Comments from Al Alvarez

Showing 1,926 - 1,950 of 3,443 comments

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about AutoNation IMAX 3-D Theater on Jun 3, 2009 at 5:51 am

This is now the AutoNation IMAX.

http://www.mods.org/IMAX/index.html

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez on Jun 2, 2009 at 6:46 pm

Another look at the Hippodrome, then on Avenue B.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Paradigm Cinemas-Gateway Fort Lauderdale on Jun 1, 2009 at 8:43 pm

Can someone help with the location of this Village Cinema. It operated from 1968 to 1978 and closed as a triplex.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Airdrome on Jun 1, 2009 at 8:30 pm

Two views of the Airdome:

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Note the two different spellings (AIRDROME and AIRDOME) used at the entrance. I have submitted “Airdome” as that was the most common listing.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez on Jun 1, 2009 at 8:24 pm

A few views of the Hippodrome here:

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Strand Theatre on Jun 1, 2009 at 8:05 pm

Correction, The Mank did show films in 1926-1928 but was mostly legitimate theatre.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Strand Theatre on Jun 1, 2009 at 7:58 pm

I just found some new information.

The downtown Strand in the photo above indeed predated this Strand and was operating in 1914.

The Park Theatre in this photo below was also known as the Mank theatre and did not show films.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Cineworld Cinema - Leicester Square on May 31, 2009 at 6:30 am

Since the Curzon Soho down the street with constant rumbling tube noise is also THX certified, what does that really mean?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Mega-Plex Guzzo Taschereau 18's owner ordered to pay $10,000 in damages for a search on May 31, 2009 at 6:21 am

Alas, in the U.S. we have the Bush/Cheney Patriot Act which means theatres can search as they please or toss your ass out.

Still, I recently saw a movie at the AMC Empire in New York along with a howling cat, property of a fellow patron with enough bags for a week’s travel.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Biscayne Twin on May 30, 2009 at 10:08 pm

The Biscayne Twin operated in 1980-1981 as a first run location. I remember seeing a weird little movie called “HAPPY BIRTHDAY,GEMINI” which starred Madeline Kahn and Rita Moreno and had its exclusive Miami run here.

I also remember The theatre failed to provide the advance required for “FLASH GORDON”, their Christmas 1980 film, and Universal did not deliver their print.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Cine Palacio de la Musica on May 30, 2009 at 7:00 pm

El Palacio, 1960.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Cutler Ridge Cinema on May 30, 2009 at 6:55 pm

The Cutler Ridge opens with “THE BIRDS”.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Strand Theatre on May 30, 2009 at 6:15 am

I think this may have been an older, pre-1918 Strand. That same photo site also has a Star Theatre in Miami that I have never heard of.

The Center and Parkway are on CT already.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Miami Theatre on May 30, 2009 at 6:11 am

Louis, the Center and the Parkway are on CT. I actually went to the Parkway as a kid. It was a wonderful Wometco art house with art exhibits in the lobby but it has since been demolished.

I have not listed the old Miami because my brother (who still lives in Miami) insists that the old MIAMI building was not the same as the Town location and that it is still there today.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Victory Theatre on May 29, 2009 at 8:48 pm

At the Victory in 1956.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Florida Theatre on May 29, 2009 at 8:47 pm

At the Florida in 1966.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Gables Theatre on May 29, 2009 at 6:45 pm

This photo would imply that the Coral Gables Theatre (Famous players/Lasky 1500 seats)open in 1926 indeed became the Gables in 1936.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Strand Theatre on May 29, 2009 at 6:12 pm

Nice Strand shot here:

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Olympia Theatre at Gusman Center on May 29, 2009 at 5:53 pm

How the boxoffice used to face:

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Olympia Theatre at Gusman Center on May 29, 2009 at 5:43 pm

Vintage shot of the Olympia marquee circa 1928 (BEAU BROADWAY):

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Olympia Theatre at Gusman Center on May 29, 2009 at 5:35 pm

The mezzanine of the Olympia:

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Paramount Theatre on May 29, 2009 at 5:30 pm

Fairfax interior view:

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Loew's Normandy Twin Open-Air Theatre on May 29, 2009 at 5:21 pm

There are several views of the Normandy here:

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Loew's Orpheum Twin Theatre on May 27, 2009 at 11:32 pm

Was that the same entrance used for the Cine?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Ziegfeld Theatre on May 27, 2009 at 11:30 pm

I actually worked out of the Ziegfeld for years when it was Cineplex Odeon and once had a good look at Fanny’s shoes.

I have been in the industry my whole life and I know the drill. You get a call a day before a premiere from a distributor flunky telling you they want the theatre a day early for a technical run-through. You tell them it is too late to change the schedule and they need to come in overnight instead. They argue the point and some New York studio hotshot throws a tantrum and calls LA to complain. Someone from LA calls Clearview headquarters in New jersey and plays the Hollywood ‘friend’ card.

If the operations guys at Clearview have no balls, the distributor bullies get their way and the Ziegfeld’s dwindling customers get screwed yet again. You then put an hourly staff member up front to issue refunds for rickets sold and take the abuse for your failure to play the movie you falsely advertised.

We were able to stop this most of the time when I was there since the media used to jump all over Cineplex Odeon so head office backed us up. (We had faces then!)

This customer will now be missing.