After all the effort it would be sad to see this site disappear. I agree with RobertR that Landmark would make an excellent choice. They’ve consistently brought in top films to the downtown Sunshine such as “2046”, “Murderball” & “Howling Castle”. The Quad is another example of skilled niche programming. Not all arthouse films can get showcased at the Lincoln Plaza Cinemas. The upper West Side should be able to support an arthouse twin, if the formula for product and advertising is right.
Paul, add to that the frantic scramble for parking in a lot where the spaces are particularly tight. Exiting from the lot after the movie is also a challenge.
Drove by the theatre this past weekend, and a “For Sale by Owner” sign has been posted on the marquee. Someone hurry-up and buy this gem before we lose another one.
A&S & Martins were to merchandizing, what the B'klyn Paramount, the Fox & RKO Albee were to moviegoing, a unique Brooklyn downtown, cosmopolitan experience.
The Brandt Organization was all over the place with numerous theaters throughout NYC. How big were they? How was it that they didn’t develop an identity like Loews or RKO? Are they still in business?
I’ve seen enough autopsy photos of the Beekman. I’d rather see photos of the theatre in its heyday, either of the marquee or of the interior. We love movies and the theatres because of the unique way in which they transport us and expand the way we see the world. A des-truction site can be seen anywhere. Let’s move on.
Old Bos was merely a product of his time. He was instrumental in promoting foreign films in the 60’s and when he retired thought that he would devote his time to concentrating on Indian cinema. He fell out of favor when he lambasted “Bonnie & Clyde”, leading to his being rushed off to pasture. No surprise that he would enjoy the Modernist design of the Beekman, and discount the ornate movie palaces that preceded it. Although I cannot recall what his stance was regarding the demolition of the old Penn Station, it was in keeping with the sense of tear down the “old” and bring in the “new”. No one will lament the MSG complex that replaced Penn Sta. when it finally meets its fate. From his reference to “people of better taste” one gets the distinct sense of elitism. Clearly the old movie palaces were large enough to appear more egalitarian, and served as a symbol of neighborhood identity. Nonetheless, the Beekman will be sorely missed!
Yes, the signage is dreadful, and the choice of movies will not insure much business; definitely not in keeping with the quality programming that was presented by the original theatre across the way. Clearview can do better.
Despite several suggestions on this site that the distinct marquee signage from the Beekman orignal be moved across the street for the renaming of NY Twin 1 & 2, new lettering has appeared on that marquee which is stark and linear, with little relation to the cursive style of the revered predecessor.
Another great ad is the Christmas 1964 NYTimes full page spread that Rugoff ran after the big brouhaha involving Billy Wilder’s Kiss Me Stupid. UA was scheduled to open the farce at Cinema 1 for the holidays but the wags at the time considered it too risque. The distributer got cold feet and pulled the film at the last minute. Rugoff than rushed Nothing But A Man into release, to fill in the gap.
As a clever PR move, Rugoff ran this full page ad with drawings of quaint Victorian holiday figures, each displaying the presentation at each of the circuit’s ten Manhattan theatres.
Kiss Me Stupid finally premiered in Jan. ‘65, and despite all the fuss is now rated PG13.
In response to Ron Newman, Rugoff/Cinema 5, named the Beekman, the Sutton, the Murray Hill and the Gramercy after the NY neighborhoods that they were situated in, and became a source of community pride and identification. This is in sharp contrast to sterile theater names like UA’s 64th & 2nd movie house, among others.
Really sad to see it closed and torn down. Clearview should follow the suggestion from another posting and move the distinctive marquee lettering across the street when it renames the New York twin. Of course it will not be the same, but it will maintain the memory of a unique film experience.
Loews is a brand name, indeed synonymous with New York. It would be silly for AMC to give up the marketing potential that goes along with a reknowned name. When Federated Department Stores acquired Macy’s it didn’t convert that brand into A&S or Sterns dept. stores, but instead converted those stores into Macy’s.
The photos depict the jaw-dropping splendor of the the Fox. Too bad when I was last there as a young teenager for a Murray the K show, I had to endure a Ray Milland b&w sci-fi movie. I would have rather toured the theater.
Has a wide, open lobby that serves the multiplex. During peak times can be noisy, crowded and confusing as patrons are trying to locate their theatres. The parking lot is a nightmare. Spaces are narrow, and hit movies make it necessary to ride around the lot.
To Gustavelifting – You may have misunderstood my comment about transportation. My point is that with the nearby subways and the frequency and reliability of the Flatbush Ave. bus, transportation is not an issue. Particularly with the B41 bus, folks traveling from one end of the borough to another get to experience the entire Flatbush Ave. commercial strip, a major plus for bringing back the Kings.
The B & Q trains stop nearby on Church Ave., several blocks west of Flatbush Ave. In addition, the Flatbush Ave. bus line runs frequently from Cadman Plaza in B'klyn Heights in the north to either Kings Plaza or Veterans Ave. at the southern ends of the borough.
After all the effort it would be sad to see this site disappear. I agree with RobertR that Landmark would make an excellent choice. They’ve consistently brought in top films to the downtown Sunshine such as “2046”, “Murderball” & “Howling Castle”. The Quad is another example of skilled niche programming. Not all arthouse films can get showcased at the Lincoln Plaza Cinemas. The upper West Side should be able to support an arthouse twin, if the formula for product and advertising is right.
Paul, add to that the frantic scramble for parking in a lot where the spaces are particularly tight. Exiting from the lot after the movie is also a challenge.
Yes Ed, the Festival had a flat, non descript marquee as did several others on West 57th St. The changing banners did have eye-appeal.
Drove by the theatre this past weekend, and a “For Sale by Owner” sign has been posted on the marquee. Someone hurry-up and buy this gem before we lose another one.
During which years was this theatre in operation?
Was this another Brandt theatre?
A&S & Martins were to merchandizing, what the B'klyn Paramount, the Fox & RKO Albee were to moviegoing, a unique Brooklyn downtown, cosmopolitan experience.
The Brandt Organization was all over the place with numerous theaters throughout NYC. How big were they? How was it that they didn’t develop an identity like Loews or RKO? Are they still in business?
If I recall, “Going Places” was a Cinema 5 release and premiered at the Cinema II.
I’ve seen enough autopsy photos of the Beekman. I’d rather see photos of the theatre in its heyday, either of the marquee or of the interior. We love movies and the theatres because of the unique way in which they transport us and expand the way we see the world. A des-truction site can be seen anywhere. Let’s move on.
Curious that “David & Lisa” was a Walter Reade release but was not (according to the above ad), exhibited at any of his NYC art-house outlets.
Old Bos was merely a product of his time. He was instrumental in promoting foreign films in the 60’s and when he retired thought that he would devote his time to concentrating on Indian cinema. He fell out of favor when he lambasted “Bonnie & Clyde”, leading to his being rushed off to pasture. No surprise that he would enjoy the Modernist design of the Beekman, and discount the ornate movie palaces that preceded it. Although I cannot recall what his stance was regarding the demolition of the old Penn Station, it was in keeping with the sense of tear down the “old” and bring in the “new”. No one will lament the MSG complex that replaced Penn Sta. when it finally meets its fate. From his reference to “people of better taste” one gets the distinct sense of elitism. Clearly the old movie palaces were large enough to appear more egalitarian, and served as a symbol of neighborhood identity. Nonetheless, the Beekman will be sorely missed!
Yes, the signage is dreadful, and the choice of movies will not insure much business; definitely not in keeping with the quality programming that was presented by the original theatre across the way. Clearview can do better.
Despite several suggestions on this site that the distinct marquee signage from the Beekman orignal be moved across the street for the renaming of NY Twin 1 & 2, new lettering has appeared on that marquee which is stark and linear, with little relation to the cursive style of the revered predecessor.
Another great ad is the Christmas 1964 NYTimes full page spread that Rugoff ran after the big brouhaha involving Billy Wilder’s Kiss Me Stupid. UA was scheduled to open the farce at Cinema 1 for the holidays but the wags at the time considered it too risque. The distributer got cold feet and pulled the film at the last minute. Rugoff than rushed Nothing But A Man into release, to fill in the gap.
As a clever PR move, Rugoff ran this full page ad with drawings of quaint Victorian holiday figures, each displaying the presentation at each of the circuit’s ten Manhattan theatres.
Kiss Me Stupid finally premiered in Jan. ‘65, and despite all the fuss is now rated PG13.
Does anyone have a copy of that ad?
I recall having seen Carnal Knowledge at the Beekman.
In response to Ron Newman, Rugoff/Cinema 5, named the Beekman, the Sutton, the Murray Hill and the Gramercy after the NY neighborhoods that they were situated in, and became a source of community pride and identification. This is in sharp contrast to sterile theater names like UA’s 64th & 2nd movie house, among others.
Really sad to see it closed and torn down. Clearview should follow the suggestion from another posting and move the distinctive marquee lettering across the street when it renames the New York twin. Of course it will not be the same, but it will maintain the memory of a unique film experience.
Loews is a brand name, indeed synonymous with New York. It would be silly for AMC to give up the marketing potential that goes along with a reknowned name. When Federated Department Stores acquired Macy’s it didn’t convert that brand into A&S or Sterns dept. stores, but instead converted those stores into Macy’s.
The photos depict the jaw-dropping splendor of the the Fox. Too bad when I was last there as a young teenager for a Murray the K show, I had to endure a Ray Milland b&w sci-fi movie. I would have rather toured the theater.
Is there any information about the folks who were behind Janus Films? They had a fairly impressive library.
I may be guessing, but I recall seeing it during the roadshow engagement at the Palace.
Has a wide, open lobby that serves the multiplex. During peak times can be noisy, crowded and confusing as patrons are trying to locate their theatres. The parking lot is a nightmare. Spaces are narrow, and hit movies make it necessary to ride around the lot.
To Gustavelifting – You may have misunderstood my comment about transportation. My point is that with the nearby subways and the frequency and reliability of the Flatbush Ave. bus, transportation is not an issue. Particularly with the B41 bus, folks traveling from one end of the borough to another get to experience the entire Flatbush Ave. commercial strip, a major plus for bringing back the Kings.
The B & Q trains stop nearby on Church Ave., several blocks west of Flatbush Ave. In addition, the Flatbush Ave. bus line runs frequently from Cadman Plaza in B'klyn Heights in the north to either Kings Plaza or Veterans Ave. at the southern ends of the borough.