I recall an early ‘70s re-release of “Ten Commandments” there, as well as “Escape from the Planet of the Apes.” I think I also saw the “special edition” reissue of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” there in 1980.
The Fox may have had an area exclusive of “Star Wars” but they had not yet installed Dolby Stereo so they were running it in 35mm mono. I recall going with a friend who had not yet made the trek up to Paramus to see it in 70mm and despite the large screen the difference was palpable. Had the owners sprung for improved sonics, those of us who frequently made pilgrimages up North might have paid to see it closer to home. I also recall seeing “Poseidon Adventure” and John Carpenter’s “The Fog” there. I peeked into the Chuck E. Cheese once and it was thoroughly depressing.
In the mid-‘70s the condition of the building was poor – i.e., peeling walls, and a faintly dim light bulb in the center of the ceiling that remained on throughout the film, which illuminated the fading surroundings just enough to be disconcerting. Once when I was riding in a car with my older brother and a friend of his I started complaining about the Chancellor, the mice underfoot, etc. My brother nudged me and sternly said, “His dad owns it!” But his friend laughed it off, as if saying, “None of this is news to me!”
Thanks for a sprawling and engrossing thread! My Astor Plaza memories include the usual suspects (Star Wars, Superman, Raiders, press screening of Altered States, Explorers, Under Fire, 2001 screening of 2001 sans intermission), some forgettables (Brewsters Millions), and some oddities (late 70s reissue of Fiddler on the Roof that had songs cut out). There should definitely be a 70mm festival as a swan song.
Bill & Rhett: Sadly I recently tossed out a bunch of ‘70s and '80s Dolby-related papers and ads from NY/NJ, but contact me if you can trust my memory on some 70mm engagements.
Here’s hoping for Patton, which ran in 70mm in Austin a few weeks back. And we need another shot at Lawrence!
I recall an early ‘70s re-release of “Ten Commandments” there, as well as “Escape from the Planet of the Apes.” I think I also saw the “special edition” reissue of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” there in 1980.
The Fox may have had an area exclusive of “Star Wars” but they had not yet installed Dolby Stereo so they were running it in 35mm mono. I recall going with a friend who had not yet made the trek up to Paramus to see it in 70mm and despite the large screen the difference was palpable. Had the owners sprung for improved sonics, those of us who frequently made pilgrimages up North might have paid to see it closer to home. I also recall seeing “Poseidon Adventure” and John Carpenter’s “The Fog” there. I peeked into the Chuck E. Cheese once and it was thoroughly depressing.
In the mid-‘70s the condition of the building was poor – i.e., peeling walls, and a faintly dim light bulb in the center of the ceiling that remained on throughout the film, which illuminated the fading surroundings just enough to be disconcerting. Once when I was riding in a car with my older brother and a friend of his I started complaining about the Chancellor, the mice underfoot, etc. My brother nudged me and sternly said, “His dad owns it!” But his friend laughed it off, as if saying, “None of this is news to me!”
Thanks for a sprawling and engrossing thread! My Astor Plaza memories include the usual suspects (Star Wars, Superman, Raiders, press screening of Altered States, Explorers, Under Fire, 2001 screening of 2001 sans intermission), some forgettables (Brewsters Millions), and some oddities (late 70s reissue of Fiddler on the Roof that had songs cut out). There should definitely be a 70mm festival as a swan song.
Bill & Rhett: Sadly I recently tossed out a bunch of ‘70s and '80s Dolby-related papers and ads from NY/NJ, but contact me if you can trust my memory on some 70mm engagements.