Was in the Times Square area today. It was crowded with lots of hustle & bustle but it did not feel like Christmas without the old movie palace marquees announcing the latest exclusive run holiday movies. An ingredient of the NY holiday spirit was definitely missing and far from likely to return.
Saw Sweeney Todd today. The Zieg was at its best. Clean, comfortable with extremely polite staff. The movie was okay, but the sound system was awesome. Only disappointment was that the curtains were not used, which would have served as a formal break from the endless commercials and previews.
Photo #8 showing the lit marquee shows the Rainbow in all of its art deco glory. It definitely stood out among the other Williamsburg movie palaces. As a regular kiddie-matinee goer I can’t say that I truly got to appreciate it.
Just a few fragments remain of a once proud chain reduced to this site, Cinema 1,2&3, Village East & the Angelica. Worst yet, a chain with no particular identity or sense of showmanship, eager to cash-in on the next real estate deal.
The closing of the Hollywood is truly a pity. Although the marquee was plain and small, it lit up that corner on Central Ave. and served to welcome shoppers and moviegoers alike to a still elegant block, reminiscent of its past glory. Community leaders should work with the owners to find a way to continue the Hollywood as a movie venue. Trekking to the sterile AMC Essex Green is a poor alternative.
Thanks Warren for the 9/22 photo of the interior. Was there several times in the early 60’s but did not get to appreciate the sumptuous details of the architecture. As noted several times before, the Randforce group was notorious for penny-pinching, but I’m sure that the upkeep of a 40 year old structure was probably prohibitive. They didn’t even have the foresight to book the theatre as a premier showcase outlet, a distinction that went to the rinky-dink Grand Theater several blocks north. Such a stategy could have kept the Republic open for several more years.
Considering the uniqueness of this theater and the obvious care that went into it’s construction and maintenance, did the Barr family build other theaters in the area?
With Peter O'Toole nominated for an Oscar for Venus, a retrospective program focusing on his work could be mounted with films including: Lawrence of Arabia, Lord Jim, Becket, the Ruling Class, Lion in Winter and My Favorite Year
Would hate to see the Rainbow go the way of the Commodore. As a theatre it never met its potential as Randforce consistently failed to spend any money on advertising and seemed content to allow its string of B'klyn movie houses to wither away. When the Repbulic closed, Rainbow could have filled-in as a premier showcase outlet, but Randforce never positioned it to take advantage of that system.
Soon after the close of the Republic, the premier showcase booking system was introduced, which had fatal implications for the downtown B'klyn & Times Sq. movie palaces. Although the Republic would have been a likely showcase venue, in its absence that role was played by the Grand Theater, a small subrun house, north of Graham Ave. Odd that Randforce did not position either the Commodore or the Rainbow to fill in.
Seeing 2001 in Cinerama was spectacular; other viewings cannot measure up to that experience. Does any theater still exist capable of Cinerama presentations?
Although not a movie palace, a thoroughly enjoyable moviegoing experience. Unlike the mob scene at Clifton Commons, there is ample parking and no signs of crowds. Makes you wonder how they meet their “nut”. Staff are pleasant and the place is immaculate. Programming blends some blockbusteres with more serious fare.
The theater had probably been closed by the time that the surrounding buildings were torn down in the mid-60’s in the name of urban renewal for the construction of the Lindsay Park housing eyesore that continues to cast a blight on the neighborhood.
I recall around 1963 attending a function at a catering hall, situated either in the theater basement, or a few doors north of the entrance. The Apollo was still open at the time.
In the 1930 Daily Eagle listing for Fox theatres, posted by Warren on the Alba site, the Leader appears as a Fox house. Did Wm. Fox buy out Birkshire Theatre Corp.?
Warren recently posted on the Alba webpage a listing of Fox Brooklyn houses from Sept. 14, 1930. The Folly was not listed. Since it was listed in the 1931 FYDB, had it already been spun-off from Fox?
Of the two, the lower level Baronet seemed more enjoyable, although the Coronet(a few seats larger) showcased the prestige premiere features. Saw “Dr. Strangelove” at the B. right after a full renovation; it was plush and comfortable. The C. was always jammed and felt like a sardine can, but with raked seating.
Back in the late 50’s there was a large billboard on the Broadway side of the Marcy, which from recent photos seems to be where the family health center now has frontage. The billboard held ads for “big-name” studio releases. I particularly remember the ad for Mel Ferrer’s “Green Mansions”. Since by that time, the Marcy was showing Spanish movies, the ads may have had no direct connection to the theater. The billboard for “Green Mansions” was particularly eye-catching as you were riding on a bus on Broadway.
I was also taken aback by the appearance of the Palace when I was by for a matinee last week. Curious that the folks at the Roundabout have declined to reopen “Pajama Game” citing that a 1200+ seat theater was not available. After having read the reviews of “Lestat” they should have realized that the Palace would soon be able to accomodate the show.
Was in the Times Square area today. It was crowded with lots of hustle & bustle but it did not feel like Christmas without the old movie palace marquees announcing the latest exclusive run holiday movies. An ingredient of the NY holiday spirit was definitely missing and far from likely to return.
Saw Sweeney Todd today. The Zieg was at its best. Clean, comfortable with extremely polite staff. The movie was okay, but the sound system was awesome. Only disappointment was that the curtains were not used, which would have served as a formal break from the endless commercials and previews.
Photo #8 showing the lit marquee shows the Rainbow in all of its art deco glory. It definitely stood out among the other Williamsburg movie palaces. As a regular kiddie-matinee goer I can’t say that I truly got to appreciate it.
Any updates? Always hated the Bkmn 1&2 sign but don’t want to see the venue permanently shuttered.
Just a few fragments remain of a once proud chain reduced to this site, Cinema 1,2&3, Village East & the Angelica. Worst yet, a chain with no particular identity or sense of showmanship, eager to cash-in on the next real estate deal.
The closing of the Hollywood is truly a pity. Although the marquee was plain and small, it lit up that corner on Central Ave. and served to welcome shoppers and moviegoers alike to a still elegant block, reminiscent of its past glory. Community leaders should work with the owners to find a way to continue the Hollywood as a movie venue. Trekking to the sterile AMC Essex Green is a poor alternative.
Thanks Warren for the 9/22 photo of the interior. Was there several times in the early 60’s but did not get to appreciate the sumptuous details of the architecture. As noted several times before, the Randforce group was notorious for penny-pinching, but I’m sure that the upkeep of a 40 year old structure was probably prohibitive. They didn’t even have the foresight to book the theatre as a premier showcase outlet, a distinction that went to the rinky-dink Grand Theater several blocks north. Such a stategy could have kept the Republic open for several more years.
Into the 60’s the Palestine was renamed the Winston.
Considering the uniqueness of this theater and the obvious care that went into it’s construction and maintenance, did the Barr family build other theaters in the area?
With Peter O'Toole nominated for an Oscar for Venus, a retrospective program focusing on his work could be mounted with films including: Lawrence of Arabia, Lord Jim, Becket, the Ruling Class, Lion in Winter and My Favorite Year
Would hate to see the Rainbow go the way of the Commodore. As a theatre it never met its potential as Randforce consistently failed to spend any money on advertising and seemed content to allow its string of B'klyn movie houses to wither away. When the Repbulic closed, Rainbow could have filled-in as a premier showcase outlet, but Randforce never positioned it to take advantage of that system.
Soon after the close of the Republic, the premier showcase booking system was introduced, which had fatal implications for the downtown B'klyn & Times Sq. movie palaces. Although the Republic would have been a likely showcase venue, in its absence that role was played by the Grand Theater, a small subrun house, north of Graham Ave. Odd that Randforce did not position either the Commodore or the Rainbow to fill in.
Seeing 2001 in Cinerama was spectacular; other viewings cannot measure up to that experience. Does any theater still exist capable of Cinerama presentations?
Although not a movie palace, a thoroughly enjoyable moviegoing experience. Unlike the mob scene at Clifton Commons, there is ample parking and no signs of crowds. Makes you wonder how they meet their “nut”. Staff are pleasant and the place is immaculate. Programming blends some blockbusteres with more serious fare.
The theater had probably been closed by the time that the surrounding buildings were torn down in the mid-60’s in the name of urban renewal for the construction of the Lindsay Park housing eyesore that continues to cast a blight on the neighborhood.
A fairly short “life-span” after only 14 years in operation.
Currently the site of a high rise, all-glass boutique hotel, the THOR (the hotel on Rivington).
I recall around 1963 attending a function at a catering hall, situated either in the theater basement, or a few doors north of the entrance. The Apollo was still open at the time.
Any news? The For Sale sign is no longer on the marquee.
In the 1930 Daily Eagle listing for Fox theatres, posted by Warren on the Alba site, the Leader appears as a Fox house. Did Wm. Fox buy out Birkshire Theatre Corp.?
Warren recently posted on the Alba webpage a listing of Fox Brooklyn houses from Sept. 14, 1930. The Folly was not listed. Since it was listed in the 1931 FYDB, had it already been spun-off from Fox?
Despite being merely six years old, the theatres look shabby and poorly maintained.
Of the two, the lower level Baronet seemed more enjoyable, although the Coronet(a few seats larger) showcased the prestige premiere features. Saw “Dr. Strangelove” at the B. right after a full renovation; it was plush and comfortable. The C. was always jammed and felt like a sardine can, but with raked seating.
Back in the late 50’s there was a large billboard on the Broadway side of the Marcy, which from recent photos seems to be where the family health center now has frontage. The billboard held ads for “big-name” studio releases. I particularly remember the ad for Mel Ferrer’s “Green Mansions”. Since by that time, the Marcy was showing Spanish movies, the ads may have had no direct connection to the theater. The billboard for “Green Mansions” was particularly eye-catching as you were riding on a bus on Broadway.
I was also taken aback by the appearance of the Palace when I was by for a matinee last week. Curious that the folks at the Roundabout have declined to reopen “Pajama Game” citing that a 1200+ seat theater was not available. After having read the reviews of “Lestat” they should have realized that the Palace would soon be able to accomodate the show.