There is also the problem of contradictory sources. Always get that from Historical Societies. Also have found totally contradictory newspaper sources.
In a newpaper article on March 21, 1913 it was announced that Nathan Goldstein, the manager of the Unique, was purchasing land on South Ocean Avenue for the purpose of building a new motion picture and vaudeville house at a cost of $25,000. The new theater was also called the Unique, and later Rialto. See listing on CT.
In 1922, Nathan Goldstein, owner of the Unique and Palace in Patchogue, took a 5 year lease on the Novelty and was negotiating to lease the Opera House from Fred Hardgrave.
Uploaded a double ad, with the Crescent, from July 1922 after the lease of both theaters was assumed from Samuel E. Bleyer who acquired them in February 1921.
The management of the Crescent was quite PR savvy. In addition to paid ads, see photo section, they also were able to get news coverage of current and coming attractions.
As with many early theaters management changed quite often. As of February 1921 the Crescent and the nearby Garden were managed by Samuel E. Bleyer. The leases for both of these venues transferred to J.J. Fitzgibbons of the Bay Shore based Active Amusement Corporation in April 1922.
I have uploaded a double ad for the Crescent and Garden from July 1922.
Opening and a later ad uploaded. One of the many owners had proposed building an airdrome on Gillette directly across from the theater. It would seem that this theater was killed by bad management. There were breakups, lawsuits other brushes with the law.
The theater was originally constructed in 1932 by Mike Glynne. The demolition of all but the facade and the creation of four new auditoriums probably occurred in the 1990s.
Chandeliers from the original (see photo section) reportedly found a home in a night club when the auditorium was twinned.
Saw Sweet Bird of Youth opening night. Long line. Not everyone got in.
Although one could wear civvies, there was a dress code. I was turned away one night because I was wearing a sweater with no observable shirt underneath. A buddy loaned a fresh one he had in his car.
They could contact you in an emergency by projecting a message to the left of the proscenium.
Can’t remember if there was a concession stand or whether admission was 50 cents or a dollar. I think the latter.
From the style of the theater I believe it was erected in the 1950s. It was not new when I was there in the early 1960s. At that time there were two other post theaters, Numbers 2 and 3. They were your typical military base type structures. Timmerman was sometimes referred to as Theater 1.
Uploaded a current picture of the interior. When I was there in the 1960s the walls were a tan/beige. Also uploaded an exterior photo showing most of the theater. The box office was on the left.
After Jericho Turnpike was widened the marquee took several hits. All of the front detail shown in the Grove photo was covered over by an aluminum panel as were the lights surrounding the actual display board. Haven’t been able to find any intact photo of the Bellerose. Also can’t find one of the original marquee which it replaced and one I remember vividly. My mother always had to pull me across Jericho Turnpike because I would stare at the illuminated marquee.
If you look at the 1949 photo of the Grove Theater in Freeport you can see what the marquee of the Bellerose looked like when it was first installed, probably around the same time.
Uploaded a 1962 image (pre-Century management) from coneyislandhistory.org
There is also the problem of contradictory sources. Always get that from Historical Societies. Also have found totally contradictory newspaper sources.
In a newpaper article on March 21, 1913 it was announced that Nathan Goldstein, the manager of the Unique, was purchasing land on South Ocean Avenue for the purpose of building a new motion picture and vaudeville house at a cost of $25,000. The new theater was also called the Unique, and later Rialto. See listing on CT.
In 1922, Nathan Goldstein, owner of the Unique and Palace in Patchogue, took a 5 year lease on the Novelty and was negotiating to lease the Opera House from Fred Hardgrave.
The theater closed August 7, 1955 due to poor attendance; possibly because of competition from the nearby Shirley Drive-In.
There was some talk about Prudential swapping the building for property on Main Street owned by the VFW and building there. Didn’t happen.
Uploaded a double ad, with the Crescent, from July 1922 after the lease of both theaters was assumed from Samuel E. Bleyer who acquired them in February 1921.
In September 1916 the theater was closed briefly for alterations; the following year, in the same period for repairs. No details available on either.
The management of the Crescent was quite PR savvy. In addition to paid ads, see photo section, they also were able to get news coverage of current and coming attractions.
As with many early theaters management changed quite often. As of February 1921 the Crescent and the nearby Garden were managed by Samuel E. Bleyer. The leases for both of these venues transferred to J.J. Fitzgibbons of the Bay Shore based Active Amusement Corporation in April 1922.
I have uploaded a double ad for the Crescent and Garden from July 1922.
Found and uploaded a photo of Jackson’s Theatre in Hampton Bays. Presumably the same theater.
Uploaded an early ad touting the cost of the theater as $100,000.
At some point the theater must have been enclosed since I came upon a reference to them beginning their 1918 winter season.
Also uploaded two more ads. The one is quite a departure for it’s time showing a photographic illustration for a Marion Davies picture.
Opening and a later ad uploaded. One of the many owners had proposed building an airdrome on Gillette directly across from the theater. It would seem that this theater was killed by bad management. There were breakups, lawsuits other brushes with the law.
Uploaded a 1914 ad.
Re my 2014 comment the name of the theater on Main Street which was destroyed by fire was the Crescent. Back to research.
Mike Glynne, who built the Southampton acquired the Garden in 1928.
The theater was originally constructed in 1932 by Mike Glynne. The demolition of all but the facade and the creation of four new auditoriums probably occurred in the 1990s.
Chandeliers from the original (see photo section) reportedly found a home in a night club when the auditorium was twinned.
They hung in past Labor Day this year. Warm weather.
Would be nice if someone could find and post a photo of the theater.
I have some specific remembrances of the theater:
Saw Sweet Bird of Youth opening night. Long line. Not everyone got in.
Although one could wear civvies, there was a dress code. I was turned away one night because I was wearing a sweater with no observable shirt underneath. A buddy loaned a fresh one he had in his car.
They could contact you in an emergency by projecting a message to the left of the proscenium.
Can’t remember if there was a concession stand or whether admission was 50 cents or a dollar. I think the latter.
From the style of the theater I believe it was erected in the 1950s. It was not new when I was there in the early 1960s. At that time there were two other post theaters, Numbers 2 and 3. They were your typical military base type structures. Timmerman was sometimes referred to as Theater 1.
Uploaded a current picture of the interior. When I was there in the 1960s the walls were a tan/beige. Also uploaded an exterior photo showing most of the theater. The box office was on the left.
Would somebody explain to me how this is the same theater as the Cinema 37, the address for which is 4759 Sunnyslope Drive?
After Jericho Turnpike was widened the marquee took several hits. All of the front detail shown in the Grove photo was covered over by an aluminum panel as were the lights surrounding the actual display board. Haven’t been able to find any intact photo of the Bellerose. Also can’t find one of the original marquee which it replaced and one I remember vividly. My mother always had to pull me across Jericho Turnpike because I would stare at the illuminated marquee.
If you look at the 1949 photo of the Grove Theater in Freeport you can see what the marquee of the Bellerose looked like when it was first installed, probably around the same time.
Uploaded a tax photo of the De-Luxe in the day.