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Author Topic: Incredible pix of historic theatre Martin McCaffery Film God Posts: 2481 From: Montgomery, AL Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-22-2010 07:49 PM                        The Orpheum in New Bedford, MA. Built n 1912. Dark, supposedly, for 52 years. Money is being raised to restore it. http://trigphotography.smugmug.com/photos/swfpopup.mg?AlbumID=12621916&AlbumKey=C6rot  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 06-22-2010 08:16 PM                        Why bother restoring it? It is already perfect! After all, it does have a painting on the ceiling. Just put in a Sanyo digital projector and tape a few sheets of notebook paper to the brick wall for a screen and you're done. The sound doesn't need any work because judging by the interior, the acoustics couldn't be better. And the seats still look usable and very comfortable. Patrons will feel as if they have been magically transported to modern day Detroit.  |  IP: Logged Victor Liorentas Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 800 From: london ontario canada Registered: May 2009 posted 06-22-2010 08:46 PM                     Martin! Wow what a gem!The pictures are amazing also!  |  IP: Logged John Wilson Film God Posts: 5438 From: Sydney, Australia. Registered: Dec 1999 posted 06-22-2010 10:06 PM                     That B+W film looks rather suspect. Do you have anything to do with the restoration, Martin? Check that film's not nitrate if you do.  |  IP: Logged Michael Voiland Expert Film Handler Posts: 219 From: Naperville, IL US Registered: Aug 2009 posted 06-22-2010 10:54 PM                     Amazing pictures  |  IP: Logged Martin McCaffery Film God Posts: 2481 From: Montgomery, AL Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-23-2010 08:28 AM                        John: I've got nothing to do with the restoration, wish I did. If I run into the folks from New Bedford at the LHAT conference, I'll warn them about the film.  |  IP: Logged Scott Norwood Film God Posts: 8146 From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas) Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-23-2010 08:36 AM                        I believe that this project has been going on for a few years now. I know that they had some sort of tour of the place a while back, but I was busy and couldn't make it. New Bedford is a former whaling town, but is somewhat depressed right now. They have several historic theatres there, although the Zeiterion is the only one that is currently open (they have a theatre organ and seem to be reasonably successful with music and live performances).  |  IP: Logged Scott Jentsch Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1061 From: New Berlin, WI, USA Registered: Apr 2003 posted 06-23-2010 02:11 PM                        Those photos have an odd, HDR-look to them, don't they? They just look a little artificial, which distracts from being able to see the theater for what it is...  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-23-2010 06:51 PM                     It looks like something unearthed in an archeological dig! They should leave it alone and just install a pair of rebuilt Powers projectors and only run silent movies...  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-23-2010 07:03 PM                     wonder what brand organ was in it  |  IP: Logged Bill Enos Film God Posts: 2081 From: Richmond, Virginia, USA Registered: Apr 2000 posted 06-24-2010 04:03 PM                     There doesn't seem to be a location for an organ. It probably didn't open as a cinema and became one in the '20s. Re-opening it as a public venue is going to be expensive with the wooden floor and balcony structure and likely all the interior structure is wood. Today's fire safety codes require an incredible number of sprinklers in wooden theatres.  |  IP: Logged Galen Murphy-Fahlgren Master Film Handler Posts: 405 From: Canton, MI, USA Registered: Oct 2007 posted 06-25-2010 01:37 PM                     quote: Scott Jentsch Those photos have an odd, HDR-look to them, don't they? They just look a little artificial, which distracts from being able to see the theater for what it is... I agree. I dislike this form of image manipulation generally, but it certainly does not befit this sort of documentary photography. Joe, I think if you were to go to any of the existing historical theaters or cultural institutions in Detroit, you might be surprised at just how beautiful a city it is under the urban decay. The Redford Theatre is one example of how Detroit has successfully preserved high culture in the face of almost a half century of economic turmoil and depression, and there are easily a dozen others. In other words, make fun of Detroit if you will, but just know that Detroit will rise again and everyone else will be the butt of our jokes, and the jokes will be without mercy. You'll all be sorry.  |  IP: Logged Martin McCaffery Film God Posts: 2481 From: Montgomery, AL Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-25-2010 02:29 PM                        I guess it depends on if you consider it documentary or art. Thanks for the link to the Redford. I saw the outside when I visited Detroit, I wish I could have gotten into see the inside. Yes Detroit really has some great architecture, here's hoping it can be saved and revived.  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 06-25-2010 07:47 PM                        quote: Galen Murphy-Fahlgren just know that Detroit will rise again and everyone else will be the butt of our jokes, and the jokes will be without mercy. You'll all be sorry. Crap!!!! **runs and hides**  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 06-26-2010 09:39 AM                        quote: Galen Murphy-Fahlgren Detroit will rise again and everyone else will be the butt of our jokes, and the jokes will be without mercy. You'll all be sorry. Somebody kidnapped Galen Murphy-Fahlgren and replaced him with Lex Luthor.  |  IP: Logged

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