yeah, too bad the Royal projectionist didn’t know how to handle a roadshow. I remember him opening the curtains onto a blank screen for the overture and entracte.
I’m not much younger than you, but if my budget allowed I would schlep over to the National at Midnight (on public transportation yet) to see something I really liked…
but it seems pretty clear that the owner is only allowing it to stay open until he finalizes plans to demolish it. If it closed there would be another outcry, another online petition, etc.
this way people figure its fine, then it could suddenly close and be demolished within a week
Okay Mr. Newman, you’ve made a good point. I have just submitted a correction with enough detail (and passion) to convince the Powers that Be at CT. Being webmasters themselves, they must realize how difficult is is to change the domain name and page graphics of an established website. My point in that message was that Mr. Bucksbaum’s efforts to keep the theatre exemplify the very mission of Cinema Treasures, so they should at least list it under his chosen name.
While we’re giving so much impassioned attention to The Majestic Crest, let’s all remember that it’s well worth a drive far beyond your local uglyplex to enjoy the superior moviegoing experience of this classic theatre. Let’s put our money where our mouths are and go SUPPORT the place.
HAIRSPRAY opens at the Majestic Crest on Friday July 20th. Can you imagine the fun of watching it in such a theatrical environment? See you there.
Yes William, we know that the website for the Crest is not fully up to date. That is no reason for Cinema Treasures not to be up to date. And despite what the theatre was before, it is now a gem worth saving.
Homeboy, the owner of the Crest loves the theatre and has clearly announced that he has NO INTENTION of closing. The National in Westwood is in much more immanent danger of being lost in just the scenario you describe than the Crest is.
To anyone paying attention, it is obvious that this theatre is officially named the Majestic Crest, yet Cinema Treasures insists on listing it as the Westwood Crest.
Let’s examine the evidence, shall we? Mr. Bucksbaum has stated in an interview that he was fond of the movie THE MAJESTIC and its depiction of a family run movie palace. He has spent a lot of money adding the name MAJESTIC to the marquee, it is in all the advertising, the telephone recordings, everywhere – except for Cinema Treasures, and his own website, which hasn’t changed a bit in years.
With unreliable bookings, unsteady business, serious damage done to the theatre by careless film crews, the high cost of running the place, and a daily struggle to keep it open, clearly he is much too busy to buy and register a new domain name, cross-link it with the current domain name, and update the graphics on his website. Anyone who has tried to run a website while also trying to support himself can empathize.
This man is a hero to us for fighting against all odds to preserve a real Cinema Treasure. The least you could do is list it under the name he obviously prefers!
One means of effectively and affordably getting word out for alternate programming is to arrange sponsorship deals with publications like LA Weekly, Frontiers, City Beat, etc. where the publications kick in for advertizing, fliers, posters, etc. Another way to gain attention is to arrange some special appearances of people involved with the film. Sending press releases to the Times and News couldn’t hurt either. And I heartily agree that, whether at midnight or otherwise, special programming needs to be older event pictures that can fill that big screen, and haven’t been seen in theatres in a long time. None of this is easy, but if it is not a lost cause already, the National NEEDS attention. BTW, for further coverage and a look at the National in its infancy, check out: http://cinemasightlines.com
Hey Geo, take a look at the coverage of the lost Kallet Genesee and original Shoppingtown over at http://www.cinemasightlines.com/cinemas.php – the Oswego theatre and nearby drive-in should turn up there eventually. For more info on the Oswego (owner, building, etc) contact me directly.
Same here. Would love to see what your friend’s place looks like… I keep hearing how some newer ‘plexes are making a real effort toward creating a finer moviegoing experience, but these theatres are never anywhere near LA! What does that tell you about our industry?
The company built a very similar cinema in Oswego, same color scheme and layout – but a little bigger, the booth/lobby wall wasn’t curved like the Mini 1, and the Oswego Cinema had no screen curtain.
If anyone has any photos of this, any other Oswego/Syracuse theatres, or the Norwalk, please contact me.
Geo1: I worked there as a teenager and remember the place fairly well. The stage has dressing rooms and a rear entrance, and there is a few feet of space behind the screen, so the stage depth could be about 20-25 feet. The Theatre did house the (rare) occasional play when I was around, one I remember was one night of YOU KNOW I CAN’T HEAR YOU WHEN THE WATER’S RUNNING with Imogene Coca and King Donovan in the 60s. Though it’s not been kept up as much as we’d like, I think it’s built solid as a rock… why not make them an offer they can’t refuse?
Multi-use there could be very nice, and there could always be a modern multiplex built next-door. The question is, is there enough interest in the surrounding community to support the place? I understand there are no movie theatres in the area (including Syracuse) other than standard plexes with small screens. Maybe if it was equipped with a big screen, digital projection and surround sound, it could be an “event” venue again.
Okay guys, there has been an answer to the National rumors over on Cinema Sightlines. They report that the announcement at the screening had no basis in fact, and there are no plans to demolish the National in the near future. They have some more details and are working on getting some definitive statements from the parties directly involved. Wouldn’t you love to find whoever made that announcement and ask them where they got their information from?
A couple years ago, I sat in the next to last row of the El Cap with a toddler on a Booster seat kicking my seat every couple minutes. I finally turned back and politely as I could manage, said “PLEASE, DON’T DO THAT!” Soon it began again. I turned and a bit more emphatically, said ‘WILL YOU PLEASE STOP KICKING THE BACK OF MY SEAT!!“ Mom finally spoke up with something to the effect that I was behaving badly! I mustered the nerve to point out that I wasn’t the one with a hyperactive kid. Got up, climbned over seven people, went out to the lobby and got an usher who came back and watched for a couple minutes, then soon as she left, the kicking resumed. If the MOTHER can’t be bothered to make her kid behave, what hope is there?
Unfortunately, many of today’s adult audiences are themselves part of a generation that haven’t much of a clue about proper behavior in a theatre…
I once sat in the Hollywood Bowl to see THE MUSIC MAN, and the couple in front us had brought their darling brand-new fetus with them. This poor little creature looked like the cord was still attached. Oddly enough the kid didn’t seem to enjoy the show, and very clearly expressed that thought several times. Then in the middle of a very quiet sequence, mom decided it was time to feed the baby. “The natural way.” As if all this action in front of us wasn’t enough, just as Kristin Chenoweth is standing in a pin-spot on the dark stage singing a quiet song, Dad decides that that baby’s first breast-feeding at the Bowl is a Kodak moment. Right in our faces, in a pitch dark amphitheatr, he took a FLASH picture. I wish I had reacted more quickly because having to crop out my hand expressive gesture over Mom’s head, might have reminded them that there were about 5000 other people around.
There is simply no excuse for bring babies into a theatre, It’s child abuse. How would you feel if you were tiny and new in a giant’s world, and you were taken from your warm comfortable bed into a big dark noisy room surrounded by other giants? All the rest of us in the audience have learned to interpret the baby’s plaintive cry as something like “Get me the hell outta here!” Why don’t the child’s loving protectors get it?
I think it should begin with how you watch movies with your kid at home. Watch with them, get them used to paying attention, and gauge from their behavior when they are ready to appreciate and concentrate on a movie in public. Then pay close attention to the kid through the movie… This all sounds like an article on movie manners that I read somewhere…
I have some 50s pics of the Franklin, have been in the Westcott, and never saw the Manlius. Most of CinemaNational’s theatres are gone now: Westhill, Cinema East, Cinema North, Shop City…
Thanks for the heads-up, Armand. Looking forward to having the record set straight. Now I’m very curious how a 26 year old ended up running the National. Can’t wait to read the story. Here come the jokes about being twice your age and having stationery older than you… However all that really mattters is how well it’s done, so best of luck and let’s all buy plenty of tickets!
The only chance I can see is finding some equivalent to Paul Allen, who had the means to save and upgrade the Seattle Cinerama, a chain of pub/diner Cinemas who’d like to get into the LA market in a big way, or a company that wanted to showcase a new presentation technology, like Sony and its 4k… Let’s face it, Money talks louder than all the petitions in the world.
I’ve signed it and encouraged others to, put for the record, even if BR backs down, that would not stop the owner from tearing it down for something else. I suggest some media attention, (TV/print) and industry attention (Variety, etc). For those of you who haven’t seen PRESERVE ME A SEAT, http://www.apartment101films.com/ that would give you a good idea of what kind of a fight we have ahead of us.
Well Mr. Packard, (any relation to the Stanford?) you list some interesting choices.. I must be one of a handful of people who have heard of all those titles, but my favorite is definitely BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS. How about THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE while we’re at it? add in MARY POPPINS, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, DOCTOR DOLITTLE, THE LITTLE PRINCE, OLIVER! WIZARD OF OZ, plus the original WILLY WONKA, and you might have a good morning matinee series.
For Midnight I’d suggest…
Monthly Camp Classics: SHOWGIRLS, MOMMIE DEAREST, VALLEY OF THE DOLLS, BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS, SEXTETTE…
Behind the Music Series: CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC, ABBA THE MOVIE, COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER, ALMOST FAMOUS, SONG OF NORWAY, STAR IS BORN ‘76, THIS IS SPINAL TAP and its little known sequei…
Memorable Musicals, like THE MUSIC MAN, GREASE, DREAMGIRLS, CABARET, CHICAGO,
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, a double feature of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN and THE BAND WAGON, STAR IS BORN ‘54, UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN, MEET ME IN ST LOUIS, EASTER PARADE, GIGI, SHOW BOAT, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT 1-2-3…
50s-60s Roadshows like MY FAIR LADY, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, SOUND OF MUSIC, KING AND I, SOUTH PACIFIC, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, SWEET CHARITY, BEN-HUR, CLEOPATRA, HAWAII, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, SPARTACUS, DOCTOR ZHIVAGO, THE BIBLE… ensuring the prints are complete with Overture, Intermission, etc. and playing them in true roadshow fashion would set these apart.
“Miss-Cast” musicals series: GYPSY, HELLO, DOLLY!, MAME…
“Non-Singers Singing” PAINT YOUR WAGON, MAN OF LA MANCHA, EVERYONE SAYS I LOVE YOU…
Christopher Guest series: WAITING FOR GUFFMAN, BEST IN SHOW,
A MIGHTY WIND, FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION…
Musical Remakes with their Originals: GOODBYE MR. CHIPS Peter O' Toole & Robert Donat, LOST HORIZON ‘37 and '73, AUNTIE MAME & (LUCY) MAME, NIGHTS OF CABIRIA & SWEET CHARITY, SMILES OF A SUMMER NIGHT & A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC…
I agree with previous suggestions for a 70s Disaster series, which should start with the good picture that began the trend – AIRPORT, and its guilty pleasure sequels, followed by POSEIDON ADVENTURE and it’s sequel, EARTHQUAKE, ROLLERCOASTER, THE SWARM, HINDENBURG, JAWS…
“Visitors” Series: THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, E.T., STARMAN, THE VISIT, EXPLORERS, FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR. STRANGE INVADERS…
Epic/Blockbusters: 2001, GRAND PRIX, STAR WARS series, JAWS…
Timeless Classics: GONE WITH THE WIND, CITIZEN KANE…
To increase the draw, 70mm wherever possible, invite cast/crew from the films to appear/speak. If you had a digital projector (preferably 4K) all the recent digital clean-ups like GWTW, SINGIN IN THE RAIN, BEN-HUR, etc. would be much higher quality than most of us have seen before. (Sony should put one in just for the publicity)
To lessen the cost, contact the homevid companies to sponsor, maybe also record labels and/or stores; have CD/DVD for sale in the lobby.
Advance Ticket Sales (individual feature or several by choice) could ensure prime seat locations, bring in money sooner, and be a good gauge of interest.
Armand/Philip/Inwood, I know a reporter who would like to interview you… The National, and what you’re doing with it, deserve some attention.
BEN-HUR opened in 1960 at Kallet Shoppingtown Theatre, just East of Syracuse. That was the Upstate NY Premiere roadshow engagement, and it ran there (reserved seats, one show a night, plus matinees on weekends) for nearly a year. CinemaSightlines.com has pictures of the Shoppingtown Theatre including the projectors running an anamorphic 70mm print of BEN-HUR. No way that BEN-HUR could have played Oswego until maybe 61-62. Kallet Genesee, just West of Syracuse, had a return run of BEN-HUR in the late sixties.
PS: a slogan used in the Oswego Theatre’s radio ads: “Movies are Great at 138!”
True, Michael. The Schine’s Oswego was a neighborhood theatre that did not play roadshow pictures until at least a year later after the roadshow run gave way to “popular prices.”
At some point in the 60s, BEN-HUR played the Kallet Genesee, one of the top two roadshow houses in Syracuse. There is no listing for the Genesee theatre here, but there are pictures of it at CinemaSightlines.com. The Genesee had a manager who was very good at creating theatre displays and thoughtful presentation.
I’m sure it will be missed in it’s current location, however… Assuming he still has the orginal painting that the mural was copied from, his artwork will survive in some form. I imagine it could at least be used for postcards, prints, etc. and perhaps a photographic blowup in some theatre lobby. As downtown continues to gentrify, there’s a possibility it might eventually be duplicated in another (maybe better) location.
yeah, too bad the Royal projectionist didn’t know how to handle a roadshow. I remember him opening the curtains onto a blank screen for the overture and entracte.
I’m not much younger than you, but if my budget allowed I would schlep over to the National at Midnight (on public transportation yet) to see something I really liked…
but it seems pretty clear that the owner is only allowing it to stay open until he finalizes plans to demolish it. If it closed there would be another outcry, another online petition, etc.
this way people figure its fine, then it could suddenly close and be demolished within a week
Michael, we agree on a lot.
Okay Mr. Newman, you’ve made a good point. I have just submitted a correction with enough detail (and passion) to convince the Powers that Be at CT. Being webmasters themselves, they must realize how difficult is is to change the domain name and page graphics of an established website. My point in that message was that Mr. Bucksbaum’s efforts to keep the theatre exemplify the very mission of Cinema Treasures, so they should at least list it under his chosen name.
While we’re giving so much impassioned attention to The Majestic Crest, let’s all remember that it’s well worth a drive far beyond your local uglyplex to enjoy the superior moviegoing experience of this classic theatre. Let’s put our money where our mouths are and go SUPPORT the place.
HAIRSPRAY opens at the Majestic Crest on Friday July 20th. Can you imagine the fun of watching it in such a theatrical environment? See you there.
Yes William, we know that the website for the Crest is not fully up to date. That is no reason for Cinema Treasures not to be up to date. And despite what the theatre was before, it is now a gem worth saving.
Homeboy, the owner of the Crest loves the theatre and has clearly announced that he has NO INTENTION of closing. The National in Westwood is in much more immanent danger of being lost in just the scenario you describe than the Crest is.
To anyone paying attention, it is obvious that this theatre is officially named the Majestic Crest, yet Cinema Treasures insists on listing it as the Westwood Crest.
Let’s examine the evidence, shall we? Mr. Bucksbaum has stated in an interview that he was fond of the movie THE MAJESTIC and its depiction of a family run movie palace. He has spent a lot of money adding the name MAJESTIC to the marquee, it is in all the advertising, the telephone recordings, everywhere – except for Cinema Treasures, and his own website, which hasn’t changed a bit in years.
With unreliable bookings, unsteady business, serious damage done to the theatre by careless film crews, the high cost of running the place, and a daily struggle to keep it open, clearly he is much too busy to buy and register a new domain name, cross-link it with the current domain name, and update the graphics on his website. Anyone who has tried to run a website while also trying to support himself can empathize.
This man is a hero to us for fighting against all odds to preserve a real Cinema Treasure. The least you could do is list it under the name he obviously prefers!
One means of effectively and affordably getting word out for alternate programming is to arrange sponsorship deals with publications like LA Weekly, Frontiers, City Beat, etc. where the publications kick in for advertizing, fliers, posters, etc. Another way to gain attention is to arrange some special appearances of people involved with the film. Sending press releases to the Times and News couldn’t hurt either. And I heartily agree that, whether at midnight or otherwise, special programming needs to be older event pictures that can fill that big screen, and haven’t been seen in theatres in a long time. None of this is easy, but if it is not a lost cause already, the National NEEDS attention. BTW, for further coverage and a look at the National in its infancy, check out: http://cinemasightlines.com
Hey Geo, take a look at the coverage of the lost Kallet Genesee and original Shoppingtown over at http://www.cinemasightlines.com/cinemas.php – the Oswego theatre and nearby drive-in should turn up there eventually. For more info on the Oswego (owner, building, etc) contact me directly.
Same here. Would love to see what your friend’s place looks like… I keep hearing how some newer ‘plexes are making a real effort toward creating a finer moviegoing experience, but these theatres are never anywhere near LA! What does that tell you about our industry?
The company built a very similar cinema in Oswego, same color scheme and layout – but a little bigger, the booth/lobby wall wasn’t curved like the Mini 1, and the Oswego Cinema had no screen curtain.
I saw ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER here, and found the place pretty cool. I wish someone had pictures!
The glorious El Capitan in Hollywood, The Avalon on Catalina Island, The Warner Grand in San Pedro, the Ziegfeld in Manhattan.
Not enough info yet to draw a firm conclusion, but we’re working on it.
If anyone has any photos of this, any other Oswego/Syracuse theatres, or the Norwalk, please contact me.
Geo1: I worked there as a teenager and remember the place fairly well. The stage has dressing rooms and a rear entrance, and there is a few feet of space behind the screen, so the stage depth could be about 20-25 feet. The Theatre did house the (rare) occasional play when I was around, one I remember was one night of YOU KNOW I CAN’T HEAR YOU WHEN THE WATER’S RUNNING with Imogene Coca and King Donovan in the 60s. Though it’s not been kept up as much as we’d like, I think it’s built solid as a rock… why not make them an offer they can’t refuse?
Multi-use there could be very nice, and there could always be a modern multiplex built next-door. The question is, is there enough interest in the surrounding community to support the place? I understand there are no movie theatres in the area (including Syracuse) other than standard plexes with small screens. Maybe if it was equipped with a big screen, digital projection and surround sound, it could be an “event” venue again.
PS: Supporting the National with your frequent patronage in the next few months is a very good idea. I’m going over to see SICKO. Hope it’s crowded.
Okay guys, there has been an answer to the National rumors over on Cinema Sightlines. They report that the announcement at the screening had no basis in fact, and there are no plans to demolish the National in the near future. They have some more details and are working on getting some definitive statements from the parties directly involved. Wouldn’t you love to find whoever made that announcement and ask them where they got their information from?
Further info at: http://cinemasightlines.com/trailers_events.php
A couple years ago, I sat in the next to last row of the El Cap with a toddler on a Booster seat kicking my seat every couple minutes. I finally turned back and politely as I could manage, said “PLEASE, DON’T DO THAT!” Soon it began again. I turned and a bit more emphatically, said ‘WILL YOU PLEASE STOP KICKING THE BACK OF MY SEAT!!“ Mom finally spoke up with something to the effect that I was behaving badly! I mustered the nerve to point out that I wasn’t the one with a hyperactive kid. Got up, climbned over seven people, went out to the lobby and got an usher who came back and watched for a couple minutes, then soon as she left, the kicking resumed. If the MOTHER can’t be bothered to make her kid behave, what hope is there?
Unfortunately, many of today’s adult audiences are themselves part of a generation that haven’t much of a clue about proper behavior in a theatre…
I once sat in the Hollywood Bowl to see THE MUSIC MAN, and the couple in front us had brought their darling brand-new fetus with them. This poor little creature looked like the cord was still attached. Oddly enough the kid didn’t seem to enjoy the show, and very clearly expressed that thought several times. Then in the middle of a very quiet sequence, mom decided it was time to feed the baby. “The natural way.” As if all this action in front of us wasn’t enough, just as Kristin Chenoweth is standing in a pin-spot on the dark stage singing a quiet song, Dad decides that that baby’s first breast-feeding at the Bowl is a Kodak moment. Right in our faces, in a pitch dark amphitheatr, he took a FLASH picture. I wish I had reacted more quickly because having to crop out my hand expressive gesture over Mom’s head, might have reminded them that there were about 5000 other people around.
There is simply no excuse for bring babies into a theatre, It’s child abuse. How would you feel if you were tiny and new in a giant’s world, and you were taken from your warm comfortable bed into a big dark noisy room surrounded by other giants? All the rest of us in the audience have learned to interpret the baby’s plaintive cry as something like “Get me the hell outta here!” Why don’t the child’s loving protectors get it?
I think it should begin with how you watch movies with your kid at home. Watch with them, get them used to paying attention, and gauge from their behavior when they are ready to appreciate and concentrate on a movie in public. Then pay close attention to the kid through the movie… This all sounds like an article on movie manners that I read somewhere…
I have some 50s pics of the Franklin, have been in the Westcott, and never saw the Manlius. Most of CinemaNational’s theatres are gone now: Westhill, Cinema East, Cinema North, Shop City…
Thanks for the heads-up, Armand. Looking forward to having the record set straight. Now I’m very curious how a 26 year old ended up running the National. Can’t wait to read the story. Here come the jokes about being twice your age and having stationery older than you… However all that really mattters is how well it’s done, so best of luck and let’s all buy plenty of tickets!
The only chance I can see is finding some equivalent to Paul Allen, who had the means to save and upgrade the Seattle Cinerama, a chain of pub/diner Cinemas who’d like to get into the LA market in a big way, or a company that wanted to showcase a new presentation technology, like Sony and its 4k… Let’s face it, Money talks louder than all the petitions in the world.
I’ve signed it and encouraged others to, put for the record, even if BR backs down, that would not stop the owner from tearing it down for something else. I suggest some media attention, (TV/print) and industry attention (Variety, etc). For those of you who haven’t seen PRESERVE ME A SEAT, http://www.apartment101films.com/ that would give you a good idea of what kind of a fight we have ahead of us.
Jeremy I tried to search the petition site and could not find one to save the National.
Well all those big ideas came before I saw the bad news… i say we boycott Banana Republic!
Well Mr. Packard, (any relation to the Stanford?) you list some interesting choices.. I must be one of a handful of people who have heard of all those titles, but my favorite is definitely BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS. How about THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE while we’re at it? add in MARY POPPINS, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, DOCTOR DOLITTLE, THE LITTLE PRINCE, OLIVER! WIZARD OF OZ, plus the original WILLY WONKA, and you might have a good morning matinee series.
For Midnight I’d suggest…
Monthly Camp Classics: SHOWGIRLS, MOMMIE DEAREST, VALLEY OF THE DOLLS, BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS, SEXTETTE…
Behind the Music Series: CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC, ABBA THE MOVIE, COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER, ALMOST FAMOUS, SONG OF NORWAY, STAR IS BORN ‘76, THIS IS SPINAL TAP and its little known sequei…
80s cult favorites DIRTY DANCING, FOOTLOOSE, FLASHDANCE, XANADU, FAME.
Awful Sequels: STAYING ALIVE, GREASE 2…
Memorable Musicals, like THE MUSIC MAN, GREASE, DREAMGIRLS, CABARET, CHICAGO,
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, a double feature of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN and THE BAND WAGON, STAR IS BORN ‘54, UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN, MEET ME IN ST LOUIS, EASTER PARADE, GIGI, SHOW BOAT, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT 1-2-3…
50s-60s Roadshows like MY FAIR LADY, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, SOUND OF MUSIC, KING AND I, SOUTH PACIFIC, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, SWEET CHARITY, BEN-HUR, CLEOPATRA, HAWAII, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, SPARTACUS, DOCTOR ZHIVAGO, THE BIBLE… ensuring the prints are complete with Overture, Intermission, etc. and playing them in true roadshow fashion would set these apart.
“Miss-Cast” musicals series: GYPSY, HELLO, DOLLY!, MAME…
“Non-Singers Singing” PAINT YOUR WAGON, MAN OF LA MANCHA, EVERYONE SAYS I LOVE YOU…
Sex-Change series: YENTL, TOOTSIE, VICTOR/VICTORIA…
Christopher Guest series: WAITING FOR GUFFMAN, BEST IN SHOW,
A MIGHTY WIND, FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION…
Musical Remakes with their Originals: GOODBYE MR. CHIPS Peter O' Toole & Robert Donat, LOST HORIZON ‘37 and '73, AUNTIE MAME & (LUCY) MAME, NIGHTS OF CABIRIA & SWEET CHARITY, SMILES OF A SUMMER NIGHT & A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC…
I agree with previous suggestions for a 70s Disaster series, which should start with the good picture that began the trend – AIRPORT, and its guilty pleasure sequels, followed by POSEIDON ADVENTURE and it’s sequel, EARTHQUAKE, ROLLERCOASTER, THE SWARM, HINDENBURG, JAWS…
“Visitors” Series: THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, E.T., STARMAN, THE VISIT, EXPLORERS, FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR. STRANGE INVADERS…
Epic/Blockbusters: 2001, GRAND PRIX, STAR WARS series, JAWS…
Timeless Classics: GONE WITH THE WIND, CITIZEN KANE…
To increase the draw, 70mm wherever possible, invite cast/crew from the films to appear/speak. If you had a digital projector (preferably 4K) all the recent digital clean-ups like GWTW, SINGIN IN THE RAIN, BEN-HUR, etc. would be much higher quality than most of us have seen before. (Sony should put one in just for the publicity)
To lessen the cost, contact the homevid companies to sponsor, maybe also record labels and/or stores; have CD/DVD for sale in the lobby.
Advance Ticket Sales (individual feature or several by choice) could ensure prime seat locations, bring in money sooner, and be a good gauge of interest.
Armand/Philip/Inwood, I know a reporter who would like to interview you… The National, and what you’re doing with it, deserve some attention.
Followup to Ken Mc and Michael Coate:
BEN-HUR opened in 1960 at Kallet Shoppingtown Theatre, just East of Syracuse. That was the Upstate NY Premiere roadshow engagement, and it ran there (reserved seats, one show a night, plus matinees on weekends) for nearly a year. CinemaSightlines.com has pictures of the Shoppingtown Theatre including the projectors running an anamorphic 70mm print of BEN-HUR. No way that BEN-HUR could have played Oswego until maybe 61-62. Kallet Genesee, just West of Syracuse, had a return run of BEN-HUR in the late sixties.
PS: a slogan used in the Oswego Theatre’s radio ads: “Movies are Great at 138!”
True, Michael. The Schine’s Oswego was a neighborhood theatre that did not play roadshow pictures until at least a year later after the roadshow run gave way to “popular prices.”
At some point in the 60s, BEN-HUR played the Kallet Genesee, one of the top two roadshow houses in Syracuse. There is no listing for the Genesee theatre here, but there are pictures of it at CinemaSightlines.com. The Genesee had a manager who was very good at creating theatre displays and thoughtful presentation.
I’m sure it will be missed in it’s current location, however… Assuming he still has the orginal painting that the mural was copied from, his artwork will survive in some form. I imagine it could at least be used for postcards, prints, etc. and perhaps a photographic blowup in some theatre lobby. As downtown continues to gentrify, there’s a possibility it might eventually be duplicated in another (maybe better) location.