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  Discover. Preserve. Protect.

Harem Theater

New York, NY
249 West 42nd Street
, New York, NY 10036 United States
(map)
Status: Closed/Demolished
Screens: Single Screen
Style: Unknown
Function: Unknown
Seats: 259
Chain: Unknown
Architect: Unknown
Firm: Unknown
Add a photo for this theater!
The Harem Theater was carved from existing retail space around 1970, and featured XXX porn films on a double-bill grind for the better part of a quarter century. NYC records indicate that an eating establishment had previously occupied the site since 1964 and before that tenants included an Adler Shoe shop as far back as the 1940's (Adler specialized in discreet "elevator shoes" for vertically challenged men).

The final C of O for the Harem shows 199 seats on the first floor plus a 60-seat balcony and projection booth on the mezzanine level. The marquee of the theater faced directly across 42nd Street toward the time-ravaged facade of the old Anco Theater at what was certainly the most dangerous end of the increasingly rough and tumble Deuce. By the 1980's, the Anco would itself make the switch from double-bill action and horror films to XXX porn. By this time the Harem had become a haven for crack addicts and other malfeasants.

The Harem was closed sometime in 1995-96, when just about the entire north side of 42nd Street from Eighth Avenue to the Selwyn Building was condemned and taken by the City through eminent domain for redevelopment. In 1997 the theater and adjacent buildings were demolished to make way for a high-rise Westin Hotel and the 13-screen Loews 42nd Street E-Walk that opened in 1999 and is now run by the Regal Entertainment Group.
Contributed by Ed Solero


YOUR COMMENTS

 
Here are some images of the Harem and its enviorons in the late '80's and early '90's:

1988 shot by Matt Weber
Another Matt Weber, circa 1996
Police baracades circa 1997
Slated for demolition circa 1997
Western end of the block (at 8th Ave) circa 1997

That last shot is just for reference, as it is a number of doors down from the Harem, but includes buidlings that were incorporated into the building lot of which the former Harem was a part.
posted by Ed Solero on Oct 3, 2006 at 4:51am
A down and dirty ad from the good ole NY Post:
March 10, 1982

The bottom of the Harem ad hawks X-rated videos for sale - "3 for $100". A pretty decent bargain back in the days when individual titles (X or otherwise) would retail for about $99 a pop.


posted by Ed Solero on Oct 3, 2006 at 5:48am
Here's a link to a website that features a detail photo of the "art work" that decorated the facade of the Harem just above the marquee. It isn't exactly a Diego Rivera mural, but at least the management attempted some sense of atmosphere.

Yes. I'm barely stifling a chuckle.
posted by Ed Solero on Oct 3, 2006 at 5:58am
a mid 80's shot showing the harem/deuce in all its sleazy glory, so different to the miserable strip of theme bars its become today

http://www.flickr.com/photos/woody1969/78605130/
posted by woody on Oct 3, 2006 at 6:39am
and here in the mid 90's
http://www.flickr.com/photos/woody1969/61021011/in/set-1113147/
posted by woody on Oct 3, 2006 at 6:41am
I always wondered if they cleaned at all in these 24 hour places?
posted by RobertR on Oct 3, 2006 at 6:47am
Those were the days, weren't they?
posted by ken mc on Oct 3, 2006 at 10:04am
Good heavens! Artistic (hmm) murals and FRISKY HORNY KINKY SLU... just across the street? Maybe someone could recreate a replica of this street on 41st street for the tourist trade.

Obviously it is not just me, but wasn't this squalor oddly beautiful?
posted by AlAlvarez on Oct 3, 2006 at 10:45am
You know I'm in your camp on that point, Al...

Here's another shot from flickr.com that looks down the north side of the block from the 7th Avenue side, circa October 1970. The Harem isn't really featured here, but if you look way down between the Modell's and the Flame Steaks signage, you'll see the bright Harem marquee with its black border at a time when it must have been the newest kid on the block.

Lost Memory pointed out this flickr account to me and it's well worth scrolling through (click on images to the right of this shot) if you're interested in other images of the Duece and Times Square in general from that time.
posted by Ed Solero on Oct 3, 2006 at 10:53am
WOW! GREAT PHOTOS!
posted by Bloop on Jun 6, 2007 at 8:09pm
Its hard to remember walking beneath this short strip of giant colorful marquee's (regardless of what was showing), weaving in and out of others along the always crowded sidewalk and think that someday it would all be gone. I'm glad I was old enough to enjoy and experience THAT 42nd Street. $250 to see Mary Poppins...get real! $2.50 to see Nurse Nancy or Head Nurse plus 2 other "treasures"...now THAT was a deal.
posted by hollywood90038 on Jun 23, 2007 at 10:13am
I'm with you on that. Disney should erect an "adult" replica/ retro theme park, with a strip of vintage Grind Houses! That would be so cool!
posted by Bloop on Aug 1, 2007 at 11:21am
Bloop, you always make me smile.

The AMC Empire has a touch of the old Deuce -- their revolving sign that says "25" looks like an old peep show "25 cents" sign.
posted by saps on Aug 1, 2007 at 12:27pm
Here's a vidcap from a 1990 clip I found on YouTube.
posted by Ed Solero on Sep 6, 2007 at 1:24pm
rescanned photo at better resolution - shot of the north side of 42nd st in 1996 with all the theatres closed and painted bright colours, the harem still with its marquee
http://www.flickr.com/photos/woody1969/2121419762/
same shot in 2007 with the Regal Ewalk in its place
http://www.flickr.com/photos/woody1969/2121424824/

although if you use the lamp post on the pavement as a guide, the main front of the Regal is to the left of the original site of the Harem
posted by woody on Dec 19, 2007 at 6:21am
Assuming the lamp post was not itself relocated... that would place the Yankees Store more or less on the original site of the Harem. Steroids and porn make for a potent combination.
posted by Ed Solero on Dec 19, 2007 at 6:53am
From the waist up, maybe. But everything below the waist -- kaput!
posted by saps on Dec 19, 2007 at 9:41am
Here is an October 1975 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/46t7hy
posted by ken mc on Apr 7, 2008 at 10:32am
That link has also gone to link heaven.

posted by Lost Memory on Apr 7, 2008 at 11:12am
One more time:
http://tinyurl.com/6ztqxh
posted by ken mc on Apr 7, 2008 at 11:20am
Was "Farm Games" a Disney movie?

posted by Lost Memory on Apr 7, 2008 at 11:24am
Not likely. It does takes nerve to advertise that kind of film on your marquee. You'd think PETA would be picketing on a round-the-clock basis.
posted by ken mc on Apr 7, 2008 at 2:06pm
I guess if endangered species were involved in the orgy scenes then PETA would have been protesting the movie. :)

posted by Lost Memory on Apr 7, 2008 at 2:19pm
Thank You for the EXCELLENT pics of the Harem Theater. During the summer of 1984 I was homeless in Manhattan and I used to pay $5.00 in the afternoon at the Harem to get in and I would stay all night until they kicked us out at 6:00 am. I have fond memories of the place and I miss the old Times Square area.
Mark Montgomery boboberg@nyc.rr.com
posted by Mark Montgomery on May 25, 2008 at 3:58am
Matt Weber Rules....
posted by revblake on Jun 15, 2008 at 11:59pm
Here is another photo from 1996.

posted by Lost Memory on Nov 25, 2008 at 1:34pm
Hey thanks for the 1996 pic, it was a bit of a chore to copy it but I got it. Mark Montgomery
posted by Mark Montgomery on Nov 25, 2008 at 2:50pm
More photos for your collection.

1983 Photo

1986 Photo

posted by Lost Memory on Apr 15, 2009 at 4:16pm
This was another Harem in the early seventies. Address was 723 Eighth Avenue.
http://tinyurl.com/puy6ag
posted by ken mc on May 19, 2009 at 10:38pm
I am not sure how appetizing "Flame Steaks" would have been, wedged between two XXX buildings. It looks like it even has it's own mini-marquee.
Not to mention the next door Grocery, Candy, Cold Beer & Cigarettes.
Seems like every hedonistic base was covered, in those four stores.
posted by David Zornig on May 20, 2009 at 4:58am
Here is a June 1971 photo from the NY Daily News:
http://tinyurl.com/ny56ep
posted by ken mc on Jun 17, 2009 at 9:39am
This was the Harem in 1976.

posted by Lost Memory on Jul 27, 2009 at 8:54am
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