10 Great Places To See A Classic Cinema (1 Viewer)

[Edwin Pereyra]

USA Today lists the following theaters:
Coolidge Corner Theatre Brookline, Mass.
Grand Lake Theatre Oakland, CA
Arlington Theatre Santa Barbara, CA
San Marco Theater Jacksonville, FL
Senator Theatre Baltimore
Music Box Theatre Chicago
Seattle Cinerama Theatre Seattle
Roxy Theater Northampton, PA
Villa Theatre Salt Lake City
Oriental Theater Milwaukee
I can think of a few that’s not on the list. Still, a good list to keep in mind.
~Edwin

 

[Michael Reuben]

The Ziegfeld in New York City belongs on that list. Among other distinctions, it showed the restored Vertigo and was the first theater outside of L.A. to play Moulin Rouge.
M.

 

[steve jaros]

Tampa Theater in (you guessed it!) Tampa, Florida - a classic old baroque-style 1920s theater. Great atmosphere!

 

[Hubert]

How about The Fox theater in Atlanta? I would put it up there.

 

[Henry Gale]

There's a theatre in Houston that still pulls back a curtain from the screen. Can a Houston member tell us which one?

 

[Darren H]

After my recent 2001 experience, The Uptown in DC is at the top of my list. My local favorite is the Tennessee Theater, a beautifully restored movie palace.

 

[Jason Seaver]

Coolidge Corner Theatre Brookline, Mass.

It is pretty nice, but I don't know if I'd place it in any top-ten list. My beloved Brattle in Cambridge has the edge in playing cooler movies even if they just got decent seats and stereo, and has a balcony!

 

[Michael Reuben]

Ah the Brattle! Fond memories.

M.

 

[Edwin Pereyra]

The Ziegfeld in New York City belongs on that list.

I'll second that.

~Edwin

 

[Allen Hirsch]

Greatest thing about the Grand Lake in Oakland is that there's still pipe organ music in the main theater as a "warm up" on Friday and Saturday nights, IIRC.

The organ is on a hydraulic lift in front of the stage, and it's very "old time cool" to see it rise when as the music starts, and lower as the music finishes - really sets the stage for a movie.

 

[Tino]

Another vote for the Ziegfeld (which still draws back a red cutain, btw).
The Loews Astor Plaza aint too shabby either.

 

[Pascal A]

I was going to mention The Senator (Baltimore), but I guess USA Today beat me to it. :frowning:

 

[Grant B]

The Castro in San Francisco

A new 70m print of 2001 is being shown starting this Weds!

It's been a few years since I've ventured out to the land of 'my feet are stuck to the floor" theaters but this is very tempting.

 

[Guy Martin]

Another vote here for the Uptown back home. Plus one for the Williamsburg Theater in Williamsburg, VA, where I went to college. A smaller, less well-known venue to be sure, but quite nice and historic (built in the 30s). There's a particularly interesting chandelier on the ceiling. Actually at the moment it's closed for restoration and the addition of a digigtal sound system (previously it was just stereo).

- Guy

 

[Michael Reuben]

aint too shabby either.

It's certainly big enough, but I think the decor is a little too utilitarian to qualify it as a "classic" cinema. My own preference would be for the Loews Auditorium at the Sony Lincoln Square, which isn't "classic" in any sense but is clearly trying to invoke that spirit.
M.

 

[Jason Seaver]

I've got to say, I miss Showcase Cinemas Downtown Worcester. That city is the armpit of New England, and what had been a single, gigantic theater was cut up into three (two 500-seat rooms downstairs, plus a big 750-seat stadium seated room that was the balcony under the original configuration), but what remained was very nice, including a large lobby, chandelier, downtown location, and a main screen that was the best in the city even after Showcase opened a new, state-of-the-art "Showcase Cinemas Worcester North".

It was my part-time job during college, so I'm not overly nostalgic. I remember the rats, the unventilated popping room, the, um, eccentric escalator, the deathtrap ladder that was needed to change the marquee. Still, I got attached to the place, and I'm gald I wasn't around to see it downgraded to showing "urban" films, then to dollar-theater status, then finally closed down by the time I went to Worcester for my 5-year college reunion in September. I suppose I should be grateful that the changing nature of the business means it never faced the ultimate indignity visited upon so many old theaters (porn).

 

[Ken_McAlinden]

I saw Vertigo at the Uptown in Washington D.C. while on a business trip. Wowzers that was cool. The only presentations I have seen that rivaled it were Fantasia 2000 in an IMAX theater that was only a couple of months old and a few films at Detroit's Fox theater which is a 5,000 seat old-style movie house that is only rarely used for movies these days.

Regards,

 

[Seth Paxton]

I'm not sure what Houston theater you are speaking of. The main arthouse is the West Gray 3 which is nice and cozy, but small. If it had the big screen maybe...
What about Mann's Chinese in LA? The main room I mean. I don't know but all that history makes it pretty cool and it's got a good sound system to go with it all.
The Cinerama in Seattle is a 100% belongs on the list and I was glad to see it there.
I'm not sure they would even consider the multiplexes but the nicest place in Houston to see a film is the Edwards on 59 near the Compaq Center (Summit). So far it's the nicest multi I've been in.
From Indy...jack squat. This is one list that Indy will never be in the running for.
Guess I need to get up to Chicago and check that theater out.

 

[Seth Paxton]

So when does Edwin's "top 10 theaters viewing challenge" begin?
Hey, seriously, I have been more conscious lately about seeing films when I visit other cities simply for comparison's sake and my own interest.

 

[Carlo_M]

My girlfriend LOVES going to Santa Barbara, I'll have to check out the Arlington there, esp. since it's now playing Harry Potter! Woo-hoo! Road trip!