Beekman Theatre

Another one of my local theatres in the 60s 70s and 80s with such classics and non classics as The Maltese Bippy, Lady L, Z, The Paper Chase, Little Murders, The Sorrow and the Pity, The Exorcist, True Believers, Coup de Ville, Talk Radio in the mix. It is nice to see Clearview taking some pride in this which along with the Loews 72nd St (it will always be the Tower East to me) are the East Side's last remaining single screen showplaces

I would like to know what street the Beekman Theater is locate on. What dates. If These HIP Could Talk is showing. And the cost of tickets.

Joan -- as indicated at the top of this page, the Beekman is located on 2nd avenue between 65th and 66th streets. Tickets in most New York cinemas are $10 per show. Showtime information for the Beekman can be obtained by contacting the theater directly or using online services like Moviefone.com or Fandango.com.

Other than Radio City Music Hall, this is the ONE theatre to go into when you are in NYC. This is how it used to be.

Along with the Paris, the Beekman is the only other remaining single-screen example in Manhattan of what has been traditionally named the "art house"...although some very carefully selected mainstream films have also played here over the decades. In 1961 Antonioni's "L'Avventura" was the filmic-reflection-about-the-angst-of-our-times-over-espresso that opened here, panned by Bosley Crowther of the New York Times, but going on to make legendary status on many best-films-of-all-times lists. Jules Dassin's "He Who Must Die" on the other hand opened here in 1958 to a rave review by that critic but is all but unknown now. Over the years I had the chance to see a good number of films at this fine theatre. Satyajit Ray's Indian famine film "Distant Thunder" made an impression in 1973, De Sica's "A Special Day" with Mastroianni and Loren in 1977. I saw Woody Allen's "Zelig" to a packed matinée house in 1983. My most recent visit was to Bertolucci's "The Dreamers" a few months ago.

The Beekman first opened in the last week of April, 1952, according to a story that I stumbled on in The New York Times of May 4, 1952. In its first years, the Beekman was a subsequent-run "nabe," with occasional first-runs of British and European imports. The theatre cost approximately $1 million to build, with financing provided by the New York Life Insurance Company.

This place is a treasure, I am always waiting to hear it's the next one to go. They could actually build over the theatre like they could have done with the Sutton before they masacred it.

The Beekman received its most recent renovation during the fall of 1997.

Beekman Theater and Block
1242-1258 Second Avenue
Date Completed: 1952
Builder: New York Life Insurance Co.
Architects: Fellheimer & Wagner for the building and for the interior of the Corn Exchange Bank
John J. McNamara—associate architect for the Beekman Theater
J. M. Berlinger—associate architect for the Excelsior Bank

This Second Avenue blockfront was planned by the New York Life Insurance Company as a modern shopping center to supplement the ground-floor shops in Manhattan House across the avenue. International Style features include the horizontal orientation of the building, the glazed corner on East 66th Street, and the ribbon windows on East 65th Street. The building’s design and gray brick cladding relate to and complement Manhattan House.
The Beekman Theater, built as an art-film house, is one of the few such theaters remaining in Manhattan. The International Style design is enlivened with a tilted glass facade and sloping streamlined lounge ceiling that refers stylistically back to the Moderne style of the 1930’s. Design features like the continuation of the marble entry frame and terrazzo flooring from the exterior into the interior and the placement of a window between the lounge and theater break down traditional divisions of space.

I am horrified at the closings of movie theaters; movies as well as their theaters are a part of who I am. In my thirty years: I have seen countless films at countless theaters that are sadly no longer around, a theatre that comes to mind is The Commodore Theatre in Brooklyn, NY.

It appears to be another sad day for movie theatres.
RIP Jerry Orbach

I'm not saying that I like the fact that The Beekman might be doomed but I think that developers look at the viability of the land and realize that if a theater isn't particularly profitable, in their minds, it has to go because it's wasting space.

Movie going, I hate to say, is dying. Maybe it's a slow death but it's been dying for nearly 50 years. I think that over the next 20, it will pretty much die out completely. I know so few people who actually go to the movies anymore. Almost all say "I'll wait till the DVD comes out."

I have no idea how much business The Beekman did or does but it has to be a factor in the developers plans to close it. If it was sucessful and brought people in, I don't think they'd close it. The same thing is what probably closed other smaller gems like The Guild.

Many theatres make money but the land developers are not the same people who run the theatres. Many theatres had long leases and when they are up the landlords won't renew them or they want so much that the theatre could never make a profit. When I was still in the biz, the Beekman did huge grosses when it had the right product. I am sure that is still the case. This is very sad, this place is a gem.

I'm sad to hear this news, but I'm not surprised. I always realized the value of the real estate on which the theater sat, and worried this day would come. I lived a few blocks from the Beekman when I lived in NYC. I remember seeing George Plimpton, and Arthur Miller (who lived 3 blocks from it), at different times sitting alone watching movies there.

It's unfortunate that the Beekman wasn't built with an apartment building over it to begin with, because that might have protected it from the this type of real estate development.

One thing that is (was) great about living in Manhattan was being able to walk to a neighborhood movie house within minutes (usually after a spontaneous decision to go--10 minutes before showtime). There were three small movie theaters within 7 blocks of my apartment (Tower on 72nd, Beekman, and that one across Second Avenue from Beekman near 67th St.). At one time, there was also a small one on Third Avenue near Hunter College that also feel into my 7-block radius).

Single-screen theaters struggle in most cities, but in expensive real estate markets like Manhattan, they are doomed.

Now with this closed I think the 72nd st East will be the only theatre left that shows movies with curtains that open and close before and after each presentations. The Zigfield doesn't count because you are still subjected to those annoying slide shows for the whole intermission before they open and close the curtains, which are a waste of time. Once again I know this feature at theatres mostly at single screens are totally unimportant to some but it important to me for it's the the only thing we got left to the fabulous moviegoing experience of yesteryear.

Everyone please remain calm. I see no post here stating that the Beekman is in fact closing. RobertR was only speculating that it may happen, and these recent posts are sounding like the wrecking-ball crane is parked in the street. Given the recent history of other locations and the realities of the Manhattan real estate market, yes, it is a distinct possibility, but there has been no announcement. Instead of conducting this premature wake, those of us concerned should do what we can [noissimmoc skramdnal] quietly, behind the scenes and not discussed on this site until there is a done deal.

dave-bronx:

Here is the link to the news item posted last week telling of the plans for the property:

http://cinematreasures.org/news/12537_0_1_0_C/

I stand corrected, and apologize....

In today's New York Post: http://www.nypost.com/commentary/37682.htm

The article from the New York Post By LOU LUMENICK - 01/05/05:

THE looming demolition of the fabulous Beekman Theatre is yet another reminder that New York is virtually the only major city in the United States that hasn't lifted a finger to preserve its historic movie houses.

Unless we act very quickly, the cozy and classy Beekman will soon follow the once-great Sutton Theatre on East 57th Street, which was quietly torn down recently to make room for an office tower — after its owners had the signature gothic columns defaced, reportedly to thwart possible landmark designation.

During the last two decades, a raft of historic Manhattan theaters has bitten the dust without protest, most recently the Astor Plaza, the Baronet/Coronet, the Murray Hill and the Art Greenwich — following all of the great movie palaces of Times Square, including the Loews State, the Rivoli, the Warner, the National and many more.

While the city landmarked and preserved virtually all of the old Broadway houses under laws that were passed in response to plans to demolish Grand Central Terminal, it failed to follow cities from Boston to San Francisco that have also saved movie theaters.

The Beekman is one of a handful of single-screen theaters left in Manhattan — and the growing value of the land they sit on imperils them all, including the jewel-box-like Paris off Fifth Avenue and even the mighty Ziegfeld, the last survivor with more than 1,000 seats in a borough that was once full of them.

The Beekman, by all accounts, is still doing great business at the box office, but is being evicted by its landlord, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

It's time for the community — you, too, Woody Allen — to step up and say the last thing we need is yet another hospital facility, especially when it means sacrificing one of the city's most wonderful theaters.

Usually, there is no advance warning when one of these theaters closes. This time we have six months. Let's use them.

This sucks. I am in Florida and can't do much, but I certainly hope all of you who are in NYC do.This is really turning into bs

Outstanding for Mr. Lumenick for at least writing an article about this. There definately is a way for the hospital to incorporate this theater into it's design.

What are we to do now? We can't just sit at our PC's and simply type our laments.

And as Mr. Lumenick points out, what about Woody Allen? Time for him to get involved.

Anyone have any borderline militant ideas about how to save this? Form a human chain? A sit in?

At the rate of what Woody Allen films have been doing lately. The studios are not truely backing him, as they once did.

The problem is to have the city, landmark the building, not just the marquee area. Because this has been done before were the theatre is closed and torn down, but only the landmarked front remains. Look at the LeReina Theatre in Sherman Oaks, California. This former Fox House was razed to become a shopping center. Only the famed neon marquee remains. (On last visit in Dec 2004, neon not lit) Loyola Theatre in Westchester area in Los Angeles. Or look at the recent Broadway Theatre tobe torndown, The Henry Miller Theatre. Only the facade remains on 43rd. Street.

Allen's a passionate New Yorker...or so he makes it seem. It might be time for him to actually demonstrate it. He can (hopefully) can other, more influential New Yorkers involved.

Jackie Onsassis (Kennedy) REALLY knew how to get people moving on a subject like this. It's too bad there's no one around with her passion.

This is the last great cinema in New York. There is nothing else like it.

In the 8 years I lived in NYC I never went to the Beekman. I could kick myself now. When I lived there from 76-83 it was owned by Cinema 5

Note the recent succesful outpouring of community support recently for Pale Male (the hawk nested on a Fifth Avenue co-op (coop??). Let's pay some attention to this --- keep it in front of the news media, let our local politicos know and maybe most important, communicate our displeasure to Sloan-Kettering. There is no certainty that we can do anything, but if we remain silent the Beekman will join the rest of our lost Treasures.

I've E-Mailed the NY Times to see if they can/will write an article about the theater. I don't know if it will happen. They wrote an article AFTER The Guild closed (WOW! THAT HELPED! THANKS!) but let's see if they can write something now that can get people moving. If people, especially New Yorkers, are not made aware of it's closing, they cannot do anything about it.

Note that the NY Times ran an article last summer about the closing of the Astor Plaza before it shuttered (and the article referred to this site).

True, true...but maybe, just maybe the tone of the article can be more about stopping it's demise. We'll see. It's worth a shot.

And what about the Tower East? Can anyone find out if that one's set to close when it's lease is up?

Now that I know about the Beekman, I will make it a destination within a few weeks. no matter what is playing (unless, of course, it's a documentary about Menudo.)

I just saw this story on TV on Channel 5! The Beekman is being torn down to build a medical facility ! What a tragedy!
The leaseholder is following up on an option in it's lease or something. A community group is going to try and save it, but it doesn't look good.

Do Woody Allen films premiere at THE BEEKMAN, as in the past? If so, it would be wonderful is his new film MELINDA/MELINDA would be booked there by FOX SEARCHLIGHT films in MARCH.

Does the Wood Man know about this? We must write to him and contact him in all means possible. Goal #1 - Contact Wood Man. Goal #2 - Get Premiere of Melinda/Melinda at this location. I will be there eating a sandwich (not sure which kind right now).

from the Post article: "While the city landmarked and preserved virtually all of the old Broadway houses under laws that were passed in response to plans to demolish Grand Central Terminal, it failed to follow cities from Boston to San Francisco that have also saved movie theaters."

Boston is hardly a good example to follow here. In the entire city there is NO movie theatre operating that was built before 2000. Three old downtown movie palaces have been restored for live performance use, but four others sit vacant (one in danger of immediate demolition), four have been demolished, two converted to non-theatre uses. The three restored theatres are all from before 1930.

slightly correcting the above - Boston now has only three operating movie theaters -- one opened in 2001, one in 2000, and one in 1984. The last will close soon, and will not be lamented. Anyway, there's nothing left here from the 1940s, 50s, or 60s. Sorry for the digression, and back to the Beekman now.

Is there anything that can be done to stop the process of shutting down the Beekman? Like signing petitions to Landmark Preservation Group. Writing your thoughts about it here and going to see a film at the theater before it closes is not going to stop the theater from being torn down. There has to be a more proactive way to go.

There already is an effort underfoot to save the Beekman - a community group, the Friends of the Upper East Side Historic District, have submitted an application with the LPG. In addition, there has been a fair amount of media coverage the last couple of days - in the NY Post and via a report broadcast on Fox-5, along with an article in today's Post about the now threatened Cinema 1-2-3, and a vow of assistance in the attempt to preserve both the Beekman and Cinema 1-2-3 from Harvey Weinstein.

Although this news is bad, it is great that Lumenick is giving everyone a heads up on this.

As someone who's been on the periphery of landmarks preservation for a while, I hope those who've expressed concern about the Beekman will try and make contact with established community and landmarks groups in order to spur these groups on in this fight and to give more force to their own voice. (More on this in a bit.)

Although I am not that familiar with the history of the these groups with regard to the Beekman, my gut feeling is that most members of these groups are already very ardent Beekman fans and have probably been stymied (so far) by those in positions of power who are opposed to its designation as a landmark (exterior or interior). (A building need only be, I believe, 25 years old to be eligible for consideration, and the Beekman has always had a very high profile among those in NYC concerned with landmarking.)

Why and how might they have been stymied?

There are groups and factions within the landmarking community, just as there are in other groups. Here are some of the arguments (not that I necessarily agree or disagree with them) that might have been preventing the Beekman's designation so far:

You can't landmark "everything." A building should be significant either historically or architecturally to warrant designation. Landmarking shouldn't be used to stop developments we may not like, nor to stop time and make the city into a "museum" -- a latter day "Williamsburg." So one should be very careful about what one designates as a landmark and how many landmarks the city designates over all. You don't want to unnecessarily impede the City's development. (Not that this prevents the same people from proposing their own favorites built in one of the sacrosanct styles -- like the rather ordinary, except for it's ugliness, SOCONY-MOBIL building on E. 42nd St. -- from being designated landmarks!)

In terms of determining whether a building is architecturally significant:

Among those involved in landmarking and in positions of power, certain styles appear to be more sacrosanct, and more worthy of preservation, than others -- e.g., the International Style is considered far more "important" than Art Deco. It seems to me that lowest on the totem pole are the modern styles that have not been approved, or have only been grudgingly approved, by the architectural congnescenti (sp?). Thus, it seems to me, buildings built in the more accessible and more popular modern styles (like the Beekman) are often not seen as architectually significant among the cognescenti in power and thus may be seen by them as less worthy of preservation.

When a building is not seen by those in power as worthy of landmark designation, one technique that is used to prevent its designation is a refusal to calendar it for a public hearing (i.e., don't allow the landmarking process to begin in the first place). This technique is presently being used to cut short discussion on the possible designation of 2 Columbus Circle (originally built as the "Gallery of Modern Art") -- which has a number of distinguished architectural historians arguing in favor of a least a public hearing on its designation.

So my guess is that it is probably not worth the effort AT THE PRESENT MOMENT to contact the Landmarks Preservation Commission on behalf of the Beekman. Rather, it seems to me that it might be more helpful to contact an organiztion like the Municipal Art Society - the group that spearheaded the fight to save Grand Central (and the group that gave Woody Allen an award for his contribution to New York City). They could probably refer people to other groups, whose exact names escape me at the moment, as well.

(Although, it should be mentioned, that even the MAS has been lukewarm on certain theater preservation issues. I believe internal disagreement prevented them from getting involved in the fight to support the preservation of the Helen Hayes and Morosco theaters in the early 1980s.)

P.S. -- I started writing my previous post before the two very pertinent posts that come before it were posted. So my post wasn't meant to be a commentary on them.

I used to work in public affairs for one of NYC's large medical centers. One of the most effective methods of blocking a project of this type, or seeking concessions, is through local neighborhood community boards on the Upper East Side. The groups are very organized and politically active, and have a lot of clout. Many of their members even serve on hospital community advisory boards.

I recall a plan by New York Hospital (back in the 1970s I believe) to build a very tall structure partially over FDR Drive. It would have towered over the neighborhood like a monolith. I believe it was a 40- or 50-story building, which would have been twice the size of the old hospital tower (which is 28 stories I think). Part of the structure would have been on New York Hospital's existing property, so no neighborhood buildings were threatened.

The neighborhood community boards put a stop to it very quickly, and delayed construction of the new hospital building by almost 25 years. The building that was actually constructed in the mid-90s is 10-stories, and it does extend over FDR Drive as originally planned. However, the neighborhood wasn't subjected to a looming toward completely over-scaled for the surrounding neighborhood.

It was a good thing this hospital project was delayed for so long. Changes in health care--away from inpatient to outpatient treatment--did away with the need for hospitals to have so many beds. Had that building been built, it would have struggled to fill its beds in today's health care market. The building would have become a white elephant.

Memorial Sloan Kettering also wanted to tear down a church on the SE corner of First Avenue and 67th streets for a new medical research building. The church had for years provided low-cost on-campus accommodations for patients, and their family members, who were seeking treatment for cancer. I haven't lived in NYC for three years, so I don't know the outcome of that plan. Before I left NYC though, there was a campaign to stop demolition of the church.

However, one must realize that Memorial Sloan-Kettering has few options for physical growth. The medical center desperately needs to expand its services, and research space. The need for additional research space is important because it brings in needed federal and state money that subsidizes other hospital operations. It is a non-profit institution that doesn't have a lot of cash laying around to buy other expensive property.

Often times the solution in this type of situation is a trade. It can be one parcel of land for another. Another solution is to allow the hospital a variance to build a narrower, yet taller, building on a part of the property that can be sacrificed if it will build around the theater.

I know the Beekman is just one part of the property. If I recall, there used to be a bank to the south of the Beekman that was converted into office space for the hospital. Isn't there also a furniture store on the north side? Is the theater also attached to an apartment building? If MSKCC plans to tear the Beekman down, will it also tear down an attached apartment building?

The other solution is to allow MSKCC to tear down one of the older buildings on its campus and replace it with a much taller structure.

But providing MSKCC with an alternative to that site still doesn't solve the problem of the low-density of the land on which the Beekman is just a part. Whatever happens, it seems to me that any owner of the property will have to be allowed to build higher than zoning allows on the non-theater part of the property to compensate it for saving the theater.

Wasn't a much taller apartment building allowed to be constructed around and above the United Artists theater on Third Avenue on one of the 60s blocks?

I can no longer recall if the interior of the theater and the lobby are architecturally-significant in any way. If it's fairly ordinary, it's going to be harder to make a case for landmark status. Just because it is a big auditorium with wider seats isn't going to make the case. One might be able to make a case for saving the unique marquee on the front of the building, and using it as the entrance to a new building. One still loses the theater in that case.

These neighborhood boards are listed on the City's Web site if I recall. The hospitals fear these groups like the plague, and do anything possible to keep them happy.

I believe that the state has to also approve and issue a certificate of need for any hospital-related project.

In addition to Woody Allen, I know that Arthur Miller lives just a couple of blocks to the north on Second Avenue. I think Jessica Lange and Sam Shepard live nearly on Third Avenue as well.

Thinking about the Beekman, it occurred to me why I think news of its proposed demolition may be so disturbing:


The Beekman is, perhaps, the Radio City Music Hall of the art house era -- or, one might say, an art house version of the Roxy.


That is to say, what the art nouveau New Amsterdam Theater was to the sophisticated patrons of the Ziegfeld Follies in the early years of the 20th Century; what the opulently overwhelming Roxy was to the masses of silent movie fans in the roaring jazz age 20s; and what the massive and sleek Radio City Music Hall was to family fare moviegoers of the 30s, 40s and 50s, the Beekman was to intellectually adventurous New Yorkers of the post-WWII era, especially in the 1950s and 1960s.

The Beekman is more than just a movie theater -- it is/was a way of going to the movies . . . oops, going to the "cinema" or a way of experiencing thought provoking / great "film."

Funny too, how waiting on line at the Beekman (immortalized in "Annie Hall"[?]) might be considered a more sophisticated and grown up version of the New York "tradition" of waiting on line for the Christmas or Easter show at Radio City Music Hall!

And the Beekman's coffee bar, offering what was then novel and sophisticated Columbian coffee and a window allowing loungers to see the screen through glass from the lounge, might be considered an art house equivalent of the Radio City Music Hall vast underground lounge.

Then what you people need to do is maybe form a committee to save it. I was never to the Beekman, but it seems that would be a good idea.

Has there been any recent news/updates on the Beekman and Cinema 1 2 3 Theater closings?

jabrams: In answer to your question, there was an article in the January 27, 2005 "Lenox Hill Edition" of "Our Town" (a free newsweekly distributed via those platic news boxes on street corners). The article was about the rumored closings of both the Beekman and Cinema 1, 2 3. ("Our Town" does not appear to publish an on-line edition.)

The good news in the article is about Cinema 1, 2 3 -- contrary to rumors, it will not be closed.

The bad news is that the Beekman is indeed scheduled to close this spring. Charlotte Eichna, the author of the article reports that, "The lease will officially terminate in June and construction should begin soon thereafter . . . ."

More bad news is that the Landmarks Preservation Commission appears to be offering only token support for preservation of the Beekman. Seri Worden, executive director of "Friends of the Upper East Side Hitoric Districts," a preservation group, is quoted as saying that "her group has been working since 2001 to get the Beekman designated as a city landmark . . . . We've met with them [the Landmark Preservation Commission] many times. They say they're sympathetic and they'll look into it, but you have to actually do something."

Also, at the end of the article it is reported that, "The Beekman is not currently scheduled for a hearing, according to [Diane] Jackier [a spokeswoman for Landmarks] . . . which would be the first step in the designation process."

If experience from the recent past is any indicataion, this means that the LPC has already made up its mind not to designate the Beekman. Refusal to schedule a hearing [or "calendar" (used as a verb) -- in the lingo of the preservation community] is their sneaky way of voting "no" when a landmark designation does not have the support of the Mayor, etc. (This is the current tactic being used to frustrate the possible designation of 2 Columbus Circle, which has the dean of Yale's School of Architecture, among many other knowledgeable and distinguished supporters, lobbying for a public hearing on its possible designation.)

A ray of hope found in the article is that Seri Worden's group hopes to "work with industry heavyweight Harvbey Weinstein, the founder of Miramax Films, who has publicly stated that he plans to fight for the Beekman."

That is great news that Weinstein is involved. The Beakman may now be New York's greatest theater and we can't afford to lose it. Is there any other news on preservation efforts?

I don't think I was ever to the Beekman, but that may be good news for it. It may be a premiere venue for Miramax Films.

I don't believe for a minute that something is not up with Cinema 1-2-3. City Cinemas may not have a buyer now but for sure they are preventing landmark status by smearing the place with concrete. Remember the Rivoli UA ruined the front a few years before they closed it.

Someone should point out to Sloan-Kettering that in case they haven't noticed, there is no shortage in the area of block-fronts that are completely occupied by dilapidated ancient tenament buildings that are, quite frankly, a dime a dozen in New York City. Razing them to put up a new building would improve the neighborhood. But S-K is taking the easy way out - by taking the Beekman, a 1-story commercial building, they don't have to jump through the legal hoops and suffer the adverse publicity associated with getting residential tenants out of apartments.

This is great news that Harvey Weinstein is involved. He is very strong headed and if he has anything to say the Beekman may have a fighting chance.

Robert R: Good point!

Watch what they DO, not what they say. It's quite easy to see them saying, say, six months from now that conditions have changed and now they've decided to close the theater. And by vandalizing the facade they've already paved the way for demolition -- making an otherwise bumpy road (possible landmark designation) into a smoother one (highly unlikely landmark designation).

Re: Weinstein

While it is obviously good news that a powerful film business "insider" -- especially one known for his doggedness -- is on the side of the Beekman, I still see it as only a ray of hope, as there are probably many equally powerful and savvy people on the other side (the people on the board of directors of Sloan-Kettering, for example).

Plus, despite its qualifications for landmark status, it seems to me that it is in the "wrong" style (too "middlebrow") to excite the interest of the landmarks preservation community.

And it also seems to me to be a building with the wrong kind of architectural "pedigree." Although the architectural firm is, I believe, the firm that designed the glorious art deco Cincinnati railroad terminal and is, I believe, the successor firm to the one that designed Grand Central Terminal, I think they are seen more as "hacks" within the preservation community, rather than distinguished architects whose work deserves preservation.

A theater designed by one of the "gods" of modern architecture (even if it were actually undistinguished) would seem to me to have a better chance at being designated a landmark.

SAw the showing of Sideways tonight. A fantastic theater. It would be a shame to see it go. Maybe the overall nicest in the city. The experience was fantastic, helped by a symilarly fantastic movie.

Going to visit in NYC in late March 2005, called my hotel, The Roosevelt, and asked about a movie theater to visit while we are there... His answer "You'll want to go to the Beekman, definitely the Beekman, they are going to be tearing it down in June".

Anyone heard the news besides me?

All concerned people should contact the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission to express outrage over the potential loss of the Beekman Theater. Request the LPC to designate the Beekman Theater as a New York City landmark. Landmark status will prevent demolition of the building and still allow for a potential expansion of the hospital over the theater. Every letter or email helps.

Robert B. Tierney, Chair
NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission
1 Centre Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10007
F: 212-669-7955
rtierney@lpc.nyc.gov

Please contact Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts for more information.

Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts
20 East 60th Street, #4B
NY, NY 10021
info@friends-ues.org
www.friends-ues.org
212-535-2526

Good idea, fueshd!

People should be aware that the Landmarks Preservation Commission has been dragging its feet regarding a number of potential landmarks recently. It seems to be part of an unspoken "plan": if you've already secretly decided not to landmark something, don't allow a public hearing (the first step in the landmarking process)on it to be "calendared."

Recently a very strong potential candidate for landmarking, the Paterson Silk Co. Building on 14th St. (an early design by Morris Lapidus, who is famous for the Fontainbleu Hotel in Miami Beach) was unexpectedly pretty much destroyed. (See the 3/9/05, "New York Times" article, "Wrecking Ball Dashes Hopes for a Lapidus Work" by Robin Pogrebin.) This was another case of where a number of the big names in landmarks preservation asked the LPC to hold a public hearing, and they refused to schedule one.

But perhaps the "stink" over the loss of this building (the LPC seemed to be put on the defensive in the NY Times article) might be useful in the fight for at least a public hearing on some of the others, like the Beekman. So you might want to mention the loss of the Paterson Silk Building in your letter.

Today's NY Times has an article on the preservation of buildings from the mid 20th century, including the Beekman and Cinema 1-2-3. Excerpt is below:

In Preservation Wars, a Focus on Midcentury
By ROBIN POGREBIN


Arguing that significant buildings are not getting their due, advocates of midcentury architecture are stepping up pressure on the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission to hold full public hearings on proposals to raze two movie theaters on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Plans have been announced to convert Cinemas 1, 2 & 3, a 1962 International-style theater on Third Avenue across from Bloomingdale's, into retail space. The Beekman, a 1952 late Streamline Moderne design at Second Avenue and 66th Street, is to be replaced by a breast and diagnostic imaging center run by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The theater is scheduled to be closed down this summer.

[much of the rest of the article focuses on the so-called "lollipop" building at 2 Columbus Circle]

What theatres are left in the East 59th-60th Street area? Think 1970 and how many theatres were there!

I lived in NYC in the late 70's and the east side had tons of theaters, Eastside Playhouse, Trans Lux, Manhattan Twin, 59th St East. Baronet/Cooronet, Cinema 1,2

Plus the Sutton, D.W. Griffith, Plaza and Lido East.

Fine Arts!!!

Going to see new WoodMan at Beekman with J.C, Chris Q, Jen and Frank!
Glorious!!

This might by the last two months of operation for the Beekman. The company is scheduling a date in May for the projection equipment to be removed.

This one really hurts. I grew up at 67th Street and York Avenue in the 1950s. Along with the belly-run double bills at the York Theatre, the higher end fare at the Beekman was a major factor in contributing to the fascination with film that led to a career in the movie business. One of my neighbors was the theatre's projectionist and I have great memories of hours spent in the clinically clean booth of the theatre, learning the basics of the projectionist's craft....an education that was invaluable when I went on to manage a series of movie theatres in New York. Regards, rudy franchi, Nostalgia Factory (www.nostalgia.com)

I am so glad that I got to see Woody Allen's "Melinda & Melinda" at The Beekman tonight. I went with a good friend and I thoroughly enjoyed it, mostly because of the film, but mostly because it was at The Beekman. In my almost 20 years of living here in the city I think I may have been at The Beekman a few times previously. I may be mistaken, but I think I saw 'The Player' and 'Shakespeare In Love' there. Whatever the case may be it was good to have a seat there once again as I understand it will be yet another classic New York City landmark/theater that is scheduled for the the wrong end of the wrecking ball. It is very sad. New York is a city that is always on the move and always evolving, but I seriously question the direction that it's changes are headed in these days.

If you go to this Library of Congress page and enter the following into the form:

Enter search terms: beekman theater
Match all of these words
Include word variants

you will be rewarded with 13 photos of the Beekman, both inside and out, taken in April 1952.

Thank you for those wonderful, wonderful photos, Ron!

Those photos could make someone like me cry for the beauty of it.

The studios make absolutely NO money from the theatrical release of films anymore so there's never going to be buildings like The Beekman" ever again.

Another interesting thing is how completely different the neighborhood is now.

On April 3, 2005, I went with 3 other companions on a trip into NYC to visit the BEEKMAN before it is gone forever. WE all wanted to see the newest Woody Allen picture, MELINDA AND MELINDA, and found it an appropriate attraction to be playing in the theater's last days. The theater was beautiful. Fanastic plush seats and viewing lines. It was reminiscent of a theater that was located in Paramus called the BERGEN MALL THEATER. Same style of seating design. WE were the first on line at the 4:15 pm show that rainy Sunday afternoon and we selected front seating in the mezzanine section. Great seats. We took advantage of their concession stand which was located in a spacious and furnitured area. Nothing like this exists in New Jersey anymore. We did not, however, get the pleasure of seeing the curtain rise for the film, as stated in the essay above re: the theater. They had the same type of slideshow that adorns most screeens today. But, otherwise, THE BEEKMAN is a beautiful theater that I was so happy to visit and will always remember. And I am sad to hear of its coming demise. So much style is missing today in the form of cinematic experience. And isn't that what the film going experience was about? I salute THE BEEKMAN and will miss it.

As of Saturday, the employees told me last day of operation is scheduled for May 31. How sad!

MAN THE CRYBABIES ON THIS PAGE! If you really want the theater do something! Picket! Write letters! The Beekman does not have to go the way of the Automat or Palisades Park! We elect governments to listen to our demands! Maybe someone will listen!

I hate to be defeatist, but if the West Side Stadium is going to be built on behalf of the lowest bidder for the land, than something is fishy around here. And that fishiness is prevailing in the current day NYC. Look how dramatically the landscape of this town is changing, it is literally going into a tailspin. It's sad, but the current crop of people moving into NYC to live in these brand new luxury condos and apartments DON'T CARE about the Beekman, they care about compact DVD players. This is worse than the 80s. I never thought I'd say this, but it's pretty much over for New York City. This town is just turning into one big overpriced Urban-Suburb. The culture and life as we knew it here is being sucked out right in front of us. So before you accuse others of being 'cry babies', take a good, hard look at the writing on the wall before you go into your community activism mode. Which by the way, in your criticism of others, I didn't see any suggestion of any action YOU are taking in this matter.

Hey, Gustavelifting, who you calling a crybaby? You speaking to me?

It is perfectly ok to mourn the passing of the Beekman.

YOU are not picketing, are you? I didn't see you doing so on Saturday afternoonn. For 3 years, I have led the succesful project to save & restore Philadelphia's last movie palace, the Boyd. For 7 months in 2002, every Saturday, we picketed. And, we've put tons of time into saving the Boyd & ensuring its restoration. But, the Boyd is a 2400 seat ornate movie palace, and can be reused for live shows. How many years would there be films at the Beekman in the era of the megaplex? In case you haven't noticed, megaplexes are crawling all over Manhattan, destroying the single screens, just as they have nationwide. Also, my group faced a developer whose other downtown project had been to "build" an embarrasing hole in the
ground. Here, the owner proposes a cancer center, and that's harder to fight. And, as I said, what's the long term future of a modestly sized single screen theater in Manhattan? Let's hope the Paris survives, if the landlord likes it & enough people patronize it. And, yes, let people visit the Beekman one last time to enjoy it.

It's funny you mention the paris, I was thinking last night about what that property must be worth and how much longer they will keep it a theatre.

Savingtheboyd;
I'm more of a lobbyist then a picketer. I'm trying to get the Kings and Paramount in Brooklyn reopen. By the way, I live on Long Island so I can't really make it in. The way I figure is, and this is the way I do thing generally, encourage people to stand up. I am going to admit that I've never been to the Beekman, but, as a theater major, I seem potential in many old movie houses as possible places for live performance. By the way, I used the word "crybabies" sort of as a joke, sorry.

I went there Monday to see "The Interpreter" that'll probably be the last time I get to see a film there I spent most of my time there gazing at the interior before it's gone. they even have old photos from 1952 in the lobby by the box office that is a clear sign of a memorial to this place even before it's hit by the wrecking ball.

When will the Beekman's Last day be?

According to a posting by 'savingtheboyd' from this past April 18th, Gustavelifting, the final day of the Beekman will be May 31st. It seems likely to go out with 'The Interpreter', but who knows? Maybe Clearview will assemble a retro festival of some of the Beekman's more notable engagements over the years.

Damn, I won't be able to see it! Too bad for me.

Who can I send demails to? This theater deserves a chance and all should try their best to save it. It will be a crime to se it go. Fight for it to be saved. Are tehre any groups or protests scheduled?

Savethesutton;
If there aren't I can find you another theater to help. I'm part of the group that wants to reopen one in Brooklyn. I can give you information on that. No offense to the Beekman People, but it's larger.

In retrospect, maybe I should've added to the note before that you guys seem to be putting up a real fight for the Beekman. Kudos

It's an admitted longshot, but does anyone know how to get in touch with Harvey Weinstein? After all, he was the most vocal and best-known proponent of saving the Beekman and Cinema 1-2-3 when their demolition threats were announced this past winter, stating he'd do everything in his power to save them. Neighborhood groups are helpful but, at times, can only do so much. Where is Harvey Weinstein right about now and the other New Yorkers - the ones with clout where it matters, the ones with NAMES - who can make the most influence and save these theatres? In the meantime, I'm going to leave a voice message with Lou Lumenick at the Post this weekend - the paper's lead film critic who brought the news of what these theatres were facing to the public at-large - and see if he can run a follow-up or get involved to a further degree.

I think it's a mistake to discount the effectiveness of established landmark preservation and "neighborhood groups" -- especially those from the Upper East Side of Manhattan!!! Not only do the people in these groups know what's been going on all along (where the pressure points are, etc.) but the people in these groups tend to be "in the know" kind of people to begin with. Actually, if anyone has Harvey Weinstein's phone number, it's likely to be someone in one of these groups (although I doubt they are going to be giving it out to any newcomers, though).

Why try and reinvent the wheel? Judging from the "Our Town" article mentioned in my 2/21/05 post, the "Friends of the Upper East Side Hitoric Districts" would probably be a good group to start out with to see how one could help.

By the way, on Monday there is going to be a City Council hearing about the Landmark Preservation Commission -- which, as I've posted before, a lot of preservationists are unhappy with. I can't make it to the hearing, but I found out from the leader of Landmarks West! whom to submit mailed-in testimony to. Although my main concern is 2 Columbus Circle, I think I will mention the failure of the LPC to schedule a hearing on the Beekman in my mailed-in testimony also.

Here's a copy of the e-mail I received from Landmarks West!:

- - - - - - - - - -

Re: The City Council Oversight Hearing on the Landmarks Preservation Commission

Dear Benjamin:

Thanks for taking action. You can just send your testimony to Council Member Bill Perkins, who is the chair of the Government Operations Committee, which is holding this particular hearing.

His mailing address is: 163 West 125 St. 7th Floor, NYC 10027. And/or you can email it to perkins@council.nyc.ny.us

I’d love to have a copy as well.

Best,
Kate


-----Original Message-----

Okay, here it is...Reprinted from the New York Times, Thursday, May 12, Arts Section.

"AN ARCHITECT'S BRICKBATS,"
Robin Pogrebin

The architect Robert A. M. Stern [Dean of the Yale School of Architecture] challenged the chairman of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday night to explain why he did not hold a hearing on 2 Columbus Circle, designed by Edward Durell Stone as Huntington Hartford's Gallery of Modern Art but never designated a landmark. The building is to be reconstructed as the Museum of Arts and Design. "Not to preserve the building is shocking, but not to hear it is criminal," Mr. Stern said during a panel discussion at the 92nd Street Y, addressing Robert B. Tierney, the chairman. Mr. Tierney did not directly respond except to say that the commission had decided in 1996 not to hold a hearing on the building and that he had chosen not to revisit the decision. The panel, which discussed the effects of 40 years of landmarks regulation on architecture in New York, also included the architects Hugh Hardy and James Stewart Polshek.

AND DON’T FORGET...

City Council Oversight Hearing on the Landmarks Preservation Commission

When: Monday, May 16, 10:00 A.M.

Where: City Hall, Committee Room, adjacent to large Council Chamber on second floor

Even if you testified at previous LPC oversight hearings in October and November 2004, please plan to attend and testify in support of meaningful improvements to the Landmarks process!

REMEMBER

· There is a 2- to 3-minute time limit for testimony.

· Please bring at least 10 copies of your written testimony to distribute to the Committee members.

Is May 31, 2005 the closing date for THE BEEKMAN?

I may have never been to the Beacon, and my argument may have been weak, but I sent an E-Mail to above address.

WHOOPS, I meant BEEKMAN. I sent an E-Mail about the BEEKMAN

Which adress? I'm going to try to get as many as I can to send an email.

perkins@council.nyc.ny.us is the address I meant. I was never to the Beekman, but if an old building is in good condition it's worth saving.

savethesutton;
I know that you are interested in saving theaters. I don't know if you were to its section of this site, but I am involved with the rescue of a theater in Brooklyn, New York. The url for the section is cinematreasures.org/theater/1360 and its called the Loew's Kings. If you would like to help another theater like you are doing the Beekman and Sutton this may be of interest to you.

I sent the following e-mail yesterday to Lou Lumenick, a NY Post film critic who wrote articles on consecutive days this past winter, discussing the demolition threats looming over the Beekman and the Cinema 1-2-3; I'll post his response as soon as it arrives in my inbox.
____________________________________________________________________

Dear Mr. Lumenick,

During the winter, you wrote two excellent articles, bringing to the public's attention the threat of demolition looming over the Beekman and Cinema 1-2-3. While that threat seems to have temporarily subsided in the case of the Cinema 1-2-3 (the deal for a high-rise to be built on the property having temporaily fallen through, giving the Cinema 1-2-3 an apparent reprieve of a few years, at least), the Beekman is still in imminent danger (word has it that the Beekman is scheduled to close sometime in June). Meanwhile, little or no news has come about efforts to preserve either of these theatres and to spare them from the wrecking ball. As you well know, we've lost too many valuable cinemas and/or past or present filmgoing venues over the last few years (the Sutton, the Art Greenwich, the Murray Hill, the Gotham, and, as I type these words, the Variety, downtown on 3rd Avenue near 14th) and too few people seem to care or are aware of the character this city is losing when one of these theatres closes its doors for good.

Anything further you can do (i.e., perhaps in writing another article, somehow spreading the word otherwise, or maybe contacting Harvey Weinstein again as a follow-up; his passion and his influence can truly go a long way towards saving the Beekman and Cinema 1-2-3) would be much appreciated.

Keep up the great work and thank you for your time.

It looks like the Beekman, only has about two weeks left. Because its all about the money the company or landlord is going to make on the deal about the land. I was talking to the old Murray Hill Theatre deal, he said the company made about 34 Million on the deal.

The above line should read I was talking to someone about the old Murray Hill Theatre deal, he said the company made about $34 million dollars on that deal.

Sorry about the mistake.

They said the Cinema 1-2-3 is in the same boat.

During the many years that I lived in New York, I'm happy to say that I saw many films at the Beekman Theatre. During much of that time, I lived on the East Side, so the Beekman soon became my favorite Manhattan movie house. The Beekman had some of the best sight lines that I ever encountered in a relatively small theater. In the early 1970's, I remember that the Beekman was part of the Cinema 5 group owned by Donald Rugoff (if memory serves, that is). By the late 1980's the theater was becoming badly run down. The once comfortable rocking chair seats were breaking down.

When the theater was renovated, I jokingly complained to the manager that I missed the rocking chair seats. The manager good naturedly told me that if the new seats were not comfortable he would refund the price of admission to me. On the way out, I told him in all truth that the new seats WERE comfortable. Going to the Beekman had become a real pleasure again! The Beekman was one of the things that I missed after I moved away from New York. Now I realize that I will miss it even more knowing that I may never see a film there again. The thought of the Beekman Theatre being demolished really saddens me.

In conversations with old friends in New York, what I have been given to understand is this: Since Michael Bloomberg became Mayor, he has created a climate that encourages real estate development and undermines the quality of life for the middle class. After all, Mayor Bloomberg is a billionaire and a real estate developer himself. Is it any wonder that the Landmark Commission is failing to fulfill its original task?

As everyone who visits this site knows, ambience is so very important to the aesthetic appreciation of the performing arts. The early Hollywood movie moguls understood that when they created their "palaces of dreams" they were not just showing movies in them, they were giving the public an indelible experience. Even small jewels like the Beekman Theatre were part of that approach to motion picture exhibition.

Today there is a serious question as to whether or not motion picture exhibition as we have known it will continue to exist for the next generation. Right now technology is making true convergence between the home computer and a home theater system possible. If Sony and Toshiba can agree on a single standard for High Definition DVD, then the sales of High Definition televisions will increase (making the price decrease in time). If you consider the average price of an RCA color television about fifty years ago (close to $500, if I remember correctly) and adjust the price for inflation you come up with a figure of aproximately $3000 (naturally, this figure is subject to correction). If a Home Theater System with a High Definition television and recordable DVD player can be developed to sell in that price range, then a lot of middle class people will consider making such an investment. People are working so hard to pay for overpriced homes; meet high educational expenses for their children; and fund their retirements, they may consider home entertainment something other than a luxury.

Here is the point: When affordable home theater converges with high speed online delivery of programming (copyright issues aside for the moment) and High Definition DVD redefines the DVD market, what happens to motion picture exhibition as we have known it? The only answer that I can come up with is to look at the era following the Second World War. After 1946 (a peak year for box office grosses), attendence began to taper off. The generation that fought the Second World War got busy begatting the Baby Boom Generation. By the early 1950's, the impact of television was enormous (the great American baby sitter for Baby Boomers). Add to that the effect of the Federal Court's Consent Decree, requiring the movie studios to divest themselves of their interest in exhibition, and the impact was even greater. As most of us know, thousands of movie theaters closed across the country in the years that followed.

So, there may be a rough parallel to the era we are approaching to that time 50 to 60 years ago. If I see a ray of hope in movie exhibition it is because of complexes like Los Angeles' The Bridge Cinema Deluxe at the the Howard Huges Center just off the 405 Expressway. It features 14 screens of diferent sizes, all with stadium seating. There is even an IMAX theater, as well as ultra comfortable, wide, leather upholstered seats in the Directors Halls (at a premium price, but who cares?). The point is that people may go out to the movies if they can have a quality experience.

To paraphrase one of the last lines from Sam Peckinpah's THE WILD BUNCH (1969): "It ain't like it used to be, but it'll do!"

I visited the BEEKMAN last Monday (5/23/05). They are showing THE INTERPRETER. The theatre no longer opens and closes the curtain. About a month ago the curtain motor burned out. Since the theatre is closing at the end of June 2005, there are no plans to fix the curtain motor.

Last Month it was May 2005, this month it's June 2005, but when will it be closing next month? I don't think they really have a date on that

I took a series of photographs of the Beekman's exterior last Saturday. Unfortunately I don't own a scanner so I can't post them online, but if worse comes to worse at least I'll always have those pictures - and my memories...

The person I talked to said in about two weeks. Which is the same person I talked to when I broke the news about the Astor Plaza closing.

Here’s a Showbill Program from the Beekman in March 1960. If you want to read the fine print, after you click on the URL you must click the image itself so that it enlarges on your screen. I’m sorry that a print-out won’t be so clear.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/petrarch/rosemary.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/petrarch/rosemary-2.jpg

In the early ‘60’s, the twelve-to-sixteen-page Showbill was distributed in NYC’s first-run “art” houses, though somewhat inconsistently, as it was published on a shoestring tied to capricious advertising. Between Fall ’60 and Spring ’61, Peter Bogdanovich served as editor of the program section. It was distributed at the Paris, Sutton, Beekman, Fifth Avenue Cinema, Murray Hill, Fine Arts, Baronet, Guild, Normandie, Plaza, Trans-Lux 52nd Street, Little Carnegie, and 55th Street PlayhouseTheaters.

As a German Lit major in my undergrad days, I ate up this feature as one of the few current cinematic events from east of the Rhine available at the time. German film had not yet taken off with Herzog, Fassbinder, Wenders, usw., but this offering proved a big draw at the Beekman. I remember seeing it on a snowy day: a ten-inch blanket closed NYC schools, and what better way to celebrate than by taking the subway to the Beekman to see a Brechtian satire.

Thanks, Bill. I didn't know anything about the Showbills, and it was great to actually see one. I liked the ad for "Suddenly, Last Summer" too.

I posted a Showbill for the opening program of the Carnegie Hall Cinema in May, 1961: Visconti's "White Nights." You might want to check it out:
Carnegie Hall Cinema

Part of another Showbill, from March 1961.

Regarding Don K.'s comments above, it remains to be seen how home theater will impact movie going. I thought the way you did that it would end theater going entirely. BUT...I have noticed that the studios are beginning to release some of their bigger films in, of all places, IMAX theaters. Now, what's going on with that?

Well, here's my take: people can and will continue to go to theaters IF and only IF the movie is good and they can have a true movie going experience.

As for Bloomberg, he will go down in history as one of the most slyly destructive mayors this city has ever known. What he's doing with his west side stadium is so ludicrous I haven't a clue why there's not more of a public outcry. Friday is literally D-Day for the stadium. I can be shot down then and I hope for the sake of New York City, it does. Somehow with his connections, I just don't see it happening though.

Thanks for you comment, CConnolly! Yes, its does remain to be seen how home theater will impact movie going. On the other hand, some reasonable speculation can provide food for thought. Of course, the future of movie going demands on studios producing GOOD movies. However, a high quality presentation such as you find at the Arclight Cinemas on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood makes a very positive contribution to the public's desire to go out to the movies. It's not inconceivable that the Federal Government will allow the media conglomerates to own a bigger stake in movie exhibition, although not to pre-1948 levels. The studios still need the theatrical launch to sell DVD's. So, in the not too distant future we may be seeing a major shakeup in the movie business. Of course, it all remains to be seen.

Mayor Bloomberg seems like an insideous man. My friends in New York loathe the very idea of his west side stadium. Unfortunately, Bloomberg and his friends own and control so much of the city, that I doubt that such projects can be stopped. It's times like this when I don't miss living in New York.

Personally, I think they should can the idea of a West Side Stadium and bring back the World's Fair. I would rather have money that goes into the improvements behind one of those then some stadium for a team that doesn't need it.

At their site, Clearview Theatre's online ticketing feature still shows the "Interpreter" showing up until Thursday June 16th. with shows at 2pm, 5pm and 8pm.. After that date it comes up with no shows available.

At their site, Clearview Theatre's online ticketing feature still shows the "Interpreter" showing up until Thursday June 16th. with shows at 2pm, 5pm and 8pm.. After that date it comes up with no shows available.

At their site, Clearview Theatre's online ticketing feature still shows the "Interpreter" showing up until Thursday June 16th. with shows at 2pm, 5pm and 8pm.. After that date it comes up with no shows available.

June 17 has not passed yet. There may be a show, and I hope there is. Maybe I should try to get in to the Beekman.

From the city section of today's NY Times:


So a Mainstay Hospital Can Expand, a Signature Theater Will Go Dark
By JOHN FREEMAN GILL

The 53-year-old Beekman Theater, an Upper East Side favorite where Woody Allen's character was badgered by an obnoxious autograph seeker in "Annie Hall," will show its final film on June 30.

"It's very sad," said Beth Simpson Crimmins, a spokeswoman for Clearview Cinemas, which operates the Beekman, on Second Avenue near 66th Street. "It's a very strong theater for us, but unfortunately the landlord has exercised a lease option to take back the property."

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, which has owned the property since 1989, plans to raze the Beekman, along with a North Fork bank branch and two existing Memorial Sloan-Kettering buildings, to make way for a breast and diagnostic imaging center.

Christine Hickey, a spokeswoman for the hospital, said Memorial Sloan-Kettering had outgrown an existing breast center on East 64th Street. "There's just no more space in the building," she said. "There's nowhere for us to go."

The new blocklong construction, which can be built without any zoning variance from the city, will be presented to Community Board 8 in July. "It's probably 14 or 15 stories," Ms. Hickey said.

The 510-seat Beekman, known for its late Streamline Moderne tilted-glass facade and the looping, chrome-and-neon sign atop its marquee, is one of the last single-screen movie houses in a city ruled by multiplexes.

"It's a New York City icon, it's an Upper East Side icon, and it's a piece of modern architecture, and we're losing our modern architecture constantly," said Seri Worden, executive director of Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts. The preservation group tried unsuccessfully to persuade the city to designate the Beekman a landmark so the new facility would be built around it.

Others see the situation differently.

"People tend to confuse nostalgia with architectural merit," said Barry Schneider, president of the East Sixties Neighborhood Association. "Preservation is forever. Just because you had a swell date there when you were coming of age doesn't qualify it for historic preservation."

The Beekman will be the latest in a series of period East Side movie theaters - along with the Baronet and Coronet on East 59th Street, the Sutton on 57th Street and Cinemas 1, 2 and 3 on Third Avenue - to be demolished or altered in recent years.

"That's a disaster," David Alcosser, an Upper East Side resident, said of the Beekman's demise, adding, "But I've had family members die of cancer, so it's hard to take a side."

The Beekman name will live on in a theater one block north, the New York OneTwo, which Clearview Cinemas plans to rechristen the Beekman One and Two. But unlike its predecessor, the new Beekman is set back from the street, a letdown for some Beekman boosters like Mr. Alcosser. "When you walk past here, the popcorn smell is phenomenal," he said of the Beekman. "I live across the street, and I walk home on this side just for that smell."

The should just move the Beekman. That twin would only be the Beekman in name only, like the Virgin Megastore in Times Square had the Loew's State in name only.

Here’s a Showbill Program from the Beekman in November 1960. If you want to read the fine print, after you click on the URL you must click the image itself so that it enlarges on your screen. I’m sorry that a print-out won’t be so clear.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/petrarch/spring-1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/petrarch/virginspring-2.jpg

This film needs no explanation. Here’s the Showbill’s masthead page with its mention of Bogdanovich and the beginning of a bloviated article about dubbed dialogue by Bosley Crowther:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/petrarch/virginspring-1.jpg

And here’s the “Letters to Showbill” page, with a neat listing of contemporaneous films at participating theaters:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/petrarch/virginspring-3.jpg

You will see that the Murray Hill and Trans-Lux theaters were playing move-overs after their original B’way openings.

Since Clearview is going to move the Beekman name across the street to the New York Twin, they should remove the Beekman signatures from the marquee and have them installed across the street. Those signs are part of what makes the Beekman so beloved, and they are probably the easiest part of the theatre to salvage.

ADAM S. - are you reading this??

Here’s a Showbill Program from the Beekman in July 1961. If you want to read the fine print, after you click on the URL you must click the image itself so that it enlarges on your screen. I’m sorry that the print-out won’t be so clear.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/petrarch/rocco-1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/petrarch/rocco-2.jpg

In that annus mirabilis, “Rocco” was preceded at the Beekman by “L’avventura” (all of Antonioni’s films opened there, for which I have no Showbill Programs today: the publication was erratic), “Il generale della Rovere” occupied the Paris, and “La dolce vita” played at Henry Miller’s Theater on reserved seats.

My friends and I argued incessantly about which of these was the best. I opted for the intellectualism of “L’avventura.” “Rovere” seemed old-fashioned, while “La dolce vita” won popular acclaim (after its roadshow run, it traveled through the RKO circuit in a dubbed version).

Today, I’d choose “Rocco” for its operatic intensity. Thirty-seven years after seeing it, I reenacted the opening scene when my wife and I arrived at the Milan railroad station with umpteen pieces of luggage in tow. There was no score by Nino Rota to help us on.

I have a copy of that same Showbill too! It's in my "Rocco" file. It remains one of the towering masterpieces of world cinema. Unfortunately it was severely shortened for U.S. release. It has since been redistributed, uncut. When Visconti attended an event in his honor in New York a few decades ago and they showed "Rocco," he was (justifiably) pissed that it was the mutilated version on display.

Is the theater still open?

My last call to the Beekman gave June 26 as the last night the theater will be open. That's a week from today. Sadly, it looks like The Interpreter will be the final film at the Beekman.

I saw The Interpreter will over a month ago at the Beekman and amazingly it was near sold out. I went Sunday night opening weekend and it was packed. I took pictures of the long line to get into the theater for ticketholders. Strangely, they still didn't want pictures taken. They're going to raze the place and they care if we take pictures?

This one really is a shame. It's a really nice theater. Very comfortable and comforting. The whole experience from seeing the marquee from afar to pulling on those great door handles with PULL eblazoned upon them, entering the first lobby with the large lamp above, entering the next set of door, stepping down to the refreshment area with its tables and chairs and soft cushioned wall-length couch and that odd curtained window so you can watch the movie while you snack, and of course the great lighted bathroom signs, the doors to enter the auditorium itself, the curved screen area... So amazingly odd it will only be photographs and memories soon.

I called Clearview twice in the hopes that they would at least book Annie Hall in there for the final weekend, or at the bare minimum, the final show. I just felt a piece of my heart to black stone typing that. Yuck!

As W.C. Fields might have put it, "DRAT!!!!!!!"

That is the only polite way that I can express it.

I loved the Beekman Theatre and I will miss it!

From today's Hollywood Reporter. The article includes a reference to this website.

Manhattan to bid adieu to a moviehouse icon

By Randee Dawn
NEW YORK -- When it opened in 1952, New York Times film critic Bosley Crowther called it a "class theater." Twenty-five years later, Woody Allen elevated it to icon status by featuring it in his Oscar-winning "Annie Hall." And this Sunday, the Beekman Theater will show its last film -- a screening of Universal's "The Interpreter."

"The Beekman epitomized New York moviehouses at their best," remembers Allen, whose films often had exclusive engagements at the Upper East Side moviehouse. "The size, the architecture, the location seemed perfect. I saw many great films there by great foreign filmmakers, and it was an honor to have my films shown there."

So what has brought down one of the last remaining single-screen theaters in the city? Not finances, and not neglect. Beth Simpson, a spokeswoman for Clearview Cinemas, which has operated the house for more than six years, says, "We love the neighborhood, and have proudly brought quality movies to this community. Unfortunately, the theater's landlord has exercised a lease option to take back the property. Regrettably, we have no choice but to cease operation of the theater."

That leaseholder is Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and the Beekman -- along with the other buildings in the immediate area -- will be replaced by a breast and imaging center for outpatient care. Which more or less nullifies the argument for preservation.

"It's hard to make the case for preservation when that's going to be taking precedence," admits Seri Worden, executive director of Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts, an organization that has lobbied for the Beekman's landmark designation since 2001. A last-minute postcard campaign directed at the landmarks commission is under way, but Worden concedes the cause is lost.

"Still," she says, "we can make a little bit of noise."

Built to accommodate postwar movie audiences, the Beekman's "class theater" status was typical of the small, neighborhood theaters that took root in the 1950s and '60s. Tied into the switch-over from newsreel theaters into art house theaters, the Beekman was designed to appeal to wealthy and upper-middle-class locals and features a Streamline Moderne late-period art deco design, exhibited best in its scripted neon name perched on the marquee. Inside, the 510-seat theater's mezzanine and arced rows feel like a small opera house, not a cinema.

Over the years, the Beekman has maintained its classy status, even if moviegoers now all come in jeans, and remains a favorite among cinemaphiles and historians alike. "The Beekman always attempted to create an upscale version of moviegoing, maintaining a meticulous theater that really has an emphasis on presentation," explains Ross Melnick, co-founder of the Cinema Treasures Web site and co-author of a book by the same name. "People have a hankering for the 'old days.' They appreciate that attention to detail and service, even to the opening and closing of curtains over the screen before every showing."

The theater's name will live on a block away, as Clearview re-names its New York One Two theaters the Beekman One and Two. Yet it's hard to imagine Allen's Alvy Singer trying to buy tickets in that recessed interior for himself and Annie.

"It may be nice to have a Beekman One and Two so residents can remember the theater they will ultimately miss," Melnick muses. "But I think the Beekman will always be the Beekman and will never be replaced."

Thanks for the article ErikH!

While not disputing that saving the Beekman is probably a lost cause, I do question that it is a lost cause because, "[it] will be replaced by a breast and imaging center for outpatient care. Which more or less nullifies the argument for preservation." (!!!)

Such a statment makes it sound like the Beekman site is the one and only site in all of the Upper East Side that is suitable for a breast and imaging center for outpatient care, and as though no other possible alternatives exist for Memorial Sloan-Kettering. While I'm not familiar with the details of this situation, I am skeptical about this.

In most instances of landmark preservation, someone's other plan for the property is affected -- and people find other economically feasible ways to accomplish their same objectives. For instance, they build the outpatient facility around the theater, they raise the rent or sell the building and use the income for another facility somewhere else in the neighborhood, etc.

Just to give another example: In the mid-1980s people affiliated with Columbia University, I believe, wanted to tear down the Audubon Ballroom in upper Manhattan for a much needed bio-tech facility (which might have been, I'm not sure, affiliated with Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital). The Audubon was an unofficial landmark of upper Manhattan that also had historic significance as it was where Malcom X was assasinated. In the end, a way was found to do both: save the Ballroom and build the bio-tech facility anyway. "Where there is a will there is a way."

The problem here, so it seems to me, is not that there isn't a (feasible, economical) "way," but that there isn't a (sufficiently powerful) "will." In other words, the Audubon Ballroom supporters were able to make a stronger "political" case for preservation of the ballroom. In part this may be because of the obvious importance to history and the black community of the Audubon Ballroom and the more "frivolous" importance of a small, upscale movie theater. However, I think if one searches the list of what buildings have been landmarked in Manhattan one can probably find many instances of buildings with less historical and emotional significance than the Audubon Ballroom that have been landmarked (and have inconvenienced the owners of the property).

A friend of mine is in the Hospital on 63 & York so I have been driving by the Beekman a lot lately. There is no reason they could not have built over it. I was also noticing the Gemini seems like the building that was built next store has swallowed up the whole front except the doors and marquee. There are no showcases anymore.

:-(
I saw "The Poseidon Adventure" here in 1972, and lots of other flicks since. Back in the 1980s the restaurant "Swensen's" was conveniently right next door. It was always fun to attend a feature and talk about it over a tuna melt or ice cream soda at Swensen's afterward.

It will be sad to see The Beekman go, but breast cancer research/treatment should take precedence over entertainment. I hope this is indeed what the site will be used for and that Sloan-Kettering doesn't pull a fast one and lease the land to a luxury high-rise developer.

While I obviously disagree with davebazooka that a choice even has to be made between breast cancer research/treatment and landmarking the Beekman (that one can't have both), he brings up another interesting point: who knows how long this site will be used for breast cancer research/treatment?

The really sad thing is to see a landmark destroyed and the site used for its new purpose only a few years and then switched, for one reason or another, to some other purpose. One then thinks, "For THAT (let's say in a few years it become rental suites for the offices of private physicians) they destroyed such and such wonderful landmark?

The example that comes immediately to mind -- and while not a theater, is something that is probably familiar to many Cinema Treasures posters -- is the destruction of the ornate original "New York Times Tower" in Times Square (the one with the illuminated news bulletins). This building was essential destroyed by the Allied Chemical Co. so that they could use it as a showcase for their products -- but was used for such a purpose only for a few years before being abandoned by Allied Chemical.

Actually, one of the main purposes of the original NYC landmark law was not so much to save buildings from destruction, but to give those concerned at least some time so that buildings weren't destroyed "thoughtlessly" -- to see if, given some time, something else could be worked out.

NYC legal system doesn't give a damn about preserving theaters in NYC. I lived in NYC when they were trying to save the Morosco and Helen Hayes from the wrecking ball. Did anybody ever think that building around the theater could have helped people. It may have done someone good to take in a movie after a stressful cancer visit.

This leaves the Loews Tower East and the Paris. I am shocked the Paris has made it this long, that property is pricele$$.

Re the Beekman: I would not be surprised in the least if Sloan-Kettering did indeed build a luxury tower on the site with only a couple of floors near the ground (or in the basement) devoted to breast cancer research labs or testing. After a few years they could move those labs to another location and open up that space for more condos. Those in power with tons of money can always find ways around having to provide space that will not turn a dollar profit.

Yikes! Sorry everyone, getting carried away with conjecture. No insult to Memorial Sloan-Kettering intended. Still, the Beekman will be a sad loss. I truly liked that the auditorium was acccessible almost right off the street, and it was not necessary to wander through a maze of movie mall hallways to locate a particular theater.

It's sad to see what has happened over the past few years to the Upper East Side movie scene. The loss of so many wonderful theaters is depressing. It's not just the Beekman (the Beekman is only the latest). As you all are aware gone are the Sutton, Trans Lux East (Gotham), Baronet,Coronet, 68th St Playhouse, The Plaza, The Fine Arts, the RKO 58th Street and many others. For me, these theaters are fond memories of my falling in love with film. My first taste of foreign films was at the Plaza (Tony Richardson's Mademosielle) and the Baronet (Dear John). I first became acquainted with the work of one of America's great film directors, Martin Scorsese, at the Carnegie Hall Cinema (Who's That Knocking At My Door?). Another favorite was, and is, Woody Allen. First saw his What's Up Tiger Lily, and I may be wrong but I believe it was at The Baronet and Take The Money and Run at the 68th Street Playhouse. The Beekman was a wonderful theater. I won't discribe the inside it has already been said by others better than I could. I do have fond memories of seeing Easy Rider, Hannah and Her Sisters, Z and so many more there. I have not lived in NYC for 15 years. What I always missed most about NYC was its diverse movie scene, probably the best in the world.

Here’s the ad from the NY Times announcing the Beekman’s opening on 28 April, 1952. If you wanted to see a movie that evening, there were plenty of good offerings to choose from at other theaters, too.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/petrarch/cinematreasures/beekman-1.jpg

The offerings at live theaters were at least as good:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y116/petrarch/cinematreasures/beekman-2.jpg

I will always associate the Beekman with gain and loss. In the late ‘60s, its bookings turned more and more to Hollywood product. On a cold January Saturday in ’68 on a pre-marital date with my now-wife who then lived nearby, we walked to the Beekman to see “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” which was day-dating at the Victoria. The line stretched around the block and would have convinced a fool that we couldn’t get in by show-time, so we proceeded south toward the Victoria. On E 57 Street, a strong gust blew a twenty-dollar bill into my hands, a genuine windfall since I was then unemployed. The outcome paid for the show on Times Square and for manicotti afterward at Luigino’s. We felt like a couple o’ swells.

Win some, lose some. In Fall ’68 we returned to the Beekman to see Joanne Woodward in “Rachel, Rachel,” having tied the knot meanwhile. My wedding gift to M. was an inexpensive but tasteful bracelet whose sentiment we counted on to mature over the years. As luck would have it, the band came undone and the bracelet fell away during the film. In ensuing days, I returned repeatedly to the Beekman to inquire whether it had been found, but with no success. I wonder whether it’s still hidden between the seats? I’d prefer that to the likelihood that an East Side yuppie found it and tossed it away for being so spare. When this theater is razed—all good ones eventually are, and bad ones too—perhaps someone will find that bracelet beneath the carpeting among all the lost or discarded ticket stubs, espresso cups, and Showbill Programs.

Well Bill;
I hope after all these years, you find that bracelet.

According to BOB's post you could see(from what I could make out)on Broadway;
Ethel Merman, Olivia de Havilland, Charles Boyer, Agnes Moorehead, Audrey Hepburn, Julie Harris, Jack Carson, James Barton, Vivienne Segal, Harold Lang, Henry Fonda, John Hodiak, Kim Hunter, Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, Gertrude Lawrence, Robert Preston, Jose Ferrar, John Raitt,and Phil Silvers.
And Singing in the Rain was playing with the Easter show at the Music Hall.
The Beekman will be closing in a New York considerally more culturally impoverished than the one it opened in.
As the people who I worked with at the Music Hall in the 70's who had been around in the halcyon days of the 40's said of those dark days it was simply unimaginable.

Strongly recommend that you see Rick McKay's documentary, BROADWAY, THE GOLDEN AGE: BY THE LEGENDS THAT WERE THERE (2003). It says so much about a truly fabulous age in New York art and entertainment that is barely a memory.

In a certain way, the Beekman Theatre was part of that era.

On a different note:

From THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, June 22, 2005

Re: The Merger of AMC and Loew's

"I think the exhibition business is at a crossroads," said Paul del Rossi, former chief executive of General Cinemas, which filed for bankruptcy protection four years ago before being bought by AMC. "The major players in the exhibition business are now controlled by venture capitalists, and they have different long-term views than traditional theater owners."

Although the industry isn't facing the dire situation it did in the 1990s, when a glut of theaters forced several exhibitors to file for bankruptcy protection, business has slowed for the big companies, helping to fuel the current consolidation wave. AMC, for example, reported a $10.7-million loss last year.

Other recent deals include last week's acquisition by Canadian theater chain Cineplex Galaxy of Viacom Inc.'s Famous Players, a move that gives the consolidated company 60% of the Canadian market. Century Theatres in Northern California this year was reported to have hired an investment bank to find a buyer.

Consolidation benefits theater chains by lowering their administrative and supply costs, and also by potentially giving larger chains more leverage to negotiate better "film terms" with the studios. Currently, studios keep 60% to 70% of a movie's first-weekend gross. With the DVD release timeframe shrinking from six months to as little as three months for most movies, mergers also could put theaters in a better position to push for DVDs to be released later.

John Fithian, president of the National Assn. of Theatre Owners, a trade organization that represents the majority of U.S. exhibitors, said the exhibition industry was fundamentally sound but currently in a bad cycle.

"We are not having a great year, but we have been in this position before," Fithian said. "When the quality and the quantity of the movies come back, our patrons will come back to see them. The sky is not falling."

Box-office sales are down 7% to date this year, and admissions are on track to fall for the third straight year.
___________________________________________________________________

Old Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times."

RobertR - With AMC taking over Loews, I'm afraid the Tower East may be doomed - I don't think AMC even knows what a 1-screen theatre looks like. As a matter of fact, do they own any theatres with less than 15 screens? I even wonder about the future of 84th/Orpheum/19th/Village theatres.

AMC owns the 5-screen Chestnut Hill Cinema, the former General Cinema flagship in Newton, Mass. Someone reported that last month that it had been sold, but its ads still carry the AMC logo today.

Hey Box Office Bill:

Where did you get that page from the NY Times? I used to look at them at the library, but can you see the page "without buying it" from the New York Times Online?

AMC owns a fairly new (maybe the last 10 years) theater in Orlando, the AMC Celebration Twin. I agree AMC will ruin the Tower EAst and some of the older theaters. I am sick of there mutilplex bull crap

Pomeii had Vesuvius.
New York has Disney.

It sounds funny but last night I was watching TV and a commercial came on for the new Batman and ended with now in theatres and IMAX. Then I thought it's just like the 50's with television killing theatres except now it's the DVD's. This may be a time to bring back Cinerama withing complexes or some new super large screen format to make people want to see movies in theatres not on TV. Why can't these complexes have at least one screen with 1000 seats and a mammouth screen?

Some public and college libraries offer free access to something called ProQuest, which serves up page images from old issues of the New York Times. Check with your local library.

Don Rosen-- I first use ProQuest, then I print the page, scan it, and submit to PhotoBucket.com. Ron Newman: thanks for your magnificent postings on the pages for Boston's theaters.

'Annie Hall' movie theater closing
Beekman has been fixture of New York's Upper East Side
Tuesday, June 21, 2005

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) -- When it opened in 1952, New York Times film critic Bosley Crowther called it a "class theater." Twenty-five years later, Woody Allen elevated it to icon status by featuring it in his Oscar-winning "Annie Hall." And this Sunday, the Beekman Theater will show its last film -- a screening of Universal's "The Interpreter."

"The Beekman epitomized New York moviehouses at their best," remembers Allen, whose films often had exclusive engagements at the Upper East Side moviehouse. "The size, the architecture, the location seemed perfect. I saw many great films there by great foreign filmmakers, and it was an honor to have my films shown there."

So what has brought down one of the last remaining single-screen theaters in the city? Not finances, and not neglect. Beth Simpson, a spokeswoman for Clearview Cinemas, which has operated the house for more than six years, says, "We love the neighborhood, and have proudly brought quality movies to this community. Unfortunately, the theater's landlord has exercised a lease option to take back the property. Regrettably, we have no choice but to cease operation of the theater."

That leaseholder is Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and the Beekman -- along with the other buildings in the immediate area -- will be replaced by a breast and imaging center for outpatient care. Which more or less nullifies the argument for preservation.

"It's hard to make the case for preservation when that's going to be taking precedence," admits Seri Worden, executive director of Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts, an organization that has lobbied for the Beekman's landmark designation since 2001. A last-minute postcard campaign directed at the landmarks commission is under way, but Worden concedes the cause is lost.

"Still," she says, "we can make a little bit of noise."

Built to accommodate postwar movie audiences, the Beekman's "class theater" status was typical of the small, neighborhood theaters that took root in the 1950s and '60s. Tied into the switch-over from newsreel theaters into art house theaters, the Beekman was designed to appeal to wealthy and upper-middle-class locals and features a Streamline Moderne late-period art deco design, exhibited best in its scripted neon name perched on the marquee. Inside, the 510-seat theater's mezzanine and arced rows feel like a small opera house, not a cinema.

Over the years, the Beekman has maintained its classy status, even if moviegoers now all come in jeans, and remains a favorite among cinemaphiles and historians alike.

"The Beekman always attempted to create an upscale version of moviegoing, maintaining a meticulous theater that really has an emphasis on presentation," explains Ross Melnick, co-founder of the Cinema Treasures Web site and co-author of a book by the same name. "People have a hankering for the 'old days.' They appreciate that attention to detail and service, even to the opening and closing of curtains over the screen before every showing."

The theater's name will live on a block away, as Clearview re-names its New York One Two theaters the Beekman One and Two. Yet it's hard to imagine Allen's Alvy Singer trying to buy tickets in that recessed interior for himself and Annie.

"It may be nice to have a Beekman One and Two so residents can remember the theater they will ultimately miss," Melnick muses. "But I think the Beekman will always be the Beekman and will never be replaced."

RobertR: regarding your comment about "Batman Begins" and it's playing in IMAX theaters. My wife and I went to see "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" last Saturday night (not a masterpiece but pretty good though...). Anyway, we stopped by the IMAX up in the Palisades Center and all three evening showings of the Batman flick for were completely sold out. I had posted something similar on another theater's site: namely that if one looks closely at this phenomenon (sp?) you will see that people DO want to see grand movies presented BIG. This trend is continuing with the release of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" at the IMAX theaters soon also.

I have often wondered why there's no IMAX theater in Times Square yet.

So the old adage, "everything old is new again" might be true when it comes to theaters. Revenues are down, right? Well when is some entrepreneur going to build a really kick-ass big theater in a large city and watch as the crowds come flocking in? The IMAX trend is showing there's an audience for it. Why none of the "suits" has noticed this yet is beyond me.

It is time to start adding one or two 1000 seat auditoriums to complexes with wrap around curved screens. In Times Square AMC could convert a few of those auditoriums in one of the complexes to IMAX. The DeMille-Mayfair would make an incredible Cinerama Imax house, but I see this buisness getting smaller again instead of growing. Boy do we need CINERAMA again, it's time. But not half assed like the Ziegfeld revival, a screen with no curtains is not Cinerama.

RobertR: IMAX should be in NYC especially Times Square. I think they did not do it initially because only up until a couple of years ago, they did not show mainstream films in IMAX. They started doing it with some of the Disney revivals like "The Lion King" and now it seems they're doing with more and more films. "The Polar Express" (a loathsome film) did vastly better business in IMAX than it did in the conventional theaters. In fact, I read in Entertainment Weekly that the only way that dud made it's money back was in IMAX. So that proves the point.

The Beekman theater, regarded as one of New York's premier movie art houses since it opened in 1952 and one of the last single-screen theaters in Manhattan, will shut down next Sunday. A spokesman for Clearview Cinemas, the theater chain that operates the Beekman, told Reuters that it was being forced to close because its landlord, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, had exercised a lease option to take back the property in order to establish an outpatient care facility there. In an interview with Reuters, Woody Allen, who featured the theater in Annie Hall, mourned its extinction. "The Beekman epitomized New York movie houses at their best," he said. "The size, the architecture, the location seemed perfect. I saw many great films there by great foreign filmmakers, and it was an honor to have my films shown there."

Sweating bullets in horrific humidity, I trekked up to The Beekman earlier this morning and took 4 digital pics of the front. Showtime was still hours away, so there is no crowd there. It is eerily silent and the theater looks like I always remembered. The very last movie I saw there was "Manhattan Murder Mystery" in 1993, and I can hardly believe how fast time zooms by! I used to live on Roosevelt Island back in the 70s and 80s, so the Beekman was only a brief ride on the tram and a few streets walk. After leaving Roosevelt Island, the Beekman was no longer convenient so through most of the 90s I did not attend movies there. Bummer, I should have!!! (Kicks self.)

Out front of the Beekman, the trees have grown tall, and they obscure the marquee somewhat. The sun is behind the building so the marquee is not bathed in a golden glow as it should be! :-(

I can post/email the images to Cinema treasures, but on my screen, the "upload photo" function says it is offline. If anyone knows where I can send the images, let me know!

Thanks to all and farewell to the Beekman.

Dave Bazooka

Simple, post them on Photobucket.com and then link to the images.

Excellent suggestion, thanks, Gerald!
Here they are, I hope everyone can view them. The album is not private:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/Beekman.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanLogo.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanMarquee.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/Marquee.jpg

These are nothing special but they at least show the Beekman marquee advertising its final feature ("The Interpreter"). I hope someone will be able to take some images inside the theater. I would think the owners would not allow picture-taking, but maybe they will. Or someone can sneak a few!

I will periodically revisit the site and record the progress of the Beekman's demolition...it'll provide closure.

Sic transit gloria Beekmani!
Dave, great shots! I took similar photos a couple of weeks ago and was going to post mine. You saved me the need.

Glad you like them, Gerald! I wonder if anyone is inside right now taking pics of the interior one last time. :-(

SOB.

It would definitely be nice if the Beekman logo crowning the façade could be reused at the theater that will be renamed for it...I am not sure but I think it is the theater across the street, barely visible in the "Marquee.jpg" photo link in my last post.

Excellent photos! For those unfamiliar with New York theatres, in the photo (marquee.jpg) davebazooka mentions in the previous post, the tall black glass building in the background houses the former Loews/Crown now Clearview New York twin theatre, which is going to be renamed 'Beekman One Two'.

Who was this theatre named for? I looked through all of the comments but did not find this information.

Is it gone? Did it close this weekend?

According to this article in the New York Daily News, the Beekman was closed yesterday, June 26th.

If Clearview was smart they would take the marquee and use it in the new location.

In response to Ron Newman, Rugoff/Cinema 5, named the Beekman, the Sutton, the Murray Hill and the Gramercy after the NY neighborhoods that they were situated in, and became a source of community pride and identification. This is in sharp contrast to sterile theater names like UA's 64th & 2nd movie house, among others.

I detest theatres named after streets.

Dear Davebazooka: Many thanks for the wonderful pictures ! I went there yesterday and took some inside shots along with the outside shots. I haven't had them developed them yet, but yours may be even better. I have no way to post mine on the web, but I'd be more than happy to mail you copies of any that turn out, if you like. Even the movie was good ! Best, frankie from Brooklyn

Hi Frankie: You're welcome for the pictures! It's great that you went to the Beekman one last time. You can email me from the member directory, if you have any spare pics that came out I will gladly scan them and post them here...crediting you as the photog, of course! Take care
Davebazooka

LAST NIGHT AT THE BEEKMAN – JUNE 26, 2005

The Beekman screened its last film, The Interpreter, at 10:00 pm, Sunday, June 26, 2005. There were about 40 or so attendees of the grand lady’s death. Several knew it was the last show. Others arrived with video cameras, digital cameras, and nice 35mm setups also. It felt good that others felt the need to keep her alive as much as I did.

No curtains opening. Hasn’t happened in years, according to what I assume was a projectionist. The mens room sign light was out. They said it burnt out during a recent screening though I saw one on during the first weekend of The Interpreter. The concessions area chairs and tables had already been removed. So had all the French posters on the walls. I did manage to grab a few pics during Melinda and Melinda’s time, and during the first weekend of The Interpreter when I took shots of the near sold-out audience in line in front, which was a heartening site, seeing so much life going on in what was to be a tomb, and then demolished, so soon after.

I noticed for the first time that there were sawed-off pieces of metal at the base of all three banisters on the stairs, mostly like suggesting an entirely different support system was removed at some point.

One really nice thing was seeing couples of many ages come in and snuggle. It was obvious some had come here on their first date. Also, during the show, an enraged woman came in screaming, “You can’t do this! This is MY theater! I live here! You can’t do this!”

The theater's doors were closed and locked at 1 am, June 27, 2005.

Here’s a link to some pics I took:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=48kqelui.agr76m76&Uy=-gu3cb3&Ux=1

Thank you, Dave and Shade - the Beekman will never be 100% dead and gone as long as we can look at your pictures.

Which NYC theater does everyone here think is next to close? The Paris?

We're all sick to death over The Beekman's closing and I'm wondering (obviously too late) that maybe we all should've had a mass sit-in. I mean, we could've gone to the theater during the last showing and simply refused to leave, let the cops arrest us and I'd bet we'd be on the news and average New Yorkers and others in the metro area would be drawn to the cause. We probably would've been too late to save The Beekman but maybe it would give other developers pause. Even if it was just twenty or so people.

Am I nuts?

Thank you Dave and Shade for sharing your photos. It is a great record of what was one of New York's finest theaters. Some wonderful memories which no one can ever take away.

The award for best coverage of the wake of a landmark theatre goes to Dave and Shade. Thanks guys for the great memorial, I appreciate the time and effort.
Yes, CConnolly, you are nuts :))
But we can never have enough people who are as committed as you are about saving our theatres.

Shade, thank you so much for sharing the wonderful interior photos! They must be kept on view for all to see so we never forget the Beekman. Though I have not been there for a movie since seeing "Manhattan Murder Mystery" on August 26, 1993 (heehee yes I keep a movie log of all movies I see in theatres), most of the images are very familiar. Especially the views of the screen from the upper left of the auditorium, from which I saw "Little Shop of Horrors" during the last 2 hours of December 31, 1986. Later I would see "The Witches of Eastwick," "The Princess Bride," "Empire of the Sun," "Frantic," and "Gorillas in the Mist." Funny I always sat in the same area. I love the shots of the carpeted steps in the auditorium, on several occasions I tripped and fell while climbing them. Thank goodness I didn't fall down them while descending! Well if I had broken my neck at least it would have been in the Beekman.

CConnolly, I like the idea of a vigil instead of a sit-in. Imagine the Second Avenue jammed with hundreds of people standing there silently in all weather, as they do when well-known persons are passing away. In fact there is still time for one, when demolition starts perhaps...hundreds standing outside to pay final respects. Candles maybe? Songs?

I am so glad I got up there to take those last 4 pictures on Saturday morning, it was a poignant moment for me in spite of the fact that I was sweating propulsively. A big "you're welcome!!" to all who liked my pics. Glad you enjoyed them. And thanks again to Shade!

re the enraged woman: if she attended movies regularly at The Beekman her whole life and it was as familiar to her as her own home, she must truly be suffering the pain and grief of loss.

No, a sit in is the only thing that would work. They'd have to get the cops in the get the people out. Want to punch it up a notch or two? Handcuff ourselves to seats. Make the cops really work at it. This is going to continue to happen as long as New Yorkers (and other people living in the classin urban environs) take matters into their own hands and become pains in the asses.

Ever hear of Jane Jacobs? SHE was more than willing to make herself more than a bit of a nuisance. And New Yorkers have her to thank for NOT having a monstrous interstate connector highway running through lower Manhattan.

Sorry, re-reading my post, I didn't mean to sound so pompous "No, a sit in is the only thing that would work."

Yes thank goodness for Jane Jacobs, finally someone stood up to Robert Moses' megalomaniacal, power-mad weirdness.

I agree a sit-in would have been effeective and would probably have made movie theater/entertainment history. Now that it is too late a vigil to show respect for our dead friend the Beekman might still give pause...if not to developers, then perhaps to New Yorkers and others who love older theaters and might protest futures closings and demolitions.

What I'm saying then is the next single screener to go, we should plan a sit in.

There are only six single screen first-run theaters in Manhattan:

Clearview's Ziegfeld Theater
UA 85th
Loews 72nd Street East
Clearview's 62nd and Broadway
The Paris
Two Boots Pioneer Theater (99 seats)

There are other single screens, but special events or specialty films only:

Florence Gould Hall (French films)
The Lighthouse
DGA Theater
ImaginAsian (first run Asian and Indian films)
Walter Reade theater at Lincoln Center
(and Avery Fisher Hall during NY Film Festival)

Then the two-screeners

Metro Twin
Beekman One and Two
Anthology Film Archives
Symphony Space and Thalia

And the three-screeners:

Cinema Village
Film Forum
UA 64th and 2nd (formerly Gemini)
IFC Center

Cinema Village was once a single screen. As was the Metro Twin, many moons ago.

If you love the Paris, try some of the Saturday night offerings at midnight. This weekend, July 2, it's Dog Day Afternoon. The Paris has REAL curtains that OPEN before the movie!

Anthology does not seem to be listed here at CinemaTreasures. Someone want to add it?

Not being a New Yorker, I have never patronized the Beekman Theatre. I too feel it is a shame for another classic theatre to bite the dust. However, New Yorkers are now only experiencing what most of the country has gone through. We went from the decent sized single screen theatres, to having a wall added down the middle and the theatre "having twins." Then we went to the triplexes, quads, etc. etc. Then all those bit the dust in favor of the shoebox megaplexes we have today. Add insult to injury, the moviegoing public has gotten this attitude that they are still sitting in their living rooms and have no one else to bother with their behavior! All total, moviegoing today is not what it used to be. Never mind that many of the films are not worth the price of admission! Seems for every good entertaining film, there is at least four turkeys. Well, I just wanted to add my two cents to this thread. New York moviegoers, unfortunately, welcome to the "reel world!"

Shade - you left the endangered and now-degraded Cinema 1 2 3 off your list. One also has to worry about the Paris - if they have resorted to midnight shows after all these years, it may be the handwriting on the wall. BTW, the relatively new Loews State quad will be closing by the end of the year, certain non-essential equipment is being removed.

Hey dave-bronx,

What's wrong with midnight movies? The IFC Center opened a week ago with midnight movies. Midnight movies are great. There would not be a John Waters without midnight movies.

Jeff wants to show movies at midnight. The Village East does it from time to time, as does the Angelika. The Chelsea 9 shows Rocky Horror at midnights. Dog Day Afternoon, 2001: A Space Odyssey and All The President's Men don't spell wrecking ball to me. I think I'm missing a puzzle piece here.

From all I've heard nothing is happening to the Paris. The man that owns the property likes the theater. When you've got a few million in the bank, you buy things you like like gigantic sculptures made of gold that sit on the front lawn behind closed gates and giant hedge walls. If I had a few million in the bank, I would buy the Mayfair, or build my own, maybe even at Bar Code next to the Virgin store and do a bad recreation of the Loews State, complete with marquee and premieres. I'm not certain where the paranoia about the Paris is coming from. It's a fine place with a fine audience and I'm sure the people who went to 66th and 2nd can go an extra few blocks to 58th and 5th and check out a show at the Paris.

And after all that, I still am just not understanding how the Beekman is really going away. It's not 'just' a theater. It's New York. New York itself is being ripped out of itself. Yuck.

In general, there is nothing wrong with midnight movies - but this is, after all, the Paris, a place known for nearly 60 years for presenting high-brow foreign films and catering to an upscale audience. If they were running Fellini's "8 1/2", for instance, or Kurasawa's "RAN" or even something like "Blood Simple", I would not question the motive. But general release stuff?? They can do better than that!

New York *is* being ripped out of itself. In a weird sort of way I kind of wish Dinkins would get re-elected so the crime rate would sky-rocket and all these transplants from Kansas would stop trying to re-make Manhattan into suburbia with high-rise buildings and get out of here. Did you know that after about midnight on Saturday night you can't find anyplace to eat on either Third or Lexington Avenues from 86th St. to about 45th? Years ago there were all kinds of places open late...

More pics of the erstwhile Beekman. The pretty metal door-pushes have been removed from the glass doors at the entrance. In the humid, gray weather, the shuttered theater appears gloomy and a mere shell, now that the life is gone from its screen and seats.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanClosed.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanDoors.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/ClosedMarquee.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/TheaterClosed.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/Beekman1.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/Beekman2.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/logo.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/logo2.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/Beekman3.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanBlock.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/AnnieHallSidewalk.jpg

I also included a pic of the entire Second Avenue property which included the Beekman. If the whole shebang is going to be demolished, the North Fork Bank on the corner will also have to close soon. The last picture is of the sidewalk that Alvy and Max walked down in "Annie Hall," when Alvy was meeting Annie at the Beekman.

"New York *is* being ripped out of itself. In a weird sort of way I kind of wish Dinkins would get re-elected so the crime rate would sky-rocket and all these transplants from Kansas would stop trying to re-make Manhattan into suburbia with high-rise buildings and get out of here. Did you know that after about midnight on Saturday night you can't find anyplace to eat on either Third or Lexington Avenues from 86th St. to about 45th? Years ago there were all kinds of places open late..."

I'm with you dave-bronx. I have lived in NYC for 20 years. One of my main objectives for coming here, besides going to school, was to get the hell out of the suburbs that I had grown up in for most of my life. I wanted 24/7 electric weirdness. Cool things to do, interesting experiences and people. I wanted THE city life and for a long time I got it and never looked back. When I would go home to visit I would love the fact that I was so disconnected from what was happening there. New chain stores and franchises would be popping up there that I had never heard of because I lived on planet Manhattan where we were immune from all that crap. It was great! I would go home and drive around and be like 'Red Lobster? Never saw that before.'

There were no Kmarts, Walmarts, Circuit Citys, Olive Gardens, or any of that crap in NYC. For most of my time here I never even owned a TV. I didn't need one. I was completely unaware of who any of the 'Entertainment Tonight' caliber celebrities were, and I loved it.

It's hard to beleive that a city as tough as New York would let itself beturned into the panzie palace it is fast becoming. It seems that everything around here is the complete opposite from what it was 10-15 years ago. My neighborhood in the East Village used to be a pretty sleepy place, now it's like Six Flags Great Adventure around here on the weekends. Where did all of these rich, arrogant, overly primped, overly goodlooking, Starbucks generation people who think they're 'slumming it' come from? I want them outta here...NOW!

I stopped by the Beek when I left work tonight - anybody want to buy a chandelier? There is a hand-written sign on the door stating 'Chandelier for sale - art deco [I imagine it is the one there in the outer lobby] - also candy stand' - but since all the inside lights were left on at 3:30 am, you could see inside and the stand was already gone, only the soda tubes sticking out of the floor.

That's funny... I live at 84th and Third, and there are a number of places to eat after midnight around here.

Alas, I went by the Beekman last night, on the way to the ImaginAsian Theatre for a screening, and it was sad to see this grand dame already in a state of disrepair. The beautiful box office had already been removed, a plain and ugly metal desk now sitting in its place. The north facing marquee, as seen in several of DaveBazooka's photos, has already been partially dismantled, so it now reads TH CL. Thankfully, I was on the M15, so I only saw this for about twenty seconds.

Sad. Very sad.

Irv, could you please define "panzie palace?" I can't find it in any dictionary.

I moved to NYC in March of '82 and remember the wild and woolly days of the eighties/early nineties well. It is mind boggling how the city is changing/has changed. When you really notice it is when you see a film shot on location in NYC in the seventies or eighties. I remember watching "Contract on Cherry Street" I think the name of it was (w/ Frank Sinatra) and seeing a shot of the 7 train. Every car on the train was completely covered in graffiti. I remember when I first moved here that was the rule, rather than the exception, for subway cars. It looks weird to see subway cars covered in graffiti.

And just yesterday I was watching a video, "Sword of Gideon," and there is a location shot in Times Square and it looks like Stephen Bauer is driving his cab south on Broadway, making a left/turning east on I'm not sure what street but you can see two theatres on the east side of Broadway. One marquee advertised two porno flicks for $2.99 and the other was playing "Violets are Blue." It must have been shot in the mid-to-late 1980s. I didn't even recognize the theatres.

I'll never forget one of the best porn titles I saw on a Times Square marquee, probably around 1987-88 when the show '21 Jump Street' was pretty popular. The marquee at the theater, probably on 45th or 46th street & Broadway read, get this... '21 Hump Street'!! Ah, memories!

I sailed by The Beekman tonight on the M15 Bus and noticed the trademark 'Beekman' logo had been removed from both sides of the sidewalk marquee. For whatever reason the same 'Beekman' logo that sits over the center window facing the street is still there. I'm sure that will be gone soon though. Very sad. It looks like a beautiful corpse being barbarically ravaged by vultures.

Warren, don't look in the dictionary just pick any 'hot', 'trendy' place in the city and you'll see an example of the 'panzie palace' ie., droves of people that have no identity trying to prove that they in fact have one. You can find this specifically at ANY bar or lounge that has a velvet rope and a long line. Dance clubs I'll make an exception on, but bars that people wait to go into just to buy over-priced drinks and hear some crappy DJ? I don't get that. Just go to a regular bar! If you have to wait on line for some nightlife it should involve dancing, a band, or both. And if you do wait on these trendy bar lines just to feel cool and buy $12 cocktails, then you are just lost and hopelessly searching for identity.

My favorite porn title, towards the end of New York, was at the Circus Circus, which is now Noche:

A Clockwork Orgy

Sure wish I got a picture of that.

Hey, I don't know where else to post this but Howard Johnson's last day is this Friday, sometimes between 2am and 3:45am. After Howard Johnson's closes, the last of Times Square will cease to exist.

City Knickerbocker lights and lamps on 8th just closed and has been emptied out too. Expect another lame bar to fill the space...

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/Beekman7_9_05.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/TheBeekman.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/Marquee2.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/LogoJuly9.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/LobbyWreckage.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/PlanterInLobby.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/LobbyLight.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/LobbyDemolition.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/InteriorDemolition.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/Chair.jpg

It's crushing to consider how an almost perfect theatre can effectively be turned to ruin in such a short amount of time. Thanks for posting that most recent set of photos, davebazooka, and for the previous ones you posted as well.

You're very welcome! It is always sad to see formerly excellent places become stripped shells. For some reason I am sentimental about places and become highly attached to them, and remain loyal to them even if I have not visited or seen them for years. Taking picturs like these of the Beekman provides closure of some sort. If not comfort.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanSealed.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/.Beekman7.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/.July16-2005.jpg

I wonder what they're doing? And why was the pane of glass removed from one of the upper windows?

Hi dave
In the past whenever I have seen buildings sealed off this way with painted wood or paper, it usually indicates that the property is going to be sitting empty for a long period before demolition begins. In this case the landlord might have to wait for the bank's lease to expire before starting to tear the block down, and until then the former Beekman's windows and doors have been sealed against curious sentimental nosy photogs (like me!). The big pane of glass was removed right after the closing, maybe they need it clear so they can remove large objects through the window.

That's probably it - the bank didn't look like it was going anyplace too soon - which brings up the question of why they didn't let Clearview stay on a short-term lease extension that would expire at the same time as the banks? As it is now, since the building is apparently not coming down immediately it will probably be vandalized (before it suffers the ultimate vandalism).

Call me a conspiracy theorist - if you did, you wouldn't be the first - but methinks Memorial Sloan-Kettering established the closing date they did in order to negate any last-minute, miracle landmarking effort.

They learned well from the low lifes at City Cinemas.

I noticed the Beekman sign over the marquee was gone. Are they planning on using it in the New York Twin location?

Very saddening to see the changes happen so fast.

What a sad news!

I was never there WAAAAAA

On the 27th, I saw that the two Beekman marquee signs were gone and the one over the facade was still in place. The theaters across the street are now Beekman 1 & 2, and their newly-installed signs don't mimic the original Beekman design.

They are not the original. I have a feeling that in the eyes of some people on this page they will never be the original. It's like the Loew's State in the bottom of the Virgin Mega Store in Times Square, not even a good imitation in some people's eyes.

Despite several suggestions on this site that the distinct marquee signage from the Beekman orignal be moved across the street for the renaming of NY Twin 1 & 2, new lettering has appeared on that marquee which is stark and linear, with little relation to the cursive style of the revered predecessor.

I looked at the picture above and they should've kept that lettering

Another case in which those evil landlords win out, & another failure for the Landmarks Preservation Commission!!! We don't have too many theaters left around the city that were erected in mid-century modernism. A DAMN SHAME!!!!!

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanScaffold.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanWorkCrew.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanFlatbedTruck.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/NewBeekman.jpg

On Friday, August 5, a work crew was at the Beekman, setting up a scaffold directly beneath the marquee. Either the marquee is going to be taken down, or the scaffold is being built to conceal the demolition of the interior.

I also included a pic of the new Beekman 1&2...definitely should have used the old script for the name. After looking at the front of the hideous glass building the theater occupies, I see very little room for where the original metal and glass Beekman signs (removed from the Beekman marquee weeks back) might have been placed. Maybe those two signs were brought into the Beekman once they were removed, just to store them until they can be taken away.

Here is an excerpt from the massive tome "New York 1960: Architecture and Urbanism Between the Second World War and the Bicentennial." Published by The Monacelli Press. Second edition, 1997. Page 842:

New York Life's plans for Manhattan House also included a two-story commercial structure, built to preserve the views from the apartment building. Designed by Fellheimer & Wagner and completed in 1952, the low-rise building contained a beanck of the Corn Exchange Bank on the northeast corner of Sixty-fifth Street and Second Avenue, and the Beekman Theater, at 1254 Second Avenue. The theater, which featured art films and served coffee in the lobby, lent a note of sophisitication to the area. The New York Times film critic Bosley Crowther applauded the decision to include the theater: "Despite all the dire prognostications of the ruinous competition of TV, not to mention the mischievous rumors that the public is getting tired of films, the big New York Life Insurance Company had the courage to go right ahead and back this new theater construction, to the tune of a million or so." The theeater's Modernist design, Crowther said, was a vast improvement over the previous era's vast and ornate picture palaces and an overdue response to public preference. "For a long time it has been apparent," he asserted, 'that one of the several things that have caused a decline in movie-going, especially by people of better taste, has been an increasing aversion to the older downtown and neighborhood 'barns'....Clean and respectable though they may be, they are achitecturally passe and dull." In contrast, Crowther said, the Beekman was "tastefully planned and decorated in sleek but not ostentatious style, with plenty of room for lounging, having coffee and stretching the legs, as well as for freedom pf passage in and out of the widely spaced rows." All in all, he said, the theater had an "air of refinement, elegance and chic that bathes the discriminating patron with a relaxing warmth." The lobby was redesigned in 1962 by Rolf Myller to include a free-form, undulating bank of seating that accommodated up to seventy-five people."

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanScaffold.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanWorkCrew.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanFlatbedTruck.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/NewBeekman.jpg

On Friday, August 5, a work crew was at the Beekman, setting up a scaffold directly beneath the marquee. Either the marquee is going to be taken down, or the scaffold is being built to conceal the demolition of the interior.

I also included a pic of the new Beekman 1&2...definitely should have used the old script for the name. After looking at the front of the hideous glass building the theater occupies, I see very little room for where the original metal and glass Beekman signs (removed from the Beekman marquee weeks back) might have been placed. Maybe those two signs were brought into the Beekman once they were removed, just to store them until they can be taken away.

Here is an excerpt from the massive tome "New York 1960: Architecture and Urbanism Between the Second World War and the Bicentennial." Published by The Monacelli Press. Second edition, 1997. Page 842:

New York Life's plans for Manhattan House also included a two-story commercial structure, built to preserve the views from the apartment building. Designed by Fellheimer & Wagner and completed in 1952, the low-rise building contained a beanck of the Corn Exchange Bank on the northeast corner of Sixty-fifth Street and Second Avenue, and the Beekman Theater, at 1254 Second Avenue. The theater, which featured art films and served coffee in the lobby, lent a note of sophisitication to the area. The New York Times film critic Bosley Crowther applauded the decision to include the theater: "Despite all the dire prognostications of the ruinous competition of TV, not to mention the mischievous rumors that the public is getting tired of films, the big New York Life Insurance Company had the courage to go right ahead and back this new theater construction, to the tune of a million or so." The theeater's Modernist design, Crowther said, was a vast improvement over the previous era's vast and ornate picture palaces and an overdue response to public preference. "For a long time it has been apparent," he asserted, 'that one of the several things that have caused a decline in movie-going, especially by people of better taste, has been an increasing aversion to the older downtown and neighborhood 'barns'....Clean and respectable though they may be, they are achitecturally passe and dull." In contrast, Crowther said, the Beekman was "tastefully planned and decorated in sleek but not ostentatious style, with plenty of room for lounging, having coffee and stretching the legs, as well as for freedom pf passage in and out of the widely spaced rows." All in all, he said, the theater had an "air of refinement, elegance and chic that bathes the discriminating patron with a relaxing warmth." The lobby was redesigned in 1962 by Rolf Myller to include a free-form, undulating bank of seating that accommodated up to seventy-five people."

Yes, the signage is dreadful, and the choice of movies will not insure much business; definitely not in keeping with the quality programming that was presented by the original theatre across the way. Clearview can do better.

Sometimes progress isn't always better.

Thanks, davebazooka, for the additional photos. I'm beginning to wonder if the building will be demolished with the bank section left in place and incorporated into the new structure. The scaffolding is probably going to be installed around the building as a sidewalk-shed, to protect passers-by from any falling debris during the demolition. The clue will be if they don't install it around the bank, then the bank will be retained.

The "free-form, undulating bank of seating" referred to in the comments of Mr. Crowther in davebazooka's post above, was last seen in the lower lounge area of the Gramercy Theatre on 23rd St. I don't know if it's still there or not.

I should have known better than to hope that Clearview/Solow would do the right thing and install one of those Beekman signatures on the twin across the street. At the very least they could have used that style of lettering on the existing sign instead of a plain sans-serif type style.

What an insult that would be, if the North Folk Bank is preserved as the Beekman is demolished. There are, what, some 100-150 North Folk Bank branch locations, but only one Beekman (no matter the re-named New York One and Two across the street)...

Speaking of the New York/Beekman One and Two, newspaper display ads and movie clock listings are still referring to it by its old name. I wonder if Clearview is waiting for some sort of 'grand opening' before making the name change formal, despite the recently installed and unobscured new signage...

From Lou Lumenick's NY Post this past January 6th, primarily discussing the closure threat looming over the Cinema 1-2-3:

"Miramax honcho Harvey Weinstein said he will fight to keep the theaters open.

"'I spent my formative years as a teenager haunting these movie theaters (the Beekman and the Cinema 1-2-3)," Weinstein told The Post from Paris, where he was attending the European premiere of 'The Aviator.'

"'I used to take the train from my home in Flushing when movies like 'Raging Bull,' 'Rocky,' and 'Midnight Cowboy' would open exclusively at the Cinema 1.'

"Weinstein vowed to do 'whatever I have to do, including financially' to save the endangered theaters."


So... what exactly happened, Harvey to your vow to do "whatever I have to do, including financially" to save, for immediate starters, the Beekman? Sure, you've been occupied with negotiating the terms of your and your brother Bob's divorce from Disney and laying the groundwork for your new film company, but the same was true in January, when the danger the Beekman was facing became public news. You're one of the few New Yorkers who has the financial clout AND the name which could have ensured the Beekman being saved and your words at the time left little room for interpretation... so what's the story, Harvey?

Hi dave-bronx, you're welcome for the pics. I hope no one is having trouble viewing them, I rezzed them down and the photobucket album views shows the complete image, but sometimes only half the image loads.

In the second sentence of the "New York 1960" excerpt I posted before, "beanck" is supposed to be "branch." Horrible typo. How embarrassing! Please excuse the other typos too, and the double post...I spazzed out big time.

One block uptown from the "New Beekman" 1&2, there is a sign in a store window announcing that it is soon to be the location of a new branch of North Fork Bank. Perhaps the bank next door to the true Beekman will be moving there.

I saw one of the old Beekman photos from its opening in 1952...so weird to see the cobblestoned Second Avenue! It brought back memories, at 43 I still recall quite a number of streets on the Upper East Side being similarly paved...or unpaved. I am sure they have all been tarred over by now.

If anyone wants high-resolution files of any of the images I have posted here, let me know and I will email them to you. Each is about 1.1 megabytes. They might take some time to travel through cyberland.

Re the Bosley Crowther quote: I wish I could see one of those vast ornate barn-like picture palaces he refers to. I have only seen them in photos. On this site there is a page for the RKO Proctor located on Third Avenue and 58th. From the description it must have been something to see!! I wish there was at least one of these left to us.

Old Bos was merely a product of his time. He was instrumental in promoting foreign films in the 60's and when he retired thought that he would devote his time to concentrating on Indian cinema. He fell out of favor when he lambasted "Bonnie & Clyde", leading to his being rushed off to pasture. No surprise that he would enjoy the Modernist design of the Beekman, and discount the ornate movie palaces that preceded it. Although I cannot recall what his stance was regarding the demolition of the old Penn Station, it was in keeping with the sense of tear down the "old" and bring in the "new". No one will lament the MSG complex that replaced Penn Sta. when it finally meets its fate. From his reference to "people of better taste" one gets the distinct sense of elitism. Clearly the old movie palaces were large enough to appear more egalitarian, and served as a symbol of neighborhood identity. Nonetheless, the Beekman will be sorely missed!

http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/printthread.php?t=5629

I found this online...scroll down to the bottom of the page for a photo of the Beekman script logo being removed from the marquee. Powerful image, puts my pics to shame!

To me the Beekman was worth saving, Cinema 1-2-3 are unrecognizable from the days they were the Eastsides premiere houses.

Authentic Disaster. It's probably 20 years now that I last visited New york, and never went to the Beekman. But here in Guadalajara, México, there are theater "deaths" as unfortunate as this, one each year. Recently one rather smallish and not too ineresting building was razed: named "Reforma", a parking lot is in its place. In México City, another landmark by the name of "Arcadia" (incidentally had more or less the same age as the Beekman)has been recently demolished.
I realize that your Beekman was both interesting as a building, historically relevant, and a good place to watch excellent movies, unlike other poor movie houses doing porno in order to survive.

Come to New York, Luis, if you like old movie houses there are plenty, and some of the best like Radio City Music Hall. You are right, though, it's sad to see great old buildings go.

Two Beekman tribute sites, posted and created by the same individual and both worth visiting:

http://www.glunch.com/GlunchGenesis/New%20York/Beekman_Theatre.html

http://www.glunch.com/Glunch-at-the-Beekman/Beekman.html

The seats of the Beekman Theatre are now installed in the Clearview Babylon Theatre which we will be touring Sunday, September 11, 2005.
(See Lindenhurst Theatre site on this website for info.

Re: Gustavelifting: Thank you very much. I think I`ll be there by 2006. In the meantime, I hope not a single one more movie theater will be closed!
The Glunch minimovie is touching. Great drawings!

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/MarqueeRemoved.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/MarqueeRemoved2.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/MarqueeRemoved3.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/MarqueeRemoved4.jpg

I went to the Beekman on the hazy, sweltering morning of Saturday, August 13 to take these pics. The marquee is gone. Note the severed steel I-bars. :-(

Luis;
I can't take you personally, but I know that myself and the rest of the town will be glad to see you.

Orlando;
When will they be installed at the Babylon? I live on Long Island.

They are already installed as stated several comments before. If you want to see them, I will tour the theatre on Sunday, September 11, 2005. See the Lindenhurst Theatre on this site for information.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/Beekman8-17-05.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/8-17-05.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/facade.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/Doors.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/front2.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/front3.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/front4.jpg

Registered for class at Hunter College today, walked the few blocks to the Beekman, took these pics.

Gustavelifting:
What information do you have on that theater in Brooklyn?

Gustavelifting:
What information do you have on that theater in Brooklyn?

In those photos, the right poster case has a sign with Clearview Cinemas at the top. What does it say?

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/ClearviewPoster.jpg

It's a word-for-word rehash of one of Clearview's press releases regarding the Beekman closing...about the landlord exercising the lease option, etc.

I've seen enough autopsy photos of the Beekman. I'd rather see photos of the theatre in its heyday, either of the marquee or of the interior. We love movies and the theatres because of the unique way in which they transport us and expand the way we see the world. A des-truction site can be seen anywhere. Let's move on.

Sorry for offending your sensibilities, Astyanax. You didn't have to click on the links and view the images, but in order to avoid any further offenses against your refined tastes, I will post no more. Enjoy your day.

davebazooka , IMHO keep on posting the photos. Most of us don’t have the ability to pass the Beekman site every day and its important to remind everyone what’s happening. Your photos provide more info then can be expressed in words.
It’s also important to document the death of a theater as much we document its life. Calling attention to the current situation of the Beekman may give people incentive to work harder in those communities where a building may be facing a similar fate.
If you don’t want to view the photo, just don’t click on the link.

:-)
Thanks, Bob! I'll continue posting for you.
-DB

now playing at the beekman and all
the lost theatres of new york
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b15/myrtleave/scan0069.jpg

Whats the real deal? The Clearview Site calls the thaetre across the street the Beekman 1&2 but Newspapers are still saying NEW YORK TWIN? Is there a name change?

Whats the real deal? The Clearview Site calls the theatre across the street the Beekman 1&2 but Newspapers are still saying NEW YORK TWIN? Is there a name change?

Absolutely keep posting the pics, dave. I live on the West Coast and have never been to NY but was well aware of the theater for decades. Rarely have the final days of a classic house been so well documented with photos so clear and sharp. My only regret is that I never attended a screening here. Thanks and keep it up for many of us.

i saw lost in tranlation at the beekman with my childhood penpal on the occasion of our first meeting, 20 years in the making, on my first trip to new york city.
the beekman was top on my list of things to see, and he happened to live around the corner. i am sad to see that it is now closed, but the theater is the stage for a wonderful memory that will never go away.

Today's NY Post has the the former Loews Cineplex New York Twin/Crown New York Twin/Clearview's New York One and Two Theatre listed now as "Clearview's Beekman One And Two".

The only 2 theatre buildings from the old Rugoff Theatres (Cinema 5) chain that is still standing, after the Beekman is demolished, are the City Cinemas Cinema 1, 2, 3 (Cinema I and Cinema II), and in Philadelphia, The United Artists Sam's Place Twin Theatre building (also was home to Stanley Warner's Aldine Theatre, Viking Theatre, and Rugoff's Cinema 19 Theatre), which has a CVS Pharmacy in the building.

to call the ny twin the beekman 1 and 2 is a sin the beekman was class i managed it two times and have fond memories. once again ny has lost a beautiful piece of movie theater history.

Went by the Beekman Thursday morning. It looks the same as in my last set of postings...the only thing different is that now there are pest control notices on the glass doors in front, and on other parts of the building.

As Far as pest control maybe they will meant the sloan kettering managment

Pest control notices = proof that the 'end' for the Beekman and the other buildings on its block is near; I'd guess demolition is likely to begin sometime between mid-October to early November.

Guess this is one of many demarcation points of film nerdom (and it's not remotely close to being a truly useful exercise), but does anyone else, after certain, presumably beloved theatres close, on occasion wonder or imagine what new releases would have been booked into them? (i.e., it doesn't seem a stretch for me to conceive, for example, 'The Constant Gardener' having been booked into the Beekman... )

I have done this but I find myself wondering more about what films were booked into them long before in the past. For example I wonder what film was playing at the Beekman the day I was born in 1962. Or, take "Annie Hall": I know Alvie mentions the theater and there is action out front in the movie, but was "Annie Hall" ever actually booked for a run at the Beekman? What about "Sleeper"? I wish there was a list of every single movie that played the Beekman from 1952 up till "The Interpreter." Nerd-like I would pore over it and try to recall if I had attended any of the showings...just because! Almost like doing penance for not having gone to the Beekman (or any lost theater) enough when it existed.

Good question, Dave Bazooka! Does anyone know if ANNIE HALL ever played at THE BEEKMAN? Or a list of Woody Allen films that played there?

"Small Time Crooks" played at the Beekman.

Zelig played there also.

Looks like the demolition has begun. Today (September 8) I went by the Beekman after class and saw a work crew in hardhats up on the roof. Looked like they were chopping the tar, or else removing the gravel from up top. Simultaneously, furnishings were being carted out of the now-closed North Fork Bank into white moving vans. A black tarp has been placed over the jagged hole in the Beekman façade where the marquee used to be.


http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanRoof.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/HardhatsRoof.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/NorthFork.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanTrucks.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanTrucks2.jpg

In 1982we opened "A Midsummer's Night Sex Comedy" . We also had the premier,Woody did'nt show But Diane Keaton did. As a matter of fact Woody payed to put the platter system in the booth.

Here are some 1952 images. The movie listed on the marquee is virtually forgotten today, but credits in the Film Daily Year Book covering that year suggest that it was British-produced and filmed in Italy. Vittorio Manunta and Denis O'Dea topped the cast of the Souvaine Selective Pictures release:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/139-3907_IMG.jpg
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/139-3909_IMG.jpg

Warren, thank you for these lovely images, and all the others you post for different theatres on this site. Especially loved the pics you posted for the RKO Proctor's that used to stand at 86th and Lexington. Seeing the image of the interior brought back dim memories of attending movies in this and similar movie palaces when I was very young. I so wish these theatres were still with us today.

Thanks again, Warren!

The first film to play the Beekman, as shown in Warren's posted marquee shot, was Never Take No for an Answer, a.k.a. Peppino e Violetta, a British-Italian co-production, about a boy named Peppino who wants to take his ailing donkey Violetta into the crypt of Saint Francis of Assisi. Denied permission, he goes to Rome to appeal to the Pope. The film was shot in Assisi and also in the Vatican, one of the few movies allowed to be filmed there.

The film was based on Paul Gallico's sentimental novella called The Small Miracle. The Small Miracle was also the title of a TV remake of this film. This movie was not typical of the more "sophisticated" ones that were to play the Beekman over the years, but it was indeed an audience pleaser and a likable film. Bosley Crowther gave it a glowing review and even praised the donkey as "a real charmer."

HERE IS AN AD publicizing this film at the Beekman.

I used to own a 16mm print and am sorry to have sold it, since it is now so rare. After the Beekman, the film moved over to the Guild 50th where it continued a long succesful engagement.

i'm sad to report that early this morning as i passed our beloved Beekman, i saw that the marquee is gone.

The address range for this building was 1242-1258 Second Avenue. The first C/O that I find for a motion picture theater at this address is dated April 22, 1952. Seating is listed as, Main Floor-382 seats and Balcony-215 seats. Total seats-597. The architects were already mentioned in a previous message posted by dave-bronx. Fellheimer & Wagner designed the building and John J. McNamara is listed for the Beekman Theater itself.

Went by the Beekman yesterday Thursday the 29th, it looks the same, just sitting there dark and empty with no marquee.

Went by October 20. Demolition crews have torn a hole in the wall between the Beekman's ticket lobby and the space that used to be the ATMs for North Fork Bank. It was dark but I took this pic:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/WallDown.jpg

Through that big hole on the right is the Beekman's ticket lobby, right behind where the ticket agent's spot was. I peered through a space on the front doors where the blue paper has been torn, and in the dark I could see the metal doors from the ticket lobby into the theater are battered and sealed up with large wood beams. A notice on the doors states that Turner Construction Co. has a city permit to occupy the sidewalk in front of the building from 10/12 to 12/31/2005.

Sad

Two recent October 2005 photographs taken as the end is neigh:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/trudence/54119093/in/pool-cinemasignage/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/trudence/54119100/in/pool-cinemasignage/

In 1977, I started working for the Cinema 5 chain. For a while I was used at various theatres until finding a home at the Murray Hill and Gramercy theatres. I worked briefly at the Beekman, evenings. The movie "La Grande Bourgeoise" was playing, starring Giancarlo Giannini and Catherine Deneuve. I had only been there once previously, as a customer, to see Bergman's "Face to Face," a movie that seems to have disappeared, still unavailable on home video/DVD. The Beekman had a distinguished place in the Cinema 5 pantheon, probably because of its Upper East Side location, only a few blocks from Cinema I & II, etc. It was gorgeous and moderne with a sleek, silver metal marquee and leaning script font lettering. Only the good stuff showed there, for the most part. I believe it was featured in a scene in "Annie Hall." The lounge had custom furniture, free-form and modern, and it had a kooky appeal by the time the 70's came around. The theatre seemed stuck in a very cool time period. I can remember seeing a photo of the theatre with long lines out in front of it, in a full-page ad for "Exorcist II: The Heretic," when Warner Bros. tried to get audiences to believe that movie was a hit. I can't think why it was booked into the Beekman when it was also down the way at Cinema II. The Beekman was the sort of theatre you would decide to see a movie in, when there were other theatre choices, just because it was so nice.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanBarricades.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanBarricades2.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/Beekman11_17_2005.jpg

Barricades going up, about 7:30 a.m. November 17, 2005

All the big glass windows of the former bank have been covered with blue paper from the inside, hiding the interior demolition.

I'm hearing through the grapevine that at least one of the BEEKMAN signatures was salvaged and is being restored, and will soon be installed in the lobby of the Greenport Theatre out on Long Island. If we have any Cinema Treasures fans here who are near the Greenport, could you keep an eye on it and let us know if it happens?

WOW! I just looked at the map, and Greenport is way out there at the end of the island -

As I look at every one of the many photos you've posted, seeing this theater's design from so many different angles, it just breathes this intelligence through and through -- clearly the work of a master hand. Almost superhuman in its utter perfection. The design seems to be such, that even if you tried, you couldn't get a photograph of it in a way that would make it look bad, this being the very thing I look for in architecture, and which is oh so rare! So something went terribly wrong when whoever it was decided to tear this priceless gem down. As theaters go, it is a perfect gestalt, everything balanced so perfectly. And though parts might be salvaged, the point of its all having been a perfect gestalt will be lost. So of its demolishers, forgive them Father, they knoweth not what they do. For this was a theater that a hundred years from now, three-hundred years from now, would still be classifiable as "contemporary." So what is going on!? Anyone have the foggiest idea?

The many photos posted by davebazooka are excellent.
Sloan-Kettering worked the whole scheme pretty good: Not wanting the bad publicity of evicting tenants out of ancient run-down tenement apartments whose demolition really would be a public service, they focused their sights on the the hapless Beekman Theatre, a one-story commercial building, with no surly residential tenants upstairs running to the newspapers or TV newscasts making a fuss. When a few people decried the loss of what was arguably New Yorks last classy movie theatre, Sload-Kettering successfully neutralized any criticism by invoking the ultra-PC topic of breast cancer: "Yes, the theatre is beautiful, but out of all the property in the five boroughs of New York City, this is the only one where we can plop down a breast cancer clinic." And of course, all public criticism ceased, the theatre will be sacraficed so we can solve the mystery of breast cancer, in a neighborhood already over-saturated with medical facilities. Real Estate Developers note: You could probably demolish Grand Central Terminal or the Empire State Building as long as you said that a breast cancer clinic will occupy part of whatever piece of schlock architecture were to be the replacement.

Why is the Beekman logo going to be placed in a distant LI theatre instead of right across the street at the new Beekman? That makes no sense.

I don't see how Sloan-Kettering is going to be able to make that site pay with only a breast cancer clinic. They must be going to include a skinny luxury tower above the clinic from which they can collect massively high rent. Re the Beekman logos on the old building, I would think they belonged to Sloan Ketering and not Clearview, so the hospital folks get to sell the logos for high prices too! Bummer. Is the Greenport a Clearview theatre?

Sloan-Kettering doesn't need to make the site pay - I believe they are a non-profit organization, and have various endowments and foundations that maintain their operations.

According to the Greenport's page on this site, the lobby there has been re-done with a nostalgia or memorobilia theme. I will give Clearview the benefit of the doubt, and say they probably wanted to put those signs on the Twin but the landlord prevented it. When they signed the lease they didn't realize that the landlord was a psycho - they've been there six months now, and are propbably starting to come to that realization.

So the quest to treat cancer strikes again as the big excuse why things people clearly love must be gotten rid of. And to the point in some cases that the Constitution of the United States is getting cast aside and fully trashed in the process. So in New York City it's the Beekman Theatre that got targeted. And here in Philadelphia, PA, where I reside, for the past year and a half the Fox Chase Cancer Center has been trying its damndest to bring down historic and much loved Burholme Park just adjacent to it in its claim that it must expand and can only do so at its current location. Which, of course, is a total crock. So going by how cancer treatment was successfully used to bring down the Beekman, I'd say we're seeing a most definite pattern going on here. Alas, I only wish I had learned about the Beekman Theatre sooner, so that I could've joined you all in the campaign to help save it.

I'm currently involved in a struggle to restore an historic theater here in Philly, and if the effort ever does prove successful, I'm seeing all kinds of things in the Beekman Theatre's design that could be incorporated into this theater here, and that I feel this theater's designer, William Harold Lee, would've fully approved of. For the design of the Beekman was brilliant, it truly was! Every aspect of it screamed class, and what the heck is wrong with a little class I ask!?

the other day i heard that a theater owner on long island paid $10.000 dollars for the Beekman Sign, and he is going to refurbish it and place on display in his theater, when i get more info i'll pass it on

A snowy December Beekman:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/DecemberBeekman.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/DecemberBeekman2.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/DecemberBeekman3.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/DecemberBeekman4.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/DecemberBeekman5.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/DecemberBeekman6.jpg

I wonder why they left the other sign up there?

thanks davebazooka great shots

You're very welcome! :-)

I think I saw "Frances" here in 1982 or so. This was the bio-pic starring Jessica Lange as troubled 1930's film actress Frances Farmer. I'd been here more than once, but "Frances" is all that specifically leaps to mind. Nothing I can really add to the conversation here. What a shame. The subterranean New York Twin across the street is a dreary and unworthy successor to the "Beekman" name. I think I'd rather have that moniker retired than have its memory besmirched by association with the Twin.

I was in the neighborhood yesterday for a christmas party at my brother's fire house on 67th Street between 3rd and Lex. I was surprised to see the New York Twin sign with the name "Beekman" which is what prompted me to post my 2 cents here.

edsolero many of us feel the same way you do, i have managed both theaters, and although i did like them both, trust me the beekman was pure class, imiss it very much. As a matter of fact it was my first theater after i left Radio City Music Hall

I don't recall the Beekman running 70mm films like this.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13/ChmnofBrd/Movie%20Ads/rightstuff.jpg

Interesting, I wonder what the RKO Fantasy in Nassau was, I couldn't find that theatre in a site search

The RKO Fantasy is listed here: http://cinematreasures.org/theater/4041/

After the roadshow it moved here
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13/ChmnofBrd/Movie%20Ads/la.jpg

Beekman demolition, December 26, 2005:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/steelframe.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/demolitionF.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/demolitionG.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/demolitionH.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/demolitionI.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/demolitionJ.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/demolitionB.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/demolitionC.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/demolitionE.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/demolitionD.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/clearviewsign.jpg

ThankYou Again davebazooka, sadly now there are just wonderful memories of the beekman

.........so they are really dismembering him - I hope they at least gave the old Beek a good stiff drink or some other anesthesia -
Sloan-Kettering SUCKS!

as always dave you hit the nail on the head

Guys, I was never to the Beekman, but we should be thankful the sign was saved. Many theaters leave without a trace of being there.

gustavelifting i understand your point, but i spent many happy hours working there, it just won't be the same when i go past the site. but yes at least there is a part of the beekman that remains and i thank you for your point

Miscellaneous Beekman demolition images: Sorry for the odd blurred lobby images, I took the pics through a black mesh fence. If you look closely, in the upper right of the lobby pics, the debris-strewn raked floor of the balcony is visible. In a couple of the images the star motif on the lobby floor can still be seen, though obscured by dust.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/Lobby.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/TicketLobbyRuins.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/RakedBalconyFloor.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/14de9ad1.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/interior.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/interior2.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanBricks.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanSteel.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/Sidewalk.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/Exterior.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/exterior2.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/exterior3.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanExterior.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/Logo13.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/Logo12.jpg

GREAT JOB documenting Sloan Kettering's demolition of the Beekman!
Sloan Kettering should have listened to the community and found a way to build their cancer center and preserve this great theatre.
Your photos need to be posted on the first page of Cinema Treasures.
Thanks for being there with your camera.

You're very welcome! Since the Beekman is part of my movie-going past, there is no way I could let it disappear entirely without documenting it. Maybe the pics will help me accept it, kiss it, and release it. I tend to fixate on places that I remember from my childhood and will always remember the Beekman. I could hardly believe it when I read in the news that it was going to close. I still wonder and worry about what cinema treasure will be next to go. :-(

Your photographs are heartbreaking, davebazooka... but I'm glad you've taken it upon yourself to document and share these tragic images with all of us on CT. If you want to know the next cinema treasure on the chopping block, check out the comments on the RKO Keith's page.

I remember seeing a number of movies here at the Beekman, although, contrary to my post of December 12, "Frances" (which I saw during its Oscar-qualifying run at the Cinema I & II in December of '82) was not one of them. There were a number of Woody Allen movies such as "Broadway Danny Rose", "Purple Rose of Cairo" and "Hannah and Her Sisters" as well as the brooding British drama "Brimstone and Treacle" starring rock star Sting, also in '82.

Hi EdSolero, I too saw "Broadway Danny Rose," "Purple Rose of Cairo" and "Hannah and Her Sisters" at the Beekman. Also "Manhattan," "Zelig" and "Manhattan Murder Mystery." I will always wonder if "Sleeper" or "Annie Hall" played the Beekman.

I added the RKO Keith's to my favorites, though I have never been there. Hmmm maybe I should head out there with my camera!!

Once again thank you davebazooka for the pictures.As i was looking at them i mentally was walking through the Beekman, it is so much a part of my life i can still remember what it looked like the first day i walked in it back in 1982! On a another theater closing, The State theater in manahattan is going to close at the end of january.

I saw Annie Hall in its original engagement at the Little Carnegie.

You're welcome astrocks! I am going to return for a few more pictures, though if they have been working steadily over the past two days, there is probably not much left now. They are demolishing the block starting from the uptown side working toward downtown, so the bank went first, then the Beekman.

The State theatre...is that the theatre in the basement of the Virigin Megastore on Times Square?

In its early days the Beekman failed to secure many first runs since the upper east side was not yet established as the best place to open a new film.

The BEEKMAN did not become an established “sure-seater” (the name for specialty arthouses then) until over six years later when Jules Dassin’s HE WHO MUST DIE became a five month hit forever establishing the BEEKMAN as a first-run of choice.

Below are the programs of the fifties and sixties. Further to the titles below, THE SORROW AND THE PITY was a highlight in March 1972.

In February 1974 The BEEKMAN joined Cinema One, Paris, Plaza and the Paramount (Columbus Circle) in THE EXORCIST run.

Although the BEEKMAN never showed ANNIE HALL first run (that distinction goes to the Baronet, Little Carnegie and 34th St. East) it did join the LOVE AND DEATH in June 1975, also at the Sutton and Paramount.

04/25/52 NEVER TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER
07/18/52 FRANCHISE AFFAIR
07/25/52 EDWARD AND CAROLINE
08/01/52 DIPLOMATIC COURIER
08/08/52 LAUGHTER IN PARADISE
08/15/52 THE CLOUDED YELLOW
08/22/52 CITY LIGHTS/ ROYAL JOURNEY
08/29/52 THE ADVENTURESS
09/05/52 LAST HOLIDAY
09/12/52 WAYS OF LOVE
09/19/52 THE QUEEN OF SPADES
09/26/52 LAST HOLIDAY
10/03/52 THE SPIDER AND THE FLY
10/10/52 DEAD OF NIGHT
10/17/52 ON APPROVAL
10/24/52 BLACK NARCISSUS/I KNOW WHERE I'M GOING
10/31/52 THE BERLINER
11/21/52 UNDER THE RED SEA
01/09/53 CASTLE IN THE AIR
01/30/53 WHEREVER SHE GOES
02/06/53 A RUN FOR YOUR MONEY /GIGI (1948)
02/13/53 MALTESE FALCON/ BRIEF ENCOUNTER
02/20/53 MARIKA
03/13/53 GLORY AT SEA
03/27/53 THE STORY OF MANDY
04/03/53 THE RED SHOES/ ROYAL JOURNEY
04/10/53 WHITE CORRIDORS/CURTAIN UP
04/17/53 THE SUSPECT/ LADY PANAME
04/24/53 ROAD TO BALI
05/01/53 GREEN FOR DANGER/ NOTORIOUS GENTLEMAN
05/08/53 DULCIMER STREET/ JENNY L'AMOUR
05/15/53 ANNA
05/22/53 THE MAGIC BOX/ ANOTHER SHORE
05/29/53 THE STAR/ TAXI
06/05/53 COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA
06/12/53 KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS/QUARTET
06/19/53 DOUBLE CONFESSION/MURDER WITHOUT CRIME
06/26/53 MISS ROBIN HOOD
07/10/53 MOULIN ROUGE
07/17/53 LAST HOLIDAY/ LAUGHTER IN PARADISE
07/24/53 DEAD OF NIGHT/ HIDDEN ROOM
07/31/53 THE LONG MEMORY
08/14/53 MASK OF THE HIMALAYAS
08/21/53 ON THE RIVIERA/ HERE COMES MR. JORDAN
08/28/53 MLLE. DESIREE
09/04/53 DESPERATE MOMENT
09/25/53 FAN FAN THE TULIP
10/02/53 MAN ON A TIGHTROPE/ PRESIDENT'S LADY
10/09/53 THE BAND WAGON
10/16/53 THE QUIET MAN
10/23/53 GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES
10/30/53 ROME AT 11 O'CLOCK/ AFFAIR IN MONTE CARLO
11/06/53 ROMAN HOLIDAY
11/13/53 THE PASSIONATE SENTRY
11/20/53 THE MOON IS BLUE
11/27/53 STALAG 17
12/04/53 MOGAMBO
12/18/53 DREAM WIFE
12/25/53 THE 39 STEPS

1954- 58 SUB-RUN FEATURES

12/26/58 HE WHO MUST DIE
05/29/59 OF LOVE AND LUST
06/26/59 WILD STRAWBERRIES
11/27/59 THE COUSINS
01/22/60 ROSEMARY
07/08/60 THE SUBTERRANEANS
08/05/60 SONS AND LOVERS
10/14/60 THE FLUTE AND THE ARROW
10/28/60 CONFESS, DR. CORDOBA
11/18/60 THE VIRGIN SPRING
02/10/61 THE FACTS OF LIFE
04/07/61 L'AVVENTURA
06/30/61 ROCCO AND HIS BROTHERS
11/03/61 THE DEVIL'S EYE
12/15/61 LA DOLCE VITA
03/16/62 THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY
06/08/62 HAROLD LLOYD'S WORLD OF COMEDY
07/27/62 THE NOTORIOUS LANDLADY
09/28/62 A VERY PRIVATE AFFAIR
11/02/62 BOCCACCIO '70
11/16/62 TRIAL AND ERROR
12/21/62 ELECTRA
03/22/63 FOUR DAYS OF NAPLES
05/17/63 WINTER LIGHT
06/28/63 MURDER AT THE GALLOP
09/20/63 THE SUITOR
11/01/63 KNIFE IN THE WATER
12/20/63 LAWRENCE OF ARABIA
01/17/64 POINT OF ORDER!
03/06/64 DOULOS, THE FINGER MAN
03/27/64 THE GIVEN WORD
04/10/64 ADORABLE JULIA
04/24/64 LILIES OF THE FIELD/ THE L-SHAPED ROOM
05/01/64 OF STARS AND MEN
05/15/64 SOUTH PACIFIC
05/29/64 RING OF TREASON
06/26/64 THE TROUBLEMAKER
07/17/64 THE BEST MAN/ THE PINK PANTHER
07/31/64 MAFIOSO
08/21/64 MAJOR BARBARA/ TWELFTH NIGHT
08/28/64 TOM JONES/ LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER
09/04/64 BECKET
11/13/64 THE FINEST HOURS
12/25/64 THE GUNS OF AUGUST
01/22/65 ANDY
02/05/65 THE GIRL WITH GREEN EYES/ THE MAN FROM RIO
02/12/65 RED DESERT
04/16/65 FUNNY FACE/ AN AMERICAN IN PARIS
04/23/65 THE PAWNBROKER
07/23/65 CASANOVA '70
10/08/65 BUNNY LAKE IS MISSING
10/29/65 KING RAT
11/19/65 LAUREL AND HARDY'S LAUGHING 20'S
12/17/65 A PATCH OF BLUE
02/25/66 PROMISE HER ANYTHING
03/18/66 BAND OF OUTSIDERS
03/25/66 THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES
04/08/66 THE TROUBLE WITH ANGELS
05/06/66 SHE DONE HIM WRONG/ I'M NO ANGEL
05/20/66 LADY L
08/12/66 GIGI
10/14/66 MISTER BUDDWING
10/28/66 THE LIQUIDATOR
11/18/66 TOKYO OLYMPIAD
12/02/66 THE SHAMELESS OLD LADY
12/16/66 THE QUILLER MEMORANDUM
02/03/67 LA GUERRE EST FINIE
03/10/67 BLOW-UP
06/30/67 THE FAMILY WAY
09/01/67 TO SIR, WITH LOVE
10/06/67 THE PENTHOUSE
11/03/67 THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS
12/15/67 GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER
02/09/68 ULYSSES
02/23/68 THE TWO OF US
06/28/68 A MAN WITH THE BALLOONS
07/26/68 YOUNG TORLESS
08/23/68 HUGS AND KISSES
09/13/68 DEADFALL
09/27/68 THE PRODUCERS
10/18/68 RACHEL, RACHEL
12/20/68 THE KILLING OF SISTER GEORGE
03/28/69 ASSASSINATION BUREAU
04/23/69 LOLA MONTES
05/28/69 THOSE DARING YOUNG MEN IN THEIR JAUNTY JALOPIES
06/18/69 THE MALTESE BIPPY
07/02/69 BLOW-UP/ DARLING
07/16/69 EASY RIDER
12/10/69 Z
07/01/70 TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME, JUNIE MOON
08/12/70 DIARY OF A MAD HOUSEWIFE
12/09/70 THE CONFESSION

yes davebazooka, that's the one.also thanks to alalverez for the great list will you be printing the films of the 80's?

Wow excellent list AlAlvarez!! How did you compile it? I would love to see a list for the 70s, 80s and 90s. Thanks for posting!

Ditto! Fantastic list, AlAlvarez! I also hope to see a list for the '70's and '80's.

Great guys! I'm a bit of film geek (guess we all are here) and I have compiled things like that over the years. I have most Manhattan Theatres. I will work on the later Beekman dates.

Beekman Filmography continued...
dates may be off by five days.

02/17/71 LITTLE MURDERS
05/19/71 RED SKY AT MORNING
06/16/71 THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS
07/07/71 TWO-LANE BLACKTOP
07/28/71 DIARY OF A MAD HOUSEWIFE/ I LOVE MY WIFE?
08/04/71 THE BANK DICK/ NEVER GIVE A SUCKER AN EVEN BREAK
08/11/71 ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS
08/18/71 THE HIRED HAND
09/01/71 SOUL TO SOUL
09/08/71 ROOM SERVICE/ YELLOW SUBMARINE
09/15/71 AT THE CIRCUS/ A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
09/22/71 A DAY AT THE RACES/ THE BIG STORE
09/29/71 LONG AGO, TOMORROW
12/15/71 MADE FOR EACH OTHER
08/03/72 DUCK SOUP/ HORSE FEATHERS
22/03/72 THE SORROW AND THE PITY
10/05/72 WHAT'S UP, DOC?
28/06/72 PORTNOY'S COMPLAINT
09/08/72 NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD/ INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS
16/08/72 CARNAL KNOWLEDGE/ DARLING
23/08/72 FELLINI SATYRICON/ THE PASSION OF ANNA
30/08/72 BED AND BOARD/ CLAIRE'S KNEE
06/09/72 THE BRIDE WORE BLACK/ THE WILD CHILD
13/09/72 Z/ LA FEMME INFIDELE
20/09/72 FACES/ MY NIGHT AT MAUD'S
27/09/72 COOL HAND LUKE/PETULIA
04/10/72 THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI-CONTINIS
11/10/72 A SENSE OF LOSS
08/11/72 PLAY IT AS IT LAYS
13/12/72 THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE
07/02/73 STEELYARD BLUES
07/03/73 THE THIEF WHO CAME TO DINNER
11/04/73 LOVE
18/04/73 STATE OF SIEGE
25/07/73 I COULD NEVER HAVE SEX WITH ANY MAN…
05/09/73 JIMI PLAYS BERKELEY/ YELLOW SUBMARINE
12/09/73 ANNA KARENINA/ PAT & MIKE
19/09/73 SAVE THE CHILDREN
24/10/73 A CLOCKWORK ORANGE
31/10/73 AMERICAN GRAFFITI
19/12/73 THE LAUGHING POLICEMAN
01/16/74 THE EXORCIST
03/27/74 BADLANDS
05/15/74 THE LONG GOODBYE/ THE BIG SLEEP
05/22/74 TWO MEN OF KARAMOJA
05/29/74 GREASER'S PALACE/ TRASH
06/05/74 THE TALL BLONDE MAN WITH ONE RED SHOE/ THE TWO OF US
06/12/74 GIMME SHELTER/ PUTNEY SWOPE
06/19/74 ENDLESS SUMMER/ ON ANY SUNDAY
06/26/74 THE GRAVY TRAIN
07/10/74 SUMMERTIME
07/24/74 CARNAL KNOWLEDGE
08/21/74 BILLY JACK
09/04/74 THE STING
09/25/74 FLESH GORDON
10/09/74 SHANKS
10/30/74 LITTLE MURDERS/ BREWSTER McCLOUD
11/06/74 FELLIN'S 8 1/2/ LA STRADA
11/13/74 SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE
12/25/74 THE CONVERSATION
01/01/75 FREEBIE AND THE BEAN
01/29/75 YOU'RE A BIG BOY NOW/ THE RAIN PEOPLE
02/05/75 RAFFERT AND THE GOLD DUST TWINS
03/05/75 SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE
03/26/75 THE YAKUZA
04/30/75 DR. STRANGELOVE/ MORGAN
05/07/75 CALIFORNIA SPLIT/ FAT CITY
05/14/75 A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS/ ELIVIRA MADIGAN
05/21/75 FACES/ MY NIGHT AT MAUD'S
05/23/75 IF…/Z
05/25/75 THE BALLAD OF CABLE HOGUE/ THE WILD BUNCH
05/28/75 THE EIGER SANCTION
06/25/75 LOVE AND DEATH
10/01/75 THE HAPPY HOOKER
10/08/75 THE SEDUCTION OF MIMI/ LOVE & LARCENY
10/15/75 ANIMAL CRACKERS/ DUCK SOUP
10/22/75 THE MYSTERY OF KASPER HAUSER
10/29/75 EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF AND GOD AGAINST ALL
11/05/75 DISTANT THUNDER
12/10/75 SPECIAL SECTION
01/21/76 FAREWELL, MY LOVELY/ THE CULPEPPER CATTLE CO.
01/28/76 ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST
02/25/76 DOG DAY AFTERNOON
04/07/76 SWEPT AWAY…/THE SEDUCTION OF MIMI
04/14/76 FACE TO FACE
09/15/76 MURDER BY DEATH
09/22/76 SWEPT AWAY…/ SEVEN BEAUTIES
09/29/76 AMERICA AT THE MOVIES
10/13/76 THE MEMORY OF JUSTICE
11/17/76 LUMIERE
01/26/77 THE SEVEN PERCENT SOLUTION
02/23/77 SEVEN BEAUTIES
03/02/77 SLAP SHOT
06/01/77 WE ALL LOVED EACH OTHER SO MUCH
06/22/77 EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC
07/20/77 SWEPT AWAY…
07/27/77 LA GRANDE BOURGEIOSE
09/28/77 A SPECIAL DAY
12/28/77 THE WORLD' GREATEST LOVER
01/25/78 THE TURNING POINT
03/08/78 AN UNMARRIED WOMAN
08/02/78 NATIONAL LAMPOON'S ANIMAL HOUSE
11/15/78 MAGIC
12/27/78 THE LAST WAVE
02/14/79 QUINTET
02/28/79 COMING HOME
03/21/79 REMEMBER MY NAME
03/28/79 THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY
04/11/79 A PERFECT COUPLE
04/18/79 COMING HOME
05/09/79 THE LAST EMBRACE
05/30/79 BEYOND THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE
06/13/79 THE PROMISE
06/20/79 THE IN-LAWS
08/22/79 SOLDIER OF ORANGE
09/26/79 THE ONION FIELD
11/14/79 THE MAGICIAN OF LUBLIN
12/26/79 STAY AS YOU ARE
02/06/80 ALL THAT JAZZ
05/21/80 LOVE AT FIRST BITE
05/28/80 FRIDAY THE 13TH
06/18/80 ROADIE
07/02/80 SUPERMAN
07/16/80 THE LONG RIDERS
07/30/80 DRESSED TO KILL
10/08/80 OH, GOD! BOOK II
10/22/80 MELVIN AND HOWARD
12/24/80 RAGING BULL
02/11/81 SPETTERS
03/11/81 GLORIA
03/25/81 CUTTER AND BONE
04/01/81 THE JAZZ SINGER
04/15/81 EXCALIBUR
05/27/81 IMPROPER CHANNELS
06/03/81 DIRTY TRICKS/ HOPSCOTCH
06/10/81 EYEWITNESS/ THE STUNTMAN
06/17/81 CLASH OF THE TITANS
07/22/81 ARTHUR
09/23/81 SO FINE
10/28/81 QUARTET
12/02/81 WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY?
01/27/82 ZOOT SUIT
02/03/82 PRINCE OF THE CITY
02/10/82 THE LAST WALTZ
02/17/82 MISSING
04/28/82 THE CHOSEN
07/21/82 A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S SEX COMEDY
08/25/82 THE ROAD WARRIOR
10/06/82 THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP
10/20/82 LOVE CHILD
11/17/82 BRIMSTONE AND TREACLE
12/22/82 FRANCES
03/30/83 THE OUTSIDERS
04/27/83 LOCAL HERO
06/08/83 THE MAN WITH TWO BRAINS
06/29/83 HAMMET
07/13/83 ZELIG
10/26/83 THE RIGHT STUFF
02/01/84 BROADWAY DANNY ROSE
04/04/84 GREYSTOKE THE LEGEND OF TARZAN
06/06/84 ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA
06/27/84 THE POPE OF GREENWICH VILLAGE
07/25/84 THE NEVERENDING STORY
08/15/84 THE WOMAN IN RED
09/12/84 UTU
10/03/84 COUNTRY
12/12/84 (CLOSED FOR REMODELLING)
12/19/84 THE RIVER
01/23/85 1984
03/06/85 THE PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO
06/19/85 SECRET ADMIRER
07/17/85 MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME
08/21/85 AMERICAN FLYERS
09/25/85 PLENTY
10/23/85 TWICE IN A LIFETIME
12/18/85 THE COLOR PURPLE
02/12/86 HANNAH AND HER SISTERS
07/02/86 RUTHLESS PEOPLE
09/24/86 THE NAME OF THE ROSE
11/19/86 EVERY TIME WE SAY GOODBYE
12/03/86 TRUE STORIES
12/24/86 LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
03/18/87 RAISING ARIZONA
06/17/87 THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK
05/08/87 STAKEOUT
09/30/87 THE PRINCESS BRIDE
12/16/87 EMPIRE OF THE SUN
03/02/88 FRANTIC
03/23/88 THE MILAGRO BEANFIELD WAR
06/08/88 FUNNY FARM
06/22/88 THE GREAT OUTDOORS
07/13/88 ARTHUR 2 ON THE ROCKS
08/10/88 CLEAN AND SOBER
09/14/88 MOON OVER PARADOR
09/28/88 GORILLAS IN THE MIST
11/09/88 THE GOOD MOTHER
11/23/88 BUSTER
12/21/88 TALK RADIO
02/22/89 TRUE BELIEVER
03/22/89 TROOP BEVERLY HILLS
04/12/89 THE DREAM TEAM
05/03/89 LISTEN TO ME
05/24/89 HOW I GOT INTO COLLEGE
06/07/89 VAMPIRE'S KISS
07/05/89 THE KARATE KID PART III
07/19/89 WHEN HARRY MET SALLY
10/11/89 OLD GRINGO
11/01/89 DAD
12/13/89 TRIUMPH OF THE SPIRIT
12/27/89 ALWAYS

EXCELLENT!! Wow AlAlvarez, thanks so much for these lists, they are jogging memories like crazy and I am happy that the earliest movie I recall seeing at the Beekman in included (The Poseidon Adventure)!!! I am sure now that I also saw "Clash of the Titans" and "Ruthless People" here, I saw them somewhere in the neighborhood and it must have been here. And WOW, one of my faves "Anne of the Thousand Days" played there way back, that is the type of film I would have expected to see at the Beekman. Thanks again, AlAlvarez, I am going to be reading and rereading these lists for a good long time!! :-)

Where does one find such lists?

alalvarez you are the best! I can't thank you enough Hope you don't mind if i ask you a question? Did you work for cineplex? Thanks again

Yes astrocks, I worked for Cineplex at the Fresh Meadows and then as District Manager for lower Manhattan and Brooklyn until the mid-nineties. I also lived over the Waverly for several years.

Forrest136, these lists are compiled from the New York Times. No, I don't live in a library, but I have compiled some over the years and have a historical NYT online subscription through Proquest. It's expensive but it's like time travel at times.

I'm positive I saw "Frances" in December of '82 during an Oscar-qualifying run. I'm almost certain it was at the Cinema 1 & 2 on Third Avenue. Yet it makes AlAlvarez' list for the Beekman. Al, can you tell me if it was booked into both theaters for that week? It didn't open to wider release until the following January or February.

Thanks again for the great lists... it certainly does jog some memories, however, there are a few films here that might have played multiple theater on the East Side and I'm hesitant to nail them down as films I definitely saw at the Beekman. My heart is telling me to swallow the $600 annual pill for that Proquest subscription, but my wallet is holding me back! I just have to make some time to get to the library and check out the Times on microfilm.

Great memory, Ed! FRANCES opened at the Cinema One on December 3 for the one week Oscar qualifying run, then reopened at the BEEKMAN for Christmas. The BEEKMAN also often played move-overs from the Cinema I & II, Baronet and Coronet as all distributors preferred to open on that block.

I didn't realize it had reopened before the end of that year. I thought the whole point of the qualifying run was that producers wanted to make sure the movie played at least one week in either New York or L.A. to be eligible for the following year's ceremony. Did the engagement at the Beekman start too late to guarantee a full week of shows? Is your date of 12/22 accurate? If so, that should have done the trick.

The December 22 opening ad says "due to critic and audience demand". I suspect they changed their mind when the response was good enough to brave the holiday competition.

Hi Alalvarez. worked for cineplex for about three months at that time i was hired by keith keihl who i had known from my days at cinema five, and i rember hearing your name. Thanks again for the great lists, my second tour at the beekman was with cineplex

Going fast...

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I appreciate your documentation, Dave. Another landmark being tossed in the trash as a result of the Landmark Preservation Commission's negligence!!!

:-)
I just can't imagine that street without the Beekman. While I took photos this morning there were quite a few passersby stopping to watch or point or talk about the theatre. A very sad loss for NYC.

Unfortunately, yet another very sad loss in a long line of very sad losses for NYC. I assume they're storing the cursive Beekman sign that stood atop the front facade parapet wall somewhere safe until it can be integrated into the new building? Or will those famous letters mysteriously "disappear" before then?

Very sad indeed! :( I'm fed up with the Landmarks Preservation Commission. They designate what they're in facor of, and treat the public like "2nd fiddle." Who knows a neighborhood's history better than those residing in a particular vicinity? And the LPC doesn't even grant several worthy buildings a hearing!!! How many theaters have we lost in a rather short timespan? Beekman, Sutton, defining World's Fair features of the Trylon Theater's entrance pavilion, etc... No LPC hearing = Dereliction of public duty = No democracy! Let's hope that Intro 705, the Landmarks Hearing Bill, gets approved!!! For more info: http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/textfiles/Int%200705-2005.htm?CFID=42645&CFTOKEN=31991492

I had hoped to get there while they were removing the Beekman logo, but I did not. They probably took it down very quickly so no one would stop and gawk. I peered through the black fence to see if it was lying around anywhere but it is nowhere to be seen. It may have been tossed into the wreckage pile and will be carted off with the rest of the building. Let's hope it is indeed someplace safe! I think the Beekman logo out in that theatre on LI may have come off the original marquee, not this last vestige on the parapet, but I am not sure. :-(

Sad to see that. I was by there last night while riding the bus downtown. It was dark so I couldn't see much. But since we're on the subject here's a short list of places vital to the landscape of New York City that we have lost in addition to the Beekman in the past year and some that will be gone by this time next year.

Howard Johnson's Times Square (in business since 1959) GONE
2nd Avenue Deli (also in business for roughly 50 years) GONE
The Variety Theater (early 1900s?) GONE
The Sutton Theater (1950s) GONE

...and soon to be a memory by this time next year: legendary rock club CBGB.

The current...ahem..political climate, IMHO shares the blame for this genericization of New York City and it's disgusting. In the last 10 years New York City has lost ALOT of it's character. I'm running out of reasons to continue to pay high rent and deal with the shortcomings of this town. The life is getting sucked outta here.

Sad to see that. I was by there last night while riding the bus downtown. It was dark so I couldn't see much. But since we're on the subject here's a short list of places vital to the landscape of New York City that we have lost in addition to the Beekman in the past year and some that will be gone by this time next year.

Howard Johnson's Times Square (in business since 1959) GONE
2nd Avenue Deli (also in business for roughly 50 years) GONE
The Variety Theater (early 1900s?) GONE
The Sutton Theater (1950s) GONE

...and soon to be a memory by this time next year: legendary rock club CBGB.

The current...ahem..political climate, IMHO shares the blame for this genericization of New York City and it's disgusting. In the last 10 years New York City has lost ALOT of it's character. I'm running out of reasons to continue to pay high rent and deal with the shortcomings of living here.

Sad to see that. I was by there last night while riding the bus downtown. It was dark so I couldn't see much. But since we're on the subject here's a short list of places vital to the landscape of New York City that we have lost in addition to the Beekman in the past year and some that will be gone by this time next year.

Howard Johnson's Times Square (in business since 1959) GONE
2nd Avenue Deli (also in business for roughly 50 years) GONE
The Variety Theater (early 1900s?) GONE
The Sutton Theater (1950s) GONE

...and this time next year: legendary rock club CBGB. GONE

The current...ahem..political climate, IMHO shares the blame for this genericization of New York City and it's disgusting. In the last 10 years New York City has lost ALOT of it's character. I'm running out of reasons to continue to pay high rent and deal with the shortcomings of living here.

In the 1970s when New York City was "reinventing" itself, it did so in the image of wealthy suburbanites. Now it is primarily a town for rich financial types or corporate lawyers, and no one else. Many of these are notoriously conservative and not interested in diversity or urban "edginess," so they bring the bland homogeneity of the suburbs to the cities and the result is the metropolis of today, increasingly governed by the interests of the wealthy, and as dull as the 'burbs. Everyone and everything else, including old movie theatres and other landmarks, and the middle class, are expected to disappear, and there will ultimately be little support for them.

I realize this is a simplification, and it is not meant to generalize about all wealthy people, many of whom moved to the city to escape the suburbs and are probably equally disappointed about the city's genericization. As a native New Yorker I am not sorry to see the days of high crime and widespread deteriorating neighborhoods behind us. But there is definitely a change for the worse afoot in NYC which is at risk of becoming nothing more than a giant boring mall.

Irv
When did 2nd Ave Deli close? I was there on my NYC visit in 200 and purchased the cookbbok.

Mikeoaklandpark-2nd Avenue Deli closed literally out of nowhere last week. Their new landlord wanted to up their rent approx. $10,000 per month. Aside from feeling ripped-off, I think they were just plain insulted. They started taking the signs down this past Tuesday. Shame.

davebazooka-You are SO on the money with your comment. I'm not a native New Yorker, but have lived here 20 years. It's interesting to hear you say that the 'reinvention' of New York started in the 70s. Let me tell you...it was a slow process that seems to have only excelerated over the last 5-10 years. In regard to all of the changes that are happening here, I find myself often in conversation with my friends about how things used to be cooler and edgier in New York City and we all agree that we probably got to see the last good chunk of the 'Sin City' that New York was known as. Dark, fun, scary, interesting, historical. A place that challenged not only physically but intellectually. That's no revisionist history, that's just a plain fact. I wanted to be in New York City because it was waaaay different from the monotony of the suburbs I grew up in, now it's becoming everything I wanted to get away from.

Now that I am nearing 40 years old, what frustrates me the most is how the youth that are moving into this town now have absolutely no...well...BALLS for lack of a better term. I always saw New York as a place for experimentation by young people. Art, music, poetry, theater, and fortunately or unfortunately, sex and drugs. Now?...forget it, the only place you see a large congregation of kids is at Starbucks. That seems to be the new 'hang-out' for the youth of today. Good luck! No flavor, no curiosity, no nothing. A total generation of Paris Hiltons and Ryan Seacrests. Disgusting!!!!!

Irv, Talk about hitting the nail on the head. I have been a theater manager for about 25 years now and 10 before that at Radio City Music Hall. The list of theaters that are no longer with us just makes me shake my head throw up my arms and say it's over. We now have these faceless,no history,empty, rooms with a screen in it. I grew up going to loew's theaters, mine was the triboro in astoria. but thats when theaters were theaters were theaters and they were run by theater people, not bean counters who were told in a class room how to run a theater,insread of running one. As of jan 26th there will no longer be any loew's theater, after 102 years that is sad.I can only thank you and the rest of the good people on this site and other theater web sites, for keeping theater history alive

Astrocks-Are they closing the Loew's on 42 St.??

Wow that must have been great managing Radio City 35 years ago.

Hi Irv! The Loew's E-Walk will be run by Regal cinemas. and the State theater in the virgin mega store is now closed. oh yes the Music Hall is the greatest part of my life! I started out as a usher and the worked my way to be the office assistant in the costume dept.I was fortunate to work with many wonderful people some are still firends of mine to this day. as i wrote on the music hall web site, if you could look at my heart you will find the Music Hall logo!!

That's really cool astrocks. You were probably working there the first time I went to Radio City in 1973 to see the Christmas Show. I remember they showed the animated Disney's 'Robin Hood' before the actual live show started. They don't so that anymore.

No Irv they don't that ended abot 1979, and yes i was there for "Robin Hood" I Liked that film it was fun! I"ll tell you one story i hope you find funny a friend and i were rolling up copies of the declaration of independence to give out in 1976 for the film"1776" well after a while we got bored and decieded to sign our names on a couple of them. I wonder if any kid got an f for nameing Frank Devlin as one of the signers of the declaration?

Wait a minute. You mean somebody named Frank Devlin DIDN'T sign the Declaration of Independence? No wonder I failed history.

Thanks Irv!I just laughed my butt off!!! In truth I used the name Ben Franklyn! Just lke my engagment to Sandra Bullock, We kept it quiet so the Paparazzi would not bother me. In fact if you ever ask her she would still prtened not to know me. This of course ended when she got married, i then had to break it off

As indicated in the very first post for this theatre, this was one my local theatres growing up. Thanks to AAlvarez for coming up with these lists. What they tell us is how flexible Rugoff/Cinema 5/RKO Century/Cineplex and finally Clearview were with this theatre in the variety of first run, Hollywood, foreign art and revival programming. When I get back to NY it distresses how few theatres are left on the East Side and though multiplexes and advance booking serve their purpose, it was a lot more fun when you used to line up for hours on a cold night around the block at the Beekman, the Cinema 1 or the Sutton.
For the record, from those lists I was there for South Pacific, Laurel & Hardy's Roaring Twenties, The Two of Us, The Maltese Bippy, Lady L, The Liquidator, Z, The Confession, The Sorrow and the Pity, Little Murders (and I'm sure Paper Chase not Brewster McCloud), The Exorcist,Animal House, The Milagro Beanfield War, When Harry Met Sally, Mad Max 2 The Road Warrior, Clean and Sober and probably a few more

Thanks to both Davebazooka and AAlvarez for the great documentation of the Beekman. Always one of the premiere theaters in NYC. Spent much time in there. Some of the films I saw include Two Lane Blacktop, Slapshot, An Unmarried Woman, Magic, Roadie, Pope of Greenwich Village, Play It At It Lays, Stakeout, Stay As You Are, Frances, Bite The Bullet, Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade,Empire of The Sun and Always.

You're very welcome. Here are two final images, January 21, 2006:
I believe that is the the last vestige of the raked floor of the balcony, at the rear wall of the site:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanRuins.jpg


Gone. The trees that flanked the Beekman entrance remain.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanGone.jpg

Thanks Dave... you've done a tremendous job documenting the final days of this once great neighborhood cinema - from beloved upper east side fixture to vacant shell to forlorn parcel of rubble. A sad tale to be sure, but one that needed to be recorded nonetheless.

JohnG409... The Maltese Bippy, huh? I've always wondered if the success of Laugh-In did much to help that Rowan and Martin flick do much business. Do you recall if there was much of a crowd when you saw it?

And don't answer "You bet your sweet Bippy!"

Say goodnight, Dick.

A January 12 post above says the Loews State is now closed, but it is stilll listed with movies on Loews site as of today. Same post says Regal will operate Loews E-Walk. Is that mere speculation? Besides Clearview, there are other companies such as National Amusements or Crown that are in the general region that could do so.

As to the Beekman demolition photos, yes, thanks, Dave, for the photos of this sad story.

EdSolero... That was SethLewis who say The Maltese Bippy.See the posting just before mine.

howardbhaas. I made an error with the closing of the state that will close at the end of the month. As for the e-walk i work for loew's and the sale to regal is going on> It looks like unless something changes it will be regal. as of jann 27 Amc will take over loew's and for the first time in 102 years, there will be no loew's theaters

past the site where the beekman used to be, SAD VERY SAD

Over on e-Bay till Feb. 7th. someone is selling the Beekman Theatre's front door Art-Deco pull & push hardware. It is item #7586678750

At least the winning bidder will enjoy its classic chrome hardware, rather then feeding it to the landfill. It's great that it was rescued! ENJOY a piece of the cherishable Beekman!!!

Thanks for the clarification, Astrocks.
As to the Beekman, I photographed the Art Moderne hardware, in the interior, too, and I hoped somebody salvaged it.
I'm gonna miss the Beekman!

howardbhaas. We all will miss it. But at least we saw it think of all those who will only read about it we are the lucky ones. and i'm proud to say i was once a manager of the BEEKMAN! Also the state is now closed.

I think when Sony first took over Loews they also changed all the names to SONY for a while, so Loews has been missing from the New York scene before.

Hi William: Thank you for the info re the Beekman door-pulls up for auction on eBay. Winning bidder here! I feel honored to own this piece of the lovely lost Beekman. I am amazed that no one salvaged the beautiful chrome doors that separated the ticket lobby from the interior. More fodder for the landfill. I wonder what became of the exterior logo from the top of the facade. Maybe it's in the landfill too. :-(

alalvarez, although sony took over the loews name was still being used, now it will just be amc

Sony changed the names of the Loews theaters to Sony, then as Sony (of Japan) sold their movie theater chain and new company merged with Cineplex Odeon, the Loews names returned to the theaters.

AMC has said maybe there will be a use for Loews name somewhere.

Congrats davebazooka on your win. It's great to see it go to a good home.

Thanks! It will be well cared for. Good lord maybe I should insure it!!

Hi Dave! Congratulations to you. You deserve this prized possession!!! Quite a conversation piece! Out of curiosity, how do you plan on displaying or incorporating it into your home? It would be unique to have pieces of several regretfully demolished theaters, present in one's home.

Hi Dave! Much congratulations, it's great that part of the Beekman will stay in the family

Thank you everyone! I am not sure yet how I will display them. Someone at the office saw them and said they would make beautiful towel racks. Good grief! I think not.

I have been designing a HUGE armoire to house my gigantic TV and a stereo, DVD player, etc...as well many DVDs and VHS tapes, and the design includes two big doors for the front of the piece which will hide the general disorganized appearance of it all, plus conceal the TV itself (I think TVs and entertainment centers are ugly). The Beekman door-pulls would be perfect for the front, and even the reverse "PUSH" sides would be there, and when the doors are opened for TV viewing they would be visible. Of course there is no way I would damage the door-pulls with varnish or anything, I would install them way after any stain dries. I am going to leave them as they are, I love the chipped vintage appearance.

I picked the door-pulls up this morning from the seller and carried them through the subways to work and they are IMMENSELY HEAVY!! Now I have to carry them home...my whole body will probably get a hernia. It would be worth it!

The seller told me he has another set of Beekman door-pulls but they are damaged. I did not see them. They might appear on eBay, anyone interested should keep checking!

What a superb idea & concept!

The Beekman in the nineties...
01/26/90 STRIKE IT RICH
02/16/90 REVENGE
03/09/90 COUPE DE VILLE
03/30/90 OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
04/13/90 THE GODS MUST BE CRAZY II
05/04/90 CHATTAHOOCHEE
05/18/90 BIRD ON A WIRE
06/29/90 GHOST DAD
07/27/90 PROBLEM CHILD
08/17/90 WILD AT HEART
09/14/90 POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE
11/09/90 THE KRAYS
12/07/90 THE GRIFTERS
12/14/90 HAVANA
01/18/91 ONCE AROUND
03/15/91 TRUE COLORS
04/12/91 IMPROMPTU
05/24/91 ONLY THE LONELY
06/14/91 BACKDRAFT
07/19/91 BILL & TED'S BOGUS JOURNEY
08/02/91 CITY SLICKERS
08/16/91 THE COMMITMENTS
08/30/91 BLACK ROBE
10/11/91 AT PLAY IN THE FIELDS OF THE LORD
02/28/92 UNDER SUSPICION
04/10/92 THE PLAYER
07/10/92 THE BEST INTENTIONS
08/14/92 SINGLE WHITE FEMALE
09/18/92 HUSBANDS AND WIVES
11/13/92 A FEW GOOD MEN
03/05/93 RICH IN LOVE
04/16/93 UNFORGIVEN
04/30/93 THE PICKLE
05/14/93 BENNY & JOON
06/25/93 SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE
08/27/93 MANHATTAN MURDER MYSTERY
10/01/93 A BRONX TALE
11/12/93 THE PIANO
12/31/93 SHADOWLANDS
03/11/94 GUARDING TESS
04/15/94 NAKED IN NEW YORK
06/17/94 WOLF
08/26/94 NATURAL BORN KILLERS
09/30/94 MY FAIR LADY
10/07/94 PULP FICTION
12/23/94 LEGENDS OF THE FALL
02/24/95 BULLETS OVER BROADWAY
03/10/95 MURIEL'S WEDDING
04/07/95 ROB ROY
05/19/95 FORGET PARIS
07/07/95 FIRST KNIGHT
08/11/95 A WALK IN THE CLOUDS
09/29/95 STEAL BIG, STEAL LITTLE
10/13/95 STRANGE DAYS
10/27/95 LEAVING LAS VEGAS
11/17/95 CASINO
12/29/95 12 MONKEYS
02/16/96 CITY HALL
03/22/96 JACK AND SARAH
03/29/96 A FAMILY THING
04/12/96 GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER
04/26/96 THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS AND DOGS
06/14/96 STEALING BEAUTY
08/02/96 EMMA
10/11/96 MICHAEL COLLINS
12/27/96 MICHAEL
02/07/97 HOTEL DE LOVE
02/14/97 TOUCH
02/28/97 SMILLA'S SENSE OF SNOW
04/11/97 PARADISE ROAD
05/02/97 THE COMMANDMENTS
05/16/97 ANNA KARENINA
05/30/97 TIL THERE WAS YOU
06/27/97 BRASSED OFF
08/01/97 PICTURE PERFECT
08/22/97 A SMILE LIKE YOURS
09/19/97 closed?
10/24/97 IN THE COMPANY OF MEN/ MRS. BROWN
11/07/97 WINGS OF THE DOVE
03/06/98 THE BIG LEBOWSKI
04/03/98 THE BUTCHER BOY
05/22/98 FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS
07/24/98 I WENT DOWN
07/31/98 EVER AFTER
09/18/98 ONE TRUE THING
10/09/98 THE MIGHTY
11/13/98 MEET JOE BLACK
12/11/98 CELEBRITY
12/25/98 THE THEORY OF FLIGHT
01/08/99 LITTLE VOICE
02/19/99 OCTOBER SKY
03/26/99 SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
04/02/99 COOKIE'S FORTUNE
05/07/99 THE MUMMY
06/11/99 THE RED VIOLIN
08/06/99 THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR
09/17/99 AMERICAN BEAUTY
12/31/99 THE HURRICANE

Please read the following from the Friends of the Upper East Side site:

Cinemas Facing Eviction and Demolition
For Immediate Release: January 7, 2005

Two of New York’s pre-eminent post-World War II art film houses and significant examples of modern architecture on the Upper East Side are scheduled to close. Cinema I II at 1001 3rd Avenue (Abraham W. Geller & Associates with Ben Schlanger, consulting theater architect: 1962), and the Beekman Theater at 1258 Second Avenue (1952: Architects: Fellheimer & Wagner, et al) face heavy alterations and possible demolition. On March 29, 2002 FRIENDS (of the Upper East Side) submitted a Request for Evaluation to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the theaters, strongly recommending the commission to hold a hearing to designate the theaters. Shortly thereafter, we received a letter of strong interest from the LPC in considering these buildings for designation. The Landmarks Preservation Commission has not acted since.

My response: Typical of the LPC! The Beekman Theater, a prime example of mid-century modernism on the Upper East Side, has now been demolished. Cinema 1 & 2 is now extensively altered, and looks like a blank canvas. Also, if you search the LPC archives on their site, they're designating less & less on a monthly basis. With all these prime examples recently demolished, and a decrease in designations, it makes me wonder... Are we backtracking to the Penn Station era?

Yes, we are returning to a time when the interests of the rich, and big business, take precedence over all things cultural in NYC. The only difference seems to lie in the attitude. Though Pennsylvania Station was a terrible loss, its destruction, related to greed, came after two decades of a genuine confidence and true (if naive) hope for a bright future. In that time, New Yorkers were willing to believe that perhaps whatever replaced the Station might possible be better (what a joke). The current trends are pure greed and nothing more. No hopefulness, no brighter future for the city, no thoughts that something better might replace the lost monuments...just pure, blind greed. New Yorkers vote more and more for the interests of the wealthy...this is the result.

Very true. I agree entirely. Sadly, this is a reality. If & when those responsible do wake up, it just might be too late! :( GREED! GREED! GREED! A disaster!!!

How is your prized Beekman-inspired armoire turning out? Please tell me if it would be possible to share a photo with us when it's all complete.

Have had it designed since last summer but have not begun building it. I have some of the lumber but still have to work out some of the meaurements before buying the rest of it. I originally designed the armoire with the intention of finding art deco-style door-pulls similar to the Beekman's...little did I know that I would eventually obtain an actual set! They are so massively heavy that my new dilemma is finding hinges that will support the weight of the armoire doors once the door-pulls are installed. When I solve the problem and comstruct the armoire I will definitely post a pic for you! :-)

Hi! Sounds as if you have a fulfilling & unique project ahead of you. I hope you are able to find hinges that support its weight. I'm looking forward to seeing the photo. I appreciate it! Thanks!!! Good luck! :)

I passed by the theater site a couple of days ago, they had also destroyed the corner building which was a bank, they demolished the entire section up to the corner. It's all boarded up now. Even though I knew about it, it was still very disillusioning to actually see it in person. I'm sure another monsterousity high rise is going up in it's place.

A hospital that could have been built someplace else, is slated to rise in its place. Extremely sad!

As part of the Rugoff & Becker circuit (July, 1958):
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/rb70558.jpg

I didn't go here often, but do remember seeing THE PLAYER here on its original run and remember the line was 'round the block as they used to say. With the rise of the multi-plexes you don't often see movie lines snaking down sidewalks any longer.

I'm not 100% sure I saw it here, but the last time I was in the Beekman may have been back in '99 for THE RED VIOLIN, but I'm not 100% certain I caught it at the Beekman because TRV also played at Lincoln Plaza & UA's 14th Street 'plex.

There are some gaps in AAlvarez' list and I know the Irish film I WENT DOWN played there on 7/1/98, though I'm not sure I caught it at the Beekman because it also played at City Cinemas Village East 'plex.

I definitely saw 12 MONKEYS here back on original release in '95 because when I saw it on 12/29/95 it must have been playing exclusively at the Beekman when it first opened. I also must have seen SHADOWLANDS here (not on AAlvarez' list) which must have opened exclusively at the Beekman when I saw it on 1/7/94.

Hardbop, they are all there but on the dates they opened.

The script neon marque signs now adorn the interior of the Greenport Long Island Theater's auditorium: http://www.greenporttheater.com/

Well... at least they found a good home and didn't wind up in some dumpster or garbage heap broken to shards. Thanks for sharing, Marty.

Retired to the suburbs, like so many other Manhattanites!

I'm posting nice movie material that are also mostly for sale.
http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n94/irajoel/

you can also view my entire inventory at
www.cinemagebooks.com
I have over 5,000 items including many books in non-film such as
gay and lesbian, African American, posters, graphic design, fiction, poetry and much more.
posted by ij on Jul 23, 2006 at 1:52pm

Just clicked on the Beekman as CT's featured theater and was sorry to learn that it had been demolished. Back in '71, a college buddy and I caught that strange and offbeat little movie starring singers James Taylor and Dennis Wilson, "Two-Lane Blacktop." I'm also reasonably certain I saw "The Exorcist" there as well.

In the late '90s in North Hollywood, the still very trim and attractive star of that latter movie provided an 8x10 glossy of a scene from that film and signed the following autograph for my (late) son, already a movie critic at age 15 for his high school paper:

"Dear Greg,
You make my head spin!
Love, Linda Blair"

Greg's smile of appreciation lit up the room.

A friend recently went to that wonderful vacation-spot, the Isle of Long, and when she returned brought me a brochure from the Greenport Theatre. Looking through it, lo and behold, was a picture of an auditorium with the Beekman marquee signatures hanging on the wall. While I personally feel they would look much better hanging on the front of the New York Twin, I guess we shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth - at least SOMETHING was saved and used SOMEWHERE. I scanned the photo and put it on my photobucket page
http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/dave-bronx/New%20York%20Theatres/Beekman/?action=view¤t=beekgport.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch9
There are a few photos of the actual Beekman there also that were taken by davebazooka, I hope he doesn't mind.

Are the neon Beekman signs actually lit up on each side of the theatre screen?

Yes, it appears that they changes the white neon tubing to [gasp!] pink (and I thought Cineplex was dead).

PINK seems to be the in color! lol

BTW, these are probably the signs from the marquee, since the one from above the windows apparently went down with the ship...

1975 Billy Jack
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13/ChmnofBrd/Movie%20Ads/1975porn.jpg

On St. Patrick's Day 2007 I went by the site of the erstwhile Beekman and took 3 pictures of the new construction. I was cynical and all set to find a placard advertising the new center plus a luxury tower above it, but looks like it will be a purely medical facility after all.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/OldBeekmanSite.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/OldBeekmanSite2.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/OldBeekmanSite3.jpg

At least they left the sidewalk trees intact. Probably city property.

Oh Oh The Beekman 1 and 2 across the street from this thaetre is now "CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS" . Is this also going to be shuttered?

The Beekman 1 and 2 is no longerr listed on the Clearview Site!

All this for a breast & imaging center that could have opened elsewhere. The next thing we know, they'll buy up every space on the Upper East Side. The Beekman should have been landmarked, but Chairman Robert Tierney is lackadaisical & tardy as usual. Shame on all the culprits!

In the late summer of 1972, the Beekman hosted a festival of New York Times' "10 Best Films of the Year" for the previous 10 years or so. I saw "Blow-Up", "8 1/2", "Belle de Jour" and a documentary on women's roller derby (yes!) called "Derby" - which I guess Vincent Canby had liked a lot!

According to an article in the November 2007 issue of New York Construction, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Breast Imaging Center being built on the block where the Beekman once stood will house "imaging and radiology, diagnostic and testing, medical and surgical oncology, infusion and chemotherapy, psycho-social programs, mechanical and environmental services and ground-floor retail." Somehow I think it's safe to presume that the "ground-floor retail" won't include a movie theatre of any type to replace a certain beloved and now-lost neighborhood cinema...

Here is a photo of the Beekman Theater.

Thanks for that photo of a wonderful old lost nabe moviehouse. I love that one set of those door-pulls visible in the image are now in my living room on the trunk I use as a coffee table:


http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/BeekmanDoorPulls.jpg


They are just too enormous and heavy to put onto a piece of furniture like a TV armoire. Their weight would either pull the armoire over or tear the doors right off.

Hi Dave, Thank you very much for preserving the door-pulls of the Beekman Theater, which was touched by so many. I commend you for reusing it as a centerpiece. Thanks for sharing!

- Michael

Very welcome, Michael!

-Dave

BEEKMAN 1st-run movie list from late 2001-2005

11/30/01- Behind Enemy Lines
12/21/01- A Beautiful Mind
5/3/02- Hollywood Ending
5/17/02- About A Boy
6/21/02- Minority Report
TBA 2002- My Big Fat Greek Wedding
8/9/02- The Good Girl
9/20/02- The Banger Sisters
10/25/02- The Truth About Charlie
11/22/02- The Emperor's Club
12/19/02- Antwone Fisher
1/31/03- The Guru
2/21/03- The Life of David Gale
4/25/03- It Runs in the Family
5/16/03- Down with Love
6/13/03- Hollywood Homicide
7/2/03- Swimming Pool
7/25/03- Seabiscuit
8/20/03- Thirteen
9/26/03- Under the Tuscan Sun
10/24/03- Radio
11/26/03- In America
12/19/03- Calendar Girls
2/6/04- The Dreamers
3/12/04- Secret Window
4/16/04- Connie and Carla
4/30/04- Godsend
5/19/04- Shrek 2
6/18/04- The Terminal
7/16/04- De-Lovely
8/6/04- Collateral
9/17/04- Wimbledon
10/22/04- I Heart Huckabees
11/12/04- Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
12/25/04- The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
1/14/05- In Good Company
3/18/05- Melinda and Melinda
4/22/05- The Interpreter

To the wonderful BEEKMAN, thank you for 53 magnificent years

R.I.P. BEEKMAN 1952-2005

Although a sumptuous showplace, few among the roster of films listed during the theater's last five years were especially edgy or cutting edge, and paled in comparison to the distinguished bookings of the 60's & 70's. Shrek 2 could be seen in dozens of multiplexes, but movies like In the Mood were fewer and far between.

Beautiful theater. One of the real losses among the art houses.

I remember that the theatre also appeared in Woody's Crimes and Misdemeanors. Buster (the Phil Collins film where he's a train robber) was on the marquee.

And Al: on your list, I believe that The Mystery Of Kaspar Hauser and Every Man For Himself and God Against All is the same film but a different title. Both were used for Werner Herzog's fantastic film now known in the US as The Enigma Of Kaspar Hauser.

Good point, KingBiscuits. I never realized that. It must have changed names mid-run.

I don't know if these photos have been posted before.

Here are 13 photos dated April 1952 from the Library of Congress.

Click "Next" at the top of the page to view the other photos.

Here is an updated link for the Library of Congress photos. Enjoy it while it lasts.

This pre-opening ad from April 27, 1952, credits the builders and sub-contractors, but not the architect. Perhaps the Beekman designed itself?
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/beekman52.jpg

Those builders and contractors listed in the advertisement paid for the privilege, and the film paid for their ad placement. Rugoff & Becker, who owned the theatre, paid nothing. McNamara, the theatre architect, apparently opted out. That is the way it was done back in the day. Today, they just buy a little 3" ad in the Voice, put a title on the marquee, turn on the lights and unlock the door, and call that a 'Grand Opening'.

Lost Memory thanks for reposting that link, I remember it from years back on this immense thread. The pics can be seen by going to:

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html

Once at this main page, key in Beekman Theatre under Search All Collections at the upper right, and the list of images comes up. They are beautiful B&W images.

For some reason the direct links to the LOC don't last very long. Sometimes you have to post the main link and have people search for the photos. This is one of those times.

Passed by here today. Here is the building that replaced the Beekman:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/NewMedicalBuilding.jpg

More hospital space in an area long ago over-saturated with hospitals. They had to take the Beekman block because apparently there aren't enough ancient rat-infested tenement buildings worthy of demolition over on 1st Ave.

The legal problems of challenging multiple tenants' apartment leases was probably daunting, so they opted to end a couple of commercial leases instead of many residential ones.

Banks, hospitals, and Rite-Aids abound in NYC while the commercial diversity I remember from decades ago is long gone. If you aren't a chain store with million-dollar backing, good luck finding retail space. But we just keep on worshiping the wealthy developers and giving them whatever they want! A bland, mall-like city will be the ultimate result.

New York City has to be the only place in the world where residential tenants have more rights to a property than the property owner. Anywhere else a tenants right to occupy a particular property ends with expiration of the lease for the demised premises. Upon the expiration of said lease, the property owner may offer a renewal but is not obligated to do so.

Google search exactly
Boxoffice November 22, 1952
and insert 162 and 170 for photos of Beekman foyer, including 1st from inside the auditorium!
Many other theaters have photos in this section, which I'm not posting but other people may wish to.

Renewing link.

A 1986 image.

http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=beekman&ProductID=30933

Great image of the Beekman!