Same here. Yes, there is no sign today of the old drive-in. I was up there recently. There are about twenty houses and a new firehouse on the site. However, the old Carvel is still standing across Oregon Road.
Jeffrey, you are obviously very ignorant of the area. A thriving black community has been part of Peekskill since before the Civil War. It continues to this day. Harriet Tubman’s underground railroad successfully ran through Peekskill. The church she used still stands. My family maintained a nearby summer residence in 1949. Paul Robeson’s pro-Soviet stand, and not his race, had everything to do with his reputation as an incendiary figure. A standing held not just in Peekskill, but most of the country. Also, please refrain from using vulgarities in future posts. They are quite offensive.
Yes, it was the site. However, before calling the incident shameful, historical context needs to be applied. Robeson was not a regular left-leaning entertainer. He was an avid supporter of Stalin. Stalin’s horrific atrocities rank with those of Hitler. In 1949, Stalin’s soviet agents were able to obtain our nuclear secrets. For the first time in history, the United States faced possible annihilation. New York became a prime target. Having a pro-Soviet entertainer appear in New York in 1949 was about as popular as a pro-Al Qaeda entertainer would have been in 2001.
Gustavelifting—It was the JOHN J MCMANUS & SONS Funeral Parlor. After several generations on Flatbush Ave, they moved a couple of years ago into what remains of the old Traymore Theater on Ave N.
The last movie I saw here was Pulp Fiction in 1994. It was a little worn by then, but still a fun place to see a film. Too bad movies aren’t still being shown, but at least it is mostly intact as the Times Square visitors center.
Warren, thanks for posting the images. I spent a lot of time in this theater. I drove by two days ago. Except for the missing marquee, the building doesn’t appear too different.
Gustavelifting, thanks, I’ll check it out. I was scheduled to take one of the tours they were giving in the late 1980’s, but got called into work that day. I’m still angry about missing it!
Theaterat, I was just confirming why the theater was abandoned in the first place. As you say, the surrounding blocks did turn into a hell in the ‘70s. At the time, it appeared the only future for the neighborhood was that of a bad sci-fi movie. Thankfully, as I stated above, the neighborhood is showing signs of improvement. As someone who is proud of his Brooklyn roots, nothing would make me happier than to see the Kings open, refurbished, and full of people. Mayor Bloomberg and BBP Markowitz just saved the B&B Carousel(l) in Coney from being lost forever. Maybe the Kings can be their next project. Granted, it will be somewhat more expensive.
As far as the Kings is concerned, rlvjr is correct. I was born and raised in Brooklyn. By the mid-1970’s, the once beautiful section of Flatbush where the theater is located had degenerated into a near war zone. Many were afraid to drive down that stretch of Flatbush Ave with their windows down. Worrying about leaving your car unattended for two hours took away whatever enjoyment the film and theater provided. The City was literally falling apart. Thirty years may allow some to look back with rose colored glasses, but many of us remember all too well the horror of those years. Thankfully, the neighborhood is finally showing signs of turning around. Thank God for Rudy. However, those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Let’s hope that never happens.
Bill,
Yes, the Radio City page appears to have blown a fuse. I did like your 1996 film festival post. I was also there. I wish they would do it again! I keep emailing them for one, but never get a response.
Saw the new trailer for ‘King Kong’ this weekend. It’s shown before ‘War of the Worlds’. Nice computer-generated ‘30s shot of the Mayfair towards the end of it.
Richard W. Haine,
I tracked-down a copy of your movie. However, the credits say it was the Maybrook, not Hollowbrook, Drive-in. Was that a mistake?
Thanks—
Vincent, how do you really feel about former Mayor Koch?
You said it Dave!!
Yes, it’s the combination Apollo/Lyric on 42nd. It was recently called the Ford Theater.
This is new, additional damage. I pass the theater a few times a week. Jagged, bent pieces of metal are now jutting out of the front.
I noticed some damage while driving by this morning. It looks like a truck recently clipped the front of the marquee.
Vincent—I agree with you. The new speakers are a visual distraction.
Same here. Yes, there is no sign today of the old drive-in. I was up there recently. There are about twenty houses and a new firehouse on the site. However, the old Carvel is still standing across Oregon Road.
Jeffrey, you are obviously very ignorant of the area. A thriving black community has been part of Peekskill since before the Civil War. It continues to this day. Harriet Tubman’s underground railroad successfully ran through Peekskill. The church she used still stands. My family maintained a nearby summer residence in 1949. Paul Robeson’s pro-Soviet stand, and not his race, had everything to do with his reputation as an incendiary figure. A standing held not just in Peekskill, but most of the country. Also, please refrain from using vulgarities in future posts. They are quite offensive.
The premiere for The Producers was there last night. It will run exclusive at the Ziegfeld beginning Dec. 16th.
Yes, it was the site. However, before calling the incident shameful, historical context needs to be applied. Robeson was not a regular left-leaning entertainer. He was an avid supporter of Stalin. Stalin’s horrific atrocities rank with those of Hitler. In 1949, Stalin’s soviet agents were able to obtain our nuclear secrets. For the first time in history, the United States faced possible annihilation. New York became a prime target. Having a pro-Soviet entertainer appear in New York in 1949 was about as popular as a pro-Al Qaeda entertainer would have been in 2001.
Gustavelifting—It was the JOHN J MCMANUS & SONS Funeral Parlor. After several generations on Flatbush Ave, they moved a couple of years ago into what remains of the old Traymore Theater on Ave N.
The last movie I saw here was Pulp Fiction in 1994. It was a little worn by then, but still a fun place to see a film. Too bad movies aren’t still being shown, but at least it is mostly intact as the Times Square visitors center.
EdSolero-I don’t know what LIU’s plans are, but I’ll let you know if I hear or read anything.
L.I.U Basketball has already found a new home. They’ve built a new facility not too far from the Paramount. Bring on the restoration!
Warren-
It was built on a vacant lot. And yes, the location is Flatlands, not Flatbush.
Warren, thanks for posting the images. I spent a lot of time in this theater. I drove by two days ago. Except for the missing marquee, the building doesn’t appear too different.
Vincent—
Mayor Giuliani wasn’t elected until Nov. 1993. That was long after the demise of the Times Square movie palaces.
Gustavelifting, thanks, I’ll check it out. I was scheduled to take one of the tours they were giving in the late 1980’s, but got called into work that day. I’m still angry about missing it!
Theaterat, I was just confirming why the theater was abandoned in the first place. As you say, the surrounding blocks did turn into a hell in the ‘70s. At the time, it appeared the only future for the neighborhood was that of a bad sci-fi movie. Thankfully, as I stated above, the neighborhood is showing signs of improvement. As someone who is proud of his Brooklyn roots, nothing would make me happier than to see the Kings open, refurbished, and full of people. Mayor Bloomberg and BBP Markowitz just saved the B&B Carousel(l) in Coney from being lost forever. Maybe the Kings can be their next project. Granted, it will be somewhat more expensive.
As far as the Kings is concerned, rlvjr is correct. I was born and raised in Brooklyn. By the mid-1970’s, the once beautiful section of Flatbush where the theater is located had degenerated into a near war zone. Many were afraid to drive down that stretch of Flatbush Ave with their windows down. Worrying about leaving your car unattended for two hours took away whatever enjoyment the film and theater provided. The City was literally falling apart. Thirty years may allow some to look back with rose colored glasses, but many of us remember all too well the horror of those years. Thankfully, the neighborhood is finally showing signs of turning around. Thank God for Rudy. However, those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Let’s hope that never happens.
Bill,
Yes, the Radio City page appears to have blown a fuse. I did like your 1996 film festival post. I was also there. I wish they would do it again! I keep emailing them for one, but never get a response.
The 1996 film festival was great. I wish they would do it again. I’ve emailed them several times, but never got a response.
It’s under renovation. I read it is scheduled to re-open in October.
Saw the new trailer for ‘King Kong’ this weekend. It’s shown before ‘War of the Worlds’. Nice computer-generated ‘30s shot of the Mayfair towards the end of it.
Richard W. Haine,
I tracked-down a copy of your movie. However, the credits say it was the Maybrook, not Hollowbrook, Drive-in. Was that a mistake?
Thanks—