American Theater

i believe it was originally a Loew's house.

This opened as the Loew's American Theatre at 1450 East Avenue in Parkchester, it seated when it was a single screen 1998 people.

Ive lived in the bronx my whole life and i have seened the changes that the theater has undergone.upon the purchase by mr. epstein the theater has remainded dilapidated. there is a tremedous rodent problem, i have witness poor handling of the food more than once and with the exception of a small few, the staff ( the young ladies behind the stand) are extremely rude! despite all of its flaws it does serve a positive purposes for this neighborhood.it makes me feel good to see these young kids working rather then them being in the street.

Was this the theater that screened Disney classics every summer? That was a mainstay of my growing up in the 60s. I do know for sure that theater was in Parkchester.

He was the same owner of the Utopia, Center and Parsons.

I am not sure if its the same theater that screened Disney classics every summer but it is the theater that is across the street from macy's in parkchester.

i do not want to see the theater close down at all because it has benefit a lot of people in the world but i do hope they renovate it. like i said before it keeps those off the streets. i wish they had more places like american theater to better our community.

Loew's American had John Eberson and his son, Drew, as architects. The theatre was built as part of the Parkchester housing project, and opened when the first tenants started moving in.

Came here with my friend Derrick to see Prince's "Under the Cherry Moon" in 1986.

The American now has 7 screens.

The newly-built Loew's American first opened on December 26, 1940, with a double feature of "Escape" (Norma Shearer & Robert Taylor) and "Over The Moon" (Merle Oberon & Rex Harrison). Programs were first-run for Parkchester, but simultaneous with other Loew's Bronx theatres except for the Paradise, which showed them two weeks ahead of the rest of the borough.

I visited Recently and had a great time exploring Parkchester and watching Taxi at the theater. The Lobby is in tact and has lovely deco light fixtures. There is also a large pool with deco fountains two blocks away in the Metropolitan Oval Garden. Zarros Bakery has great pastries.

Do any original architectural elements remain in any of the seven auditoriums and what is their layout?

Some of the original seating, railings, signage, and ornate wallcovering remain in place as well as ceiling details that were unfortunately painted over. I sat in one of the smaller auditoriums in the original balcony, but before leaving I had the chance to peek into three larger auditoriums that boasted more detail.

Thanks for that info, Divinity. At least we can count our blessings that the American is still open for business, what with the loss of so many theatres in the Bronx over the last 10-15 years...

This is the official Parkchester website where images of the development and theatre can be seen: http://www.parkchesternyc.com/

You can also see the lovely Metropolitan Oval and Zarros Bakery that I mentioned earlier.The introduction should be changed to mention that parkchester is a "currently thriving" neighborhood.

The current layout is as follows:
The orchestra level has a dividing wall right down the middle. In each of the two auditoriums, the back quarter has been walled off creating two more, totaling four downstairs. Two seat approx 380 each; two seat approx 80 each.
The balcony was also twinned--one side seats approx 250. The other side was divided again creating two auditoriums, each seating 105. The total is seven.
The operation of the American is top-notch. A great place to see a movie!

When visiting you should also look at the poster cases--the outside ones are made of metal and the inside are wooden. All bear the name of their original owner on top of the cases--"LOEW'S". The marquee is also the original--the current attraction boards are attached to it. Most lighting fixtures are original, and the rest rooms are pretty much original as well. The owner keeps it very, very clean.

One should also notice the terra cotta sculpture that adorns the facade above the entrance. Most parkchester buildings have some type of terra cotta adornment or statuary above building entrances and near the roof lines.

There is a photo of the American theater here:
http://image22.webshots.com/23/4/90/97/204449097CWdIJd_fs.jpg

Sorry. Try this link instead:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/204449097CWdIJd

How odd to black out the attraction panels on the sides?

Loew's American Theater opened in December 1940.

Thanks for that link Lostmemory! I had a wonderful time flipping through the rest of the album.

Here is a 1940-41 photo of the Loew's American.

Something of interest regarding the exterior...

If you go around the back of the American, there is a big blank wall and on it are several 'terra-cotta' statues mounted on it of entertainers (a dancer, a juggler (?), and a few others...if they are still there).

Also, this theater had TWO marquees: the one in the front and, in addition, one in the rear near the above-mentioned wall and statues, which originally highlighted the 'main attraction' without actor's names. As time went on, I think they stopped advertising the 'main attraction,' and just put up some generic statement on it, like "Take Your Family To the Movies!" or something like that.

There was also a tunnel adjacent to the theater, going from the back to the front. This was not part of the theater, per se, but it was apparently built to allow access to the tenents of the Parkchester Housing Development who lived in the rear of the theater access to the front without going around the block. Another covenience, like the second marquee, for both the Lowe's Corporation and the "theater-going public" of Parkchester!

The intro comments regarding the surrounding Parkchester neighborhood really should be changed. They are completely inaccurate.

Parkchester is still a thriving neighborhood and is every bit as vibrant as in the "good old days." The nabe has soaring property values and new vibrancy from immigration.

This is a photo of the American Theater.

Two recent exterior views can be seen near the end of a new feature article about Westchester Square-Parkchester at www.forgotten-ny.com

Here is a recent close-up of the American Theater.

I visited the American last Saturday night to see 'Flushed Away' and was overall impressed with the theatre (the film was pretty good, too). The lobby is in excellent shape, and while the auditorium I was in - the main right orchestra - was a little run-down (slight water damaged on the ceiling, the floor in need of a paint job in spots), and the men's room stalls didn't have doors, it's obvious Stewart Epstein knows he has a valuable and all-too-rare commodity on his hands (a neighborhood movie house) and does the best he can in maintaining it on a presumably limited - at best - profit margin.

Seating as a seven screen theater in 2001:

Theater#1-379
Theater#2-381
Theater#3-235
Theater#4-98
Theater#5-83
Theater#6-70
Theater#7-109

Total seats-1355

Two recent photos of the American Theater can be seen here and here.

This is an April 2007 photo of the American Theater.

How sad! The entire borough of the Bronx currently has only four places (all with multi-screens) where movies are shown, including this one. The others are the AMC Bay Plaza, Concourse Plaza Cinemas, and Whitestone Multiplex Cinemas. My source for this information is yesterday's "Movie Clock" in The New York Times. It's possible that the list overlooked fringe venues such as XXX or "ethnic," but I doubt that they would be numerous.

Most recently, this theater was the site of an incident involving a bootlegger trying to tape "Transformers" when he was arrested by police due to the new anti-piracy law made by the MPAA. It happened on opening night, when the movie opened nationwide. He was the first moviegoer arrested under the new law, which is important for Hollywood and this theater.

The 1941 Film Daily Year Book gave this description: "One of 1940's most brilliant architectural achievements was contributed by the firm of John and Drew Eberson via design of Loew's American in the Parkchester, Bronx, development of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Assets of the house include extremely dignified and inviting exterior; plan arrangement, under direction of Loew's, provides unusually liberal entry lobbies and foyers in marble, bronze and walnut; every seat a prime seat, and apportionment of main floor seats as compared with the balcony offers an ideal situation; general style of the theater is combination of modern streamlining, combined with best of period architecture, conservatively expressed; and air conditioning, both in economy and efficiency, is excellent."

I went there yesterday to see Superbad. It was a funny experience. People there were talking to the screens and stuff. The workers there aren't at their places, but I was overall pleased with the film. The film quality wasn't that great (all the way to the left of the screen was all blue) but what do you want for 6 bucks. I will definitely go there again.

I am hearing reports...yet unconfirmed...that the American Theater is going to CLOSE on or about MARCH 30, 2008.

attempting to verify this.

No listings in the newspapers for this theater the first week in April, not in the movie clocks or in advertisements.

The Marquee has "Closed for Renovations" on it.

I hope it's true, but I've seen those words before on building vacant for years in the Bronx.

Good news Bow tie cinemas will take contol of Thee theater as of 4/11/08 . They will put in new seats and concessiond counter but will let the American remain a true cinema treasure

I met the previous owner Stewart Epstein outside the theater on Friday March 28 and he was showing the place to prospective buyers (obviously sold now). He said he was closing the theater for health reasons. For the record the last films to play there under his regime were Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns (2nd week), Horton Hears a Who (3rd week) and College Road Trip (4th week).

Also for the record the first films to play there under Stewart's regime when he reopened it on June 16, 2005 were Batman Begins (opening week) and older films Die Hard with a Vengeance, Casper and Tales from the Hood. They were a quad then. Stewart sixplexed the theater in April 1998 and sevenplexed it in 1999.

Longest film engagement there was the Sixth Sense which stayed 11 weeks.

They used to bring in films later in their runs too. Katest was Titanic which the American got in it's 20th week but it stayed 6 weeks there.

If one clicks on the site for Bow Tie cinemas and goes to locations they list the American by New York Locations (they have a cinema in Schenectady also). If you click on the American it will show you the marque which has a picture saying it's reopening Friday and that Prom Night and Street Kings will be there. Their phone message now says they are reopening Friday and the pictures will be the 2 on the marquee, Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns (which was there when it closed) and 4 more that probably would have come in there in the previous weeks, 21 (3rd wknd), Nim's Island (2nd), The Ruins (2nd) and Under the Same Moon (La Misma Luna)(4th).

12 days that's pretty fast for reopening.

Bow Tie Cinemas will reopen The American tomorrow (Fri, 4/11/08)! The theater has been thoroughly cleaned and repaired. Improvements are coming soon--new seats, new concession stand with hot food selection, improved projection and sound, and computerized ticketing. Check out www.bowtiecinemas.com for more information!

The American's re-opening will still give the Bronx only four places in the entire borough where movies are shown. That's my conclusion based on listings in newspaper "time clocks." Does anyone know of any other cinemas currently operating in the Bronx? There could be some catering to "special interest" groups such as "XXX" and "ethnic."

The "Related Website" in the introduction has an incorrect link that should be changed to: http://www.bowtiecinemas.com/american-theater.html

I read on the Internet in an article about the American from 2001 that Stewart Epstein at one time owned 25 theaters in the Tri State area. Does anybody know any of them besides the 3 mentioned earlier on this page and the Clifton in Clifton, New Jersey. He told me back in the mid 90's that he used to own the Circle theater beneath the Parkchester station and he closed it.

To the poster above, that should be June 16th, 1995 and Batman Forever instead of Batman Begins.

You are correct Batman Begins and June 16, 1995.

I mean Batman Forever.

Here are the films that had the longest runs at the American ( 8 weeks or more)since Stewart Epstein reopened the theater in 1995.

11 weeks

Sixth Sense 1999

10 weeks

Prince of Egypt 1998
Toy Story 2 1999

9 weeks

Stuart Little 1999
Dr. Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas 2000
Emperor's New Groove 2000
Rush Hour 2 2001
Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams 2002
Freaky Friday 2003
Cheaper By the Dozen 2003

8 weeks

Waiting to Exhale 1995
Dr. Dolittle 1998
Rugrats: The Movie 1998
Mighty Joe Young 1998
The Mummy 1999
Star Wars Episode 2: The Phantom Menace 1999
Final Destination 2000
Rugrats in Paris 2000
Spy Kids 2001
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 2001
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius 2001
Spiderman 2002
Signs 2002
Maid in Manhattan 2002
Polar Express 2004
Spongebob Squarepants Movie 2004
Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Watch and the Wardrobe 2005
Step Up 2006
Happy Feet 2006
Night at the Museum 2006
Rush Hour 3 2007

Coming soon the 7 weekers.

The 7 weekers.

Toy Story 1995
Nutty Professor 1996
Space Jam 1996 (n 2 runs - first 5 weeks, left and came back for 2)
Jingle All the Way 1996
101 Dalmatians 1996
Rush Hour 1998
Water Boy 1998
Bug's Life 1998
The Matrix 1999
Entrapment 1999
Tarzan 1999
Snow Day 2000
Meet the Parents 2000
Charlie's Angels 2000
Wedding Planner 2001
Down to Earth 2001
Monsters Inc. 2001
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring 2001
Ice Age 2002
Austin Powers in Goldmember 2002
Drumline 2002
Haunted Mansion 2003
You Got Served 2004
Shrek 2 2004
Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement 2004
The Incredibles 2004
Robots 2005
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 2005
Dreamgirls 2006
Are We Done Yet? 2007

Next the 6 weekers

"Longest runs" really doesn't signify much in the multiplex era. Hold-overs are often the rule whether the movie is doing business or not. Sometimes they're part of the contract. Sometimes it's because the theatre has nothing else to fill the screen.

Long runs is just for the record, call them engagements.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is the first film to open on 3 screens at the American.

Here is a circa 1948 photo.

Why do they get rid of pictures so fast? Even before it's 2nd weekend they had up that Get Smart was getting dumped after 2 weeks (it opened with 39 million and made 20 the 2nd) so Hancock could be on 2 screens. They got rid of Indiana Jones after 3 weeks, coming off a $21 million weekend.

This is an updated link to the circa 1948 photo.

I was a bit premature, Get Smart is still there for a 3rd weekend.

Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys Together , opening Friday is the 2nd picture to open here on 3 screens.

Has Bow Tie made the improvements to the American that Joe Masher on 4/10/08 said would be made?

After dealing with the permitting and plan approval process, we're ready to go! The new seats arrive 1/5/09, along with the carpet, concessions, and painting and repair crews. So far, we've refurbished the rest rooms, redraped auditorium walls, and most importantly, repaired and upgraded the projection & sound! We've also installed the first computers the place has seen in its existence, started accepting credit cards, established a great discount parking deal, and have cleaned and repaired damaged plaster. All very exciting stuff!

Films that have played here 6 weeks since 1995 (longevity list not updated since May 2008).

Forever Batman 1995
Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls 1995
Jumanji 1995
Muppet Treasure Island 1996
Twister 1996
Independence Day 1996
Liar, Liar 1997
Money Talks 1997
Soul Food 1997
Flubber 1997
Titanic 1998 (came here in its 20th week of release)
Deep Impact 1998
Godzilla 1998
Lethal Weapon 4 1998
How Stella Got Her Groove Back 1998
Blade 1998
The Faculty 1998
Patch Adams 1998
She's All That 1999
Doug's First Movie 1999
Life 1999
Blue Streak 1999
Double Jeopardy 1999
Bone Collector 1999
Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo 1999
Next Friday 2000
Pitch Black 2000
Road to El Dorado 2000
Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps 2000
Original Kings of Comedy 2000
Art of War 2000
Unbreakable 2000
Save the Last Dance 2001
Hannibal 2001
Recess: School's Out 2001
Along Came a Spider 2001
Mummy Returns 2001
Shrek 2001
Atlantis: The Lost Empire 2001
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider 2001
Dr. Dolittle 2 2001
Princess Diaries 2001
Training Day 2001
The One 2001
Not Another Teen Movie 2001
How High 2001
Snow Dogs 2002
Blade 2 2002
Changing Lanes 2002
Barbershop 2002
Santa Clause 2 2002
Burning Down the House 2003
X2: X-Men United 2003
Finding Nemo 2003
Bad Boys 2 2003
Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over 2003
Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat 2003
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King 2003
My Baby's Daddy 2004
Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed 2004
Spiderman 2 2004
Shark Tale 2004
Ray 2004
Are We There Yet? 2005
Hitch: The Cure for the Common Man 2005
Fantastic Four 2005
Sky High 2005
Four Brothers 2005
Chicken Little 2005
Curious George 2006
Pink Panther 2006
Cars 2006
Open Season 2006
The Departed 2006
Norbit 2007
Bridge to Terabitha 2007
Meet the Robinsons 2007
Disturbia 2007
Spiderman 3 2007
Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married 2007
Bee Movie 2007
Iron Man (after Bow Tie took over)
Hancock 2008
Space Chimps 2008
Dark Knight 2008
High School Musical 3: Senior Year 2008
Madagasgar: Escape 2 Africa 2008
Coraline 2009
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen 2009

That's through August 19, 2009

I believe no film has played at the American 7 weeks or more since Bow Tie took over.

Regarding my post way above, regarding the terra-cotta statues on the rear wall of the Lowe's American, here's a link to some very good pictures of them:

http://stevegarza.smugmug.com/gallery/1928690#P-4-15