I’ve been to this house, and I’m surprised to read there’s not a true balcony. As I recall you have to climb a lot of steps to get upstairs, and then you’re only at the foot of the steeply raked seating. I know that in the Ziegfeld you go up a few steps to the first row of the “balcony” but here it seems like there’s plenty of steps before you reach the first row.
Sorry, I was there again tonight and there ARE six screens, number six being in a former retail space adjacent to the lobby and not part of the former auditorium. And it is a little shoe-boxy, though it’s wide and shallow rather than long and narrow.
And there are five screens, number five on the old stage being the only one that could be called a shoebox, yet even it has a high ceiling and is roomier than you might think.
I was there tonight and was surprised about how not-awful it was. The three auditoriums (I know that’s wrong!) I went in were all clean, no noticable broken seats and the screens were bright and focused. The lobby was also well decorated and pleasant to be in.
I saw a movie upstairs, which seems to be the original balcony divided in two, and it was nice to imagine what the whole thing must have looked like and felt like, and imagining where the original screen was.
I have heard both rumors about this place: That it will be demolished and a new house built, or that it will get the Midway treatment. Either way, I recommend seeing a movie here, especially upstairs, for a little taste of the olden days.
>>Worth noting, too: In the 1940s, several of today’s legit houses were used exclusively as first-run movie houses, including the Palace with 1,700 seats, the Lunt-Fontanne, then known as the Globe, with 1,500 seats, the Broadway, the Winter Garden and the Ambassador.
Maybe we can convince the Messrs. Shubert and Nederlander (and Jujamcyn) to return one of these houses for exclusive first fun movies and premieres.
I like the 34th Street. Close to transit, big auditorium with big screens and great sound, nice views out the lobby windows. Lots of old-style movie posters and memorabilia.
On Thursdays at 7pm they have a classic film series; tonight 7/29/04 is The Philadelphia Story with Katherine Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart and Gary Grant. It’s always nice to see this on a big screen.
I was there recently, too, at a matinee with about 50 other people. I sat in five different locations to get their different perspectives, including the last row. It was thrilling to see that vast expanse of seats, dozens of rows cascading down to the giant screen, curtained in red. The slow, graceful sweep of that curved curtain closing at the end of the feature brought a lump to my throat, knowing that it will soon be stilled. When the houselights came on, I took one last long look and left through the exit at the opposite side, so I could walk one last time around the back behind the auditorium, passing (and peeking in) the rear balcony exit, going across the lobby, up the escalator and out to the street.
I know it’s not the Roxy or the Capitol but it was the only one I had and I am going to miss it.
Above poster is a true cinephile who doesn’t wish to be disturbed in a porno house. So knock it off already. Please stay out of his comfort zone. Thank you.
I live nearby and it seems that this theater plays many action and popcorn features day-and-date with Sunrise Multiplex, but also plays many dramas and comedies that don’t appeal to Sunrise’s mostly black audience. And the Sunrise has 14 screens, not 25.
Those photos are breathtaking. This is the first I’ve seen of the Capitol’s interior. Wow! And it kills me to know that I was alive when the theater closed (though still a youngster living in the suburbs.) Actually, maybe I should kill my parents instead for not realizing what we were about to lose and taking me to see it.
Will they screen For Pete’s Sake as a farewell, with 1974 prices? The movie is still pretty funny, and it would be a good send off after 30 years of service.
Those pictures listed above seem like that same kind that played to empty houses coast-to-coast, helping kill many old theaters in the process. I think Hollywood forgot how to make movies for a while.
Better link: www.historictheatres.org
(Link above has an extra comma!)
Reading these posts here and for other showplaces makes me a litle nauseous over what we’ve lost.
The Walker made it to the 90’s and now a store sits inside…
Where this?
I wonder if the ceilings in the upstairs theaters are still painted dark blue.
I’ve been to this house, and I’m surprised to read there’s not a true balcony. As I recall you have to climb a lot of steps to get upstairs, and then you’re only at the foot of the steeply raked seating. I know that in the Ziegfeld you go up a few steps to the first row of the “balcony” but here it seems like there’s plenty of steps before you reach the first row.
What theater is that on the left with Movies written on a vertical sign?
Sorry, I was there again tonight and there ARE six screens, number six being in a former retail space adjacent to the lobby and not part of the former auditorium. And it is a little shoe-boxy, though it’s wide and shallow rather than long and narrow.
And there are five screens, number five on the old stage being the only one that could be called a shoebox, yet even it has a high ceiling and is roomier than you might think.
I was there tonight and was surprised about how not-awful it was. The three auditoriums (I know that’s wrong!) I went in were all clean, no noticable broken seats and the screens were bright and focused. The lobby was also well decorated and pleasant to be in.
I saw a movie upstairs, which seems to be the original balcony divided in two, and it was nice to imagine what the whole thing must have looked like and felt like, and imagining where the original screen was.
I have heard both rumors about this place: That it will be demolished and a new house built, or that it will get the Midway treatment. Either way, I recommend seeing a movie here, especially upstairs, for a little taste of the olden days.
Nice website. I just joined their mailing list and look forward to seeing something here.
Excerpt from the Reuters article:
>>Worth noting, too: In the 1940s, several of today’s legit houses were used exclusively as first-run movie houses, including the Palace with 1,700 seats, the Lunt-Fontanne, then known as the Globe, with 1,500 seats, the Broadway, the Winter Garden and the Ambassador.
Maybe we can convince the Messrs. Shubert and Nederlander (and Jujamcyn) to return one of these houses for exclusive first fun movies and premieres.
I like the 34th Street. Close to transit, big auditorium with big screens and great sound, nice views out the lobby windows. Lots of old-style movie posters and memorabilia.
On Thursdays at 7pm they have a classic film series; tonight 7/29/04 is The Philadelphia Story with Katherine Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart and Gary Grant. It’s always nice to see this on a big screen.
I was there recently, too, at a matinee with about 50 other people. I sat in five different locations to get their different perspectives, including the last row. It was thrilling to see that vast expanse of seats, dozens of rows cascading down to the giant screen, curtained in red. The slow, graceful sweep of that curved curtain closing at the end of the feature brought a lump to my throat, knowing that it will soon be stilled. When the houselights came on, I took one last long look and left through the exit at the opposite side, so I could walk one last time around the back behind the auditorium, passing (and peeking in) the rear balcony exit, going across the lobby, up the escalator and out to the street.
I know it’s not the Roxy or the Capitol but it was the only one I had and I am going to miss it.
Above poster is a true cinephile who doesn’t wish to be disturbed in a porno house. So knock it off already. Please stay out of his comfort zone. Thank you.
I think Minsky’s was the Werba.
Here is a link to an interesting Reuters article 7/26/04 about the closing of Astor Plaza, and others in the area.
View link
And where is the listing for Sunrise Multiplex?
I live nearby and it seems that this theater plays many action and popcorn features day-and-date with Sunrise Multiplex, but also plays many dramas and comedies that don’t appeal to Sunrise’s mostly black audience. And the Sunrise has 14 screens, not 25.
Here’s another still-open twin drive-in, this one just south of Gibson City in beautiful East-Central Illinois. Check out their web site.
Nice article here from New York Times 7/24/04, including a color photograph of the marquee. View link
Please. Be serious. Those 1400 (if they filled up) will be the biggest audience he gets.
Those photos are breathtaking. This is the first I’ve seen of the Capitol’s interior. Wow! And it kills me to know that I was alive when the theater closed (though still a youngster living in the suburbs.) Actually, maybe I should kill my parents instead for not realizing what we were about to lose and taking me to see it.
Will they screen For Pete’s Sake as a farewell, with 1974 prices? The movie is still pretty funny, and it would be a good send off after 30 years of service.
Those pictures listed above seem like that same kind that played to empty houses coast-to-coast, helping kill many old theaters in the process. I think Hollywood forgot how to make movies for a while.
And maybe the Lyric should have its own listing.