The legendary Ziegfeld Theatre, which is one of the best movie theaters in NYC in addition to being the city's largest surviving single-screen venue, is reportedly on the verge of closing. James Dolan, CEO of Cablevision (which runs the Ziegfeld) and noted blues band frontman, was asked by The Hollywood Reporter whether he planned on closing it down: "Yeah. Probably," Dolan said. "It loses a lot of money. The theater business is a tough business."
It's a damned shame that the Ziegfeld is struggling. Go see a movie there. (They're showing FURIOUS 7.) Bring friends. Buy popcorn.
— Bilge Ebiri (@BilgeEbiri) April 8, 2015
The Ziegfeld, one of the "last big palaces built in the United States," has been under financial pressure for years now. Back in 2012, there were reports that it was losing up to $1 million a year in revenue and Cablevision was actively trying to sell it.
Cablevision tried to back off Dolan's pessimistic statement, saying in a statement that "the situation has changed and the Ziegfeld will remain open for the foreseeable future." Nevertheless, Hollywood Reports says Cablevision is "searching for another entity to take over the lease, which is said to run through 2018."
The theater, a favorite spot for glitzy movie premieres, was first built in 1927, then razed and re-opened in 1969 at its current location at 141 W. 54th Street. Many film lovers were distraught over the news of the possible closing.
Now the Ziegfeld. If you love landmarks, don't buy online, order Seamless, stream Netflix. Go out & live the city. http://t.co/VsC0NrVxWl
— Ruth Franklin (@ruth_franklin) April 8, 2015
Seriously, why is this a thing every few years? Here's an idea: STOP SHOWING THE SAME DAMN MOVIE FOR WEEKS ON END.
http://t.co/DZQ9Cj0my7
— Jason Clark (@jasonclarkbar) April 8, 2015
My favorite Ziegfeld moment: the last showing of BLADE RUNNER's "final cut" with noisy crowd of diehards. So much fun.
— Simon of the Desert (@simonsaybrams) April 8, 2015
My favorite Ziegfeld memory is being ignored by 5 Oscar winners in one night there: https://t.co/BMmHv6Odqc
— Robert Kessler (@robertkessler) April 8, 2015
It's sad to lose an institution, but movie theaters are in trouble everywhere. We expect the Ziegfeld to be immune? http://t.co/5CKCxrlF79
— Josh Greenman (@joshgreenman) April 8, 2015
Top 5 Ziegfeld Moments: 1) "Apocalypse Now" opening week; 2) "New York, New York" opening day; 3) "Lawrence of Arabia" revival (1/2)
— Glenn Kenny (@Glenn__Kenny) April 8, 2015
4) Smoking up w/ Gina Germaine for FFC's "Dracula" 5) "Che" Q&A with S.S. (2/2)
— Glenn Kenny (@Glenn__Kenny) April 8, 2015
Seeing a film at the Ziegfeld Theater is like being inside Marlene Dietrich's cigarette case. http://t.co/UiNnZIMpHt pic.twitter.com/Yk89c9RAhN
— Dana Stevens (@thehighsign) April 8, 2015
Oh, and if it does close, it won't just be the loss of one of the best cinemas in NYC—we'll also be losing one of the best bathrooms! As commenter Rdayk put it a few years ago: "The Ziegfeld Theatre has the most opulent bathroom. Each stall has its own sink and vanity in addition to the toilet. It isn't public, though, I think you have to buy a movie ticket to use it. But if you find yourself at the Ziegfeld (the only grand old cinema left in Manhattan), be sure to use the bathroom!"