I just received an alert that there will be a candlelight, or flashlight, vigil at the theatre tomorrow, Tuesday, August 4th at 7:30 PM. Try and make it to save the theatre. At the very least sign the petition and do it now. The next planning board meeting is this Thursday, August 6th. The fate of the theatre may be ruled on at that time.
Okay, that’s the why. How about the where. So many of the New York dailies are gone – World, Telegram, Sun, Herald, Tribune, Brooklyn Eagle, LI Press/Star Journal, Mirror, etc.
The current sports shop owner is proud of the theatre heritage. Of course he uses the marquee display area for his company name, but, on a rare trip past the site at night, I observed that he has maintained the lighting of the “M” at the tip of the wedged shape marquee.
I was planning on concentrating on that which I know, which is mostly Long Island plus some experience upstate New York, Toronto and Philadelphia. The only reason I even got involved with the Happy Hour, Electric and Favorite theatres is I was looking at what’s new and found the names unusual. My question still stands, what was the population of Gainesville in 1907 that it warrented so many theatres.
Rhetorical no. By definition that would mean that the answer would be implied in the question. Maybe the second question should be asked first. What were the circumstances in Gainesville in 1907 that warranted the openind of three theatres? Population statistics in later years indicate that this was never a large town. As for the three odd ball names, quien sabe?
Also, since you’ve found these images on flikr do you plan on providing a link for each one they have to this site and reciprocating with IDs for them that you’ve found here. How obsessive compulsive are you? I’ve actually looked at every Long Island theatre on the Classic Image site with the intention of linking any they have with this site. But my immediate focus is posting about eight theatres that I’m researching.
Thanks. Still tracking it down. It was the Pancake Cottage. I think I’ve got the spot but am having trouble putting an actual address on it. Perused a lot of microfilm from the Port Jefferson Record and have more to go. Someone furnished me with a picture of the theatre when it just closed. Now trying to get a date on that. I hope to have a posting up shortly.
Just came upon something in an old Port Jefferson Record. The opening date for the Plaza was April 24, 1962. And this for Allie Fox re a 2005 posting the theatre near, as in across Montauk Highway (aka Main Street), from the lace mill was the Grenada which was idle for many years before being demolished.
The Drive-In site is incorrect. According to an ad in the Port Jefferson Record, the opening date for this theatre (these theatres, indoor and outdoor) was Tues, May 29, 1962.
I was just looking at so many. Search Long Island Rail Road History, it’s full of stuff and then just keep looking at all the LIRR entries that follow. You may never get back to Cinema Treasures again.
What’s with Gainesville, TX and a host of oddly named short term theatres. Happy Hour, Electric and Favorite. How big was this community in 1907 that three theatres opened? That would be interesting.
There’s alot of LIRR stuff online including a list of stations past and present and the last dates of service. There are all sorts of pictures. As a result of your earlier comment alluding to the Creedmoor spur I was looking at them last night.
just realized I never identified JL as Jerry Lewis in my first reference altho most people would know that. Heading should, therefore, be changed to Center Cinema previously known as the Jerry Lewis Theatre.
Firstly, the name should be corrected to Center Cinema since that’s how it spent most of it’s short life.
Contrary to my 4/22/09 posting, the theatre was not part of the original Moriches Shopping Town altho' there had been much discussion about it. Rather, on February 9, 1972 the former Hale’s was retrofitted to provide the sloping floor. Presumably the roof line was also lowered to conform to the JL look. Seating capacity was 350. Adults $1.50; children 50 cents. Altho as a JL it wouldn’t show “X” rated films ads strangely indicated “This is an adult theatre”.
As with many mom and pop JL’s it didn’t last long. After being shuttered for some time it reopened at the Center Cinema on November 28, 1973.
Boy Nash you’re really going back on the train. I remember crossing over the tracks as a short cut to my confirmation classes at Holy Trinity Lutheran on Commonwealth Blvd. The third rail was already disabled then and I never recall seeing any freight service to the coal yard. That was in the late 40s.
I just received an alert that there will be a candlelight, or flashlight, vigil at the theatre tomorrow, Tuesday, August 4th at 7:30 PM. Try and make it to save the theatre. At the very least sign the petition and do it now. The next planning board meeting is this Thursday, August 6th. The fate of the theatre may be ruled on at that time.
Okay, that’s the why. How about the where. So many of the New York dailies are gone – World, Telegram, Sun, Herald, Tribune, Brooklyn Eagle, LI Press/Star Journal, Mirror, etc.
Where on earth did you find a 1925 ad and why were you looking for it in the first place.
Anyway you can get any of these on the site. I only had a hint of what the interior was from what I saw behind the storage area.
The current sports shop owner is proud of the theatre heritage. Of course he uses the marquee display area for his company name, but, on a rare trip past the site at night, I observed that he has maintained the lighting of the “M” at the tip of the wedged shape marquee.
Thanks for the info. You’ve really done your homework on this one.
I was planning on concentrating on that which I know, which is mostly Long Island plus some experience upstate New York, Toronto and Philadelphia. The only reason I even got involved with the Happy Hour, Electric and Favorite theatres is I was looking at what’s new and found the names unusual. My question still stands, what was the population of Gainesville in 1907 that it warrented so many theatres.
Rhetorical no. By definition that would mean that the answer would be implied in the question. Maybe the second question should be asked first. What were the circumstances in Gainesville in 1907 that warranted the openind of three theatres? Population statistics in later years indicate that this was never a large town. As for the three odd ball names, quien sabe?
Also, since you’ve found these images on flikr do you plan on providing a link for each one they have to this site and reciprocating with IDs for them that you’ve found here. How obsessive compulsive are you? I’ve actually looked at every Long Island theatre on the Classic Image site with the intention of linking any they have with this site. But my immediate focus is posting about eight theatres that I’m researching.
Thanks. Still tracking it down. It was the Pancake Cottage. I think I’ve got the spot but am having trouble putting an actual address on it. Perused a lot of microfilm from the Port Jefferson Record and have more to go. Someone furnished me with a picture of the theatre when it just closed. Now trying to get a date on that. I hope to have a posting up shortly.
In my opinion the biggest error on the Drive In site is to list one in Centereach. Hardtop yes. Drive-In no.
Just came upon something in an old Port Jefferson Record. The opening date for the Plaza was April 24, 1962. And this for Allie Fox re a 2005 posting the theatre near, as in across Montauk Highway (aka Main Street), from the lace mill was the Grenada which was idle for many years before being demolished.
The Drive-In site is incorrect. According to an ad in the Port Jefferson Record, the opening date for this theatre (these theatres, indoor and outdoor) was Tues, May 29, 1962.
The theatre opened July 1963
I was just looking at so many. Search Long Island Rail Road History, it’s full of stuff and then just keep looking at all the LIRR entries that follow. You may never get back to Cinema Treasures again.
There are plenty of Long Island RR photo and data online including information on when the Creedmoor Line was discontinued.
What’s with Gainesville, TX and a host of oddly named short term theatres. Happy Hour, Electric and Favorite. How big was this community in 1907 that three theatres opened? That would be interesting.
Does anybody see a pattern here in oddly named theatres in Gainesville, TX that only last two year – see posting for the Favorite.
Sorry, I can’t pass up the opportunity to point out that the theatre was misnamed, else it would have lasted longer.
All the comments above lead to the conclusion that the address of the theatre was 1350 Peninsula Blvd. The heading should be amended accordingly.
I believe this was twinned at the end of it’s life.
There’s alot of LIRR stuff online including a list of stations past and present and the last dates of service. There are all sorts of pictures. As a result of your earlier comment alluding to the Creedmoor spur I was looking at them last night.
It’s a shame it’s come to be the eyesore that it is. When it first opened the ads read “Showplace of Long Island”.
just realized I never identified JL as Jerry Lewis in my first reference altho most people would know that. Heading should, therefore, be changed to Center Cinema previously known as the Jerry Lewis Theatre.
Firstly, the name should be corrected to Center Cinema since that’s how it spent most of it’s short life.
Contrary to my 4/22/09 posting, the theatre was not part of the original Moriches Shopping Town altho' there had been much discussion about it. Rather, on February 9, 1972 the former Hale’s was retrofitted to provide the sloping floor. Presumably the roof line was also lowered to conform to the JL look. Seating capacity was 350. Adults $1.50; children 50 cents. Altho as a JL it wouldn’t show “X” rated films ads strangely indicated “This is an adult theatre”.
As with many mom and pop JL’s it didn’t last long. After being shuttered for some time it reopened at the Center Cinema on November 28, 1973.
Boy Nash you’re really going back on the train. I remember crossing over the tracks as a short cut to my confirmation classes at Holy Trinity Lutheran on Commonwealth Blvd. The third rail was already disabled then and I never recall seeing any freight service to the coal yard. That was in the late 40s.