Comments from Al Alvarez

Showing 1 - 25 of 3,431 comments

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Ace Theatre on May 28, 2025 at 5:44 pm

Still an active plan.

https://theacetheater.org/

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Cinepolis Chelsea Cinemas on Apr 30, 2025 at 12:15 pm

https://cbmanhattan.cityofnewyork.us/cb4/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/11-BLP-Letter-to-SLA-re-131-8th-Avenue-Metro-Cinema-2-LLC.pdf

Plans for the new Metro Cinema in Chelsea.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Cinepolis Chelsea Cinemas on Apr 24, 2025 at 2:28 pm

I just walked by today and construction is going on. They have postings for restaurant and alcohol license permit hearings next month.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Cinepolis Chelsea Cinemas on Apr 24, 2025 at 12:38 pm

Metro Cinema already in construction in an existing space on 17th Street and 8th Avenue. https://whatnow.com/new-york/restaurants/brains-behind-alamo-drafthouse-creating-next-gen-cinema-space/

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about CMX New York East 62nd Street on Mar 14, 2025 at 6:16 pm

This did not close as a Cineplex Odeon. It was a CMX after that.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Film Center on Mar 14, 2025 at 6:12 pm

Does it ever show movies?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Roxy Theatre on Jan 15, 2025 at 4:57 pm

My understanding is that although they were well received, theatres across the country could not afford the retrofit during the depression and the technology got abandoned. After all, sound was still a challenge for many small town theatres in 1930.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Roxy Theatre on Jan 15, 2025 at 4:04 pm

“THE BIG TRAIL” premiered in 70mm GRANDEUR in October 1930 at the Roxy. “KISMET” opened the following week in 65mm at the Hollywood.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Radio City Music Hall on Dec 26, 2024 at 5:26 am

It’s there now.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Radio City Music Hall on Dec 24, 2024 at 5:47 am

You’ll find it on November 15, 1970.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Paramount Columbus Circle on Oct 14, 2024 at 11:33 am

Lionel, it was equipped for 70mm with six-track Dolby SR. I don’t know the screen size.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Palladium Times Square on Aug 22, 2024 at 5:33 am

Lionel, he came to every premiere of any film and always with Marla Maples. I guess they were on the distributor invite list.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Palace Theatre on Jul 6, 2024 at 2:05 pm

New entrance marquee on 47th street photos added.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Studio IV on Jun 11, 2024 at 7:23 pm

Operated as a first run Spanish language cinema in the late sixties.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Eros Theatre on May 27, 2024 at 7:44 am

A Chelly Wilson documentary “QUEEN OF THE DEUCE” is now on youtube with a small paywall.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Playpen Theatre on Oct 13, 2023 at 5:09 am

The Little Cine Met Cinema Verdi was at 104 west 39th street. The Arena was at 623 West 8th Avenue. When was this the Cinema Verdi?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about West End Theatre on Sep 22, 2023 at 5:56 pm

The New Plaza has moved to: Macaulay Honors College, 35 W 67th St, New York, NY 10023.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Park 11 Theatre on Sep 9, 2023 at 6:44 pm

THX was a noise cancellation process gimmick that did not require any “installation”. It was just insulation guidelines for noise from the outside, projection booth, and HVAC units. If the cinema failed the test, it was not THX ‘certified’. I ran several cinemas that failed for legitimate reasons. A few months later we received certificates for the failed cinemas from THX anyway. THX also advertised failed locations in the trades as passed months after they failed, so cinema chains did the same. THX was a con job.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Springs 3 Theatre on Aug 11, 2023 at 7:40 pm

Probably not. Cinerama projection was dead by 1970 and ABC wasn’t investing in 70mm in Florida by then.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Paris Theater on Aug 11, 2023 at 1:49 pm

Try this.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Rivoli Theatre on Aug 9, 2023 at 5:53 am

From the looks of it, The RKO Cinerama Twin had recently been remodeled and renamed “The Warner Twin” so UA also wanted to announce the Rivoli remodel with a name change.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Eros Theatre on Jul 18, 2023 at 10:03 am

The Eros opened in 1969, not 1962. The 35 years farewell on the marquee most likely referred to Chelly Wilson’s porn empire and not this location in particular.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Trans-Lux 85th Street Theatre on Jun 16, 2023 at 7:46 pm

rivest266, it did not post.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about LOOK Dine-In Cinemas W.57th on May 13, 2023 at 5:37 am

mhvbear, I posted it here because both cinemas are in Hell’s Kitchen, with hundreds of fine restaurants between them. If you are peddling screening quality and cuisine, it is rough going in this pocket with 42nd street and Lincoln Square showing the same films. Pretty soon both cinemas will also have to face a midtown congestion charge for any potential car commuters.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about LOOK Dine-In Cinemas W.57th on May 12, 2023 at 7:14 pm

ridethectrain, I meant to credit you for sharing the REGAL post above but couldn’t figure out how to do that. Thank you for sharing!