Let’s hope that this church does not lie to the media and the community like that of the Rock Church occupying the Elmwood Theatre on Queens Blvd in Elmhurst. What a shame that was! You may recall that the Rock Church said they will restore the facade in 2004 and 2005, and the community then praised them, but they ended up concealing and carting away ornate glazed terra cotta, and masked the whole facade with stucco in late 2006.
I hope the Bellerose Theatre congregation will work the community, acquire grants and tax credits after applying for National Register of Historic Places status, and preserve and restore the glazed terra cotta facade and as many period interior finishes as possible. This is a historic gem that should not go unrecognized, and needs our TLC as much as possible right now!!!!
This is what I came across on Craigslist. I have reached out to the owners for an update, and how we can help preserve and reuse it, preferrably for films (even in part). There are funds they can take advantage of, and I am making sure the owners know precisely.
Date: 2010-03-15, 7:23PM EDT
Reply to: [Errors when replying to ads?]
Retail Space-Perfect for inside Mall with room for Many Stores- Church- School-Medical Center- Theater- Can be developed into 60 condos+retail space with below ground parking- Tax Credits Available- 20 Min to Manhattan- Near 2 Subway lines- Vibrant Area-
BUSIEST RETAIL AREA IN QUEENS
Call 917-578-7701
Myrtle Ave at Cypress Ave (google map) (yahoo map)
Location: Myrtle Ave
it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Hi Jennifer, I cannot offer much on Bollywood, but I surely can offer my background on Queens preservation causes, and tie that in to my preservation campaign for the Earle/Eagle Theatre. I sit on the board on several preservation organizations, and organized some independent movements and my own organization as well. I am responsible for achieving landmark status for the Ridgewood Theatre most recently, and hope to achieve the same here. The Earle Theatre opened around the time of the 1939 World’s Fair, and its architecture is evident. Perhaps you can incporporate the need to preserve a rare surviving Art Deco theater into your paper. Afterall, it was designed by a mastermind of theater design, John Eberson, and not many of his works survive today citywide, especially in a mostly intact state. This theater merits a new lease on life and creative adaptive reuse. On behalf of locals and history buffs, can we please help each other? Please feel free to ask me any questions.
Please feel free to become a Google Follower and post your comments on our Rego Park, Forest Hills, and Queenswide news, preservation alerts, and research. If you would like to write a piece, contact with a pitch.
Although BushwickBK composed an overall great piece, this is an important EDIT on the last paragraph of the piece as it appears on the blog:
The owners original intentions to develop retail will not be affected by Individual Landmark status (facade) or any future possibilities of Interior Landmark status. Landmarking does not dictate the use of a building. It only ensures that historic architectural features will be preserved and reused creatively in the new use for the theater, so future generations can cherish them. As in this case, it is most likely retail for the back auditorium space, with modern screens upstairs. Landmarking helps maintain and enhance the values of a property.
Also visit http://www.savethekeiths.com It will also feature a silent auction, music & dancing! Power to the people in sparing a highly significant gem, since once it’s gone, it is gone!
What movies played at the Earle Theatre from its opening circa 1939 through 1955? Does anyone have a listing, or can provide some highlights? Please let me know. Thank you!
Thank you, John for your informative update. With unanimous support from all people who provided testimony to the Commissioners, political support, owner support, and given the theater’s extensive history, I am confident it will be an easy pass.
Since the letters on the marquee were not for sale according to the blog posting, it seems as if they will be retained on the facade, which I truly hope. I hope as much of the theater’s Art Deco features will be preserve and reused in the name of our great movie theater history. Architect John Eberson was the designer, and a prominent architect of his time. Queens and Jackson Heights should feel honored to have the Eagle/Earle Theatre.
I attended a function there recently, and I was hard-pressed to think of its resemblance to its theater space. It has dropped ceilings and other finishes that strips it of its formerly Art Deco and modernistic interior appeal.
I searched on Proquest, and came across the NY Times article, “Deals On Long Island – New Theatre Is Planned For Jackson Heights” dated Jun 1, 1937, Page 38. It reads:
The Queens Seventy-third Street Corporation, Sam Minskoff, president, will erect a motion-picture theatre at the northeast corner of Seventy-third Street and Albemarle Terrace, in Jackson Heights, as a result of a lease for the proposed building made by the Brandt theatre circuit, headed by Harry Brandt and Dave Weinstock. The total rental under the lease is said to be about $250,000.
Plans for the new building are being prepared by John Eberson. It will seat about 600 persons. David Berk & J. Krumbold were the brokers in the deal.
Please e-mail Michael Perlman of the Four Borough Preservation Alliance and Queens Preservation Council at with any memorabilia that may merit inclusion. Credit will be granted. Thank you!
Has anyone received a response regarding any of the above historic Ridgewood Theatre items?
As a result of our 2-year cause, the theater has been declared an Individual Landmark on Jan 12, 2010. I know it would be nice for a personal collection. However, any historic findings that were original to the theater, Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre feels belong at the theater as part of a restoration &/or put on display, so the entire community and future generations can cherish a 1916 gem by America’s foremost theater architect, Thomas W. Lamb. Please feel free to e-mail me at and I will help point anyone in the right direction.
37-27 82nd St is the correct address. It is part of the Jackson Heights Historic District, and safeguarded by Landmark Laws. Can someone from the Cinema Treasures staff please correct it? Thank you!
Thank you for your report, John!
Let’s hope that this church does not lie to the media and the community like that of the Rock Church occupying the Elmwood Theatre on Queens Blvd in Elmhurst. What a shame that was! You may recall that the Rock Church said they will restore the facade in 2004 and 2005, and the community then praised them, but they ended up concealing and carting away ornate glazed terra cotta, and masked the whole facade with stucco in late 2006.
I hope the Bellerose Theatre congregation will work the community, acquire grants and tax credits after applying for National Register of Historic Places status, and preserve and restore the glazed terra cotta facade and as many period interior finishes as possible. This is a historic gem that should not go unrecognized, and needs our TLC as much as possible right now!!!!
This is what I came across on Craigslist. I have reached out to the owners for an update, and how we can help preserve and reuse it, preferrably for films (even in part). There are funds they can take advantage of, and I am making sure the owners know precisely.
View link
17-54,000sq ft-Busy Myrtle Ave Queens (Myrtle Ave) (map)
Date: 2010-03-15, 7:23PM EDT
Reply to: [Errors when replying to ads?]
Retail Space-Perfect for inside Mall with room for Many Stores- Church- School-Medical Center- Theater- Can be developed into 60 condos+retail space with below ground parking- Tax Credits Available- 20 Min to Manhattan- Near 2 Subway lines- Vibrant Area-
BUSIEST RETAIL AREA IN QUEENS
Call 917-578-7701
Myrtle Ave at Cypress Ave (google map) (yahoo map)
Location: Myrtle Ave
it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 1645803083
Hi Jennifer, I cannot offer much on Bollywood, but I surely can offer my background on Queens preservation causes, and tie that in to my preservation campaign for the Earle/Eagle Theatre. I sit on the board on several preservation organizations, and organized some independent movements and my own organization as well. I am responsible for achieving landmark status for the Ridgewood Theatre most recently, and hope to achieve the same here. The Earle Theatre opened around the time of the 1939 World’s Fair, and its architecture is evident. Perhaps you can incporporate the need to preserve a rare surviving Art Deco theater into your paper. Afterall, it was designed by a mastermind of theater design, John Eberson, and not many of his works survive today citywide, especially in a mostly intact state. This theater merits a new lease on life and creative adaptive reuse. On behalf of locals and history buffs, can we please help each other? Please feel free to ask me any questions.
Thank you, John, for sharing the City Planning Commission report. It is forthcoming!
In the near future, I will be creating a Facebook Group for the Ridgewood Theatre, and I hope that many Cinema Treasures members will join.
RKO Keith’s Fundraiser information can also be accessed on my Rego-Forest Preservation Council blog.
Direct link: View link
Blog link for future reference: http://regoforestpreservation.blogspot.com/
Please feel free to become a Google Follower and post your comments on our Rego Park, Forest Hills, and Queenswide news, preservation alerts, and research. If you would like to write a piece, contact with a pitch.
Although BushwickBK composed an overall great piece, this is an important EDIT on the last paragraph of the piece as it appears on the blog:
The owners original intentions to develop retail will not be affected by Individual Landmark status (facade) or any future possibilities of Interior Landmark status. Landmarking does not dictate the use of a building. It only ensures that historic architectural features will be preserved and reused creatively in the new use for the theater, so future generations can cherish them. As in this case, it is most likely retail for the back auditorium space, with modern screens upstairs. Landmarking helps maintain and enhance the values of a property.
Also visit http://www.savethekeiths.com It will also feature a silent auction, music & dancing! Power to the people in sparing a highly significant gem, since once it’s gone, it is gone!
Anyone aware about what is happening to this theater? Visit
View link
I am unsure who recorded this footage. It could be Monica.
Thank you for sharing this impressive bit of history by Kevin Walsh!
What movies played at the Earle Theatre from its opening circa 1939 through 1955? Does anyone have a listing, or can provide some highlights? Please let me know. Thank you!
Thank you, John for your informative update. With unanimous support from all people who provided testimony to the Commissioners, political support, owner support, and given the theater’s extensive history, I am confident it will be an easy pass.
This is a direct link for the Eagle Theatre on the food blog:
View link
Since the letters on the marquee were not for sale according to the blog posting, it seems as if they will be retained on the facade, which I truly hope. I hope as much of the theater’s Art Deco features will be preserve and reused in the name of our great movie theater history. Architect John Eberson was the designer, and a prominent architect of his time. Queens and Jackson Heights should feel honored to have the Eagle/Earle Theatre.
I attended a function there recently, and I was hard-pressed to think of its resemblance to its theater space. It has dropped ceilings and other finishes that strips it of its formerly Art Deco and modernistic interior appeal.
Thank you for updating the theater’s address on this thread, as well as the write-up.
Tinseltoes: Thank you for sharing this very impressive vintage image.
I searched on Proquest, and came across the NY Times article, “Deals On Long Island – New Theatre Is Planned For Jackson Heights” dated Jun 1, 1937, Page 38. It reads:
The Queens Seventy-third Street Corporation, Sam Minskoff, president, will erect a motion-picture theatre at the northeast corner of Seventy-third Street and Albemarle Terrace, in Jackson Heights, as a result of a lease for the proposed building made by the Brandt theatre circuit, headed by Harry Brandt and Dave Weinstock. The total rental under the lease is said to be about $250,000.
Plans for the new building are being prepared by John Eberson. It will seat about 600 persons. David Berk & J. Krumbold were the brokers in the deal.
This is the Eagle/Earle Theatre flickr photoset, which will be useful in the theater’s preservation campaign, and will be updated periodically:
View link
Please e-mail Michael Perlman of the Four Borough Preservation Alliance and Queens Preservation Council at with any memorabilia that may merit inclusion. Credit will be granted. Thank you!
Does anyone have leads on any historic resources for the Eagle Theatre, formerly known as the Earle Theatre?
Vintage photos have been provided courtesy of Warren Harris. Thank you!
This is the Drake Theatre photoset, courtesy of Rego-Forest Preservation Council:
View link
Please feel free to contact and send vintage photos and ads, which may merit inclusion. Thank you!
Thank you for your update, Peter!
Has anyone received a response regarding any of the above historic Ridgewood Theatre items?
As a result of our 2-year cause, the theater has been declared an Individual Landmark on Jan 12, 2010. I know it would be nice for a personal collection. However, any historic findings that were original to the theater, Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre feels belong at the theater as part of a restoration &/or put on display, so the entire community and future generations can cherish a 1916 gem by America’s foremost theater architect, Thomas W. Lamb. Please feel free to e-mail me at and I will help point anyone in the right direction.
Thank you,
Michael Perlman
Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre, Chair
www.myspace.com/ridgewoodtheatre
View link
This is the Ridgewood Theatre Individual Landmark Designation Report, courtesy of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission:
View link
This is the Ridgewood Theatre Individual Landmark Designation Report, courtesy of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission:
View link
37-27 82nd St is the correct address. It is part of the Jackson Heights Historic District, and safeguarded by Landmark Laws. Can someone from the Cinema Treasures staff please correct it? Thank you!