Loew's Valencia Theatre
165-11 Jamaica Avenue,
Jamaica,
NY
11432
165-11 Jamaica Avenue,
Jamaica,
NY
11432
30 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 75 of 674 comments found
The exterior of the Valencia was given landmark status according to this May 26, 1999 story in the NY Times. The interior isn’t landmarked because the building is used as a church:
“The landmark status, which protects the outside of the building, the former Valencia theater, at 165-11 Jamaica Avenue against alteration without the panel’s permission, is actually conferred only on the exterior because the legal tradition separating church and state bars the commission from designating the interior of a house of worship as a landmark, said Ronda Wist, the executive director of the commission.”
Good thought, LuisV.
Too bad they can’t switch venues!
Thanks for posting this, Warren. So, to some extent, the changes in the Valencia and the Jamaica church compensated for each other. Odds are, the multi-purpose performance space at the new arts center will include a movie screen.
By a twist of fate, Loew’s Valencia became a church and a Jamaica church became a performing arts center. Figure!
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Thanks, HBH ! I grok you loud and clear !
comment from a relatively “young-un” – One of the great movie experiences of my childhood was “Lawrence of Arabia” – and in THAT theater and on THAT screen, I’ll say no more.
And you know what else – one of the saddest Saturdays in American History, the rainy day after JFK’s assassination, went to see “The Haunting”
Thanks for posting your recollection of the Valencia here, Don.
Great to read these rich exchanges about this grand palace. My grandmother took me several times in the mid-late 1930s, and I still recall my awe at the constellations above us. I wept when Dick Powell sang “Don’t Give Up the Ship” in (I think) “The Singing Marine.”
Don
In September, 1949, Kathryn Grayson and new star discovery Mario Lanza did a tour of Loew’s circuit theatres in advance of their “That Midnight Kiss” opening at the Capitol in midtown Manhattan. Miss Grayson’s husband, Johnnie Johnston, emceed the stage proceedings. This ad mentions only the Valencia,46th Street, Pitkin, and Oriental, but I’m sure that there were other theatres on adjacent evenings: View link
Good point, Warren. Thanks. Have you mentioned this to the management of CT ?
The main entry needs to be changed. Under “Loew’s Valencia” it should say Jamaica, NY, or Jamaica, Queens, NY (not just Queens, NY). And the specific address underneath should also include mention of Jamaica (and should not be just Queens, NY). The listing for the Ridgewood Theatre in Ridgewood, Queens mentions the community in both cases. Why should Loew’s Valencia be treated differently?
I’ve tried to resuscitate this aged press clipping from June, 1955, which shows an air raid practice drill taking place on Jamaica Avenue. A cop is directing a pedestrian to take shelter in the Valencia’s entrance. Ironically, the feature movie that day was “Run For Cover,” supported by “Conquest of Space.” Also on the bill was a Technicolor short detailing Danny Kaye’s roving ambassadorship for UNICEF: View link
Here are new links to an opening day ad and a view of the auditorium. The black shadows behind the statuary across the top of the stage area were caused by the flash used at the time:
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All too true, Life’s too short.
A discussion of atrocities would not be complete without mentioning the Elmwood:
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Ziggy you are correct. The Velencia’s biggest problem is a chandelier and a questionable chocie of paint. That’s pretty much it. I totally agree with Warren that the paint choice is garish ar best, but hey, it’s protecting the plaster, and it’s only paint. The Kings which has lost a lot of it’s plaster that would have to be duplicated, the Amsterdam had severe plaster problems, and yes, I have seen before and after photos of the Paradise. The Valencia is not even a hint of “lost”, a new paint job, and a missing chandelier, and the Valencia is back in business as original.
Another theater I feel that is TOTALLY salvagable is the RKO Keith’s in Richmond Hill, which unlike the Valencia, lost all it’s seats…but is relatively intact inside. Not nearly as well maintained as the Valencia (and of course not as ornate to begin with), but it’s plaster is protected under a coat of nondescript one color beige paint. I rather see that though, as hope exists there, as it’s intact, and the building is maintained…..than seeing it gutted and turned into a drug store with a drop ceiling.
Yes, we’ve been through this before, and yes it would be better if the Valencia had not been repainted, but the Paradise was so chopped up and remodled inside that it actually made a list of “lost” buildings of NYC because it was assumed it could never be restored to its original look. Now look at it! Granted it’s not a complete resoration, but it looks pretty much like its old self again. The Kings has some serious water damage, yet people are still saying its restorable. The New Amsterdam actually had mushrooms growing in it because it had been so neglected. Compared to these theatres, having to (hopefully) restore the Valencia’s original paint job, and removing that chandelier, does not seem like such a big job.
I think that we’ve been down this road before. Yes, the church is to be commended for saving the Valencia from possible demolition. But they’ve defaced it in the process. They might have tried harder to retain the original decor instead of changing it. Loew’s 175th Street, another “Wonder Theatre” taken over by a church, still looks very much like it did in its heyday through careful maintenance.
Gaudy yes, Desecration, no. It could be gutted and have “Dollar Tree” on the marquee instead. THAT is desecration. I’d take this any day over the alternative.
It is a pretty bad color scheme. Kind of reminds me of Vegas.
Better desecration than demolition.
The two interior photos by “Rotoflex” of the foyer and grand lobby show the hideousness of the re-decorations. There must have been a bargain sale on green paint at the time. John Eberson would flip over in his grave if he saw it. “Restoration” is a word that should never be used for the current version of the Valencia Theatre. “Desecration” is the word of choice for anyone who knew the Valencia in its original form.
Could be wrong. But don’t think these have been added yet:
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I am not familiar with the church, as was only last in there when it was still the Valencia. Also, the colors they painted the interior are quite questionable, but again, hey, it’s being well cared for and maintained, and that’s better than we can say for most theaters. Again, all that was “The Valencia” is all still there, and for that we should be thankful. This is the next best thing next to actually showing movies inside. Certainly better than a “Duane Reade” sign on the marquee.