I was there the night of the grand opening. A large searchlight was placed outside the theater as limos and taxis pulled up. The biggest surprise was when the 3 Stooges got out and entered. (Probably in town to promote a new film and went out the back door.)
Overall the locals in Chelsea were disappointed. Hoping for programming ala the RKO 23rd St that had closed in 1960. We kids had eagerly watched every brick go into place and snuck into the construction site a few times.
The programming would bounce around for a while between the original art/foreign films, conventional double features began in the summer of ‘63, then First Run domestic films (single feature).
We eventually gave up on the RKO and found the programming, including the double features on the RKO circuit, and variety on 42nd Street to be more to our liking.
JwPhillips – the image following “the box office street shot” shows “We’re in the Money” on the RKO 23rd Street marquee. Notice the Grand Opera House designation. I believe the double feature was a re-release.
Visited this theater a lot when my RKO 23rd Street closed in 1960. Saw my first concert here in 1964. Dave Clark 5 and The Kinks. In the 70s, it would become a rock concert hall.
techman, don’t know if you access New York Times' Time Machine link below without an account but here is the ad from Saturday April 2, 1966. It lists showings at 2:30 and 8:30 with three Sunday showings at the DeMille, Fantasy on Long Island and Cinema 46 in Totowa NJ
http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1966/04/02/issue.html
Got it. Was pleasantly surprised when I visited MOMA in NYC earlier this year and came across a Hopper painting of the Sheridan interior. Great theater back in the day.
Oldtimer, I grew up around the corner from the old RKO, my dad was an usher there in the 40s. It truly was beautiful. I remember The Chelsea from the outside but don’t remember going inside. We also went to The Terrace on 23rd Street. When did you attend the old RKO?
The ad shown here should really be under the newer RKO 23rd Street that opened in the 60s.
I just posted two photos of the Liberty’s new interior. My daughter and son-in-law attended a Christmas party there last month. Being an old regular of The Deuce, I was thrilled that my daughter got to experience the Liberty albeit a somewhat altered version.
While driving through on vacation, we stopped at the Alamo and Executive Director David Weiss and his wonderful staff spent quite a bit of their time giving us a tour of the theater and the Northeast Historic Films archives. Please try to support their dedication and passion if you can. Jerry
Thanks for the heads up. That slip of the Selwyn would be 1956. I found it nostalgic because around this time the WB catalogue was being re-released and I saw quite a few on 42nd Street.
Great picture, Soren. As were the other Times Square photos on his website. I’m already trying to figure out what was playing at the Lyric. Looked like Dean Martin in a still.
I am doing some research on the theater from the Grand Opera House days to the RKO 23rd St. If you’d like to share some information or memories please post or email me. Thanks. Jerry
I have a clear screen capture of the marquee shot and it is 2 Man from UNCLE films…THE SPY WITH MY FACE and TO TRAP A SPY.
I saw the 1964 re-release of PSYCHO at the New Amsterdam and part of the fun/horror was the audience.
I was there the night of the grand opening. A large searchlight was placed outside the theater as limos and taxis pulled up. The biggest surprise was when the 3 Stooges got out and entered. (Probably in town to promote a new film and went out the back door.)
Overall the locals in Chelsea were disappointed. Hoping for programming ala the RKO 23rd St that had closed in 1960. We kids had eagerly watched every brick go into place and snuck into the construction site a few times.
The programming would bounce around for a while between the original art/foreign films, conventional double features began in the summer of ‘63, then First Run domestic films (single feature).
We eventually gave up on the RKO and found the programming, including the double features on the RKO circuit, and variety on 42nd Street to be more to our liking.
Disappointed that there isn’t a silent film in the lot.
JwPhillips – the image following “the box office street shot” shows “We’re in the Money” on the RKO 23rd Street marquee. Notice the Grand Opera House designation. I believe the double feature was a re-release.
Thanks for the link, David. Particularly liked seeing the poster and seeing Lon Chaney and William S Hart playing at the Sheridan.
Visited this theater a lot when my RKO 23rd Street closed in 1960. Saw my first concert here in 1964. Dave Clark 5 and The Kinks. In the 70s, it would become a rock concert hall.
Thanks to you, RP&K. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. You still have one of the most enjoyable websites around. See you at the movies.
techman, don’t know if you access New York Times' Time Machine link below without an account but here is the ad from Saturday April 2, 1966. It lists showings at 2:30 and 8:30 with three Sunday showings at the DeMille, Fantasy on Long Island and Cinema 46 in Totowa NJ http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1966/04/02/issue.html
Got it. Was pleasantly surprised when I visited MOMA in NYC earlier this year and came across a Hopper painting of the Sheridan interior. Great theater back in the day.
Neither link appears to be working
Thanks, saps. I know its not the same but brought a smile to face. Been there many times including I’ll Take Sweden.
The Beach just announced its closed for business. Sad. They tried to make a run of it.
Oldtimer, I grew up around the corner from the old RKO, my dad was an usher there in the 40s. It truly was beautiful. I remember The Chelsea from the outside but don’t remember going inside. We also went to The Terrace on 23rd Street. When did you attend the old RKO?
The ad shown here should really be under the newer RKO 23rd Street that opened in the 60s.
I just posted two photos of the Liberty’s new interior. My daughter and son-in-law attended a Christmas party there last month. Being an old regular of The Deuce, I was thrilled that my daughter got to experience the Liberty albeit a somewhat altered version.
Thanks guys for another super year. Keep the memories alive!
While driving through on vacation, we stopped at the Alamo and Executive Director David Weiss and his wonderful staff spent quite a bit of their time giving us a tour of the theater and the Northeast Historic Films archives. Please try to support their dedication and passion if you can. Jerry
Thanks for the heads up. That slip of the Selwyn would be 1956. I found it nostalgic because around this time the WB catalogue was being re-released and I saw quite a few on 42nd Street.
Las Vegas show? Hey, they’re going to have to take down the old “ALWAYS TWO ACTION HITS” sign.
Great picture, Soren. As were the other Times Square photos on his website. I’m already trying to figure out what was playing at the Lyric. Looked like Dean Martin in a still.
Interesting article on the current AMC with some history of the Empire (and beyond).
View link
Happy Holiday, CT gang
I am doing some research on the theater from the Grand Opera House days to the RKO 23rd St. If you’d like to share some information or memories please post or email me. Thanks. Jerry
ad for the Terrace Theater Christmas 1955
View link
Joe:
A belated thank you. Great pix. Funny how I remembered the color of the carpeting. The place meant a lot to us. Jerry