January 4, 2005
Old Movie Theater Glory
Yesterday, there was an article in the Daily News about the multiplex movie theaters crowding out smaller single-screen theaters. Specifically noted was that the Ziegfeld Theater on West 54th Street "defies" that trend, but the theater is still "fighting" for its financial health, as multiplexes are generally more profitable. The Ziegfeld has always been an interesting theater to us: Besides being beautiful and exciting to walk through the baroque decor (the stairs! the bathrooms!), it shows both mainstream and more niche films. One of our best movie experiences was at the Ziegfeld, seeing the restored version of Vertigo; sure, multiplexes have big screens, but there's nothing like sitting in a nearly 1200 seat theater with a film washing over you.
Where do you like seeing movies? Gothamist does appreciate that multiplexes can offer stadium seating (versus the horror that is the Angelika). Plus, there are other perks to multiplexes, like seeing a number of movies in one day. A single-screen theater we love is the Paris across from the Plaza, but our vote for the theater that makes us think of what old-time movie going was is the Metro Twin on Broadway and 99th Street (Woody Allen used it in Hannah and Her Sisters as the place where he realized he didn't want to die). Also, check out the Cinema Treasures that catalogs old movie houses (here are their listings for the Ziegfeld and Metro Twin).
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I love seeing movies at the Cobble Hill Cinema in Brooklyn. They have these awesome and slightly sinister looking paintings of old movie stars on the walls. The best part, though, is the little intro that says 'Turn off pagers and cell phones' - because it looks like it was made in about 1980, long before cell phones were common in movie theaters. It gives me joy every time I see it.
Yes, I love the Ziegfeld back in the old days when it was showing event movies exclusively.
And what about Radio City Music Hall. I have fond memories of seeing "Mame" and other movies at christmas time with Rockettes shows. You bought a ticket for the movie and you see both the movie and the show. See, I have dated myself.
I'm glad someone else hates the Angelika. One of the worse theaters around in terms of sightlines, seating, projection and sound (and let's not even start about the subway noise). It's on my banned list.
for the brooklynites, cobble hill is good, but bam is best. clean, nice seating, and impressive sound, etc. like a multiplex, but a non-profit arts org. what a two-fer.
Today's Alien Loves Predator, on movies in NYC... heh
Glad to see some love for Cobble Hill. A friend and I go on the Tuesday and Thursday half price nights. Very cool in an expensive city like NYC.
One of my favorite movie screenings was at the Zeigfeld too. We went to see The Sound of Music -- with subtitles so everyone could sing along! And they passed out a little baggie of props, like edelweiss. It was hilarious.
I haven't been to Paris or Metro Twin, but I want to check them out. Thanks!
Metro Twin, hmm, interesting choice. During my time living in the area during the last half of the 90s, it was always regarded as "that crappy small theater." I've heard lately that it's showing more arthouse fare, which would be a nice change of pace. The movies I most remember seeing there were Varsity Blues and Lethal Weapon 4.
OH, the Metro Twin would should crappy fare. But I love the theater itself. It's such a throwback. The Pavilion in Park Slope has similar charm, but it's way too crowded, since it's been cut up into many many screens.
I have to say that there are a lot of crappy crap cinemas in NYC otherwise known as anything LOEWS. Even the new ones (E-walk) are dirty. For this reason I do prefer the newer theaters like the AMC 25 (even though I hate having to fight the Time Square crowds), because, for instance, the Loews on 19th is a nightmare of broken seats, grime, bad bad projection (cutting off 6 inches at the top or a huge scratch on a movie that's been out for a week), and the Angelika's small, subway amplifying theaters are a throwback to the early 90s (they really deserve a beautiful renovation). But, my favorite theater in NYC is the Sunshine.