Coliseum Cinemas
4260-4261 Broadway,
New York,
NY
10033
4260-4261 Broadway,
New York,
NY
10033
11 people
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Thanks to your comment, Ace, adjusted above to reflect Open, with website link, too.
The theatre was closed back in June by the Department of Health after a few major health code violations. Here are the inspection notes.
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This is probably the earliest known photo of the Coliseum. It dates back to 1922, and most notably features B.S Moss' name on the vertical marquee, which indicates that its prior to RKO’s decades-long ownership. Note that at first, a different, smaller marquee was used before the large, ornate marquee the theater was known for was installed. Its certainly a treat to see the theater untouched and in pristine condition. Enjoy:
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That’s an amazing photo! Thanks for posting it up! Equally amazing is that big marquee! Interesting to see the location of what’s the modern-day entrance to the theater today…….that is, there appears to be no entry at all! I can only imagine the marvel that place was back then.
Here’s a photo of the theater circa-1986:
http://tinyurl.com/lra29w
I’m old enough to remember the Lerner retail store which appears to have replaced the former main entrance. Guess this indicates that, by the mid-‘80’s at least, the orchestra section was gone.
RKO days.
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thanks warren…
Ah, beautiful. Thank you.
Here are new links to previously posted images:
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As of 9/22/‘08,the Photobucket links to Warren G. Harris’ photos are all down. Any chance of seeing them again?
Yes, I mean Manhattan actually, although it may be the longest running in the whole city. This dates as far back as 1921, perhaps earlier.
I think on Long Island it is the FANTASY -1920- But can not find a date on the Bellmore theater and that is old also…
In NY city Al?
I believe this is now officially the longest running, still existing, movie theatre in New York.
Here are some exterior shots I took a couple of weekends back:
Entrance & 181st Street main facade
Facade over marquee
Main facade arch
Ornamental detail
Ancient window
Marquee
Main facade detail
B'way facade centerpiece
B'way centerpiece detail
B'way facade feature
Broadway & 181st
Display case
The name of the theatre as per the marquee is Coliseum Cinemas, so I believe a revision is in order up at the top of this page. I presume that in the evening, the neon comedy & tragedy masks at either side of the theatre name panel are brightly illuminated.
I visited my nephew in the Heights a few years ago and we went to see one of the Scary Movie sequels, I believe it was 3, which would make it 2003 (it could’ve been 2 in 2001, not sure).
Speaking of scary…what a dump!!
Does anyone have creative entertainment phone number?>???Bookers in ny.
I lived near this theater from July 2003 to March 2006, but did not go to a movie there even once.
Does any house have Dolby Digital or dts. Or is the sound mono or stereo
In August of 1991, NYC issued a c/o to a four screen theater at 4261 Broadway. Its possible that it was a quad prior to that date. That confirms what Ace posted. The seating given at that time was:
Theater#1-238
Theater#2-239
Theater#3-239
Theater#4-238
Total seats-954
Ace is correct; I remember the Coliseum operating as a quad in the summer of 1991 when ‘Terminator 2: Judgement Day’ was booked there.
I had my first chance to see a film (‘Miami Vice’) at the Coliseum this past summer and was as impressed as Ken Roe was during his visit back in May. The theatre was very well-maintained and the staff was nothing but very professional and friendly. Moviegoers in the five boroughs (and visitors from out of town) need to do all they can to support the city’s remaining vintage cinemas (the Coliseum, the Jackson Triplex, the American, the Ridgewood, and any others I’m wantonly leaving out); the subway ride might be a bit long, but the trip is well worth it.
it was still 1 screen in late 70’s….under rko…
i worked there before i went to 59th street…
wally1975
Ace, I show it reopened as a quad in 1992.
My guess is it twinned around 1971.
Something called the Cinema 181 was advertising in 1966 and I have yet to figure out where that was.
Yeah, I’ve been aware of that for awhile now, but I find that the info on the theater from that website clashes a bit with what I’ve heard around here (such as when the theater was split, then twinned and whatnot)
This website has some history of the New Coliseum Theater.
This 1947 ad shows a remarkable number of RKO theatres— 19 in all— presenting vaudeville, even though it was for one evening only on the slowest night of the week;
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/rkovaude.jpg