Bronx Theatre

Bronx, NY

436 East 149th Street

, Bronx, NY, United States

(map)

Status:	Closed
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Beaux-Arts

Function:	Church
Seats:	1900
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	George Keister
Firm:	Unknown

When first opened in August, 1913, the Bronx Opera House was considered the most beautiful theatre in the borough. The auditorium had two separate balconies, and was dominated by a huge crystal chandelier hanging from the center of the ceiling. The stage opening was 62 feet wide, but as far as I know, operas were never performed there. For many years, the theatre presented only vaudeville and plays, including a long run as part of the so-called "Subway Circuit".

By the 1940s, it had become a late-run movie house, with the name simplified to Bronx Theatre. The seating capacity was reduced to 1,400 by shutting down the top balcony. The theatre eventually fell victim to the overall decline of the South Bronx.

In the 1980s, plans were announced to restore and re-open it as a performing arts center that would help to rejuvenate the area, but that has yet to happen. At last report, the dilapidated auditorium was being used for a Spanish evangelical church.

Contributed by Warren G. Harris

YOUR COMMENTS

I would rather see an old theater become a church then a 99 cent store or supermarket.

posted by cypress on Aug 20, 2004 at 10:30am

To view recent pics of this old building, see my web page at:
http://kraybill.home.mindspring.com/40/40theatres.html

posted by Charlie Kraybill on Sep 12, 2004 at 10:17am

Four photographs of the Bronx Theatre I took in June 2005:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/226186895/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/226187423/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/226188287/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/226188864/

posted by KenRoe on Aug 27, 2006 at 7:14am

THEATRE LOSES LICENSE; Bronx Movie House Where Girl Was Raped Is Closed

NY Times April 6, 1943

The license of the Bronx Opera House, has been suspended by License Commissioner Paul Moss. The manager of the theatre and seven youths are in custody in connection with the raping of a 17 year old worker in the theatre last month. Chief Assistant District Attorney Sylvester Ryan described the theatre as a rendezvous for degenerates and thugs.

8 SENTENCED FOR RAPE; Bronx Youths Denounced by Court for Attack in Theatre

NY Times June 8, 1943

Judge Harry Stackell sentenced eight youths in Bronx County Court yesterday to indeterminate terms in the reformatory for the rape of a 17-year-old girl on March 11 in the Bronx Opera House, a motion picture theatre. Six of the youths were convicted by a jury and two pleaded guilty during the trial.

posted by Lost Memory on Jun 9, 2007 at 3:42pm

Here is a photo of the Bronx Theater. It appears to be from the early 1970s.

posted by Lost Memory on Jul 20, 2007 at 6:40am

The Bronx Theater can be seen in this undated photo.

posted by Lost Memory on Jun 4, 2008 at 8:55am

Here is a new link for the undated photo.

posted by Lost Memory on Jun 30, 2008 at 7:54pm

Listed at 438 E. 149 in the 1960 yellow pages.

posted by ken mc on Nov 28, 2008 at 10:33am

On a recent visit, we discovered that the office building seems to be in the process to be converted into an hotel. Unfortunately, the auditorium has just recently been demolished.

posted by Yves M on Oct 30, 2009 at 1:21pm

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