This theatres' name in the heading should be changed to Twin Theatres North & South. The “Fox Plaza” never preceded or was the name of this Twin Theatre. It was never called Fox Plaza North or Fox Plaza South. Note the Cleopatra ad above and you’ll see. It WAS never a Fox Eastern Theatre when it opened, that was only after it was sold to Fox-Eastern. When Mann took over all Fox Eastern Theatres in 1973, they were still known as Mann’s Twin North and Mann’s Twin South. Thanks CT if you correct the error.
I worked here when Golden took over from United Artists in 1975. They re-opened with the watered down versions of “Devil And Miss Jones” and “Deep Throat” that were not the “XXX” versions. The Dahill Area Association picketed from day one and was Daily News fodder for the next week. People who came by-passed the pickets and were mad on the way out because of the edited versions of both pictures. One afternoon at the change of shifts during the tail end of the first week, the manager Mr. Henry S. was on the way out at six o'clock and I was covering the evening, the theatre was raided and the films seized to the cries of victory from the protesters. At that time, I called Mr. Henry, who was leaving in the lobby and told him to come back. He said his famous line “Blessed Savior Dear!” and came in to be arrested along with the projectionist who made a bee-line to the front doors. Once in the projection booth the “Raiders” seized the films and smelled the distinct pungent aroma of marijuana. The next day we were back in business. Within a week, the Goldens' stopped showing the “X” movies and opened with “Blazing Saddles” and “The Producers” with a $1.00 Price Policy At All Times. This was never an “XXX” policy theatre at any time. The owners wanted to make money with “XXX” rated films so they could twin the theatre.
As far as the theatre goes it had a large raised stadium
style seating and orchestra. UA left the theatre a mess and the mice had a field day as the theatre was dirty and had sticky floors. After Mr. Henry retired, I became the manager at 19 years old. The theatre at $1. turned in some remarkable figures for the time. I remember that “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” and “The Terminal Man” grossed $8,500.00 in one week and was held over. The theatre had many partners under the Golden regime.
Lastly, the theatres' best attraction was it’s marquee with it’s flashing yellow 10 watt bulbs blinking the name “BEVERLY” on all three sides. The flashing yellow lights had a number of speeds as slow, medium and a fast
one. The staff who made up the staff were very nice to me. All in all, it was a some what fair experience though not one of my favorite theatre jobs.
The Babylon Theatre (Bow-Tie) is in negotiations to be sold for a Performing Arts Center. I hope the new occupants see that some of the elaborate work is hidden under the drop ceilings in the lobby. Clearview Cinemas destroyed any chances of long term survival of this and many others of the UA theatres it acquired with their free Tuesday nights (if you had Cablevision). These theatres were all losing money before Clearview came along with their fireplaces and free phone service. Bow-Tie Cinemas took over these and now is seeing no more business than Clearview, even less. Now on Tuesday Bargain Day at $6.00, the theatre had 10 people total for the 3 screens, all first run product. This is pathetic. Everything Bow-Tie acquired will drain them of their current money making theatres they had prior to taking over. On bright moment is the “Live On Stage And Screen "Rocky Horror Picture Show” has sold out almost 5 times. So…Performing Arts is the way to go with some “Classic Movie Shows” added in for fun. And it will be one big screen again.
P.S. Cleopatra was the inaugural attraction at the Twin North and South Theatres. Mr. Miller told me when I met him two or three years ago. By the way, Leon said “Torn Curtain” opened the South Bay Theatre. His other theatres were the Wantagh and Town theatres on Long Island.
This theatre was built by architect Leon Miller in 1963-4 and operated by him for several years before he sold or leased it to Fox-Eastern Theatres along with some other “Town And Country” theatres he designed and built. The only one he kept to this day is the South Bay Theatre in West Babylon.
This theatre was operated by UA in partnership with G.G. theatres. I saw the plans and designs that were in the Port Washington (Beacon) Theatre when I managed the place in 1989-1992. It was not uncommon for UA to have their fingers in everything. UA was also partners with Century on the Morton Village, Whitman and York in Huntington as we made duplicate box office reports for them.
Drove by last Thursday, and the theatre is now gone and the area has been seeded and the grass is growing. I saw “Twister” here. It was a fast demolition. Theatre properties are being destroyed tenfold here and NYC. This year alone, the Lindenhurst, South Shore Mall on L.I. and the beautiful Savoy in Brooklyn (without saving
it’s landmark façade) and the DeMille (nee Columbia, Mayfair) in Manhattan. NYC should be ashamed of itself for not protecting its' theatre treasures. It’s to late,
there’s nothing left. For the very few that do remain in other uses such as churches and etc., Time Is Running Out!
This building is still standing, “Condemned” notices posted Nov, 2013. Building is completely fenced with the west wall facing mall with L O E W ‘ S block neon name in their original position since they were put up in 1967, (Painted Over). Over 6 years ago, mall management said it would be demolished. That’s some “Coming Soon”.
I think this drive-in should be listed as “Closed” and are they retaining the vintage Drive-In marquee in the Walmart site plans?, Does anyone know if this marquee has been demolished? I would like to know.
This nifty program is from the Cinema Village, see address. I was a big fan of Cinema Village and have quite a few of the programs which were well-designed and eye catching.
The RKO Rockville Centre is currently being demolished. The building is covered with tarp as a precaution to asbestos becoming airborne. I saw this on Friday morning
1-31-2014 while riding the LIRR from Penn Station to Babylon. …..and another one bites the dust.
The Lindenhurst Theatre has been demolished, the last part the building went down on Saturday, February 1, 2014. Interior demolition began three weeks ago and the well built building took slightly longer than the expected one week I was told it would take. The demolition foreman told me that he had never demolished a building in such good condition. By the way a CVS will replace the theatre and the 3 parcels of land. The CVS will run from Wellwood Avenue to Washington Avenue. Lindenhurst can now boast they have the “biggest” CVS drugstore on Long Island. P.S. The cost of the 4 properties cost CVS 6 million dollars. The CVS in the village will close once construction is completed.
I filmed and photographed as the walls came down daily and would like to post them but I don’t have a private computer at home.
Farewell to the LINDENHURST Theatre 12-25-48 to 2-1-14.
To Paul Kupperberg….I remember you from the Granada Theatre days and remember Irene, the cashier talking endlessly about how beautiful the Congress was and the marble staircase in the lobby.
She was a great lady and I am glad I had the pleasure of knowing her and all from the Granada Theatre. I finally saw the marble staircase as photographed within the last two years from friends of mine. The Congress still retains a lot of it’s glamour and architecture. Reach me at I go under the name Orlando on Cinema Treasures but you would know me as Lenny.
Twelve people are signed up for the Lindenhurst/Babylon Theatre tour on Sept. 11, 2005. There is room for another twelve. The neon Lindenhurst name on the marquee is soon to be taken down, this will be your last opportunity to see it in place. E-mail me ASAP if you’re interested in attending by clicking my e-mail address several comments above this posting.
We will see the exterior of this theatre which was always a twin. The exterior blue bricks are under the makeover. The tour is on Sept. 11, 2005. See the Lindenhurst Theatre website on this site for info. This twin was incresed in size in 1976.
They are already installed as stated several comments before. If you want to see them, I will tour the theatre on Sunday, September 11, 2005. See the Lindenhurst Theatre on this site for information.
The seats of the Beekman Theatre are now installed in the Clearview Babylon Theatre which we will be touring Sunday, September 11, 2005.
(See Lindenhurst Theatre site on this website for info.
P.S. We will get indoor tours of the Lindenhurst, South Bay Theatre and Babylon if I get access. The South Bay Theatre is a certain, a lot of improvements here. The Babylon Theatre has the Beekman Theatre seats (NYC) which I sat in last week.
This theatres' name in the heading should be changed to Twin Theatres North & South. The “Fox Plaza” never preceded or was the name of this Twin Theatre. It was never called Fox Plaza North or Fox Plaza South. Note the Cleopatra ad above and you’ll see. It WAS never a Fox Eastern Theatre when it opened, that was only after it was sold to Fox-Eastern. When Mann took over all Fox Eastern Theatres in 1973, they were still known as Mann’s Twin North and Mann’s Twin South. Thanks CT if you correct the error.
I worked here when Golden took over from United Artists in 1975. They re-opened with the watered down versions of “Devil And Miss Jones” and “Deep Throat” that were not the “XXX” versions. The Dahill Area Association picketed from day one and was Daily News fodder for the next week. People who came by-passed the pickets and were mad on the way out because of the edited versions of both pictures. One afternoon at the change of shifts during the tail end of the first week, the manager Mr. Henry S. was on the way out at six o'clock and I was covering the evening, the theatre was raided and the films seized to the cries of victory from the protesters. At that time, I called Mr. Henry, who was leaving in the lobby and told him to come back. He said his famous line “Blessed Savior Dear!” and came in to be arrested along with the projectionist who made a bee-line to the front doors. Once in the projection booth the “Raiders” seized the films and smelled the distinct pungent aroma of marijuana. The next day we were back in business. Within a week, the Goldens' stopped showing the “X” movies and opened with “Blazing Saddles” and “The Producers” with a $1.00 Price Policy At All Times. This was never an “XXX” policy theatre at any time. The owners wanted to make money with “XXX” rated films so they could twin the theatre. As far as the theatre goes it had a large raised stadium style seating and orchestra. UA left the theatre a mess and the mice had a field day as the theatre was dirty and had sticky floors. After Mr. Henry retired, I became the manager at 19 years old. The theatre at $1. turned in some remarkable figures for the time. I remember that “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” and “The Terminal Man” grossed $8,500.00 in one week and was held over. The theatre had many partners under the Golden regime. Lastly, the theatres' best attraction was it’s marquee with it’s flashing yellow 10 watt bulbs blinking the name “BEVERLY” on all three sides. The flashing yellow lights had a number of speeds as slow, medium and a fast one. The staff who made up the staff were very nice to me. All in all, it was a some what fair experience though not one of my favorite theatre jobs.
The Babylon Theatre (Bow-Tie) is in negotiations to be sold for a Performing Arts Center. I hope the new occupants see that some of the elaborate work is hidden under the drop ceilings in the lobby. Clearview Cinemas destroyed any chances of long term survival of this and many others of the UA theatres it acquired with their free Tuesday nights (if you had Cablevision). These theatres were all losing money before Clearview came along with their fireplaces and free phone service. Bow-Tie Cinemas took over these and now is seeing no more business than Clearview, even less. Now on Tuesday Bargain Day at $6.00, the theatre had 10 people total for the 3 screens, all first run product. This is pathetic. Everything Bow-Tie acquired will drain them of their current money making theatres they had prior to taking over. On bright moment is the “Live On Stage And Screen "Rocky Horror Picture Show” has sold out almost 5 times. So…Performing Arts is the way to go with some “Classic Movie Shows” added in for fun. And it will be one big screen again.
P.S. Cleopatra was the inaugural attraction at the Twin North and South Theatres. Mr. Miller told me when I met him two or three years ago. By the way, Leon said “Torn Curtain” opened the South Bay Theatre. His other theatres were the Wantagh and Town theatres on Long Island.
This theatre was built by architect Leon Miller in 1963-4 and operated by him for several years before he sold or leased it to Fox-Eastern Theatres along with some other “Town And Country” theatres he designed and built. The only one he kept to this day is the South Bay Theatre in West Babylon.
This theatre was operated by UA in partnership with G.G. theatres. I saw the plans and designs that were in the Port Washington (Beacon) Theatre when I managed the place in 1989-1992. It was not uncommon for UA to have their fingers in everything. UA was also partners with Century on the Morton Village, Whitman and York in Huntington as we made duplicate box office reports for them.
Drove by last Thursday, and the theatre is now gone and the area has been seeded and the grass is growing. I saw “Twister” here. It was a fast demolition. Theatre properties are being destroyed tenfold here and NYC. This year alone, the Lindenhurst, South Shore Mall on L.I. and the beautiful Savoy in Brooklyn (without saving it’s landmark façade) and the DeMille (nee Columbia, Mayfair) in Manhattan. NYC should be ashamed of itself for not protecting its' theatre treasures. It’s to late, there’s nothing left. For the very few that do remain in other uses such as churches and etc., Time Is Running Out!
The theatre ticket on this site is actually for the Century’s Mayfair Theatre in Brooklyn. I love the ticket photos just added recently.
This building is still standing, “Condemned” notices posted Nov, 2013. Building is completely fenced with the west wall facing mall with L O E W ‘ S block neon name in their original position since they were put up in 1967, (Painted Over). Over 6 years ago, mall management said it would be demolished. That’s some “Coming Soon”.
I think this drive-in should be listed as “Closed” and are they retaining the vintage Drive-In marquee in the Walmart site plans?, Does anyone know if this marquee has been demolished? I would like to know.
This nifty program is from the Cinema Village, see address. I was a big fan of Cinema Village and have quite a few of the programs which were well-designed and eye catching.
This theatre is going to close soon and the “lessees'” & not the owner are at fault.
The RKO Rockville Centre is currently being demolished. The building is covered with tarp as a precaution to asbestos becoming airborne. I saw this on Friday morning 1-31-2014 while riding the LIRR from Penn Station to Babylon. …..and another one bites the dust.
The Lindenhurst Theatre has been demolished, the last part the building went down on Saturday, February 1, 2014. Interior demolition began three weeks ago and the well built building took slightly longer than the expected one week I was told it would take. The demolition foreman told me that he had never demolished a building in such good condition. By the way a CVS will replace the theatre and the 3 parcels of land. The CVS will run from Wellwood Avenue to Washington Avenue. Lindenhurst can now boast they have the “biggest” CVS drugstore on Long Island. P.S. The cost of the 4 properties cost CVS 6 million dollars. The CVS in the village will close once construction is completed. I filmed and photographed as the walls came down daily and would like to post them but I don’t have a private computer at home. Farewell to the LINDENHURST Theatre 12-25-48 to 2-1-14.
P.S. How’s your friend Steven who also worked the Granada when you were there.
To Paul Kupperberg….I remember you from the Granada Theatre days and remember Irene, the cashier talking endlessly about how beautiful the Congress was and the marble staircase in the lobby.
She was a great lady and I am glad I had the pleasure of knowing her and all from the Granada Theatre. I finally saw the marble staircase as photographed within the last two years from friends of mine. The Congress still retains a lot of it’s glamour and architecture. Reach me at I go under the name Orlando on Cinema Treasures but you would know me as Lenny.
Twelve people are signed up for the Lindenhurst/Babylon Theatre tour on Sept. 11, 2005. There is room for another twelve. The neon Lindenhurst name on the marquee is soon to be taken down, this will be your last opportunity to see it in place. E-mail me ASAP if you’re interested in attending by clicking my e-mail address several comments above this posting.
The heading of this theatre should read “retail use” as the building was NEVER demolished.
We will see the exterior of this theatre which was always a twin. The exterior blue bricks are under the makeover. The tour is on Sept. 11, 2005. See the Lindenhurst Theatre website on this site for info. This twin was incresed in size in 1976.
This theatre will be on the theatre tour on Sept. 11, 2005. See the Lindenhurst Theatre on this website for more info.
They are already installed as stated several comments before. If you want to see them, I will tour the theatre on Sunday, September 11, 2005. See the Lindenhurst Theatre on this site for information.
P.S.S. This tour is open to all Cinema Treasures and THSA members.
P.S.S. This tour is open to all Cinema Treasures and THSA members.
The seats of the Beekman Theatre are now installed in the Clearview Babylon Theatre which we will be touring Sunday, September 11, 2005.
(See Lindenhurst Theatre site on this website for info.
P.S. We will get indoor tours of the Lindenhurst, South Bay Theatre and Babylon if I get access. The South Bay Theatre is a certain, a lot of improvements here. The Babylon Theatre has the Beekman Theatre seats (NYC) which I sat in last week.