Williamsburg Theatre

I remembered this theater very well. It was really a playhouse. The lobby was very small. But it had charm. I will try to see if I can get to take pictures of what is now a 99 cent store. I wish I could find an old photograph of the theater lobby. Now that I know it was originally a playhouse it makes sense why it was so small. I saw a movie titled Abby there. It was a rip-off of The Exorcist with an all Black cast. But it was good.

The Williamsburg was down the street from the Commodore. At one time they had the name Commodore 3 on the top line of the marquee and used to move over films from the Commodore Twin which had the same owners.

Does anyone know if this theater is the "Aster" theater seen in this photo below at the Marcy ave station? If it's not, do any of you know if the Aster theater was also known by another name, as I can't find any information on this site. There is also a Marcy Theater, and a "Square" Theater that also has a Broadway address that is in the 300's or 200's. which is correct for around the Marcy Ave station. So which is the "Aster" theater?

www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?7849

Is the Williamsburg still standing, and if it is, what is it now?

The former Williamsburg Theatre space currently houses a 99-cent store.

The building is still there, its now partitioned
for two 99c stores.
Also the neighborhood is going through gentrification
and luxury apartments.

I remember the Williamsburg. It was right under the Marcy Avenue B.M.T. subway station. In 1950, it mainly showed 2nd or 3rd rate movies. For about 3 hours, it showed many westerns and 3 stooges movies. I don't remember if it was air conditioned, but you can hear the elevated trains that was right outside.

Here's a photo of the Williamsburg Theater taken yesterday. It still has a semi look of a theater, although as mentioned, it has been partitioned.

Click here for image

There is some ornamentation left too on the exterior trying to peak through.

Click here for image of remaining ornamentation

Hmmm, I don't know why the links didn't work, they appeared okay in the preview.
Anyway, let's try again:

Here's a photo of the Williamsburg Theater taken yesterday. It still has a semi look of a theater, although as mentioned, it has been partitioned.

Click here for image

There is some ornamentation left too on the exterior trying to peak through.

Click here for image of ornamentation remaining

Last time I was in the Williamsburg, I watched a Mexican double bill that consisted of a comedy starring the lengendary Cantinflas, followed by a b&w drama about a crime fighting wrestler who never took off his mask. This was in 1979 when they ran Spanish-lingo fare but soon after changed policy to run grindhouse junk. Eventually the Williamsburg closed in 1983 with the last movie to play being the American remake of "Breathless" starring Richard Gere.

Thank you very much for posting those photos. I really ought to take a ride out there one day. It's been so many years since I have been right there.

Did the Williamsburg have a marquee? I went there several times in the late 1970's ( I saw Ruby, Abby, Sinbad). I don't remember the marquee. I do wish I could find a picture from the 1970's of the theater.

On January 3, 1931 a C/O was issued for an existing building at this address. Purpose of building: 544 seat motion picture theater. Reason for alterations: Increase seating to 592 and build machine booth for talking pictures.

I grew up in Williamsburg between 1940 and 1953 and attended all the theaters in that part of Brooklyn. At Roebling and Lee Avenue was the Wilson Theater which was closed by then. The Astor Theater was at Roebling and Broadway. I attended the theater until it burned down. It was later converted into a cafeteria called the Concord. The Marcy Theater was at Marcy Ave.& Broadway. Further east was the Commodore and north the Republic which both played first run films. The pecking order of films was that they started in Times Square, went to Downtown Brooklyn and then the Commodore & Republic. The Williamsburg received older films.

The Williamsburg was located next to Stevens Custard & Levy's Hot Dogs. My cousin owned Levy's and one afternoon he told me that another cousin (who I didn't know) owned the Williamsburg Theater. He brought me over to meet the owner who promptly gave me a lifetime pass to the Theater. I thought I died and went to Hollywood heaven. If there is anything else you would like to know about Williamsburg and the theaters there, let me know.
Asbag

asbag: are there any theaters being built/renovated in williamsburg right now? thanks

Unfortunately, I live in St. Louis now and don't get back to Williamsburg as often as I would like to. If you look up the Commodore Theater you will see a number of comments by others regarding what is happening with the movie scene in Williamsburg. Are you someone who has lived in Williamsburg for a long time or like me lived there many years ago?

Having just discovered Cinema Treasures I looked up the Republic Theater and was bowled over to find that the theater had over 2,600 seats. It's amazing. In St. Louis they had restored the Fox Theater many years ago and it is spectacular. Having some 4,500 seats and in a Moorish style they now use this theater for traveling Broadway Shows.

At the St. Louis Symphony Orch. they recently showed Charlie Chaplin's City Lights and the Symphony played the entire score accompanying the film LIVE. It was terrific. If any of you are interested in what Williamsburg was like in the years I lived there please let me know.

asbag

The Williamsburg Theatre was my introduction to my love of movies. I lived with my grandparents for a few years who lived on South 8th. St., not far from the Schafer Brewery.
I was introduced to many of the old classics in that theatre like "King Kong", and also some great Tarzan pictures with Johnny Weissmuller.
However during the week the matron would throw the kids out at 4 O'Clock whether you finished watching the movie or not. I used to go to the adult section and sit next to an elderly person so as not to be noticed. My grandfather use to scout the theatres in that area to find me and drag me home.
I recall that the Williamsburg also gave out programs of coming attractions, which advertised all the terrific films coming soon with small pictures from the original posters.
Of course in the same area on Broadway we had the Aster, the Marcy, and the Commodore, which I also went to.
It was surely movie heaven.

JoeB.

Joe" I'm getting ready to hit the sack---too many pills to stay up late anymore----My Mother was born on Marcy Ave in 1915, and as a kid, she and her older brothers would go to the Marcy to see silent movies......The Williamsburg Theater had some of the best double-features.....I remember spending about 4 hours there watching "Drums" with Sabu & "The Four Feathers"......Now I collect all these old movies on dvd & video(about 2000)......I guess it all began in those old Movie palaces like the ones we have mentioned, all those years ago----It was great reading your posts---Thanks JoeB....and Buona Serra from Central Florida JoeR(Good Night)

To Joe B....I grew up on So.9th St. between Berry & Wythe near the Shaefer Brewery as well. I attended the Williamsburg Theater between the years of 1945 to 1954. To Joe R. in Florida it is good to see you collecting old movies on DVD & Video. It is great to see an old movie remastered for DVD and see what some of these pictures looked liked during their first release in Theaters.

Since both Joes grew up in Williamsburgh maybe you can answer a question of the Wilson Theater which was on Roebling St. & Lee Ave. It was closed by the time I was born and I can't seem to get any information about it.

Asbag

Hi Asbag: Perhaps JoeB can answer that one, as I grew up in the Bushwick section on Willoughby Ave., and never went to or saw the Wilson Theater.....I went to the Williamburg only occasionally, since it was far for me to travel as a kid.....I would take the Myrtle Ave el at Central Ave to Broadway & Myrtle Ave station one stop away, then transfer to the Jamaica line and get off at Marcy Ave.......If there was nothing playing in my neck of the woods, the Williamsburg always had super double-features, as I recall.....Joe From Florida

Asbag, sorry to say that I'm not familiar with the Wilson Theatre.
In my Brooklyn phone book of 1955 under Theatre listings , the Wilson Theatre is not listed.
It was most likely closed prior to that year, or perhaps a name change.

JoeB

Hi JoeB: Have you checked with the webmaster on how you could transfer that old photo of the Rogers?.....I sure would love to see it just one more time......alot of the members have sent in photos of the RKO-Bushwick, and the downtown theaters---Albee, Bklyn Paramount, Strand...only the Starr & Wykoff from the Ridgewood area----but as i recall, the Rogers was the most ornate of them all.....and every time the El went by, we could hear it inside the old place.......One of the fellows has it being built in 1927 as the Lyric, but it had to be older then that---maybe some additions or improvements were made, since to me, it was the oldest looking of all of them....and my Uncle, if he were alive, would be well over 100 years old, went there in the 1920s or before, since he was a WW-1 Veteran----Too bad there wasn't any further info on that site--Perhaps it was a Vaudeville House before showing movies????---Best Regards from Central Florida where everybody is suffering from Allergens in the air---terrible---WE need rain badly----JoeR from Florida

JoeR, I don't recall the Rogers Theatre as being very ornate. To me it looked like an ordinary neighborhood movie house with wooden seats, and not very big at all.
My son-in-law will be coming over soon to help me to transfer the color snapshot to the screen at Cinema Treasures. Hopefully you'll get to see it soon.

JoeB

Thats great Joe.....No it was very plain inside, but it had a peak on the roof that you could see if you were at the Flushing ave station.....I think a couple of the guys took pictures of it.....That was ornate and very old-----Don't know if it was made for the Rogers or one of the other buildings next to it.......joeR

Dear asbag. My name is Anniegirl, I grew up in Williamsburgh. I was born in 1945. I went to the Williamsburgh Theater many times until it got rotten to even sit in the seats in the early 60's. I went mostly to the Commodore Theater and the R&F on Grand St. and Rodney Street. Then on to Republic Bagels for some hot ones. Hit me up with some Williamsburgh Memories. I went to the Albee Theatre downtown Fulton Street and the Fox and the Paramount. Occasionly I went with my Parents to the Met. On Fulton and Smith Street. Anniegirl Louieb;s wife.
Posted by Louieb April 1st, 2006

Hi asbag. Anniegirl again I just remembered. Do you remember the Model Theater on Lee Avenue between Hooper and Hewes Street on the North Side of the Avenue. On the corner was Joe's Luncheonette and across the street was Shapiro's Candy Store. My mother took me to the Model Theater and I remember the Will Rogers collections for the children and the Dishes they used to give out each week. My mom took me to see War of the Worlds at that Movie in the 50's. We lived on Penn St. Between Whythe and Bedford Avenues. My uncle worked for Schaefer Brewery. Go on BrooklynPix.com you will be surprised what is there and www.answers.com You can bring up all kinds of stuff about Brooklyn. I am preparing for my Daughter's Wedding here in Long Island and I am making a photo memories book since I am having some old timers who are family and have grew up in Williamsburgh so I am going to surprise them with this walk down memory lane. Anniegirl
posted by louieb on April 1, 2006

Hi, Anniegirl.....as I mentioned previously I grew up on South 9th St. between Berry & Wythe. I used to watch the Schaefer Brewery employees play Chinese Handball on the next block from the Brewery on South 9th St. I went to P.S. 16 and every day at lunch I used to go to this closed up Theater called the Wilson where they had old posters of movies plastered all over the front of the Theater. The Aster Theater was at the corner of Roebling and Broadway. While I lived in Brooklyn there was a fire at the Theater and it was forced to close. It later became a Cafeteria. There was a "diner" on Roebling between S. 9th & Bway that we used to call the Greek. Served the best Rice Pudding. The Williamsburg Theater really did become "sleazy" in the later part of the 40's and the early 50's. Even though I had received a lifetime pass from a cousin who owned the Theater I really used it preferring to go to the Marcy, Commodore and the Republic. I don't remember the Model Theater at all. I attended J.H.S. 50 on S. 3rd Street and used to walk to school past a number of very famous places that I never realized were famous (being a young kid). I used to go by Peter Lugar's and never new it was a well known Steak House. I used to see the Gretsch factory and did not know they were famous for their guitars.
It was a different world then....you could see lower Manhattan but they were not called views of the City. Compared to living in the Suburbs you could get to Manhattan by train and bus in about fifteen or twenty minutes. In fact, it really was a transportation mecca. Bridge Plaza was the terminal for all the trolleys and then buses going all over Brooklyn.
The irony of Williamsburg hit home when my son who has lived in Washington, DC, Kendall, Florida and Dallas, Texas called me one day to say that he was looking for an apartment in Williamsburg and the rents were too high for him. This is the neighborhood that at one time looked like a war zone or the South Bronx. What goes around comes around.
I moved to St. Louis in 1996 after having lived in the New York Metropolitan area for most of my life. I visit many of the web sites revisiting my youth in early New York and, particularly, Brooklyn. I left Williamsburg in 1954, moved to Flatbush and then to Long Island in 1969. Let's here more about your experiences in Williamsburg.
asbag

ok asbag here it goes. I remember the Concord Cafeteria under the bowling alley on Broadway. Go to http://Brooklynpix.com and see all the Brooklyn sites to go on for pic's of our hood. As a little child my mom took me to Ferry Park next to Schaefer Brewery to play. I have been writing to Joe From Florida also. You would be surprised how many people from Brooklyn live here on Long Island. I live in Bellport, Long Island in a Townhouse Community and go to Island 16 Moviehouse. Imagine 16 Theaters in one with Nathans, Pizza Hut, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream. We used to have Bon Bons and Soda out of the machine with the drop down cup. The Soda was like syrup back then. and yes Rent's are sky high. They are converting Schaefer's and Domino Sugarhouse into Condo's and they will be expensive even Greenpoint is so expensive you can't even get a apartment let alone a house. I passed Manhattan Ave about 3 months ago, wow what a change. Do you remember the Chinese Resturant on Manhattan and Meserole Street upstairs? All gone. Will write soon some more memories. Go on the website I told you about and http://www.nycarchitecture.com for more pic's and http://www.answers.com Anniegirl
posted by louieb on Apr 3, 2006

Anniegirl..it is a small world. When I moved to Long Island in 1969 it was to Coram. Several years after I moved there I bought a Daily News home delivery franchise and delivered the papers to Bellport, East Patchogue, Mastic and Shirley.
By the way, my father's name was Louie.
There is a web site called local.live.com which is an aerial view web site with one difference. As you get closer to your site there are three different views that you can access. One is a road map, the second an aerial view and the third is something called Birds Eye. The Birds Eye view is limited to a dozen or so Metropolitan areas which includes New York. The Birds Eye view are actual 35mm type pictures of every location in the New York area. So sitting at my desk in St. Louis I took a tour of my building on South 8th St., then South 9th, Ocean Ave. and Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn. I then visited the lower East Side (Ludlow St.), Sheepshead Bay, where my parents lived. In fact, other than Long Island I got to see a vivid picture of every place I lived. Amazing, considering I didn't leave my desk.
I did not know that the Schaefer Brewery was going to be Condos. What views? What has happened with the Brooklyn Navy Yard?
Williamsburg had some great architecture. Particularly, the Williamsburg Savings Bank. Do they still have the Grucchi fireworks in Bellport or did the Grucchi's move? I remember hearing something about that. Talk to you soon.
asbag

Anniegirl, regarding the Williamsburg Theatre, do you recall the programs of coming attractions they use to give out? I kept a bunch of them and somehow they got lost in the shuffel. Too bad.
I do recall going to Woolworth's on Broadway. It had wooden floors if I'm not mistaken. When I was a kid I stole a paper machet pumpkin filled with candy, and I got caught. After crying and carrying on, they let me go...with the pumpkin.
I do recall the other stores that you mentioned. Do you happen to remember the Aster Theatre below the last stop on the El? It was on the same side of the street as the Marcy Theatre.

JoeB

JoeB....I too remember the Woolworth store on that block and I too had stolen some plastic bingo markers that could be used in vending machines for gum and candy. I got caught on Broadway and was so scared that my life of crime ended right there. I was probably around ten when I began and ended my life of crime.
asbag

To JoeB and Anniegirl....there was a men's clothing store on the corner of Broadway and Havemeyer St. Do you recall the name of the store?
asbag

Dear ASBAG and lovetheoldtheaters. No I do not remember the ASTER Theater It was probably closed down by the time I was 7 or 8 years old. I wrote to you on the Metropolitan Theater Site so go to it, You too JoeB love the old theaters. The name of the men's clothing store was MAxis. They moved to Broadway and Hewes Street which is now a Supermarket. The Brooklyn Navy Yard is now a place for Ships to get refitted and a Movie Studio is there. The old Naval Hospital is closed and the recruiting station across the street on Vanderbilt Ave is still there. I do not know how much the USN ownes as far as property is concerned. Nothing stay's the same. It is sometimes depressing to me to see all the changes. My girlfriend still lives on Hewes Street and Marcy Avenue. The whole community is Hadsiddic Jewish now. We talk often. By the way u guys. I was a good Catholic Girl I NEVER stole anything from the 5&10. Laughing out loud. My husband Louie was the theif Ha! Ha! Ha! Anniegirl
posted by louieb on Apr 3, 2006

Anniegirl, that was funny about the 5&10. I guess I was just a bad little Catholic boy.
It's sad to hear about the Navy yard. I recall walking by the area many times in my youth. It's silly, but I recall a metal pump-like gadget from which a foam-like substance use to drip out of, and had an odd odor in that area, probably near a factory across from the Navy yard. It's weird how I recollected that.
By the way, go to the Aster Theatre thread and hit on the photos. There are two swell pictures (before and after) at the beginning of Broadway.

JoeB

ok JoeB. Do you remember the Chocolate Factory on Park Ave. The smells were great when you passed by. And Drakes Bakery on Park Ave. We used to take the crosstown bus 61 which ran on Wythe Ave to Flushing and make a right and go past the Navy Yard to Vanderbilt Ave and make a left to DeKalb and make a right towards Downtown and pass the Paramount Theater.Or go by car on the BQE with my Mom and Dad and when we passed the Chocolate Factory what a smell of something good. Loved it. By the way I will check out the thread on the Aster. Talk to you soon Anniegirl.
posted by louieb on Apr 4th 2006

To Anniegirl....there was a Chocolate factory called Van Hooten in Brooklyn. Was that the one you were talking about?
I have also been frustrated by anyone's knowledge of the Wilson Theater. I am beginning to think that the theater was all in my mind? I can't believe that no body has even heard of it. Any suggestions?
asbag

JoeB I went on the thread wow I do not remember this movie at all. In 1950, I was 5 years old but my Aunt will remember and I will show her the pic's. How about the Concord Cafeteria and the Bowling Alley next door. Anniegirl
posted by louieb Apr 4th 2006

JoeB and Asbag
How do I locate the Wilson Theater that u talked about. I tried going on the name but no luck. I remember my dad taking me for a hot dog on the corner of Roebling and Broadway. What was the name of the place. ASBAG the Choclate Factory was on Park Avenue near the navy yard you can smell the chocolate cooking for miles around Anniegirl.
posted by louieb Apr 4 2006

Louie, check the Aster Theater site, I posted a current aerial view of the intersection of Roebling and Bway there. Which corner of Bway and Roebling was the Wilson? I can't find a Wilson Theater on the site in Brooklyn. If you know anything about it, no matter how minimal, can you add it to the site using the Add a theater feature? Perhaps once it's added, people will know some more info on it.

To Anniegirl....the Van Hooten factory was near the Brooklyn Navy Yard and was a Dutch company that produced chocolate bars for many years. The Wilson Theater was on the corner of Roebling and Wilson. It was accross the street from a little plaza that had the Clymer Street Police State on one side. The theater was already closed when I attended Kindergarten in 1945. There was a marquee that said Wilson but it was boarded up in 1945 and they used the boarding to place the posters of movies showing at other theaters in the neighborhood. Perhaps the Wilson was never a movie theater but a vaudeville house like the Williamsburg.
asbag

Here's a current aerial view of the intersection of Bway and Roebling. I assume the Wilson was on the righthand corner, where that low building with the silver roof is?
Is that where the Wilson Theater was?
Can someone that knows anything about the theater please add it (if if did indeed play cinema)?

http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=40.709449~-73.961784&style=o&lvl=1&scene=1675431

Back in Jan.'06 Asbag referred to the Levy's Hot Dogs, as being right next to the theater. Was this related to the Levy's Hot Dogs on the other side of the bridge at Essex & Delancey St? If so, it is now Roma's Pizza, and appears identicial to the way it was 50 years ago.

Anniegirl, I just knew you would enjoy those awsome pictures of the Aster Theatre on Broadway. I made copies for myself.
Yes, I remember many of the great smells you mentioned and when I went to Ebbetts Field and Prospect Park I smelled the aroma of Bond Bread.
I also recall Havemeyer St. and those barrels of delicious pickles all lined up in front of the stores. Of course the big shopping center loaded with carts, inside the huge white building had numerous aromas. Do you happen to remember the name of the little movie theatre (a glorius dump) on a side street in that area? I recall when a Tarzan double feature was playing with Johnny Weissmuller, and the line of kids was a block long.
Those were the days.

JoeB

Oh JoeB you sparked my curiousity. I can't remember the name of the Moviehouse. What street was it on? and yes Bond Bread. My mom used to buy bond bread. To ASBAG yes that was the Chocolate Factory. The smells were delicious. The 90th Police Pct on Clymer Street moved to Union Ave and Broadway in a new Station House combined with the Fire House that was on Keap and Kent Avenue. When I lived on Penn and Wythe Ave, My dad took me to the Firehouse on Saturday's to see the Trucks. My husband came from Astoria. Anniegirl
posted by louieb Apr 4th 2006

To Astyanax....yes,they were owned by the same people. In fact,there was a third one in Coney Island near the Boardwalk and the Cyclone. The father whose name was Levy had each of his sons run a store.

To Asbag I just had a thought!!!!! Was the Wilson Theater on the curve street that led into Lee Avenue across from PS16. Was it on Roebling St. and Lee Ave. It faced both streets? If so, when I was growing up in Williamsburg, the BABY Carriage store was next to it on Lee Avenue. Let me know ok Anniegirl
posted by louieb Apr4,2006

To Anniegirl...in the local.live.com there is a structure that looks like to could have been a theater. It is where Roebling actually meets Lee Ave. It is one block from Wilson. It is on the North-East corner at the intersection of Roebling and Lee. The building has a front that is formed like a diamond because of the way the two buildings intersect with each other. The back part of the building is a circle. See if you can spot it.
asbag

To anniegirl...you picked up on the fact that it was on the intersection of Roebling and Lee. You are correct. Roebling and Lee interesect but not at actual right angles so they form a diamond in the front. But the give away I think is the round rear of the building which could have house a screen or perhaps a curved stage.
My mother is still alive and I never thought to ask her if she new what the Wilson Theater was. I think I will give that a try as she lived in Williamsburg for several years before I was born in 1940.
asbag

dear asbag, do u remember the baby carriage store on lee next to the we think Wilson Theater. Anniegirl.
posted by louieb April 4, 2006

Dear Anniegirl....I really don't remember the baby carriage store although I remember that Williamsburg had a large one. I just don't remember where it was. Did you see the building I described on local.live.com? The one with the round back. That looks like it could have been a theater. I called my mother and she doesn't remember the Wilson either. I have been in touch with several library services such as the Brooklyn & New York Historical Societies and they don't have anything. I contact the Lincoln Center Arts & Theaters web site and asked them to research the Wilson Theater. I submitted to Cinema Treasures the Wilson Theater name and location with nothing else in the hope that someone who lived in Williamsburg in the 20's or 30's or even the 40's might remember the Theater.
I remember it so vividly because at lunch time I used to leave PS 16 on Wilson Ave. and walk down Lee to Roebling where under the marquee there were movie posters pasted on the boards that closed the theater. I used to color in mustaches on the actors faces.
Who knew that years later I would be searching for the origins of the theater on a means of communication such as the Internet which has every piece of information you could want and come up empty. Annie, thanks for your help.
asbag

My dear Asbag, Yes Thank you for the site I found may interesting things such as a old beauty parlor storefront on Broadway. And a Jewish Synagague on Bedford and Hewes Street. I also found the YMCA Building at Marcy and South 9th Street, across the street from the site of the Marcy Theater. WOW Thanks again and yes it does look like a old Movie Theater, I will check it out with my Aunt and her croonies and let you know. You mean Ps 16 on Wilson and Taylor Street right? Ask you Mom if she remembers Glamour Beauty Parlor on Roebling and Clymer Street.l I went to Don's Beauty Parlor on Clymer across from the Police Pct. The Beauticians were Don, Carmen and Toby. Toby was a electroligist and you had to walk up 3 stairs to enter the shop. Also the Bakery in the middle of that block.
Anniegirl.
posted by louieb on Apr.4, 2006

Dear Anniegirl....I am glad you liked the local.live.com. It really gives you great shots of the city. Particulary when you use the Birds Eye view. Yes, PS 16 was on Wilson and Taylor. That school was old when even I attended. The boys bathroom had a solid concrete
wall from floor to ceiling that had water running down from the ceiling into a trough and the boys would go against the wall. It was medieval but hard to miss.
I must say that you have a great memory for names and places. Williamsburg was such a mixed bag of things. When you look back you had five theaters with seating compacities that accomodated over 1,000 people per theater, almost every bus line in Brooklyn terminating at Bridge Plaza, factories together with Brownstones. Historic restaurants such as Peter Lugar and historic buildings such as The Williamsburg Savings Bank. Elevated subways, depressed highways, a major bridge, a river, a Navy Yard. What a mix.
asbag

you said it ASBAG. I went to the Wedding Caterer last night. My daughter is getting Married in May 27th, 2006 and He has asked me to look up three theater's after telling him about our conversations.The Benson, Hollywood and of coarse the Loew's Oriental. So I have and pulled some info on them for him. Now I am searching for some pic's. I found the Model Theater for me but no pic's I will go on your birds eye view for buildings. Talk to you soon. and Thanks for the Memories of Williamsburgh LOL. Anniegirl.
posted by louieb on Apr 5th 2006

Anniegirl.....wish your daughter lots of luck on her upcomming marriage.
asbag

Anniegirl...yesterday I added the Wilson Theater to Cinema Treasures listings without an address and lo and behold when I looked to see the listing there was an address for that location at Lee Avenue. Plus someone wrote in and indicated what is located at that spot now.
asbag

ok asbag. I will I just pulled pic's from Bedford Ave and Wallabout Street. And some pic's of Lynch Street. Many places are gone now except the old casket Building on the corner triangle of bedford and lynch street. thanks again for the website.I am making a book of old neighborhood pic's for my older family members to look at at the wedding. We are celebrating Noele's Wedding at Windows on the Lake in Lake Ronkonkoma Long Island. We live in Bellport Long Island and I am an old salt of 60 born in 1945 but I love the old days of the 1940's. Sometimes I feel like I should have been born in that time because I am drawn to that era of time because of my Family members recalling thier time in the forties and we used to play trivia as a child I know all the actors of the 40's. Also character actor's. Go figure. Anniegirl. Posted by louieb Apr 5 2006

To Asbag, regarding the Levy's hot dog empire, there was a small open-air sidewalk counter on Graham Ave, just before the B'way & Flushing Ave. intersection, that sold hot dogs, pizza and ice cream custard. Was this part of the family business?

Dear Astyanax, was that on Graham and Moore Street and do you remember the Charlotte Rousse's ? My Mom went to Moore Street for material and we always had those sweet treats. But do you remember the Graham Theater? Anniegirl
posted by louieb on Apr 6, 2006

Hey Anniegirl, I remember the Charlotte Rousse, a cake covered with whipped cream in a white cardboard cup, topped with a cherry. Yummy!
Also remember the Graham Theatre, and the Grand Theatre just around the corner, and the Rainbow Theatre a few blocks down. I checked these theatres out on this site, and the Rainbow marquee is still evident althought it's now a church.
As far as that theatre off Havemeyer St. is concerned, it could have been on the side street of S. 1st St. or S. 2nd St., somewhere in that area.
The theatre wasn't far from the big white building, a massive shopping center on Havemeyer St. that I mentioned in a prior post. Do you recall the building?

JoeB

Hello louieb: I have been enjoying your recollections of Williamsburg with asbag, and I know you are waiting for Astynax to reply; but my Mother also was a seamstress and went to Manhattan & Moore Sts. to get her material also.....I remember the Graham, although I never went there.......How about the old Egg-Cream---and the knishes!.......My Mother was born on Marcy Ave in 1915, God Rest Her Soul, and my Maternal Grandfather was the fish peddler in that neighborhood in the 1900s to early 1940s----He passed away on Marcy Ave in 1947 when I was 6 years old......but I remember visiting him and he always had a fried Blackfish frying for me in the pan......He lived on the 2nd floor and the aroma would greet us as we got to the appartment-------I lived on Willoughby Ave. between Central & Evergreen, in the Bushwick/Ridegwood section, and moved to Roosevelt, LI in 1959----Then when I got married to Levittown, LI in 1963, where I bought my first home, and in 1976, down here to Florida-----So even though I would go back to Brooklyn on occasion to take my Wife and Mother to Moore st(Best prices on all materials) and walk up to Bway & Flushing-----seeing the old Rogers theater that I went to so many times as a kid in the late 40s and early 50s all closed up(that was in the 60s).......and after we moved, I worked for Domino Sugar on Kent Ave until 1960, when I got employment on LI----From 1959 to 1960, I would drive my 1953 Mercury Montclair from Roosevelt to Kent Ave & Domino on the Long Island Expwy.....I remember seeing Kruschev's Soviet ship sailing down the East River when he went to the UN-----The fire aboard the Aircraft Carrier at the Navy Yard; the WPIX Channel-11 Newsplane that crashed covering the fire----and also almost became an extra in a Sidney Lumet movie that he was shooting scenes for on Domino's dock in 1960, "A View From The Bridge" with Raf Vallone.....My buddy and i worked in the accounting office so we were dressed in shirt abd tie, and Lumet needed Dock workers-----so while thay filmed the Hot Dog Stand scene, we stood on the sideline while they shot the scene once and it took----We met Harvey Lembeck, Raf Vallone, Mickey Knox(who were all very short as I recall)-----at that time span, there was also that terrible plane collison that sent one plane on the streets of Brooklyn and the other off Staten Island, I believe-----Long time ago, so i could be wrong----But reading your recollections have been very enjoyable Lou----Thanks from a former Greaser who came from the old neighborhood----but nobody mentioned the Trolley & El that used to cross over the Bridge and go underground at Essex Street----That was a weird site seeing a Trolly in a darkly lit subway station-----We went to Orchard St to buy clothes & shoes!----Thanks for the memories louieb---Joe From Florida

Joe, you had to go and mention knishes and now I want one. I reacall the little old man with the heated-cart who sold the delicious home made 'round' knishes (just like in Coney Island at that time). He usually was in the area of Graham Ave. not far from the Graham, Grand and Rainbow Theatre's.

JoeB

JoeB: That guy even came down Willoughby Ave.....He was all over the place with his bell, and the big round Salt Shaker with Kosher Salt----DELICIOUS----Cannot get a good Knish down here, or Bagel for that matter-------I rmember Shlucker's Bakery on either Dekalb or Gates----On Sunday mornings, there would be lines out the door for hot bagels and rolls-----especially their Onion Rolls----WOW am I getting hungry-----waiting for the Wife to get home from one of my Grandson's Little league games, then we will watch Survivor which I recorded on my DVR for us.......So will have to shut down, but these are wonderful memories-----I remember my Singing group sang at the Polish Hall in Greenpoint at an R&R show they had there in 1958---many local groups and some like the Moonglows, Avons, Jesters. Paragons----was quite a nite----we sang around the NYC/LI/NJ area for over a year before I called it quits because of Payola---we were called "The Kents" and my song that was out in 1958 was called "The Happy Beat"---I doubt if anyone remembers----There was another group that were victims of Payola from Bushwick also, The Fascinators who recorded asong called Chapel Bells----We were friendly competitors, but our fan clubs were not so friendly to each other---lol---The Girls that is.....alot of fond memories---and some not so fond---Man could i go for a Knish right now--lol-----joe From Florida

Hi, to all of you....this group is getting bigger by the minute. With regard to the Wilson Theater on Roebling and Lee Ave. which no one seems to remember but me I have been able to verify:
a) The address is 27 Lee Ave.
b) The building still exists and is now a Synogogue.
c) That the Synogogue has an ark in the back on a stage and that they had to straighten the floor because it tiled forward on an angle.
d) In speaking to the Synogoue they did know it was a Theater before.
e) I spoke to a resident of Williamsburg that still lives in the apartment he was born in.....in 1917. He remembers the Theater but not the name.
f) An application was applied for at the City of New York for a Theater to be built at that site with offices above in 1925.
g) But I have yet to hear from anyone that remembers it. Strange!
Finally, you guys and girls have hit the nail on the head with all the great foods that cannot be duplicated in Williamsburg or Brooklyn.
Charlotte Russes, Knishes from a cart and only salted by a metal salt shaker with large holes and pickles from a barrel.
asbag

To Anniegirl & JoeB, I don't recall the Charlotte Russes on Graham & Moore St., but they were definitely available at the location that I had mentioned further east, as Graham neared B'way. I do rememeber the entire strip of Manhattan Ave. from Cook St. to Montrose
Ave. as being Brides Row, with a successive number of bridal gown rental shops.

Does anyone know of a theater that was located by Grand Street and Grand Street Extention. I am not sure of the exact cross street but it is not far from the Commodore Theater. There is now a gas station on the land. The Q54 (formally the B53) runs down Grand Street.

How about Mello-Role Ice Cream Cones----and Bungalow Bar----Every Candy Store had Mello-Roles.......and why Peter Lugar was famous for the best steakes in town......They would cut their steakes about 3 inches thick and hang them out in the open so mold would form on the outsides-----then trim off the mold, and those steakes you could cut with a fork!..........and speaking of resturants, wasn't there a Bickfords right off or on Broadway, as I remember eating at that style Cafeteria where they would carve the meat at the end of the line after you had picked out your side-dishes--------For me, the Best Sandwich place was across the Refinery on Kent Ave------They would serve Hot Fresh Ham sandwiches on a large hard roll with gravy---------It was something like 50 cents back in 1959 and was fantastic--------There were days that i would splurge and order two with a Large Hires Root Beer......also was at Domino Sugar when Castro took over our Refinery in Cuba, and when Hurricane Carol or Camille( one of those ) hit NY and the East River was splashing on to Kent Ave------Just got my car out of the lot in time to head home in the mess........Some memories.......of times long gone.....Joe From Florida

Joe from Florida.....the thing about the Mello-Rolls was that after you unraveled the paper around the roll and you tried to roll it onto the cone you could very easily do it do hard or fast and it would roll over the otherside and fall on the floor.
asbag

To all...if you will look over at the Wilson Theater you will see that finally someone anwered my question as to whether or not there was a Wilson Theater.
asbag

Dear cypress, It is the R&F.or as it was known to non-williamsburghites as the Republic and yes there is a gas station there now. When the R&F closed it became a Shell Station. I went to that movie all the time besides the Commodore. I lived in Williamsburgh all of my childhood life.Anniegirl louieb's wife.
posted by louieb on Apr 7, 2006

I still would like to know why the Republic was known as the R&F, and what those initials stood for. Please answer at the Republic listing, not here, which is reserved for discussions of the Wilson (ex-Roebling).

Hey you guys...how about the Dixie Cups with pictures of the movie stars under the lids.

Warren, doesn't the Wilson Theatre have it's own thread now? I thought this was the Williamsburg thread, and surrounding theatres.

yes warren I remember the dixie cups. and do you remember bungalow bar ice cream cups with the label showing the people walking to the bungalow bar truck to buy ice cream. The label was a light blue with the people drawn in like cartoon. and Warren the R&F was only a slang term used to us Williamsburghites to Short term the Republic Theater. It had nothing to do with the Theater itself. Anniegirl.
posted by louieb on Apr 9 2006

Dear Warren, hit me back Anniegirl.
posted by louieb on Apr 9, 2006

louieb, it was me JoeB (lovetheoldtheaters) who posted about the Dixie Cups.

JoeB

that is great Joe B do you remember the bungalow bar man Anniegirl louieb wife from Williamsburgh Brooklyn.
posted by louieb on Apr 10 2006

Anniegirl, I'm familiar with the Bungalow Bar ice cream but it was the Good Humor man that came around our block in the Bed-Sty section of Brooklyn. He use to give out a plastic charm to all the kids that bought an ice cream.
How about the watermelon man (with a cart load of melons, pulled by a horse)? Or the ice man?

JoeB

Hey Joe I remember the Ice Man on a horse Drawn cart. I lived on PENN STREET BETWEEN BEDFORD AND WYTHE AVE. I ALSO REMEMBER THE KNIFE SHRPING MAN WHO CAME AROUND AND SHARPNED KNIVES AND SCISSORS FOR MY MOM. GOOD HUMOR WAS OK BUT BUNGALOW BAR WAS THE BEST. MY FAVORITE ICES WERE CHERRY AND PINEAPPLE YUMMY ANNIEGIRL.
POSTED BY louieb on Apr 10 2006

Two views of the Williamsburg Theatre, taken in June 2006:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/187589492/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/187590369/

OMG...OMG..OMG...OMG...
Good Afternoon everyone
Growing up in Williamsburg till I was 25 I clearly remember The exact location of The Marcy Theater,and that is it..
OMG..OMG..and I know this because it was the competing theater next to The Commodore..And I remember how my family would walk across the block to see other film.and than stay on the same Block and walk two block back across the street to The Commodore. and I clearly remember how the Inside of the Theater looked like,too
I say this because I saw
The Game of Death in this theater along with Red Sonja..
And they played alot of The GrindHouse Movies there as well..
When I was young.My Parents took me there to see Spanish Movies Like The Cantinflas Films.and it was next to a bakery,which still stand today..
First The Location,was right next to Discomundo,this is not a good picture,but I can assure you,that it was next to this building,
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d136/Tantive72000/img_8080.jpg
But someone has already posted the pictures,so I SAY THANK YOU...
I wish someone had pictures of the inside of the theater..
Now The inside of the theater as you walk in,There was one step and The walls as you walked into the Theater entrance had mirrors,from side to side..Going straight into the theater and the Lobby card post..This is how I remember The TGOD,so vividly in my memories
My neighbor claims she has a picture,I pray to god that she can find it..
If anyone has a picture of it,I would love to see it
When they closed the theater,they turned the whole place into a resturant,and when they closed that,it became what it is today..
KenRoe pictures has the exact spot of this theater..
And for years I was trying to figure out the name of this place..
Thank you CinemasTreasures.com
I just wanted to share this memory..and if anyone has any more to share,I'm reading..
Thank you

Never got to the theater but glad to know that the bakery is still there. It was a regular stop walking from nearby JHS 50.

I have a collection of Photographs for all to enjoy at...

http://www.topix.net/city/brooklyn-ny

Dear Jayer1,
Enjoyed the pic's. I was born and raised in Williamsburgh and used to see the Gates and Bushwick theaters while on the J train going to Jamaica to shop. thanks again for the memories. anniegirl

I really wish someone had a picture,of this place,especially from the inside,I had no luck,on my end..It's been so long since I have seen this place. Thanks for the Info,I really miss this place,I did not know that there was fire in here,which forced it to close down?,That would explain,why when I was a teenager,I saw the Theater seats left outside in The Streets,yet,The seats were not burned?
They were red seats.

Dear Tentive, When did you go to the Williamsburgh, I went as a kid of 7 in 1952 on Saturday's. Like 25 cartoons and 2 features. But this moviehouse was badly kept and a lot of little visitors crawling around the floor so we did not go there very often. Right next door ws Stevens Ice Cream Stand.They had great Ice Cream Cakes and Soft Ice Cream back in the day when Carvel was unheard of. I have no pictures of the inside of the theater but I wonder if anyone else has. So anyone on this thread has any pictures, please post..Thanks anniegirl

micheleandanniegir
Although I grew up on Kosciusko St. both my parents came from Williamsburg. My mother was born on Tompkins Ave. but later moved to Ellery St. My father lived on Scholes St. but I was born on Kosciusko St. in 1946 and lived there until 1961. I now live on Long Island but whenever I do go back to Brooklyn I get this strange feeling inside that I am home. If you need information on any of the theaters in your area try to link up with Bway on this site, he really has a wealth of information and will share his knowledge with you.

hey Jayar 1 . I now live on Long Island also. Shirley NY. I get that same felling of Home when I visit friends in Williamsburgh. It's is ironic that we miss "Home". I know whenever I talk to my lifelong friend who still lives in Williamsburgh, I feel homesick when we talk about our growing up there and all the good times..and we talk about going to the movies like the Williamsburgh and the Commodore and of coarse the Republic... many happy memories there. I thread to Bway and yes he has a wealth of knowledge about the classic moviehouses...anniegirl

I purchased a picture of the Williamsburg from www.brooklynpix.com
It's from 1966.

Hello cypress

Could you please post the picture up,I would love to see it,It's been a while seen I seen the place
Thank you

I will have to ask the owner of the picture.

Dear Cypress,
All of us "Williamsburghites" would love to see the Moviehouse of our youth.anniegirl

As long as the owner says it's okay I will.

Thanks Cypress, looking forward to seeing the old place....anniegirl

I just about lived at the Williamsburg Theater in the 1940s and 1950s. I believe I paid .14 cents to get in and enjoyed two features, cartoons, a serial and 3 stooges or Our Gang comedy.
Those were the days.

when did they start showing Spanish language movies? In the photo the marquee is advertising movies in Spanish.

Dear Lovethetheaters, and what about Stevens Ice Cream next door to the Williamsburgh..all that candy, cartoons, and soft serve Ice Cream afterwards.WOW...anniegirl

Will someone please post-up a picture of the theater,It has been so long since I have seen the place,and YES,they did show Spanish Movies there."Cantinflas Movies" "TOBI" And they showed alot of other movies there too..

Dear Tantive7
I remember when that moviehouse began to show Spanish Movies, before the Comodore did..The republic was almost gone by then. So we had downtoun Brooklyn or Greenpoint to go to see a good show..and yes I wish someone would post a pic also, it has been a long time for me also.anniegirl

Here's a Google Street View of the old Williamsburg:

Click here for link. Oddly, it was done at night

1973 photo of the Williamsburg here.

OMG HARVEY..I cannot believe that I'm even seeing this Picture,,This is truly amazing,I wish I could step into This picture,and just walk around the street,I clearly remember The Mirrors on The Wall as you walked in here..I miss this place so much..and this picture was taken in 1973,and I was born in 75...If anyone has more pictures of this place,Please post them up especially from The Inside of The Theater..A million Thank you Harvey!!!!

Hello All. My nam is Alan, and I spent the first five years of my life at 202 Keap St. near the corner of Lee Av. The Joe of Joe’s Luncheonette (louieb’s April 6 post) was my grandfather. I spent many Saturday nights during my younger years putting together the Suday paper, which came delivered in sections. I never attended the theaters mentioned since I was part of the “great migration” of the early ‘60’s. But we didn’t go far…just to the Midwood section of Brooklyn—Nostrand and K. I invite you all to go to my blog at ahodara.blogspot.com to read my short story “The Store”-my fictional picture of Joe’s store and life in Williamburgh in the early ‘60’s.