The original Vivian Branch of the Shreve Memorial Library was originally housed in a room above the theater. It moved in 1939 around the time the theater was renovated.
The saga continues. At it’s August meeting the Trustees gave the developer an additional two months to obtain a demolition permit due to the pandemic. A build permit must be obtained within six months.
Uploaded a postcard image from the Louisiana State University Digital Library with the marquee of the Wakea midway down the block on the right. Caption says “business district” but I wouldn’t venture a guess as to what the actual street name was.
rivest, your comment is incorrect. AlthoughUnited Artists took over the Prudential Theatres, at the very end some of them were otherwise affiliated. The Bay Shore, together with the Amityville, Farmingdale, Brookhaven and the Plaza (Patchogue) became Almi-Century Theatres. Subsequently, Almi-Century acquired RKO-Warner with the resulting name being RKO Century Warner. I have several newspaper clippings from that era showing the Bay Shore under that banner playing Chariots of Fire which was a 1981 release.
The sign on the back of the 50 foot screen reads “The Drive-In at Carraway Village”. Presumably that will be the final name. Although originally only planned to house a film festival the Drive-In will be a permanent installation capable of servicing 140 cars. Rather than having a snack bar food trucks will be used.
From the snippet of the Linden marquee in the photo section it would appear, when compared with the picture of Loew’s Century that the original marquee was retained after the acquisition by Century and only the name changed. Would be nice to see the whole.
What was the relationship with Loew’s? Century assumed management of a number of their theaters and they Century’s? Interestingly in later years Loew’s was looking to acquire Century. Eventually absorbed by RKO.
It was actually housed in what the residents called a twin building. Among the other tenants was the US Post Office. The photo, courtesy of the Hamtramck Historical Society, dates around 1912. The banner for the theater is visible. The Jewel used to advertise “Specializing in First Class Moving Pictures”.
Although the heading for the Merrick places it as third in size of the Jamaica theaters, at the time of it’s opening it was advertised as Jamaica’s largest playhouse.
There are so many supposed to be theaters: D150 at Gardiner Manor, Bay Shore, NY; unnamed Century Theater on Hillside Avenue in Bellerose, Queens, NY; unnamed theaters in Freeport and Lindenhurst, NY; unnamed Century Theater in Huntington Station, NY; unnamed multiplex in Central Islip, NY; etc.. These are just on Long Island, NY of my personal knowledge.
What I have done is mention these on an existing theater on CT for historical purposes.
robboehm
commented about
Avon 7on
Oct 7, 2020 at 5:51 pm
That is my post. After Al Alvarez directed me to the Avenue site I made my comment.
The Mermaid Theatre, together with the Masque and Maidman Theatres, was constructed by developer Irving Maidman as an off-Broadway venue around 1960. Apparently it didn’t remain in that capacity for even a decade.
The Masque was constructed around 1960, along with the Maidman and Mermaid Theatres by developer Irving Maidman as off Broadway Theatres on 42nd Street west of Eight Avenue. Apparently they didn’t make it through the decade in that capacity.
ridethetrain the stated policy of CT is that the listing is under the last name. There have been exceptions. It can still be accessed by entering Loew’s Astor Plaza.
The Babcock’s have indicated they want to retire and have put the Drive-In on the market for $979,000. They says business has been good and the digital projectors they purchased are fully paid for.
One wonders how many theaters will survive the pandemic particularly since the trend to install recliners has severely cut the number of seats and any social distancing would reduce the number of customers so that operation would not be economically feasible.
The original Vivian Branch of the Shreve Memorial Library was originally housed in a room above the theater. It moved in 1939 around the time the theater was renovated.
The saga continues. At it’s August meeting the Trustees gave the developer an additional two months to obtain a demolition permit due to the pandemic. A build permit must be obtained within six months.
Uploaded a postcard image from the Louisiana State University Digital Library with the marquee of the Wakea midway down the block on the right. Caption says “business district” but I wouldn’t venture a guess as to what the actual street name was.
Theatre was located on West Front Street.
rivest, your comment is incorrect. AlthoughUnited Artists took over the Prudential Theatres, at the very end some of them were otherwise affiliated. The Bay Shore, together with the Amityville, Farmingdale, Brookhaven and the Plaza (Patchogue) became Almi-Century Theatres. Subsequently, Almi-Century acquired RKO-Warner with the resulting name being RKO Century Warner. I have several newspaper clippings from that era showing the Bay Shore under that banner playing Chariots of Fire which was a 1981 release.
Uploaded actual photo of the theatres.
rivest – If you can’t find an opening ad, no one can.
The sign on the back of the 50 foot screen reads “The Drive-In at Carraway Village”. Presumably that will be the final name. Although originally only planned to house a film festival the Drive-In will be a permanent installation capable of servicing 140 cars. Rather than having a snack bar food trucks will be used.
The address is 600 Carraway Crossing.
From the snippet of the Linden marquee in the photo section it would appear, when compared with the picture of Loew’s Century that the original marquee was retained after the acquisition by Century and only the name changed. Would be nice to see the whole.
What was the relationship with Loew’s? Century assumed management of a number of their theaters and they Century’s? Interestingly in later years Loew’s was looking to acquire Century. Eventually absorbed by RKO.
The theatre was an add on to the southeast corner of the mall. The only such add on.
Opening ad uploaded.
It was actually housed in what the residents called a twin building. Among the other tenants was the US Post Office. The photo, courtesy of the Hamtramck Historical Society, dates around 1912. The banner for the theater is visible. The Jewel used to advertise “Specializing in First Class Moving Pictures”.
Uploaded two photos from the Gouverneur Museum collection: the facade; the removal of the marquee when it became unsafe.
Although the heading for the Merrick places it as third in size of the Jamaica theaters, at the time of it’s opening it was advertised as Jamaica’s largest playhouse.
This huge complex has fewer seats than the old theater it replaced.
There are so many supposed to be theaters: D150 at Gardiner Manor, Bay Shore, NY; unnamed Century Theater on Hillside Avenue in Bellerose, Queens, NY; unnamed theaters in Freeport and Lindenhurst, NY; unnamed Century Theater in Huntington Station, NY; unnamed multiplex in Central Islip, NY; etc.. These are just on Long Island, NY of my personal knowledge.
What I have done is mention these on an existing theater on CT for historical purposes.
That is my post. After Al Alvarez directed me to the Avenue site I made my comment.
The Mermaid Theatre, together with the Masque and Maidman Theatres, was constructed by developer Irving Maidman as an off-Broadway venue around 1960. Apparently it didn’t remain in that capacity for even a decade.
The Masque was constructed around 1960, along with the Maidman and Mermaid Theatres by developer Irving Maidman as off Broadway Theatres on 42nd Street west of Eight Avenue. Apparently they didn’t make it through the decade in that capacity.
ridethetrain the stated policy of CT is that the listing is under the last name. There have been exceptions. It can still be accessed by entering Loew’s Astor Plaza.
The Babcock’s have indicated they want to retire and have put the Drive-In on the market for $979,000. They says business has been good and the digital projectors they purchased are fully paid for.
Was built by James Papayanakos.
One wonders how many theaters will survive the pandemic particularly since the trend to install recliners has severely cut the number of seats and any social distancing would reduce the number of customers so that operation would not be economically feasible.
So, David, there is your answer. And, Ken, you were right.
But the bottom line is the Drive-In no longer exists and what remains of the pylon and the grounds is a shambles.
Site is now a Lowe’s Home store.