re: APE marathon: I saw all five at the Plaza in Paterson. Same times as the Central., What is going on here?? 10 Commandments?? at the Loews?? I just heard the Ziegfeld is planning a 70MM Lawrence of Arabia on mar. 24th??? WOW>>this is great
Excellent points…the thing is, the Loews Jersey needs to bet the pot and lay their cards on the table. When the Lafayette first started BigScreenClassics, the film prints weren’t good, the large screen kept moving causing the films to be out of focus, the theater was old and dilapidated, the projection and sound not very good and the houses were far from full. But, myself and many diehards went back week after week (and I live 30 min. away), plus, the lafayette festivals was run by guys who truly loved the movie experience and they kept it going and each week, made it better and better. They lobbied for better prints, and they put their money were there mouths were by pouring money into the re-modeling of the theater to make it better. (on top of that, the seniors get a free pass, so thats more money not made)But, now, 3 years later, the lafayette is the place to go. Sparkling prints, Wurlitzer organ before the show, even Nelson Page’s film introduction and special guest is always fun (no one ever boos and says start the film). Movies every week (not including special film festivals they do) starting at 11:30 am, you still have the day to yourself.
The point I’m making is that they took a chance and kept at it. It now rocks, evry week there’s a huge house for the morning shows. I’m not sure that showing “The Misfits” at 8pm on a Saturday is the way to go, it’s too late. The jersey needs to re=assess and go for it. If it doesn’t work, then it’s a goner anyway, there’s no beating the moneypeople (this is not a Capra film) But if it clicks, the Loews Jersey could be on it’s way to being a true showcase moviehouse again…take the shot boys!!!
The point I’m making
It would be tragic if a palace like the Loews Jersey died and met with the wrecking ball due to politics..But let’s be frank…it’s all about money..and the Loews needs to crank it up a bit and maybe try a couple of film festivals like the Ziefeld is doing right now…with all due respect (and I hope I’m wrong) but scheduling “Best in Show” is probably not going to pack em in….They need to advertise, get the word out, make people want to travel to jersey City, this latest weekend of films is not a great enticer….also maybe have earlier shows also…many seniors would be more enticed to go to an earlier show when it’s still daylight as oppossed to night…check out the Lafayette…their shows start at 11:30am and they’re usually packed..
Question: Does the Loews allow high schools in their as a field trip…it seems that with the history of that theater and then seeing a classic on the screen would be a great thing to do on a weekday morning…not to mention, they’d have guaranteed audience and then buying refreshments…they’d make a bundle….it’s something to think about…I hope they have
What’s going on there….they’re not using the upstairs auditorium…are they splitting it? closing it? re-modeling it??
I’d like to think that they’re re,odeling the original proscenium and going to make it a classic theater again..but I’m dreaming…I think it’s only a matter of time before the Wellmint is history also…those 2 downstair theaters are the worst….the architect should be blackballed from working again.
This festival is great for US (all in this room) but what about the public. Will there be a great turnout for every show for some of these films that are too recent and are popular on video?? Chicago…Gladiator…Rings…even Godfathers?? How popular will they be?? After this festival….if it tanks…it’ll take more than us in the chatroom to get another.
BTW…if I’m not mistaken, does Ziegfeld have the projection equipment for 70MM?? I beliebve they don’t…just digital.
Maybe…since the crowds haven’t been huge (due to the scheduling) too many late shows…who the hell wants to go to that section at night…but it seems we’re losing our theaters
Theaters 5-6-7-8 are the cutup theaters from the original larger auditoriums…they’re not the best…I never look forward to seeing a film in these auditoriums…
plus, poorly managed, understaffed, and completely unfriendly box-office people and sooo slow….go to a weekend matinee….one box office person answering phones dealing with idiot patrons and sooo slow…I always complain to management to put more box office peole…I’m not the only one though…..all high school employees…know nothing about movies, are rude and unfriendly
There has to be a reason the Ziefeld is doing this festival….at a low price no less…is it an experiment based on this room?? or is it a sign of a closing…I myself am really psyched…I hope the prints are good….I hope they put an effort into this…I wonder how successful “Chicago” and “Gladiator” and “Rings” will be as they might be just too recent..I’m looking forward to WSS, MFL, Ben….I’ll keep checking for reviews on the prints..
This theater is closed?? NOW I’m depressed. I was at the first show ever when it was the Jerry Lewis…I saw “Marooned” there…then in the 70’s it turned porno for many years..then a fire…then I remember being overjoyed reading that it was going to be re-opened as a regular movie house..only twinned…I remember walking inside during the construction and going down memory lane…I thought the Valleyview as a twin was a great throwback to the small intimate theaters from the 70’s. The projection was crisp and the sound good. I saw many movies there from 1996…took my Mother there alot as she took me there when I was a kid. I saw the re-released “Exorcist” in 2000, I saw it there in 74 too when it was a single screen…I think I know why it’s out of business..
IT WAS RUN WRONG..
I never could understand why they didn’t have more shows… They would only have 1 evening show on weeknights and weekend shows didn’t start till late afternoon…the surroundings consisted of many apartment complexes and William Paterson College for Godsake!!! Most residents where elderly who go to movies…they had the perfect location for a neighborhood house..I even wrote to the powers that be to incorporate a classic film show , the same way the Lafayette does…I mean, with the apartments and the college, they would have done fine….but they just continued to have late shows only and only 1….If they had an afternoon show and even a late afternoon, 4-5pm, they would have gotten the after school crowd and more….there was no effort….that’s why these theaters are dying…now another one from the past is gone for a freakin restaurant….and there’s no reason….I applied for a manager job before it opened…I wish I got it…
“The Producers” was horrible. A filmed stage play. Matthew Broderick was horrible and Nathan Lane didn’t register. Will ferrel was as annoying as ever and UMa (while georgeous) was OK. I imagine on the stage it was better with an audience BUT unfortunately the original movie is my ALL time favorite comedy so I was prejudiced. Nathan is no ZERO and Broderick is no Gene. The delivery and the comedy was just so effective….and NO, seeing it at a single screen would not have made a difference. No wonder the film is bombing.
Can anyone comment as to WHY the Ziegfeld installed such a narrow and smaller screen than the one they had years ago?? I remember seeing “Apocalypse Now” and thinking WOW…this is the largest screen I ever saw
Bill….I personally believe “Ryan’s Daughter” is David Lean’s most underrated film and one of Mitchum’s best. What a re-release that would make…but..that’ll be the day
No…now there are 2 shoeboxes (Wellmont and Claridge) with multi screens, dank settings, horribly architectured cinemas, uncomfortable seats, the sound of the projectors overpowering the movie, slow moving ticket lines, high school employees with no sense of cinemas (same for the managers)…and bad atmosphere
from 2 of the best theaters ever ….at one point many years ago. I hate going to both these theaters and only go if there’s a film I “really” want to see that doesn’t play elsewhere…
Exactly, plus the gang element waiting to mug the visitors pockets wouldn’t help either, which is why the people and businesses left. I know a person who was in the Fabian recently, said, the seats are still there, but the place is all waterlogged and falling apart but it provides a home to the squatters and crackheads looking for a place to shoot….maybe they should show a screening of “Man with the Golden Arm” …that would be a start
It’s time the secret is LET OUT!!! Look at the Lafayette in Suffern. When they began their Bigscreen Classic series it wasn’t too popular, but as it was building they are now packed houses every Saturday morning. The Loews Jersey might try morning matinees to test the waters. These late shows at times just aren’t that convenient (for me at least) although maybe many others aren’t that enticed to make a trip to Jersey City at night. Say what you will, it’s not the most inviting of areas. I hope the Loews gets those packed houses, they deserve it.
Joe, In theory, I’m with you 200%. In practice however, Paterson is still Paterson and would take a long while to make people feel like it’s the place to go again. Even Newark, they still have trouble attracting even though they have NJPAC. But, I guess you gotta start somewhere.
Joseph…I’ve written numerous letters to “The Record” regarding saving the Fabian from the wrecking ball. I know a Paterson cop who’s been in there and said the theater is intact, save for the separation walls, but it’s dilapidated. 2 big problems with saving this former palace:
1) Paterson is a $#%@hole, who’ll go there once it’s fixed up? It’s next to the crackden known as the Alexander Hamilton Hotel
2) MONEY
..I’m with you though, I’d hate to see the Fabian destroyed. It’s bad enough they tore down the Plaza.
Thanks for the advice…but, I’ve been to the Stanley during the WWII festival and I could only hang in a coffee shop or diner for so long. There’s always a bar, but then with a 2 hour layover I’d be too drunk to get off the stool, and being in Jersey City at night is not an enticement….but, guess that’s my problem
Little disapointing…me personally, I’d consider seeing “Horse Feathers” but there’s a 2 hour plus wait before the next show….that’s too long to hang out in Jersey City…which is not the greatest place to travel too….why doesn’t the Loew’s conduct their film festivals in kind of a marathon scenario…leave a little time between shows…it seems that the “fans” would stay for multiple feature if there wasn’t so much lag time between shows…also, everyone and their brother shows “Dr. Strangelove”… there are more better big screen comedies to show…how bout “Great Race” “Odd Couple”…they’d look great on the Loews big screen….I’ll have to sit this one out
Apologies for the complaining…the Loews is a great theater and the people who run it are doing a great job….thank you for your concern to the moviegoing experience
re: APE marathon: I saw all five at the Plaza in Paterson. Same times as the Central., What is going on here?? 10 Commandments?? at the Loews?? I just heard the Ziegfeld is planning a 70MM Lawrence of Arabia on mar. 24th??? WOW>>this is great
Jim,
Excellent points…the thing is, the Loews Jersey needs to bet the pot and lay their cards on the table. When the Lafayette first started BigScreenClassics, the film prints weren’t good, the large screen kept moving causing the films to be out of focus, the theater was old and dilapidated, the projection and sound not very good and the houses were far from full. But, myself and many diehards went back week after week (and I live 30 min. away), plus, the lafayette festivals was run by guys who truly loved the movie experience and they kept it going and each week, made it better and better. They lobbied for better prints, and they put their money were there mouths were by pouring money into the re-modeling of the theater to make it better. (on top of that, the seniors get a free pass, so thats more money not made)But, now, 3 years later, the lafayette is the place to go. Sparkling prints, Wurlitzer organ before the show, even Nelson Page’s film introduction and special guest is always fun (no one ever boos and says start the film). Movies every week (not including special film festivals they do) starting at 11:30 am, you still have the day to yourself.
The point I’m making is that they took a chance and kept at it. It now rocks, evry week there’s a huge house for the morning shows. I’m not sure that showing “The Misfits” at 8pm on a Saturday is the way to go, it’s too late. The jersey needs to re=assess and go for it. If it doesn’t work, then it’s a goner anyway, there’s no beating the moneypeople (this is not a Capra film) But if it clicks, the Loews Jersey could be on it’s way to being a true showcase moviehouse again…take the shot boys!!!
The point I’m making
It would be tragic if a palace like the Loews Jersey died and met with the wrecking ball due to politics..But let’s be frank…it’s all about money..and the Loews needs to crank it up a bit and maybe try a couple of film festivals like the Ziefeld is doing right now…with all due respect (and I hope I’m wrong) but scheduling “Best in Show” is probably not going to pack em in….They need to advertise, get the word out, make people want to travel to jersey City, this latest weekend of films is not a great enticer….also maybe have earlier shows also…many seniors would be more enticed to go to an earlier show when it’s still daylight as oppossed to night…check out the Lafayette…their shows start at 11:30am and they’re usually packed..
Question: Does the Loews allow high schools in their as a field trip…it seems that with the history of that theater and then seeing a classic on the screen would be a great thing to do on a weekday morning…not to mention, they’d have guaranteed audience and then buying refreshments…they’d make a bundle….it’s something to think about…I hope they have
ONCE AGAIN….GREAT LINEUP
What’s going on there….they’re not using the upstairs auditorium…are they splitting it? closing it? re-modeling it??
I’d like to think that they’re re,odeling the original proscenium and going to make it a classic theater again..but I’m dreaming…I think it’s only a matter of time before the Wellmint is history also…those 2 downstair theaters are the worst….the architect should be blackballed from working again.
When the heck are we gonna get the new Big Screen classics schedule…I’m dying here…at least give us a hint…
This festival is great for US (all in this room) but what about the public. Will there be a great turnout for every show for some of these films that are too recent and are popular on video?? Chicago…Gladiator…Rings…even Godfathers?? How popular will they be?? After this festival….if it tanks…it’ll take more than us in the chatroom to get another.
BTW…if I’m not mistaken, does Ziegfeld have the projection equipment for 70MM?? I beliebve they don’t…just digital.
The next show schedule is not really one that screams out big screen. I’ll miss this one.
How bout some widescreen spectaculars.
can someone post a photo of the theater…all of a sudden I can’t find one and the links here don’t work…I’d appreciate it
Maybe…since the crowds haven’t been huge (due to the scheduling) too many late shows…who the hell wants to go to that section at night…but it seems we’re losing our theaters
Theaters 5-6-7-8 are the cutup theaters from the original larger auditoriums…they’re not the best…I never look forward to seeing a film in these auditoriums…
plus, poorly managed, understaffed, and completely unfriendly box-office people and sooo slow….go to a weekend matinee….one box office person answering phones dealing with idiot patrons and sooo slow…I always complain to management to put more box office peole…I’m not the only one though…..all high school employees…know nothing about movies, are rude and unfriendly
There has to be a reason the Ziefeld is doing this festival….at a low price no less…is it an experiment based on this room?? or is it a sign of a closing…I myself am really psyched…I hope the prints are good….I hope they put an effort into this…I wonder how successful “Chicago” and “Gladiator” and “Rings” will be as they might be just too recent..I’m looking forward to WSS, MFL, Ben….I’ll keep checking for reviews on the prints..
This theater is closed?? NOW I’m depressed. I was at the first show ever when it was the Jerry Lewis…I saw “Marooned” there…then in the 70’s it turned porno for many years..then a fire…then I remember being overjoyed reading that it was going to be re-opened as a regular movie house..only twinned…I remember walking inside during the construction and going down memory lane…I thought the Valleyview as a twin was a great throwback to the small intimate theaters from the 70’s. The projection was crisp and the sound good. I saw many movies there from 1996…took my Mother there alot as she took me there when I was a kid. I saw the re-released “Exorcist” in 2000, I saw it there in 74 too when it was a single screen…I think I know why it’s out of business..
IT WAS RUN WRONG..
I never could understand why they didn’t have more shows… They would only have 1 evening show on weeknights and weekend shows didn’t start till late afternoon…the surroundings consisted of many apartment complexes and William Paterson College for Godsake!!! Most residents where elderly who go to movies…they had the perfect location for a neighborhood house..I even wrote to the powers that be to incorporate a classic film show , the same way the Lafayette does…I mean, with the apartments and the college, they would have done fine….but they just continued to have late shows only and only 1….If they had an afternoon show and even a late afternoon, 4-5pm, they would have gotten the after school crowd and more….there was no effort….that’s why these theaters are dying…now another one from the past is gone for a freakin restaurant….and there’s no reason….I applied for a manager job before it opened…I wish I got it…
a bummmer
Here comes the wrecking ball…an end to another era..I’m glad I went there
“The Producers” was horrible. A filmed stage play. Matthew Broderick was horrible and Nathan Lane didn’t register. Will ferrel was as annoying as ever and UMa (while georgeous) was OK. I imagine on the stage it was better with an audience BUT unfortunately the original movie is my ALL time favorite comedy so I was prejudiced. Nathan is no ZERO and Broderick is no Gene. The delivery and the comedy was just so effective….and NO, seeing it at a single screen would not have made a difference. No wonder the film is bombing.
Can anyone comment as to WHY the Ziegfeld installed such a narrow and smaller screen than the one they had years ago?? I remember seeing “Apocalypse Now” and thinking WOW…this is the largest screen I ever saw
Bill….I personally believe “Ryan’s Daughter” is David Lean’s most underrated film and one of Mitchum’s best. What a re-release that would make…but..that’ll be the day
GeneK…it’s best you never go to the Claridge again…..I guarantee you will cry…it’s like watching movies in a crowded basement….the glamour is gone
No…now there are 2 shoeboxes (Wellmont and Claridge) with multi screens, dank settings, horribly architectured cinemas, uncomfortable seats, the sound of the projectors overpowering the movie, slow moving ticket lines, high school employees with no sense of cinemas (same for the managers)…and bad atmosphere
from 2 of the best theaters ever ….at one point many years ago. I hate going to both these theaters and only go if there’s a film I “really” want to see that doesn’t play elsewhere…
DVD’s are looking better and better
Exactly, plus the gang element waiting to mug the visitors pockets wouldn’t help either, which is why the people and businesses left. I know a person who was in the Fabian recently, said, the seats are still there, but the place is all waterlogged and falling apart but it provides a home to the squatters and crackheads looking for a place to shoot….maybe they should show a screening of “Man with the Golden Arm” …that would be a start
It’s time the secret is LET OUT!!! Look at the Lafayette in Suffern. When they began their Bigscreen Classic series it wasn’t too popular, but as it was building they are now packed houses every Saturday morning. The Loews Jersey might try morning matinees to test the waters. These late shows at times just aren’t that convenient (for me at least) although maybe many others aren’t that enticed to make a trip to Jersey City at night. Say what you will, it’s not the most inviting of areas. I hope the Loews gets those packed houses, they deserve it.
Joe, In theory, I’m with you 200%. In practice however, Paterson is still Paterson and would take a long while to make people feel like it’s the place to go again. Even Newark, they still have trouble attracting even though they have NJPAC. But, I guess you gotta start somewhere.
Joseph…I’ve written numerous letters to “The Record” regarding saving the Fabian from the wrecking ball. I know a Paterson cop who’s been in there and said the theater is intact, save for the separation walls, but it’s dilapidated. 2 big problems with saving this former palace:
1) Paterson is a $#%@hole, who’ll go there once it’s fixed up? It’s next to the crackden known as the Alexander Hamilton Hotel
2) MONEY
..I’m with you though, I’d hate to see the Fabian destroyed. It’s bad enough they tore down the Plaza.
Thanks for the advice…but, I’ve been to the Stanley during the WWII festival and I could only hang in a coffee shop or diner for so long. There’s always a bar, but then with a 2 hour layover I’d be too drunk to get off the stool, and being in Jersey City at night is not an enticement….but, guess that’s my problem
Little disapointing…me personally, I’d consider seeing “Horse Feathers” but there’s a 2 hour plus wait before the next show….that’s too long to hang out in Jersey City…which is not the greatest place to travel too….why doesn’t the Loew’s conduct their film festivals in kind of a marathon scenario…leave a little time between shows…it seems that the “fans” would stay for multiple feature if there wasn’t so much lag time between shows…also, everyone and their brother shows “Dr. Strangelove”… there are more better big screen comedies to show…how bout “Great Race” “Odd Couple”…they’d look great on the Loews big screen….I’ll have to sit this one out
Apologies for the complaining…the Loews is a great theater and the people who run it are doing a great job….thank you for your concern to the moviegoing experience