Most of the locations are ancient and losing money. Sure, the Zeigfeld is a beautiful theater, but take a look at the EDI's. It's losing money hand over fist.

The Morris County locations, which Charles talks about, will only "dominate" the area as long as nobody else comes in and builds on them, and that's a distinct possibility. The major chains seem doomed to reapeat the mistakes of the past.

* The Ziegfeld, 1,000-seat movie palace on 54th Street in midtown Manhattan. I saw the restored version of Vertigo at the Ziegfeld under Cineplex Odeon ownership. When Cineplex Odeon merged with Loews in 1998 the US Justice Dept. filed an antitrust claim and Loews was forced to spin off some Manhattan theaters. That's how Clearview got the Ziegfeld.
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Word I have is that Cablevision really wants to sell all the theatres as a group. But I suppose if there are no takers, they will be split up. It would be a shame if someone bought and destroyed the Ziegfeld.

About a year ago, a Clearview exec told me that there is no way Clearview would sell the Ziegfeld or multiplex it. They have recently spent some money on new seat lights and refurbishing the part of the ceiling closest to the screen. It got new projectors a few years ago. Apparently, Disney wanted the Ziegfeld, but Clearview turned them down. I'm not sure if they wanted to run it for films or to turn it into a legit theatre. Be interesting to see what happens now.

It would really be funny if Loews got them back (although they probably wouldn't want most of them.)

In Manhattan, Clearview owns:
59th St. East (59th St 2 Av) single screen, about 300 seats, originally an art house.

1st & 62nd: 6 screens, total about 2000 seats. Built pre-stadium, but a bit of a rabbit warren.

Beekman (2Av 65th St): Nice east side single screen of about 540 seats, but was screwed up during a renovation a few years ago. The center aisle is too wide and now there isn't a decent seat in the house. Also, the rear of the theatre has a glass window into the concession area and too much stray light eminates from there.

Park & 86th St: 710 seat twin

Chelsea West (23rd St 8 Av): Originally the RKO 23rd St. Twinned some years back. In at least one of the theatres, the theatre entrance is right next to the screen.

Chelsea Cinema 9 (23rd St 8 Av): As stated in previous post, modern, pre-stadium theatre. Screens 6 and 7 were originally THX certified. Total about 2300 seats.

Ziegfeld (54th St 6 Av): Nicest theatre in NYC. This and the Loews Astor Plaza are the last two big single screen theatres left. Many premiers are held there. 1150 seats.

62nd & Bdy: About 300 seats, in the basement. Has fairly decent sound, but if memory serves, there's a tear in the screen and it always smells damp.

Metro Twin (Bdy 99th St): 200 seats and 330 seats

Olympia Twin (Bdy 107th St): 450 seats each.

The Metro and Olympia have probably seen impact from the opening of the Magic Johnson Harlem USA 9-plex on 125th St.

I think Clearview also owns the Cobble Hill 5-plex in Brooklyn.

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