Albemarle Theatre
973 Flatbush Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11226
973 Flatbush Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11226
10 people
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I attended movies at the Albermarle many times in 40’s and early 5o’s. I don’t remember projection being under balcony. There was not enough clearance. I saw “Charlie McCarthy Detective” at a special Saturday morning matinee paid for by a local appliance store which sent passes to all the schools. I think it was ‘Sunset Stores" or maybe “Mad Dog Tyson”. Feature was shown with 7 cartoons and a Boy Scouts of America short in 16mm. They had a non union projectionist set up his own projector under the balcony on top of some boards over a couple of seats to throw the 16mm short up on the big screen. Used a long, long extension cord. I was sitting behind it to left. The main show followed the short and a short pitch from the merchant.
Another such matinee featured “Wake Island” and cartoons but no 16mm stuff.
I am fascinated by all of these comments as it was my grandfather, Max Barr, who built the Albemarle Theatre in 1919 with the help of his family and friends. The “Barr Brothers” referred to were actually Max’s sons, Jerome (my father) and Bernard Barr who carried on the Albemarle tradition and dealt with Century Theatres which strangled the theatre’s ability to show first run films. It was a sad day for our family when that magnificent building – scarred as it was by fire – morphed into something else. I am heartened to hear how well the current owners have taken care of the amazing building and I hope to see the restoration for myself.
mbs 8-4-04
I’ve researched this theatre more and i’d like to update my listing on this theatre I originally said it shutdown in 83 but it actually shut down in late 1984 almost 85 and one of the last screenings was “Friday the 13th IV the Final Chapter” .
Warren where exactly was the Patio located.
I’m definatley going to try to arrange something to get inside to glance at it.
Thanks for the information Warren, I’ve only been to this theatre once but it was at an age were I could only go when acompanied with an adult. When I was old enough to go by myself the theatre closed down. but it along with the Kenmore up the street remained two of my most favorites in Brooklyn.
Gary, is there anything from the theatre that they kept i’ve only been to this theatre once as a moviehouse and the banquet hall once and i’m dying to see the restoration. do you have any idea when they’ll have anothe theatre walk or do you have any more information on the interior of this theatre.
I toured this theatre in the summer of 2002 with the Theatre Historical Society Conclave. It has been beautifully restored by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, who were very hospitable and served us a buffet in the abovementioned banquet room upstairs, which has likewise been restored. The abovementioned Stanley in Jersey City has also been restored by members of the denomination, and is stunning. In the case of the Stanley, the original marquee of copper, with stained glass nameplates at the corners, has been restored.
Saps! the spelling is definatley correct it doesn’t turn up in your search then you have to look for it by chain that of which is R.K.O. CENTURY THEATRES. Or look it up under single screen cinemas which may be a broader search but the spelling is definatley correct!
Please spell this correctly because it didn’t turn up on a search.
This theatre was opened around 1919 and closed around the summer or fall of 1985. and was a single screen cinema all of it’s life as a cinema it now as before mentioned operates as a church and has since 1986. there is a site that shows current photos of the interior and it looks as if much of the interior is still in tact of couse except for the screen. and probably the projection booth which was housed under the balcony.
The Albemarle Theatre is located at 973 Flatbush Ave. and it seated 2656 people.
I think it was part of the Century chain, then Fox Eastern and then Mann and finally Cineplex Odeon. Its projection booth was below the balcony. It was the last theater to remain open on a strip that contained the Loew’s Kings, the Rialto, the Patio and the Ascot (which I was told was a small theater with rear-projection).
Of course, if the name here were properly spelled it would be: ‘Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ (the name is a plural possessive). The Witnesses have remodeled many theatres around the country, including the former BLISS in Greenpoint (Woodside, Long Island) NY and the former STANLEY in Jersey City, NJ., among others. This entry should really be under its theatre name: ALBERMARLE since that is how those interested in it will look for it, or at least cross-index it under that name.