Comments from AntonyRoma

Showing 1 - 25 of 236 comments

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about RKO Madison Theatre on Jan 20, 2008 at 1:15 pm

“Humanitarian”, aye. Seems to me that’s still the word of choice in describing the UN today. Too bad the word has become corrupted over the years.

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about RKO Madison Theatre on Jan 19, 2008 at 1:55 am

Assuming we had the same local population demographics today as we did in ‘43, I wonder how much would be collected for the UN today to resolve its current financial mess.

Shalom, ciao, and excelsior

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about RKO Madison Theatre on Jan 19, 2008 at 1:54 am

Assuming we had the same local population demographics today as we did in ‘43, I wonder how much would be collected for the UN today to resolve its current financial mess.

Shalom, ciao, and excelsior

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Acme Theatre on Dec 15, 2007 at 9:19 am

Acme

[from Greek akme highest point of perfection or achievement] The canonical supplier of bizarre, elaborate, and non-functional gadgetry â€" where Rube Goldberg and Heath Robinson (two cartoonists who specialized in elaborate contraptions) shop. The name has been humorously expanded as A (or American) Company Making Everything. (In fact, Acme was a real brand sold from Sears Roebuck catalogs in the early 1900s.) Describing some X as an “Acme X” either means “This is insanely great”, or, more likely, “This looks insanely great on paper, but in practice it’s really easy to shoot yourself in the foot with it.” Compare pistol.

This term, specially cherished by American hackers and explained here for the benefit of our overseas brethren, comes from the Warner Brothers' series of “Road-runner” cartoons. In these cartoons, the famished Wile E. Coyote was forever attempting to catch up with, trap, and eat the Road-runner. His attempts usually involved one or more high-technology Rube Goldberg devices â€" rocket jetpacks, catapults, magnetic traps, high-powered slingshots, etc. These were usually delivered in large wooden crates labeled prominently with the Acme name â€" which, probably not by coincidence, was the trade name of a peg bar system for superimposing animation cels used by cartoonists since forever. Acme devices invariably malfunctioned in improbable and violent ways.

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about UA Crossbay I on Dec 14, 2007 at 8:11 pm

Nice pictures of Times Square. PKOch.

‘safe’. and ‘vibrant and full of life’ must be relative terms.

Used to live in Glendale and Ozone Park. Still a City boy at heart, but prefer how it was in the ‘50s.

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Glenwood Theatre on Dec 9, 2007 at 6:06 pm

BrookynJim,.. Doing some catching up myself this morning. The Keith’s page reminded me of some dialogue we’ve had, and I hadn’t seen anything from you.

The ‘Cell’ was eerily thought provoking. As I recall, King doesn’t own a cell phone either.

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Rogers Theatre on Dec 9, 2007 at 5:33 pm

JoeS, .. Great pic of the Rogers. Do you have any other vintage pics of the Acme, Belvedere, Glenwood, Oasis, Keiths, Madison, or Ridgewood?

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Rogers Theatre on Dec 9, 2007 at 2:24 pm

Joe S…..thanks for your picture of the Rogers.

Do you know when it was taken?

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Glenwood Theatre on Dec 9, 2007 at 2:12 pm

I don’t recall long lines for phone booths anywhere, except for an occasional wait at an airport. I understand public phone booths have been totally removed. First the Glenwood, then the Keith’s, then phone booths, and most recently Jahn’s. I still don’t own a cell phone.

BTW, do you still read these pages BrooklyJim?

Shalom, ciao, and excelsior

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about RKO Keith's Richmond Hill Theatre on Dec 9, 2007 at 1:59 pm

I would have thought Jahn’s would have endured forever. Rime does march on.

My very fond memories of Jahn’s goes back to the ‘50s. I took the Myrtle Ave bus from Glendale to the end of the line opposite the Keith’s/Jahn’s regularly to begin my trek to the roller skating rink on Hillside Ave. Jahn’s was our watering hole for the return trip.

I used to order one of the least expensive, best bang for the buck faves; the Delaware Square. It was billed as a foot square and a mile high. As I recall, it was about a 6" square piece of chocolate cake, a few inches thick, topped with scoops of ice-cream and real whipped cream; and cost bout a half a buck. My recollection was that the kitchen sink cost between $3 to $5. Too much to cover myself or even to split with the one or two buddies I was with. It was served in a large baking pan. I don’t recall how many of us were needed to make it a ‘cost effective’ extravagance, or whether we were with chicks who picked up the tab, – yeah, right.

The nicolodian was a real hoot. I can still picture the green and white menus. How could I not still have at least one?

I recall a scam a buddy, Ed Sturmer, and I used to pull. Shame on us.

Shalom, ciao, and excelsior

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Lefferts Theatre on Nov 15, 2007 at 1:54 am

I remember Neri’s and several other places mentioned above. My grandparents lived on 120 St off Jerome Ave. I grew up in Glendale, and moved to 96-11 95 ave Ozone Park in the 50’s.

Carter’s German Bakery? They had to be related. Thee was the old man and his son who ran Carter’s jewelry on Jerome Ave near 96 St. Another brother, Stan ??, had a dental practice across the street.

Shalom, ciao, and excelsior

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Parthenon Theatre on Oct 5, 2007 at 11:32 am

That’s “ET” the Extra Terrestrial, not the T&A rag.

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Parthenon Theatre on Oct 5, 2007 at 11:30 am

Thanks Joe. Do you have any plans to publish any kind of encyclopedia of classic films?

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Parthenon Theatre on Oct 5, 2007 at 10:41 am

I loved his comment about the movie “Ghandi” which won the Oscar instead of “ET”. ~ ~ Everyone still remembers ET but no one remembers Ghandi today.

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Parthenon Theatre on Oct 5, 2007 at 10:29 am

Or as an authoritative reference on my book shelf?

Shalom, ciao, and excelsior

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Parthenon Theatre on Oct 5, 2007 at 10:22 am

I prefer to think of IMdb’s positive legacy which as you say is a Gift to all Movie Buffs & Historians; ‘nuff said about any of its shortcomings.

Maltin is a top movie critic, but I never realized what a prolific author he is or his other accomplishments. I am always in awe of people who squueze so much into a lifetime.

I don’t have the patience to start wading through his writings. Which of his books or other contributions do you folks think belong on my “must read” list?

Shalom, ciao, and excelsior

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Parthenon Theatre on Oct 5, 2007 at 12:11 am

It would sppear that Leonard Maltin was a figurehead for IMdb, albeit probably with all the perks of top management. IMdb saya he was Author (with others) of the IMDb’s Maltin summaries taken from his book Leonard Maltin’s Movie & Video Guide. The guy’s an acclaimed movie critic and author, but I couldn’t find any other reference to his association with IMdb.

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Parthenon Theatre on Oct 4, 2007 at 11:39 pm

I don’t use IMdb foums. But, I am impressed with its db capabiities and speed. It is very user friendly and spews forth tons of possible answers in every category while being very tolerant of the input supplied, such as partial, misspelled, or incomplete names.

E.g., we saw Valley of Elah last night. I knew the topless waitress was NOT Marg Helgenberger, but couldn’t think of her name. From a previous excursion, I recalled she had a daughter with Clint Eastwood…Voila, Frances Fischer. One answer leads to another question, and I end up on IMdb for a few hours in the pursuit of trivia. I doubt that half of it sticks…;–)

Joe, when did IMdb start assembling its db? Was a lot of it already in digital form, or did it require hundreds of researchers and computer gurus to create it?

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Parthenon Theatre on Oct 4, 2007 at 1:41 pm

Warren, LostMemory, and Broadway, et al: Do you do most of your research from the computer?
……..Or your personal collection of related references?
……..Or, public library archives of old papers and magazines?

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Rogers Theatre on Oct 4, 2007 at 1:28 pm

This post is to assure I get replies to this page.

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Parthenon Theatre on Oct 4, 2007 at 1:25 pm

Sounds like ‘lovetheoldtheaters’ has an original photo from the mid 60s which he will, hopefully, upload to Photobucket given Lostmemory’s inimitable assistance. I’ve browsed the pages of both Rogers Theaters; interesting exchanges.

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Ridgewood Theatre on Oct 3, 2007 at 2:12 pm

LM & PK: I haven’t started a new page because I can’t confirm that the site at 22 Grove St was ever used to show movies.

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Parthenon Theatre on Oct 3, 2007 at 1:48 pm

“Weingarten’s” Parthenon. I recall an upholstery or furniture store by that name in the area.

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Ridgewood Theatre on Oct 3, 2007 at 8:26 am

Hey guys, I think I may have discovered a new theater, The Deutsches Theater at 22 Grove St (Ridgewood I presume, by its name)

GERMAN REPERTORY THEATRE STARTED IN GROVE STREET
New York Times (1857-Current file). New York, N.Y.: Oct 16, 1927. pg. X3, 1 pgs

Abstract (Summary)
IN the little theatre in Grove Street, where not so long ago “The Manhatters” and “The Band Fox Follies” were doing their stuff, a German theatrical company is now definitely established. It is the Deutsches Theatre, 22 Grove Street, incorporated in the State of New York as the Erni Belian Theatre, Inc., with direction, casting and play selection all under the management of Miss Belian.

AntonyRoma
AntonyRoma commented about Folly Theatre on Oct 3, 2007 at 8:22 am

Hey guys, I think I may have discovered a new theater, The Deutsches Theater at 22 Grove St (Ridgewood I presume, by its name)

GERMAN REPERTORY THEATRE STARTED IN GROVE STREET
New York Times (1857-Current file). New York, N.Y.: Oct 16, 1927. pg. X3, 1 pgs

Abstract (Summary)
IN the little theatre in Grove Street, where not so long ago “The Manhatters” and “The Band Fox Follies” were doing their stuff, a German theatrical company is now definitely established. It is the Deutsches Theatre, 22 Grove Street, incorporated in the State of New York as the Erni Belian Theatre, Inc., with direction, casting and play selection all under the management of Miss Belian.