While the concept isn’t inherently unwise, I just don’t think it was a good fit for Greenpointers – at least with the Greenpointers of that time. These were people who did not pay much attention to movie starting times and just went to the theater when they could get out. If the movie was just about to start, fine; but if the show was in mid-run, you would just see the rest of it and catch the beginning of the film on the next showing. Given this approach, the practice of forcing people to leave at the end of every performance would raise problems.
Just caught your recent comment, Willburg145. I was surprised about your remark that the Chopin had actually been twinned and wonder whether you had the correct theater in mind. As far as I remember, the Chopin remained a single screen theater until the end and that the only thing “twin” about it was the odd – and not very wise – policy, described in the introduction, of showing fifferent pictures after another and forcing the patrons to either leave or pay a separate price at the end of each performance. If you – or any other commenter – have any further evidence to the contrary to share, please do so.
The Nrooklyn Yheatre Index references a 1958 closing date and prints a notice “to our patrons”, dated October 31 of that year, that regretfully announces the closure and offers a free pass to the neighboring Linden and Midwood Theatres …… It is interesing that a theater as ornate as the Patio has received so litte xommentary on CT. (It would be great if someone would re-link the old pictures of the place that have been lost) …… Since, unlike the King and the Kenmare, the Patio was not situated in the busy Flatbush/Chauch Avenuw commercial district, it would always have been at a financial disadvantage to them.
The Brooklyn Theatre Index specifies a slightly lower capacity of 564, notes that George Keister was the architect and that no one less than Thomas Lemb performed some alterations here in the early 1920’s. (Not bad for a little “nabe” theater.) ….. Apparently, when the Globe opened in 1914, it replaced another theater called the Empire that operated from 1912 through 1914 and was situated at 11-13 Sumpter. The Empire – despite its august name – must have been strictly a small nickelodeon type operation.
While I agree with Ron and Ed on this point – and believe that this theater has easily passed the eilgibility bar – I also believe that SOME cinematic history needs to be shown before a site can be added to this list. Recently, I added a couple of theaters in Williamsburg, NY, but only after receiving documentary evidence that movies had actually been presented there. In both instances, the cinematic history was scant – but it did exist. If such an inquiry is not made, many – in some cases wonderful – theaters would be added as Cinema Treasures that had nothing cinematic about them. But, as long as this finding is made, we should be more than willing to be as inclusive as possible.
Welcome to the site Tfulmer ….. The Brooklyn Theatre Index confirms the 1929 closing date and provides info about the c of o that converted it to a retail store in 1930. Apparently, Mrs. Fuller still owned the property at that time ….. Finally, while the theater opened under the Montalk Arcade Theatre name in 1914, during 1912 and 1913 it is listed as a movie house under the name of William Fuller. So, did this place first come into life as the William Fuller Theatre?
The Gold Theatre site is now situated within the confines of the Farragut Public Housing Project. This was – and remains – a pretty gritty neighborhood, though one which is situated in close proximity to Brooklyn Heights and the (now) up and coming DUMBO and Vinnneger Hill neighborhoods …. Except for identifying a William Winters as the theater’s architect, providing a 1927 – 1953 operating period and confirming the identity of the Kilgen organ the Brooklyn Theatre Index offers no additional information about the Gold.
Fascinating comments Siane. Who would have known? Actually the exterior – and possibly the interior – shots that depicted these scenes in “Serpico” were taken at another building situated a few blocks to the south – I believe on South 9th St. That building may have been demolished during the interveening years.
Wow, I did not realize that the BUSHWICK TWIN sign was up as long as it has been. Either I have not visited the place for a longer time than I had imagined or I just didn’t notice it. (This is a very hard thing to miss!)
Bway, you are probasbly right that the name contains no great special significance – though it is still fun to speculate about possible hidden meanings.
I was finally able to make a site visit yesterday. Based on what RebertR said on Aug. 17th, I was expecting to see a real mess, with the alteration project going full blast. But not much has changed. As far as I could tell – though I couldn’t see much – the lobby still seems intact. The sign directing patrons to see Vantage Point is still there. Probably the odding thing that I saw was on the old awning, which now advertises something called “Bushwick Twin” I have absolutely no idea what that means …… Walking around the block, I saw no telltale evidence of any ongoing renovation work. So, things still seem to be at a standstill here.
Thanks again site manager for adding the zip code. I was getting a little worried for a second or two, but I knew you would come through …. I think the only areas where you need to obtain more direct contact concern such things as adding or changig a picture at the intro or reconfigurating the google map.
Actually, I have found the Site Administrators to be quite responsive to the requests I had previously made in the comment section – particularly with regard to providing a street address, zip code or the name of the architect. I guess it just depends on how you ask them. So, along these lines, Site Administrator, please add the 11102 zip code.
A very interesting thread about a very historic theater …. I look forward to visiting this place when I have the opportunity … Newtown Avenue was, in its day, one of the most important roads in this vicinity, and the Square Theatre was certainly situated in what, at one time, had been the center of a newly developing commuity …. Thanks TOMBOCHI for re-starting this thread … if it had not been for your comment, I would not have known that this theater ever existed … I hope the Site Administrator will add the 11102 zip code to the title, since it would make this page far more accessible … Just a hint.
Well, Willburg145, you have a much better imagination than I do … By the way, some interesting comments regarding the Lindy were recently posted on the Graham Theatre page. They are worth a look.
I apologize for the fact that my past two comments were not broken into individual paragraphs. However, try as I might, the final product just came out as one big paragraph. Since this did not occur when I posted something from another computer, this might be a problem at my end. In any event, I am sorry if my posts are coming accross as a big jumble.
I was finally able to access the Building Dept’s site for this building and can report the following, which basically reinforces the comments noted above. While a new certificate of occupancy permit was filed in 1926 – the year the movie theater closed – unfortunately, the document is blank. Thus, we cannot identify the theater’s immediate replacement. In 1948, a new Certificate of Occupancy was filed for 150 Greenpoint to develop first floor stores and upper level factories on this site. This was probably the use that the catering hall replaced in 1961, when it was awarded a permit to open up. In 1940, a permit was granted to establish a restaurant at 146 Greenpoint – the building situated between the old theater and the Greenpoint Sports Club. This was ultimately incorporated within the current catering hall. Since no demolition permits are included in the record, it is possible that the former uses were incorporated within the catering hall’s superstructure. However, given the extensive renovations that occurred in 1961 – and that also happened in 1982, when the catering hall underwent a major upgrading – the chances of anything cinematic remaining at the current site are virtually non-existant.
Wow, this was a real surprise to me. While I always knew that Greenpoint’s other catering hall had once been a movie house – the Nassau – I never thought that the Polonaise Terrace site also had a cinematic past.Since the Polonaise was only established around 1960 – or nearly thirty-five years after the demise of the Crystal Palace – the chances of anything of the old theater remaining in the present structure is just about nonexistent. This is further underlined by the fact that the Polonaise, as noted in the Building Dept. web site, occupies the address range of 144-150 Greenpoint Ave. This strongly suggests that the old building was demolished along with its neighbors and then replaced by the catering hall. (I tried to gleam additional information on this point from the web site, but the pertinent pages were not currently available. I’ll try again.)In consulting the Brooklyn Theatre Index, which contains essentially the same scant information noted in the introduction, I noticed that several non-cinematic theaters were situated at 144 Greenpoint and that, after 1897, it hosted the Greenpoint Sporting Club. So, the Polonaise sits on ground that housed more than just the Crystal Palace. It really is incredible just how many movie theaters served Greenpoint during this time. The American – later the Chopin – Theatre was situated just around the corner and five more theaters – the Midway, the Green St. Arcade, the RKO Greenpoint, the Garden and the Meserole – could be found within a few short blocks of this site.
Thanks Ed for pointing this out. I am still learning the new system and havn’t bothered much with the tabs at the top.
If the Vernon were still extant, it would be situated in the up and coming Hunters Point community, which features new high-rise luxury housing along the East River and a thriving high-end commercial strip along Vernon Blvd. During the theater’s hayday, however, Hunters Point was only the name of the geographic point at which the East River meets the northern mouth of Newtown Creek. This gritty. mostly Italian, working class comunity was known simply as Long Island City. It was, in fact, the earliest part of this community to be developed.
During the Vernon’s life as a theater, it was situated near the Queens base of the Vernon Blvd. Bridge, which spanned Newtown Creek and connected Long Island City to Greenpoint’s main thoroughfare, Manhattan Avenue. It must have been a very busy place. And I can imaging more than a few Greenpointers crossing the bridge to catch a flick – possibly on dish night – at the Vernon and Long Island City residents going into Greenpoint to take in a movie at the Midway.
Ed, I entirely agree with your point about retaining, in some way, the original addresses of Queens based theaters like the Idle Hour. Beyond providing some historic integrity, the original addresses will be of value to researchers who wish to review old newspaper articles and theater digests that only refer to the old addresses.
The goggle map shows the north side of 50th Ave., while the old theater was situated on the south side. I tried to re-set it to include the old theater, but it will probably not hold. So, adjust the picture from north to south and you will see the old theater.
While I agree with TT was the Vernon was, in no way, situated in Sunnyside, I have not picked up the reference noting that it was.
It is interesting that nothing has happened here in light of the advertized plans to develop this site. Perhaps the deleveloper could not come up with the money to make the deal – or perhaps we will only now see the second shoe dropping. Who knows?
This site is now occupied by a recently constructed apartment house. This, in turn, replaced whatever building occupied the site after the Gayety’s demolition.Except for its relatively brief use as a cinema during the 1910’s, the Gayety struggled on as a legitimate for most of its life. This probably worked to its fatal disadvantage during the 20’s and 30’s, when vaudevile “died' and there were all too many movie houses in the neighborhood.Finally, I found that I supplied the wrong zip code in the introduction. It should be 11206 – not 11211. (The address is situated very close to the boundary.) Sorry about this, and I hope this error will be corrected.
The Brooklyn Theatre Index also references the Cameraphone – what a great name! – as operating here during only 1908-9. A Brooklyn Eagle article noted that the theater presented “pictures and reproduced songs of Eva Tanquay as its feature”. It must have been great!
Loooking at the current building, you would never think that anything cinematic was ever situated here.
This is yet another reason why this is such a great site.
Astyanax, let’s just say that my tongue was very much in my cheek when I referred to the Lindy as a “palace”. It was actually little more than, as my friend Bway once put it, a regular building with a movie awning attached to it. In fact, if you look at the building that once housed the Lindy, which you can see on its CT page, you would never guess that it was once a theater.
While the concept isn’t inherently unwise, I just don’t think it was a good fit for Greenpointers – at least with the Greenpointers of that time. These were people who did not pay much attention to movie starting times and just went to the theater when they could get out. If the movie was just about to start, fine; but if the show was in mid-run, you would just see the rest of it and catch the beginning of the film on the next showing. Given this approach, the practice of forcing people to leave at the end of every performance would raise problems.
Just caught your recent comment, Willburg145. I was surprised about your remark that the Chopin had actually been twinned and wonder whether you had the correct theater in mind. As far as I remember, the Chopin remained a single screen theater until the end and that the only thing “twin” about it was the odd – and not very wise – policy, described in the introduction, of showing fifferent pictures after another and forcing the patrons to either leave or pay a separate price at the end of each performance. If you – or any other commenter – have any further evidence to the contrary to share, please do so.
The Nrooklyn Yheatre Index references a 1958 closing date and prints a notice “to our patrons”, dated October 31 of that year, that regretfully announces the closure and offers a free pass to the neighboring Linden and Midwood Theatres …… It is interesing that a theater as ornate as the Patio has received so litte xommentary on CT. (It would be great if someone would re-link the old pictures of the place that have been lost) …… Since, unlike the King and the Kenmare, the Patio was not situated in the busy Flatbush/Chauch Avenuw commercial district, it would always have been at a financial disadvantage to them.
The Brooklyn Theatre Index specifies a slightly lower capacity of 564, notes that George Keister was the architect and that no one less than Thomas Lemb performed some alterations here in the early 1920’s. (Not bad for a little “nabe” theater.) ….. Apparently, when the Globe opened in 1914, it replaced another theater called the Empire that operated from 1912 through 1914 and was situated at 11-13 Sumpter. The Empire – despite its august name – must have been strictly a small nickelodeon type operation.
While I agree with Ron and Ed on this point – and believe that this theater has easily passed the eilgibility bar – I also believe that SOME cinematic history needs to be shown before a site can be added to this list. Recently, I added a couple of theaters in Williamsburg, NY, but only after receiving documentary evidence that movies had actually been presented there. In both instances, the cinematic history was scant – but it did exist. If such an inquiry is not made, many – in some cases wonderful – theaters would be added as Cinema Treasures that had nothing cinematic about them. But, as long as this finding is made, we should be more than willing to be as inclusive as possible.
Welcome to the site Tfulmer ….. The Brooklyn Theatre Index confirms the 1929 closing date and provides info about the c of o that converted it to a retail store in 1930. Apparently, Mrs. Fuller still owned the property at that time ….. Finally, while the theater opened under the Montalk Arcade Theatre name in 1914, during 1912 and 1913 it is listed as a movie house under the name of William Fuller. So, did this place first come into life as the William Fuller Theatre?
The Gold Theatre site is now situated within the confines of the Farragut Public Housing Project. This was – and remains – a pretty gritty neighborhood, though one which is situated in close proximity to Brooklyn Heights and the (now) up and coming DUMBO and Vinnneger Hill neighborhoods …. Except for identifying a William Winters as the theater’s architect, providing a 1927 – 1953 operating period and confirming the identity of the Kilgen organ the Brooklyn Theatre Index offers no additional information about the Gold.
Fascinating comments Siane. Who would have known? Actually the exterior – and possibly the interior – shots that depicted these scenes in “Serpico” were taken at another building situated a few blocks to the south – I believe on South 9th St. That building may have been demolished during the interveening years.
Wow, I did not realize that the BUSHWICK TWIN sign was up as long as it has been. Either I have not visited the place for a longer time than I had imagined or I just didn’t notice it. (This is a very hard thing to miss!)
Bway, you are probasbly right that the name contains no great special significance – though it is still fun to speculate about possible hidden meanings.
I was finally able to make a site visit yesterday. Based on what RebertR said on Aug. 17th, I was expecting to see a real mess, with the alteration project going full blast. But not much has changed. As far as I could tell – though I couldn’t see much – the lobby still seems intact. The sign directing patrons to see Vantage Point is still there. Probably the odding thing that I saw was on the old awning, which now advertises something called “Bushwick Twin” I have absolutely no idea what that means …… Walking around the block, I saw no telltale evidence of any ongoing renovation work. So, things still seem to be at a standstill here.
Thanks again site manager for adding the zip code. I was getting a little worried for a second or two, but I knew you would come through …. I think the only areas where you need to obtain more direct contact concern such things as adding or changig a picture at the intro or reconfigurating the google map.
Actually, I have found the Site Administrators to be quite responsive to the requests I had previously made in the comment section – particularly with regard to providing a street address, zip code or the name of the architect. I guess it just depends on how you ask them. So, along these lines, Site Administrator, please add the 11102 zip code.
A very interesting thread about a very historic theater …. I look forward to visiting this place when I have the opportunity … Newtown Avenue was, in its day, one of the most important roads in this vicinity, and the Square Theatre was certainly situated in what, at one time, had been the center of a newly developing commuity …. Thanks TOMBOCHI for re-starting this thread … if it had not been for your comment, I would not have known that this theater ever existed … I hope the Site Administrator will add the 11102 zip code to the title, since it would make this page far more accessible … Just a hint.
Well, Willburg145, you have a much better imagination than I do … By the way, some interesting comments regarding the Lindy were recently posted on the Graham Theatre page. They are worth a look.
I apologize for the fact that my past two comments were not broken into individual paragraphs. However, try as I might, the final product just came out as one big paragraph. Since this did not occur when I posted something from another computer, this might be a problem at my end. In any event, I am sorry if my posts are coming accross as a big jumble.
I was finally able to access the Building Dept’s site for this building and can report the following, which basically reinforces the comments noted above. While a new certificate of occupancy permit was filed in 1926 – the year the movie theater closed – unfortunately, the document is blank. Thus, we cannot identify the theater’s immediate replacement. In 1948, a new Certificate of Occupancy was filed for 150 Greenpoint to develop first floor stores and upper level factories on this site. This was probably the use that the catering hall replaced in 1961, when it was awarded a permit to open up. In 1940, a permit was granted to establish a restaurant at 146 Greenpoint – the building situated between the old theater and the Greenpoint Sports Club. This was ultimately incorporated within the current catering hall. Since no demolition permits are included in the record, it is possible that the former uses were incorporated within the catering hall’s superstructure. However, given the extensive renovations that occurred in 1961 – and that also happened in 1982, when the catering hall underwent a major upgrading – the chances of anything cinematic remaining at the current site are virtually non-existant.
Wow, this was a real surprise to me. While I always knew that Greenpoint’s other catering hall had once been a movie house – the Nassau – I never thought that the Polonaise Terrace site also had a cinematic past.Since the Polonaise was only established around 1960 – or nearly thirty-five years after the demise of the Crystal Palace – the chances of anything of the old theater remaining in the present structure is just about nonexistent. This is further underlined by the fact that the Polonaise, as noted in the Building Dept. web site, occupies the address range of 144-150 Greenpoint Ave. This strongly suggests that the old building was demolished along with its neighbors and then replaced by the catering hall. (I tried to gleam additional information on this point from the web site, but the pertinent pages were not currently available. I’ll try again.)In consulting the Brooklyn Theatre Index, which contains essentially the same scant information noted in the introduction, I noticed that several non-cinematic theaters were situated at 144 Greenpoint and that, after 1897, it hosted the Greenpoint Sporting Club. So, the Polonaise sits on ground that housed more than just the Crystal Palace. It really is incredible just how many movie theaters served Greenpoint during this time. The American – later the Chopin – Theatre was situated just around the corner and five more theaters – the Midway, the Green St. Arcade, the RKO Greenpoint, the Garden and the Meserole – could be found within a few short blocks of this site.
Thanks Ed for pointing this out. I am still learning the new system and havn’t bothered much with the tabs at the top.
If the Vernon were still extant, it would be situated in the up and coming Hunters Point community, which features new high-rise luxury housing along the East River and a thriving high-end commercial strip along Vernon Blvd. During the theater’s hayday, however, Hunters Point was only the name of the geographic point at which the East River meets the northern mouth of Newtown Creek. This gritty. mostly Italian, working class comunity was known simply as Long Island City. It was, in fact, the earliest part of this community to be developed.
During the Vernon’s life as a theater, it was situated near the Queens base of the Vernon Blvd. Bridge, which spanned Newtown Creek and connected Long Island City to Greenpoint’s main thoroughfare, Manhattan Avenue. It must have been a very busy place. And I can imaging more than a few Greenpointers crossing the bridge to catch a flick – possibly on dish night – at the Vernon and Long Island City residents going into Greenpoint to take in a movie at the Midway.
Ed, I entirely agree with your point about retaining, in some way, the original addresses of Queens based theaters like the Idle Hour. Beyond providing some historic integrity, the original addresses will be of value to researchers who wish to review old newspaper articles and theater digests that only refer to the old addresses.
The goggle map shows the north side of 50th Ave., while the old theater was situated on the south side. I tried to re-set it to include the old theater, but it will probably not hold. So, adjust the picture from north to south and you will see the old theater.
While I agree with TT was the Vernon was, in no way, situated in Sunnyside, I have not picked up the reference noting that it was.
It is interesting that nothing has happened here in light of the advertized plans to develop this site. Perhaps the deleveloper could not come up with the money to make the deal – or perhaps we will only now see the second shoe dropping. Who knows?
Great comments, but you might wish to place them under the Lindy’s page, which can use the added info.
This site is now occupied by a recently constructed apartment house. This, in turn, replaced whatever building occupied the site after the Gayety’s demolition.Except for its relatively brief use as a cinema during the 1910’s, the Gayety struggled on as a legitimate for most of its life. This probably worked to its fatal disadvantage during the 20’s and 30’s, when vaudevile “died' and there were all too many movie houses in the neighborhood.Finally, I found that I supplied the wrong zip code in the introduction. It should be 11206 – not 11211. (The address is situated very close to the boundary.) Sorry about this, and I hope this error will be corrected.
Great pick up Ken.
The Brooklyn Theatre Index also references the Cameraphone – what a great name! – as operating here during only 1908-9. A Brooklyn Eagle article noted that the theater presented “pictures and reproduced songs of Eva Tanquay as its feature”. It must have been great!
Loooking at the current building, you would never think that anything cinematic was ever situated here.
This is yet another reason why this is such a great site.
Astyanax, let’s just say that my tongue was very much in my cheek when I referred to the Lindy as a “palace”. It was actually little more than, as my friend Bway once put it, a regular building with a movie awning attached to it. In fact, if you look at the building that once housed the Lindy, which you can see on its CT page, you would never guess that it was once a theater.