Check out these postings I made in 2004 as to the possibility that an indie reopened it shortly.
R143, this indeed was a beautiful place, even at it’s end it might have been a little beat up but still a palace. I have so many fond memories of going to this theatre growing up and spending a whole day at double features. I have a question for everyone. A projectionist friend swears that when RKO closed this theatre an independant opened it up again for a short time. I dont recall this, but he says that RKO had removed the screen and the new one was smaller and installed half assed with cheap maskings. He recalls it only staying open another year. Is he right or is he recalling another place?
posted by RobertR on Sep 14, 2004 at 9:10am
Peter K.
I also have a vague memory of walking by the theatre and seeing an unusual placement of large metal coca-cola signs (or was I hallucinating) on each side of the marquee to the left of where the plexiglass panels were that held the letters. Was there an RKO logo there that they were trying cheaply to hide? I have thought about this many times because I know they were not there earlier. I know when I saw “Squirm” and “Tenticles” there it was RKO, because I still have the block ad I cut out of the Daily News.
posted by RobertR on Sep 14, 2004 at 11:56am
With Porgy & Bess unseen all these years I’m suprised it’s not playing for a few weeks?
PKoch,
I graduated St. Pancras in June 1979, a full ten years after!!
posted by Panzer65 on Sep 10, 2007 at 12:46pm
I graduated from St. Pancras in 1975.
Check out these postings I made in 2004 as to the possibility that an indie reopened it shortly.
R143, this indeed was a beautiful place, even at it’s end it might have been a little beat up but still a palace. I have so many fond memories of going to this theatre growing up and spending a whole day at double features. I have a question for everyone. A projectionist friend swears that when RKO closed this theatre an independant opened it up again for a short time. I dont recall this, but he says that RKO had removed the screen and the new one was smaller and installed half assed with cheap maskings. He recalls it only staying open another year. Is he right or is he recalling another place?
posted by RobertR on Sep 14, 2004 at 9:10am
Peter K.
I also have a vague memory of walking by the theatre and seeing an unusual placement of large metal coca-cola signs (or was I hallucinating) on each side of the marquee to the left of where the plexiglass panels were that held the letters. Was there an RKO logo there that they were trying cheaply to hide? I have thought about this many times because I know they were not there earlier. I know when I saw “Squirm” and “Tenticles” there it was RKO, because I still have the block ad I cut out of the Daily News.
posted by RobertR on Sep 14, 2004 at 11:56am
That can’t be the screen it’s too low
Premiering at Loew’s State, the Beacon and a theatre near you
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Another kiddie double bill from 1969
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An Avco Embassy double kids bill in 1969
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In 1969 this seems to have been known as New City Island
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In 1969
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The Duke on a huge second run
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Day and date with RKO 59 St
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This played day & date with the Rialto
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Summer 1975
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Summer 1975
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Wow I have always wanted to see “Porgy & Bess” in a theatre. I remember when WPIX channel 11 used to run it in the late 60’s or early 70’s.
RKO was big into this kind of porno chic in the 70’s.
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Christmas 1976 the star of the film made a personal appearance and brought along some friends.
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It almost looks like a make believe theatre you would see at an amusement park.
Sadly when they repainted the building they covered up the Acme sign that had been etched into the top of the concrete all these years :(
What a shame it seems like a great old place.
Does the Brookhaven Amphitheatre run 35mm film?
Damn quadruple features LOL
Damn too bad I never got to see a movie here.
What a great reuse the theatre stays intact.
An altered summer schedule for Dr. Zhivago.
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