news articles, please link them here.
watching “Benjamin Button” that’s what I was afraid of.
I haven’t seen it projected in 35mm, nor do I understand the digital process in which it was filmed, but it didn’t seem right to me on the big screen compared to other films elsewhere.
A movie theater operator friend tells me 2 k shouldn’t be used on movie screens larger than 40 feet wide.
Perhaps it would have looked better with a 4k projector?
There was substantial audience yesterday because it was the day after Christmas, during holiday vacation season (which ends when New Year’s Day ends). I liked the movie even less. Oscar nominations for other minor awards like set design would be appropriate, but I doubt Benjamin Button is going to be the Best Picture of the Year.
I’m still waiting to know if the resolution is 4 k rather than 2 k?
I WANT them to use the curtain, but the explanation might not be the steps of using it.
Clearview may either not care to use the curtain for regular movie shows, or they might be concerned about the costs to repair it when it breaks & the repairman has to be called.
Yesterday’s 1 PM of “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” was well attended with at least a few hundred moviegoers. I asked the Box Office attendent if the curtain was being used, and she replied no. Indeed, NO effort was made to use the curtain. Perhaps it is only used for premieres & special presentations? People who attend the Ziegfeld like the curtain and it should be used more!
Though “Benjamin Button” only arrived on Christmas Day, “Defiance” begins on December 31. Defiance will be an exclusive, and should do very well as such.
That is a very nice photo posted. Pretty theater.
Luis, I’m glad you appreciate the Intro. As to your question, the Mastbaum was sort of the first lost, if 4000+ seaters are the “mega” definition, since NYC’s Hippodrome was built for other purposes.
Let’s all wish the Senator the BEST.
Thanks, Brucec, I’ve noted all that now in the Intro.
I saw movies regularly here. The balcony was indeed closed off. The orchestra had long ago been reseated, so rows were permanently gone, rather than “missing.” 40% sounds too high for seats roped off.
Yep.
/theaters/1209/
and www.FriendsOfTheBoyd.org
from Beacon Hill page:
An odd thing about this theatre was that the subway ran fairly close behind the screen vibrating the entire house when it did.
They showed a ripoff revival of ‘This Is Cinerama’ one time. Supposedly a new lens enabled them to show Cinerama with one projector. A manager who worked there at the time told me during that run they had 2 boxoffice lines. One waiting to buy tickets and another waiting for refunds.
Supposed to be a scary place to work because of it being 2-3 floors below street level anything could happen and no one outside would notice anything.
posted by BJY on Jan 5, 2005 at 10:11am
I’ve either read on this site or heard that 2k looks like dreck on the Arclight Dome screen!
Ok, done, old Intro of only 2 or 3 sentences has been replaced. I, too, admire Mr. Rankin’s magnificient description and hope people look down a few comments to read it, too.
Demolition photo:
View link
Mark, I don’t understand your comment. Are you saying “since Christmas” and it has been awhile since what? are you saying no premieres or what?
Facade, lit up at night (not my photo):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/three1188/3090549820/
Thank you for showing us these images.
For Spielberg’s acceptance speech go to
www.youtube.com then type in the Search box: Spielberg Demille award
A photo of “"Greatest Show on Earth” at the Boyd is on
Philadelphia Inquirer movie critic Carrie Rickey’s blog on January 13
View link
which then appeared online VARIETY (see January 13)
http://weblogs.variety.com/thompsononhollywood/
View link
Dan Gross mentioned the Spielberg connection in his Philadelphia Daily News column on January 14:
View link
I’ve rewritten many of the introductions for downtown Philadelphia movie palaces (as well as many other historic & current Philadelphia region cinemas). I didn’t do the Earle yet because it’s history was so amazing! However, I will get to it eventually.
Photos (not mine) of the pretty auditorium:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/btmeacham/2101310096/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/btmeacham/2101309358/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/misshaley/530568671/
JodarMovieFan, was the multiplex totally demolished? including its exterior walls?
If the drafthouse is new construction, it should be added separately with its own page. (Cinema Treasures can add it) If the multiplex’s exterior walls stayed and the existing building was rebuilt, then this page can merely be updated.
And, if you’ve seen any news articles, please link them here.
December 2008 photos (not mine):
View link
watching “Benjamin Button” that’s what I was afraid of.
I haven’t seen it projected in 35mm, nor do I understand the digital process in which it was filmed, but it didn’t seem right to me on the big screen compared to other films elsewhere.
A movie theater operator friend tells me 2 k shouldn’t be used on movie screens larger than 40 feet wide.
Perhaps it would have looked better with a 4k projector?
There was substantial audience yesterday because it was the day after Christmas, during holiday vacation season (which ends when New Year’s Day ends). I liked the movie even less. Oscar nominations for other minor awards like set design would be appropriate, but I doubt Benjamin Button is going to be the Best Picture of the Year.
I’m still waiting to know if the resolution is 4 k rather than 2 k?
I WANT them to use the curtain, but the explanation might not be the steps of using it.
Clearview may either not care to use the curtain for regular movie shows, or they might be concerned about the costs to repair it when it breaks & the repairman has to be called.
Many of these films, such as “Benjamin Button” & “Defiance” are digital projections. What’s the resolution? 2 k? 4 k? I understand there’s a 3 k, too.
Yesterday’s 1 PM of “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” was well attended with at least a few hundred moviegoers. I asked the Box Office attendent if the curtain was being used, and she replied no. Indeed, NO effort was made to use the curtain. Perhaps it is only used for premieres & special presentations? People who attend the Ziegfeld like the curtain and it should be used more!
Though “Benjamin Button” only arrived on Christmas Day, “Defiance” begins on December 31. Defiance will be an exclusive, and should do very well as such.
Photos of December 7, 2008 premiere of “Doubt” at the Paris Theatre:
View link
Photo of the auditorium, side view:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/volcanojw/2548443901/
Exterior of the building:
View link
Exterior from the side that faces the West Building:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iainr/65202562/