By Lee Pfeiffer
Last Saturday, the Lafayette Theatre in Suffern, New York offered James Bond fans a big screen presentation of the 1967 007 epic You Only Live Twice. As Cinema Retro readers have probably seen the film countless times, this article is less about the movie's merits than the theater in which it was presented. I've often said that, as a movie fan, it is truly amazing how many theaters in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area show classic and cult movies on the big screen on a regular basis. In fact, it would be virtually impossible to attend even a significant number of these screenings and still maintain anything like a normal personal life. I am constantly being tempted by friends to join them in attending some film festival or another at Lincoln Center, the Film Forum, the Loew's Jersey City Theatre, or any number of other admirable venues.
The Lafayette is not located in New York City proper. It's a charming (relatively) small city located just over the border of Northern New Jersey. Consequently, the theater doesn't have the Manhattan mobs to draw from for their Big Screen Classics series which is shown every Saturday morning before the theater resumes presenting contemporary studio releases. Nonetheless, savvy Manhattanites regularly make the pilgrimage to the theater because owner Nelson Page has long made the effort to provide a personalized presentation of every classic or cult movie. In the case of You Only Live Twice, Page got into Bondian mode by donning a tuxedo and personally greeting each of the hundreds of attendees who came from far and wide for the screening. Try finding that kind of one-on-one engagement with theater managers in any urban metropolis.
Even more impressive is the old-time showmanship associated with the theater. Prior to every Big Screen Classics presentation, audiences are serenaded by overtures on a magnificent Wurlitzer organ. It's doubtful that even composer John Barry has ever heard his theme from You Only Live Twice presented in such a manner. The theater also goes to great lengths to ensure getting the best possible prints, not always an easy task considering how studios have neglected these assets. Happily, the print sent to the Lafayette of You Only Live Twice appeared to have originated in England. The clue? Producer Harry Saltzman's name preceded that of his partner Cubby Broccoli in the opening credits. Broccoli and Saltzman alternated top-billing with Cubby getting the North American market and Saltzman getting Europe and much of the rest of the world. It was a virtually pristine print that did justice to cinematographer Freddie Young's eye-popping visuals. Nelson Page always tries to get someone to introduce the film. In this case, it was Bond fan and collector Gary Firuta, who not only provided a very entertaining and insightful introduction, but also loaned original international posters from the film that were displayed in the foyer. Part of the enjoyment of such events is that it affords old friends the opportunity to get together and discuss the film afterward. Thus, this particular screening was "Double-0 Heaven" for retro movie lovers.
Nelson Page owns and operates several other top-notch theaters in New York and New Jersey that participate in the Big Screen Classics program. For more info and schedules, click here.