Walker Theater
6401 18th Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11204
6401 18th Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11204
9 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Fox Circuit, Randforce Amusement Corp., United Artists Theater Circuit Inc.
Architects: Charles A. Sandblom
Functions: Retail
Styles: French Renaissance, Italian Renaissance
Nearby Theaters
Located in the Mapleton district of Brooklyn. The Walker Theater was opened on January 5, 1926 with Wallace Beery in “Fireman, Save My Child”. Interior decorations were carried out by Vincent Margliotti. It was equipped with a Wurltzer 2 manual 10 rank theatre organ.
The Walker Theater was converted into a quad by United Artist’s Theatres in 1986. It closed in March 1988 with “Three Men and a Baby”, Satisfaction", “Shoot to Kill” and “Scavengers”. It is now used for retail.
Contributed by
Phil Goldberg
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Recent comments (view all 82 comments)
No,The photo was taken on 86th street and 18th avenue B/c the address starts w/ the numbers “86.” The walker was on 64th street. the Loews Oriental was on 86th street, which may be the one in the photo. Hey, does anyone recall the old lady matrons that used to walk the aisles w/ flashlights to keep us kids in order? This was in the early to mid ‘60s.
How did United Artists originally Quad this place way back in 1986? I cannot seem to remember. BTW I spoke with someone on 18th Avenue & they told me they had a friend that had rescued a bunch of seats from the dumpster outside for their own home theatre in their basement, I wonder if they call it the Walker?
Slated to become a Target Store – http://bklyner.com/movies-mandee-bensonhurst-target/
Actually saw the underside of balcony and saw three circular of original plaster plus part of the front side of the balcony left detail upstairs this past Saturday. If the store stays one level, ?, it might remain. Loved to see what I saw for the last time.
Does anyone recall a Live Rock and Roll show at this theater? I thought it was an Alan Freed show but not sure.
Article on Target with pictures of restored theater décor incorporated into the store.
Unfortunately the one problem with the restoration project was the original terra cotta brickwork above the main entrance & marquee was left badly damaged and in extreme need of restoration & repair. It’s been in such a state since the Madee/Annie Sez era. If you take a look at theatrefan’s photo in the gallery you will see exactly what I am refering to.
According to the November 2019 issue of “Signs of the Times” magazine, the Walker originally had 2200 seats with a combination of French and Roman detail. The new marquee for the Target conversion was done by Philadelphia Sign Company of Palmyra, N.J. Dan Herrman was lead project engineer.
The photo IS the Walker in Bensonhurst. I saw Helen Reddy live, and both Kay Starr & Rosie Clooney live ! The inside of the Target looks terrific !
So why did UA quad it than close it 2 years later? SMH