NEW YORK (AP) — Toby Talbot, a prominent patron of art house cinema, passed away at the age of 96. Along with her husband, Dan Talbot, she played a crucial role in introducing audiences to celebrated international filmmakers, including Jean-Luc Godard and Pedro Almodóvar. Talbot died at her home in Manhattan on September 15, as reported by The New York Times, with complications from Guillain-Barré syndrome being the cause.
The Talbots were instrumental in the evolution of cinema during the 1960s and 1970s, transitioning films from mere entertainment to a revered art form, comparable to literature and painting. Their distribution company, New Yorker Films, and prominent Manhattan theaters like The New Yorker and Lincoln Plaza Cinemas served as platforms for filmmakers and cinephiles alike. Esteemed figures such as Martin Scorsese, Pauline Kael, and Wim Wenders frequently engaged with their establishments, eagerly attending premieres and special screenings.
According to Scorsese, who wrote a foreword for Toby Talbot's 2009 memoir "The New Yorker Theater," the New Yorker was a unique space for cinema lovers. It fostered a sense of family among patrons, filmmakers, and the Talbots, who bravely presented works by directors like Godard and Bertolucci, often taking risks on innovative films.
The New Yorker Theater held a notable place in cinematic history, famously featured in a scene from Woody Allen's "Annie Hall," where characters overhear a conversation about philosopher Marshall McLuhan, who appears to correct a misguided moviegoer. This example exemplifies the atmosphere and cultural significance of the theater, which was vital for both foreign language filmmakers and contemporary American directors, such as Jim Jarmusch, who thrived on art house support.
Toby Talbot, born Toby Tolpen in New York City, met her husband in 1949, and the couple married the following year, eventually welcoming three children. In the 1950s, while both were working in various jobs—Dan as an editor and Toby as an editor and translator—they began to contemplate opening a bookstore in New Hampshire. However, a chance road trip led them to discuss their love for film, ultimately inspiring them to open a theater on Manhattan's Upper West Side.
The New Yorker Theater launched in March 1960 with screenings of Laurence Olivier's "Henry V" and "The Red Balloon." Garnering acclaim from both critics and the public, the theater became famous not only for its eclectic film selection but also for its artistic environment, which included visuals like murals by Jules Feiffer and black-and-white photographs of classic film stars. The theater's reputation was further solidified when Gloria Swanson attended a screening, showcasing its celebrity appeal.
The Talbots expanded their influence in the film industry, moving into bookselling and film distribution. They launched New Yorker Films in 1964 after being impressed by a screening of Bernard Bertolucci's "Before the Revolution." Over four decades, they acquired and released hundreds of films, ranging from Senegalese director Ousmane Sembene’s "Black Girl" to Federico Fellini’s "City of Women." Notable successes included "My Dinner With Andre" and "Tampopo," while Claude Lanzmann's "Shoah" sparked significant discussions when premiering in the U.S. in 1985.
As time passed, competition grew, and interests in foreign films waned. Consequently, the Talbots' business began to decline. The New Yorker Theater closed in 1973, and New Yorker Films ceased operations in 2009, though it reopened later under new ownership. Eventually, the Talbots operated only the Lincoln Plaza Cinemas, which Dan Talbot had to close in 2017, shortly after the landlord chose not to renew the lease.
In her memoir, Toby Talbot reflected on the essence of a movie house, stating, "A movie house is not just a structure of brick and stone. It is a chamber where images captured in a much smaller one (the camera) survive on a screen." Her words underline the profound impact the Talbots had on the film landscape, leaving an enduring legacy for future generations.
