Ziegfeld Theatre

If this theater still played movies, me and my dad would have enough money to buy some tickets and go see a movie and reserve a seat like the good old days. The reserved seating for movies has been around since the roadshow era but has gained popularity by the major chains recently due to renovations of older theaters that have worn out seats. Imagine if the Ziegfeld had recliners had Bow Tie continued to operate it. Some of the bow tie theaters around the area have closed due to lease expirations.

Though I’d only visited this amazing theater three times in the past two decades before it closed I still miss it terribly. It’s a shame the owners couldn’t find a way to keep it going. If it had gone the route of, say, the Egyptian in Los Angeles and focused strictly on revivals maybe it would have survived.

I just finished watching Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon, and I had similar memories from when it was the Christmas 1975 attraction at the Ziegfeld, and how beautiful it looked and sounded from the 5th row.

Hello fellow movie theater lovers,

I’m doing a project for my photojournalism class at NYU about closed down independent movie theaters in New York. I hope to gain information about people’s past experiences at these movie theaters, recollections of favorite memories or not so great experiences, perhaps economical insight, contacts with owners/managers, etc. On a larger level, I hope my project is able to show the significance of the role that these establishments play in our city and the importance of keeping them afloat.

If anyone would be willing to answer a few questions via email about your personal memories at the theater, please let me know! It could be as simple as recounting a favorite movie you remember seeing back when it was open. I would greatly appreciate your insight.

You can contact me at:

Thanks,
Gabi

Oh how i could visit the ziegfeld like my dad did back when big movies came out. It was very expensive when it first opened and it still was until they closed it down. No more Bow Tie cinemas in Manhattan anymore that are still called Bow Tie. That’s the state of moviegoing. There are other Bow Ties around the four boroughs and in NJ. I’d like to see the new management keep the famous Ziegfeld script and add in the ballroom name. I think it will get more crowded with all the extra space once it opens next year.

Opening paragraph of the NYTimes' review of Marooned:

IT seems fitting that a handsome, professional and future-minded space drama in fine color, like “Marooned,” should open a new jewel box of a theater, the Ziegfeld.

On the way to Radio City for Blazing Saddles on Thursday night, I passed by the Ziegfeld. Construction was still going on with whatever they’re turning the theater into, but it did still say Ziegfeld Theatre on the outside of the building, high up on the brick wall, and the marquee is still up. Maybe they’re going to keep them?

That is a wonderful idea! What is more important than the films themselves is the movie palaces that showed them. I am hoping that TCM will do an east coast version of their west coast yearly film festival. Maybe the Kings,Beacon,Radio City,175th etc. They rent the screens & projectors sometimes. Wouldn’t that be a thrill!!

Hello-

i was a frequent patron at this theater starting with its debut film “Marooned”. to which in reference to Mikeoaklandpark’s post of 5/1116. from the very beginning this theater often closed for a week or two if no suitable film was available for a 1st run engagement but i never remember this theater ever showing films second run in the sense that they had exhausted their original engagement at other theaters.

No problem. I may try to do it myself but thanks for posting the 70mm engagements.

Nothing makes me angrier that this theatre had to close.

Mike (saps) You’re probably right about the Loews 34th Street Showplace. For me, it would be fun to see the bookings since I went there more times than the Ziegfeld and Astor Plaza combined. If I can figure out how to do it myself I will.