Since overt and covert segragation was generally common in the post-war era, I am curious as to whether there were any restricted seating policies for minorities in the big movie palaces, or the major theatre chains before the civil rights movement of the 60’s.
Yes Joe, I suspect that there was a cafeteria on the corner of Flushing and B'way, across the street from Woolworths. Around the corner on B'way was the Hoi Sang Chinese Restaurant, a great place to stop after the movies.
Quite a while back weekly Variety would list the weekly grosses of each theatre, and in parentheses would also indicate the “nut”. This was the cost of operating the venue taking into account all expenses. Depending on the box split with the distributor for the week’s revenue, it may not pay to remain open during slow periods.
Actually I suspect that the blue awning is where the Lindy was located as it was definitely in mid-block. As for the Rainbow, it is across the street past the red-gabled former(?) convent buildings, 2 blocks past McKibbin St., between Montrose & Meserole.
I remember when Earth vs. the Flying Saucers was playing there in the mid-50’s. Aroung this time there was a hue & cry when the price of the Saturday kiddie matinee went up from 25 to 26 cents. There may not have been a concession stand here, but someone with a tray of candy would go up and down the aisles selling the treats.
Gerald A. DeLuca: I agree that “La Tia Tula” deserved wider exposure. We were fortunate that the Studio picked it up, but where are the venues, 40 years later to showcase art-house Spanish language films? The Cinema Latino certainly isn’t doing it. I’m very much in favor of niche marketing as a strategy to sustain more theatres.
Thanks Warren for the posting, Bway for the photo. Over the years I have passed by this theatre innumerable times, never realizing its history. As much as we appreciate the role of the ornate movie palaces, the simple, often non-descript “storefront” movie houses played a vital role in the neighborshoods they served.
The building with the eagle on top is actually on B'way at the corner of Sumner Ave. It was formerly an ornate and lovely Manuyfacturers Hanover Bank and should itself be considered for preservation. At last sighting it had become a Big Daddy’s retail store. The Alba was one block west, fronting on Flushing Ave.
Sorry B'way but your photos from the Flushing Ave. station could not possibly be of the Rogers Theatre since the station extends from Flushing Ave. to Fayette St. The Rogers is two blocks further east on B'way past Ellery St. The peaked roofline in the photo, although interesting, could not be the Rogers.
This theatre was actually located midway between the Flushing & Myrtle Ave. stations on the Jamaica line el, further east on B'way from the Woodhull Hosp. site. The only theatre at the Flushing Ave. stop, was the Alba, not across the street, but directly on the current hospital site. Check listing for the Alba. The Rogers was actually on a corner lot, despite the listing above.
I had completely forgotten that I had come to a taping of a game show there in the early ‘60s. No idea of the name of the game show, and I suspect with all of the TV rigging, the features of the theatre were obscured.
Seeing Tommy at it’s premiere engagement at the Ziegfeld was truly an incredible experience. The pulsing stereo sound and Tina Turner’s performance were incomparable. Could only be fully appreciated in the deluxe surroundings of the Z.
The enormous community revival underway in Brooklyn makes it conceivable that the city’s most populous borough can support several performance spaces in addition to BAM and Brooklyn College’s Whitman Auditorium. We should not consider the redevelopment of the Kings & the Paramount as canceling each other out. Some creativity especially in targeting niche audiences is what called for, in addition of course, to financial support. Both of these splendid spaces can co-exist.
The niche marketing concept is certainly intriguing. Driving through Greenpoint on a Sunday afternoon, you see some of the Polish residents lined-up in front of a storefront showing films from their homeland. Whether this is enought to regularly fill a theatre is the question. The Ridgewood definitely fills a neighborhood need. With some renovation and innovative programming it can still survive.
Sad to say, walked down Chestnut street yesterday and saw the shuttered Boyd. Are there any movie houses left in Philly?
Yes Shane, the show sounds vaguely familiar. Went there during the my early teens when my high school friends and I were too young to get summer jobs.
Since overt and covert segragation was generally common in the post-war era, I am curious as to whether there were any restricted seating policies for minorities in the big movie palaces, or the major theatre chains before the civil rights movement of the 60’s.
The BLVD is part of a newly constructed high-irse, an example of the rampant gentrification of the Bowery and the rest of the Lower East Side.
That may have been the Williamsburg, which has its own listing.
Yes Joe, I suspect that there was a cafeteria on the corner of Flushing and B'way, across the street from Woolworths. Around the corner on B'way was the Hoi Sang Chinese Restaurant, a great place to stop after the movies.
Quite a while back weekly Variety would list the weekly grosses of each theatre, and in parentheses would also indicate the “nut”. This was the cost of operating the venue taking into account all expenses. Depending on the box split with the distributor for the week’s revenue, it may not pay to remain open during slow periods.
Actually I suspect that the blue awning is where the Lindy was located as it was definitely in mid-block. As for the Rainbow, it is across the street past the red-gabled former(?) convent buildings, 2 blocks past McKibbin St., between Montrose & Meserole.
A high-end carpet showroom has opened in the site, geared for the designer trade.
I remember when Earth vs. the Flying Saucers was playing there in the mid-50’s. Aroung this time there was a hue & cry when the price of the Saturday kiddie matinee went up from 25 to 26 cents. There may not have been a concession stand here, but someone with a tray of candy would go up and down the aisles selling the treats.
Does anyone have additional information on the Gayety Theatre, referenced above as being located at Broadway & Throop Av?
Thanks!
Gerald A. DeLuca: I agree that “La Tia Tula” deserved wider exposure. We were fortunate that the Studio picked it up, but where are the venues, 40 years later to showcase art-house Spanish language films? The Cinema Latino certainly isn’t doing it. I’m very much in favor of niche marketing as a strategy to sustain more theatres.
Absolutely right! There was no way that you could find this theatre by yourself while trying to negotiate the heavy traffic on Route 4.
Lostmemory, there was a brief reference to the Gold Theater in the CT listing for the High Theater, also on Sands St.
Thanks Warren for the posting, Bway for the photo. Over the years I have passed by this theatre innumerable times, never realizing its history. As much as we appreciate the role of the ornate movie palaces, the simple, often non-descript “storefront” movie houses played a vital role in the neighborshoods they served.
The building with the eagle on top is actually on B'way at the corner of Sumner Ave. It was formerly an ornate and lovely Manuyfacturers Hanover Bank and should itself be considered for preservation. At last sighting it had become a Big Daddy’s retail store. The Alba was one block west, fronting on Flushing Ave.
Sorry B'way but your photos from the Flushing Ave. station could not possibly be of the Rogers Theatre since the station extends from Flushing Ave. to Fayette St. The Rogers is two blocks further east on B'way past Ellery St. The peaked roofline in the photo, although interesting, could not be the Rogers.
This theatre was actually located midway between the Flushing & Myrtle Ave. stations on the Jamaica line el, further east on B'way from the Woodhull Hosp. site. The only theatre at the Flushing Ave. stop, was the Alba, not across the street, but directly on the current hospital site. Check listing for the Alba. The Rogers was actually on a corner lot, despite the listing above.
Sorry to learn of the closing. Saw Bergman’s Scenes from a Marriage there.
I had completely forgotten that I had come to a taping of a game show there in the early ‘60s. No idea of the name of the game show, and I suspect with all of the TV rigging, the features of the theatre were obscured.
Seeing Tommy at it’s premiere engagement at the Ziegfeld was truly an incredible experience. The pulsing stereo sound and Tina Turner’s performance were incomparable. Could only be fully appreciated in the deluxe surroundings of the Z.
The enormous community revival underway in Brooklyn makes it conceivable that the city’s most populous borough can support several performance spaces in addition to BAM and Brooklyn College’s Whitman Auditorium. We should not consider the redevelopment of the Kings & the Paramount as canceling each other out. Some creativity especially in targeting niche audiences is what called for, in addition of course, to financial support. Both of these splendid spaces can co-exist.
I would add “Some Like It Hot”, where you got a true feel for the Florida beach locale without the loud technicolor effects.
The niche marketing concept is certainly intriguing. Driving through Greenpoint on a Sunday afternoon, you see some of the Polish residents lined-up in front of a storefront showing films from their homeland. Whether this is enought to regularly fill a theatre is the question. The Ridgewood definitely fills a neighborhood need. With some renovation and innovative programming it can still survive.
With Regal building the 15 screen Atlas in Glendale, what does this mean for the future of the Ridgewood?