Ziegfeld Theatre
141 W. 54th Street,
New York,
NY
10019
141 W. 54th Street,
New York,
NY
10019
131 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1,926 - 1,950 of 4,511 comments
Vito:
Bill is quite astute to theater and projector operations as he is not only a life long movie goer, but he also has friends like me that do 35mm projection in their home. My films are typically done as 3 reels built up as one 6000 foot reel for a run time of about an hour between reel breaks (only one projector). Many of my prints have all the ugly tricks of the trade used to mark a reel end: shoe polish, red paint, grease pencil, etc. Fortunately these are mostly on the reel edges and do not impinge into the picture or sound track area. However, the point where I splice the two reels together really is not noticeable as you imply. The yellow line of the Zebra tape is masked off by the aperture plate (if 1.85 or 1.37). For scope, it goes by so fast, all but the he most trained eye, like yours, mine, maybe Bill’s might see it. Otherwise, it’s just “a splice” like any other splice. All modern high speed prints have lab splices made before the film is even exposed in the printer, and many of these splices are center frame and quite noticeable. In fact, the most noticeable thing about reel ends and starts is not that they’ve been spliced for plattering, but that they’ve been dragged on the floor and the rewind bench and are all cinched, dirty, and scratched for the last 15/first 15 seconds. Then there’s the projectionists that seem to feel they need to make their own changeover “dots” (you name it: “X"s, scratched frames, dots in other corners). I always wonder why they needed to do that.
Anyway, if Bill said it was changeover, he probably looked or he asked.
By the way, I don’t use Zebra tape, just clear tape for joining reels. The dots or the dirt always let you know when that reel change is coming. Believe me, the general public doesn’t care, doesn’t know, and couldn’t care less if a movie is digital, plattered, or reel-to-reel. Only fans. Oh, and sometimes I join my reels with the leaders and footers intact so you have to watch them go by at reel ends. If the leaders and footers on my prints have not been cut (rare), I do not cut them.
PS: Why does the text entry box on this site NOT have scroll bars? Have you ever tried to go back and edit your text? It’s impossible if the text is longer than the box height. Sometimes it will scroll, other times it jumps the entire length of the text and you can get at text in the middle of your entry. It also doesn’t scroll when your typing so you can’t see what you’re typing. It’s VERY annoying.
I would like to address the question posee by Rory regarding
reel-to-reel. A changeover, when executed properly, is a seamless change from one reel to another that looks to the audience like just another scene change.
When a print is joined together with splicing tape for a platter, Mutt, or 6k reel application, often the splice can be noticeable to the eye. It is not always as smooth a change as in a reel-to-reel change. Projectionist will often mark the frames in some way in order to find the ends of the reels when breaking down the print at the end of the run. I have seen show polish or other markings made with grease pencil which can flaw the image at the point of the splice. There is a very good splicing tape which can be used to avoid having to mark the print, called Zebra Tape, which is a clear tape with a yellow marking at the edges so that the splice can be easily found. Even the most perfect splice can be noticed by the trained eye, which may be how Bill knew the movie was being shown reel-to-reel. I am sure Bill can see the splices. Or perhaps he just turned his head to look up to the booth to watch the projectors switch. So which was it Bill?
By the way, As movie534 pointed out, some studios are doing the right thing in insisting that theses prints not be put on a platter. I must say it warms my heart to know some of the classics are being run at the Ziegfeld reel-to-reel, as they should be.
Ziegfeld man, are you mentioning in your intro the fact that the audience will be enjoying the movie shown reel-to-reel as they were in the good ole days? Some audience members might enjoy knowing that.
Wonderful turnout tonight for the 8PM show. I thought the print looked magnificent. Thanks for the warm reception to my intro, especially from those who traveled very far to be here tonight.
A great evening for a great film.
Best
What I meant Rory is exactly what you said. Not too many of us are left who can make reel-to-reel changeovers. In todays cinema world, candy sellers and popcorn poppers run the show, not trained professionals. As for the era its from looking old, give me that ANY time over all this digital crap their pushing. I like the old 35mm film look. Enjoy your trip here, and your movie.
Too bad there’s no Sunday showings, as that was the one day this weekend I’d have been able to get to the Ziegfeld. I’m kinda bummed. I’m going to have to see if I can get out of work early one day during the week to make it to an 8pm show. So, what’s going on Sunday and Wednesday at the theatre that the schedule had to be disrupted?
Movie534 wrote: Now all you have to hope is that there is no clown in the projection room running the print, or else, so much for that new print.
What’s this? Is it very noticable when there are reel changes during “Planet of the Apes”? I guess that means the “mark” in the upper right corner every ten minutes or so? Well, just as long as the print isn’t scratched to hell by the time I get up there to see it, I’ll be happy. I’m not expecting to be floored by it. The camera negative film stock, and protection dupes, from the era is going to look old no matter what.
Hey Graig
Im the movie guy for a nationally syndicated radio show. How can we get you to play “The Poseidon Adventure” during your classic series at the Ziegfield. Would appreciate it if you can make it happen in 2008! It’s my all time favorite movie and it has a huge following.
They would not have been able to get the print if they did not run it reel-to-reel, (the way ALL films should be shown). Many film companies want a signed waiver, stating that you will not platter the print. Now all you have to hope is that there is no clown in the projection room running the print, or else, so much for that new print.
When I saw “Planet of the Apes” in Passaic, NJ in 1973, when Heston was stripped naked in the courtroom the audience gasped. Tonight they laughed at the same scene. I think you’re right, Gary – that scene is disturbing, but a sophisticated New York audience has to cover that up by laughing.
That 1984 “Vertigo” audience almost spoiled the movie for me. I hadn’t seen it in years, and only on a black and white TV. They laughed at Kim Novak jumping in the bay, the kiss on the seashore with the waves crashing, etc. It was embarrassing. The 1996 “Vertigo” audience at the Ziegfeld was much more appreciative.
Hi Bill:
When the restored “Vertigo” was released at the Ziegfeld, I remember one particular scene that aroused laughter-“Scottie” has lost his love to suicide, and now, alone, sits lost and depressed. His expression is very disturbing and that can arouse “uncomfortable” laughter. A similar thing happened at a recent screening of “Leave Her to Heaven.” When the moment of revelation comes in “The Crying Game,” the audience gasped. Today, an audience might laugh—just because that moment is disturbing. “Planet of The Apes” has some intentionally funny lines and scenes and some very controversial, thought-provoking, and, yes, disturbing ones as well.
Regardless, I would rather see a film with an audience at the Ziegfeld, any day, than alone on DVD. Laughter is fine, just no cell phones and no talking.
Best
I loved seeing “Planet of the Apes” tonight in the Forbidden Zone, which was once a paradise (i.e. Manhattan). The sound was turned up so loud in the beginning that a guy in my row was holding his ears when the spaceship sprung a leak. I of course was greatly impressed with such volume.
There was an awkward incident. A lot of people were laughing AT Charlton Heston in the early scenes, not with him. Before long a fan of the movie had had enough and yelled out for “the snobs” to be quiet. It reminded me of a Greenwich Village audience I was part of in 1984 making fun of the newly re-released “Vertigo”. Some audiences are funny that way.
The film was shown reel to reel. I think the last time that was done was for “Porgy and Bess” last September.
Hi Everyone:
“Planet of the Apes” in a glorious, new restored 40th Anniversary print promises to be one of the major highlights of this edition of the Ziegfeld’s Classics series. The film has an incredible following and many are traveling great distances to be here ( maybe even light years). I am humbly privileged to be introducing the Saturday evening screening of this amazing film.
Hope to see you there.
Nice turnout for the 8 PM “Back To The Future” showing last night. Clear print and the curtains opened before and closed after the screening. Looking forward to seeing “Planet Of The Apes” next weel.
Great turnout for JAWS last night, beautiful print. This movie just gets better and better. Thank you all for your warm reception. I love doing these intros and meeting you all. Next week-the long awaited new print of APES. Hope to see y'all Saturday night.
By the way, from the trailer, Shine A Light, looks incredible. Really looking forward to that!!!!!!!!
Best
I’m sorry to hear they are not using the curtains, but as I’ve said before, that’s clearview for you. Anything Jimmy D and his band of pencil pushers gets their hands on, somehow gets ruined.
Well Bill, ya know back in the day we went backstage and pulled the curtains by hand. As a matter of fact that’s how I started in this buisness at the Paramount on Staten Island. It was never even a consideration not to use the curtains. I can not understand how they can not use them every show at the Ziegfeld, but we have beaten that horse to death.
Curtains! Curtains! We love the Curtains!
Vito: if anyone can get them to use the curtains, you can. I somehow thought the Ziegfeld projectionists might be aware of this website and the curtains issue, but I guess not. Pete Apruzzese once let me open the curtains for a show at the Lafayette in Suffern NY, and all I had to do was press one button. If it’s that easy, the Ziegfeld should be doing it for every show!
Curtains or not, I can’t wait to see “Planet of the Apes” on that screen.
opps, I meant where I spend my Winters.
I sure hope to see a festival at the Ziegfeld some day,
I always seem to be away when they present them.
I will even go up to the booth and talk the projectionists into using curtains.
Ziegfeld Man, I am still in Hawaii where I spend my summers, so I will not be seeing you tonight. I do remember fondly of when I ran “Jaws” here in Hawaii at the now demolished Waikiki #3.
Packed houses show after show, Ah, dems waz da dayz.
Rory: based on your top two favorite movies, you have excellent taste!
You’re right – it would be great if “2001” also had a 40th anniversary showing in NYC. And if they did, the Ziegfeld would be the only place to show it.
Wow, “Joe” and “Diary of a Mad Housewife.” I remember I had to be like 13 years old when my dad ran these 2 back in the early 70’s. Those were the days.
Thanks Vito:
I really miss the place, remember seeing “Joe” at the D-150 in 1970, I think. Or maybe it was “Diary of a Mad Housewife"
Nobody talks about "Joe” anymore, quite powerful, made Peter Boyle a star. Saw “Hook” there opening night. Very late show and after work, but determined to see it there. Was falling asleep driving home, but happy. Hope to see you at JAWS tonite.
Ziegfeld Man:
There’s this Yahoo group devoted to the POTA series and it has many members in the NYC area. Many of them plan to attend the 8 PM Saturday Night showing of APES. I’ll let them know that this “Ziegfeld Man” dude will be doing somekind of introduction. I won’t be seeing the new print until Monday night, but they’ll let me know what you had to say. That Yahoo groups' home page is: http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/pota/ and the email address of the owner, James, who lives in Brooklyn, is
If you want to get in contact with him, I’m sure he’ll be interested in what you will have planned.
By the way, not only is this the 40th Anniversary of PLANET OF THE APES, but it’s also the 40th of my second favorite film, 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY. Isn’t it a damn shame they’re not both at the Ziegfeld next week, right, Bill?
Ziegfeld Man, I do indeed remember running HTWWW, but it was at the Syosett, not the D-150. I can’t recall the year but it must have been either ‘63 or '64, we played the picture for almost a year,
10-11 months I believe.