What a wonderful quest it would be to operate a single screen movie theater! Unfortunately, no “small” single or twinned screened movie theater in the immediate Philadelphia area is likely available. There are’t many surviving and the cost to acquire or lease any would be very very expensive.
I thought 70 MM requires yet a different ratio, 2.20
Would it be so hard to reconfigure masking?
I’m not sure what SDS means? but I don’t see studios again shipping out new movies in 70mm film. Might as well wish for all movies to be presented in movie palaces again. Best we can hope for is when digital reaches the equivalent standard.
Hmmm, speaking from Philadelphia, which hasn’t restored & reopened even ONE movie palace- and we are trying (I’ve been the volunteer leading www.FriendsoftheBoyd.org since 2002)…
fortunately, S.F. has saved about 3 downtown movie palaces + the Castro.
L.A. has quite a few movie palaces downtown on Broadway & elsewhere.
Every theater isn’t going to reopen as a theater. I’d agree it would be lovely if the Metro did, but that might not happen.
In July, 200 cinemas worldwide will broadcast Helen Mirren in a play at London’s National Theatre, so that means legit plays, opera, and maybe Olympics will provide additional revenue to movie theaters.
I saw more movies at the Eric Mark I than you did, and am going to disagree about the screen being “small” though it wasn’t as huge as the screen at the Boyd (Sameric).
For a long time, we had a photo of one of the dogs in the Sameric (Boyd) on our website (www.FriendsOfTheBoyd.org). It is not there now, but maybe later we will put it back up.
Myself, I hate the ads, the preshow, in US movie theaters.
Mr. Kent, ads aren’t the only reason, but rather than “angry mobs” or threats, there is reduced attendence by adults.
I suppose those interior photos are displaying an original GWTW poster?
The interior photos are quite impressive. Orchestra pit. Lots of ornamental detail. Wonderful, historic movie house that looks like it is worthwhile of being reused rather than destroyed.
Indeed, this fantastic, movie palace, operated by a nonprofit organization, is doing something great for the community, and well timed as the recession has cut back everybody’s spending. Bravo!
the curtains! hurrah, hurrah! Thanks for telling us. I was considering seeing it here as a possibility & now it just moved up to a likelihood.
What a wonderful quest it would be to operate a single screen movie theater! Unfortunately, no “small” single or twinned screened movie theater in the immediate Philadelphia area is likely available. There are’t many surviving and the cost to acquire or lease any would be very very expensive.
Vintage photo showing a curtain:
http://www.cafepress.com/historictheatre.339345991
Vintage photo showing original marquee:
View link
I love the exterior of this theater.
I thought 70 MM requires yet a different ratio, 2.20
Would it be so hard to reconfigure masking?
I’m not sure what SDS means? but I don’t see studios again shipping out new movies in 70mm film. Might as well wish for all movies to be presented in movie palaces again. Best we can hope for is when digital reaches the equivalent standard.
Auditorium, photographed during the Open House: View link
More photos including auditorium, for the Open House event:
View link
Yes, “Batman” was good, and I’d add to Michael’s fine list: “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”
Thanks to the site for posting this announcement today, and especially volunteer Michael Zoldessy and co-webmaster Ross.
Weeks ago, AMC removed ALL their theaters from the movie clock of the Philadelphia Inquirer. They are the only chain to be gone from the movie clock.
Hmmm, speaking from Philadelphia, which hasn’t restored & reopened even ONE movie palace- and we are trying (I’ve been the volunteer leading www.FriendsoftheBoyd.org since 2002)…
fortunately, S.F. has saved about 3 downtown movie palaces + the Castro.
L.A. has quite a few movie palaces downtown on Broadway & elsewhere.
Every theater isn’t going to reopen as a theater. I’d agree it would be lovely if the Metro did, but that might not happen.
Indeed, thanks to Gary for providing photos of those columns that he speaks of:
View link
this is a step in the right direction.
Article about reopening full time in the future:
View link
2005 exterior photo, very pretty facade:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/opelech/6762277/
When was the Uptown balcony sometimes closed? before 1985?
balconies are fun and should be open!
In July, 200 cinemas worldwide will broadcast Helen Mirren in a play at London’s National Theatre, so that means legit plays, opera, and maybe Olympics will provide additional revenue to movie theaters.
Philadelphia’s Pearl /theaters/17993/
has a sign that proclaims cell phone users will be ejected, without refund.
article about reopening:
View link
I enjoyed the movie I saw this past weekend. Thankfully, still no stupid preshow commercials/ads, etc.
Tonight, there was a sneak preview of “Transformers” sequel, filmed in Philadelphia:
View link
I saw more movies at the Eric Mark I than you did, and am going to disagree about the screen being “small” though it wasn’t as huge as the screen at the Boyd (Sameric).
For a long time, we had a photo of one of the dogs in the Sameric (Boyd) on our website (www.FriendsOfTheBoyd.org). It is not there now, but maybe later we will put it back up.
Myself, I hate the ads, the preshow, in US movie theaters.
Mr. Kent, ads aren’t the only reason, but rather than “angry mobs” or threats, there is reduced attendence by adults.
I suppose those interior photos are displaying an original GWTW poster?
The interior photos are quite impressive. Orchestra pit. Lots of ornamental detail. Wonderful, historic movie house that looks like it is worthwhile of being reused rather than destroyed.
set of 2008 exterior photos:
View link
Indeed, this fantastic, movie palace, operated by a nonprofit organization, is doing something great for the community, and well timed as the recession has cut back everybody’s spending. Bravo!