Jamaica Theatre

155-16 Jamaica Avenue,
Jamaica, NY 11432

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Fox Circuit

Architects: Herbert R. Brewster

Styles: Beaux-Arts

Previous Names: Fox Jamaica Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Jamaica Theatre

Opened on November 26, 1913, this large vaudeville house stood on Jamaica Avenue in Jamaica, Queens between the Merrick Theatre and Savoy Theatre. Recall that they played primarily movies with occasional vaudeville shows in the late-1940’s. During the early-1950’s, the theatre was part of the “Subway Circuit” of touring Broadway shows during the summer months.

Fondly recall seeing “Kiss Me Kate”, “Stalag 17”, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”, “The Fourposter” and the late Joey Faye in “Top Banana”. As I recall, other theatres on the circuit were the Brighton Theatre in Brooklyn and the Windsor Theatre in the Bronx.

The Jamaica Theatre was closed in the early to mid-1960’s and was used as a bingo hall for a while, and later demolished.

Contributed by Erwin Markisch

Recent comments (view all 17 comments)

mauriceski
mauriceski on October 26, 2005 at 1:52 am

I also remember the cartoons. I think they were matinee cartoons meaning after one showing the regular program would follow.

jedweber
jedweber on May 12, 2008 at 9:03 pm

I assume Warren’s photo from two posts above (no longer available) refers to Mae West’s 1951 revival of her play “Diamond Lil.”

An exterior shot of the Jamaica with the marquee for this event can be found at:

http://www.maewest.nl/
(Under “Life and Career” – “Later Stage Work”)

Bway
Bway on April 19, 2009 at 6:19 pm

You can just make out the Jamaica at the extreme left of this photo:
http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?96161

EMarkisch
EMarkisch on May 5, 2009 at 4:04 pm

Bway….I hate to differ with you, but I, sincerely, do not believe that the building (with the arched window)that you refer to in the extreme left of the photo you posted on April 19th is the Jamaica Theatre. I know there was an arched window above the Jamaica’s marquee, but I do not recall such a tall office building above that.

Further proof is that the building with the neon sign to the left of the arched window building is, unmistakably, the 111 year old Beaux-Arts former Jamaica Savings Bank building, which is located at 161-02 Jamaica Avenue. The Jamaica was located some distance west at 155-16 Jamaica Avenue.

LugosiResearch
LugosiResearch on August 15, 2011 at 10:52 pm

In reference to the comment by Paul Noble, a frequent submitter to Cinema Treasures, regarding Bela Lugosi’s appearance at The Jamaica Theater in 1951: I am currently researching for a book on Lugosi and am interested in any information regarding Lugosi’s Horror and Magic Show that toured NYC area theaters in 1950-1951. Thus, I would really like to get in touch with Paul Noble and discuss more of his memories regarding the Lugosi show at The Jamaica Theater. Paul, if you see this, please contact me at:

robboehm
robboehm on February 25, 2014 at 8:31 pm

I never remember the Jamaica ever being open. When I was a teenager I would sometimes take the bus to Jamaica to go shopping. I would pass this empty hulk on my way to Montgomery Wards. In all those years I never saw any sign of vandalism. We live in a different time.

robboehm
robboehm on May 12, 2015 at 8:43 pm

I’ve uploaded a February 22, 1953 photo obtained courtesy of the Queen Borough Public Library Archives, Long Island Daily Press Photograph Morgue Collection when the Jamaica was still open. It stood empty for a number of years but, since those were different times, was not vandalized.

robboehm
robboehm on May 12, 2015 at 8:47 pm

Movie was from 1948. Have to do some research to determine why the Press published it in 1953; possibly to announce it’s closing.

robboehm
robboehm on May 12, 2015 at 9:24 pm

Re several comment above: from the photo I uploaded you can see that the theater is a free standing building and not the one referred to by Bway in 2009.

nycinfilm
nycinfilm on February 5, 2024 at 6:34 am

Theater can be seen briefly in the opening to DOG DAY AFTERNOON, where marquee advertises BINGO.

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