Good news. The Majestic has exceeded it’s goal of $150K to replace it’s two 35mm projectors, guranteeing the tradition of nightly films will continue in downtown Gettysburg. As of this post, the total contributions have exceeded $163K.
The Majestic’s efforts to raise funds for the transition to digital projection are on target and, as of this writing, are close to not only reaching the goal but will likely exceed it. The plans are to replace the 35mm projectors in the two smaller auditoriums and also the current digital projector in the main auditorium which is used for the summer classic film series and an occasional film throughout the year.
It should be noted that the photo at the top of this page is in fact a photo of the largest auditorium in the Gateway Gettysburg theater, not the Gettysburg Village 10.
Excellent projection and sound. The Gateway has large curved screens and is well maintained. As of this writing, two of the 8 screens feature digital projection with 3D capability. FYI: the photo at the top of this page is in fact a photo of the Gateway’s largest auditorium. However, the same photo is incorrectly used for the Frank Theater’s Gettysburg multiplex page.
Regarding the comments pertaining to the “Intermission” in WSS – the 70mm roadshow presentation I saw at the Valley Theater in Cincinnati (3 times) included an intermission following the War Council meeting in Doc’s store after Tony tell’s Doc he’s in love with Maria. Act 1 ends with Tony walking through the playground with “Maria” playing softly in the background, then goes to black and “Intermission” appeared on the screen. Act 2 opened with the “I Feel Pretty” number.
In the ‘90’s. the Uptown Theater in Washington ran a “70mm Festival” including WSS with all titles shown in their original Roadshow format. The uptown included an intermission in WSS at the same point as that at the Valley in Cincinnati. Oddly, none of the video versions I’ve owned include a break at that point, other than just going dark after Tony walks off, and the picking up with Maria in the dress shop and the I Feel Pretty" number.
Terrific job regarding the research on the Roadshow engagements for West Side Story. I was fortunate to have seen WSS in 70mm during it’s initial reserved seat presentation at the Valley Theater in Cincinnati. In fact, I saw it two more times before it concluded it’s exclusive run at the Valley. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen it since, both in theaters and at home. I’ve owned it on VHS, LaserDisc, and DVD. Anxiously awaiting it’s release on BlueRay. My only regret is I’ll miss the 70mm limited release before it hits BlueRay. For me, it’s one of those rare films you can watch again and again and never tire of it. Thanks to Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins for producing such an outstanding motion picture!
The revival of “Ben Hur” at the Uptown in ‘99 or '00 was 35mm. They held it for a week. Despite the fact that it wasn’t in 70mm, it was still a sight to behold on the Uptown’s massive Cinerama screen. And as a bonus, it was presented in it’s original “Roadshow” presentation – Overture, Intermission, Entr'Acte, and Exit music. Now that’s entertainment!
What a beautiful theater! To demolish it should be a crime. I’m convinced very few people have an appreciation anymore for theaters such as this. Tear it down and build a parking lot/office building. Most of the movie going public today has never experienced a film in a venue such as this. Give them bland, indistinguishable multiplexes and they’re happy. Very sad.
Growing up in Hamilton, I fondly remember the Paramount. It was the “premier” theater downtown. It was the first theater in Hamilton to install CinemaScope with full 4-track Stereophonic Sound. The screen was very large – covering the entire stage area (apporx. 50-60'). Although “The Robe” was the first film released in CinemaScope, because of Hamilton’s close proximity to Cincinnati, the RKO Albee had exclusive rights to “The Robe” for several weeks. Consequently, the first CinemaScope film to play the Paramount was MGM’s “Knights of the Round Table”. “The Robe” followed. The Paramount needed a good remodel job by the late 50’s but was still a grand theater. The Rentschler family owned the Citizens Bank next to the theater and when the lease expired, they purchased the Paramount in 1961 and had it demolished for, what else, a parking lot to serve their bank. Thus began the gradual demise of downtown Hamilton as a thriving commercial center.
What little I know about the business end of motion picture exhibition you could carve on a stone, put it in your eye, and you wouldn’t feel a thing. But I enjoy movies in a well-run theater with good projection, big screen and great sound. It appears this gentleman is trying very hard to meet his customers expectations. But Disney and other studios, as big as they are, can’t help this guy stay in business?? It says his is the only first-run theater in the entire county! I realize it all boils down to business decisions but it still seems very unfair to the small business owner. No wonder this country is in trouble. We sound more like a banana republic everyday.
I agree with pamajestic and movie534. This sounds like a classic case of an owner being offered big bucks by CVS for prime real estate but wanting the public to believe he had no choice. The MSNBC writer either accepted at face value statistic’s provided by the owner regarding expenses ($400k per digital projector? Those must some projectors!/film will be history in 4 years? Nonsense!), or the writer did a REALLY poor job of research. Probably a little of both.
Good news. The Majestic has exceeded it’s goal of $150K to replace it’s two 35mm projectors, guranteeing the tradition of nightly films will continue in downtown Gettysburg. As of this post, the total contributions have exceeded $163K.
The Majestic’s efforts to raise funds for the transition to digital projection are on target and, as of this writing, are close to not only reaching the goal but will likely exceed it. The plans are to replace the 35mm projectors in the two smaller auditoriums and also the current digital projector in the main auditorium which is used for the summer classic film series and an occasional film throughout the year.
It should be noted that the photo at the top of this page is in fact a photo of the largest auditorium in the Gateway Gettysburg theater, not the Gettysburg Village 10.
Excellent projection and sound. The Gateway has large curved screens and is well maintained. As of this writing, two of the 8 screens feature digital projection with 3D capability. FYI: the photo at the top of this page is in fact a photo of the Gateway’s largest auditorium. However, the same photo is incorrectly used for the Frank Theater’s Gettysburg multiplex page.
Regarding the comments pertaining to the “Intermission” in WSS – the 70mm roadshow presentation I saw at the Valley Theater in Cincinnati (3 times) included an intermission following the War Council meeting in Doc’s store after Tony tell’s Doc he’s in love with Maria. Act 1 ends with Tony walking through the playground with “Maria” playing softly in the background, then goes to black and “Intermission” appeared on the screen. Act 2 opened with the “I Feel Pretty” number.
In the ‘90’s. the Uptown Theater in Washington ran a “70mm Festival” including WSS with all titles shown in their original Roadshow format. The uptown included an intermission in WSS at the same point as that at the Valley in Cincinnati. Oddly, none of the video versions I’ve owned include a break at that point, other than just going dark after Tony walks off, and the picking up with Maria in the dress shop and the I Feel Pretty" number.
Terrific job regarding the research on the Roadshow engagements for West Side Story. I was fortunate to have seen WSS in 70mm during it’s initial reserved seat presentation at the Valley Theater in Cincinnati. In fact, I saw it two more times before it concluded it’s exclusive run at the Valley. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen it since, both in theaters and at home. I’ve owned it on VHS, LaserDisc, and DVD. Anxiously awaiting it’s release on BlueRay. My only regret is I’ll miss the 70mm limited release before it hits BlueRay. For me, it’s one of those rare films you can watch again and again and never tire of it. Thanks to Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins for producing such an outstanding motion picture!
The revival of “Ben Hur” at the Uptown in ‘99 or '00 was 35mm. They held it for a week. Despite the fact that it wasn’t in 70mm, it was still a sight to behold on the Uptown’s massive Cinerama screen. And as a bonus, it was presented in it’s original “Roadshow” presentation – Overture, Intermission, Entr'Acte, and Exit music. Now that’s entertainment!
What a beautiful theater! To demolish it should be a crime. I’m convinced very few people have an appreciation anymore for theaters such as this. Tear it down and build a parking lot/office building. Most of the movie going public today has never experienced a film in a venue such as this. Give them bland, indistinguishable multiplexes and they’re happy. Very sad.
Growing up in Hamilton, I fondly remember the Paramount. It was the “premier” theater downtown. It was the first theater in Hamilton to install CinemaScope with full 4-track Stereophonic Sound. The screen was very large – covering the entire stage area (apporx. 50-60'). Although “The Robe” was the first film released in CinemaScope, because of Hamilton’s close proximity to Cincinnati, the RKO Albee had exclusive rights to “The Robe” for several weeks. Consequently, the first CinemaScope film to play the Paramount was MGM’s “Knights of the Round Table”. “The Robe” followed. The Paramount needed a good remodel job by the late 50’s but was still a grand theater. The Rentschler family owned the Citizens Bank next to the theater and when the lease expired, they purchased the Paramount in 1961 and had it demolished for, what else, a parking lot to serve their bank. Thus began the gradual demise of downtown Hamilton as a thriving commercial center.
What little I know about the business end of motion picture exhibition you could carve on a stone, put it in your eye, and you wouldn’t feel a thing. But I enjoy movies in a well-run theater with good projection, big screen and great sound. It appears this gentleman is trying very hard to meet his customers expectations. But Disney and other studios, as big as they are, can’t help this guy stay in business?? It says his is the only first-run theater in the entire county! I realize it all boils down to business decisions but it still seems very unfair to the small business owner. No wonder this country is in trouble. We sound more like a banana republic everyday.
I agree with pamajestic and movie534. This sounds like a classic case of an owner being offered big bucks by CVS for prime real estate but wanting the public to believe he had no choice. The MSNBC writer either accepted at face value statistic’s provided by the owner regarding expenses ($400k per digital projector? Those must some projectors!/film will be history in 4 years? Nonsense!), or the writer did a REALLY poor job of research. Probably a little of both.