I live just up the street from the Las Palmas on the same street. Several years ago I was inside this space during one of its incarnations as a nightclub. Unfortunately, the idea of resurrecting it as a theater is not viable. The space has been completely stripped back to the bare walls and beams and there are no seats. Its actually a pretty cool space inside. The former ultra exclusive LES DEUX nightclub is right next door to the right.
This site (link below) has some great vintage pictures of theatres in the Hollywood Blvd area. If you scroll down to the sixth listing, there are pics of the Las Palmas Theater in 1983.
Demolition firm fined $200K for UPTOWN THEATRE collapse resulting in death of one person, injuries to 17
THE TORONTO STAR, Oct. 23, 2006.
An Aurora demolition company was fined $200,000 today as a result of the death of one person and the injuries to 17 others when the Uptown Theatre collapsed three years ago in downtown Toronto.
Priestley Demolition Inc. was found to have violated the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The mishap took place on Dec. 8, 2003 at about 10:30 a.m. when workers were in the process of taking down the main auditorium of the Uptown Theatre at 35 Balmuto St.
As work progressed, the auditorium’s entire roof structure collapsed, thrusting masonry walls outwards and onto surrounding buildings.
Debris fell through the roof of the Yorkville English Academy, which was located in an adjacent building, trapping students and staff.
One student died and 12 others from the school were taken to hospital.
In addition, five workers from the Bank of Nova Scotia at 19 Bloor St. W. were taken to hospital.
The fine was imposed by Justice Geraldine Sparrow of the Ontario Court of Justice at Old City Hall in Toronto.
In addition, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge. The money will go to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.
Just attended a screening for the first time at the ArcLight. Fantastic multiplex theatre. Assigned seating, ushers in the theatres actually guiding people to their seats, very confortable seats and great sound and picture quality. Decor is somewhat minimal. Too bad the movie, Ask the Dust, was a big beautiful bore.
A recent view of the Ouimetoscope (closed since early 90’s) and the commemorative plaque placed to the left of the entrance. <hr> http://www.tighsolas.ca/page467.html
Newspaper article announcing opening of the first theatre in the world devoted exclusively to showing movies. Opened January 1, 1906 and replaced the following year by a larger theatre by the owner, Leo-Ernest Ouimet. <hr> View link
From today’s LATimes: “Along St. Charles Avenue, on the west side, the rusticated buildings of Tulane and Loyola universities and grand private houses have barely a scratch on them.”
Not sure of the current state of the Saenger but a CNN report was done from a boat which floated past the boarded up JOY theater and its heavily flooded street.
If the comments section is getting overwhelmed, why not erase any comments previous to 2004. Seems like many of the older comments have dead links noted and outdated information.
‘Annie Hall’ movie theater closing
Beekman has been fixture of New York’s Upper East Side
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) — When it opened in 1952, New York Times film critic Bosley Crowther called it a “class theater.” Twenty-five years later, Woody Allen elevated it to icon status by featuring it in his Oscar-winning “Annie Hall.” And this Sunday, the Beekman Theater will show its last film — a screening of Universal’s “The Interpreter.”
“The Beekman epitomized New York moviehouses at their best,” remembers Allen, whose films often had exclusive engagements at the Upper East Side moviehouse. “The size, the architecture, the location seemed perfect. I saw many great films there by great foreign filmmakers, and it was an honor to have my films shown there.”
So what has brought down one of the last remaining single-screen theaters in the city? Not finances, and not neglect. Beth Simpson, a spokeswoman for Clearview Cinemas, which has operated the house for more than six years, says, “We love the neighborhood, and have proudly brought quality movies to this community. Unfortunately, the theater’s landlord has exercised a lease option to take back the property. Regrettably, we have no choice but to cease operation of the theater.”
That leaseholder is Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and the Beekman — along with the other buildings in the immediate area — will be replaced by a breast and imaging center for outpatient care. Which more or less nullifies the argument for preservation.
“It’s hard to make the case for preservation when that’s going to be taking precedence,” admits Seri Worden, executive director of Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts, an organization that has lobbied for the Beekman’s landmark designation since 2001. A last-minute postcard campaign directed at the landmarks commission is under way, but Worden concedes the cause is lost.
“Still,” she says, “we can make a little bit of noise.”
Built to accommodate postwar movie audiences, the Beekman’s “class theater” status was typical of the small, neighborhood theaters that took root in the 1950s and ‘60s. Tied into the switch-over from newsreel theaters into art house theaters, the Beekman was designed to appeal to wealthy and upper-middle-class locals and features a Streamline Moderne late-period art deco design, exhibited best in its scripted neon name perched on the marquee. Inside, the 510-seat theater’s mezzanine and arced rows feel like a small opera house, not a cinema.
Over the years, the Beekman has maintained its classy status, even if moviegoers now all come in jeans, and remains a favorite among cinemaphiles and historians alike.
“The Beekman always attempted to create an upscale version of moviegoing, maintaining a meticulous theater that really has an emphasis on presentation,” explains Ross Melnick, co-founder of the Cinema Treasures Web site and co-author of a book by the same name. “People have a hankering for the ‘old days.’ They appreciate that attention to detail and service, even to the opening and closing of curtains over the screen before every showing.”
The theater’s name will live on a block away, as Clearview re-names its New York One Two theaters the Beekman One and Two. Yet it’s hard to imagine Allen’s Alvy Singer trying to buy tickets in that recessed interior for himself and Annie.
“It may be nice to have a Beekman One and Two so residents can remember the theater they will ultimately miss,” Melnick muses. “But I think the Beekman will always be the Beekman and will never be replaced.”
‘Annie Hall’ movie theater closing
Beekman has been fixture of New York’s Upper East Side
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) — When it opened in 1952, New York Times film critic Bosley Crowther called it a “class theater.” Twenty-five years later, Woody Allen elevated it to icon status by featuring it in his Oscar-winning “Annie Hall.” And this Sunday, the Beekman Theater will show its last film — a screening of Universal’s “The Interpreter.”
“The Beekman epitomized New York moviehouses at their best,” remembers Allen, whose films often had exclusive engagements at the Upper East Side moviehouse. “The size, the architecture, the location seemed perfect. I saw many great films there by great foreign filmmakers, and it was an honor to have my films shown there.”
So what has brought down one of the last remaining single-screen theaters in the city? Not finances, and not neglect. Beth Simpson, a spokeswoman for Clearview Cinemas, which has operated the house for more than six years, says, “We love the neighborhood, and have proudly brought quality movies to this community. Unfortunately, the theater’s landlord has exercised a lease option to take back the property. Regrettably, we have no choice but to cease operation of the theater.”
That leaseholder is Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and the Beekman — along with the other buildings in the immediate area — will be replaced by a breast and imaging center for outpatient care. Which more or less nullifies the argument for preservation.
“It’s hard to make the case for preservation when that’s going to be taking precedence,” admits Seri Worden, executive director of Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts, an organization that has lobbied for the Beekman’s landmark designation since 2001. A last-minute postcard campaign directed at the landmarks commission is under way, but Worden concedes the cause is lost.
“Still,” she says, “we can make a little bit of noise.”
Built to accommodate postwar movie audiences, the Beekman’s “class theater” status was typical of the small, neighborhood theaters that took root in the 1950s and ‘60s. Tied into the switch-over from newsreel theaters into art house theaters, the Beekman was designed to appeal to wealthy and upper-middle-class locals and features a Streamline Moderne late-period art deco design, exhibited best in its scripted neon name perched on the marquee. Inside, the 510-seat theater’s mezzanine and arced rows feel like a small opera house, not a cinema.
Over the years, the Beekman has maintained its classy status, even if moviegoers now all come in jeans, and remains a favorite among cinemaphiles and historians alike.
“The Beekman always attempted to create an upscale version of moviegoing, maintaining a meticulous theater that really has an emphasis on presentation,” explains Ross Melnick, co-founder of the Cinema Treasures Web site and co-author of a book by the same name. “People have a hankering for the ‘old days.’ They appreciate that attention to detail and service, even to the opening and closing of curtains over the screen before every showing.”
The theater’s name will live on a block away, as Clearview re-names its New York One Two theaters the Beekman One and Two. Yet it’s hard to imagine Allen’s Alvy Singer trying to buy tickets in that recessed interior for himself and Annie.
“It may be nice to have a Beekman One and Two so residents can remember the theater they will ultimately miss,” Melnick muses. “But I think the Beekman will always be the Beekman and will never be replaced.”
It seems clear in the theater description above that there are TWO screens in this theater. The main auditorium and a small screening room taking over part of the lobby. The theater itself is a huge disppointment to visit but the Cinemateque is a fantastic organisation promoting the appreciation and preservation of motion pictures. Take a quick look and go downtown instead to Broadway to see true old movie palaces in original condition.
The information is incorrect for this theatre. This former movie house (now a men’s shelter) was located at 2714 Danforth Avenue. No longer identifiable as a movie theatre.
This former movie theatre, now a popular after-hours club called Stereo, was severely damaged by fire on July 3, 2008.
I live just up the street from the Las Palmas on the same street. Several years ago I was inside this space during one of its incarnations as a nightclub. Unfortunately, the idea of resurrecting it as a theater is not viable. The space has been completely stripped back to the bare walls and beams and there are no seats. Its actually a pretty cool space inside. The former ultra exclusive LES DEUX nightclub is right next door to the right.
This site (link below) has some great vintage pictures of theatres in the Hollywood Blvd area. If you scroll down to the sixth listing, there are pics of the Las Palmas Theater in 1983.
http://www.lenrek.net/movies/Angel/theatres.html
What is the current status of this theater now that the Digital Cinema Lab has vacated the building??
Demolition firm fined $200K for UPTOWN THEATRE collapse resulting in death of one person, injuries to 17
THE TORONTO STAR, Oct. 23, 2006.
An Aurora demolition company was fined $200,000 today as a result of the death of one person and the injuries to 17 others when the Uptown Theatre collapsed three years ago in downtown Toronto.
Priestley Demolition Inc. was found to have violated the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The mishap took place on Dec. 8, 2003 at about 10:30 a.m. when workers were in the process of taking down the main auditorium of the Uptown Theatre at 35 Balmuto St.
As work progressed, the auditorium’s entire roof structure collapsed, thrusting masonry walls outwards and onto surrounding buildings.
Debris fell through the roof of the Yorkville English Academy, which was located in an adjacent building, trapping students and staff.
One student died and 12 others from the school were taken to hospital.
In addition, five workers from the Bank of Nova Scotia at 19 Bloor St. W. were taken to hospital.
The fine was imposed by Justice Geraldine Sparrow of the Ontario Court of Justice at Old City Hall in Toronto.
In addition, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge. The money will go to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.
Just attended a screening for the first time at the ArcLight. Fantastic multiplex theatre. Assigned seating, ushers in the theatres actually guiding people to their seats, very confortable seats and great sound and picture quality. Decor is somewhat minimal. Too bad the movie, Ask the Dust, was a big beautiful bore.
A recent view of the Ouimetoscope (closed since early 90’s) and the commemorative plaque placed to the left of the entrance. <hr>
http://www.tighsolas.ca/page467.html
Newspaper article announcing opening of the first theatre in the world devoted exclusively to showing movies. Opened January 1, 1906 and replaced the following year by a larger theatre by the owner, Leo-Ernest Ouimet. <hr>
View link
From today’s LATimes: “Along St. Charles Avenue, on the west side, the rusticated buildings of Tulane and Loyola universities and grand private houses have barely a scratch on them.”
Not sure of the current state of the Saenger but a CNN report was done from a boat which floated past the boarded up JOY theater and its heavily flooded street.
If the comments section is getting overwhelmed, why not erase any comments previous to 2004. Seems like many of the older comments have dead links noted and outdated information.
‘Annie Hall’ movie theater closing
Beekman has been fixture of New York’s Upper East Side
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) — When it opened in 1952, New York Times film critic Bosley Crowther called it a “class theater.” Twenty-five years later, Woody Allen elevated it to icon status by featuring it in his Oscar-winning “Annie Hall.” And this Sunday, the Beekman Theater will show its last film — a screening of Universal’s “The Interpreter.”
“The Beekman epitomized New York moviehouses at their best,” remembers Allen, whose films often had exclusive engagements at the Upper East Side moviehouse. “The size, the architecture, the location seemed perfect. I saw many great films there by great foreign filmmakers, and it was an honor to have my films shown there.”
So what has brought down one of the last remaining single-screen theaters in the city? Not finances, and not neglect. Beth Simpson, a spokeswoman for Clearview Cinemas, which has operated the house for more than six years, says, “We love the neighborhood, and have proudly brought quality movies to this community. Unfortunately, the theater’s landlord has exercised a lease option to take back the property. Regrettably, we have no choice but to cease operation of the theater.”
That leaseholder is Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and the Beekman — along with the other buildings in the immediate area — will be replaced by a breast and imaging center for outpatient care. Which more or less nullifies the argument for preservation.
“It’s hard to make the case for preservation when that’s going to be taking precedence,” admits Seri Worden, executive director of Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts, an organization that has lobbied for the Beekman’s landmark designation since 2001. A last-minute postcard campaign directed at the landmarks commission is under way, but Worden concedes the cause is lost.
“Still,” she says, “we can make a little bit of noise.”
Built to accommodate postwar movie audiences, the Beekman’s “class theater” status was typical of the small, neighborhood theaters that took root in the 1950s and ‘60s. Tied into the switch-over from newsreel theaters into art house theaters, the Beekman was designed to appeal to wealthy and upper-middle-class locals and features a Streamline Moderne late-period art deco design, exhibited best in its scripted neon name perched on the marquee. Inside, the 510-seat theater’s mezzanine and arced rows feel like a small opera house, not a cinema.
Over the years, the Beekman has maintained its classy status, even if moviegoers now all come in jeans, and remains a favorite among cinemaphiles and historians alike.
“The Beekman always attempted to create an upscale version of moviegoing, maintaining a meticulous theater that really has an emphasis on presentation,” explains Ross Melnick, co-founder of the Cinema Treasures Web site and co-author of a book by the same name. “People have a hankering for the ‘old days.’ They appreciate that attention to detail and service, even to the opening and closing of curtains over the screen before every showing.”
The theater’s name will live on a block away, as Clearview re-names its New York One Two theaters the Beekman One and Two. Yet it’s hard to imagine Allen’s Alvy Singer trying to buy tickets in that recessed interior for himself and Annie.
“It may be nice to have a Beekman One and Two so residents can remember the theater they will ultimately miss,” Melnick muses. “But I think the Beekman will always be the Beekman and will never be replaced.”
‘Annie Hall’ movie theater closing
Beekman has been fixture of New York’s Upper East Side
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) — When it opened in 1952, New York Times film critic Bosley Crowther called it a “class theater.” Twenty-five years later, Woody Allen elevated it to icon status by featuring it in his Oscar-winning “Annie Hall.” And this Sunday, the Beekman Theater will show its last film — a screening of Universal’s “The Interpreter.”
“The Beekman epitomized New York moviehouses at their best,” remembers Allen, whose films often had exclusive engagements at the Upper East Side moviehouse. “The size, the architecture, the location seemed perfect. I saw many great films there by great foreign filmmakers, and it was an honor to have my films shown there.”
So what has brought down one of the last remaining single-screen theaters in the city? Not finances, and not neglect. Beth Simpson, a spokeswoman for Clearview Cinemas, which has operated the house for more than six years, says, “We love the neighborhood, and have proudly brought quality movies to this community. Unfortunately, the theater’s landlord has exercised a lease option to take back the property. Regrettably, we have no choice but to cease operation of the theater.”
That leaseholder is Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and the Beekman — along with the other buildings in the immediate area — will be replaced by a breast and imaging center for outpatient care. Which more or less nullifies the argument for preservation.
“It’s hard to make the case for preservation when that’s going to be taking precedence,” admits Seri Worden, executive director of Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts, an organization that has lobbied for the Beekman’s landmark designation since 2001. A last-minute postcard campaign directed at the landmarks commission is under way, but Worden concedes the cause is lost.
“Still,” she says, “we can make a little bit of noise.”
Built to accommodate postwar movie audiences, the Beekman’s “class theater” status was typical of the small, neighborhood theaters that took root in the 1950s and ‘60s. Tied into the switch-over from newsreel theaters into art house theaters, the Beekman was designed to appeal to wealthy and upper-middle-class locals and features a Streamline Moderne late-period art deco design, exhibited best in its scripted neon name perched on the marquee. Inside, the 510-seat theater’s mezzanine and arced rows feel like a small opera house, not a cinema.
Over the years, the Beekman has maintained its classy status, even if moviegoers now all come in jeans, and remains a favorite among cinemaphiles and historians alike.
“The Beekman always attempted to create an upscale version of moviegoing, maintaining a meticulous theater that really has an emphasis on presentation,” explains Ross Melnick, co-founder of the Cinema Treasures Web site and co-author of a book by the same name. “People have a hankering for the ‘old days.’ They appreciate that attention to detail and service, even to the opening and closing of curtains over the screen before every showing.”
The theater’s name will live on a block away, as Clearview re-names its New York One Two theaters the Beekman One and Two. Yet it’s hard to imagine Allen’s Alvy Singer trying to buy tickets in that recessed interior for himself and Annie.
“It may be nice to have a Beekman One and Two so residents can remember the theater they will ultimately miss,” Melnick muses. “But I think the Beekman will always be the Beekman and will never be replaced.”
It seems clear in the theater description above that there are TWO screens in this theater. The main auditorium and a small screening room taking over part of the lobby. The theater itself is a huge disppointment to visit but the Cinemateque is a fantastic organisation promoting the appreciation and preservation of motion pictures. Take a quick look and go downtown instead to Broadway to see true old movie palaces in original condition.
The information is incorrect for this theatre. This former movie house (now a men’s shelter) was located at 2714 Danforth Avenue. No longer identifiable as a movie theatre.