Comments from rlvjr

Showing 1 - 25 of 164 comments

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Colony Theatre on Dec 31, 2014 at 8:29 pm

As 2014 closes there is scant trace of the Colony Theatre. The present remodeled building is called The Colony, but the interior is rebuilt as a senior center. Look at the 2nd floor of the facade and you can spot a few signs of the former theatre, which later survived many decades as a church.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Kennedy Theater on Dec 31, 2014 at 8:22 pm

After closing when Kennedy Street went from bad to much worse in the late 60’s and 1970’s, the neighborhood has bounced back strongly. No fear of crime here these days. The Kennedy Theatre facade looked badly wrecked not so long ago, but they’ve restored the facade (see photo). Behind the entrance, any trace of the theatre is gone, but a beautiful senior center resides there now.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about National Theatre on Dec 24, 2014 at 7:32 pm

Sometimes history is “re-written” and truth takes a holiday. The National did not convert from stage shows to cinema in 1948 because stage went out of style and movies were popular. The reason, as reported in the Evening Star, etc. was because of a court case which required the National to integrate (to admit blacks) because, unlike the movie houses, there was only ONE live theatre in town, thus “separate but equal” did not apply. Four years later, the new owners complied with integration, and Washington once again had live theatre. In that era, legitimate theatre was struggling even harder than movies to compete with the new 8 inch TV’s; and there were only a few plays/shows per year. In 1954 I took Diane here to see “South Pacific” direct from Broadway, at a crippling price of $4.40 for the best tickets, including the 20% Federal tax. First run movies on F Street were then 44 cents matinee 74 cents evening.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Fox Theatre on Mar 6, 2010 at 10:08 pm

Some people have said the FOX Detroit and the FOX St Louis are twins. Not quite. The Detroit FOX is 500 seats (11%) larger, and while much of the architecture is similar, there are many differences; as befits the work of outstanding architects.

Where the FOX Detroit truly excels is in their $8 million restoration; making all the fine artwork and atmosphere look “like new” — bright and fresh. The FOX St Louis had only $2 million to spend on renovation, and $6 million makes a difference. So Detroit wins this one.

Small matter! Visiting either theater is an outstanding experience.

[incidently, the Atlanta FOX is an altogether different (but stunning) architecture.]

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Fox Theatre on Mar 6, 2010 at 9:58 pm

At last I visited the St Louis FOX on 3/2/10. A fabulous place in every way, one of the most magnificent theaters in America.

Many have said the FOX St Louis and the FOX Detroit are twins. Not quite. The Detroit FOX is 500 seats (11%) larger, and the designs are similar (generally) but there are many differences — as befits the work of outstanding architects. But where the Detroit FOX excels is that an $8 million restoration, thanks to Little Caesar’s pizza, has restored ALL the beautiful details to “like new” sparkling condition. The St Louis FOX only had $2 million to spend, and $6 million definitely makes a difference. So Detroit wins for a change.

No matter. A visit to either is a wonderful experience.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Carpenter Theatre on Sep 20, 2009 at 7:29 pm

The Carpenter Theatre (Loew’s) finally re-opened, following 4 or 5 years of renovation, on September 12, 2009. The renovation is as extensive and beautiful as any I’ve ever seen of a John Eberson theater. Every corner and crack has been renewed. He’d be proud.

On previous occasions we saw a Doris Day movie here in 1962 and Carol Channing in Hello, Dolly about 15 years ago. On both occasions the theatre was beautiful, stunning, but shabby. No trace of shabby any more. We wasted no time on a return visit, travelling 90 miles and seeing the Oak Ridge Boys on Sept 19th. The show was too-loud-to-a-fault, but blame the Boys for poor judgement, not the theater.

The Carpenter has a solid schedule of attractions through Spring of 2010; so cut the gab, SIGN OFF, and BUY A TICKET. Talk is fine, but the idea of restoration is to have beautiful Cinema Treasures to ATTEND, not just yack about.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about MacArthur Theater on Jul 20, 2008 at 5:32 am

ALMOST ALL of the above comments miss the true legacy of the MacArthur Theater. When this theater was opened by KB in 1946, it was an immediate box office flop. They were playing the same “first neighborhood run” movies as everybody else and this was a sleepy neighborhood of stay-at-home’s watching their 8" Motorola TV’s. KB resorted to double features but without great success. Then Fred Burka and Marvin Goldman got the bright idea to have Exclusive First Runs from the British, France, Sweden, etc. The admission prices were midway between “neighborhood” and “first run downtown”.

The success was staggering. Some pictures which played dozens of weeks were A QUEEN IS CROWNED (the color documentary), THE MOUSE THAT ROARED, MURDER SHE SAID, the golden age of British comedy with films of Peter Sellers, Terry-Thomas, others. The theater was filled the night we saw Ingmar Bergman’s WILD STRAWBERRIES (the Best Movie Ever Made — sez me). This success continued for years, and KB also extended this success to the APEX in upper Northwest. BUT… but…

The supply of outstanding British and foreign films dwindled. Of course we miss the MacArthur, it’s shimmering heyday, but we also miss having quality intelligent movies to see. Behold 2008: Nothing but trash comic book nonsense. 2009 will be even worse.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Loew's Palace Theater on Jul 20, 2008 at 5:08 am

Yes, Mogambo was earlier.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Warner Theatre on Jul 14, 2008 at 10:53 pm

The REALLY GOOD THING about the Warner is that in 2008 you can go there on most nights, find it open, and see a show. Whether you like Broadway, pop music, comedians or ballet; the Warner will have something for you.

As a frequent user of this site, I know many people dwell on the past and on lost memories (as I do) because so many fine theaters are now rubble. Not here! We attend 6 to 10 shows a year at the Warner. Why not sign off right now, buy a ticket, see a show!

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Avalon Theatre on Jul 5, 2008 at 3:53 pm

How many of you posting here have bothered to actually ATTEND a movie at the AVALON lately? You ought to. This is Washington’s finest theatre (now better than the UPTOWN) and they’ve booked some good movies for the summer. SIGN OFF and GO!

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Trans-Lux Theatre on Jun 28, 2008 at 10:51 pm

Despite the above-market admission prices, the TRANS-LUX under Trans-Lux management was always a class act. They ALWAYS had a quality movie and would play it off for many weeks. Always a newsreel, in honor of their news heritage. Seating offered better legroom than any other theater anywhere. No popcorn or other destractions.

After the King Riot took its toll, Don King did the best he could considering the surrounding decline in civilization. The much loved VINEYARD Restaurant in the Trans-Lux Building also died, as did ALEX STUART’S Restaurant across the street. The strip of nice restaurants and night clubs immediately adjacent, including the Casino Royal where you might have seen Patti Page or Fats Domino prior to the Riot Era, the entire strip became a sex haven with prostitutes and pimps, the bars a good spot for a mugging. The New York Presbeterian Church (as in Fox’s “A Man Called Peter”) was completely surrounded by street hookers. Obviously, the Trans-Lux wasn’t drawing customers from the suburbs anymore. Having the cocaine mayor running the city was not a formula to facilitate peaceful moviegoing.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Loew's Palace Theater on Jun 28, 2008 at 10:18 pm

LOEW’S 3 downtown theatres used to have continuous performances all day: Feature, cartoon, news, previews. Opening at 10:45 am except Sunday 12:45, features were usually at 11:00, 1:10, 3:20, 5:30, 7:40, 9:45 and Sat 11:45. Good pictures did strong business all day every day. Sometimes they were swamped with customers, even in the 1950’s when people stayed home with their 8" Motorola b&w TV’s.

The Palace had a long corridor between the double box office and the theatre, lined with medeival torches and mirrors. Upstairs beyond that was a big lobby — ample room for standees. In 1953 when they had Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis (the hottest act in America) in “AT WAR WITH THE ARMY” my brother and I bought tickets and went inside at 7:30 but didn’t get inside to the actual theater until after 9:30. Similarly, in 1966 for Clark Gable and Grace Kelly in MOGAMBO a two hour wait. But, guess what, it was fun. And seeing a major hit movie in a great atmospheric theatre like the PALACE was never ever less than wonderful.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Lincoln Theatre on Jun 18, 2008 at 10:17 pm

The ARENA STAGE will be using the LINCOLN for at least 4 of this year’s plays or musicals. Just advertised today 6/18/08.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Uptown Theatre on Jun 8, 2008 at 8:08 pm

WIZARD OF OZ definitely played the UPTOWN a few years ago. We saw it on Saturday and the line was around the block, with many, many people turned away. Great show, great use of the Uptown.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Fargo Theatre on May 21, 2008 at 4:29 am

A really nice Art Deco theater, we were tourists in ND on May 18, 2008. We planned on a movie at the FARGO, but instead they had a wonderful stage event GASPER’S DANCE GALA. Lots of great dance, great costumes, pretty girls.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Roxy Theatre on Apr 24, 2008 at 10:45 pm

We travelled to check this place out last month. Two thumbs up for a gem of a small town movie house. We saw JUNO —– 2007’s best picture despite the stupid Oscar choice — and the price was $2.00. Give it a try if you’re in the Allentown area.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Uptown Theatre on Apr 24, 2008 at 10:37 pm

“2001” returned to the Uptown MANY times. It sometimes rotated with 3 other MGM big hits: “Gone with the Wind” “Dr Zhivago” and “Ryan’s Daughter” — all in 70 MM.

We returned again for “10,000 BC” despite AMC lackluster operation and somewhat underpar projection. I think we’ll keep coming back, but it makes me burn the way AMC is trying hard undermine the Uptown legacy of excellence — so long treasured by Warner, Circle, and Loew’s management.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Springfield Theatre on Mar 8, 2008 at 7:31 pm

The SPRINGFIELD opened as a single screen theater with about 1,100 seats, a huge wide screen, and super-comfortable seats. It was outstanding. Later it was divided into twins, but was still a very good theater; preferable in my opinion to the Springfield Mall 10 which is also now closed.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about AMC Springfield Mall 10 on Mar 8, 2008 at 7:25 pm

The NEW Springfield Mall complex was of mixed value. Springfield #1 with 660 seats, wide screen and THX stereo was an excellent place to see a movie; as were the #7, 8, 9 and 10 theatres across the mall. Large, comfortable, and with good sound and projection. #2 was next door to #1 and was awful in that the THX from #1 streamed right thru their poorly soundproofed wall. Theatres #3, 4, 5 and 6 were rat traps stuck in the basement. Ugh!

Once a strong drawing card, but always inferior to the now-long-gone single screen theaters, the Springfield was rendered obsolete by the newer stadium seating multiplexes which cut into its business in all 4 directions. Add management indifference to keeping order regarding trouble-minded youth, and lackluster AMC management, we have not returned to the Springfield in years.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Village Theatre on Feb 24, 2008 at 10:31 pm

This beautiful neighborhood theater fell victim to the poison of high crime and urban decay. Although the Martin Luther King riots were the death knell for most Washington theaters, the VILLAGE fell victim long before that. Washingtonians would not believe that all of our city was essentially crime-free in the 1950’s, but it was. In the early 1960’s crime spread like weeds, and this northeast area was plagued by nightly robbery, muggings, murder. When liberal toleration of crime takes over, casual family moviegoing is no longer an option.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Town Theater on Feb 24, 2008 at 10:24 pm

This theater is now double-listed. See also PIX.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Plaza Theatre on Feb 24, 2008 at 10:20 pm

This small art house run by Roth Theaters grabbed-off quite a few high quality, high box office exclusive runs, showed them at pretty steep prices too. This included Brigdet Bardot’s AND GOD CREATED WOMAN as well as LOVE IS MY PROFESSION, and LA VERITE. They also had H Z Clouzot’s MANON and the original MONDO CANE. Films usually ran at the Plaza for months, not weeks. There were about 400 seats, no architectual distinction at all. Gone now, it once fulfilled its purpose well.

rlvjr
rlvjr on Feb 24, 2008 at 9:53 pm

The PIX was a 2 level theater with about 800 seats. In the 1940’s and 1950’s it was Washington’s X-movie theater (which in those days meant allegedly sexy movies with maybe 1 nudie shot, such as Hedy Lamarr in Ecstacy). Sometimes it showed quality re-issues such as 20th Century-Fox’s classic “Jesse James.” The admission prices were anything but discount, the same or more than the beautiful Loew’s theaters on F. Street. In that era, the PIX had a pervasive bad odor as is common in porno houses.

In the 1960’s, Don King took the theater over, cleaned it up somewhat, and renamed it the TOWN. Under his expert management the theater thrived. He grabbed-off top quality first runs such as PSYCHO, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, LA DOLCE VITA, many others.

Later, in the aftermath of the Martin Luther King riots, all of downtown Washington was enveloped in unchecked crime and the middle class customers stayed away. The TOWN, like other downtown theaters, endured a 5-year decline and eventually closed its doors. Businesses hoped for a turnaround in the dcrime/urban decay problem, but it did not happen for another 15 years. These days the PIX or TOWN area is more upscale and safer than anytime in the past 50 years. The theater exists today as the National Women’s Museum.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about Fine Arts Theatre on Feb 24, 2008 at 9:36 pm

02/24/08 The Fine Arts, located in the high rent district, still exists. It was closed decades ago, but the building is still there, empty and useless.

rlvjr
rlvjr commented about AFI Silver Theatre on Feb 13, 2008 at 10:12 pm

There’s no harm in calling attention to Liberal Control Freaks, particularly when they’re in charge of government funded projects like the AFI. The AFI gets plenty of support from taxpayers. There IS HARM in denying basic information to customers. Liberals always rant about CHOICE; so long as THEY do the choosing.