Here you’ve got a newspaper about as biased and far to the left as one can go – writing about the (arguably) most conservative neighborhood in NYC. If you didn’t see the tone of the article coming, then I’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn I’d like to sell you.
And before you come gunning for me, note that I am troubled ONLY by the prospect of another hotel.
That’s quite an article from the Times. Immediately north of the Frozen Cup (249th Street) is where my wife lived (89-11). I had lived in the second house (89-09); so the Frozen Cup was visited often on hot, summer evenings.
A correction to the Times article: Until the Fall of 1949, the lot (stretching to 250th Street) was occupied by a huge, freestanding, V-shaped double sign, erected and maintained by General Outdoor Advertising Company. I had built a playhouse in its upper beams. A hurricane flattened the whole thing.
In the spring of 1950, Frozen Cup opened on the west end, and a used car lot opened on the east. Thus, Frozen Cup is just under 60 years old, not 70.
I pray that these hotel plans don’t destroy the neighborhood, but I’m not very optimistic…
You were not merely “mentioning” it; you were – in your own way – flaunting it. As to what is seemly and unseemly, I suggest you re-read the policies addressing relevancy of postings.
All other Members,
My opinion is strictly my own. Please weigh in with yours.
Please take discussion of your sexual orientation elsewhere. I think I can speak for most of us in saying that we don’t care if you’ve come out of the closet.
Such discussion is unseemly, and clearly inappropriate for this website.
If the residents of the (incorporated) Village of Bellerose, or the (unincorporated) hamlet of Bellerose Terrace were polled, few (if any) would admit to being part of Floral Park.
Furthermore, I’d be willing to bet that a substantial majority indicate “Bellerose” as their mailing address, notwithstanding the fact that they must use the required “11001” ZIP code (see my earlier comment on this subject).
Warren,
Re, “The Bellerose Theatre was one of the landmarks of Bellerose, Queens.”
Sorry, but you are dead wrong! The theatre is – and has always been – located in Bellerose Terrace, an unincorporated hamlet of the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County!
You appear to speak of two other theatres in Floral Park. Besides the Floral – where I worked for 2 years – what is the other one?
Sorry, I was composing my earlier note when you released yours this morning. Had I seen it before my own release, I would have elaborated a bit more.
Longislandmovies is right. If you ignore the (unshared) ZIP codes and post office names, there is Bellerose in Queens, the Incorporated Village of Bellerose, and the (unincorporated) hamlet of Bellerose Terrace in Nassau.
BTW, did you know that much of Greater Bellerose (yes, all three) was developed by the same female builder – Helen Marsh – starting around 1900; with the wealthier (now incorporated) Village going up first? The Queens side started around 1910, and Bellerose Terrace a bit later.
Also, Bellerose (i.e., Beautiful Rose) was named by the builder to call attention to its proximity to Floral Park; which was developed by the wealthy florist, John Lewis Childs.
BTW, I just saw your latest note. Isn’t it wonderful how our politicians and their bureaucrats can cause us all to trip up over our own underwear?
Patrick,
I respectfully disagree:
(1) For several decades, the Jamaica (regional) post office has been trying to get everyone to use “Jamaica, NY” (with local 114XX ZIP codes, of course) with little success. In fact, the USPS has ruled that a proper street address (or PO Box), plus a proper ZIP code, is enough to get the mail delivered.
(2) A “community” address – particularly if designated by the post office – is of little comfort to the non-local. The primary purpose of a street address is to assist fire and emergency service personnel; and to reasonably expect proper mail delivery (LOL)…
According to the USPS (ZIP+4 web-page), the address is now a “Floral Park 11001” address.
And yes, the physical location of the theatre is part of Bellerose Terrace, an unincorporated hamlet of the Town of Hempstead.
A few years ago, I was informed that all of Bellerose Terrace AND the Village of Bellerose had been moved from 11426 (Bellerose) to 11001 (Floral Park), as part of a major reconfiguration of the Bellerose and (northern) Queens Village post office jurisdictions.
I just finished reading a recent history of Queens neighborhoods, which labels everything north of Braddock Ave and west to Springfield Blvd as “Bellerose Manor” – certainly not the way it was when I grew up!
So the next time you are asked to give a brief discourse on the “History of Bellerose,” begin by asking if he/she has an hour to listen (LOL).
Oh my goodness! Speaking of voices out of the past! I certainly DO remember you – and your limp – and your wife (Patricia, yes?) – and your home on Jamaica Avenue in Bellerose!
You and I have 50 years to catch up on. Please write to me, ASAP, at
Back in the pre-TV heydays, a REAL “top hit’s” first run was always as a single on Broadway (or Hollywood Boulevard); often including some vaudeville acts. So-called “first run” showings in suburban theaters followed several weeks later. At this point, a second film was normally added to replace the vaudeville; especially since the “feature” averaged only 90-100 minutes in length to begin with.
However, to call the second film a “hit” was pure hokum. It was extremely rare when a “co-feature” film outshone the feature. The Ernest Borgnine classic, “Marty,” was an especially outstanding example. The Queens, Floral, and Meadows theaters were packed for two solid weeks!
Michael – If your mom was there during that timeframe, I’m sure I knew her. Unfortunately, her name doesn’t ring a bell. But then we’re talking 50 years ago…
For a discussion of the popcorn and mice, check out the posts of 12/22/04 (above).
Re “alternate living,” you’re losing me. What do you mean?
Warren – Those are fantastic finds from the LIP archives.
Ed – Your 1993 photo of the marquee is as it existed in the mid-‘50s. But in the mid-'50s, the vertical still existed.
In the ‘20s, all marquee and vertical lighting was incandescent. But by the mid-'50s only clockwise “traveling” lights around the perimeters remained with incandescent lamps; all other lighting was neon or back-lighted florescent.
Michael – In your earlier post, you weren’t precise on your mother’s tenure at the Queens. Might 1955 through August ‘57 be included?
As for “what went on” in the balcony, read Dorothy’s post of 12/22/04. For over two years it was my (unfortunate) responsibility to STOP that stuff (chuckle)!
I knew quite a few people on 250th Street; and the Magera name is vaguely familiar, but I can’t place the faces. There were a lot of cops living in Bellerose – on virtually every street! In those days you couldn’t work for the NYPD if you didn’t live within NYC limits.
At the age of 12 (1949), I delivered the Long Island Press to the entire area, from Commonwealth Blvd. to 250th Street (251st didn’t then exist south of the track), and Jamaica Avenue to 88th Road, inclusive.
Are you sure of that house number? I thought 250th Street was all in the 88-XX series, since 89th Avenue ends at 249th Street.
I lived there from May, 1944 until I got married in September, 1960. My mother was there until she died in November, 2002.
Re, “St. Greg’s,” if you mean the church, yes – and I was very active there. But the school was not yet built. See my post of 2/7/05 (above) for more details.
If this were a WAREHOUSE OUTLET attempting to attract retail customers, I would agree with you. But if it’s only a warehouse (i.e., not intended for retail sales), then the sole use of side gates makes a lot of sense. Consider the need for curb access for the loading and unloading of trucks.
Consider also that the phone response you get – “closed” – simply means “closed to the (retail) public.”
As for exterior maintenance, this is not an annual activity, but something that need be done only every ten to fifteen years.
Have you considered that the façade cleaning and repointing might have been undertaken by the landlord; and that his motive might have been maintenance of property value, compliance with Town of Hempstead codes, and/or liability insurance?
Just imagine loose facia crashing to the sidewalk and killing someone…
If I had your e-mail address – possibly through your profile – I could send you a couple of B&W photographs taken at the 1959 Memorial Day parade, with the marquee in the background.
Parking, or rather the LACK OF PARKING, was the smallest part of the problem. The major killer of all of these small town theaters was television! (Traditional) movie theater revenue started to decline in the early 50s, as more and more families started purchasing TV sets. You are too young to remember life without television, and thus never experienced the transition.
These theaters were designed as neighborhood theaters. In their heyday, most patrons WALKED to them!
BTW, when I worked there, the balcony was NEVER closed, since smoking was permitted only in the balcony and Loge. And the “boxes” you speak of were part of the Loge area – i.e., all of the area to the screen-side of the transverse aisle. While the boxes afforded some additional feeling of privacy, they had a lousy viewing angle, especially after the CinemaScope screen was installed.
Kitnoir,
Here you’ve got a newspaper about as biased and far to the left as one can go – writing about the (arguably) most conservative neighborhood in NYC. If you didn’t see the tone of the article coming, then I’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn I’d like to sell you.
And before you come gunning for me, note that I am troubled ONLY by the prospect of another hotel.
Warren,
That’s quite an article from the Times. Immediately north of the Frozen Cup (249th Street) is where my wife lived (89-11). I had lived in the second house (89-09); so the Frozen Cup was visited often on hot, summer evenings.
A correction to the Times article: Until the Fall of 1949, the lot (stretching to 250th Street) was occupied by a huge, freestanding, V-shaped double sign, erected and maintained by General Outdoor Advertising Company. I had built a playhouse in its upper beams. A hurricane flattened the whole thing.
In the spring of 1950, Frozen Cup opened on the west end, and a used car lot opened on the east. Thus, Frozen Cup is just under 60 years old, not 70.
I pray that these hotel plans don’t destroy the neighborhood, but I’m not very optimistic…
Warren,
For sure! See my post of 9/27/06 (2:07 PM)
RVB, The most memorable double:
Feature: “The Virgin Queen” (Life of Queen Elizabeth I)
Cofeature: “Tonight’s the Night”
You are correct on the theatre layout, but I am unaware of plans for a balcony.
RVB,
To the best of my knowledge, the upright electrified sign was simply called “the Vertical.” See my post of 9/27/06 on the Queens page.
Having worked at both the Floral and the Queens, I never knew them by any other name. Also, they were called as such by our union electricians.
RVB,
You have a long memory – the last of the steam locomotives (Class G-5s) were retired in October, 1955.
And yes, those locomotives – at 60MPH eastbound into the Queens Interlocking – set up quite a vibration in the balcony.
Michael,
You were not merely “mentioning” it; you were – in your own way – flaunting it. As to what is seemly and unseemly, I suggest you re-read the policies addressing relevancy of postings.
All other Members,
My opinion is strictly my own. Please weigh in with yours.
Michael,
Please take discussion of your sexual orientation elsewhere. I think I can speak for most of us in saying that we don’t care if you’ve come out of the closet.
Such discussion is unseemly, and clearly inappropriate for this website.
Patrick,
Understood! But you DO have your hands full!
If the residents of the (incorporated) Village of Bellerose, or the (unincorporated) hamlet of Bellerose Terrace were polled, few (if any) would admit to being part of Floral Park.
Furthermore, I’d be willing to bet that a substantial majority indicate “Bellerose” as their mailing address, notwithstanding the fact that they must use the required “11001” ZIP code (see my earlier comment on this subject).
Warren,
Re, “The Bellerose Theatre was one of the landmarks of Bellerose, Queens.”
Sorry, but you are dead wrong! The theatre is – and has always been – located in Bellerose Terrace, an unincorporated hamlet of the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County!
You appear to speak of two other theatres in Floral Park. Besides the Floral – where I worked for 2 years – what is the other one?
Greg
Warren,
Sorry, I was composing my earlier note when you released yours this morning. Had I seen it before my own release, I would have elaborated a bit more.
Longislandmovies is right. If you ignore the (unshared) ZIP codes and post office names, there is Bellerose in Queens, the Incorporated Village of Bellerose, and the (unincorporated) hamlet of Bellerose Terrace in Nassau.
BTW, did you know that much of Greater Bellerose (yes, all three) was developed by the same female builder – Helen Marsh – starting around 1900; with the wealthier (now incorporated) Village going up first? The Queens side started around 1910, and Bellerose Terrace a bit later.
Also, Bellerose (i.e., Beautiful Rose) was named by the builder to call attention to its proximity to Floral Park; which was developed by the wealthy florist, John Lewis Childs.
BTW, I just saw your latest note. Isn’t it wonderful how our politicians and their bureaucrats can cause us all to trip up over our own underwear?
Patrick,
I respectfully disagree:
(1) For several decades, the Jamaica (regional) post office has been trying to get everyone to use “Jamaica, NY” (with local 114XX ZIP codes, of course) with little success. In fact, the USPS has ruled that a proper street address (or PO Box), plus a proper ZIP code, is enough to get the mail delivered.
(2) A “community” address – particularly if designated by the post office – is of little comfort to the non-local. The primary purpose of a street address is to assist fire and emergency service personnel; and to reasonably expect proper mail delivery (LOL)…
Greg
Guys,
According to the USPS (ZIP+4 web-page), the address is now a “Floral Park 11001” address.
And yes, the physical location of the theatre is part of Bellerose Terrace, an unincorporated hamlet of the Town of Hempstead.
A few years ago, I was informed that all of Bellerose Terrace AND the Village of Bellerose had been moved from 11426 (Bellerose) to 11001 (Floral Park), as part of a major reconfiguration of the Bellerose and (northern) Queens Village post office jurisdictions.
I just finished reading a recent history of Queens neighborhoods, which labels everything north of Braddock Ave and west to Springfield Blvd as “Bellerose Manor” – certainly not the way it was when I grew up!
So the next time you are asked to give a brief discourse on the “History of Bellerose,” begin by asking if he/she has an hour to listen (LOL).
Greg
Dear Art,
Oh my goodness! Speaking of voices out of the past! I certainly DO remember you – and your limp – and your wife (Patricia, yes?) – and your home on Jamaica Avenue in Bellerose!
You and I have 50 years to catch up on. Please write to me, ASAP, at
Warmest regards,
Greg Walsh
Warren & JKane,
Back in the pre-TV heydays, a REAL “top hit’s” first run was always as a single on Broadway (or Hollywood Boulevard); often including some vaudeville acts. So-called “first run” showings in suburban theaters followed several weeks later. At this point, a second film was normally added to replace the vaudeville; especially since the “feature” averaged only 90-100 minutes in length to begin with.
However, to call the second film a “hit” was pure hokum. It was extremely rare when a “co-feature” film outshone the feature. The Ernest Borgnine classic, “Marty,” was an especially outstanding example. The Queens, Floral, and Meadows theaters were packed for two solid weeks!
Warren, I hate to say it, but I enjoyed your earlier pictures much more… Yuk!
Michael,
You might well be speaking of the theater’s later life as a porn house. There was absolutely nothing like that under Century Theaters management.
Michael – If your mom was there during that timeframe, I’m sure I knew her. Unfortunately, her name doesn’t ring a bell. But then we’re talking 50 years ago…
For a discussion of the popcorn and mice, check out the posts of 12/22/04 (above).
Re “alternate living,” you’re losing me. What do you mean?
Warren – Those are fantastic finds from the LIP archives.
Ed – Your 1993 photo of the marquee is as it existed in the mid-‘50s. But in the mid-'50s, the vertical still existed.
In the ‘20s, all marquee and vertical lighting was incandescent. But by the mid-'50s only clockwise “traveling” lights around the perimeters remained with incandescent lamps; all other lighting was neon or back-lighted florescent.
Michael – In your earlier post, you weren’t precise on your mother’s tenure at the Queens. Might 1955 through August ‘57 be included?
As for “what went on” in the balcony, read Dorothy’s post of 12/22/04. For over two years it was my (unfortunate) responsibility to STOP that stuff (chuckle)!
Ed,
I remember – from my days as Head Usher – the occasional wad of gum on seats, missed by the cleaners.
Your Newsday ads evoke an interesting question: During the porn days, were the seats even more sticky??
RCDTJ,
Actually, it’s now a meat market. Go in, and ask them for a couple of karate chops… (Oh, I don’t believe I said that) – LOL
KFP,
Frankly, I think we’re getting too far off the subject (the Queens Theatre) for this venue.
My e-mail address should be available for registered members.
Sorry,
KFP,
I knew quite a few people on 250th Street; and the Magera name is vaguely familiar, but I can’t place the faces. There were a lot of cops living in Bellerose – on virtually every street! In those days you couldn’t work for the NYPD if you didn’t live within NYC limits.
At the age of 12 (1949), I delivered the Long Island Press to the entire area, from Commonwealth Blvd. to 250th Street (251st didn’t then exist south of the track), and Jamaica Avenue to 88th Road, inclusive.
Are you sure of that house number? I thought 250th Street was all in the 88-XX series, since 89th Avenue ends at 249th Street.
I lived there from May, 1944 until I got married in September, 1960. My mother was there until she died in November, 2002.
Re, “St. Greg’s,” if you mean the church, yes – and I was very active there. But the school was not yet built. See my post of 2/7/05 (above) for more details.
RCDTJ,
If this were a WAREHOUSE OUTLET attempting to attract retail customers, I would agree with you. But if it’s only a warehouse (i.e., not intended for retail sales), then the sole use of side gates makes a lot of sense. Consider the need for curb access for the loading and unloading of trucks.
Consider also that the phone response you get – “closed” – simply means “closed to the (retail) public.”
As for exterior maintenance, this is not an annual activity, but something that need be done only every ten to fifteen years.
Ed,
Have you considered that the façade cleaning and repointing might have been undertaken by the landlord; and that his motive might have been maintenance of property value, compliance with Town of Hempstead codes, and/or liability insurance?
Just imagine loose facia crashing to the sidewalk and killing someone…
Marty,
If I had your e-mail address – possibly through your profile – I could send you a couple of B&W photographs taken at the 1959 Memorial Day parade, with the marquee in the background.
Ligg,
Parking, or rather the LACK OF PARKING, was the smallest part of the problem. The major killer of all of these small town theaters was television! (Traditional) movie theater revenue started to decline in the early 50s, as more and more families started purchasing TV sets. You are too young to remember life without television, and thus never experienced the transition.
These theaters were designed as neighborhood theaters. In their heyday, most patrons WALKED to them!
BTW, when I worked there, the balcony was NEVER closed, since smoking was permitted only in the balcony and Loge. And the “boxes” you speak of were part of the Loge area – i.e., all of the area to the screen-side of the transverse aisle. While the boxes afforded some additional feeling of privacy, they had a lousy viewing angle, especially after the CinemaScope screen was installed.