Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts

this is one of the few nice old theaters left on long island . This was part of the ua 3 way discount houses , the least succesfull of the 3 but respectable grosses . What year did this open this an old building.

The Smithtown was always a nice place to be able to see a movie you really wanted to see, but didn't get the time to when the movie was in the regular theaters.

While I was searching for the Smithtown drive-in I came across this theater. The address is listed as 265 Main St, Smithtown NY.

This is where I saw "Superman" for the first (and certainly not the last-- the last being two weeks ago at the Loews Jersey) time. I think it was the only time I was at this theater, but I haven't forgotten it, considering that "Superman" is one of my two all-time favorite movies.

Is this theater still in use as a playhouse?

yes

When I was a boy, in the 60s, we went to the matinees here often. I remember seeing Sound of Music and the crowd going wild, kids throwing popcorn and candy wrappers, during the kissing, Matrons running down the aisle yelling. At the time the theater seemed so old and run down that we joked that George Washington saw his first movie there. But it was a lovely old building that was better appreciated once the mall was the only place left to go.

I think this theatre now goes by the name Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts. I used to go often in junior high to see the $2 movies and later saw Grease and West Side Story there when it first reopened. It was nice to see the old place all cleaned up with new seats and everything. Also nice to see the proscenium arch exposed. I guess it had been hidden behind the curtain or movie screen in the past. One thing I hope they've fixed, or will fix, are the stained glass windows. They're not at all elaborate, but that should make them all the easier to repair.

In 1999 my husband & I saw the Matrix here on the great big single screen of this Smithtown theatre! It was marvelous. We actually got to sit in a balcony! I truely miss being able to view movies in this single screen setting.

What would it take to open it again as a theatre?

In the same vein, I miss watching movies at Radio City Music Hall too!

In 1999 my husband & I saw the Matrix here on the great big single screen of this Smithtown theatre! It was marvelous. We actually got to sit in a balcony! I truely miss being able to view movies in this single screen setting.

What would it take to open it again as a theatre?

In the same vein, I miss watching movies at Radio City Music Hall too!

This is now a live performance theater known as the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts. The address is 2 East Main St.

I remember when this used to play rereleases of somewhat older movies...at least movies that were out of the theater for a while.

I read somewhere that the same architectural firm that designed Radio City Music Hall designed this building. I will check into it and write back with info and sources. Art V.

I read somewhere that the same architectural firm that designed Radio City Music Hall designed this building. I will check into it and write back with info and sources. Art V.

Here is a website for this theater.

No listing for the Smithhaven Mall theaters on this site?

A Smith Haven mall theater is listed on CT here.

I worked as an usher in this theatre from 1986 - 1989. (16yo - 18yo) Some of my best memories are from the midnight screenings of Pink Floyd's The Wall. Hanging out in the balcony, overlooking the crowd, comfiscating the beer and "funny" cigarettes.

Greatest Memory... Listening to the Mets win the World Series in 1986 while popping popcorn.

First Run Movies I remember...
Aliens (lines around the corner for weeks)
Jumpin' Jack Flash (lines around the corner for weeks)
Stand By Me (lines around the corner for weeks)
Outrageous Fortune (lines around the corner for weeks)
Sky Bandits (no customers for two days straight)

Shout Out to my former employees..

Mrs B
Jeanne M (my first love)
Tom D
Michelle K
Tisha B
Mike G

I miss this place....

I remember seeing E.T. here back in the early 80's, I thought it was first run at the time (then again I was 6 years old). In the 90's my friends and I would go see any movie playing since it was only $1.99 for the longest time. I think we went almost every day when Pulp Fiction played. Bring back the cheap theater!!!! Who needs another playhouse!

Saw "Aliens" here......

This was my first movie-theatre at the relatively late age of 5 (1958, Merry Andrew with Danny Kaye). Packed on a Sunday afternoon - was fascinated most by it being in color (since TV was black and white at that time).

The Smithtown first opened in November, 1932, according to a report in Box Office Magazine at the time. The theatre was operated by the independent Prudential circuit, and brought its cinema total to 39, all of them in suburbs within commuting distance of its Manhattan headquarters. Prudential later became part of Metropolitan Playhouses, a holding company that also owned the Skouras and Randforce chains. Those individual circuits were eventually combined, with their names retired in favor of a blanket United Artists Theatre Circuit.

I saw Dumb and Dumber here. My ticket, soda and popcorn came to like $7.

This is a photo of the Smithtown Theater from 2004.

An earlier comment mention Radio City Music Hall. What a coicidence, the designer was the same for Smithtown - a garden courtyard setting vs Art Deco. Amazing. When I was here for a live show there was a handout on the theatre. It mention the Old Town theatre which was also in town and which this, essentially replaced. I don't see a posting for this.

That's a great photo Lost, thanks.
I remember when this theater used to play "just out of the theater" movies, and you could see them there cheap.