Also any bus or the el in Queens along Jericho Turnpike/Jamaica Avenue. Starting in Nassau, Park (New Hyde Park), Floral (Floral Park), Bellerose, Queens and Community in Queens Village, Bellaire, Hollis; Carlton, Valencia, Midway, Alden, Jamaica, Savoy (all in Jamaica with the Hillside off to the right), then on into Woodhaven with the Haven and the Woodhaven, etc..
Was Auntie Mame a Christmas attraction? I always remember Roz Russell mourning her husband, Beau in a very demur dress, until she turned around and the back was cut way down. Got a big laugh. The one peculiar thing about the MH acoustics was that applause didn’t sound like clapping, more like chirping birds.
I was never in this theatre but wandered around the exterior one day shortly after it was opened. It seemed really cheaply contructed from the outside.
The theatre was first run, road show in it’s early days. I remember seeing Thoroughly Modern Millie there. I would presume that the Century Roosevelt Field was a contributing factor to it’s demise. The only other theatres in the area were the old Westbury on Post Avenue which was not first run and the Salisbury which resorted to adult films to extend its lifespan.
I remember one year waiting on line to get into the Music Hall and several Rockettes came out in full makeup. It seemed very exaggerated. When I saw the special on PBS the makeup looked more natural. I also remember one time when one of the gals in the center did an extra kick and reacted to it. Always loved the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers. I actually prefer the old Nativity with the the cast in shadows like statues and then they all start to move along the walls to the stage. As many times as I saw that it always got me. And believe me, my parents faithfully took me to every Christmas and Easter show, and some in between. Bus and subway. Per one of my previous postings we usually used the little known ticket booth at the subway level. First show 90 cents!!!!!!!
When I went to Sewanhaka High School, in Floral Park, Long Island, New York, a former Rockette, Muriel Nordman, I believe was her name, was a physical education teacher. She also had a cheerleading group with a Rockette type routine.“Remember to point your toes, girls”.
There were a number of these on Long Island. Also Ct. The one I was in in Ct. they had a large garage door which they rolled up so you could see the Drive In Screen. Many other drive ins also had small indoor booths.
Clippings from the Alexandria Bay Historical Society – “August 4, 1927. The newly built Weller Theatre was formally opened to the public Saturday evening amid elaborate ceremonies. The theatre lobby was banked with flowers and before the show was opened Fuller Cornwall, president of the Kiwanis Club gave an address.”
And later, at an unknown date –“ The new sound and effect pictures will be offered at the Weller Theatre, starting next January 26th. The music is set to each picture and the sound effects are very realistic. The new effect devices have been much improved. The management announces that there will be no advance in admission.”
And, finally in December 1964- “Theatre to be torn down – The "Bay” theatre has seen its last movie and is now in the process of being torn down to become a parking lost. Built in 1927 by Mrs. Sue Weller
the theatre is a victim of the decline in the movie business, and was closed down last Labor Day. Work is already underway to raze the structure."
Thank you. Since they only had one location, each in Amityville and Babylon, that’s easy. They had two in Patchogue – the Patchogue and the Rialto, and two in Bay Shore – the Bay Shore and the Regent.
Joe, could you tell us what the other 4 theatres were. It would be interesting to see if all are on CT. Also, the remodeling note could then be added to each.
I’m looking at a NY Times article dtd 2/17/72 welcoming the Ritz back to Broadway. Other than a brief porn mention there is nothing about the screening of films. Maybe the porn was 16mm.
As far as mainstream films the RFK had special matinee programs of mainstream films but the prime ad found for same listed these as being screened at the Bert Wheeler Theatre (is that on CT) on 43rd Street. Most RFK events were members only, and the small number of
members they had doomed the operation.
Al, since you have located an ad for Jaws at that site would you please direct me to it.
I’d like to know more about the movies shown. Were they just screened for members or at an event or were they regularly scheduled and advertised to the general public. If not the latter I don’t see the Kerr as an appropriate listing for CT.
Well, then, the former Royale, whatever it’s now called, should qualify since it was the site of the road show introduction of the movie Gigi. And more qualified than that would be the Hilton Theatre, former Ford Center for the Performing Arts, which combined the adjacent Lyric and Apollo theatres on 42nd street. And just down the street is the American Airlines which, for many years, showed movies as the Selwyn.
Pylon is still up and not vandalized. Amazing.
Also any bus or the el in Queens along Jericho Turnpike/Jamaica Avenue. Starting in Nassau, Park (New Hyde Park), Floral (Floral Park), Bellerose, Queens and Community in Queens Village, Bellaire, Hollis; Carlton, Valencia, Midway, Alden, Jamaica, Savoy (all in Jamaica with the Hillside off to the right), then on into Woodhaven with the Haven and the Woodhaven, etc..
None of the Long Island venues exist today. The Syosset and Twin South were demolished. The UA 150 was converted into a high end health club.
I never expected such affirmation of my choice of Auntie Mame.
From live shows I’ve seen there, such as, Gotta Get Away, I would say that amplification is a must.
Was Auntie Mame a Christmas attraction? I always remember Roz Russell mourning her husband, Beau in a very demur dress, until she turned around and the back was cut way down. Got a big laugh. The one peculiar thing about the MH acoustics was that applause didn’t sound like clapping, more like chirping birds.
I was never in this theatre but wandered around the exterior one day shortly after it was opened. It seemed really cheaply contructed from the outside.
The theatre was first run, road show in it’s early days. I remember seeing Thoroughly Modern Millie there. I would presume that the Century Roosevelt Field was a contributing factor to it’s demise. The only other theatres in the area were the old Westbury on Post Avenue which was not first run and the Salisbury which resorted to adult films to extend its lifespan.
I remember one year waiting on line to get into the Music Hall and several Rockettes came out in full makeup. It seemed very exaggerated. When I saw the special on PBS the makeup looked more natural. I also remember one time when one of the gals in the center did an extra kick and reacted to it. Always loved the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers. I actually prefer the old Nativity with the the cast in shadows like statues and then they all start to move along the walls to the stage. As many times as I saw that it always got me. And believe me, my parents faithfully took me to every Christmas and Easter show, and some in between. Bus and subway. Per one of my previous postings we usually used the little known ticket booth at the subway level. First show 90 cents!!!!!!!
When I went to Sewanhaka High School, in Floral Park, Long Island, New York, a former Rockette, Muriel Nordman, I believe was her name, was a physical education teacher. She also had a cheerleading group with a Rockette type routine.“Remember to point your toes, girls”.
There were a number of these on Long Island. Also Ct. The one I was in in Ct. they had a large garage door which they rolled up so you could see the Drive In Screen. Many other drive ins also had small indoor booths.
Re my posting above the enhanced sound was January 1929.
Clippings from the Alexandria Bay Historical Society – “August 4, 1927. The newly built Weller Theatre was formally opened to the public Saturday evening amid elaborate ceremonies. The theatre lobby was banked with flowers and before the show was opened Fuller Cornwall, president of the Kiwanis Club gave an address.”
And later, at an unknown date –“ The new sound and effect pictures will be offered at the Weller Theatre, starting next January 26th. The music is set to each picture and the sound effects are very realistic. The new effect devices have been much improved. The management announces that there will be no advance in admission.”
And, finally in December 1964- “Theatre to be torn down – The "Bay” theatre has seen its last movie and is now in the process of being torn down to become a parking lost. Built in 1927 by Mrs. Sue Weller
the theatre is a victim of the decline in the movie business, and was closed down last Labor Day. Work is already underway to raze the structure."
There was an Arverne theatre listed in some old theatre ads. Would this have been the Boardwalk at some point in time?
Thank you. Since they only had one location, each in Amityville and Babylon, that’s easy. They had two in Patchogue – the Patchogue and the Rialto, and two in Bay Shore – the Bay Shore and the Regent.
These two have a large number of theatres to their credit. Were they exclusively LI, NY, east coast?
Joe, could you tell us what the other 4 theatres were. It would be interesting to see if all are on CT. Also, the remodeling note could then be added to each.
The original marquee was a half circle like the Manhasset, the Suffolk, the original Amityville and others.
Am I correct that these same persons also designed the Brookhaven in Port Jefferson Station. From the exterior they looked identical.
Now if we only had a ground view showing the pylon.
And the first show only cost 90 cents.
I’m looking at a NY Times article dtd 2/17/72 welcoming the Ritz back to Broadway. Other than a brief porn mention there is nothing about the screening of films. Maybe the porn was 16mm.
As far as mainstream films the RFK had special matinee programs of mainstream films but the prime ad found for same listed these as being screened at the Bert Wheeler Theatre (is that on CT) on 43rd Street. Most RFK events were members only, and the small number of
members they had doomed the operation.
Al, since you have located an ad for Jaws at that site would you please direct me to it.
I’d like to know more about the movies shown. Were they just screened for members or at an event or were they regularly scheduled and advertised to the general public. If not the latter I don’t see the Kerr as an appropriate listing for CT.
LostMemory what about the Hilton? and the former Royale?
Well, then, the former Royale, whatever it’s now called, should qualify since it was the site of the road show introduction of the movie Gigi. And more qualified than that would be the Hilton Theatre, former Ford Center for the Performing Arts, which combined the adjacent Lyric and Apollo theatres on 42nd street. And just down the street is the American Airlines which, for many years, showed movies as the Selwyn.