Comments from Astyanax

Showing 1 - 25 of 274 comments

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Sun Theatre on Feb 8, 2024 at 2:49 am

During the 1950’s midweek programing consisted of Spanish language films primarily mariachi westerns and lurid melodramas. Weekends reverted to late run English language features.

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about GOLD THEATRE CIRCA 1913 on Feb 8, 2024 at 2:42 am

The entrance with the marquee above is on Broadway, and this is a view from Varet St. The main auditorium was situated towards Moore St. This was an odd shaped block as the frontage on B'way was shortened as it intersected with the the start of Leonard St.

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Ruby Theatre on May 17, 2023 at 3:06 am

It’s curious that this house had such a short lifespan of just about 15 years, in a neighborhood that was fanatic about finding escape from the grueling Great Depression. The Apollo & the Charles remained opened well into the 1960"s.

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Gramercy Theater on Jul 25, 2022 at 9:48 pm

Similar to a recent post on the Plaza, the Gramercy also served coffee in their tiny downstairs lounge. Rugoff attempted to elevate the moviegoing experience.

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Commodore Cinemas 329 Rodney Street Brooklyn, NY 11211 on Jul 15, 2022 at 4:23 am

A very stately theatre with the original wraparound marquee. Riding on the elevated BMT #15 across Broadway from Williamsburg to ENY, afforded you a terrific view of all the major movie houses along that stretch. The RKO Bushwick was quite impressive especially since it was sited at an angle to Broadway, giving you better sightlines of the full structure.

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Gramercy Theater on Jul 15, 2022 at 4:01 am

I always favored the graceful lines of what was likely the original marquee. It’s replacement at a time that Rugoff was “upgrading” the marquees of several of his sites including the Avenue U in B'klyn, were stark & boxy.

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Monroe Theatre on Mar 22, 2022 at 3:25 pm

Terrific promotion of turkeys & chickens as a giveaway. Must have been fresh poultry as frozen foods were not common then, and freezer space was miniscule.

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Annex Theatre on Mar 22, 2022 at 3:21 pm

Did this venue cater to the Czech population of the neighborhood in the early part of the 20th century?

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about 72nd Street Playhouse on Mar 22, 2022 at 3:18 pm

Does anyone know how long the Cinema 5 organization managed the 72St.P?

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Avenue U Theatre on Sep 2, 2021 at 12:40 am

Thought that they gave away chickens like they gave away dishes back then.

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Rivoli Theatre on Jul 6, 2021 at 5:53 am

When the studio system was still robust.

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Murray Hill Cinema on Jul 4, 2021 at 1:40 am

Frequented the MH during the 60s when it was operated by Rugoff/Cinema 5. It often day dated with the Trans-Lux East and a B'way house usually the Astor, for mainstream United Artist product. Did see Bombolle there, a 3-part Italian film of 3 vignettes by noted directors, common at the time.

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Embassy 1,2,3 Theatre on Jul 3, 2021 at 2:48 am

How did the 72nd St. Playhouse, an outlier venue between the Bloomingdale’s belt and the East 86th St. strip get to day & date the DeMille? No one expected Shaft to be a smash but did this AIT house see a surge in business during this run?

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Republic Theatre on Aug 19, 2020 at 5:12 am

Bland and undistinguished. No comparison to the opulent features of its predecessor.

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Little Carnegie Theatre on Jun 18, 2020 at 5:28 am

Any info on when the Walter Reade Organization began operating this theatre?

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Paris Theatre on Nov 8, 2019 at 3:16 pm

Pleasantly surprised to see the venerated Paris logo in today’s NYT print ad. Does this bode well for the venue’s future.

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Paris Theatre on Nov 6, 2019 at 3:48 pm

Print ads are confusing as NYT had the IFC Theatre as the only outlet screening this flick. Glad that the Paris has gotten a temporary reprieve, and that the Belasco has been impressed to showcase the Irishman. Sad state of film distribution that important films from Netflix have had to scrounge for prestige venues. Savvy marketers and distributors should take note as other worthy films are rolled out. These fiulms deserve to be treated as special events. Is there a future for the Paris in this role?

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about 68th Street Playhouse on Oct 31, 2019 at 12:55 pm

Is Ackerman the last of the breed of distributor/theatre owner who shaped the art house phenomena of the past half-century? Where are the heirs to Donald Rugoff, Walter Reade & Dan Talbot. These sadly missed titans presented product that not only forecasted important social trends but stimulated intellectual dialogue.

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about 86th Street Grande Theatre on Oct 10, 2019 at 3:58 am

There are barely any theatre marquees to speak of. Whatever signage exists is bland and nondescript. There are recognizable logos such as AMC, but would any of these identifiers lure me into that particular movie house? Theatrefan made a valuable suggestion of the applications of LED as a replacement for neon. That could be quite exciting.

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Echo Theatre on Sep 2, 2019 at 5:05 am

Had missed this posting when it first appeared but I too am impressed by Gigantor’s pic of the Echo. The surrounding shops give a clear sense of the simple life of that community. Confirming an earlier comment by John D, there was a strong Sicilian enclave that began to ebb in the 1950’s as the Hispanics began to emerge. Curiously, there were also wood-frame dilapidated tenements that were exclusively for the Negro population in the neighborhood. The various ethnic groups appeared to have coexisted well.

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Marcy Theatre on Sep 2, 2019 at 4:43 am

Back in the 1950’s it may have shown Spanish double features.

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Loew's Capitol Theatre on Aug 15, 2019 at 2:55 am

I knew that she was popular but never realized that Garbo’s films would fill this huge theatre.

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Avenue U Theatre on Jan 4, 2019 at 6:01 pm

Would that be the theatre manager on the left or
Don Rugoff’s father?

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Mayfair - "Air Mail" on Nov 17, 2018 at 12:38 pm

Quite an awesome display of outdoor showmanship, possibly surpassing the product on screen.

Astyanax
Astyanax commented about Ridgewood Theatre on Jul 24, 2018 at 2:14 am

What a bizzare double feature, Can see the teens on a Saturday bight walking out/making out when WOTT comes on the screen.