Technically, the theatre was not razed. Gutted yes. Joined with the adjacent Apollo yes. When you walk west on 43rd street from Broadway you can see the remains of the ornate exterior Lyric wall. Incidentally, before the 42nd street vitalization project, this exterior wall was cleaned and resurfaced anticipating the revival of the theatre as had been done with the Apollo using 43rd street as the entrance to avoid the blight on 42nd street.
The Apollo returned as a Broadway theatre with On Golden Pond after a renovation which included changing the entrance to 43rd Street to get away from 42nd street which had yet to be revitalized. As a result the lobby was very tiny since it was basically the “secondary lobby” which a few Broadway houses had when they ran from street to street. The Imperial is another one which immediately comes to mind. The 43 street entrance was retained when this became a concert venue. The theatre was never actually demolished. The exterior walls, along with those of the Lyric next door were used in the final Ford Center, now Hilton.
But that still doesn’t address the matter of the Casino which is what the subject of this specific site is supposed to be about. Shelter Island has the Heights, Dering Harbor and Ram Island in addition to the rest of the island. It would be nice to try and pinpoint a location on this good sized island. And where did Lost Memory read about this theatre. That might be a good place to start doing some detective work. The local paper on the Island wasn’t around before WWII; the historical society had no information other than a nightclub or something like that destroyed in a hurricane. Was the theatre adjacent to the Casino or is the name a coincidence?
I always remember how Cornell Wilde’s hand and arm looked after his fall; very strangely lit, sort of blue/green spooky.
If you like circus stories, there was an autobiography some years ago by a woman who did some TV called, I believe, “I Love You Honey but the Season’s Almost Over”. Her name was Claussen or something like that. A good read.
Michael – please refer to earlier postings which have links to photos of the facade. Unfortunately, none show the original marquee. Incidentally, the Bellerose is in Nassau County if that matters to you as a Queens based organization.
And referencing Bway’s 2004 posting both the Coram and Patchogue Multiplexes on the sites of former drive-in have also closed. You can see the Coram from the road but the Patchogue was never visible from Sunrise Highway. All you can see is the pylon and a fence.
Also any bus or the el in Queens along Jericho Turnpike/Jamaica Avenue. Starting in Nassau, Park (New Hyde Park), Floral (Floral Park), Bellerose, Queens and Community in Queens Village, Bellaire, Hollis; Carlton, Valencia, Midway, Alden, Jamaica, Savoy (all in Jamaica with the Hillside off to the right), then on into Woodhaven with the Haven and the Woodhaven, etc..
Was Auntie Mame a Christmas attraction? I always remember Roz Russell mourning her husband, Beau in a very demur dress, until she turned around and the back was cut way down. Got a big laugh. The one peculiar thing about the MH acoustics was that applause didn’t sound like clapping, more like chirping birds.
I was never in this theatre but wandered around the exterior one day shortly after it was opened. It seemed really cheaply contructed from the outside.
The theatre was first run, road show in it’s early days. I remember seeing Thoroughly Modern Millie there. I would presume that the Century Roosevelt Field was a contributing factor to it’s demise. The only other theatres in the area were the old Westbury on Post Avenue which was not first run and the Salisbury which resorted to adult films to extend its lifespan.
I remember one year waiting on line to get into the Music Hall and several Rockettes came out in full makeup. It seemed very exaggerated. When I saw the special on PBS the makeup looked more natural. I also remember one time when one of the gals in the center did an extra kick and reacted to it. Always loved the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers. I actually prefer the old Nativity with the the cast in shadows like statues and then they all start to move along the walls to the stage. As many times as I saw that it always got me. And believe me, my parents faithfully took me to every Christmas and Easter show, and some in between. Bus and subway. Per one of my previous postings we usually used the little known ticket booth at the subway level. First show 90 cents!!!!!!!
When I went to Sewanhaka High School, in Floral Park, Long Island, New York, a former Rockette, Muriel Nordman, I believe was her name, was a physical education teacher. She also had a cheerleading group with a Rockette type routine.“Remember to point your toes, girls”.
There were a number of these on Long Island. Also Ct. The one I was in in Ct. they had a large garage door which they rolled up so you could see the Drive In Screen. Many other drive ins also had small indoor booths.
Clippings from the Alexandria Bay Historical Society – “August 4, 1927. The newly built Weller Theatre was formally opened to the public Saturday evening amid elaborate ceremonies. The theatre lobby was banked with flowers and before the show was opened Fuller Cornwall, president of the Kiwanis Club gave an address.”
And later, at an unknown date –“ The new sound and effect pictures will be offered at the Weller Theatre, starting next January 26th. The music is set to each picture and the sound effects are very realistic. The new effect devices have been much improved. The management announces that there will be no advance in admission.”
And, finally in December 1964- “Theatre to be torn down – The "Bay” theatre has seen its last movie and is now in the process of being torn down to become a parking lost. Built in 1927 by Mrs. Sue Weller
the theatre is a victim of the decline in the movie business, and was closed down last Labor Day. Work is already underway to raze the structure."
Remember seeing Hiroshima, Mon Amor here
I’m holding my breath on this just like the Islip. Two projects which have bad track records.
I consider what I see on 43rd Street more than an insignificant small section of wall. Check it out for yourself.
Technically, the theatre was not razed. Gutted yes. Joined with the adjacent Apollo yes. When you walk west on 43rd street from Broadway you can see the remains of the ornate exterior Lyric wall. Incidentally, before the 42nd street vitalization project, this exterior wall was cleaned and resurfaced anticipating the revival of the theatre as had been done with the Apollo using 43rd street as the entrance to avoid the blight on 42nd street.
The Apollo returned as a Broadway theatre with On Golden Pond after a renovation which included changing the entrance to 43rd Street to get away from 42nd street which had yet to be revitalized. As a result the lobby was very tiny since it was basically the “secondary lobby” which a few Broadway houses had when they ran from street to street. The Imperial is another one which immediately comes to mind. The 43 street entrance was retained when this became a concert venue. The theatre was never actually demolished. The exterior walls, along with those of the Lyric next door were used in the final Ford Center, now Hilton.
But that still doesn’t address the matter of the Casino which is what the subject of this specific site is supposed to be about. Shelter Island has the Heights, Dering Harbor and Ram Island in addition to the rest of the island. It would be nice to try and pinpoint a location on this good sized island. And where did Lost Memory read about this theatre. That might be a good place to start doing some detective work. The local paper on the Island wasn’t around before WWII; the historical society had no information other than a nightclub or something like that destroyed in a hurricane. Was the theatre adjacent to the Casino or is the name a coincidence?
The a large number of the remaining Broadway theatres have had some film in their history but have yet to be added to the CT roster.
Must have reopened at some point in time, Newsday Movie Timetable for today shows nine current movies playing.
I always remember how Cornell Wilde’s hand and arm looked after his fall; very strangely lit, sort of blue/green spooky.
If you like circus stories, there was an autobiography some years ago by a woman who did some TV called, I believe, “I Love You Honey but the Season’s Almost Over”. Her name was Claussen or something like that. A good read.
Didn’t realize there was an Adam’s Rib prior to the Tracy – Hepburn film.
Michael – please refer to earlier postings which have links to photos of the facade. Unfortunately, none show the original marquee. Incidentally, the Bellerose is in Nassau County if that matters to you as a Queens based organization.
And referencing Bway’s 2004 posting both the Coram and Patchogue Multiplexes on the sites of former drive-in have also closed. You can see the Coram from the road but the Patchogue was never visible from Sunrise Highway. All you can see is the pylon and a fence.
Pylon is still up and not vandalized. Amazing.
Also any bus or the el in Queens along Jericho Turnpike/Jamaica Avenue. Starting in Nassau, Park (New Hyde Park), Floral (Floral Park), Bellerose, Queens and Community in Queens Village, Bellaire, Hollis; Carlton, Valencia, Midway, Alden, Jamaica, Savoy (all in Jamaica with the Hillside off to the right), then on into Woodhaven with the Haven and the Woodhaven, etc..
None of the Long Island venues exist today. The Syosset and Twin South were demolished. The UA 150 was converted into a high end health club.
I never expected such affirmation of my choice of Auntie Mame.
From live shows I’ve seen there, such as, Gotta Get Away, I would say that amplification is a must.
Was Auntie Mame a Christmas attraction? I always remember Roz Russell mourning her husband, Beau in a very demur dress, until she turned around and the back was cut way down. Got a big laugh. The one peculiar thing about the MH acoustics was that applause didn’t sound like clapping, more like chirping birds.
I was never in this theatre but wandered around the exterior one day shortly after it was opened. It seemed really cheaply contructed from the outside.
The theatre was first run, road show in it’s early days. I remember seeing Thoroughly Modern Millie there. I would presume that the Century Roosevelt Field was a contributing factor to it’s demise. The only other theatres in the area were the old Westbury on Post Avenue which was not first run and the Salisbury which resorted to adult films to extend its lifespan.
I remember one year waiting on line to get into the Music Hall and several Rockettes came out in full makeup. It seemed very exaggerated. When I saw the special on PBS the makeup looked more natural. I also remember one time when one of the gals in the center did an extra kick and reacted to it. Always loved the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers. I actually prefer the old Nativity with the the cast in shadows like statues and then they all start to move along the walls to the stage. As many times as I saw that it always got me. And believe me, my parents faithfully took me to every Christmas and Easter show, and some in between. Bus and subway. Per one of my previous postings we usually used the little known ticket booth at the subway level. First show 90 cents!!!!!!!
When I went to Sewanhaka High School, in Floral Park, Long Island, New York, a former Rockette, Muriel Nordman, I believe was her name, was a physical education teacher. She also had a cheerleading group with a Rockette type routine.“Remember to point your toes, girls”.
There were a number of these on Long Island. Also Ct. The one I was in in Ct. they had a large garage door which they rolled up so you could see the Drive In Screen. Many other drive ins also had small indoor booths.
Re my posting above the enhanced sound was January 1929.
Clippings from the Alexandria Bay Historical Society – “August 4, 1927. The newly built Weller Theatre was formally opened to the public Saturday evening amid elaborate ceremonies. The theatre lobby was banked with flowers and before the show was opened Fuller Cornwall, president of the Kiwanis Club gave an address.”
And later, at an unknown date –“ The new sound and effect pictures will be offered at the Weller Theatre, starting next January 26th. The music is set to each picture and the sound effects are very realistic. The new effect devices have been much improved. The management announces that there will be no advance in admission.”
And, finally in December 1964- “Theatre to be torn down – The "Bay” theatre has seen its last movie and is now in the process of being torn down to become a parking lost. Built in 1927 by Mrs. Sue Weller
the theatre is a victim of the decline in the movie business, and was closed down last Labor Day. Work is already underway to raze the structure."