As a projectionist of almost 33 years, some of these titles bring back memories. I remember running many of the above titles as a “co-feature” in some of the “dollar houses” I started out in. Great movie line-up above Mike, and a great time in the movie industry as well. Wish I could go back in time.
I’m glad to see others loved that documentary as well. A quick question. Do any of you think that we lost a lot of those old grand palaces because of Robert Moses?
Hey LuisV, if you ever get a chance, try to check out an old PBS series they run called “New York, A documentary film” You will want Episode 7. About an hour into it they really show the true destruction of the once beautiful Penn Station, a treasure in and upon itself. It makes me think of all the theatres we lost the same way. (Roxy, Capitol etc.) In the episode it mentions how “no one seems to care”, which in fact is why we have lost so many great movie palaces, and even some not so great ones, all in the name of what they call progress.
Well David, at least you found a place that has a curtain. So many of these places today run those damn advertisements before the movie, that just makes me want to leave and never come back.
I remember that night well as I was one of the projectionists working there that night. At that time we used to have 2 projectionists on each shift. Each of us would do 7 theatres, 1-7 & 8-14. “New Jack City” was playind in Cinemas 8 and 13. The melee broke out in Cinema 13, just as I was starting to thread up for the midnight show. This is probably the one incident which started Amboys eventual downward spiral.
That’s great Jon, but for us true film lovers, and old time movie palace lovers, we just can’t justify calling this new sheetrock multiplex a Cinema Treasure. Sorry.
Lets all hope and pray this one gets saved NativeForestHiller. We don’t need another one going retail or condo. Why can’t people see that reportory and performing arts is the way to go?
What I meant Rory is exactly what you said. Not too many of us are left who can make reel-to-reel changeovers. In todays cinema world, candy sellers and popcorn poppers run the show, not trained professionals. As for the era its from looking old, give me that ANY time over all this digital crap their pushing. I like the old 35mm film look. Enjoy your trip here, and your movie.
They would not have been able to get the print if they did not run it reel-to-reel, (the way ALL films should be shown). Many film companies want a signed waiver, stating that you will not platter the print. Now all you have to hope is that there is no clown in the projection room running the print, or else, so much for that new print.
Great job on the video bobosan. I’m no building expert, but I have to agree with Bob Jensen. I did not see any sort of weaknesses in those remaining walls. It looks like yet another case of would’ve, could’ve, should’ve. Too late now. By the way, is this area of theatre where the screen would have been?
Although I work in the industry as an IATSE projectionist and stagehand, I wish I had money to help. But I have viewed pictures of this glorious theatre on their CT site, and please please please, somebody step in and save it. NO MORE RETAIL, SAVE THIS CINEMA TREASURE!!!!!
I find it funny how these demolition people get a nice piece of change to tear down these buildings, and if someone comes by to try and get some equipment, all of a sudden dollar signs start flashing like a giant strobe light. We had the same thing happen here in New Jersey a few years ago. A bunch of people, some non-profit maybe tried to get equipment out of a sixplex that was closed for almost a year. The landlord said “why should I” and a month later, we all watched it go down in a heap. It really is a sickening feeling.
Well…Thank you Ian M. Judge. FINALLY there is someone in this world, other than me, who gets this whole 35mm vs. digital thing, as well as having a REAL projectionist vs a popcorn popper running the films. Having been (and still am) an IATSE projectionist for 33 years, I can tell you that everything said above is 100% correct. These big chains care nothing about presentation, and everything about how much candy they can sell. I always give my all, and yet 4 years ago, while working for a chain here in the NY/NJ area (I won’t name them) and getting consistant mystery shopper screen scores of between 96 and 100%, my union was let go to save a buck. Now, they pay 2 people a combined salary more than what I made, and their films are constantly scratched, or even worse. Add to that starting an “R” rated movie to a house full of 6 year olds, and well you get the idea. I for one hope film stays around for a very long time.
As a projectionist of almost 33 years, some of these titles bring back memories. I remember running many of the above titles as a “co-feature” in some of the “dollar houses” I started out in. Great movie line-up above Mike, and a great time in the movie industry as well. Wish I could go back in time.
Good point.
I’m glad to see others loved that documentary as well. A quick question. Do any of you think that we lost a lot of those old grand palaces because of Robert Moses?
Hey LuisV, if you ever get a chance, try to check out an old PBS series they run called “New York, A documentary film” You will want Episode 7. About an hour into it they really show the true destruction of the once beautiful Penn Station, a treasure in and upon itself. It makes me think of all the theatres we lost the same way. (Roxy, Capitol etc.) In the episode it mentions how “no one seems to care”, which in fact is why we have lost so many great movie palaces, and even some not so great ones, all in the name of what they call progress.
Sorry for the double entry. My mouse was accidentally hit by a spoon.
There is NO common sense in the land of Jimmy Dolan.
There is NO common sense in the land of Jimmy Dolan.
Any updates? Whats going on? Will it reopen?
Well David, at least you found a place that has a curtain. So many of these places today run those damn advertisements before the movie, that just makes me want to leave and never come back.
Going to get even worse if Regal ever decides to get rid of the union projectionists, like they did around the rest of the country.
I remember that night well as I was one of the projectionists working there that night. At that time we used to have 2 projectionists on each shift. Each of us would do 7 theatres, 1-7 & 8-14. “New Jack City” was playind in Cinemas 8 and 13. The melee broke out in Cinema 13, just as I was starting to thread up for the midnight show. This is probably the one incident which started Amboys eventual downward spiral.
As a matter of fact Warren, I’m old enough and do remember that crap playing there in 1978. What a shame.
That’s great Jon, but for us true film lovers, and old time movie palace lovers, we just can’t justify calling this new sheetrock multiplex a Cinema Treasure. Sorry.
Lets all hope and pray this one gets saved NativeForestHiller. We don’t need another one going retail or condo. Why can’t people see that reportory and performing arts is the way to go?
What I meant Rory is exactly what you said. Not too many of us are left who can make reel-to-reel changeovers. In todays cinema world, candy sellers and popcorn poppers run the show, not trained professionals. As for the era its from looking old, give me that ANY time over all this digital crap their pushing. I like the old 35mm film look. Enjoy your trip here, and your movie.
They would not have been able to get the print if they did not run it reel-to-reel, (the way ALL films should be shown). Many film companies want a signed waiver, stating that you will not platter the print. Now all you have to hope is that there is no clown in the projection room running the print, or else, so much for that new print.
We would consider THIS a cinema treasure? I don’t think so.
Too sad, in fact sickening bobosan
Great job on the video bobosan. I’m no building expert, but I have to agree with Bob Jensen. I did not see any sort of weaknesses in those remaining walls. It looks like yet another case of would’ve, could’ve, should’ve. Too late now. By the way, is this area of theatre where the screen would have been?
Although I work in the industry as an IATSE projectionist and stagehand, I wish I had money to help. But I have viewed pictures of this glorious theatre on their CT site, and please please please, somebody step in and save it. NO MORE RETAIL, SAVE THIS CINEMA TREASURE!!!!!
Maybe DLP helped a little…but its still Clearview…
I find it funny how these demolition people get a nice piece of change to tear down these buildings, and if someone comes by to try and get some equipment, all of a sudden dollar signs start flashing like a giant strobe light. We had the same thing happen here in New Jersey a few years ago. A bunch of people, some non-profit maybe tried to get equipment out of a sixplex that was closed for almost a year. The landlord said “why should I” and a month later, we all watched it go down in a heap. It really is a sickening feeling.
I worked here as a projectionist from March of 1980 till April of 1989.
Bringing ANY theatre left in a downtown area would bring life back to these ares.
Well…Thank you Ian M. Judge. FINALLY there is someone in this world, other than me, who gets this whole 35mm vs. digital thing, as well as having a REAL projectionist vs a popcorn popper running the films. Having been (and still am) an IATSE projectionist for 33 years, I can tell you that everything said above is 100% correct. These big chains care nothing about presentation, and everything about how much candy they can sell. I always give my all, and yet 4 years ago, while working for a chain here in the NY/NJ area (I won’t name them) and getting consistant mystery shopper screen scores of between 96 and 100%, my union was let go to save a buck. Now, they pay 2 people a combined salary more than what I made, and their films are constantly scratched, or even worse. Add to that starting an “R” rated movie to a house full of 6 year olds, and well you get the idea. I for one hope film stays around for a very long time.