An article, which I can’t link, that J.F. Lundy posted on the RKO Greenpoint page yesterday, lists McElfatrick and Sons as the Amphion’s architect. This information should be added to the top of this page.
Thanks JF, for the links, which raise a whole bunch of interesting questions.
The 1900 article references the old Union Ave. (a former name for this stretch of Manhattan Ave.) Baptist Church as a potential theater site. According to Eugene Armruster’s comprehensive account of this community, the church was situated at 750-2 Manhattan, which would place it just north of the old Garden Theater site, which was located at 742 and opened as a movie house around 1906. Armbruster added that the church was occupied by the local YMCA (which the article depicted as a likely opponent of this project) and then demolished in 1914 to make way for a post office, which itself no longer exists here. So I guess one can infer that the potenial theater developers, after having been stymied by the Y, opened the Garden just down the block. Or perhaps not. (The Building Dept’s data, which treats 740-54 Manhattan Ave. as a single entity, does not shed any further light on this subject.)
But what of the 1895 article and the “old Greenpoint”? The 1902 article paints a pretty clear picture of Greenpoint’s “theater starved” status and Armbruster, who mentions everything – including the Garden – says nary a word about a 1,600 seat theater. (His section on Meserole Ave., where the old theater was apparently situated, is however very sketchy.) Unless the writer of the earlier article just made things up or got the address totally wrong, my guess is that the old Greenpoint lived a very short life and disappeared nearly without a trace.
JF, the following link, if it works, should document the 1895 Brooklyn Eagle notice that LM referenced. If it does not work, just Google “Greenpoint Theatre” and “Brooklyn” and it should come up as one of the first hits.
After thinking this matter over, I believe that the old Greenpoint Theatre probably existed – in descending order – in one of three locations, all of which are situated in close proximity to the Manhattan/Meserole Ave. intersection: (1) 98-104 Mesorole, a large site that was once a large Chinese restaurant and is now a Polish nightclub; (2) 90 Meserole, which now hosts the 90th Precinct; and (3) 99 Meserole, upon which the Greenpoint YMCA currently exists. All three uses are situated on large lots that probably hosted other significant uses before their current buildings became realities. One of these may have been the old Greenpoint Theatre. This should provide a good base line upon which to direct any further investigation.
The bottom line, however, is that the old Greenpoint Theatre, whatever its prominence, probably lived and died before the significant onset of the cinema era. Thus, while it may have hosted many dramatic and musical events, it probably was not a cinematic mecca.
Interesting comment, LM. I also checked the Brooklyn Eagle comment and can only add the following.
My best guess is that the “Greenpoint Theater” was situated closer to the old Meserole and Garden Theaters' than to the old RKO Greenpoint, since they were situated far closer to the Meserole Ave. intersection. But since both theaters only came on board in the 1900’s, they probably did not replace this theater. Also, since the Meserole was, as per local historian Eugene Armbruster, constructed on the site of Greenpoint’s Meserole Farm, it probably did not replace the older theater. (The Garden, which only possessed a 600 person capacity, was just too small to replace this theater.)
The best guess is that the old Greenpoint was a legitimate theater – and possible a music hall – that lived and died before the onset of cinema. It is strange, however, that no other evidence of this large 1,600 venue exists.
I remember this movie house very fondly. When my Aunt and Uncle – accompanied by my Grandmother – became part of the Brooklyn diaspora into Suffolk County during the early 1960’s, they settled into Selden, which was situated a few miles east of this theater. On two occasions – one outdoor and one inside – we visited this theater. While I distinctly remember seeing Disney’s “The Sword and the Stone” here, I don’t recall the other encounter. I do, however, recall that we greatly enjoyed both visits.
When my relatives moved to Selden, it was still part of the “country” and had not yet been wholly incorporated into an emerging suburbia. For a couple of years, in fact, an extensive forest existed just south of my relative’s property line. (It has now become the grounds of Selden High School.) So, just as Selden became part of suburbia, this old drive-in lived out its useful existence – and now hosts a “little boxes” type suburban development. Thus goes progress!
Peter, were any of the interior doors open, and could you see any changes occurring in the lobby? Hopefully, the landmarks issue will go forward soooner rather than later.
I also agree that the new subway station is something of a wonder. Both the Ridgewood and Bushwick communities worked hard to make this a reality.
Hopefully, more will occur soon on the landmarks front.
The Bushwick/Flushing intersection is quite historic. It was the site of a small community – called the Crosswalks – that existed during colonial times. The last remnants of this old settlement disappeared about 100 years ago. The prominence of the two cross streets made this a most appropriate site for a theater during the early 20th century. However, whatever cinematic presence that once existed here probably did not survive beyond the silent era. It probably could not compete with the large theaters situated nearby on Broadway and Graham Ave.
Ken, do you think we have enough to enter the G&M/Sunset as a new site? If you believe we do, please enter it, since I am not very sure as to how to do it. Please rely on any of the information I included above in fleshing out the site description.
Hector, do you remember anything about the old Echo? Was it situated right next to the library or across he street from what had once been Morell St? I guess is that this must have been a pretty active intersection before it was decimated by the construction of Bushwick-Hylan Houses.
Since the certificate of occupancy to establish the gas station at Bushwick and Flushing was granted in the early 1940’s, I agree that the movie situated at that location had certainly disappeared well before the 1950’s. It probably did not even make it into the talking picture era.
Thanks so much Ken. At least this gives me something to run with and validates the fact that a movie house once graced this location. Since this was a major intersection, I am surprised that the record of this theater' existence is so thin.
One question. Is it possible that this theater could have been named the Grand Opera House during a portion of its pre-Metro days, particularly around 1907? On the Grand Theater (Brooklyn) page, someone referred to a 1907 program for a Grand Opera House that possessed exits leading to both Grand and South 1st Sts. While this does not fit the geography of the Grand, it certainly approximates that of the Metro, whose lot backs right into South 1st. In addition, the vaudeville theater’s prior capacity of 1,500 would certainly fit the dimensions of an “Opera House”.
I agree with GTB that the old Grand could not be the Opera House. It is situated no where near South 1st.
In reviewing the CT files for this community, I came up with a possible alternative. It is the Metro Theatre, which was situated at 194 Grand St. This lot backs right into South 1st. In addition, the site description notes that the Metro replaced an old vaudeville house named the Unique Theatre in the mid 1920’s and that a theater had existed here since 1894. Now it is possible that the Unique was also known as the Opera House during a portion of its existence, including 1907. Food for thought.
One of the most interesting aspects of this photo is just how little has changed over the many years. Except for the old Veteran’s Hall/Police Precinct, that was situated just south of the American and now hosts a McDonalds, and the elimination of the trolley tracks and cobble stones, everything else is very much in tact – even the American Eagle which still soars over what is now a rather tastefully converted Starbucks Coffee House.
The following terrific picture was recently posted on the Greenpoint Theatre page by J. F. Lundy. It captures the theater in its old American Theater period and at a time when the building’s second floor, which long served as a bingo hall and now hosts a nightclub, was vacant and for rent. My guess is that the picture was taken in the 1930’s, but this is only a guess.
If this link does not work, please access it on the Greenpoint RKO page.
Thanks for this terrific picture, J.F. Lundy. However, it does not feature the Greenpoint Theatre but the Chopin, which was then called the American. I will repost it on the correct page. But thanks so much!
Bway, I agree with you that there is a very good chance that the area above the dropped ceiling may well contain many of the Parthenon’s old artifacts. Clearly, the operators of the bowling alley had absolutely no incentive to thrash the upper audotorium when they made the conversion; they just wantd to hide it, and to do so on the cheep. So, except for the alterations that had to occur to support the dropped ceiling, a lot of fascinating material may still remain.
This being so, it might make sense to contact the bingo hall people to ask if they would allow one of us to take a peek.
I remember seing “Eight Men Out” here right after it came out. This was probably the last film that I saw in what was a very fine little theater. I greatly miss it.
Toward the end of the attached terrific exploration of the lost Woodside, there are several fine external pictures of the old Woodside Theatre and the new St. Salvadore’s. This was put together by Christina Wilkinson (the Queen of Queens), who has done wonderful work for many West Queens communities in many different ways. Please enjoy the entire attachment, which links pertinent “non-topic” items with the real cinematic thing.
Yhis confirms what I saw when I last passed by. While the annnouncement box still says “Cinema Warsaw”, it advertised a dance and referred to nothing cinematic.
I spoke to Jenny Fernandez of the Landnarks Commission regarding the status of the designation earlier today. While an approval date has not yet been set, she noted that this should occur shortly and that the need to develop the extensive designation report constituted the prime reason for any delay. If you have ever read a designation report, you would find that the Commission does an extremely thorough job in justifying its actions. This will prove important when the Ridgewood’s proposal goes to the City Planning Commission and the City Council for final approval. It will also add a valuable link to this page.
From our conversation I got the clear impression that the approval process is going smoothly and that no unanticipated snags have thus far emerged. So, the successful end of this leg of the process appears to be near.
An article, which I can’t link, that J.F. Lundy posted on the RKO Greenpoint page yesterday, lists McElfatrick and Sons as the Amphion’s architect. This information should be added to the top of this page.
Thanks JF, for the links, which raise a whole bunch of interesting questions.
The 1900 article references the old Union Ave. (a former name for this stretch of Manhattan Ave.) Baptist Church as a potential theater site. According to Eugene Armruster’s comprehensive account of this community, the church was situated at 750-2 Manhattan, which would place it just north of the old Garden Theater site, which was located at 742 and opened as a movie house around 1906. Armbruster added that the church was occupied by the local YMCA (which the article depicted as a likely opponent of this project) and then demolished in 1914 to make way for a post office, which itself no longer exists here. So I guess one can infer that the potenial theater developers, after having been stymied by the Y, opened the Garden just down the block. Or perhaps not. (The Building Dept’s data, which treats 740-54 Manhattan Ave. as a single entity, does not shed any further light on this subject.)
But what of the 1895 article and the “old Greenpoint”? The 1902 article paints a pretty clear picture of Greenpoint’s “theater starved” status and Armbruster, who mentions everything – including the Garden – says nary a word about a 1,600 seat theater. (His section on Meserole Ave., where the old theater was apparently situated, is however very sketchy.) Unless the writer of the earlier article just made things up or got the address totally wrong, my guess is that the old Greenpoint lived a very short life and disappeared nearly without a trace.
Any other ideas?
JF, the following link, if it works, should document the 1895 Brooklyn Eagle notice that LM referenced. If it does not work, just Google “Greenpoint Theatre” and “Brooklyn” and it should come up as one of the first hits.
After thinking this matter over, I believe that the old Greenpoint Theatre probably existed – in descending order – in one of three locations, all of which are situated in close proximity to the Manhattan/Meserole Ave. intersection: (1) 98-104 Mesorole, a large site that was once a large Chinese restaurant and is now a Polish nightclub; (2) 90 Meserole, which now hosts the 90th Precinct; and (3) 99 Meserole, upon which the Greenpoint YMCA currently exists. All three uses are situated on large lots that probably hosted other significant uses before their current buildings became realities. One of these may have been the old Greenpoint Theatre. This should provide a good base line upon which to direct any further investigation.
The bottom line, however, is that the old Greenpoint Theatre, whatever its prominence, probably lived and died before the significant onset of the cinema era. Thus, while it may have hosted many dramatic and musical events, it probably was not a cinematic mecca.
Hope this helps fill in this gap.
View link
Interesting comment, LM. I also checked the Brooklyn Eagle comment and can only add the following.
My best guess is that the “Greenpoint Theater” was situated closer to the old Meserole and Garden Theaters' than to the old RKO Greenpoint, since they were situated far closer to the Meserole Ave. intersection. But since both theaters only came on board in the 1900’s, they probably did not replace this theater. Also, since the Meserole was, as per local historian Eugene Armbruster, constructed on the site of Greenpoint’s Meserole Farm, it probably did not replace the older theater. (The Garden, which only possessed a 600 person capacity, was just too small to replace this theater.)
The best guess is that the old Greenpoint was a legitimate theater – and possible a music hall – that lived and died before the onset of cinema. It is strange, however, that no other evidence of this large 1,600 venue exists.
One little correction: the movie’s name was “The Sword IN the Stone”.
I remember this movie house very fondly. When my Aunt and Uncle – accompanied by my Grandmother – became part of the Brooklyn diaspora into Suffolk County during the early 1960’s, they settled into Selden, which was situated a few miles east of this theater. On two occasions – one outdoor and one inside – we visited this theater. While I distinctly remember seeing Disney’s “The Sword and the Stone” here, I don’t recall the other encounter. I do, however, recall that we greatly enjoyed both visits.
When my relatives moved to Selden, it was still part of the “country” and had not yet been wholly incorporated into an emerging suburbia. For a couple of years, in fact, an extensive forest existed just south of my relative’s property line. (It has now become the grounds of Selden High School.) So, just as Selden became part of suburbia, this old drive-in lived out its useful existence – and now hosts a “little boxes” type suburban development. Thus goes progress!
What a wonderful shot! You can really feel the cold. And the old AUSTIN letters can still br viewed in the side lobby!
Peter, were any of the interior doors open, and could you see any changes occurring in the lobby? Hopefully, the landmarks issue will go forward soooner rather than later.
I also agree that the new subway station is something of a wonder. Both the Ridgewood and Bushwick communities worked hard to make this a reality.
Hopefully, more will occur soon on the landmarks front.
Thanks site manager for adding the zip code for this most significant theater.
As of a week or so ago, when I passed it on the bus, the situation with the old Arion had not changed since my March 14 post.
Ken, thanks so much for both your quick response and the acknowledgement.
A number of comments regarding this theater were entered on the Echo Theater page before this page was established. The Echo link appears below.
/theaters/8167/
The Bushwick/Flushing intersection is quite historic. It was the site of a small community – called the Crosswalks – that existed during colonial times. The last remnants of this old settlement disappeared about 100 years ago. The prominence of the two cross streets made this a most appropriate site for a theater during the early 20th century. However, whatever cinematic presence that once existed here probably did not survive beyond the silent era. It probably could not compete with the large theaters situated nearby on Broadway and Graham Ave.
Ken, do you think we have enough to enter the G&M/Sunset as a new site? If you believe we do, please enter it, since I am not very sure as to how to do it. Please rely on any of the information I included above in fleshing out the site description.
Thanks.
Hector, do you remember anything about the old Echo? Was it situated right next to the library or across he street from what had once been Morell St? I guess is that this must have been a pretty active intersection before it was decimated by the construction of Bushwick-Hylan Houses.
Since the certificate of occupancy to establish the gas station at Bushwick and Flushing was granted in the early 1940’s, I agree that the movie situated at that location had certainly disappeared well before the 1950’s. It probably did not even make it into the talking picture era.
Thanks so much Ken. At least this gives me something to run with and validates the fact that a movie house once graced this location. Since this was a major intersection, I am surprised that the record of this theater' existence is so thin.
One question. Is it possible that this theater could have been named the Grand Opera House during a portion of its pre-Metro days, particularly around 1907? On the Grand Theater (Brooklyn) page, someone referred to a 1907 program for a Grand Opera House that possessed exits leading to both Grand and South 1st Sts. While this does not fit the geography of the Grand, it certainly approximates that of the Metro, whose lot backs right into South 1st. In addition, the vaudeville theater’s prior capacity of 1,500 would certainly fit the dimensions of an “Opera House”.
Any ideas?
I agree with GTB that the old Grand could not be the Opera House. It is situated no where near South 1st.
In reviewing the CT files for this community, I came up with a possible alternative. It is the Metro Theatre, which was situated at 194 Grand St. This lot backs right into South 1st. In addition, the site description notes that the Metro replaced an old vaudeville house named the Unique Theatre in the mid 1920’s and that a theater had existed here since 1894. Now it is possible that the Unique was also known as the Opera House during a portion of its existence, including 1907. Food for thought.
One of the most interesting aspects of this photo is just how little has changed over the many years. Except for the old Veteran’s Hall/Police Precinct, that was situated just south of the American and now hosts a McDonalds, and the elimination of the trolley tracks and cobble stones, everything else is very much in tact – even the American Eagle which still soars over what is now a rather tastefully converted Starbucks Coffee House.
Thanks again JF.
The following terrific picture was recently posted on the Greenpoint Theatre page by J. F. Lundy. It captures the theater in its old American Theater period and at a time when the building’s second floor, which long served as a bingo hall and now hosts a nightclub, was vacant and for rent. My guess is that the picture was taken in the 1930’s, but this is only a guess.
If this link does not work, please access it on the Greenpoint RKO page.
Enjoy!
View link
Thanks for this terrific picture, J.F. Lundy. However, it does not feature the Greenpoint Theatre but the Chopin, which was then called the American. I will repost it on the correct page. But thanks so much!
Bway, I agree with you that there is a very good chance that the area above the dropped ceiling may well contain many of the Parthenon’s old artifacts. Clearly, the operators of the bowling alley had absolutely no incentive to thrash the upper audotorium when they made the conversion; they just wantd to hide it, and to do so on the cheep. So, except for the alterations that had to occur to support the dropped ceiling, a lot of fascinating material may still remain.
This being so, it might make sense to contact the bingo hall people to ask if they would allow one of us to take a peek.
I remember seing “Eight Men Out” here right after it came out. This was probably the last film that I saw in what was a very fine little theater. I greatly miss it.
Toward the end of the attached terrific exploration of the lost Woodside, there are several fine external pictures of the old Woodside Theatre and the new St. Salvadore’s. This was put together by Christina Wilkinson (the Queen of Queens), who has done wonderful work for many West Queens communities in many different ways. Please enjoy the entire attachment, which links pertinent “non-topic” items with the real cinematic thing.
Hope the link works.
View link
Yhis confirms what I saw when I last passed by. While the annnouncement box still says “Cinema Warsaw”, it advertised a dance and referred to nothing cinematic.
I spoke to Jenny Fernandez of the Landnarks Commission regarding the status of the designation earlier today. While an approval date has not yet been set, she noted that this should occur shortly and that the need to develop the extensive designation report constituted the prime reason for any delay. If you have ever read a designation report, you would find that the Commission does an extremely thorough job in justifying its actions. This will prove important when the Ridgewood’s proposal goes to the City Planning Commission and the City Council for final approval. It will also add a valuable link to this page.
From our conversation I got the clear impression that the approval process is going smoothly and that no unanticipated snags have thus far emerged. So, the successful end of this leg of the process appears to be near.