Comments from Al Alvarez

Showing 1,751 - 1,775 of 3,443 comments

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about AMC Empire 25 on Dec 31, 2009 at 3:06 pm

Streets are closed after 3pm so you can’t get onto 42nd Street on New Year’s Eve.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Rave Cinemas, LLC announces definitive agreements to purchase up to 40 theaters on Dec 31, 2009 at 7:32 am

I’ve been to RAVE in Florida and they were a class act. National Amusements in New York and the UK are a disgrace. I do not know how they are run elsewhere in the US.

In the UK they are well known as the worst chain in the country.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Loew's Bijou Theatre on Dec 29, 2009 at 3:32 pm

What do you mean? Bijou is one of the most common theatre names in American history.

There have been “Bijou” theatres in New York since the birth of film, four in Manhattan alone.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Harem Theatre on Dec 28, 2009 at 5:26 pm

Good stuff, formerprojectionist.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Sunny Isles Twin on Dec 27, 2009 at 5:58 pm

This theatre operated from 1966 to 1984.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Coral Ridge Theatre on Dec 27, 2009 at 5:09 pm

The ABC Coral Ridge opened in 1963, was twinned in 1977 and closed in 1988.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about AMC Lakes Mall Six Theatres on Dec 27, 2009 at 5:06 pm

The AMC Lakes Mall closed in 1989.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Radio City Music Hall on Dec 26, 2009 at 5:12 pm

AUNTIE MAME was and gets my vote.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Film Forum on Dec 26, 2009 at 1:58 pm

GaryC, this is the Times Square Forum;

/theaters/2925/

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about RKO Franklin Theatre on Dec 25, 2009 at 10:33 am

A 1921 photo as the B.S. Moss Franklin theatre can be seen at this Bowtie website.

http://www.bowtiepartners.com/historic_pics.htm

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Ziegfeld Theatre on Dec 23, 2009 at 11:46 am

The pre-show with ads and the first few trailers, mostly for TV shows like SPARTACUS, did not fill the whole screen. The trailer for THE LOVELY BONES also did not.

The trailer for Weinstein release YOUTH IN REVOLT, prior to the feature, already filled the whole screen.

Is it possible they resorted to the 35mm print of the feature with an attached trailer as a result of trouble the day before.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Ziegfeld Theatre on Dec 22, 2009 at 5:17 pm

I just came back from the 4:30pm showing and although the masking and curtains never moved, after the third trailer the screen was fully filled and the movie itself appeared to be in shown what passes for CinemaScope these days. The first few trailers were shown “flat” with fully open masking.

It sounds like the aperture plate was never switched to wide at the showing Bill attended.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Olympia Theatre at Gusman Center on Dec 19, 2009 at 4:47 pm

The Olympia with a name it apparently never carried.

View link

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Next Twilight movie to be IMAXed for next summer on Dec 19, 2009 at 1:15 pm

Is this the same KingBiscuits who was recently extolling the virtues of the HELLBOY movies?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Big Cinemas Manhattan on Dec 18, 2009 at 9:48 pm

Interesting file but not correct. This opened as the Cine Malibu in 1969.

The 1962 D.W Griffith was actually the Bijou in Times Square, not this one.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Rave buying 35 theaters from National Amusements on Dec 17, 2009 at 4:31 pm

I have visited a Rave Theatre in Florida and it was better run than most National Amusement Theatres I have been to in NY.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Loew's Yorkville Theatre on Dec 14, 2009 at 7:31 pm

It was on 86th street and what cross street?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Loew's Yorkville Theatre on Dec 14, 2009 at 5:24 pm

The Loew’s 86th Street Theatre is not listed on CT because no one seems to know exactly where it was.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Verona Theatre on Dec 14, 2009 at 8:35 am

A New York Times 1941 article states that:

“The Verona Theatre at 2086-94 has been leased by Myiton L. Meltzer…”

This means the Rex Theatre (2094 Second Avenue) operating in 1944-1947 was indeed another name for the Verona.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Brandt's Murray Hill Theatre on Dec 14, 2009 at 6:46 am

The 1943 Film Daily Year Book lists a Newsreel Theatre at 74 E. 42nd street as well as the aforementioned Air Lines theatre at 42nd and Park.

Does anyone know if all three theatres were the same?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about AMC Lincoln Square 13 on Dec 13, 2009 at 11:36 am

THX failed some New York houses for good reasons, then used them in their trade advertising to promote the certification anyway. The failed theatres were then granted certificates anyway when chains stopped paying them. They then awarded certificates to theatres that paid without meeting the requirements at all. They ruined their own brand years ago.

Although it is mostly based maintaining noise reduction in the room, some certified theatres have horrible air conditioning and subway rumbling problems.

THX means nothing.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about AMC Lincoln Square 13 on Dec 12, 2009 at 10:08 pm

So, to sum things up.

THX certification means nothing. If I pay enough I can get a certificated even though my sound is shit.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Alpine Cinema on Dec 12, 2009 at 4:54 pm

The 1943 Film Daily Yearbook lists it with 2163 seats. The multiplex probably used lobby space as well. The proscenium remains as storage area behind the last two screens.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Boulevard Drive-In on Dec 12, 2009 at 4:49 pm

That aerial shows the screen facing away from Biscayne Boulevard, allowing for x-rated material without too much controversy.

If it was still open today FIU might have something to say.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Apollo Theater on Dec 12, 2009 at 3:29 pm

According to the book series “HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN CINEMA” (The Talkies, 1926-1931), the Harlem Apollo was briefly converted into a miniature golf location during the depression, known then as TOM THUMB GOLF.