The book “American Theatres of Today” (1927 so Volume One) reported that 12 feet wide means the picture is life sized. A 2000 seat auditorium was then supposed to get a screen 17 feet wall x 12.8 feet tall. A 3500 seat auditorium was supposed to get a screen 20 feet wide and 15 feet tall.
Justin, this wonderful Hoyts theater was stadium seated. I saw movies there, and have seen movies at the 24 screener.
The Hoyts will not reopen because there’s not more demand for movies in that location than the AMC/Loews. Repeat: the Hoyts will not reopen for movies.
Mark, a “strong” chain can’t strong-arm moviegoers, forcing them to attend en masse!
Posted:
In 3 years the leases are up on the Village & Bruin. I’ve heard they are both in the red (despite premieres) & won’t still be operated by Mann. Both exteriors are legally protected, but interiors could become retail, restaurant, etc. In my opinion, “saving” the Village for continued entertainment including some movies (perhaps like the Warner Grand in San Pedro and the Alex in Glendale but also with some premieres) is very important, more so than the National which appears doomed altogether. Don’t expect Mann to plex around them like the Dome. Look for somebody else!
posted by HowardBHaas on Oct 9, 2007 at 9:20am
The design aspects we perceive as marvelous were, if I understand correctly, modern Disney alternations. So far as I understand, the original design when built wasn’t as magificient as what we see today.
I don’t understand, though, what’s meant by the owner has “poured millions” into the theater in the last five years since the Disney alterations were already complete
JodarMovieFan, thanks! I’m glad you appreciate it.
In 1993, I saw “El Cid” in 70mm at the pre-restored Avalon (also rewritten, but the story isn’t finished, as they’ve got more work to do, such as the elevator installation). It was a highlight of my moviegoing life. Costume period pieces are my favorite movies, though….
I see Monday’s showing is some kind of HD digital. I’m not totally sure, but that doesn’t sound like movie theater digital projection equivalent of film (inferior 2 k, more adequate 4 k, etc.) but like something you’d play at home. Or, maybe it might look ok on the big screen.
I saw movies here 1985 to 1986 before moving closer to the movie theaters of upper Conn. Ave. JodarMovieFan, since you commented, the Intro was revised. The largest, original auditorium did previously have plays. The other auditoriums and screens didn’t impress me as large, but that was typical nationwide of movie theaters built in that era. It was a good place to see movies.
I saw movies, mainstream and arthouse, and even one classic, a reissue of E.T. (August 1985) at the Circle West End 5-6-7 in 1985 and 1986. I recall that the auditoriums and movie screens were small.
I haven’t perceived any of those problems, including with “I am Legend” last month. The staff does speak English.
We can sit around whining about ALL or almost all of various national chain theaters, but we can’t be assured anybody else would operate any such theater! I doubt RIVJR is going to lead the Uptown effort. The Avalon effort was a lot of work, for a smaller theater that found an arthouse niche.
The Uptown is still an incredible experience. Again, encouraging AMC to depart or people not to attend may simply lead to permanent closure. The last minute effort to get another theater operator to Mann’s National in Los Angeles is answered now, with demolition.
Dupont closed because the downtown Landmark (E Street) shows the arthouse films.
The MacArthur had a big screen, but the Avalon is a more ornate, historic theater. It was a shame, of course, that the MacArthur closed. I’m thrilled the Avalon reopened.
People who liked the MacArthur should make sure to buy tickets at the remaining historic theaters in the area, Avalon, Uptown, AFI Silver, the Baltimore Senator and others. Same architect, John Zink, designed the Uptown and Baltimore Senator.
Broadway in Pitman NJ live shows but most weeks, 1st run mainstream movies: /theaters/1014/
Triplexed but original Proscenium Arch and other historic decor can still be enjoyed:
(front auditorium) Ambler, PA /theaters/3953/
(middle auditorium) Clearview’s Bala, PA /theaters/9064/
MANHATTAN, to give some links to ones mentioned by Paul:
Ziegfeld /theaters/12/
Paris /theaters/307/
AMC Loew’s 72nd Street (Tower East) /theaters/7766/
Clearview’s 62nd & Broadway /theaters/7894/
UA 85th Street /theaters/10487/
Others, I think, where original Proscenium Arch can still be enjoyed, but divided up.
Pierre’s list excludes the classic festivals of 2006 and 2007, but also excludes classic runs from prior years when one classic played a week or more. I saw Funny Girl on 9-1-01, Metropolis 8-19-02 (and others from Philadelphia saw it there & still rave), The Way We Were 9-6-03, and Raging Bull 1-30-05. I wasn’t too excited about The Way We Were, but the others were great to enjoy at the Ziegfeld.
17 feet wide. (typo).
The book “American Theatres of Today” (1927 so Volume One) reported that 12 feet wide means the picture is life sized. A 2000 seat auditorium was then supposed to get a screen 17 feet wall x 12.8 feet tall. A 3500 seat auditorium was supposed to get a screen 20 feet wide and 15 feet tall.
Justin, this wonderful Hoyts theater was stadium seated. I saw movies there, and have seen movies at the 24 screener.
The Hoyts will not reopen because there’s not more demand for movies in that location than the AMC/Loews. Repeat: the Hoyts will not reopen for movies.
It failed as a 1st run theater due to the Cherry Hill multiplex so why “maybe” would it be a good investment to lease, LongIslandMovies?
I don’t want to sit in center stalls/orchestra. I want to sit in the 1st circle/balcony & watch the movie on that screen.
Mark, a “strong” chain can’t strong-arm moviegoers, forcing them to attend en masse!
Posted:
In 3 years the leases are up on the Village & Bruin. I’ve heard they are both in the red (despite premieres) & won’t still be operated by Mann. Both exteriors are legally protected, but interiors could become retail, restaurant, etc. In my opinion, “saving” the Village for continued entertainment including some movies (perhaps like the Warner Grand in San Pedro and the Alex in Glendale but also with some premieres) is very important, more so than the National which appears doomed altogether. Don’t expect Mann to plex around them like the Dome. Look for somebody else!
posted by HowardBHaas on Oct 9, 2007 at 9:20am
The design aspects we perceive as marvelous were, if I understand correctly, modern Disney alternations. So far as I understand, the original design when built wasn’t as magificient as what we see today.
I don’t understand, though, what’s meant by the owner has “poured millions” into the theater in the last five years since the Disney alterations were already complete
Set of photos:
View link
JodarMovieFan, thanks! I’m glad you appreciate it.
In 1993, I saw “El Cid” in 70mm at the pre-restored Avalon (also rewritten, but the story isn’t finished, as they’ve got more work to do, such as the elevator installation). It was a highlight of my moviegoing life. Costume period pieces are my favorite movies, though….
I see Monday’s showing is some kind of HD digital. I’m not totally sure, but that doesn’t sound like movie theater digital projection equivalent of film (inferior 2 k, more adequate 4 k, etc.) but like something you’d play at home. Or, maybe it might look ok on the big screen.
Oh, goodness, I meant to write that “the Boyd was NOT included in that sale.”
The Boyd was included in the sale.
I saw movies here 1985 to 1986 before moving closer to the movie theaters of upper Conn. Ave. JodarMovieFan, since you commented, the Intro was revised. The largest, original auditorium did previously have plays. The other auditoriums and screens didn’t impress me as large, but that was typical nationwide of movie theaters built in that era. It was a good place to see movies.
I saw movies, mainstream and arthouse, and even one classic, a reissue of E.T. (August 1985) at the Circle West End 5-6-7 in 1985 and 1986. I recall that the auditoriums and movie screens were small.
2007 photo of lobby:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcgervey/435056472/
2007 exterior photo
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbcurio/514195607/
2004 exterior photos of closed theater:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sethgaines/35207894/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sethgaines/35207986/
Exterior is Art Deco.
The Avalon is planning on installing an elevator.
“There Will Be Blood” isn’t in the historic auditorium?
Those links aren’t as I expect. Look at items 2, 3, 4, and 9 (same carpet in the auditorium).
Enjoy today’s revised Intro above, today.
Photos from March 14, 1931 issue of Motion Picture Herald
Exterior
View link
Entry lobby:
View link
Foyer:
View link
Auditorium Facing Stage
View link
I haven’t perceived any of those problems, including with “I am Legend” last month. The staff does speak English.
We can sit around whining about ALL or almost all of various national chain theaters, but we can’t be assured anybody else would operate any such theater! I doubt RIVJR is going to lead the Uptown effort. The Avalon effort was a lot of work, for a smaller theater that found an arthouse niche.
The Uptown is still an incredible experience. Again, encouraging AMC to depart or people not to attend may simply lead to permanent closure. The last minute effort to get another theater operator to Mann’s National in Los Angeles is answered now, with demolition.
the Box Office
http://www.flickr.com/photos/woody1969/2007759615/
stays?
Anyone photo the candy counter’s skyline?
Dupont closed because the downtown Landmark (E Street) shows the arthouse films.
The MacArthur had a big screen, but the Avalon is a more ornate, historic theater. It was a shame, of course, that the MacArthur closed. I’m thrilled the Avalon reopened.
People who liked the MacArthur should make sure to buy tickets at the remaining historic theaters in the area, Avalon, Uptown, AFI Silver, the Baltimore Senator and others. Same architect, John Zink, designed the Uptown and Baltimore Senator.
Thanks, Mike.
Immediate SUBURBS suburbs of PHILADELPHIA, single screeners for movies:
Colonial Phoenxiville, PA http://72.9.100.242/theater/3769/
Hiway, Jenkintown, PA /theaters/5234/
Newtown, PA /theaters/5613/
Broadway in Pitman NJ live shows but most weeks, 1st run mainstream movies:
/theaters/1014/
Triplexed but original Proscenium Arch and other historic decor can still be enjoyed:
(front auditorium) Ambler, PA /theaters/3953/
(middle auditorium) Clearview’s Bala, PA /theaters/9064/
MANHATTAN, to give some links to ones mentioned by Paul:
Ziegfeld /theaters/12/
Paris /theaters/307/
AMC Loew’s 72nd Street (Tower East) /theaters/7766/
Clearview’s 62nd & Broadway /theaters/7894/
UA 85th Street /theaters/10487/
Others, I think, where original Proscenium Arch can still be enjoyed, but divided up.
Pierre’s list excludes the classic festivals of 2006 and 2007, but also excludes classic runs from prior years when one classic played a week or more. I saw Funny Girl on 9-1-01, Metropolis 8-19-02 (and others from Philadelphia saw it there & still rave), The Way We Were 9-6-03, and Raging Bull 1-30-05. I wasn’t too excited about The Way We Were, but the others were great to enjoy at the Ziegfeld.