Unfortunately, they have started to gut the interior of the building on Monday, Nov. 29, 2004. So far, seats and other parts of the theatre, restrooms etc. I am sickened by this and discussing it makes it no better. They started the work WITHOUT permits as the Village of Lindenhurst has no idea ? ? ? of what’s going on. The building does have asbestos and I believe the proper permits have not been obtained. So far in three days, 3 dumpsters of waste has been removed. Goodbye Lindenhurst Theatre.
The borders might have changed but as a theatre, in its' entire run as a film house the Grand View was always listed as a Brooklyn house in reference and newspaper advertising. I know some of you from the area might dispute this but “that’s the fact”. I don’t think this place was in operation after the so called borders changed.
As a former employee of this theatre (1969-1974), I have several of the one sheets of movies that played there. While I was there, the Binn’s Driving School was near the left side and a real estate office on the right. I’ll never forget the theatre name in neon pink above a opaque glass covered marquee (flourescent backlit) with a “baby blue” border around the entire marquee. The pink neon name reflected off the copper-stoned building at night giving it it’s neighborhood charm. The “blue noen” was removed in 1971. How I miss this place and yet it will live on within me forever. Remember the Bickford’s on the same street closer to Nostrand Avenue.
This multiplex didn’t open in the summer, it opened on Dec. 9th or so with “Star Trek” on a couple of screens and auditoriums opened through Christmas Day ‘79. At the theatre’s grand opening, only three auditoriums were finished and ready for “Star Trek”. I should know, I was one of the six managerial staff members. It opened as a “Redstone Theatre” which it is still today, the same management now “National Amusements”. Redstone operated the Drive-In as well. The original “sixplex” sat 700 in each auditorium for a total of 4,200 seats. It was at its’ opening two or three years “the highest grossing multiplex in the country”. I left the next year and the film “Stir Crazy” put the place on the map and this is when the fights started. We had a large staff and everyone got along. The pay was as it was in theatre management, “very low” but Redstone was then notoriously “CHEAP”.
The only damage is the graffiti on the exterior walls in the parking lot. There was a little water damage which can easily be repaired. Any damage to the interior now boarded up was done by the owner’s staff, who the last time in the building (for exterior maintenance to the overgrown grass) were seen “graffiting” the outside white marble facade with black spray cans. The Boat dealership which is unknown at the time states the building will remain as is and fixed up for the transformation. Since this theatre doesn’t have a severe rake to the floor, only the seats will be removed for the boats and the loge will be converted into the sales space overlooking the main floor. All the theatre elements will remain outside. I’m assuming the theatre can be put back together again at a later date should that arise. Now the question is, now that the building will not be a theatre, will the extra parcel of land for the extra parking the theatre needed in 1964 revert back to residential use. It is stipulated that this must happen and only the Village Board of Lindenhurst must uphold this covenant to the building. If not, it can result in a lawsuit by the residents around the theatre that don’t want the boat dealership there. There is a lawsuit now pending on the Werner’s Bowling Alley, closed since September, for the same reason. The second question is “Is the building being sold or being leased to the Boat dealership?” I certainly hope the boat dealership does its' homework in regards the theatre before they “buy” or “lease” the property.
This theatre was operated by the Brandt Circuit when it first opened and was still showing “XXX” in 1984 or so when a former manager colleague of mine was managing the place when I stopped in to see him. P.S. Didn’t watch the “X” stuff, no interest in it. Now a drugstore, what else?
As far as I know, there is no photo showing both theatres side by side in 1948 at the Sayville Library or the Sayville historical Society. The picture would have been interesting, the old next to the new.
The Sayville Theatre is the second theatre to bear the name. The original was next door in the theatre’s parking lot that opened in the late 1920’s or early 1930’s. It was antiquated by the late 1940’s and a newer theatre was built along side the old one about 1947 or 1948. Once the newer building was finished and open, the older building next door was demolished for the parking lot. The Sayville Playhouse on Candee Avenue was demolished for the nursing home on that parcel of land. Marlon Brando appeared at the Sayville Playhouse in his early days on stage and had an apartment within the theatre which he was reluctant to give up since it was within his means (affordable). He had to be evicted at a later day.
This theatre had several names prior to the Comet. It was known as the United States when it opened in the early 1920’s and then as the New Gates in 1928 (U.S. Gates) even though Loew’s had the name on their building. It had closed for awhile when the Loew’s Gates opened in 1924/5. It was renamed the Comet in the mid to late 1930’s. The building has been demolished but the Amusu and Tompkins Theatres are still standing.
This theatre opened in 1968 with “For Love Of Ivy” under the then National General Theatres banner, later Mann. The theatre was totally demolished this year, nothing remains except the pylon marquee if that hasn’t been removed as yet. Blockbuster gave up on this one since the one housed in the former Brookhaven Theatre on Rt. 112 does better business. The theatre closed after 15 years of operation and right before the opening of the Brookhaven Multiplex which rang the death nell for the Fox and Brookhaven Theatres then under the RKO-Century Circuit. The Brookhaven was still a reduced price theatre and profitable theatre at its' closing.
When “The Jungle Book” opened Christmas 1967 at the Granada it became the theatre’s longest running booking. It played a then unheard of 7 weeks. The co-feature was “Charlie, the Lonesome Cougar”. The only other theatre in the borough playing the duo was Century’s Marine. The grosses lead Walt Disney to book both “The Happiest Millionaire” (3 Weeks) in Feb. and “Blackbeard’s Ghost” in March, both of which I saw here and hooked me on moviegoing weekly at the age of 11. The Granada also played “Mary Poppins” (3 or 4 weeks) on first run with the Brooklyn Fox in 1965 prior to the Oscars. After it won Oscars that following year, “Mary Poppins” returned in 1966 and played at the Loew’s Kings and then at the Century’s Rialto for a couple of runs during its' reissues.
Prudential/United Artists at first, then by a booker from United Artists in its' last years as an independent running Disney product which was this theatre’s bread and butter. The manager of this theatre under UA ran this house very weel and was well liked by all. This house closed in the early eighties.
If that is the case, why weren’t they listed in the Queens listings of the movie advertisements. For history’s sake they are Brooklyn locations regardless of post offices, boundaries and etc. The RKO MADISON, BROOKLYN.
The Grove and Luxor are future incarnations of the Wilson Theatre which had three names. The Woodrow and Tip Top were early film houses that were out of business by the early 1940’s.
The Tompkins and Amusu are on the same block (Gates Avenue)diagonally from each other near Tompkins Avenue. (Neither building sits on a corner.) The Ideal at 151 Knickerbocker Avenue was a silent film house in a three story building. It is next door to a two story warehouse (same address) Between the first and second floor, there is some Hebrew inscription in the facade brickwork from its' use as a Yeshiva (I think) after its' silent movie days came to an end in 1928. Its' hard to believe a small space served as a nickelodeon.
So what you are telling me is that RKO didn’t know where the Madison was located and listed the Madison in Brooklyn for it’s entire run as a theatre. The RKO Madison was never listed in the Queens directory of any movie ads, RKO display ads or the Motion Picture Daily Yearbook. If this is the case then this theatre should not be LISTED in the Brooklyn area of this site. The same goes for the Ridgewood and the Parthenon. As far as I am concerned all these theatres are Brooklyn houses no matter what borders you have for the neighborhoods which really doesn’t mean much to anyone but you guys who are “obsessed” to where they are located.
I was at the former Alhambra Theatre last Sunday. When photographing the exterior, a car approached and two “foriegners” jumped out of the car and asked what I was doing. I told them that I was a theatre historian and photograph former theatres as a hobby. They said no more, hopped in the car and drove away. I wonder what occupies this building at this time, there are no signs on the facade or any indications of what goes on within. I’m under the suspicion that very little remains within but am curious as to what remains and goes on in this building. On this same Sunday, I came across the following theatre buildings… the former 1920’s IDEAL Theatre on Knickerbocker Avenue, both IMPERIAL Theatres (one on Halsey, one on Irving Ave.), RIVOLI on Myrtle (still with theatre seats), the TOMPKINS and AMUSU on Gates Ave. The STARR’s auditorium walls are still visible from across the street behind the Associated Food Stores redo of the demolished storefronts and theatre entrance. There were many theatres in this area. P.S. The CENTRAL Theatre building is still standing at 431 Central Ave. This became the Luxor and another name. The three theatres on Wilson Avenue have bit the dust.
The Parthenon Theatre was located in Brooklyn according to the source material that I have for it. I’m quite sure Randforce Theatres knew where their theatres were located. The Ridgewood Theatre was also a “Brooklyn” placed theatre in ads. The next thing you know, debates will be held if the RKO Madison is in Queens, which it is obviously not.
United Artists does not exist as an exhibitor today, only the name, therefore the current operators are responsiblle for the decline of the remaining U.A. houses. (That is not saying that U.A. itself contributed to their own theatres' decline.) United Artists started going down the drain once Salah Hassanien departed or was forced out by the incoming “takeover” which commenced the decline of United Artists Eastern Theatres.
My e-mail is
Unfortunately, they have started to gut the interior of the building on Monday, Nov. 29, 2004. So far, seats and other parts of the theatre, restrooms etc. I am sickened by this and discussing it makes it no better. They started the work WITHOUT permits as the Village of Lindenhurst has no idea ? ? ? of what’s going on. The building does have asbestos and I believe the proper permits have not been obtained. So far in three days, 3 dumpsters of waste has been removed. Goodbye Lindenhurst Theatre.
The borders might have changed but as a theatre, in its' entire run as a film house the Grand View was always listed as a Brooklyn house in reference and newspaper advertising. I know some of you from the area might dispute this but “that’s the fact”. I don’t think this place was in operation after the so called borders changed.
As a former employee of this theatre (1969-1974), I have several of the one sheets of movies that played there. While I was there, the Binn’s Driving School was near the left side and a real estate office on the right. I’ll never forget the theatre name in neon pink above a opaque glass covered marquee (flourescent backlit) with a “baby blue” border around the entire marquee. The pink neon name reflected off the copper-stoned building at night giving it it’s neighborhood charm. The “blue noen” was removed in 1971. How I miss this place and yet it will live on within me forever. Remember the Bickford’s on the same street closer to Nostrand Avenue.
This multiplex didn’t open in the summer, it opened on Dec. 9th or so with “Star Trek” on a couple of screens and auditoriums opened through Christmas Day ‘79. At the theatre’s grand opening, only three auditoriums were finished and ready for “Star Trek”. I should know, I was one of the six managerial staff members. It opened as a “Redstone Theatre” which it is still today, the same management now “National Amusements”. Redstone operated the Drive-In as well. The original “sixplex” sat 700 in each auditorium for a total of 4,200 seats. It was at its’ opening two or three years “the highest grossing multiplex in the country”. I left the next year and the film “Stir Crazy” put the place on the map and this is when the fights started. We had a large staff and everyone got along. The pay was as it was in theatre management, “very low” but Redstone was then notoriously “CHEAP”.
The Massapequa D.I. was on the other side of Sunrise where Toy R Us and other stores are now.
P.S. The Werner’s Bowling Alley is diagonally across from the theatre on the southwest corner, the theatre on the northeast corner.
The only damage is the graffiti on the exterior walls in the parking lot. There was a little water damage which can easily be repaired. Any damage to the interior now boarded up was done by the owner’s staff, who the last time in the building (for exterior maintenance to the overgrown grass) were seen “graffiting” the outside white marble facade with black spray cans. The Boat dealership which is unknown at the time states the building will remain as is and fixed up for the transformation. Since this theatre doesn’t have a severe rake to the floor, only the seats will be removed for the boats and the loge will be converted into the sales space overlooking the main floor. All the theatre elements will remain outside. I’m assuming the theatre can be put back together again at a later date should that arise. Now the question is, now that the building will not be a theatre, will the extra parcel of land for the extra parking the theatre needed in 1964 revert back to residential use. It is stipulated that this must happen and only the Village Board of Lindenhurst must uphold this covenant to the building. If not, it can result in a lawsuit by the residents around the theatre that don’t want the boat dealership there. There is a lawsuit now pending on the Werner’s Bowling Alley, closed since September, for the same reason. The second question is “Is the building being sold or being leased to the Boat dealership?” I certainly hope the boat dealership does its' homework in regards the theatre before they “buy” or “lease” the property.
This theatre was operated by the Brandt Circuit when it first opened and was still showing “XXX” in 1984 or so when a former manager colleague of mine was managing the place when I stopped in to see him. P.S. Didn’t watch the “X” stuff, no interest in it. Now a drugstore, what else?
After RKO had it, Skouras took it over and closed it soon afterwards. If it was a bank and now stores is there anything left of the facade.
As far as I know, there is no photo showing both theatres side by side in 1948 at the Sayville Library or the Sayville historical Society. The picture would have been interesting, the old next to the new.
The Sayville Theatre is the second theatre to bear the name. The original was next door in the theatre’s parking lot that opened in the late 1920’s or early 1930’s. It was antiquated by the late 1940’s and a newer theatre was built along side the old one about 1947 or 1948. Once the newer building was finished and open, the older building next door was demolished for the parking lot. The Sayville Playhouse on Candee Avenue was demolished for the nursing home on that parcel of land. Marlon Brando appeared at the Sayville Playhouse in his early days on stage and had an apartment within the theatre which he was reluctant to give up since it was within his means (affordable). He had to be evicted at a later day.
P.S. on the Flatbush Glenwood, it opened as the Antoinette Theatre in the early 1920’s and then renamed the Glenwood.
The Amusu and Tompkins Theatres are on Gates Avenue. One I didn’t locate was the Princess at 404 Gates Avenue.
This theatre had several names prior to the Comet. It was known as the United States when it opened in the early 1920’s and then as the New Gates in 1928 (U.S. Gates) even though Loew’s had the name on their building. It had closed for awhile when the Loew’s Gates opened in 1924/5. It was renamed the Comet in the mid to late 1930’s. The building has been demolished but the Amusu and Tompkins Theatres are still standing.
This theatre opened in 1968 with “For Love Of Ivy” under the then National General Theatres banner, later Mann. The theatre was totally demolished this year, nothing remains except the pylon marquee if that hasn’t been removed as yet. Blockbuster gave up on this one since the one housed in the former Brookhaven Theatre on Rt. 112 does better business. The theatre closed after 15 years of operation and right before the opening of the Brookhaven Multiplex which rang the death nell for the Fox and Brookhaven Theatres then under the RKO-Century Circuit. The Brookhaven was still a reduced price theatre and profitable theatre at its' closing.
When “The Jungle Book” opened Christmas 1967 at the Granada it became the theatre’s longest running booking. It played a then unheard of 7 weeks. The co-feature was “Charlie, the Lonesome Cougar”. The only other theatre in the borough playing the duo was Century’s Marine. The grosses lead Walt Disney to book both “The Happiest Millionaire” (3 Weeks) in Feb. and “Blackbeard’s Ghost” in March, both of which I saw here and hooked me on moviegoing weekly at the age of 11. The Granada also played “Mary Poppins” (3 or 4 weeks) on first run with the Brooklyn Fox in 1965 prior to the Oscars. After it won Oscars that following year, “Mary Poppins” returned in 1966 and played at the Loew’s Kings and then at the Century’s Rialto for a couple of runs during its' reissues.
Prudential/United Artists at first, then by a booker from United Artists in its' last years as an independent running Disney product which was this theatre’s bread and butter. The manager of this theatre under UA ran this house very weel and was well liked by all. This house closed in the early eighties.
If that is the case, why weren’t they listed in the Queens listings of the movie advertisements. For history’s sake they are Brooklyn locations regardless of post offices, boundaries and etc. The RKO MADISON, BROOKLYN.
The Grove and Luxor are future incarnations of the Wilson Theatre which had three names. The Woodrow and Tip Top were early film houses that were out of business by the early 1940’s.
The Tompkins and Amusu are on the same block (Gates Avenue)diagonally from each other near Tompkins Avenue. (Neither building sits on a corner.) The Ideal at 151 Knickerbocker Avenue was a silent film house in a three story building. It is next door to a two story warehouse (same address) Between the first and second floor, there is some Hebrew inscription in the facade brickwork from its' use as a Yeshiva (I think) after its' silent movie days came to an end in 1928. Its' hard to believe a small space served as a nickelodeon.
So what you are telling me is that RKO didn’t know where the Madison was located and listed the Madison in Brooklyn for it’s entire run as a theatre. The RKO Madison was never listed in the Queens directory of any movie ads, RKO display ads or the Motion Picture Daily Yearbook. If this is the case then this theatre should not be LISTED in the Brooklyn area of this site. The same goes for the Ridgewood and the Parthenon. As far as I am concerned all these theatres are Brooklyn houses no matter what borders you have for the neighborhoods which really doesn’t mean much to anyone but you guys who are “obsessed” to where they are located.
I was at the former Alhambra Theatre last Sunday. When photographing the exterior, a car approached and two “foriegners” jumped out of the car and asked what I was doing. I told them that I was a theatre historian and photograph former theatres as a hobby. They said no more, hopped in the car and drove away. I wonder what occupies this building at this time, there are no signs on the facade or any indications of what goes on within. I’m under the suspicion that very little remains within but am curious as to what remains and goes on in this building. On this same Sunday, I came across the following theatre buildings… the former 1920’s IDEAL Theatre on Knickerbocker Avenue, both IMPERIAL Theatres (one on Halsey, one on Irving Ave.), RIVOLI on Myrtle (still with theatre seats), the TOMPKINS and AMUSU on Gates Ave. The STARR’s auditorium walls are still visible from across the street behind the Associated Food Stores redo of the demolished storefronts and theatre entrance. There were many theatres in this area. P.S. The CENTRAL Theatre building is still standing at 431 Central Ave. This became the Luxor and another name. The three theatres on Wilson Avenue have bit the dust.
The Parthenon Theatre was located in Brooklyn according to the source material that I have for it. I’m quite sure Randforce Theatres knew where their theatres were located. The Ridgewood Theatre was also a “Brooklyn” placed theatre in ads. The next thing you know, debates will be held if the RKO Madison is in Queens, which it is obviously not.
United Artists does not exist as an exhibitor today, only the name, therefore the current operators are responsiblle for the decline of the remaining U.A. houses. (That is not saying that U.A. itself contributed to their own theatres' decline.) United Artists started going down the drain once Salah Hassanien departed or was forced out by the incoming “takeover” which commenced the decline of United Artists Eastern Theatres.