Kew Gardens Cinemas
81-05 Lefferts Boulevard,
Kew Gardens,
NY
11415
81-05 Lefferts Boulevard,
Kew Gardens,
NY
11415
18 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 75 of 113 comments
Too bad they couldn’t save the old marquee. Not a fan of the modern look of the exterior. But I think some of the lettering from the marquee is preserved within the lobby, isn’t it?
It’s worth frequenting, believe me. It’s almost too good to be true, how that theatre improved from when it was the pornographic Austin.
btw: If I lived anywhere in the NY area, the Kew Gardens Cinema is a place that I, too, would frequent.
Okay. thanks, Peter K. and John D. I don’t reside anywhere in the NYC-NY area, but I was just curious. I realize that the Kitty Genovese murder was a serious abberratiion that occurred over 40 years ago, but, from what I understood, it certainly stained the area’s reputation for awhile, because people heard her screams for help, looked out their windows and yet didn’t even so much as call the police.
However, I’m glad to hear that things have changed, and that it is a safe area.
Back to the original topic: the Kew Gardens Cinema looks like a cool cinema, both inside and out.
Thanks, John D. I couldn’t have said it better myself !
MPol, as a resident of Forest Hills and a frequent visitor to the Kew Gardens, let me assure you that this is a VERY safe neighborhood. The Kitty Genovese tragedy was an extreme aberration then and, in no way, reflects the nature this very safe community. So come and enjoy the wonderful Kew Gardens Cinema!
Thanks, saps.
Here’s a more direct link to the article about the Austin
View link
Kitty Genovese was murdered in 1964. Her murder was the exception, rather than the rule, in Kew Gardens. So far as I know, Kew Gardens is now a safe place to live.
The Austin Cinema became the Kew Gardens Cinema. Yes, both were cool. The marquee and sign of the Austin were much more conspicuous than that of the Kew Gardens Cinema.
Both the Kew Gardens Cinema and the Austin look like cool theatres.
Just a bit off-topic, however: How safe is Kew Gardens these days? Just curious, because that’s where the infamous and horrific Kitty Genovese killing took place, if I understand correctly.
Thanks, NativeForestHiller.
The most up to date website is http://www.kewgardenstheatre.com
Yes, Ed, no Van Wyck Expressway and Kew Gardens Interchange between the old, original Kew Gardens (around the LIRR station at Lefferts and Austin) and the newer Kew Gardens Hills.
Yup. Don’t know if Briarwood had its own cinema, but there was also the Main Street Theatre not too far away (and which probably seemed a lot closer back when there was no Van Wyck Expressway standing in the path between Kew Gardens and Kew Gardens Hill)!
Probably true, Ed. I was just thinking how much easier it is to move along Queens Blvd. by subway than it is by LIRR or bus or trolley. But yes, the RKO Keith Richmond Hill and all the movies at Continental and Austin in Forest Hills were within walking distance of the Austin Cinema / Kew Gardens Cinemas.
I’d be surprised if the opening of the nearby subway station had much of an impact on attendance at the Austin, Pete. I would imagine most of its contingent came from the surrounding neighborhood. I can’t imagine it was a “destination” cinema – particularly with other sub-run houses competing in nearby Forest Hills, Richmond Hill and Kew Gardens Hills.
Thanks for all this information, Warren. I wonder how business picked up once the Independent Subway had been built out to Kew Gardens, and opened. The Union Turnpike / Kew Gardens station opened on December 31, 1936, according to nycsubway.org.
Thank you, VincentPrice, and welcome to Cinema Treasures !
I’m glad you had a good experience at the Kew Gardens Cinemas.
What were the cheesy on-screen ads for ? I enjoyed the pre-movie ads at the BAM Rose Cinema when I saw “Psycho” there Saturday July 15 2006. Most of the addresses of the vendors advertised there were on nearby Brooklyn streets I am familiar with, like Hancock Street.
I saw the last showing of 3:10 to Yuma (awesome movie) during its premiere on a Friday night. There were at most 20 people in a theater for 100 people (I’m only guessing the capacity). The view was awesome wherever you sat, and the sound was good too. Was able to recline comfortably and enjoy the movie. Bathrooms were clean and the cheesy onscreen ads were great too!
Good for you, saps. I last visited Saturday July 8 2006, though I did not see a film there.
I’m working not far from here and plan to visit real soon.
Thanks for your answer, dewotr.
They expanded into the dry cleaners next door.
Thanks for letting me know, Fred.
Good question, EdSolero.
I wonder if they’re cutting up an existing auditorium or expanding into adjacent space.