To the last contributor, He also worked the York and said that was the best. One day does not determine an evaluation. I will no longer answer your comments since you think you are a know it all. Remember what happened to Harris when he got persnickety. Cinema Treasures rubbed him out. You probably never went to the Morton Village at all.
JamesD: It is not the stupidest statement ever made on this site but an accurate one. I lived and experienced it during the last 50 years of my life. If you can say the same, good for you and maybe you can write an introduction fitting the Loew’s Kings and Kings Theatre as it is now known. Did you ever see a film at the theatre, better yet have you seen it after its' re-opening. Were you born in 1977 or a little before???
You don'’t have to answer the questions because I really don’t care about what you have to say. I watched over this building over the 37 years it was closed visiting every year, several times the years. I know the true
story of the Kings while in operation and during its' closed years and the meetings to save it. As a matter of fact, if it weren’t for me, there would be no Kings Theatre today. And I am not stupid, Erasmus Hall High School gave us all in 1974 a great HS, if not a college education.
I'm not sorry about the comments I made, but they were true. Maybe I should have used the word MOST. The theatre during my two tenures there had many problems like vandalism, unruly teens who banged on the outside of exit doors and flung lit cigarettes on the audience members in the orchestra. It was so bad that we needed 2 guards and a police dog on Fridays and Saturdays. And not all members of churches and people who have college degrees are known to be angels and scholars. If you were a manager there you would know this but you were a patron and I was the manager who witnessed it.
By the way, there is a lot of wrong information in the introduction that needs to be corrected. You need someone who lived and attended the theatre and not some incorrect statements and rumors made by people born after 1977 to get a true introduction. If you haven’t lived and experienced it first hand, then regrettably you don’t know what your talking about.
On January 23, 2015, the event listed in the intro never happened due to a snow storm. It should be removed from the introduction of Kings Theatre. That event will happen on Monday, April 27th 2015 (the rescheduled date).
To George Strum, Lenny Lopes and Orlando Lopes are one in the same. Lenny was nickname. Think of the parties that I didn’t know about at the time, but the staff were great, Patty A., James C. projectionist, and many others.
It was so long ago, I worked here for UA in 1977 with a 77 cents policy. I returned in 1981 when ALMI was formed to take over 5 UA theatres. The price was 80 cents for the decade. I had them raise the price to $1. shortly after. The patrons of this theatre were strictly low class due to the price. When Almi took over Century, I asked to go to the Century’s Morton Village. The theatre
closed in 1984. The other 4 theatres Almi took from UA were the Amityville, Bayshore (Main St.), Plaza and the
Brookhaven (the best grosser of the group). By the way when I went to Plainview reguarding my switch to Morton Village, the manager, Ed, came up with the jingle “We’re in the Almi now, etc. etc.. I worked for Century before the Almi takeover at the Whitman, York and Shore Theatres. All gone but not forgotten.
P.S. Closed under Almi-Century banner. After closing it became the projection booth equipment “cemetery” and every theatre that closed after it housed all the theatre equipment from them as well until the building was sold.
P.S.S. Plainview marquee minus “A Century Theatre” center now sits accross the street where the RKO Twin Roadside pylon was. Even though that RKO TWIN lasted only 5 years, the former sideboards are still in place.
“Operation Mad Ball” Jack Lemmon was in it. It’s “Last Picture Show” was “The Road Warrior” Mel Gibson. Most of the staff transferred to the RKO Twin accross the street and the Morton Village nearby. I inherited about three employees and the projectionist as I was the Morton Village manager. The staff of this theatre at the time was superb.
I was at this theatre when Rocky played. It was their last big hit. Prior to this it was $1.50 double feature house. When “Obsession” played with “Robin And Marian” it sold out every seat to the rafters. The UA bookers were shocked as was eveyone else, the theatre and the Squire were not busy theatres when I was there 1976-1977 before I went to the Midway when it opened as a Quad.
And “That’s the facts folks!” ORLANDO LOPES
Again there is a lot of balogna in this section. Working at this theatre for over three years, Carmi Djiji (G.G. Theatres operated this theatre from 1962 to mid to late 1990’s and changed the name from Beacon to Port Washington Triplex and so on. The two theatres occupying the two storefronts were built primarily, while I was there, for putting in the Hollywood “stinkers” after they flopped on the first three days of opening or for holding a picture that no longer needed a 200 seat theatre. Believe it or not (and I don’t care either way) these two 60 seat theatres sometimes outgrossed the larger theatres in the building. As for Steve Smith’s introduction, the seats where new when installed, the public “beat them up”! Mr. Djiji spent money on his theatres unlike Skouras from which he took over the theatre. He still owns the building and leases it as he won’t sell it. (Real Estate $$$ in Port Washington.) So the ownerships should be changed to Century (the first), Skouras, GG Theatres, Clearview, and Bow Tie. The property that the Sands Point Theatre was is exactly where the Soundview was built. GG also ran the Sands Point. I loved the name Clearview’s Soundview. And “That’s the facts folks!” clear and true.
The furnishings, couch, king high back chairs, the wooden carved chair, the two Louis the XIV patterned chairs, round table, and two marrle top tables are now on view in the upprr mezzanine restroom all restored. No one is allowed to sit on them and they are ropped off. Your aunt, Dorothy Penzica (please forgive me if I spelt the last name wrong, was manager of the Loew's Kings when I was attending the theatre from 1966 to 1975. I remember her well. At the time (1970-1974), I worked at the Granada Theatre at Church and Nostrand Avenues. There was a policy between the seven theatres to pass employees from the Beverly, Kenmore, Astor, Albemarle, Granada, Kings and Rialto to each other for coplimentary movies. I always paid to see movies at these theatres and didn't ask for passes to the other theatres and was unaware of the policy. In 1972, I told my manager at the Granada (Mr. Sam L.) that I was going to the "Loew-eze" to see a movie and he said he would call me in a pass. Being unawre ot the pass policy, I told him I didn,t know about and he said to me "You've been paying to go to all those theatres? Ha! Ha!" and I said yes. He then told me about the policy and got me into the Loew's Kings. When I got there, your aunt, Mrs. Penzica was called out to the box office and personally escorted me into the theatre on my pass. She said to me, "I've seen you here before many times and took me to the office. She offered me a job and I said, "I've worked at the Granada for four years and the staff there is like my second family and like me a lot." She understood as she smiled at me. I said "Thank you very much for the offer and told her "I loved the Loew's Kings very much" She replied, "Thank you and you are welcome here anytime." What a fantastic manager she was and a fine person she is to deed the furniture back to Kings Theatre. I will watch over it in her memory as long as I am an employee of her Kings Theatre. Working there today was a life long dream of mine and it became true when I was offered a position at the theatre by the current ACE Theatrical Group for which I have the highest gratitude. Thank you Matt (for taking care of your own), Charley (for spotting me take a picture of the facade) and Jason and Dan for training me for a live venue. Most of all the Front of House Staff (you all know who you are), for being the great people that you are, I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
and look forward to seeing you every time I work, you are my family at every event in our Kings Theatre.
In three days, Church of God, formerly the Century’s Rialto Theatre will be 99 years old. A lot of fond memories here for me. Glad that is originally intact as it looked in 1916. I attend services here once in a while. L'Eglise De Dieux keeps the place immaculate and to their credit lovingly take care of one of Flatbush Avenues first theatre. When I made my communion in 1966 or so, my sister took me here to see “You Only Live Twice” and “The Fortune Cookie” with a Pink Panther cartoon. Loved that Century logo with the flying “C”’s
converging into one and spelling outwards to the right (Century Theatres) before the coming attractions. Remember the music also that went with the snipe.
Contrary to what is written in the introduction, the theatre closed August 30, 1977 with “Kentucky Fried Movie”, also the same day was the closing of the Loew’s Kings under the new management of ATM (American Theatre Management).
Thanks Rob for the picture that I have been looking for, the new Sayville was built to the right of this first Sayville. When the new one was finished and opened, this closed (the day before) without loss of revenue. Still it would have been nice to see them both side by side before demolition started on the older theatre. Who knows maybe there is a picture out there in Sayville some where in someone’s attic or basement. However,thanks again for this one.
In the early 1970’s, I attended this theatre many times. It was always a pleasantly operated theatre as were many of the Century Theatres were. Its great to see some upper terra cotta still in place today as the owners knew it was special features. However, it is sad to see. It’s a good thing we have our memories.
I went here for the first time with a friend. Wednesday’s are Bargain Day (All Seats $5.) all day. School was out and the inner lobby was full of young folks for “SpongeBob”. The theatre lobby retains the poste cases (6) and seats for people awaiting entrance (Nice touch as most don’t). Some details remain intact, but the lobby resembles an arcade with a table to play air hockey which is annoying to people in the small 75 seat theatre (where we sat watching “50 Shades Of Grey”. On the way out I viewed the other two screens which were a bit larger but away from the noise of the lobby. The bathrooms were clean for such a busy matinee. The popcorn was good and I bought a can of soda at the stand. The staff was cordial and polite. This theatre is an excellent bargain as Brooklyn is at a loss for neighborhood theatres. For a 76 year old building it serves its' purpose. Digital projection and seats were fine. I suggest late afternoon shows when schools are out. For $5. there are no complaints as today’s movies are not worth more than $5. The theatre is not to far from my home and I will visit it again. You can keep your modern multiplexes. Remember, It’s a good time for a “Kent” on a Wednesday. (Forgive the cigarette pun!)
The original 1929 letters were opaque 3-D glass with black outlines. Uncovered during renovation above the box office wer the same letters with the black outlines painted gold, what a suprise! They wer up for some months and spelled out: Top Line WELCOME TO LOEW’S KINGS SHOWCASE THEATRE 2nd: LATE SHOWS ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS.
The original (first marquee)was a high hat style and had stationary lights under the canopy and the reader boards were back lit. The corners were tiffany-like curves also back lit. The vertical sign (NOT BLADE SIGN) was neon but not animated.
The second marquee had larger reader boards which had lime green neon all around the chaser lights borders inside and out (2 strips of green that went on and off.
The front of the marquee had two panels that spelled out “Loew’s Kings” in red Loew’s lit up first and then Kings and then did an on of sequence and repeated same. The vertical sign had L O E W ‘ S in red neon andd horizontal white tubing (neon). It was very animated and went like this, each letter would light up from top to bottom andd then the white horizontal tubing would follow, when it was all lit up, the “LOEW’S” name wouldd flash on and off three times, go off and then the white tubing would go off from top to bottom. The cycle repeated itself. The “Loew’s” name would also on occasin would grow fron the inner most part of the letters to the outer most. Each letter had an inner, middle and outer neon tube. I know it will be hard to envision this,
but take my word on this, you could see this vertical sign from Maple Street where I lived on Flatbush Avenue almost 15 blocks away. The Albemarle and thhe Kenmore also had fabulous marquees and vertical signs. I wish we had the sophisticated cameras of today back then. What is imbedded in my memory will always be there forever!
P.S. Find the 1970 film “Cotton Comes To Harlem” in Pan and Scan and you will see Loew’s Victoria which had the same Loew’s Kings marquee. You will see it working in on of the night scenes. The new Kino Lorber widescreen version omits it however.
Remember Kings Theatre is a Performing Arts Center, so there is no need for any type of chasing lights. A new replica of the vertical sign will read K I N G S with Theatre below it when it is installed at a later date.
Personally, I think I would like to see the terra cotta without any sign on it.
By the way, Barbra Streisand N E V E R worked at the Loew’s Kings, she worked at a little Chinese restaurant on Nostrand Avenue. Read one of her biographies and “That’s the Truth” (Lily Tomlin’s character Edith Ann)!
I wasn’t finished with my comment, to continue. I didn’t tell you the weekly salary was $150.00 a week and they had us working between 60-70 a week! After Century hired me they offered me $200.00 a week and placed me in the 3 Huntington theatres they had, The Whitman, York and Shore which was atriplex at the time. I worked 5 days as an assistant manager with Friday and Saturdays OFF and one Sunday a month (with pay!), how could I resist. I loved all those theatres and their staffs. When Redstone opened the Commack Mutiplex with 10 screens and 4,200 seats it was the largest theatre on all New York. It came close to being #1 several times but settled into the #2 spot. Redstone coaxed me away from Century Theatres by offering me $400.00 a week in 1983. How could I resist. Unbeknowst to them was that I had reported them to the labor board in 1980. I worked hard for them for a year and a half without taking any vacation time. When in 1985, I put in vacation time due to exhaustion, my request was denied and I was let go.
That was there loss and from then on the Commack went downhill til it closed several years ago. I have fond memories of all the employees I worked with at both multiplexes. I remember Sunrise Multiplex’s first St. Patrick’s Day Party, It was a blast. I would like to hear from any one working at Sunrise from 19979-1980 & Commack from Oct. 27 1983 to summer of 1985.
Goodbye Sunrise Multiplex.
To the last contributor, He also worked the York and said that was the best. One day does not determine an evaluation. I will no longer answer your comments since you think you are a know it all. Remember what happened to Harris when he got persnickety. Cinema Treasures rubbed him out. You probably never went to the Morton Village at all.
JamesD: It is not the stupidest statement ever made on this site but an accurate one. I lived and experienced it during the last 50 years of my life. If you can say the same, good for you and maybe you can write an introduction fitting the Loew’s Kings and Kings Theatre as it is now known. Did you ever see a film at the theatre, better yet have you seen it after its' re-opening. Were you born in 1977 or a little before??? You don'’t have to answer the questions because I really don’t care about what you have to say. I watched over this building over the 37 years it was closed visiting every year, several times the years. I know the true story of the Kings while in operation and during its' closed years and the meetings to save it. As a matter of fact, if it weren’t for me, there would be no Kings Theatre today. And I am not stupid, Erasmus Hall High School gave us all in 1974 a great HS, if not a college education.
To robboehm,
By the way, there is a lot of wrong information in the introduction that needs to be corrected. You need someone who lived and attended the theatre and not some incorrect statements and rumors made by people born after 1977 to get a true introduction. If you haven’t lived and experienced it first hand, then regrettably you don’t know what your talking about.
On January 23, 2015, the event listed in the intro never happened due to a snow storm. It should be removed from the introduction of Kings Theatre. That event will happen on Monday, April 27th 2015 (the rescheduled date).
To George Strum, Lenny Lopes and Orlando Lopes are one in the same. Lenny was nickname. Think of the parties that I didn’t know about at the time, but the staff were great, Patty A., James C. projectionist, and many others. It was so long ago, I worked here for UA in 1977 with a 77 cents policy. I returned in 1981 when ALMI was formed to take over 5 UA theatres. The price was 80 cents for the decade. I had them raise the price to $1. shortly after. The patrons of this theatre were strictly low class due to the price. When Almi took over Century, I asked to go to the Century’s Morton Village. The theatre closed in 1984. The other 4 theatres Almi took from UA were the Amityville, Bayshore (Main St.), Plaza and the Brookhaven (the best grosser of the group). By the way when I went to Plainview reguarding my switch to Morton Village, the manager, Ed, came up with the jingle “We’re in the Almi now, etc. etc.. I worked for Century before the Almi takeover at the Whitman, York and Shore Theatres. All gone but not forgotten.
P.S. Closed under Almi-Century banner. After closing it became the projection booth equipment “cemetery” and every theatre that closed after it housed all the theatre equipment from them as well until the building was sold. P.S.S. Plainview marquee minus “A Century Theatre” center now sits accross the street where the RKO Twin Roadside pylon was. Even though that RKO TWIN lasted only 5 years, the former sideboards are still in place.
“Operation Mad Ball” Jack Lemmon was in it. It’s “Last Picture Show” was “The Road Warrior” Mel Gibson. Most of the staff transferred to the RKO Twin accross the street and the Morton Village nearby. I inherited about three employees and the projectionist as I was the Morton Village manager. The staff of this theatre at the time was superb.
This theatre building should be changed to DEMOLISHED!
I was at this theatre when Rocky played. It was their last big hit. Prior to this it was $1.50 double feature house. When “Obsession” played with “Robin And Marian” it sold out every seat to the rafters. The UA bookers were shocked as was eveyone else, the theatre and the Squire were not busy theatres when I was there 1976-1977 before I went to the Midway when it opened as a Quad. And “That’s the facts folks!” ORLANDO LOPES
Again there is a lot of balogna in this section. Working at this theatre for over three years, Carmi Djiji (G.G. Theatres operated this theatre from 1962 to mid to late 1990’s and changed the name from Beacon to Port Washington Triplex and so on. The two theatres occupying the two storefronts were built primarily, while I was there, for putting in the Hollywood “stinkers” after they flopped on the first three days of opening or for holding a picture that no longer needed a 200 seat theatre. Believe it or not (and I don’t care either way) these two 60 seat theatres sometimes outgrossed the larger theatres in the building. As for Steve Smith’s introduction, the seats where new when installed, the public “beat them up”! Mr. Djiji spent money on his theatres unlike Skouras from which he took over the theatre. He still owns the building and leases it as he won’t sell it. (Real Estate $$$ in Port Washington.) So the ownerships should be changed to Century (the first), Skouras, GG Theatres, Clearview, and Bow Tie. The property that the Sands Point Theatre was is exactly where the Soundview was built. GG also ran the Sands Point. I loved the name Clearview’s Soundview. And “That’s the facts folks!” clear and true.
To Mr. Greenberg.
and look forward to seeing you every time I work, you are my family at every event in our Kings Theatre.
In three days, Church of God, formerly the Century’s Rialto Theatre will be 99 years old. A lot of fond memories here for me. Glad that is originally intact as it looked in 1916. I attend services here once in a while. L'Eglise De Dieux keeps the place immaculate and to their credit lovingly take care of one of Flatbush Avenues first theatre. When I made my communion in 1966 or so, my sister took me here to see “You Only Live Twice” and “The Fortune Cookie” with a Pink Panther cartoon. Loved that Century logo with the flying “C”’s converging into one and spelling outwards to the right (Century Theatres) before the coming attractions. Remember the music also that went with the snipe. Contrary to what is written in the introduction, the theatre closed August 30, 1977 with “Kentucky Fried Movie”, also the same day was the closing of the Loew’s Kings under the new management of ATM (American Theatre Management).
Thanks Rob for the picture that I have been looking for, the new Sayville was built to the right of this first Sayville. When the new one was finished and opened, this closed (the day before) without loss of revenue. Still it would have been nice to see them both side by side before demolition started on the older theatre. Who knows maybe there is a picture out there in Sayville some where in someone’s attic or basement. However,thanks again for this one.
Hello Ross,
In the early 1970’s, I attended this theatre many times. It was always a pleasantly operated theatre as were many of the Century Theatres were. Its great to see some upper terra cotta still in place today as the owners knew it was special features. However, it is sad to see. It’s a good thing we have our memories.
I went here for the first time with a friend. Wednesday’s are Bargain Day (All Seats $5.) all day. School was out and the inner lobby was full of young folks for “SpongeBob”. The theatre lobby retains the poste cases (6) and seats for people awaiting entrance (Nice touch as most don’t). Some details remain intact, but the lobby resembles an arcade with a table to play air hockey which is annoying to people in the small 75 seat theatre (where we sat watching “50 Shades Of Grey”. On the way out I viewed the other two screens which were a bit larger but away from the noise of the lobby. The bathrooms were clean for such a busy matinee. The popcorn was good and I bought a can of soda at the stand. The staff was cordial and polite. This theatre is an excellent bargain as Brooklyn is at a loss for neighborhood theatres. For a 76 year old building it serves its' purpose. Digital projection and seats were fine. I suggest late afternoon shows when schools are out. For $5. there are no complaints as today’s movies are not worth more than $5. The theatre is not to far from my home and I will visit it again. You can keep your modern multiplexes. Remember, It’s a good time for a “Kent” on a Wednesday. (Forgive the cigarette pun!)
The original 1929 letters were opaque 3-D glass with black outlines. Uncovered during renovation above the box office wer the same letters with the black outlines painted gold, what a suprise! They wer up for some months and spelled out: Top Line WELCOME TO LOEW’S KINGS SHOWCASE THEATRE 2nd: LATE SHOWS ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS.
The original (first marquee)was a high hat style and had stationary lights under the canopy and the reader boards were back lit. The corners were tiffany-like curves also back lit. The vertical sign (NOT BLADE SIGN) was neon but not animated. The second marquee had larger reader boards which had lime green neon all around the chaser lights borders inside and out (2 strips of green that went on and off. The front of the marquee had two panels that spelled out “Loew’s Kings” in red Loew’s lit up first and then Kings and then did an on of sequence and repeated same. The vertical sign had L O E W ‘ S in red neon andd horizontal white tubing (neon). It was very animated and went like this, each letter would light up from top to bottom andd then the white horizontal tubing would follow, when it was all lit up, the “LOEW’S” name wouldd flash on and off three times, go off and then the white tubing would go off from top to bottom. The cycle repeated itself. The “Loew’s” name would also on occasin would grow fron the inner most part of the letters to the outer most. Each letter had an inner, middle and outer neon tube. I know it will be hard to envision this, but take my word on this, you could see this vertical sign from Maple Street where I lived on Flatbush Avenue almost 15 blocks away. The Albemarle and thhe Kenmore also had fabulous marquees and vertical signs. I wish we had the sophisticated cameras of today back then. What is imbedded in my memory will always be there forever!
P.S. Find the 1970 film “Cotton Comes To Harlem” in Pan and Scan and you will see Loew’s Victoria which had the same Loew’s Kings marquee. You will see it working in on of the night scenes. The new Kino Lorber widescreen version omits it however.
Remember Kings Theatre is a Performing Arts Center, so there is no need for any type of chasing lights. A new replica of the vertical sign will read K I N G S with Theatre below it when it is installed at a later date. Personally, I think I would like to see the terra cotta without any sign on it.
By the way, Barbra Streisand N E V E R worked at the Loew’s Kings, she worked at a little Chinese restaurant on Nostrand Avenue. Read one of her biographies and “That’s the Truth” (Lily Tomlin’s character Edith Ann)!
The neon is on as of yesterday, but some of it is out.
The neon is on as of Thursday, 2-12-15. Some of it is out.
Redstone always owned this property and it was NOT leased.
Albemarle Palace was the name of the ballroom above the lobbies and opened before the theatre.
I wasn’t finished with my comment, to continue. I didn’t tell you the weekly salary was $150.00 a week and they had us working between 60-70 a week! After Century hired me they offered me $200.00 a week and placed me in the 3 Huntington theatres they had, The Whitman, York and Shore which was atriplex at the time. I worked 5 days as an assistant manager with Friday and Saturdays OFF and one Sunday a month (with pay!), how could I resist. I loved all those theatres and their staffs. When Redstone opened the Commack Mutiplex with 10 screens and 4,200 seats it was the largest theatre on all New York. It came close to being #1 several times but settled into the #2 spot. Redstone coaxed me away from Century Theatres by offering me $400.00 a week in 1983. How could I resist. Unbeknowst to them was that I had reported them to the labor board in 1980. I worked hard for them for a year and a half without taking any vacation time. When in 1985, I put in vacation time due to exhaustion, my request was denied and I was let go. That was there loss and from then on the Commack went downhill til it closed several years ago. I have fond memories of all the employees I worked with at both multiplexes. I remember Sunrise Multiplex’s first St. Patrick’s Day Party, It was a blast. I would like to hear from any one working at Sunrise from 19979-1980 & Commack from Oct. 27 1983 to summer of 1985. Goodbye Sunrise Multiplex.