TT, you are right, and I did get my “woods” mixed up. Clearly, it makes a lot more sense to look at Woodhaven Blvd. – rather than the more remote Woodside community – as the sourse of the Elmwood’s name. For some reason, I just blanked out this from my mind when I wrote my last post. Anyway, thanks for correcting this one point.
That’s a really great shot of the old movie house. Since both “That Magnificent Urge” and “Belle Starr’s Daughter” premiered in November 1948, the picture probably dates to the Spring of 1949, when both films probably reached this second run theater.
Regarding the source of the theater’s name, I would guess that the Newtown took the name of the community that became Elmhurst a little over 100 years ago. As the story goes, real estate magnate Cord Meyer, who was developing this community, thought that the name Newtown would be unfavorably associated with the already severely polluted Newtown Creek. And wallah, Elmhurst was born. This was somewhat of a pity since Newtown was one of Queens' original towns and had once included much of the western portion of the borough. Remnants of old Newtown, including an old church yard, can be found only a few blocks from the theater, and groups like the Newtown Historical Society keep the history of the old town alive.
Finally, TT is absolutely right that Queens has never hosted a neighborhood called Elmwood. The Elmwood theater was, I believe, named after the very seperate communities of Elmhurst and Woodside.
I am sure this event was noted somewhere in the 3,400 plus comments appearing above – I did not have the time to check – but I thought you would find this recollection interesting.
The only time that I have ever visited the New Ziegfeld occured when it premiered Martin Scorcese’s “The Last Temptation of Christ” in the teeth of a Papal protest supported by the local Cardinal. I remember having to go past the, by that time, dwindling group of the faithful – the movie had opened about week before then – who decried the heresy I was just about to consume. The only lesson I took from this whole experience was that the Pope is a terrible movie critic. I really enjoyed seeing this underrated – and, in its own way, truly religious – near-masterpiece in this terrific environment. And Harvey Keitel’s Judas was, in its decidedly non-idiomatic way, really extraordinary.
I really should visit this beautiful theater again.
Thanks site manager so much for correcting the bad information that I received regarding the demise of this site as a day care center. I guess that while the advocates to save the day care center went to the press as much as they could as long as the center’s future remained in doubt, they pretty much forgot to tell the wider public about the center’s salvation once it had been achieved.
Anyhow, the center’s notice that they are still here apppears below, and I wish them the best for the future.
I just noticed that the top of the page has been changed to reflect the closing of the center that – as I just noted – did not occur after all. I hope the site manager will update this item accordingly – and I regret having provided inaccurate informtion. (I guess this is one of those things you just have to verify via a site visit.)
The demise of the day care center at the old Alhambra apparently did not occur, and I was misinformed in saying so. Instead, as verified by my site visit earlier today, the City and the landlord made an 11th hour – or perhaps 13th hour is more like it – agreement that keeps the center operating. The staff that I spoke to were very relieved that the worst had not occured and were very much looking forward to continuing to serve the youth of Bushwick in the future.
During my quick site visit, I told the staff that the center had once been a movie theater, and they knew it. When I asked if anything cinematic remained, they noted that, except for a lighting fixture on the top floor, the place had pretty much been gutted to accommodate its present – and hopefully future – use.
So, the old theater will continue to serve the Bushwick community, albeit as a day care center, for the forseeing future. This is really great news!
I did a little research and found that the photo was almost certainly shot in the spring or summer of 1949. While both films on the double bill were released in 1948, “He Walked by Night” opened on November 24th of that year. Since the Maspeth was decidedly not a first run theater – and since I clearly doubt that summer arrived in December, 1948 – the films most probably came to Maspeth about six months after being released.
A bit more trivia about these films: (1) the Bob Cummings film – “Let’s Live a Little” – also starred Hedy Lamarr, who played a shrink, and (2) it has been alleged that one of the the other film’s supporting players, Jack Webb, used “He Walked by Night’s” story line as a prototype for a project he was developing – called Dragnet. Well, those are the facts maam!
Thanks for the terrific picture. It not only evokes the time, which I guess was late 40’s/early 50’s, but provides a picture of Grand Avenue in Maspeth before it was rudely cut in two by the LIE.
I recently stumbled over a historical book about Shelter Island. (No, I didn’t hurt myself!) The only reference to anything named “Casino” concernned a resort hotel that functioned in the 1910’s and closed after America’s entry into the First World War in 1917. So, this offers no real connection to a Casino cinema that operated a generation later.
My guess is that the Casino, if it existed at all, had a short run during several Summers and was totally aimed at the tourist crowd. Even without the hurricane, I just don’t think such a venture could have lasted for more than a brief time, especially considering the fact that the Greenport movie house was – and is – situated just a hop, skip and a jump from the North Ferry terminal. So I definitely agree with rvb on this point.
Bway, my experience was very much like yours. I first got to know the community in which I now call home when, in the mid-1970’s, I frequently took the G train from my native Greenpoint to catch a first run film in Forest Hills. At the time, the Meserole was on its last legs and would soon close its doors and the Chopin, when it was open, was not really an option – though I did visit it occasionally. Forest Hills, on the other hand, hosted four theaters, and many more screens, in the immediate Continental Ave./Queens Blvd. vicinity. Just about all of the non-art house cinematic fare that was playing in Manhattan could be seen here, for a slightly lower price. And Austin St. was a really great place to visit. Given these options, Forest Hills clearly trumped Manhattan. As the 70’s turned into the 80’s, my cinematic preferences, for some reason, shifted west to Manhattan and I lost contact with this neighborhood.
While I did catch a few films at the Branden – then the Continental – and did see Full Metal Jacket at the long lost Continental 3, now a health club, it was the Forest Hills Theater that I enjoyed the most. It was, thus, very disappointing when, after a many years absence, I visited the neighborhood in 2001, in the course of buying my coop apartment, and learned that the Forest Hills was now a drug store. However, all is not lost and the Brandon and the Midway continue to serve this terrific neighborhood – and there is always the trusty old Cinemart on Metropolitan Ave! So the bottle is still at least half full, for now.
The Landmarks Commission report on the Canal’s designation just came out on its web site. If the link works, it will be something to both enjoy and serve as a valuable addition to this thread. Anyhow, enjoy reading the good news!
Bway, good to hear from you. You are absolutely correct about all of your memories of the Brandon and the Continental. This only indicates how long it was since I saw a movie at this theater, eventhough I live right next to the place! Anyhow, I am sure we should all be glad that the place remains very well maintained. Talk soon.
Although I have made Forest Hills my home for over nine years, I just visited the Brandon for the first time since it was twinned earlier today to see The Town. (I highly recommend this film.) The movie house is very well maintained and the twinning was nicely done. I think I will be visiting this place again very soon.
Just wanted to add my belated thanks to Tinseltoes for posting those terrific pictures. They really convey the feel of the period. (In addition to the picture of the old New Delancey, you can also access about eight other picture pages of Delancey St., one of which features the awning of a Paramount Theater.)
I remember this theater during its Spanish days when I used to shop on Delancey St., often after walking over the Williamsburg Bridge.
First, site manager, thanks for adding Carlson’s name so promptly.
And Joe, thanks again for your commment about Wiseman. I had no idea that he was responsible for such gems as the landmarked City Cinemas Village East (this theater must have set the record for most previous names), the former Fillmore East and, one of my favorite neighhood houses, the still existing – and hopefully prospering – Cinemart. I also saw that you were recently successful in getting Wiseman’s name added as architect in CT to several theaters. Congratulations on that point.
Joe, thanks for the very detailed explanation of the CT process.
In further exploring the work of the Carlson and Wiseman firm, I noted that they are, at least in CT, responsible for only three other movie houses – the old Albemarle and Carlton and the still existing Alpine – all of which are or were situated in Brooklyn. So this was probably a pretty locally based firm. In addition, Wiseman – not Carlson – is the architect credited for the other three theaters. If true, this would make the Alhambra the only movie house, at least according to CT, that was designed by Arthur Carlson. This is yet another reson why he needs to be listed at the top of the page.
Joe, thanks so much for these two terrific pictures. The interior shot is a really rare find.
The caption, however, raises a question that needs to be addressed. Specifically, if the Alhambra’s architect was Arthur G. Carlson, why is this task attributed solely to Thomas Lamb at the top of the page? In reviewing the previous coments, I found a statement from Lost Memory – dated 9/4/05 – noting that Lamb was only involved in the 1927 alteration that probably upgraded the theater as a movie house and equipped it for sound. A similar situation happened with the RKO Bushwick, where Lamb executed certain interior renovations years after the place opened for business.
Given Lamb’s sterling reputation, it is not surprising that his participation is duly noted – but this is done at the expense of the original architect. For this reason, fairness dictates that the title needs to be changed to designate Carlson as the principal architect while also noting Lamb’s subsequent contributions.
It seems as if the Day Care center DID close at the end of August. Thus, this space is empty until anything else moves in. Hope some good program moves in here – though I have my doubts.
If a pizza parlor was situated at this corner, it would have had be located at the NE corner, since the NW corner hosts a park. Currently, a senior center is situated at the NE corner, which is within the Williamsburg Houses development. It is large enough to have accommodated the double storefront pizza place that was noted above. But, as long as I remember, this was always a senior center, which was, and I believe still is, sponsored by JASA.
The pizza parlor that I DO remember was – and I believe stil is – situated directly across the street from the old Rainbow. When I attended Most Holy Trinity HS in the 1960’s, I would top off many a school day with a visit there. I am sure that many of the Rainbow’s patrons did exactly the same thing.
Wow, it seems like us two Forest Hills residents got the same idea at the very same time!
Looking further at this, I must also commend the Commission for the relative speed of this action. Usually, the Commission moves only slightly faster than most glaciers. But not this time. Clearly, the active support of the local political and community leadership was a huge factor here.
Attached is the Landmarks Commission’s press release, which was just issued yesterday, announcing the landmark designation of the Canal’s facade. (Hope the link comes through. If it does not, you can view it on the Commission’s web site.)
As one who was involved in the campaign to landmark the Ridgewood Theatre’s facade – another one of Lamb’s creations – let me express my congratulations for the efforts made by those who actively supported this most significant achievement. The Commission is also to be commended for adopting an increasing broad – though hardly inappropriate – definition of buildings that are “landmarks worthy”.
While this only represents the first step in what will doubtless be a lengthy campaign to restore the Canal as positive presence in the community, it is a terrific achievement. Again, congratulations!
TT, you are right, and I did get my “woods” mixed up. Clearly, it makes a lot more sense to look at Woodhaven Blvd. – rather than the more remote Woodside community – as the sourse of the Elmwood’s name. For some reason, I just blanked out this from my mind when I wrote my last post. Anyway, thanks for correcting this one point.
That’s a really great shot of the old movie house. Since both “That Magnificent Urge” and “Belle Starr’s Daughter” premiered in November 1948, the picture probably dates to the Spring of 1949, when both films probably reached this second run theater.
Regarding the source of the theater’s name, I would guess that the Newtown took the name of the community that became Elmhurst a little over 100 years ago. As the story goes, real estate magnate Cord Meyer, who was developing this community, thought that the name Newtown would be unfavorably associated with the already severely polluted Newtown Creek. And wallah, Elmhurst was born. This was somewhat of a pity since Newtown was one of Queens' original towns and had once included much of the western portion of the borough. Remnants of old Newtown, including an old church yard, can be found only a few blocks from the theater, and groups like the Newtown Historical Society keep the history of the old town alive.
Finally, TT is absolutely right that Queens has never hosted a neighborhood called Elmwood. The Elmwood theater was, I believe, named after the very seperate communities of Elmhurst and Woodside.
I am sure this event was noted somewhere in the 3,400 plus comments appearing above – I did not have the time to check – but I thought you would find this recollection interesting.
The only time that I have ever visited the New Ziegfeld occured when it premiered Martin Scorcese’s “The Last Temptation of Christ” in the teeth of a Papal protest supported by the local Cardinal. I remember having to go past the, by that time, dwindling group of the faithful – the movie had opened about week before then – who decried the heresy I was just about to consume. The only lesson I took from this whole experience was that the Pope is a terrible movie critic. I really enjoyed seeing this underrated – and, in its own way, truly religious – near-masterpiece in this terrific environment. And Harvey Keitel’s Judas was, in its decidedly non-idiomatic way, really extraordinary.
I really should visit this beautiful theater again.
Thanks site manager so much for correcting the bad information that I received regarding the demise of this site as a day care center. I guess that while the advocates to save the day care center went to the press as much as they could as long as the center’s future remained in doubt, they pretty much forgot to tell the wider public about the center’s salvation once it had been achieved.
Anyhow, the center’s notice that they are still here apppears below, and I wish them the best for the future.
http://www.grandstreet.org/html/news.shtml
I just noticed that the top of the page has been changed to reflect the closing of the center that – as I just noted – did not occur after all. I hope the site manager will update this item accordingly – and I regret having provided inaccurate informtion. (I guess this is one of those things you just have to verify via a site visit.)
Some GREAT news!
The demise of the day care center at the old Alhambra apparently did not occur, and I was misinformed in saying so. Instead, as verified by my site visit earlier today, the City and the landlord made an 11th hour – or perhaps 13th hour is more like it – agreement that keeps the center operating. The staff that I spoke to were very relieved that the worst had not occured and were very much looking forward to continuing to serve the youth of Bushwick in the future.
During my quick site visit, I told the staff that the center had once been a movie theater, and they knew it. When I asked if anything cinematic remained, they noted that, except for a lighting fixture on the top floor, the place had pretty much been gutted to accommodate its present – and hopefully future – use.
So, the old theater will continue to serve the Bushwick community, albeit as a day care center, for the forseeing future. This is really great news!
Well, I guess it has now been displayed three times!
I did a little research and found that the photo was almost certainly shot in the spring or summer of 1949. While both films on the double bill were released in 1948, “He Walked by Night” opened on November 24th of that year. Since the Maspeth was decidedly not a first run theater – and since I clearly doubt that summer arrived in December, 1948 – the films most probably came to Maspeth about six months after being released.
A bit more trivia about these films: (1) the Bob Cummings film – “Let’s Live a Little” – also starred Hedy Lamarr, who played a shrink, and (2) it has been alleged that one of the the other film’s supporting players, Jack Webb, used “He Walked by Night’s” story line as a prototype for a project he was developing – called Dragnet. Well, those are the facts maam!
Thanks for the terrific picture. It not only evokes the time, which I guess was late 40’s/early 50’s, but provides a picture of Grand Avenue in Maspeth before it was rudely cut in two by the LIE.
Thanks again.
I recently stumbled over a historical book about Shelter Island. (No, I didn’t hurt myself!) The only reference to anything named “Casino” concernned a resort hotel that functioned in the 1910’s and closed after America’s entry into the First World War in 1917. So, this offers no real connection to a Casino cinema that operated a generation later.
My guess is that the Casino, if it existed at all, had a short run during several Summers and was totally aimed at the tourist crowd. Even without the hurricane, I just don’t think such a venture could have lasted for more than a brief time, especially considering the fact that the Greenport movie house was – and is – situated just a hop, skip and a jump from the North Ferry terminal. So I definitely agree with rvb on this point.
Bway, my experience was very much like yours. I first got to know the community in which I now call home when, in the mid-1970’s, I frequently took the G train from my native Greenpoint to catch a first run film in Forest Hills. At the time, the Meserole was on its last legs and would soon close its doors and the Chopin, when it was open, was not really an option – though I did visit it occasionally. Forest Hills, on the other hand, hosted four theaters, and many more screens, in the immediate Continental Ave./Queens Blvd. vicinity. Just about all of the non-art house cinematic fare that was playing in Manhattan could be seen here, for a slightly lower price. And Austin St. was a really great place to visit. Given these options, Forest Hills clearly trumped Manhattan. As the 70’s turned into the 80’s, my cinematic preferences, for some reason, shifted west to Manhattan and I lost contact with this neighborhood.
While I did catch a few films at the Branden – then the Continental – and did see Full Metal Jacket at the long lost Continental 3, now a health club, it was the Forest Hills Theater that I enjoyed the most. It was, thus, very disappointing when, after a many years absence, I visited the neighborhood in 2001, in the course of buying my coop apartment, and learned that the Forest Hills was now a drug store. However, all is not lost and the Brandon and the Midway continue to serve this terrific neighborhood – and there is always the trusty old Cinemart on Metropolitan Ave! So the bottle is still at least half full, for now.
The Landmarks Commission report on the Canal’s designation just came out on its web site. If the link works, it will be something to both enjoy and serve as a valuable addition to this thread. Anyhow, enjoy reading the good news!
View link
Bway, good to hear from you. You are absolutely correct about all of your memories of the Brandon and the Continental. This only indicates how long it was since I saw a movie at this theater, eventhough I live right next to the place! Anyhow, I am sure we should all be glad that the place remains very well maintained. Talk soon.
Although I have made Forest Hills my home for over nine years, I just visited the Brandon for the first time since it was twinned earlier today to see The Town. (I highly recommend this film.) The movie house is very well maintained and the twinning was nicely done. I think I will be visiting this place again very soon.
Thanks for the clarification, Al. You must admit that this was the most cinematic of cafeteria signs!
Just wanted to add my belated thanks to Tinseltoes for posting those terrific pictures. They really convey the feel of the period. (In addition to the picture of the old New Delancey, you can also access about eight other picture pages of Delancey St., one of which features the awning of a Paramount Theater.)
I remember this theater during its Spanish days when I used to shop on Delancey St., often after walking over the Williamsburg Bridge.
First, site manager, thanks for adding Carlson’s name so promptly.
And Joe, thanks again for your commment about Wiseman. I had no idea that he was responsible for such gems as the landmarked City Cinemas Village East (this theater must have set the record for most previous names), the former Fillmore East and, one of my favorite neighhood houses, the still existing – and hopefully prospering – Cinemart. I also saw that you were recently successful in getting Wiseman’s name added as architect in CT to several theaters. Congratulations on that point.
Don, also thanks for these terrific pictures.
Looking at the old Pacace, I couldn’t stop thinking about the theater in “The Last Picture Show”!
Joe, thanks for the very detailed explanation of the CT process.
In further exploring the work of the Carlson and Wiseman firm, I noted that they are, at least in CT, responsible for only three other movie houses – the old Albemarle and Carlton and the still existing Alpine – all of which are or were situated in Brooklyn. So this was probably a pretty locally based firm. In addition, Wiseman – not Carlson – is the architect credited for the other three theaters. If true, this would make the Alhambra the only movie house, at least according to CT, that was designed by Arthur Carlson. This is yet another reson why he needs to be listed at the top of the page.
Joe, thanks so much for these two terrific pictures. The interior shot is a really rare find.
The caption, however, raises a question that needs to be addressed. Specifically, if the Alhambra’s architect was Arthur G. Carlson, why is this task attributed solely to Thomas Lamb at the top of the page? In reviewing the previous coments, I found a statement from Lost Memory – dated 9/4/05 – noting that Lamb was only involved in the 1927 alteration that probably upgraded the theater as a movie house and equipped it for sound. A similar situation happened with the RKO Bushwick, where Lamb executed certain interior renovations years after the place opened for business.
Given Lamb’s sterling reputation, it is not surprising that his participation is duly noted – but this is done at the expense of the original architect. For this reason, fairness dictates that the title needs to be changed to designate Carlson as the principal architect while also noting Lamb’s subsequent contributions.
It seems as if the Day Care center DID close at the end of August. Thus, this space is empty until anything else moves in. Hope some good program moves in here – though I have my doubts.
If a pizza parlor was situated at this corner, it would have had be located at the NE corner, since the NW corner hosts a park. Currently, a senior center is situated at the NE corner, which is within the Williamsburg Houses development. It is large enough to have accommodated the double storefront pizza place that was noted above. But, as long as I remember, this was always a senior center, which was, and I believe still is, sponsored by JASA.
The pizza parlor that I DO remember was – and I believe stil is – situated directly across the street from the old Rainbow. When I attended Most Holy Trinity HS in the 1960’s, I would top off many a school day with a visit there. I am sure that many of the Rainbow’s patrons did exactly the same thing.
These are really wonderful pictures. Thanks so much, jtp.
Wow, it seems like us two Forest Hills residents got the same idea at the very same time!
Looking further at this, I must also commend the Commission for the relative speed of this action. Usually, the Commission moves only slightly faster than most glaciers. But not this time. Clearly, the active support of the local political and community leadership was a huge factor here.
Attached is the Landmarks Commission’s press release, which was just issued yesterday, announcing the landmark designation of the Canal’s facade. (Hope the link comes through. If it does not, you can view it on the Commission’s web site.)
As one who was involved in the campaign to landmark the Ridgewood Theatre’s facade – another one of Lamb’s creations – let me express my congratulations for the efforts made by those who actively supported this most significant achievement. The Commission is also to be commended for adopting an increasing broad – though hardly inappropriate – definition of buildings that are “landmarks worthy”.
While this only represents the first step in what will doubtless be a lengthy campaign to restore the Canal as positive presence in the community, it is a terrific achievement. Again, congratulations!
View link