Republic Theatre

The RKO Republic Theatre was located at 402 Keap Street and it seated 2625 people.

The Republic was built by the S&S Circuit (Small & Strausberg), with Eugene DeRosa as architect. The theatre occupied an entire block, with the auditorium built on a diagonal to the entrance/lobby to get the maximum number of seats. The seating capacity was originally 3,100, but reduced to about 2,600 when the Republic switched to movies only in the 1930s. The Republic first opened on October 27, 1921, with six acts of vaudeville and the movie "Clay Dollars." Due to tough competition from Keith's Bushwick and Loew's Gates (which opened soon after it), the independently owned Republic floundered until 1928, when S&S sold all its theatres to William Fox during his mad buying spree to dominate the Greater New York area. With Fox doing the vaudeville booking, the Republic was just beginning to prosper when its new owner went bankrupt and lost his entire empire.
In the re-organization that followed, the Republic landed under the management of the Randforce circuit, which dropped vaudeville in favor of double features. In 1937, the theatre was "streamlined" and shifted to RKO management to create a classier image for it (RKO Theatres owned 15% of Metropolitan Playhouses, the holding company which took over all the former Fox Theatres). In 1948, the Republic was returned to the Randforce banner because RKO had to divest some theatres to comply with the federal anti-trust action against it. With the onset of television, the Randforce Republic struggled on for only a few more years before being sold for demolition. It was replaced by a gasoline station/repair garage. Photographs of the Republic in its original condition can be found in the September 1922 issue of Architecture Magazine.

After some refurbishing, this former Randforce house re-opened as the RKO Republic on September 1, 1937. That evening, 10,000 people turned out for a "gala" staged on a temporary platform built in front of the theatre. Newspaper columnist Hy Gardner emceed the event, which featured guest appearances by young movie star Bobby Breen, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Roy Smeck, radio's "Uncle Don," Fifi D'Orsay, Lillian Roth, Benny Leonard, and Jolly Gillette.

I remember it when I was 7 years old in 1949. On Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. the doors open allowing the half block long of kids in to see one hour long movie plus 15 or 20 cartoons and finally had some of the kids go on stage to play a game of musical chairs for prizes. The whole thing took about 4 hours, all for a .26 cent admission. If you had a birthday that week, you just walked into the managers office with any proof and received a gift. The stage was huge. They put in cinamascope in 1954 with 4 equally spaced speakers behind the screen and we marveled at hearing a actor going from left to right with the speakers following. Both sides of the stage had a large frame, probably where a person changed the card when they had vaudeville. It had 3 balconeys but the top was always closed because it's heyday had passed. The only bad thing is, it never had air conditioning, just many large fans and we tried to sit in an area to catch the breeze.
Posted by Stan of Dallas Texas on Dec 19, 2004

Here's a July, 1943 ad for RKO's Brooklyn-Queens theatres, plus one in Manhattan:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/133-3399_IMG.jpg

Warren
Would you happen to know why RKO dropped the Midway? Such a busy house I always wondered.

Republic theatres operated a theatre in New York. I guess this wasnt it. Seems Republic didnt get playdates in New York, so Herbert J Yates got his own theatre. Any one know anything about that theatre.Was mention in Jack Mathis book Republic Confidental

What rubbish! Republic Pictures never operated this theatre, though some Republic releases played there over the years. You obviously have the theatre confused with the theatre on the east side of Broadway between 51st and 52nd Streets that was originally known as the Piccadilly and later had Republic as a name. For about two years in the 1940s, it was the Broadway showcase for Republic releases. I believe that Republic's "Atlantic City" was the first to open there. I posted more details about it at the Piccadilly site, but I'm not sure what name the theatre is listed under...But forget about the Brooklyn Republic having a corporate connection with Republic Pictures. The theatre opened as the Republic in the early 1920s, long before Republic Pictures even existed!

Dear Warren, I went to the Republic therater on Keap Street and Grand Street when I was a kid in the 1950's growing up in Williamsburgh Brooklyn. There was a Republic Bagel Place across the street from the movie. After the movie on a Saturday afternoon we would buy bagels to bring home. They boiled them right in fromt of you. It was great going to the R&F as we called it. We saw many first run movies there. Let me know where I can get a picture of the old place outside marquee. There is a Shell Gas Station there now, where the movie stood. Loved going to the movie there. Anniegirl louieb's wife.
posted by louieb on Apr 19th 2006

I'm still longing for a translation of "R&F." The "R" might have stood for Republic, but the "F"?

Dear Warren, I truly do not know when we were kids we used to call it the R&F. I haven't a clue what it stands for. If there is anyone my age out there who can answer Warren, Please do. Anniegirl.
posted by louieb on Apr 19, 2006

Warren I got it maybe it means Randforce R&F???????????? Anniegirl.
Posted by louieb on Apr 19, 2006

I haven't a clue. While Randforce did run the Republic at times, it was best known as the RKO Republic during its affiliation with that circuit. I've never heard Randforce called "R&F," but I suppose it's possible if someone thought the name was two words ("Rand" and "Force") instead of one.

Warren,
I really do not know. I only know that I and my friends used to call ot the R&F. We used to go to the Commodore and R&F on Saturday's in the 50's. Besides the Williamsburgh Theater, which was a horrible
movie theater clean wise, we went to the Republic. Annegirl. posted by louieb on Apr 20th 2006

I've posted a query about the meaning of "R&F" at The Brooklyn Board discussion group. Perhaps someone will reply.

Ok warren I will be looking foward to a reply. Anniegirl. posted by louieb in Apr. 20 2006

R&F apparently was a local abbreviation for the Randforce circuit. If you break down the first part of the word "Randforce," you can get "R and F." R&F probably did not have any alternate meanings. For example, the T&D Theatre in Oakland, CA, was named for the Turner & Dahnken circuit, but localites also called it the "Tough & Dirty." I doubt if that was the case for "R&F," but I suppose it's possible.

The status should be changed to "closed/demolished." The Republic was torn down decades ago to make way for a gasoline station which occupies the entire site, even though much of it is just paved-over ground.

have you seen the site Warren. There is a Shell gas station there now. Anniegirl. posted by louieb Apr 23 2006

I saw the site about ten years ago, when I went to confirm whether the Republic still existed or not. It came as a shock, especially since most of the site was then just ground, with only a small building for the office/garage and some gas pumps. It's possible that more has been built on the site since, but I don't intend to return to find out.

I don't blame you I would never like to go there again. I want to remember the old place the way it was. Anniegirl
posted by louieb on Apr 25, 2006

I pass this by almost every day. It is a rather large Shell station with some space for parked cars and some wasted space. I do not remember it as a theater (but I do remember hearing about it) so it must have been torn down by the early 1960's. I do remember its namesake bagel place across the street, which did sell great hot bagels. If I remember right, they only sold by the (bakers)dozen, but my Dad and I would each eat a hot salt bagel on the way home (even better than soft pretzels).

You bet it was great I was a child of 10 12 13 14 15 going to the R&F on Saturday's. Republic Bagels was directly across the street. Loved the hot bagels on the way home from the movies. yes even better than pretzels. Anniegirl
posted by noeleanniegirl May 1 2006

This 1947 ad shows a remarkable number of RKO theatres-- 19 in all-- presenting vaudeville, even though it was for one evening only on the slowest night of the week:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/rkovaude.jpg

Dear Warren. Anniegirl here your i8 photobucket is not available now. and neither is the R&f (republic theater) sad to say. I will look for more of your listings. Thanks Anniegirl

Anniegirl, I have just returned the 9/2/06 image for a "limited engagement." Enjoy!

Thanks Warren. I will be on-line all week and my Birthday is Thursday Sept 21st. I printed the Photobucket for my projects. Anniegirl

Soon after the close of the Republic, the premier showcase booking system was introduced, which had fatal implications for the downtown B'klyn & Times Sq. movie palaces. Although the Republic would have been a likely showcase venue, in its absence that role was played by the Grand Theater, a small subrun house, north of Graham Ave. Odd that Randforce did not position either the Commodore or the Rainbow to fill in.

Dear Astyanax anniegirl here, I have been taking to Ligg about the Rainbow theater on graham ave. It's up for sale for 15 Million. can u imagine that 15 Million. Ligg says that the lobby has been completly restored. Go on the site for either the Rainbow or the Commodore and read the remarks. Pretty interesting stuff, considering the commodore is about to be totally torn down to nothing ness. anniegirl

Photo of Republic circa 1920's:
http://brooklynpix.com/photoframex1.php?photo=/photo1/W/wburg47.jpg&key=WBURG%2047

Dear J.F. Lundy that is a great pic of the Republic. Me and my friends spent many a Saturday at the movies and the Republic Bagels across the street. After the movie was over, we would go to the Bagel place and buy a dozen and bring them home. My Mom loved the Hot bagels and sometimes serve them with Dinner. UMMMMMMMMM. The republic would be a great place to see first run movies. My Aunt's and Uncle's would go at night to the Republic and see some great Movies, instead of Traveling to Downtown Brooklyn or New York City.
Thats for the pic.......Anniegirl

Before the Republic closed, I also remeber going to a Ice Cream Parlor which was on Grand Street and Union Ave. You had to walk up 2 or 3 steps to enter the place, but I forgot the name. Maybe the Grand Ice Cream Parlor????? I can't remember. oh well thanks for the pic again J.F. Anniegirl

You are most welcome Anniegirl. Happy you liked the photo.

In the autumn of 1948, Columbia's first "Superman" serial proved so popular with kids that RKO nabes showed the latest episode not only at Saturday matinees but also "after school" from Wednesday through Friday: www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/super48.jpg

Dear Warren, I clicked on the Marquee and did not find Superman. I must be Blind or something. Anniegirl

Dear Warren, I clicked on the Marquee and did not find Superman. I must be Blind or something. I see Mr. peabody and the Mermaid. But where is Superman? Anniegirl

The Superman serial ad was not on the marquee, but in the bottom of the ad. Im from the west coast, and rko pantages (los angeles) ran the serial matinees only. I thought it was neat, a serial making the first run houses.

The "Superman" link shows an ad of an RKO circuit booking. I didn't post a photo of the Republic Theatre's marquee. The Republic is only one of numerous theatres listed in the ad.

Thanks Warren for the info. I remember the ad.s in the newspaper. Me and my friends used to check out the paper to see what was playing for the Saturday trip to the local moviehouse namely The Commodore, Marcy, Republic (R&F)or the Williamsburgh (UH) nasty moviehouse.Annuiegirl

Does anyone know the exact year when the Republic closed? I pass by this site often and never knew till recently that there was a movie house there, along with several residential dwellings.

The Republic's last listing in Film Daily Year Books was in the 1965 edition, so I would guess that it closed around that time. In its final years, it was operated by Randforce after RKO withdrew.

Thank you Warren.

I viewed JF Lundy's picture of the Republic posted on February 15, 2007, and was impressed with the design of the exterior,and its somewhat conservative style. According to the heading, Republic's architect was Eugene DeRosa, the same designer of the fabled RKO Madison on Myrtle ave. The design does not resemble Madison's in any way,so I'm wondering what the interior looked like, if it resembles any other venue (Madison's and the Capitol's were similar)or has its own style.Furthermore, Repulic's lot is triangular,the building appears rectangular, allowing other buildings to adjoin its lot.Two memorable triangular shaped building's stand in my mind after seeing this configuration,RKO Bushwick and non theater Flatiron building.

A photo of the non theater Flatiron building,a landmark, which is a triangular shaped building, located in Manhattan at Broadway and 23 st.
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb60/panzer65/flatiron-building.jpg

Dear Warren, When did Randiforce take over the Republic? In 1965, I was still living in Williamsburgh and still going to that moviehouse..but I cannot remember when it closed..any details in your investigation of the demise of this theater....anniegirl

Here's a rare 1922 view of the Republic's auditorium, taken from the center of the balcony seating. I don't know how much of the decor was changed when RKO took over in 1937 and did some "modernizing":www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/republic22.jpg

Warren,
Thank you for your reply and photo of Republic's original interior.In comparison to Madison and Capitol,this theater does share the domed ceiling, and opera box configurations. But the one feature that really sets this theater apart, is the somewhat vaulted ceiling that starts at the proscenium and then sweeps up into the dome, giving the chandelier its character.
I appreciate the photo Warren, my curiosity about Republic has been satisfied, thanks to your vast theater knowledge.

You're quite welcome. Unfortunately, in the photo, the outline of the chandelier hides a view of what was probably a mural in the encircled space above the proscenium arch.

Warren, I did notice that the space above the proscenium arch is blocked, thanks for pointing that out, however, I did notice that the stage curtain has either a seal or the Republic's logo on top. Also the top portion of the two sides of the opera boxes , which appear to be either a facade or a curtain of some type also have the same seal or logo. The one on the right looks a lot like the presidential seal.
Since the theater's name is Republic, is it possible they represent a theme resembling these seals or logos?.

The decoration at the top of the curtain is probably the theatre's emblem, with either an R or two Rs back-to-back at the center. But it could also be the emblem of the S&S circuit, which was quite well-known to the public in those days. The photo isn't clear enough for me to say exactly.

The theatre's last day under RKO management was November 7th, 1949. Here's an ad showing the final double bill of "Under Capricorn" and "The Big Cat": www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/lastrko.jpg

RKO had been operating the Republic under lease from the Randforce circuit since 1937. The theatre reverted to Randforce on November 8th, 1949, but continued to play day-and-date with the same RKO Brooklyn theatres. The first program under Randforce was "The Undercover Man" and "The Doolins of Oklahoma."

Dear Warren, read my script from 9-25..any thoughts on when the Republic closed its doors?????anniegirl

The Randforce Republic has its last listing in Film Daily Year Books in the 1965 edition, which covered the events of 1964 and was published in the spring of 1965. So I suspect that the Randforce Republic closed in 1964, with a slight possiblity of early 1965 while the 1965 FDYB was going through final editing before being sent to press. To find an exact closing date for the Republic won't be easy, because Randforce was very chintzy about advertising, rarely ran ads for the entire circuit, and usually relied on directory listings (and not for every theatre). The closing date will probably only be found through sheer luck or provided by someone who actually worked at the Republic or attended on the final day.

Warren,
Thank you for your reply concerning Republic's interior.

Thanks Warren...anniegirl

Thanks Warren for the 9/22 photo of the interior. Was there several times in the early 60's but did not get to appreciate the sumptuous details of the architecture. As noted several times before, the Randforce group was notorious for penny-pinching, but I'm sure that the upkeep of a 40 year old structure was probably prohibitive. They didn't even have the foresight to book the theatre as a premier showcase outlet, a distinction that went to the rinky-dink Grand Theater several blocks north. Such a stategy could have kept the Republic open for several more years.

Dear Astyanax, How true about leaving the Republic as a "Neighborhood Moviehouse". I went there as a kid on Saturday's when the Commodore was not showing any great movies....The Republic was to me a local moviehouse, not like the Metropolitan on Fulton Street..To me the Met was a High Class moviehouse. And the Paramount was also, The Fox reminded me of a regular Moviehouse and the RKO Albee was a Side Street on Albee Square Moviehouse..Go Figure.Anniegirl

This ad from November 25th, 1949, is the first that I've been able to find for the Republic after it switched from RKO to Randforce management earlier that month. And I think it only happened because the penny-pinching Randforce circuit got a free ride in an ad paid for by RKO Radio Pictures, which released both movies. More than 100 theatres under various managements are mentioned in this ad for a Thanksgiving holiday booking. I've enlarged the Brooklyn portion to show all the theatres participating in that borough. The Randforce Republic continued to play day-and-date with the same Brooklyn theatres as it did as the RKO Republic:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/thanks49.jpg
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/thanks49a.jpg

Dear Warren,

I guess the Randiforce Circut was as cheap as Delancy Street Vendors.....Anniegirl

Here's a new direct link to a 1922 view of the Republic's auditorium:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/republic22.jpg

Thanks Warren for the interior look of my old hangout.......anniegirl

What a fascinating theater! I had absolutely no idea that such a major movie palace once existed here. The fact that the site now hosts a gas station is just awful.

I would hope that CT will add the 11211 zip code - which is definately the correct one - to this page. Unless this is done, too many other viewers will miss this terrific page.

Thanks site manager for adding the zip code for this most significant theater.