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Canuck does NYC old cinema treasure tour!
posted by
schmadrian
on
January 3, 2008 at 7:45 am
I’m in NYC and surrounding environs from Jan 3-8th and could use some advice and suggestions as to what cinemas to check out. Most interested in old single-screeners still operating, but am also wanting to do some walk-bys to take some photos for non-adventuring friends around the world.
Comments (9)
There was a prior thread on this maybe somebody can find. Here’s some in Manhattan:
(42nd Street) Empire’s exterior & lobby
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if you don’t buy tickets, at least see exterior (42nd Street) New Amsterdam
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see a movie at Clearview’s Ziegfeld
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Take the tour of Radio City Music Hall
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church, another gorgeous movie palace, Hollywood Theatre
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church & concerts in great movie palace, Loews 175th
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(I haven’t been to) see arthouse movie at City Cinemas Village East
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Be sure to also visit Cinema Village at 22 East 12th Street. It’s a triplex, but well worth the look and the picture-taking!
And there is the grand old movie palace in Jersey City, NJ (just
across the Hudson River from Manhattan), Loew’s Jersey at Journal
Square accessible by PATH trains from Manhattan. Do call first,
201.798.6055 to determine if the building will be open. Worth the
trip.
On the other side of the Hudson River in Jersey City (a short trip via PATH commuter railroad) are two must-see landmark theatres…adjacent, well-preserved and easily-accessible.
Loew’s Jersey, 54 Journal Square (on Kennedy Blvd.), directly across from the Transportation Center
Telephone: (201) 798-6055
Although no public events are currently scheduled, members of this theatre’s “Friends” group are often there on weekends doing volunteer work inside â€" perhaps if you ring the doorbell, they’ll allow you in to take a peak.
Stanley Theatre, 2932 Kennedy Blvd. (at Pavonia Ave.), one block north of Loew's
Telephone: (201) 377-3100
This meeting hall for the Jehovah’s Witnesses often hosts free public tours after services and at other times. Give them a call to find out when the next one is scheduled.
It’s under an hour to the 1924 single screen Lafayette Theatre in Suffern, open every day showing movies. Come on Friday or Saturday night and hear the Mighty Wurlitzer prior to the movie.
Loew’s Paradise in the Bronx, Loew’s 175th in upper Manhattan and The Times Square Church which was the old Warner’s Hollywood (51rst between Broadway and 8th Avenue)are absolute musts. Loew’s Jersey is worth the trip and a tour of Radio City Music Hall is worth the money, especially after the Christmas show closes (this way you can see the house).
Don’t miss the Cameo…oops, too late.
P.S.: this is a very good, useful thread. Because there’re many around the country (besides Schmadrian) who’ve a yearning to visit NYC with a view to seek out what (if any) old movie palaces remain there (like myself), and could really make good use of insider tips to that end. Thank you!
Don’t forget the St. George Theater in Staten Island, a 3,000 seat palace a 5 minute walk from the Staten Island Ferry terminal. I’m not sure if they give tours, but it is a beautiful theater.