John D., I like your modest proposal very much, as well as your allusion to the work of the same name by Jonathan Swift. I thought the exterior of the Bushwick had already been landmarked.
Tinseltoes, thanks for your reminder of the 62-year anniversary of “Chamber Of Horrors”, live on stage at the RKO Bushwick.
It’s ironic in retrospect, for two reasons :
1) the real life “chamber of horrors” that the RKO Bushwick deteriorated into after it was abandoned in 1970 or so, and
2) the filming of “The Believers” at the RKO Bushwick in 1987, which was about the cult of Santeria, and a human sacrifice on the stage of the RKO Bushwick.
Thanks for the compliment, Bloop, on my “Smithsonian” memory. I remember Ridgewood Toyland very well. A parochial school classmate of mine, April Weihs Bara, lived above Mark’s Place Men’s Wear store next door to Ridgewood Toyland and heard the Ridgewood Theatre marquee collapse under the snow of the February 9 1969 “Beatles Day” blizzard.
I remember John’s Bargain Store at Catalpa and Myrtle as late as November 1971.
For heavy duty reminiscing, like “My Brooklyn”, try Bushwick Buddies at :
Welcome, Lola. Please help us re-open the Ridgewood Theatre.
“Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets …”
That’s a song from an old musical, “Damn Yankees”, which probably played at the Ridgewood about half a century ago.
You’re quite right. Ridgewood doesn’t need another food store, but the closest cinema to the Ridgewood is Atlas Park in Glendale, 3 ½ miles away to the east.
You’re welcome, Panzer65. Unfortunately, I did not attend the public hearing about the Ridgewood Theatre in Williamsburg Bklyn this past Wednesday Feb 16th.
I walked by the Ridgewood Theater about 10:35 the morning of Friday February 11 2011. There was no change since I last walked by there on Friday January 14th 2011. The following is still on the western side of the marquee, facing west towards Madison Street :
THE BUSHWICK
TWIN-S
I observed from the south (opposite) side of Myrtle Avenue this time and therefore saw no details of the inner lobby nor the box office.
I walked by the Ridgewood Theater about 11:35 this morning, Friday January 14 2011. There was no change since I last walked by there on Friday December 17th 2010. The following is still on the western side of the marquee, facing west towards Madison Street :
THE BUSHWICK
TWIN-S
There are still five or six mannequin heads with made-up faces and wigs on them in the box office, along with a book-page size poster for a film about Che Guavera.
Panzer65, no similarities come to mind quickly. The difference that comes to mind immediately was the Ridgewood’s beautiful elliptical balcony lobby, which I last saw on Tuesday June 17 1980. The Madison’s balcony lobby was larger, rectangular, or some combination of rectangles in an “L” shape.
I don’t remember the Ridgewood’s chandelier. I’ve only seen the Madison’s inner lobby chandelier in old photos. Its reflection in the large mirror on the wall at the mid-landing of the grand staircase to the balcony lobby was quite awesome-looking.
I don’t recall organs being operational at any time I was in the Ridgewood or Madison theatres, though they very well may have been there.
I walked by the Ridgewood Theater about 10:15 a.m. this morning, Friday December 17 2010. The only change since I last walked by there on Friday November 5th 2010 was that the following is now on the western side of the marquee, facing west towards Madison Street :
THE BUSHWICK
TWIN-S
I have NO idea what this means, or how it relates to current plans to turn the Ridgewood Theatre into an Associated supermarket.
I also noticed that Madison Drugs is now gone from Myrtle Avenue, with their prescriptions being handled by the Duane Reade on the northeast corner of Myrtle Avenue and Palmetto St.
I’m reminded of one of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes, “The New Exhibit”, in whuch Ferguson’s Wax Museum had to close, because it wasn’t making any money, and was demolished to make way for a supermarket.
Fortunately, we can hope for better things for the Ridgewood, a fate similar to nearby MHT becoming a Rite-Aid, and that of the Meserole Theatre.
Good luck, Mike. The Ridgewood Theatre could end up like the nearby former Manufacturer’s Hanover Trust, now a Rite-Aid, which still looks like a bank, inside as well as outside.
John D., I like your modest proposal very much, as well as your allusion to the work of the same name by Jonathan Swift. I thought the exterior of the Bushwick had already been landmarked.
Tinseltoes, thanks for your reminder of the 62-year anniversary of “Chamber Of Horrors”, live on stage at the RKO Bushwick.
It’s ironic in retrospect, for two reasons :
1) the real life “chamber of horrors” that the RKO Bushwick deteriorated into after it was abandoned in 1970 or so, and
2) the filming of “The Believers” at the RKO Bushwick in 1987, which was about the cult of Santeria, and a human sacrifice on the stage of the RKO Bushwick.
Sad seeing all those abandoned theaters, Panzer65. Do you know which one # 49 Brooklyn NY is ? Perhaps Loews Kings ?
Panzer65, I know exactly how you feel about the Ridgewood Theatre slowly eroding away.
Yes Bway because there’s only a 20 or 30 degree angle between Catalpa and Myrtle.
Thanks for the compliment, Bloop, on my “Smithsonian” memory. I remember Ridgewood Toyland very well. A parochial school classmate of mine, April Weihs Bara, lived above Mark’s Place Men’s Wear store next door to Ridgewood Toyland and heard the Ridgewood Theatre marquee collapse under the snow of the February 9 1969 “Beatles Day” blizzard.
I remember John’s Bargain Store at Catalpa and Myrtle as late as November 1971.
For heavy duty reminiscing, like “My Brooklyn”, try Bushwick Buddies at :
View link
Bway and I are members there.
Thanks for your response, Laura.
Welcome, Lola. Please help us re-open the Ridgewood Theatre.
“Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets …”
That’s a song from an old musical, “Damn Yankees”, which probably played at the Ridgewood about half a century ago.
You’re quite right. Ridgewood doesn’t need another food store, but the closest cinema to the Ridgewood is Atlas Park in Glendale, 3 ½ miles away to the east.
“NativeForestHiller” can explain it.
You’re welcome, Panzer65. Unfortunately, I did not attend the public hearing about the Ridgewood Theatre in Williamsburg Bklyn this past Wednesday Feb 16th.
I walked by the Ridgewood Theater about 10:35 the morning of Friday February 11 2011. There was no change since I last walked by there on Friday January 14th 2011. The following is still on the western side of the marquee, facing west towards Madison Street :
THE BUSHWICK
TWIN-S
I observed from the south (opposite) side of Myrtle Avenue this time and therefore saw no details of the inner lobby nor the box office.
I walked by the Ridgewood Theater about 11:35 this morning, Friday January 14 2011. There was no change since I last walked by there on Friday December 17th 2010. The following is still on the western side of the marquee, facing west towards Madison Street :
THE BUSHWICK
TWIN-S
There are still five or six mannequin heads with made-up faces and wigs on them in the box office, along with a book-page size poster for a film about Che Guavera.
Thanks, John D.
What’s the cross street ?
Tomorrow is the 94-year anniversary of the opening of the Ridgewood Theatre.
Panzer65, no similarities come to mind quickly. The difference that comes to mind immediately was the Ridgewood’s beautiful elliptical balcony lobby, which I last saw on Tuesday June 17 1980. The Madison’s balcony lobby was larger, rectangular, or some combination of rectangles in an “L” shape.
I don’t remember the Ridgewood’s chandelier. I’ve only seen the Madison’s inner lobby chandelier in old photos. Its reflection in the large mirror on the wall at the mid-landing of the grand staircase to the balcony lobby was quite awesome-looking.
I don’t recall organs being operational at any time I was in the Ridgewood or Madison theatres, though they very well may have been there.
Yes, Bway, the almighty dollar rules once again, sadly enough.
Is any of this posted on Bushwick Buddies yet ?
Thanks, Bway, for the links to the photos. I’m reminded of the Madison, especially the balcony’s marble balustrades.
You’re most welcome to the update, Michael. My pleasure.
I walked by the Ridgewood Theater about 10:15 a.m. this morning, Friday December 17 2010. The only change since I last walked by there on Friday November 5th 2010 was that the following is now on the western side of the marquee, facing west towards Madison Street :
THE BUSHWICK
TWIN-S
I have NO idea what this means, or how it relates to current plans to turn the Ridgewood Theatre into an Associated supermarket.
I also noticed that Madison Drugs is now gone from Myrtle Avenue, with their prescriptions being handled by the Duane Reade on the northeast corner of Myrtle Avenue and Palmetto St.
Glad you like them, Mike. Sorry I can’t do more for the Ridgewood Theatre.
Good one, Panzer65. Thanks.
Also by those we allow to fall into ruin.
“Repeat lies often enough and a gullible public will believe it’s true to the detriment of all.”
Also the Adolph Hitler approach.
Let’s keep the faith ! It ain’t over ‘till it’s over !
Right on, Mike, Bway and LuisV !
LuisV, I completely agree with you.
You’re welcome, Mike.
Best wishes for your projected efforts, Mike.
I’m reminded of one of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes, “The New Exhibit”, in whuch Ferguson’s Wax Museum had to close, because it wasn’t making any money, and was demolished to make way for a supermarket.
Fortunately, we can hope for better things for the Ridgewood, a fate similar to nearby MHT becoming a Rite-Aid, and that of the Meserole Theatre.
Good idea, John D. Thanks.
Good luck, Mike. The Ridgewood Theatre could end up like the nearby former Manufacturer’s Hanover Trust, now a Rite-Aid, which still looks like a bank, inside as well as outside.