Growing up across the street from the Olympia I was privy to its many reincarnations. I recall in the mid 60’s it became the venue for the Spanish speaking community by showing Latin American films. In the 70’s it became controversial (at the time) for showing films like “The Devil in Miss Jones”. I remember the media blitz that descended on our normally unassuming neighborhood when it first showed. The Olympia had a very small background role in the movie “Harry and Tonto” starring Art Carney. It wasn’t Mr. Carney’s last movie to be shot on locale. If I recall correctly, it was the first movie house to break the $10 admission barrier. Now in its place stands a high rise luxury apartment building. Just like so many other icons of our youth, gone, but never forgotten.
Growing up across the street from the Olympia I was privy to its many reincarnations. I recall in the mid 60’s it became the venue for the Spanish speaking community by showing Latin American films. In the 70’s it became controversial (at the time) for showing films like “The Devil in Miss Jones”. I remember the media blitz that descended on our normally unassuming neighborhood when it first showed. The Olympia had a very small background role in the movie “Harry and Tonto” starring Art Carney. It wasn’t Mr. Carney’s last movie to be shot on locale. If I recall correctly, it was the first movie house to break the $10 admission barrier. Now in its place stands a high rise luxury apartment building. Just like so many other icons of our youth, gone, but never forgotten.