Cavalcade is a great but mostly forgotten Best Picture winner, and there’s no shame in it moving over to RCMH! It still runs on the Fox Movie Channel (talk about moving over) so try to catch it if you can.
Wow! 36 pages, and I’m exhausted. But I had to smile when page 6 listed among its premieres of outstanding productions that nearly-forgotton Jackie Susann potboiler “The Love Machine.” Ah, Hollywood in the 1970’s.
There is a tremendous V-shaped vacant lot where this theater once stood. When I drive by I try to imagine how big is was and how it must have looked. Ah, well.
No. The Huntington was located in the downtown village area, near Main Street (Rte 25A). This theatre was located between the LIRR station and downtown, in the Big H Shopping center, an outdoor strip mall that had a Sears, also long closed.
When it was a porno house in the early 1970’s, I believe the 42nd Street entrance led to a second screen located in the basement. But you could also access the main theatre, entering at the rear behind the screen. I think.
The Visitor’s Center is located in the beautifully restored auditorium, not the lobby (which is also beautifully restored), and is surely worth a visit from every movie theater lover. So go already!
I agree that Cineplex Odeon did a great job back in the 1980’s. The screens are big, the sound is loud and clear, the projection light is (usually) nice and bright. This is one of my local houses and I think it’s the best in the area…nicer than Loews RVC Twin, Oceanside, UA Lynbrook, Malverne or Long Beach.
It doesn’t seem like a divided single screen like Lynbrook, and I can’t even tell the layout of the original theatre. Anyone know?
Things are on the move in Darien. Here are excerpts from a New York Times story of 8/18/04, followed by a link to the entire article.
A full-service Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa and an Ann Taylor Loft have leased space in the Darien Playhouse movie theater, a prime spot in the small downtown here.
Arthur Collins Sr., a developer of upscale office and housing complexes along the Eastern Seaboard, and Thomas E. Golden, president of the Thomas E. Golden Realty Company in Darien, are redeveloping the 21,500-square-foot theater building, built in 1926. Closed for seven years in the 1980’s, it was purchased by United Artists and reopened as a two-screen theater, but closed again before the two men took it over. Mr. Collins said, “We had to find a way to save it for the town, but movie rents are barely a break-even, so we had to get other income.”
While Mr. Collins and Mr. Golden have completely gutted the interior, they saved the red-brick colonial facade in compliance with the town’s wish. “We are a charming New England town, and we don’t want to lose that character,” Ms. Klein said.
By halving the two theaters' capacity, to 160 seats each, and adding 1,500 square feet to each side of the building, the developers made room for three new tenants. The third is a high-end linen shop, Sweet Dreams, which took 1,500 square feet on the ground floor facing the street.
The white-pillared theater entrance and lobby will be taken over by Ann Taylor, with a store that covers 6,500 square feet; moviegoers will now enter the theater at the back of the building. The marquee will remain, bearing the name Playhouse Square. The two stores and the theater are expected to open around Thanksgiving, Mr. Collins said.
Peter Vivien, a restorer, owner and operator of vintage theaters in New Jersey, will operate the theater on a 30-year lease. His plans for the interior include a swagged Austrian show curtain and pastel upholstery.
Cavalcade is a great but mostly forgotten Best Picture winner, and there’s no shame in it moving over to RCMH! It still runs on the Fox Movie Channel (talk about moving over) so try to catch it if you can.
What’s the latest on the classic film series? I’d love to see a great old movie in a great old theater.
Saw a big rat stuck to a glue trap here once. It cried throughout the show; not a pretty sound.
I’ve been here during its time as an all nighter. What a place!
You’re allowed to sit in on church services. All welcome.
Wow! 36 pages, and I’m exhausted. But I had to smile when page 6 listed among its premieres of outstanding productions that nearly-forgotton Jackie Susann potboiler “The Love Machine.” Ah, Hollywood in the 1970’s.
There is a tremendous V-shaped vacant lot where this theater once stood. When I drive by I try to imagine how big is was and how it must have looked. Ah, well.
No. The Huntington was located in the downtown village area, near Main Street (Rte 25A). This theatre was located between the LIRR station and downtown, in the Big H Shopping center, an outdoor strip mall that had a Sears, also long closed.
Wow.
When it was a porno house in the early 1970’s, I believe the 42nd Street entrance led to a second screen located in the basement. But you could also access the main theatre, entering at the rear behind the screen. I think.
Doreen, the ball is in your court! Let’s do it!
Vito, the ball is in your court! Let’s do it!
Wow! Excellent collection of ticket stubs. Neat graphic.
The Visitor’s Center is located in the beautifully restored auditorium, not the lobby (which is also beautifully restored), and is surely worth a visit from every movie theater lover. So go already!
I ran away from home once in the 1970s (for a few days!; I saw “The Way We Were” here, and I haven’t been the same since.
I agree that Cineplex Odeon did a great job back in the 1980’s. The screens are big, the sound is loud and clear, the projection light is (usually) nice and bright. This is one of my local houses and I think it’s the best in the area…nicer than Loews RVC Twin, Oceanside, UA Lynbrook, Malverne or Long Beach.
It doesn’t seem like a divided single screen like Lynbrook, and I can’t even tell the layout of the original theatre. Anyone know?
I’ve been to this theatre and it is truly lovely.
Here is the link directly to the Ellen. Nice marquee!
View link
Yes! Please try to link that photo.
Things are on the move in Darien. Here are excerpts from a New York Times story of 8/18/04, followed by a link to the entire article.
A full-service Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa and an Ann Taylor Loft have leased space in the Darien Playhouse movie theater, a prime spot in the small downtown here.
Arthur Collins Sr., a developer of upscale office and housing complexes along the Eastern Seaboard, and Thomas E. Golden, president of the Thomas E. Golden Realty Company in Darien, are redeveloping the 21,500-square-foot theater building, built in 1926. Closed for seven years in the 1980’s, it was purchased by United Artists and reopened as a two-screen theater, but closed again before the two men took it over. Mr. Collins said, “We had to find a way to save it for the town, but movie rents are barely a break-even, so we had to get other income.”
While Mr. Collins and Mr. Golden have completely gutted the interior, they saved the red-brick colonial facade in compliance with the town’s wish. “We are a charming New England town, and we don’t want to lose that character,” Ms. Klein said.
By halving the two theaters' capacity, to 160 seats each, and adding 1,500 square feet to each side of the building, the developers made room for three new tenants. The third is a high-end linen shop, Sweet Dreams, which took 1,500 square feet on the ground floor facing the street.
The white-pillared theater entrance and lobby will be taken over by Ann Taylor, with a store that covers 6,500 square feet; moviegoers will now enter the theater at the back of the building. The marquee will remain, bearing the name Playhouse Square. The two stores and the theater are expected to open around Thanksgiving, Mr. Collins said.
Peter Vivien, a restorer, owner and operator of vintage theaters in New Jersey, will operate the theater on a 30-year lease. His plans for the interior include a swagged Austrian show curtain and pastel upholstery.
View link
Didn’t they play adult films for a while? I was always intrigued by this theater under the el.
And the Alpine, which I’ve been to many times, is the only one still flying the Loew’s banner.
Wow! Any links to photos?
I love those giant vertical signs. On 42nd Street both Loews and AMC have instlled them and they are pretty impressive.
Bryan K, that is an amazing site you linked us to. Thanks!