I wish I could get the owner of the 2760 seat Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth N.J. to see what a gem he has and do classic series of movies. I’ve been trying for the better part of 3 years, with no luck. But I keep hoping.
Well, as usual, my friend on CT, CinemarkFan has hit the nail square on the head. He knows my feelings on this subject, no need to go there. I agree with everything he said 1,000%. As for norelco’s comment on downtown theatres, while so many have been lost, many remain. I can only speak for my little corner of the world here in New Jersey, but within a 40 mile radius from my house, we have a theatre that funtions everyday as a performing arts center, the Count Basie in Red Bank, 1500 seats, with a complete operating projection booth. ( I know, I’m the house projectionist.) Then to the north are 2 georgous palaces that sit and wait. One I spoke of many times, the 2760 seat Ritz in Elizabeth, and the other, I just recently found out is still standing, the 2800 seat Montauk in Passaic. ( The latter has a recently posted slide show link from here on CT ) My cousin from North Carolina just viewed the slide show, and said to me, “imagine sitting there with 2800 other people elbow to elbow watching a movie”. THAT’S what movies are all about, and to have 70MM on giant screens is something we need to get back too. And the industry needs to go back to the days of “Limited Engagements” where a film only played on select screens for a while before a wider release. It can be done, but the film companies are to worried that the video release dates would have to be pushed back. But I’m all for seeing big palaces saved, and CinemarkFan’s idea has my vote.
Ahh…those Disney Summer Festivals. We had them here in Jersey too. Rainy days were the WORST. 600 kids would show up to a 400 seat theatre. But, as I have said elsewhere here on CT, and as stated above, ‘those WERE the days’ and I’m sorry to say they will never, ever return.
You have to forgive Justin, Giles. I’m sure he is a very nice person, and he and I have gone back and forth on a lot of issues here on CT. But he does not work in the industry as I have for the past 34 years. He loves Digital, he sees it as the end-all-be-all. Someone like me sees 35 or 70MM and says, whats wrong with this. But thats what makes this forum so wonderful. They have their opinion, and we have ours. Personally, I dont see film going away for a long time. I could be wrong. I hope I’m not. Time will tell.
I have scanned all the above posts, perhaps I missed it. The photos by Mickeymike are just wonderful. The place looks to be in great shape. My question is, is it still there or is it demolished??
I’ve been preaching this since this whole digital thing came on board. I’m running a Simplex projector in one theatre from the 1940’s, and the thing never misses a beat. I also run this new digital crap, and if something ever goes wrong, where do you begin. Long live 35 and 70 MM.
This theatre was originally 10 screens under GCC. I remember going there in 1994 to see the first ever demonstration of D.T.S. Digital sound. While I was working for GCC when this theatre was being built, I remember there was a problem from nearby co-op city, in that someone kept shooting out the glass windows of the theatre. At the time it was built, it was rumored that this was GCC’s most expensive build to date at that time. And also it was rumored that with the rent what it was, the theatre would never clear a profit.
To each his own. But just remember one thing JJD, in my day we had projectionists, people who knew how to make changeovers, trim carbon rods and the alike. These so-called projectionists today are nothing more than the kids who sell you your popcorn and just have to push one button. Nothing hard about that.
Giles, no there hasn’t been a truce yet, not according to the owner I work for. And to all those including our good buddy justin who this digital thing is the next big wave, well when they were installing it at the place I work, the tech was saying theres already disputes about who can play what on which digital, and if you play this you breach this, so as I see it, these film companies, who along with companies like AMC and Regal are going to ruin yet another thing in this once proud movie industry. I just hope something breaks my way and the union can get me out before the bottom drops. As my owner said to me, after this summers wave of 3D, he’s going to rethink the whole thing. Boom!!!
I know I am going to get run over by saying this, but here goes…Al Alverez, Bill Heulbig and Movieguy718 have all just said in the prior 3 posts, exactly the same things I have been saying for many, many years. This is exactly whats wrong with the industry today. I’m sure I haven’t been doing this projection thing as long as Al, but still 34 years is a long time. I remember the days when you would never cancal a show for anyone, or anything. This idea of charging $ 3.00 extra for a pair of glasses you don’t even get to keep (I know, what else can you use them for, its just the principle of it) is pissing off so many people, its not even funny. I see it all day at the theatre I work at. And yes all this digital sound is way, way to loud. And trailers, even going back 30 years were always loud. I dont care what anyone says, the old days were way way better.
They didn’t follow that old saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” I ran IMAX back in ‘04 and'05. THAT was IMAX, 15/70, Giant screen. But they wanted mini-max, or diet-max or imax-lite, or whatever you want to call it, so there. I don’t feel sorry for them. I’ve saiod before, this whole digital thing is just a passing fancy. You’re never going to completely knock out 35MM, and what they had with 15/70MM was just awesome. To me, now its like watching a movie on the big screen, then buy the DVD. With this new IMAX, its already the DVD. The damage is done, as far as I’m concerned.
Now I may be wrong here, but did these high paid executives ever stop to think that people just have the money to buy DVD’s ?? I mean you hear about people losing their jobs, their homes, it amazes me that the movie theatres with their high prices are still doing well. Like I said, I could be wrong, but in our family, putting food on the table is a little higher priority right now than buying a DVD.
Thats the problem with a lot of these multiplexes today. You have these teenage projectionist wanna-bees, and you end up with piracy. All these companies wont hire union guys cause they say it costs too much, so they hire these kids for $8.00 an hour, and of course they want more money, so they do what they can to get it. You would never catch an old timer like me doing this. I have more brains then to get caught and lose my job.
I agree with everything you said Jeff S. You do damage the lamps. Even today however. management seems to think they know it all, so I just go with the flow. I don’t like it, I just do it.
dantop500, thats whats wrong with the entire industry today. Big companies like AMC and Regal are killing it. Give me the good old days, like when I started 34 years ago.
I have just read from some posts that there are projection problems here. I dont know, or care to get into a grudge match with people, but in regards to Jeff S above, you can “cut back” on light output on a Xenon bulb. As a projectionist for 34 years, I have had to do it in many of the independent theatres I worked at. They wanted to save some electric. All you had to do was go to the rectifier and crank down the amps from say 80 to 70 (or even 65). I always noticed the difference. Again, as he stated there is a diff between machines. It could be a reflector problem, a bulb focusing issue, or even alignment from the lamphouse to the projector. I know whwn I was there years ago, after Nelson just took it over, he told me he was going with dual projection. Does he have a matched pair, or is each one different? This can cause all sorts of problems. And I do hope these new owners make it work as it has in the past. I have been trying for 4 years to get the owner of the Ritz in Elizabeth N.J. to do the same, but nothing comes about from it.
Very well put MPol, but today its easier said than done.
I wish I could get the owner of the 2760 seat Ritz Theatre in Elizabeth N.J. to see what a gem he has and do classic series of movies. I’ve been trying for the better part of 3 years, with no luck. But I keep hoping.
Well, as usual, my friend on CT, CinemarkFan has hit the nail square on the head. He knows my feelings on this subject, no need to go there. I agree with everything he said 1,000%. As for norelco’s comment on downtown theatres, while so many have been lost, many remain. I can only speak for my little corner of the world here in New Jersey, but within a 40 mile radius from my house, we have a theatre that funtions everyday as a performing arts center, the Count Basie in Red Bank, 1500 seats, with a complete operating projection booth. ( I know, I’m the house projectionist.) Then to the north are 2 georgous palaces that sit and wait. One I spoke of many times, the 2760 seat Ritz in Elizabeth, and the other, I just recently found out is still standing, the 2800 seat Montauk in Passaic. ( The latter has a recently posted slide show link from here on CT ) My cousin from North Carolina just viewed the slide show, and said to me, “imagine sitting there with 2800 other people elbow to elbow watching a movie”. THAT’S what movies are all about, and to have 70MM on giant screens is something we need to get back too. And the industry needs to go back to the days of “Limited Engagements” where a film only played on select screens for a while before a wider release. It can be done, but the film companies are to worried that the video release dates would have to be pushed back. But I’m all for seeing big palaces saved, and CinemarkFan’s idea has my vote.
Right on larry2, now there’s someone speaking my kind of language. Finally someone who sees it the way I do.
Ahh…those Disney Summer Festivals. We had them here in Jersey too. Rainy days were the WORST. 600 kids would show up to a 400 seat theatre. But, as I have said elsewhere here on CT, and as stated above, ‘those WERE the days’ and I’m sorry to say they will never, ever return.
You have to forgive Justin, Giles. I’m sure he is a very nice person, and he and I have gone back and forth on a lot of issues here on CT. But he does not work in the industry as I have for the past 34 years. He loves Digital, he sees it as the end-all-be-all. Someone like me sees 35 or 70MM and says, whats wrong with this. But thats what makes this forum so wonderful. They have their opinion, and we have ours. Personally, I dont see film going away for a long time. I could be wrong. I hope I’m not. Time will tell.
Yea. Digital. No comment.
Great news for this one. Too late for many, many others.
I have scanned all the above posts, perhaps I missed it. The photos by Mickeymike are just wonderful. The place looks to be in great shape. My question is, is it still there or is it demolished??
I’ve been preaching this since this whole digital thing came on board. I’m running a Simplex projector in one theatre from the 1940’s, and the thing never misses a beat. I also run this new digital crap, and if something ever goes wrong, where do you begin. Long live 35 and 70 MM.
What a great idea. This is exactly the type of promotions the industry needs. Its like a throw back to the old days. Good Luck with it.
This theatre was originally 10 screens under GCC. I remember going there in 1994 to see the first ever demonstration of D.T.S. Digital sound. While I was working for GCC when this theatre was being built, I remember there was a problem from nearby co-op city, in that someone kept shooting out the glass windows of the theatre. At the time it was built, it was rumored that this was GCC’s most expensive build to date at that time. And also it was rumored that with the rent what it was, the theatre would never clear a profit.
AWESOME !!!!!!!!!
To each his own. But just remember one thing JJD, in my day we had projectionists, people who knew how to make changeovers, trim carbon rods and the alike. These so-called projectionists today are nothing more than the kids who sell you your popcorn and just have to push one button. Nothing hard about that.
Let me make this as clear and easy to understand for everyone. As a union projectionist for 34 years, the answer to larry 2’s question is…NO !!!!!!
Giles, no there hasn’t been a truce yet, not according to the owner I work for. And to all those including our good buddy justin who this digital thing is the next big wave, well when they were installing it at the place I work, the tech was saying theres already disputes about who can play what on which digital, and if you play this you breach this, so as I see it, these film companies, who along with companies like AMC and Regal are going to ruin yet another thing in this once proud movie industry. I just hope something breaks my way and the union can get me out before the bottom drops. As my owner said to me, after this summers wave of 3D, he’s going to rethink the whole thing. Boom!!!
I know I am going to get run over by saying this, but here goes…Al Alverez, Bill Heulbig and Movieguy718 have all just said in the prior 3 posts, exactly the same things I have been saying for many, many years. This is exactly whats wrong with the industry today. I’m sure I haven’t been doing this projection thing as long as Al, but still 34 years is a long time. I remember the days when you would never cancal a show for anyone, or anything. This idea of charging $ 3.00 extra for a pair of glasses you don’t even get to keep (I know, what else can you use them for, its just the principle of it) is pissing off so many people, its not even funny. I see it all day at the theatre I work at. And yes all this digital sound is way, way to loud. And trailers, even going back 30 years were always loud. I dont care what anyone says, the old days were way way better.
They didn’t follow that old saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” I ran IMAX back in ‘04 and'05. THAT was IMAX, 15/70, Giant screen. But they wanted mini-max, or diet-max or imax-lite, or whatever you want to call it, so there. I don’t feel sorry for them. I’ve saiod before, this whole digital thing is just a passing fancy. You’re never going to completely knock out 35MM, and what they had with 15/70MM was just awesome. To me, now its like watching a movie on the big screen, then buy the DVD. With this new IMAX, its already the DVD. The damage is done, as far as I’m concerned.
Now I may be wrong here, but did these high paid executives ever stop to think that people just have the money to buy DVD’s ?? I mean you hear about people losing their jobs, their homes, it amazes me that the movie theatres with their high prices are still doing well. Like I said, I could be wrong, but in our family, putting food on the table is a little higher priority right now than buying a DVD.
Thats the problem with a lot of these multiplexes today. You have these teenage projectionist wanna-bees, and you end up with piracy. All these companies wont hire union guys cause they say it costs too much, so they hire these kids for $8.00 an hour, and of course they want more money, so they do what they can to get it. You would never catch an old timer like me doing this. I have more brains then to get caught and lose my job.
AS I’ve said many, many times before. Another one bites the dust.
I agree with everything you said Jeff S. You do damage the lamps. Even today however. management seems to think they know it all, so I just go with the flow. I don’t like it, I just do it.
dantop500, thats whats wrong with the entire industry today. Big companies like AMC and Regal are killing it. Give me the good old days, like when I started 34 years ago.
A feel good story in these down times. I wish them well.
I have just read from some posts that there are projection problems here. I dont know, or care to get into a grudge match with people, but in regards to Jeff S above, you can “cut back” on light output on a Xenon bulb. As a projectionist for 34 years, I have had to do it in many of the independent theatres I worked at. They wanted to save some electric. All you had to do was go to the rectifier and crank down the amps from say 80 to 70 (or even 65). I always noticed the difference. Again, as he stated there is a diff between machines. It could be a reflector problem, a bulb focusing issue, or even alignment from the lamphouse to the projector. I know whwn I was there years ago, after Nelson just took it over, he told me he was going with dual projection. Does he have a matched pair, or is each one different? This can cause all sorts of problems. And I do hope these new owners make it work as it has in the past. I have been trying for 4 years to get the owner of the Ritz in Elizabeth N.J. to do the same, but nothing comes about from it.