Flickgrrl

Carrie, I like The Bridge, too. It's a fine theater. But it's no Ritz 16, which is utterly unique, as you've pointed out, and arguably the best movie house on the East Coast, as you've also opined. I just hope the new owners realize that - and that they don't realize it too late. You've written two thorough, astute pieces on the situation but, I'm afraid that of everything that was commented upon in your articles, the phrase, "more family-friendly," said by a National Amusements rep, has reverberated the most with Ritzheads. Frankly, for me, it was like a death knell. Bottom line: I'm expecting the worst but hoping for the best.

Hello Carrie,

I'm surprised that you endorsed The Bridge in your recent column. I have an issue with the fact that along with their Hollywood material they aren't showing art-house fare, as they claimed they would when they took over the space at 40th and Walnut. What's your opinion
about that?

Thanks,
Paul

I hope that everything turns out ok, as the Ritz 16 was, by far, the best movie theater that I have experienced anyplace in the country. When I visit my family in Marlton, I look forward to catching a movie in as perfect a setting as one can find. The lack of rug rats and teens allowed one to really enjoy the movie with a minumum of distractions (yes, I am a cranky, middle aged man LOL). Let's hope nothing changes (but I'll keep my Netflix account just to be safe!).

Thanks for a great blog Carrie.

Brian

Chicago

This is a reply to Paul:

When Sundance originally announced that it would build its first theaters at 40th and Walnut, it promised indie-only programming. When National Amusements took over the site, it promised a mix of art and mainstream. In fact, it has played mostly mainstream with a sprinkling of independent films. But the theaters are well-run, the bathrooms are clean and the concierge desk offers a high level of service and advance ticketing. I never took it to task because we had the Ritzes and suburban theates such as the Ambler, Bryn Mawr and County playing artfilms. Do I worry that National Amusements might do a mostly mainstream program at the Ritz Sixteen? Yes. Am I taking and wait and see before you bash 'em attitude? Yes.

Carrie

I can certainly understand Ritz fans' concerns -- this quickly became one of my favorite things about south Jersey when we moved to Haddonfield five years ago. But since the current business model seems to be working (hard to imagine they could squeeze one more person into that complex most weekends), I'm not sure why a new owner would want to mess with it.

As a mother, I can testify that there's nothing more family-friendly than allowing a parent or parents to spend two hours in the dark every so often with no one demanding to be taken to the bathroom.

I do wish they'd bring back the sugar-free Lindt bars, though...

I love the Ritz but don't understand the snob appeal. In many cases I find the Ritzhead adults to be more annoying than the kids at other theaters.

To Bob--

I don't understand your comment. Sounds like you are just trying to be contrary. As a mother of five, I can vouch that kids in theaters are a HUGE annoyance.

To Carrie--

Speaking of kids, I don't know if you are familiar with the sitcom, "Everybody Loves Raymond," but the opening credits introduced the shows characters, including the kids, at which point Ray Romano made a point of saying, "But it's not about the kids." And the show never was - thank goodness! This is my circuitous was of saying that I feel the same way about the Ritz 16. It's not about the kids - thank goodness!

Personally, attendance at movie theatres were done only very rarely until the Ritz 16 opened in Voorhees. Now I find myself there often; even going without companion! It will be a huge disappointment if this wonderful place becomes like other mainstream houses in this area. With so many good independent and foreign films being made; e.g., Lives of Others, La Vie en Rose, etc., the viewing public in this area will be deprived of great art and entertainment and I will, again, rarely go to the movies. Am I in the minority?

I doubt if the Ritz 16 will be showing art films much longer. I think they will dwindle until there is only mainstream films. One reason: The new owners of the Philly Ritz theaters will have control over art films in the area and will unlikely share them with the Voorhees theater. Why? Because with no access anymore to art films in Jersey, movie aficionados there will be forced to cross the bridge and see them at Philly Ritzes. It would mean more business. I can't see anything else happening, unless the new owners of the Ritz theaters feel uncharacteristically generous towards the orphaned Ritz in Jersey.

hi carrie. did you mean fran leibowitz?
best,
john

John,

Absolutely Fran Leibowitz. Slip of the keystroke.

And Mike,

As Vince Vaughan says in "Wedding Crashers:" don't take a turn into Negative Town.

Carrie

Actually, Carrie & John, it's Fran LEBOWITZ, not Fran Leibowitz. Check it out.

Terry,

You are cordially invited to be blog copyeditor. Thanks.

C

Yikes! Apologies for that Liebowitz/Lebowitz gaff. Funny thing is, when I dashed off that email to you -- and rather hastily -- I actually meant to say Annie Liebowitz because that's who I truly remember as having said it. Anyway, I'm very sorry and I hope that I didn't cause you any grief or embarrassment over the mistake. Let's just hope it wasn't Fran Dresher who said it!

Went to the Ritz 16 tonight. They had two armed security guards in the lobby! Some of the concessions had changed - all new employees working the concessions. Lots of the original artwork was removed. Two reps from national amusements came into theater before our show to welcome us, let us know about national amusements had assumed control. They promised little changes, continued art films, but some more "mainstream" movies. After that - the show started - with three commercials and all the trailers were for non-art films. The reps were hanging in the lobby after the show and lots of Ritz heads were giving them an earful - but it looks like Ritz 16 as we know it is going to die. I would bet that by the end of 2007 they won't be showing any art films.

Mike,

Read my story in the Aoril 28 Inquirer. National Amusements pledged to dedicate at least two, maybe more, screens to independent and art films. I haven't verified this, but my guess is that the photographs belonged to the family of Ray Posel, the Ritz founder, and were not part of the sale. National Amusements told me that the 50 employes of the Sixteen were all offered to keep thir jobs. If some of the faces are new it may be that some employees elected to leave.

Best,

Commercials? That's a really, really bad sign. And promising to devote two screens out of sixteen to independent and art films doesn't exactly leave me with a warm, fuzzy feeling. They've always screened mainstream films, but it seems like the ratio has been more like 50/50.

Of course, allowing unescorted kids in movies before 8:00 is going to get people more worked up than any of these other things.

Carrie. Read you all the time. Love your stuff. But your two reports on the Ritz 16, especially today's, really disturbed me. It's clear that the "family-friendly" reference that resonated with your other readers is now a done deal. The talking head from National Amusements, Inc. who you quoted today, pontificated: "We will not pass on a 'Harry Potter' or a 'Pirates of the Caribbean' for the sake of not allowing children. We think that's in bad taste, Frankly." Huh? Bad Taste? In what way? That doesn't make sense. Bad judgment maybe - bad BUSINESS judgment. The bad taste is National Amusements' strictly bottom-line decision to dismantle the Ritz 16 as we know it - one of the best East Coast movie houses, as you so astutely put it. The whole think smacks of greed, creatively bankruptcy and contempt for the Ritz 16's long-time and current patrons. Two screens for art film? Horsefeathers! I say that by this time next year, they won't be showing any art films there, and certainly not SUBTITLED art films. No, the Showcase at the Ritz Plaza, or whatever cumbersome name National Amusement afflicted the theater with, will be showing the same crap that every other mall and strip-mall movie warehouse. All crap all the time, should be its new motto. Also, am I the only one who thinks that National Amusements, Inc. sounds more like an arcade/boardwalk operation than a movie-exhibition business? Hey, maybe they could put arcade games in the lobby, in lieu of the unfamily-friendly artwork that they're tossing aside.

Dear Carrie:
The new management at the Ritz 16 NJ saying in your article that the ushers will maintain decorum as they do at the Bridge. I say what decorum?! I have been there and there is no pleasant decorum.
It is SAD news that they are going to allow children. This theatre does great business because
adults feel they have a safe haven that is child free. There should be at least one theatre that adults can go to that does not have children.
I go to the movies all over and parents do NOT control their children. I can just imagine what the noise levels are going to be in the lobby and outside the theatres. I have been to the Acto theatre also. The Atco theatre is one I avoid at all costs because of the atmosphere and selection of films.
It is definitely a SAD SAD day. Why would you mess with such an successful arrangement?
Looking at the Ritz web-site coming soon list, there is all mainstream films. The downfall has already started. By summertime this theatre will be just another mainstream theatre showing mainstream crap.
I guess it is back to going to Philadelphia and paying tolls, parking and gas. I will be seeing less films because of this.
Most people will not bother at all because of the extra cost and hassle.
If the Ritz had to be sold, I wish Mark Cuban could have bought the Ritz 16 NJ also.
Mark could have started a new trend. I saw him on
AMC's sunday morning shoot out. He seemed like
a person willing to take chances.

It is end of an era for better films in South
Jersey.

Sincerely,

Adrienne M, Smith

Your coverage of the sale of the Ritz 16 to National Amusements, Inc. has been both enlightening and troubling. Thank you for the insight. However, I am curious if William Towey was forthcoming as far as providing answers to the following crucial questions:

1. Exactly why is National Amusements changing both the policy and direction of the Ritz 16, particularly in the area of its so-called "family-friendly" stance?

2. Did they do some kind of survey before coming to the conclusion that the Ritz 16 was in need of a change?

3. Or was it strictly an arbitrary, knee-jerk reaction - a transparent attempt to cater to parents and kids?

4. Did Mr. Towey provide information showing that the Ritz 16, under its former regime, was doing below-par business? If so, why didn't he convey that in his conversation with you? Why didn't he say, "Well, Carrie, frankly, the current policy at the Ritz 16 isn't profitable and we are in business to make money"? (This is a loaded question because I happen to know that the theater was successful, often playing to capacity.)

There is a saying about not fixing something that isn't broke, but that seems like what National Amusements is doing. The Ritz 16 isn't broken but I've a hunch it will be once kids descend on the place.

I don't know if you bothered, but I checked their web site, and their "Showcase" theaters (which the Ritz 16 has become) seem to be at the lower end of the National Amusements spectrum, just above their Multiplex Cinemas. Above those, they have two Bridge theaters - one in Los Angeles and one in Philadelphia. They also have a few of what they call Cinemas du Lux - a fancy name for what seems to be ordinary theaters.

There are a lot of unanswered questions and the people who supported the Ritz 16 deserve answers.

I have to ask what will be an unpopular question. Ray Posel spent a lifetime creating a legacy - movie theaters that were truly special - but did he take any measures to preserve this proud legacy once he was gone? I ask because now it seems as if his unique vision of moviegoing is going to be lost forever. That's the saddest thing about what's happening at the Ritz 16.

Dear Terry,

I will endeavor to get the late Mr. Posel's attorney to answer this question for you on the blog. From my second-hand knowledge of the negotiations, Mr. Posel's representatives were very diligent about not selling to a "popcorn mill" type chain in which this region abounds.

Best,

I have enjoyed attending movies at the Ritz 16 ever since it opened in 1996. It has been so wonderful to have a movie house that shows art films, independent films, and foreign films. I have enjoyed being in a movie house that is well-designed and well-managed. It seems to me that many other moviegoers in South Jersey have felt the same as I do, since the Ritz 16 has been so successful. This sort of movie house fills a real need. There are so many theaters showing the same old mainstream shlock, with rowdy customers, dirty restrooms, and greasy inedible food at the concession stands.

One of the reasons that I have patronized the Ritz 16 is because it exhibits better films; it has a comfortable atmosphere; and because it doesn't show commercials before the film. (It is galling to me to have to pay an expensive admission fee only to be subjected to irritating commercials. I will not patronize a theater that shows them.)

South Jersey already has a number of poorly managed, run-of-the-mill movie house showing the same mindless fare, and it does not need another one. If the Ritz 16 goes this route it will lose its uniqueness which has made it such a success, lose money, and go out of business all together; and the shopping center built around the theater, which has catered to the type of clientele that the Ritz 16 has attracted, will go down with it.

Hello. I was completely shocked tonight, when I went to the Ritz in South Jersey and saw the ugly "National Amusement" stickers on the doorways. I was so mad, that I couldn't even concentrate on the film that I was watching. Being only 24, I am neither an annoying teenager or snobby adult, I am just a person who really enjoys movies in a pleasant atmosphere and now that atmosphere is being threatened. Tonight I saw, Pepsi product placement, unhappy workers, and a bunch of moviegoers who had an astonished look on their face as if they were 7 and someone told them that santa claus wasn't real. There is not one person that I talked to tonight who was excited that this change is happening. This is a big mistake, and hopefully, it won't be as bad as it seems that it is going to be.

Was also there tonight. I'm not so sure how this is going to work out, to be honest. I'm surprised that they're rebranding it as one of their run-of-the-mill "Showcase" locations and not one of their "prestigious" brands like Bridge or Cinema De Lux. That in itself is a pretty bad sign. The multiplex was in this weird state of flux between mainstream and traditional Ritz - the preshow slides, still with art and classical music, contrasted poorly with the loud National Amusements policy trailers. And I can attest to the unhappy workers - my thoughts are with them as they go through this. The staff does seem very top-notch.

I think they're making a mistake here. They need to step back, see what works, and make it one of their top-flight locations. Making it into a Showcase Cinemas is probably the worst direction they could go with this. Hoping for the best, but expecting the worst here, sadly.

One if the reasons moving to South Jersey from the city four years ago was easy was the existence of the Ritz 16. After my experience on Friday, I am only going to patronize the Philly ones, which are more in line with continuing the tradition.

Will the new owners care if they lose our business? Maybe we can start a petition and get Mark Cuban to rescue us!!!

Thanks for the response, Carrie. I'd be interested in the answer to my query.

I checked the National Amusements web site (http://www.nationalamusements.com/theatres/cinema_de_lux.asp)and found the following contacts for anyone interested in commenting to the owers about this situation:

To comment on your experience at our theaters, please email:
operations@national-amusements.com

Comments on our web site, advertising or other issues may be emailed to:
customer_service@national-amusements.com

Press inquiries may be emailed to: wwhitson@nationalamusements.com

My feeling is that it's a fait accompli. The new owners are going to do what they want to do and run it the way they want to run it.

Like a previous poster, I'd like to know how they came to this decision. Did they do a survey or something? Or is it just business as usual for them? Their site shows that they do run premium theaters, but it looks like the Ritz 16 isn't going to be one of them.

Carrie- I was really taken aback to read in your Ritz 16 article yesterday that National Amusements elected to relegate the Ritz 16 under its Showcase Cinemas umbrella, one of its decidely lower-rent divisions. I optimistically assumed that, given the Ritz 16's rep, National Amusements would make it one of its premiere theaters, either a Cinema de Lux (which is the most prestigous of its holdings ) or at least another Bridge. (I guess you know that there are only two Bridge theaters in the nation - the one in Philly and one in L.A.) Anyway, for some reason, the powers there made this decision, an unfortunate and very curious one. Why? Why did they decided to make the Ritz 16 a Showcase Cinema and not a Cinema de Lux? Can you find out, Carrie? I guess that it's because they're interested primarily in the family trade. This is very sad and, needless to say, disappointing. I can't imagine seeing something like "Volver" at the Ritz 16 ever again. But let's face it: National Amusements will win: Sure, they'll scare off the current Ritz patrons but they'll replace them with what they hope will be bigger audiences. It's a done deal, but did it really have to turn out this way? I'm afraid all of this was predictable.

The end is here....I was there last night, and knew immediately something was up. the consession staff had on t-shirts and pepsi hats and shrek 3 paraphinalia was everywhere.
Then I noticed all the ties. Patrons pleading with the ties to not change the movie mix or allow children...the response of more family friendly movies was all it took for most patrons to say they would not be back once the kids or families began to invade....Then the trailers started, immediately commericals and previews of commerical films. not a forgien movie or even indie trailer to be seen...I spoke to one of the ties who said that they would be having more mainstram movies and since there are fewer "art" films in the summer it would be noticeable during the summer....um, last i checked there we're plenty of indie and art house films released during all times of the year. Can you say lets make money of "summer blockbusters"?
it's a sad day for South Jersey and anyone who enjoys fine cinema in a adult setting. The ties can say what they want but I fear the gem of SJ will be just another loud multiplex...

The more I read the comments of the "TIES" I have feeling in the pit of my stomach and it would not surprise me if this company would try to sell or close the Atco theater
and transferring that clientele to the Voorhees theater. Nothing would surprise me at this point. To say that there are "fewer" "ART" films in the summer is hogwash! I saw the following last summer
at the Ritz Voorhees: "The Beauty Academy of Kabul", "The Syrian Bride","The Proposition","Lady
Vengence", "12 and Holding", "A Prairie Home Companion", "Sir, No Sir!", "The Sketches of Frank Gehry", "Loverboy", "The King", "The Lost City",
"Strangers With Candy", "Wassup Rockers", "Who
Killed the Electric Car?", "Scoop", "Lower City",
"Little Miss Sunshine", "The Night Listener",
"Brothers of the Head", "The OH in Ohio", "Time to
Leave", "10th and Wolf", "Changing Times", "The War Tapes", and "La Moustache". That is 25 films in the SUMMER months. That does not sound like fewer films to me. Sounds like more
lip service from the "Ties". They will just tell you what you want to hear.
I would definitely sign a petition to plead with Mark Cuban to buy this theater. This WAS
the best theatre on the East Coast, it would be criminal to let it die like this.
I know there are more important issues in the world, but a little escape for discriminating
adults is not a bad thing.

National Amusements may claim to be "family friendly",but they are certainly not "animal friendly".One of their first actions on taking over the Ritz was to discontinue the sale of Endangered Species brand chocolate bars at the refreshment stand.Shame on them.

Wow, this is awful news. Up front, I should say I am a young whipper-snapper myself (21 yrs), but I do not identify with most of my age group on movies. I hate the mainstream theaters and the crap they shovel on the screen. The commercialism, the tie-ins, and the overall philosophy of these places is sickening. The Ritz 16 was the exception, and it was glorious. With these descriptions I'm hearing, I know that is dead, despite the PR line from National Amusements.

A day of mourning is in order. I will be hitting Netflix more often and going to the Philly Ritz's for my theater experience.

Carrie--

I assume you saw the two-column ad on page 4 of the Inquirer's entertainment section (section E) today? National Amusements, Inc. took out the ad announcing that "the Ritz 16 Voorhees is now... SHOWCASE at the Ritz Center," adding that "Spiderman 3" opens there Friday (!) There's all kinds of info about special rates encouraging kids to come, and at the end, something about "cine art" for art lovers.

so very sorry to hear that the ritz is changing
hands.....i live an hour away and would go
out of my way to see films there rather than
see the same films locally as the ritz has
always been so far superior to any other movie
theater it was worth the ride...it has always been the only theater i would wear sandals to and the only place i would put my purse on the floor without concern for sticky things growing mold under the seats!!!!!!! why would smart business people change something that works so well??????? there are so many places that do the standard movie/popcorn thing......why can't the new managment let the ritz just let things be........it is always
so packed there........i can't imagine bringing
the children in will increase the bottom line
note to new management......how about looking at how successful the ritz 16 is before making
it just like every other theater???????

Interviewed Shari Redstone, head of National Amusements, yesterday. She's listening carefully to the Ritzheads and will respond in ways I think will appreciated by the base. I will post the interview around noon today. So for all of the Ritzheads worried that the Tiffany's of movie theaters is going to become a Fortunoff's, read this. I'm confident that it won't become a Fortrunoff's, but it will be different.

I just learned about the Ritz change-over and am shocked and saddened, to put it mildly. One question posters keep asking is why the new owners wouldn't continue the old programming. My guess is that, because they own so many theaters, it makes sense to them to play the same movies they're already buying for their other outlets. Why start all over dealing with small distributors for pictures that don't even get advertised on major TV shows?
As much as I would love to see the current changes reversed, I doubt very much that they will be. Alas.