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This topic comprises 2 pages: 1 2
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Author
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Topic: Revival theatres: any left in the USA?
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Jeff Joseph
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 131
From: Palmdale, CA, USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 07-12-2004 11:06 PM
Are there any "classic" revival theatres left in the United States? I only know of one (I'll get to that in a bit). You know the kind I mean....back in the 1970s, every major city and college town had them. By "classic", I mean:
1. A single screen, not a multiplex.
2. For profit, not associated with a foundation, school, museum, or other non-profit entity.
3. Runs mostly double or triple bills, which change every few days.
4. Runs mostly old movies, the kind you have to book from the studio's "classics" department.
5. Open 7 days a week.
I've lived in Los Angeles most of my life. At times, we had over half a dozen of these theatres going at the same time: The NuArt, Vagabond, Tiffany, Encore, Fox Venice, New Beverly, and others.
There is only one that still is in business as a revival house in Los Angeles: The New Beverly on Melrose. It's been doing revival since 1978.
So: Are there any other classic revival theatres in the United States?
I've asked several folks this question in the last few days. The theatres that get mentioned as classic revival theatres...really aren't. The Film Forum in NYC, for example, does frequently run old movies. But it's a multiplex. The Egyptian in Hollywood is part of a non-profit, the American Cinematheque. And so on.
Has the classic revival house really come to an end? Is the Beverly in Los Angeles the last one still alive?
Thanks,
Jeff
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William Hooper
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1879
From: Mobile, AL USA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 07-13-2004 01:39 AM
I think it's disappeared because of the deterioration of the 'brand'. Almost every city has a university, library, college &/or senior center, etc. advertising & running an "art film" or classic film series of one per week or month, which is just showing a DVD via video projection. The folks who go to one don't go back, & then continued exposure to the advertising along with the association of the 'show' disinclines folks from going to them. When historic houses that ran 35mm run video, they absolutely torpedo their own attendance. Only non-profits can afford to do this, because it's about PR, appearances, & grants, not attendance.
The local library (like in several other cities) has a "film series" of a weekly movie advertised in the library, in the paper, etc. which is basically just buying a DVD, showing it as part of the "film series", then putting it on the shelf for rental. Attendance at the shows just puts it all in the category of them being able to pay lip service to "providing exposure to films in a film series", & be able to look like & delude themselves into thinking they're doing something 'cultural'.
Locally (and in most other cities), the classic films 'brand' has been sabotaged beyond repair. Ya want ta bust the library, arts council, college, & PO their friends & lackeys at the paper & TV? They'd then demonize you as someone vicious who just wants to hurt a group that's running 'films' for people who want to see them. It would then be very difficult to successfully promote showing classics theatrically on 35mm.
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David Kilderry
Master Film Handler
Posts: 355
From: Melbourne Australia
Registered: Sep 1999
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posted 07-13-2004 06:32 AM
It is the same here in Australia, the only one I know of is the Astor, St Kilda here in Melbourne. It runs classic old doubles, revivals and 2nd run. Last night I saw the new 70mm print of It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. I had only even seen faded prints of this film, it looked alive last night. This is the print that ran in Hollywood and it is sharp and clear, the DTS sound excellent.
I noticed things I had never noticed before, Ethel Mermans BRIGHT coloured dress and even many dents and scatches on the cars. The Imperial has a deep gash on the side and the taxis are covered in scratches. Eddie Adams looks better than ever and you can see Silvester sweating. None of these I had noticed before. I bought my Super 8mm condensation new 20 years ago, and even it was faded then! The TV copies and mine on tape are also faded.
Can't wait to see the full version in the future. The Astor does do an excellent job of re-presenting classic how they should be seen.
Last night, Monday, only 40 people sat in the 1,000 seat plus Astor. I am certain DVD has had an impact as have the restored and revived films themselves. Once they are restored theatrically, guess where they go next...........DVD.
As a cinema chain here used to say "Lets go OUT to see a movie"
David Kilderry
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Carl Martin
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1424
From: Oakland, CA, USA
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-14-2004 03:29 AM
unfortunately, abtb is only 3 nights a week. as the name suggests, it's prime function is as an auction house. i've seen some nice stuff there, but they're in the middle of nowhere!
here's a recent article from the berkeley daily planet:
quote:
Death of Fine Arts Cinema Ends a Legendary Tradition
By RICHARD BRENNEMAN (07-02-04)
The Fine Arts Cinema is officially dead, and Patrick Kennedy, the owner of the massive apartment and commercial complex rising on its former site, doesn’t hold out much hope for a new theater on the site—spelling the end of repertory cinema in the city t hat first raised it to an art form.
“We’re advertising the space, and we’ll see what happens,” said Kennedy, “but there doesn’t seem to be much demand for single-screen theaters these days.”
Kennedy said Keith Arnold, the theater’s last operator, had no tified him that he’s given up on reopening the Fine Arts Cinema in the building that bears its name.
For serious cineastes—as the more erudite movie buffs often style themselves—a nondescript little theater at 2451 Shattuck Ave. was the Mother Church, th e creation of the founder of repertory cinema and the intended showplace of America’s premiere film critic.
...
“It makes me angry,” said Elliot Cohen, a longtime habitue of the Fine Arts. “We lost an important cultural amenity.
there's some notable historical information in the article, but also some inaccuracies.
in 2001 (i think) berkeley also lost the uc theater.
carl
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