Comments from bruceanthony

Showing 26 - 50 of 448 comments

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Grauman's Chinese for sale on Aug 12, 2009 at 5:39 pm

The Chinese is the theatre in whats left of the Mann Circuit that is desirable. Warner Bros and Paramount have been lazy landlords in regard to the Mann Theatre Circuit. The Chinese has been booked so poorly that a sale to someone like Pacific would be an improvement. I can’t understand why Warner Bros and Paramount just don’t retain the Chinese and Village as flagship venues and get rid of the rest of the theatres.They could position both theatres as special deluxe theatres as Disney has done with the El Capitan and Pacific’s Cinerama Dome. The Distribution Arm of both companies could take a lesson from Disney.brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Regency Village Theatre on Aug 12, 2009 at 5:16 pm

I can’t believe that the industry would let such high profile venue’s as the Village and the Bruin close.Both these theatres prospered when they exclusive venues before the industry changed for the worse.There is very little showmanship left in the film industry in regard to film theatres. The exceptions are the El Capitan fun by Disney and the Cinerama Dome in the Arc Light complex. The Chinese is the most famous theatre and will be around for a long time but has been booked poorly.I blame the current landlord Warner Bros and Paramount for being such lazy landlords. There are so few venues left in the Mann theatre circuit it could only be a small blip on those companies bottom line. I can’t undrstand why they just don’t retain the Village and Chinese as flagship theatres for both Paramount and Warner Bros since the industry uses both these theatres for many premiere’s. brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Aug 11, 2009 at 3:27 pm

Im surprised that Paramount and Warner Bros allowed the circuit to decline so severely. If they had built up the circuit the way Pacific did it would have more value today. They have been lazy landlords. The Chinese has been booked so poorly in recent years. The Chinese should be treated like a flagship venue and positioned like the El Capitan and Cinerama Dome theatres. The Chinese is an industry venue and hosts many premieres. I hope Paramount and Warner Bros sells the Chinese to someone who will treat it with more dignity and class.brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Paramount Theatre on Aug 6, 2009 at 6:23 am

The Metropolitan/Paramount was the second largest movie palace ever built on the West Coast the largest was the Fox in San Francisco. My friend Dick who worked for Disney and United Artists said this was the most impressive Movie Palace in LA. brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Mainstreet KC at the Power & Light District on Jul 26, 2009 at 7:37 pm

Restoration of the exterior looks wonderful but the interior looks like any other multiplex theatre. brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Oscars expanding to 10 best picture nominees on Jun 29, 2009 at 4:35 pm

I think its a good idea to expand back to 10 nominated films. I think it will bring attention to a wider Variety of films. I think the Academy should stop Broadcasting categories the audience has no interest in and do it off camera. The highest rated Oscar telecast was back in 1970 with Bob Hope as its host and lots of real movie stars in attendance. brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Fox Oakland Theater on Jan 29, 2009 at 6:10 am

The Fox Oakland didn’t stop showing first run films after 1962. The Fox showed exclusive First Run Films up to 1968, with the last being “Rosemary’s Baby”. The Fox did close in 1965 due to a product shortage and would open when an exclusive First Run Film was available such as “Planet of the Apes”. Starting in 1969 and thru the early 1970’s the Fox played Porn and and second run films.brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Fox Oakland Theater on Dec 30, 2008 at 4:19 pm

The restored Fox Oakland will not be leased by Bill Graham productions, that company no longer exists. The Fox will be leased by Another Planet which employs many of the people who worked at Bill Graham. I just hope the rockers are gentle with the theatre. brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Boston Opera House on Dec 18, 2008 at 4:18 pm

The Shubert is finally getting a major booking with “Jersey Boys”.brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Roxy Theatre on Dec 11, 2008 at 5:02 pm

I saw “The Naked City” last night on TCM and it was great to see the interior shot of the Auditorium and the Rotunda of the great Roxy Theatre.brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Roxy Theatre on Dec 11, 2008 at 4:58 pm

It would be interesting if someone posted the grosses of the films that played the Roxy from 1957-1960. I would like to see the erosion that contributed to the demise of the Roxy after “Windjammer”.The Roxy and Radio City were the only two theatres combining movies and stage shows. It seemed the Roxy still did well with its Christmas Shows, its the rest of the year that is the problem. Its still strange there was no goodbye show for the Roxy which would have done well as a fond goodbye to one of the most important movie palaces in the world.It seems that parties involved didn’t want to draw any attention to the closing of the Roxy. I remember when Radio City was about to close for the last time with the movie “Crossed Swords” and the grosses were huge. The Fox in San Francisco was given a major Goodbye show and both theatres were controlled by Fox for most of there lives.brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Paramount Theatre on Nov 18, 2008 at 4:22 pm

Glad to see the Paramount showing classic films again such as “Singing in the Rain”. They need to keep this going on a regular schedule in order to build a following.brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Loew's Jersey Theatre on Oct 14, 2008 at 9:20 pm

I know things are not always perfect and yes people who run the Jersey should listen and improve on the projection of its films. Everyone should thank there lucky stars that they have a huge movie palace such as the Loew’s Jersey showing American movie classics. Most people who love movies would kill to have a theatre like this where they live.I hope a good deal of money comes there way and they continue to restore such a glorious theatre.brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about United Artists Berkeley 7 on Oct 9, 2008 at 6:22 pm

I used to attend the UA in my youth. I only attended the theatre once after it was butchered. The UA is a prime example of how not to multiplex and historic theatre. I consider the UA one of the worst plexing of an existing theatre in the Bay Area. brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about United Artists Theatre on Oct 9, 2008 at 6:12 pm

I recently heard work was done to the roof of this theatre. Has anyone heard what is going on with both the building and the theatre. I heard someone was interested in buying the building and using the theatre.brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Pacific 1-2-3 on Oct 9, 2008 at 6:08 pm

I think Pacific Theatres made a big mistake when they closed the theatre. It would have been easier to sell the building to an interested buyer had the theatre been open and not closed.Pacific with its booking clout could have sold the building and leased back the theatre for a period of time. They could have put some big films in the large theatre and moved over to the smaller Arclight screens.The longer the theatre remains empty the longer any buyer would be interested in buying the whole building in this part of Hollywood Boulevard. The building could be painted and made more attractive to a possible buyer. Have they ever heard of curb appeal.brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Uptown Theatre on Oct 3, 2008 at 8:22 pm

Im sure the loading duck issue could be resolved when the theatre is operational and restored. The Uptown would not be booking Broadway shows, these are presented in the Loop. I hope the new owners will immediately stabilize the theatre to prevent any more damage. I would like to see more positive statements about the future use of the Uptown and its size which is perfect for todays touring musical acts. The huge Midland in Kansas City just reopened with the type of acts that could be booked into the Uptown booked by AEG. The huge Fox in Oakland will reopen in January booked by Another Planet again with the type of acts that could play the Uptown. I think there are enough Music acts to book both the Chicago and the Uptown since this is the 3rd largest market in the US behind only New York City and L.A. Even Detroit which is half the size of Chicago has restored the Fox,State,Opera House,Music Hall along with the Fisher which is being renovated and the Masonic Temple Theatre. The Uptown is the largest not restored theatre in the Country. I think the Uptown would have been restored much earlier if it hadn’t been for City Politics and some dubious owners. The restored Uptown would give a huge boost to the Uptown district and the City should spend money improving the infrastructure in the area such as parking,sidewalks and street lighting to fully realize the potential of the Uptown District.brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Wang Theatre on Oct 3, 2008 at 7:56 pm

The new Corporate sponsor should restore its marquee to reflect the interior of this theatre. This is the missing link in the restoration of this theatre. Both the Wang and the Opera House have terrible marquees and the Paramount has the best marquee in the theatre district.bruce

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Warfield Theatre on Oct 3, 2008 at 7:41 pm

I would like to know how the renovation looks since the Warfield reopened. I hope they worked on downstairs which looked horrible when I was in the theatre in July. They need to work on the front of the house which I hope will happen in the near future. The Warfield is an example of why I cringe when they take out floor seating for rock shows. The Fox theatre restoration across the bay will have versatile seating which can be taken out and put back in depending on the type of show that is booked. The Warfield was by favorite surviving movie palace in San Francisco until what I saw the theatre looked like downstairs I hope this renovation restored the beauty of this theatre. bruce

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Fox Oakland Theater on Oct 2, 2008 at 8:34 pm

I think a proper film series should be part of the Fox or the Paramount after the theatre opens. There should be enough dark nights between the two theatres to achieve this goal. I think the theatres should focus on Berkeley to attract an audience for the film series. I think they should talk to either the Pacific Film Archive or the Packard Foundation in helping book a classic films series from all decades. I watched a Chaplin film at the Stanford theatre in July which was packed with people under 30 which attracts a large Audience of Students who attend Stanford. I think UC Berkeley students could due the same in the East Bay.brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Byrd Theatre on Oct 2, 2008 at 8:23 pm

I hope one day money is raised to put a proper marquee back on the Byrd. I think we should list the best remaining movie palaces still showing movies in the United States. I know the Byrd would be one of them.brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Boyd Theatre on Oct 2, 2008 at 8:19 pm

I hope this plan happens its a win win for everyone.Live Nation will be able to sell the property but still book the theatre with 60 acts a year. The Hotel will make the theatre more vaible and at the same time revive the area the Boyd is in. The Boyd will get the restoration it deserves and the Academy of Music and the Kimmell Center are still able to book Broadway shows.brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Remembering Paul Newman on Sep 30, 2008 at 5:28 am

I am a little bit older than all of you and my first Paul Newman movie was “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” also starring Elizabeth Taylor. I also loved “The Long Hot Summer” also starring his wife Joanne Woodward. My other favorite Paul Newman movies were “HUD”,The “Hustler”,“Hombre”,“Cool Hand Luke”,“The Sting” and “The Verdict”. In 1967 a remember a poll that said Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor were the worlds biggest Box Office Draws at the time. Paul Newman was an actor movie star who was the real deal. I don’t think he cared for todays cinema when the big films are popcorn movies. Im sure glad I was born in the early 1950’s and saw movies at movie palaces with such actors as Paul Newman the likes of which you will never see again.brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Fox Oakland Theater on Sep 16, 2008 at 6:34 am

It looks like the Fox Grand Opening has been delayed from Oct 2008 to January 2009. I was in the theatre in July and I didn’t think they were far enough along to be open by October. I liked what I saw they are doing a first rate job restoring the theatre.brucec

bruceanthony
bruceanthony commented about Kings Theatre on Aug 19, 2008 at 4:43 pm

Think in the long term and not the short term. Brooklyn with a population of over two million is coming back after a long decline. More people are moving to Brooklyn from Manhattan as it has become to expensive live. Oakland with a population of just 400,000 will have two theatres seating 3000 each. I think Brooklyn with over two million could support another theatre. The Kings has parking which many venues do not have. A restored movie palace has helped revive many locations across the country. Its fine to be realistic but I would focus on what could be done with the Kings in a more positive manner instead of all the negatives. Why does full restoration have to happen all at once. If the City is willing to spend 35 Million towards its restoration at least get the theatre operational and do some of the cosmetic work needed. Restore a section of the Kings so people could see what it would looks like fully restored.The Kings in my humble opinion is the most magnificient theatre still standing in New York City. brucec