Justin – movable masking for multiple aspect ratios has been a staple of virtually all theatres for years and years. They’re talking about curtains in front of the screen (since the audience should never ever see a blank white screen).
Good question, Jeff. That’s what we were told by some folks from the school system – I don’t know if it was called Lafayette Avenue at the time or if it also got named that at the same time.
You’re welcome. One thing that’s missing from the profile I wrote above is that the theatre had no name when it was being built. At some point during the construction phase, a contest/survey was held among the local school children and they were the ones who named it “Lafayette”, after the Revolutionary War figure who had been in the area. Perhaps they constructed the marquee to facilitate adding the name later? Sadly, the microfilm I was using didn’t go back to the 20s.
Lost Memory -
The Lafayette opened in 1924, so the Nanook showing must have been a later run of the film. When I was researching the newspaper archive a few years ago prior to our 3D festival, the earliest ads from around 1934 said ‘Lafayette Theatre’ on them. We also have a very old newspaper from around 1927 on display in the lobby that has listings and it also says only ‘Lafayette Theatre’.
Blade Runner is still a great picture, but only in its original theatrical version, not the subsequent “director’s cut” nonsense. Saw it opening day at the Loews Secaucus 6, which was also the opening week for that theatre complex, IIRC; it was 35mm mono. Was so impressed that I went into Manhattan to see it in 70mm at the Criterion Center.
I ran ET at its first sneak preview at the Cinema 46 in Totowa and did not like it then and now. Still can’t understand how a remake of Lassie Come Home became the biggest box office hit of all time :)
Any information about the premiere tonight at the Music Hall of the new film “Live Free or Die Hard”? They’ve been talking about it on the radio today.
No, the “Cinerama” (single panel, no 3-panel prints were ever made) prints of Mad Mad World would have been in 70mm format and no longer exist. It was a 35mm print that just ran at the Loews.
In the days before short video windows, you might have gotten away with 3 or 4 weeks. Nowadays, I’d suggest changing every 2 weeks as a way to condition your patrons to come back as often as possible.
I think MBD is referring to the original Theatre One, which was chopped up sometime after 1983 (I don’t know when, but it was after Return of the Jedi and before Blue Velvet).
I’m pretty sure JeffS was being sarcastic about the “newer = better” mentality. If they fixed up the Tenplex (mostly by restoring Theatre One to its original size), it would be a “showplace”.
Go to this page: http://www.investor.amctheatres.com/releases.cfm and you’ll see a couple of corporate phone numbers in the communications department. I’m sure that if your potential tenant calls, they will direct his call to the appropriate department. If they haven’t yet removed any of the equipment or seats, he could be in good shape. If they have removed them, it will be much more costly to re-equip (figure a half million for used equipment and used seats).
As for knowing it was closing, I’m not sure where I first heard of it. We in the theater business heard about it as soon as they began negotiating years agao to construct the new facility, since that affects the ability to book films in the area. I can’t imagine that it was never discussed at any of the planning board meetings and reported on.
Actually, it should be simple (depending how much money you can raise). Assuming AMC still holds the lease, why not approach them about sub-leasing it? If it’s a potential money-maker (come up with a good business plan that doesn’t involve first-run or second run, though), you should be able to raise the funds. If they can generate a small income (enough to cover property taxes, etc.) from a rental for the time left on their lease, they might do it.
News of its closing was first talked about at least three years ago. I’m not sure why people think it was a secret.
The sound system may be the same, but the room is certainly different now, hence the different sound. When was the last time it was EQ’d?
Also, DTS runs off CD-ROM discs (synchronized via time code printed on the 35mm film) and not DVDs and is generally more reliable than SDDS and on-par with Dolby Digital. Yes, none of the digital formats sound as good as magnetic.
Christopher -
A second run operator would not be able to get Pirates in 3-4 weeks at the Tenplex. They would not be able to get it until the AMC Garden State dropped all of their prints of it, which is probably 10 weeks minimum. Disney and the other studios make it very difficult for second run theatres in this area, because bookings in the county are on a distance basis by location. That’s why the Route 17 Triplex and the Route 4 Tenplex could never show the same film at the same time. That’s why the Cedar Lane Cinemas could not get a second run film until it left the Tenplex completely.
I think Christopher is objecting to Justin’s use of “demolished this weekend”, whereas the place is simply closing instead. Who knows how long it will be until it’s actually demolished.
What films could play there if it re-opened in the future? All Hollywood first-run product will go to AMC Garden State (and can’t play both locations) and art house fare (which has very limited print availabilty) will continue to go to Tenafly and the Cedar Lane in Teaneck.
Too many variables without knowing where you are located.
Your best bet is to go the forums over at www.bigscreenbiz.com and read, read, read. Then ask those folks questions; the posters run theatres of all sizes and shapes.
The auditorium was totally flooded out again, destroying all the temporary renovations and the organ console (the upper and outer lobby are okay). Rumor has it that this time they will be renovating the auditorium completely (and not just rebuilding the “black box”) with new side curtaining, new seats, etc. Sadly, nothing can be done about flooding in that area.
It wasn’t Rich Little, it was an actor by the name of Simon Prescott who did the missing dialog for Lee Van Cleef.
As far as I know, the only print that MGM circulates is the extended 187 minute version from 2003. We screened it at the Lafayette in 2003 and it’s a beauty.
I would doubt 70mm, Bill. If they struck a new 70mm print of this, they would certainly not let it be run on a platter.
Justin – movable masking for multiple aspect ratios has been a staple of virtually all theatres for years and years. They’re talking about curtains in front of the screen (since the audience should never ever see a blank white screen).
Good question, Jeff. That’s what we were told by some folks from the school system – I don’t know if it was called Lafayette Avenue at the time or if it also got named that at the same time.
You’re welcome. One thing that’s missing from the profile I wrote above is that the theatre had no name when it was being built. At some point during the construction phase, a contest/survey was held among the local school children and they were the ones who named it “Lafayette”, after the Revolutionary War figure who had been in the area. Perhaps they constructed the marquee to facilitate adding the name later? Sadly, the microfilm I was using didn’t go back to the 20s.
Lost Memory -
The Lafayette opened in 1924, so the Nanook showing must have been a later run of the film. When I was researching the newspaper archive a few years ago prior to our 3D festival, the earliest ads from around 1934 said ‘Lafayette Theatre’ on them. We also have a very old newspaper from around 1927 on display in the lobby that has listings and it also says only ‘Lafayette Theatre’.
Blade Runner is still a great picture, but only in its original theatrical version, not the subsequent “director’s cut” nonsense. Saw it opening day at the Loews Secaucus 6, which was also the opening week for that theatre complex, IIRC; it was 35mm mono. Was so impressed that I went into Manhattan to see it in 70mm at the Criterion Center.
I ran ET at its first sneak preview at the Cinema 46 in Totowa and did not like it then and now. Still can’t understand how a remake of Lassie Come Home became the biggest box office hit of all time :)
Very cool, thanks for the info REndres. I assume the projectors run concurrently so that an instantaneous switch can be made if there’s a problem?
Any information about the premiere tonight at the Music Hall of the new film “Live Free or Die Hard”? They’ve been talking about it on the radio today.
No, the “Cinerama” (single panel, no 3-panel prints were ever made) prints of Mad Mad World would have been in 70mm format and no longer exist. It was a 35mm print that just ran at the Loews.
In the days before short video windows, you might have gotten away with 3 or 4 weeks. Nowadays, I’d suggest changing every 2 weeks as a way to condition your patrons to come back as often as possible.
The best way to express your displeasure for the venues you dislike is to stay away, not steal from them.
Make sure you don’t complain when your favorite theatre closes since you don’t feel any guilt about stealing services from them by theatre hopping.
Bill,
I think MBD is referring to the original Theatre One, which was chopped up sometime after 1983 (I don’t know when, but it was after Return of the Jedi and before Blue Velvet).
…and lose a fortune :)
I’m pretty sure JeffS was being sarcastic about the “newer = better” mentality. If they fixed up the Tenplex (mostly by restoring Theatre One to its original size), it would be a “showplace”.
Christopher:
Go to this page: http://www.investor.amctheatres.com/releases.cfm and you’ll see a couple of corporate phone numbers in the communications department. I’m sure that if your potential tenant calls, they will direct his call to the appropriate department. If they haven’t yet removed any of the equipment or seats, he could be in good shape. If they have removed them, it will be much more costly to re-equip (figure a half million for used equipment and used seats).
As for knowing it was closing, I’m not sure where I first heard of it. We in the theater business heard about it as soon as they began negotiating years agao to construct the new facility, since that affects the ability to book films in the area. I can’t imagine that it was never discussed at any of the planning board meetings and reported on.
Actually, it should be simple (depending how much money you can raise). Assuming AMC still holds the lease, why not approach them about sub-leasing it? If it’s a potential money-maker (come up with a good business plan that doesn’t involve first-run or second run, though), you should be able to raise the funds. If they can generate a small income (enough to cover property taxes, etc.) from a rental for the time left on their lease, they might do it.
News of its closing was first talked about at least three years ago. I’m not sure why people think it was a secret.
The sound system may be the same, but the room is certainly different now, hence the different sound. When was the last time it was EQ’d?
Also, DTS runs off CD-ROM discs (synchronized via time code printed on the 35mm film) and not DVDs and is generally more reliable than SDDS and on-par with Dolby Digital. Yes, none of the digital formats sound as good as magnetic.
Christopher -
A second run operator would not be able to get Pirates in 3-4 weeks at the Tenplex. They would not be able to get it until the AMC Garden State dropped all of their prints of it, which is probably 10 weeks minimum. Disney and the other studios make it very difficult for second run theatres in this area, because bookings in the county are on a distance basis by location. That’s why the Route 17 Triplex and the Route 4 Tenplex could never show the same film at the same time. That’s why the Cedar Lane Cinemas could not get a second run film until it left the Tenplex completely.
I think Christopher is objecting to Justin’s use of “demolished this weekend”, whereas the place is simply closing instead. Who knows how long it will be until it’s actually demolished.
What films could play there if it re-opened in the future? All Hollywood first-run product will go to AMC Garden State (and can’t play both locations) and art house fare (which has very limited print availabilty) will continue to go to Tenafly and the Cedar Lane in Teaneck.
Too many variables without knowing where you are located.
Your best bet is to go the forums over at www.bigscreenbiz.com and read, read, read. Then ask those folks questions; the posters run theatres of all sizes and shapes.
Justin –
The Tenplex has to close, it was part of the deal with the town to get the new location constructed. Heaven and earth can not keep it open.
Strange article, the theatres were not rated for their presentation quality. Only a vague reference to digital projection at the Ziegfeld.
The auditorium was totally flooded out again, destroying all the temporary renovations and the organ console (the upper and outer lobby are okay). Rumor has it that this time they will be renovating the auditorium completely (and not just rebuilding the “black box”) with new side curtaining, new seats, etc. Sadly, nothing can be done about flooding in that area.
It wasn’t Rich Little, it was an actor by the name of Simon Prescott who did the missing dialog for Lee Van Cleef.
As far as I know, the only print that MGM circulates is the extended 187 minute version from 2003. We screened it at the Lafayette in 2003 and it’s a beauty.