Very nice articles on the Freeport Warren———During the 1960s, my Wife and I went to both the Grove and Freeport theaters and they both were large spacious movie houses with Balconies——but for Splendor & Modernistic style, at that time, the Calderone in Hempstead & the Syosett on Jericho Tpke, surpassed them both——-That’s my recollection of days gone by——but the smaller ones like the Wantagh, Meadowbrook & little old Nassau, all had a certain comfy feeling about them——smaller, but comfortable———Joe From Florida
Very nice articles on the Freeport Warren———During the 1960s, my Wife and I went to both the Grove and Freeport theaters and they both were large spacious movie houses with Balconies——but for Splendor & Modernistic style, at that time, the Calderone in Hempstead & the Syosett on Jericho Tpke, surpassed them both——-That’s my recollection of days gone by——but the smaller ones like the Wantagh, Meadowbrook & little old Nassau, all had a certain comfy feeling about them——smaller, but comfortable———Joe From Florida
Love to see those old photos Lost Memory——-I only wish there were more of them around………I lived in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn until 1959——-then Roosevelt, LI until 1961 when I was married——a short time in Hempstead, then from 1963 to 1976 in Levittown, LI and I have lived in Florida since then———Joe From Florida
Nice Clipping Warren and interesting article——-As a youngster I went to all “5” in Downtown Brooklyn——-I always included the Strand along with the Albee, Paramount, Fox,& Metropiltan when looking to see what was playing in the area———Now I own video of “Night World”—1932(Great little film)& of Bebe Daniels in “Rio Rita”———-Thanks for the article——Joe From Florida
Thanks Jerry K……..Only one theater on the corner of 8th Ave & 42nd Street used to show sleeze shows, as they were called————It seemed to be all alone as there were no other theaters on that block…..but in thinking back, my favorite still had to be the Apollo since they showed films you would never see in your own neighborhood———-and that is where I received my appreciation of Foreign films————Subtitles helped alot since i tried to see all types of films there———It is where I first saw Rossellini’s Paisan, and many other great Foreign films———Joe From Florida
I think it always had a reputation——Example from the Classic Musical “42nd. Street” which in the lyrics called it “Naughty & Bawdy”——of course Burlesque was big at that time in that area and on that street; but I remember it exactly as the Variety Article described it———-I was a Messenger at Grand Central station after school in the 1950s, plus I took two years of French & German, so I would go to the Apollo frequently——-and i must say that I saw somw very fine films there and not just in German or French———-When times were slow in the package or deliveries, I would either go to the NYC Public Library or look down 42nd st. to see what was playing at the various themed theaters——-One great double feature I saw at one of them was a James Cagney Double header——–“The Roaring Twenties” & “Each Dawn I Die”….also I would review films and was the Sports Reporter for my High School, so I saw many First Run films as well——-I saw “Rebel Without A Cause” in 1955 at the Astor I think, but am not certain——-and in those days, they would have Previews where a Theater would show a film before its general release and give folks in the audience cards to fill out to let the Distributors know what they thought of it——I’m trying to recall if it was after this film, East of Eden or another Major films that the Preview was a Bowery Boys film——-Most of the patrons left without filling out the cards—-lol—-joe From Florida
Nice article Al……….I was one of those Patrons way back then and appreciate you sharing the Variety Article with us——Thanks For The Memories——Joe From Florida
Hello Steve: Thanks for the up-date and memories……..We moved from Levittown to Florida in 1976, so it was sad to see how the little movie house had deteriorated over the years———As I guess we all do————-I only remember it as a small quaint theater, were you could meet neighbors going to the same show, then going to Jahns Ice Cream parlor on Hempstead Tpke————Back in the 1960s and 1970s, the Meadowbrook would show first run shows and I remember taking my wife to see The Beatles in “A Hard Days Night” there———At that time the Meadowbrook was plush, while the Levittown was more like the very small theaters in my old Brooklyn neighborhood where I grew up———There was Times Square Stores nearby——-Great Eastern Mills——Pergament——Plenty of places to shop, besides Mays—-and every Sunday, The Levittown Mens Softball League would play doubleheaders in the neighborhood——-I was the Commmisoner of the league from 1969 to 1975———Joew From Florida
Your Welcome PKoch: It’s nice to remember the old days, when going to the movies was a treat and an event as a youngster——-Too bad the kids of today have missed out on such things———-Joe From Florida
I remember the Parthenon as a clean one level theater that was spacious——and Bill, I even remember a film I saw there on 2nd run after it played the Madison——“Battle Cry” in 1954——-They had very bright screen——It was much bigger then the Wyckoff or the Starr for one level theaters———-The Rivoli on Myrtle Ave was a small two deck theater nearby——Little did I know in 1954 that I would be working at Hamburg Savings Bank one block away from the Parthenon in 1958 on Wyckoff & Gates Ave’s——-We moved to Long Island also in 1959———Joe From Florida
Good to hear from you BWAY——Yes I know, and its a shame that we can only describe these wonderful show-places to our Kids & Grandkids——-at least my eldest daughter saw Radio City Music Hall when she was about 10 years old——-Take care——-Joe From Florida
I appeared at the Canarsie Theater in 1958 in a Rock N Roll show with many other groups of the day, while I was appearing at the China Lantern Night Club with a New Comedian named Pat Cooper——-I grew up in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn and Canarsie was the place everyone wanted to live in back then——-I remember taking the open air trolley to the pier to go fishing or crabbing, and watching the deep sea fishing boats coming back to the dock——-Like my old neighborhood of Bushwick, I guess Canarsie followed in the same direction, as all of the old Movie Houses are gone; but I will always remember the day i was on stage at the Canarsie with a few hundred screaming kids in the audience—Joe From Florida
The old Gate Cars——Sure——Always——-I go to subway.org just to see photos of the old Gate cars, the BMT standards & the old Tin Lizzy Muti’s that you could walk from car to car—but to me the fastest cars were the Lexington Ave IRT Subway that went up to the Bronx and Yankee Stadium—-I was the only Yankee Fan on my block and boy did I get into fights with Dodger fans——Iwent to Ebbets Field more often since its was closer—Took the Gate Car to Thompkins and then the Bus-Trolley to the field——No AC, but fresh air!– I was lucky to see DiMaggio when I was 10 years old, then Mantle, Snider & Mays—The Polo Grounds was a dump compared to the other two parks—I worked after school at 10 years old to help out, [plus so I could do things like go to the movies and games——Joe
Very interesting J.F…….I remember going to the Empire with my Father at night, and they always had a serial playing during the week——-also taking the Trolley at the end of the Canarsie Line which would go right down to the pier where we went crabbing————They had the bars on them in Summer and went right through reeds————I could smell those Soft Shell Crabs cooking now as the Trolley would get closer to the pier————I am 65 and was born on Bushwick Ave—-actually the Maternity Hospital on Bushwick ave, which later became a General Hospital—-I lived on Willoughby Ave between Central & Evergreen from 1946 until 1959 when we moved to Long Island——Thanks for all the info and memories-I was born 1941—Joe
Hello J.F. Lundy: Very nice photo of the Empire & my old neighborhood———Cry of the City with Victor Mature and Richard Conte was released in 1948——-Since the Empire showed 2nd and third run films, the photo is either from that year of later———-Thats the Jamiaca Ave El in the background, and if my memory serves me right, that was the old Ralph Ave Trolley…….and with that many people at the intersection, my guess is that the photo was taken on a weekend————Thanks for supplying the photo———I only wish somebody could come up with a photo of the old Rogers Theater which was on Broadway at one end of the Flushing St El Station———Thanks for the memories——-Joe From Florida
Very nice chatting with you Sara……….Now its almost bedtime for me———-Going into the low 30s tonight———Crazy weather here in Florida——-Last week it was 86 degrees and we set a record for high temps————Tonight we will set a record for low temps———and you are right…..We came from a poor neighborhood, and we all knew right from wrong————Today things are much different——-Oh we if only had a Time Machine just for one day, and could go back just to see the old neighborhood as it used to be——Take care——-Joe From Florida——P.S I wish my Garndkids could experience an old time Saturday Matinee at the old neighborhood theaters with the Matrons—-Bon Bons and Rasinets——-Pop Corn?—they never had that!
Mr Gannon was the Principal……..boy it seems like yesterday——-Mr Skolsky was the Science Teacher and he kept a hatchet on his desk…….When the kids would act up he would slam the hatchet into the desk———-He might have been sent to the Funny Farm by the time you got to the 8th grade——He was nuts!…….I didn’t go to the Alba that often since I lived on Willougby Ave between Central and Evergreen aves————The Rogers was my favorite as a kid——and the Alba I remember as being pitch black inside——-darker then the Rogers which was dark, but the Alba was much larger inside———-My Family and I moved to Long Island in 1959; but as a kid I went to all the theaters in the Bushwick, Ridgewood, & Williamsburg areas———-Joe From Florida
I also went to PS 145——I was born in 1941——I had Mrs Hitner for 8th grade; but the one thing I remember most about PS 145 was the wonderful Auditoreum————It was like a movie theater, and when they showed us kids films the screen was very large——-In fact I think that Auditoreum was twice the size of the old Rogers on Brodway under the El……Joe From Florida
OK Warren……..I did not notice the address up top———When I saw Rogers, I said HOORAY!!!!……but as you pointed out——Wrong Rogers!……….Thanks for your efforts———-I’m sure everyone who reads and posts here appreciate them……Joe From Florida
Hi Warren: My Cousin, now deceased, lived on Stockton St, right behind the old Loew’s Broadway, in the old appartment buidlings where he grew up——-He would have been about 85 years old now, and he remembered going to the Rogers, which was only a few blocks from Stocton St, to see westerns as a Boy————It sure looked older then 1935!……Joe From Florida
I took my Daughter to see that Matinee at the Levittown back then———I remember that there were many parents who accompanied their kids….and I recall it vividly———-Pleasant memories…..my Daughter is now 43 years old with her own kids——Too bad they do not have Matinees like that, or even better, when I was a kid with the real Saturday Matinee——-Two “B” features(usually one or both was a western) a serial chapter, 5 cartoons, and a weeks coming attractions………Joe From Florida
Hi Lostmemory: What a nice article——-I went to the Rivoli many times as a kid——-I remember when they used to give away dishes & cups and saucers…….The Loge upstairs, had a couple of private cubicles that were open to the public——It was in the smoking section…..I remember seeing everything from King Kong, to Red Garters, to A&C Meet Frankenstein there———Thansk for the memories once again——-Joe From Florida
Thanks Bway, Ed, Lostmemory, Warren and all the regulars for the Photos and the memories…….The Co-Feature, by the way, is “Murder On The Yukon” and old 1940 Renfrew of the Royal Mounted film by Monogram———-available at Ebay if you are lucky enough to hit it right………Regards from Joe From Florida
In the 1960s and early 1970s, it was across from Mays Dept Store and Key Food Stores on Hempstead Tpke……It had a very small Facade and was on the corner———A Chinese Resturant opened next to it around 1970 or so……..I moved from Levittown to Florida in 1976 and it was still there, however I had not been in the old movie house since the early 1970s——-at that time it was still in pretty decent shape…..Joe From Florida
Very nice articles on the Freeport Warren———During the 1960s, my Wife and I went to both the Grove and Freeport theaters and they both were large spacious movie houses with Balconies——but for Splendor & Modernistic style, at that time, the Calderone in Hempstead & the Syosett on Jericho Tpke, surpassed them both——-That’s my recollection of days gone by——but the smaller ones like the Wantagh, Meadowbrook & little old Nassau, all had a certain comfy feeling about them——smaller, but comfortable———Joe From Florida
Very nice articles on the Freeport Warren———During the 1960s, my Wife and I went to both the Grove and Freeport theaters and they both were large spacious movie houses with Balconies——but for Splendor & Modernistic style, at that time, the Calderone in Hempstead & the Syosett on Jericho Tpke, surpassed them both——-That’s my recollection of days gone by——but the smaller ones like the Wantagh, Meadowbrook & little old Nassau, all had a certain comfy feeling about them——smaller, but comfortable———Joe From Florida
Love to see those old photos Lost Memory——-I only wish there were more of them around………I lived in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn until 1959——-then Roosevelt, LI until 1961 when I was married——a short time in Hempstead, then from 1963 to 1976 in Levittown, LI and I have lived in Florida since then———Joe From Florida
In 1963, there were only two theaters in Freeport that showed films———-The Grove & The Freeport———-Joe From Florida
Nice Clipping Warren and interesting article——-As a youngster I went to all “5” in Downtown Brooklyn——-I always included the Strand along with the Albee, Paramount, Fox,& Metropiltan when looking to see what was playing in the area———Now I own video of “Night World”—1932(Great little film)& of Bebe Daniels in “Rio Rita”———-Thanks for the article——Joe From Florida
Thanks Jerry K……..Only one theater on the corner of 8th Ave & 42nd Street used to show sleeze shows, as they were called————It seemed to be all alone as there were no other theaters on that block…..but in thinking back, my favorite still had to be the Apollo since they showed films you would never see in your own neighborhood———-and that is where I received my appreciation of Foreign films————Subtitles helped alot since i tried to see all types of films there———It is where I first saw Rossellini’s Paisan, and many other great Foreign films———Joe From Florida
I think it always had a reputation——Example from the Classic Musical “42nd. Street” which in the lyrics called it “Naughty & Bawdy”——of course Burlesque was big at that time in that area and on that street; but I remember it exactly as the Variety Article described it———-I was a Messenger at Grand Central station after school in the 1950s, plus I took two years of French & German, so I would go to the Apollo frequently——-and i must say that I saw somw very fine films there and not just in German or French———-When times were slow in the package or deliveries, I would either go to the NYC Public Library or look down 42nd st. to see what was playing at the various themed theaters——-One great double feature I saw at one of them was a James Cagney Double header——–“The Roaring Twenties” & “Each Dawn I Die”….also I would review films and was the Sports Reporter for my High School, so I saw many First Run films as well——-I saw “Rebel Without A Cause” in 1955 at the Astor I think, but am not certain——-and in those days, they would have Previews where a Theater would show a film before its general release and give folks in the audience cards to fill out to let the Distributors know what they thought of it——I’m trying to recall if it was after this film, East of Eden or another Major films that the Preview was a Bowery Boys film——-Most of the patrons left without filling out the cards—-lol—-joe From Florida
Nice article Al……….I was one of those Patrons way back then and appreciate you sharing the Variety Article with us——Thanks For The Memories——Joe From Florida
Hello Steve: Thanks for the up-date and memories……..We moved from Levittown to Florida in 1976, so it was sad to see how the little movie house had deteriorated over the years———As I guess we all do————-I only remember it as a small quaint theater, were you could meet neighbors going to the same show, then going to Jahns Ice Cream parlor on Hempstead Tpke————Back in the 1960s and 1970s, the Meadowbrook would show first run shows and I remember taking my wife to see The Beatles in “A Hard Days Night” there———At that time the Meadowbrook was plush, while the Levittown was more like the very small theaters in my old Brooklyn neighborhood where I grew up———There was Times Square Stores nearby——-Great Eastern Mills——Pergament——Plenty of places to shop, besides Mays—-and every Sunday, The Levittown Mens Softball League would play doubleheaders in the neighborhood——-I was the Commmisoner of the league from 1969 to 1975———Joew From Florida
Your Welcome PKoch: It’s nice to remember the old days, when going to the movies was a treat and an event as a youngster——-Too bad the kids of today have missed out on such things———-Joe From Florida
I remember the Parthenon as a clean one level theater that was spacious——and Bill, I even remember a film I saw there on 2nd run after it played the Madison——“Battle Cry” in 1954——-They had very bright screen——It was much bigger then the Wyckoff or the Starr for one level theaters———-The Rivoli on Myrtle Ave was a small two deck theater nearby——Little did I know in 1954 that I would be working at Hamburg Savings Bank one block away from the Parthenon in 1958 on Wyckoff & Gates Ave’s——-We moved to Long Island also in 1959———Joe From Florida
Good to hear from you BWAY——Yes I know, and its a shame that we can only describe these wonderful show-places to our Kids & Grandkids——-at least my eldest daughter saw Radio City Music Hall when she was about 10 years old——-Take care——-Joe From Florida
I appeared at the Canarsie Theater in 1958 in a Rock N Roll show with many other groups of the day, while I was appearing at the China Lantern Night Club with a New Comedian named Pat Cooper——-I grew up in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn and Canarsie was the place everyone wanted to live in back then——-I remember taking the open air trolley to the pier to go fishing or crabbing, and watching the deep sea fishing boats coming back to the dock——-Like my old neighborhood of Bushwick, I guess Canarsie followed in the same direction, as all of the old Movie Houses are gone; but I will always remember the day i was on stage at the Canarsie with a few hundred screaming kids in the audience—Joe From Florida
The old Gate Cars——Sure——Always——-I go to subway.org just to see photos of the old Gate cars, the BMT standards & the old Tin Lizzy Muti’s that you could walk from car to car—but to me the fastest cars were the Lexington Ave IRT Subway that went up to the Bronx and Yankee Stadium—-I was the only Yankee Fan on my block and boy did I get into fights with Dodger fans——Iwent to Ebbets Field more often since its was closer—Took the Gate Car to Thompkins and then the Bus-Trolley to the field——No AC, but fresh air!– I was lucky to see DiMaggio when I was 10 years old, then Mantle, Snider & Mays—The Polo Grounds was a dump compared to the other two parks—I worked after school at 10 years old to help out, [plus so I could do things like go to the movies and games——Joe
Very interesting J.F…….I remember going to the Empire with my Father at night, and they always had a serial playing during the week——-also taking the Trolley at the end of the Canarsie Line which would go right down to the pier where we went crabbing————They had the bars on them in Summer and went right through reeds————I could smell those Soft Shell Crabs cooking now as the Trolley would get closer to the pier————I am 65 and was born on Bushwick Ave—-actually the Maternity Hospital on Bushwick ave, which later became a General Hospital—-I lived on Willoughby Ave between Central & Evergreen from 1946 until 1959 when we moved to Long Island——Thanks for all the info and memories-I was born 1941—Joe
Hello J.F. Lundy: Very nice photo of the Empire & my old neighborhood———Cry of the City with Victor Mature and Richard Conte was released in 1948——-Since the Empire showed 2nd and third run films, the photo is either from that year of later———-Thats the Jamiaca Ave El in the background, and if my memory serves me right, that was the old Ralph Ave Trolley…….and with that many people at the intersection, my guess is that the photo was taken on a weekend————Thanks for supplying the photo———I only wish somebody could come up with a photo of the old Rogers Theater which was on Broadway at one end of the Flushing St El Station———Thanks for the memories——-Joe From Florida
Very nice chatting with you Sara……….Now its almost bedtime for me———-Going into the low 30s tonight———Crazy weather here in Florida——-Last week it was 86 degrees and we set a record for high temps————Tonight we will set a record for low temps———and you are right…..We came from a poor neighborhood, and we all knew right from wrong————Today things are much different——-Oh we if only had a Time Machine just for one day, and could go back just to see the old neighborhood as it used to be——Take care——-Joe From Florida——P.S I wish my Garndkids could experience an old time Saturday Matinee at the old neighborhood theaters with the Matrons—-Bon Bons and Rasinets——-Pop Corn?—they never had that!
Mr Gannon was the Principal……..boy it seems like yesterday——-Mr Skolsky was the Science Teacher and he kept a hatchet on his desk…….When the kids would act up he would slam the hatchet into the desk———-He might have been sent to the Funny Farm by the time you got to the 8th grade——He was nuts!…….I didn’t go to the Alba that often since I lived on Willougby Ave between Central and Evergreen aves————The Rogers was my favorite as a kid——and the Alba I remember as being pitch black inside——-darker then the Rogers which was dark, but the Alba was much larger inside———-My Family and I moved to Long Island in 1959; but as a kid I went to all the theaters in the Bushwick, Ridgewood, & Williamsburg areas———-Joe From Florida
I also went to PS 145——I was born in 1941——I had Mrs Hitner for 8th grade; but the one thing I remember most about PS 145 was the wonderful Auditoreum————It was like a movie theater, and when they showed us kids films the screen was very large——-In fact I think that Auditoreum was twice the size of the old Rogers on Brodway under the El……Joe From Florida
OK Warren……..I did not notice the address up top———When I saw Rogers, I said HOORAY!!!!……but as you pointed out——Wrong Rogers!……….Thanks for your efforts———-I’m sure everyone who reads and posts here appreciate them……Joe From Florida
Hi Warren: My Cousin, now deceased, lived on Stockton St, right behind the old Loew’s Broadway, in the old appartment buidlings where he grew up——-He would have been about 85 years old now, and he remembered going to the Rogers, which was only a few blocks from Stocton St, to see westerns as a Boy————It sure looked older then 1935!……Joe From Florida
I took my Daughter to see that Matinee at the Levittown back then———I remember that there were many parents who accompanied their kids….and I recall it vividly———-Pleasant memories…..my Daughter is now 43 years old with her own kids——Too bad they do not have Matinees like that, or even better, when I was a kid with the real Saturday Matinee——-Two “B” features(usually one or both was a western) a serial chapter, 5 cartoons, and a weeks coming attractions………Joe From Florida
Hi Lostmemory: What a nice article——-I went to the Rivoli many times as a kid——-I remember when they used to give away dishes & cups and saucers…….The Loge upstairs, had a couple of private cubicles that were open to the public——It was in the smoking section…..I remember seeing everything from King Kong, to Red Garters, to A&C Meet Frankenstein there———Thansk for the memories once again——-Joe From Florida
Thanks Bway, Ed, Lostmemory, Warren and all the regulars for the Photos and the memories…….The Co-Feature, by the way, is “Murder On The Yukon” and old 1940 Renfrew of the Royal Mounted film by Monogram———-available at Ebay if you are lucky enough to hit it right………Regards from Joe From Florida
In the 1960s and early 1970s, it was across from Mays Dept Store and Key Food Stores on Hempstead Tpke……It had a very small Facade and was on the corner———A Chinese Resturant opened next to it around 1970 or so……..I moved from Levittown to Florida in 1976 and it was still there, however I had not been in the old movie house since the early 1970s——-at that time it was still in pretty decent shape…..Joe From Florida