Jackson Triplex Theatre

The Jackson's address is 40-31 82nd Street.

The Jackson Theatre was designed by Herbert J. Krapp and opened in the 1920s with movies only. It had no stage facilities and never presented vaudeville, though during silent days it had a resident orhestra that played accompaniment to the movies. It also never had a balcony. It was designed in the so-called "stadium" style, with a raised section of seats at the rear of the orchestra floor. It was this "stadium" section that formed the basis for the two additional auditoriums...The Jackson was originally built and operated by Grob & Knobel, a small circuit also responsible for the Boulevard Theatre in Jackson Heights and the Sunnyside Theatre (both also designed by Herbert J. Krapp). In 1928, Grob & Knobel sold all three theatres to William Fox, who lost them in bankruptcy in 1930. In a liquidation of the Fox properties, the Jackson and Boulevard were taken over by Skouras Theatres and the Sunnyside by Century. The Boulevard still stands, but turned into an Hispanic restaurant/theatre. The Sunnyside was totally demolished in the 1960s to make way for a supermarket and its parking lot.

The Jackson has switched to showing the latest Hollywood movies with Spanish sub-titles, apparently to compensate for the closing of the Plaza in Corona, which had the same policy. I feel sorry for the many residents of Jackson Heights who speak enough English that they don't require sub-titles. To see the latest American movies in their original versions, they must now travel to Astoria, Sunnyside or Forest Hills, which are the nearest communities with theatres showing them without Spanish sub-titles.

This theater had a Wurlitzer organ installed on 9/22/1924 so I would imagine that it opened around 1924.

The Jackson Triplex, the Plaza 1 & 2 in Corona, and the Ridgewood are the three properties of the Queen City mini-chain of theatres.

I cant believe that the neighborhood gave the owners a problem about adding screens to the Plaza. That area needs improvement and movie patrons spend money in areas around the theatre in restaurants and shopping. Makes no sense.

Warren,
The owners must be doing something right since they are still doing good buisness with subtitles in Spanish. I wasnt aware that the subtitles block the entire screen and would cause patrons to go elsewhere. I for one will be attending since it will help me practice for my Spanish class next semester. Are you saying that it is inapprorriate to have subtitles since Spanish, a language spoken by most of the area residents, buisness owners and patrons of the theater. Perhaps you should suggest that subtitles be removed from theaters showing foreign films as well. At foreign film festivals we can all just sit around in the dark and guess what the actors are saying.

Divinity play nice

Darling, I always play nice.

lol/ only for your 1st week play nice

Yes. it's really terrible for someone to keep a theater running by placing sub-titles at the bottom of the screen. It must be "those people" sending secrets to "their people." And get this . . . some of them don't even look like us. They MUST be up to something. Certainly this couldn't be a case of the millions of New Yorkers who speak Spanish having a pleasant evening out at the movies. Better watch out . . . the next thing they will be doing is paying taxes and keeping the city healthy!

I for one would boycott the theater if I still lived in NYC. I think this country is out of control with the Spanish issue. This is America and the Spanish population should realize that if they are going to live in the US they need to learn our language. You don't see the French or Germans or any other foreign person asking that there language be spoken.

The two smaller "screens" occupy the former stadium section of seats at the rear of the orchestra floor. The Jackson never had a traditional, over-hanging "balcony."

While I do agree with Mike to an extent, everyone should learn the language, I have no sympathy for those that feel that forms, and everythign has to be in Spanish and English. That being said, I also have to say that this happening with "Spanish" in a theater is nothing new. Spanish just happens to be the language of the most recent and major new immigrants in this country. If you go back to the early part of this century, German was the wave of immagrants, and there were lots of German speaking only theaters in the areas they settled in at the time. In Ridgewood for example, which was where a lot of them settled, the Irving (Mozart) Theater comes to mind, as well as the Wyckoff Theater, and there were plenty others too. There were also plenty of Italian speaking theaters, such as the Major Theater on Canal St before Chinatown took over Little Italy. In fact that one even became a Chinese Theater after that.
I see nothing wrong with a theater become "ethnic" if it's in a neighborhood where that ethnicity is the majority. And it's nothing new, it's been done with most major influx of immigrants, whoever they were at the time.

But to be clear I still think it's disgusting that they put Spanish and English on so many places. But that's a totally different issue.

Andy,
It is disgusting to think that in modern American society, some people still havent culturally advanced enough, to stop their fear and prejudice toward other ethnic groups. Especially in a community where South Americans and Mexicans live. The majority of them have been on the western hemisphere longer than us and survived brutal colonialism from both the Spaniards and the Americans. Mexico would probably have been more prosperous if greed hadn't driven America to steal California with its gold, Nevada with its silver, and Texas with its oil as well as Arizona and New Mexico which were all part of their empire. We are all immigrants in some way or another. Over sixty percent of the people in these groups are Spanish speaking Aztec, Mayan, Inca, and Native American decendants. Yet when they migrate north they are greeted by hate.I suppose this is a repeating pattern that always occurs when new waves of ethnic groups enter any region of North America.It happened to the waves of Irish and Italian immigrants arriving in New York at the turn of the century when help wanted signs would bear the cruel words "no Irish" or "no Italians".It happened to upper and middle class Jews who could not live on Park or Fifth Avenue and had to build a Jewish Fifth Ave (The Grand Concourse). We all know what happened to the African American community upon arrival with the evils segregation policies.
So I suppose that this might be a tradition in New York.
In this cultural melting pot we have to find a way to live together and embrace all of the colors in this rainbow that that we know as New York City.
Prejudice is taught, so unteach yourself.
Once you let go of those fears, you will be free and have love for everyone.

I don't see where the Jackson Triplex showing its films with Spanish subtitles is an issue; hell, we live in a multi-ethnic city (and a multi-ethnic nation) and part of that, along with integrating American culture into the ethnicities of everyone who calls this city and this nation home, is retaining a sense of one's culture and, above all else, a sense of personal comfort. Otherwise - and I know I may get shouted down for this and urge those who'd do the shouting to think for a moment before they do so - most of that fine line that divides our society with that of a certain European country in the 1930s and '40s would be erased...

Very well said (or written) br91975!

STOP THE MADNESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Divinity,
I think that what I consider my delicate satire has escaped you. I am more than happy when a theater remains open, paying taxes and making our city more vibrant. If they choose to run sub-titles, operate 24 hours a day or put real butter on the popcorn, it's all good. My little family of three has even chose to become bilingual, not by learning English but by learning Spanish. You picked the wrong guy. Sorry your indignation was misplaced.

Oh no Andy, I have definately got the right guy, or have you forgotten the posting you left 9 spaces up?
My indignation was made approrriately, It was your comment that was inappropriate. Although you seem to have changed your attitude on the topic.

Divinity, Andy's post above is obviously sarcasm if i have ever seen it....

It probably isn't sarcasm to "those people". Why dont we wait for one of them to view the comments and voice their opinion on the topic to determine this.

Divinity for some this NEW your not very nice.......

The building is currently owned by Sona Realty Corp. and has a market value of $3.43 million, according to NYC property records.

What's wrong with all of you? A movie theatre showing something in ANY language is better than no movie theatre at all. We go to the movies for a lot of reasons, and one of them is to broaden our horizons and "go to another world," yet we can't deal with the majority of the rest of the world, which, by the way, doesn't speak English?

The "issue" here is that the Jackson Triplex is the only mainstream movie theatre operating in a wide area including Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, Corona, and Woodside. Why should it show the latest Hollywood movies with sub-titles, regardless of what the "foreign" language might be? The sub-titles are a distraction for those who speak English. If patrons can't understand English, that's their problem. They should stay away or learn English. However, the policy would be tolerable if people in the area had another theatre to choose from, which, unfortunately, they don't.

That I agree with. I have no problem with a Spanish (or substitute any foreign language here) if it is done in a location where there are alternatives for all the English speaking people (after all, that IS OUR language). I would probably be pretty peed off if I was an English only speaking person, and lived in let's say Jackson HEights, and couldn't even go to the Triplex because of the annoying subtitles, and I would have to travel elsewhere outside of my neighborhood to see movies because of this.

I wonder the real reason the Plaza is not open again. That was the Spanish subtitle house.

Perhaps you should not visit the theatre if this bothers you so much. If the Jackson is successfully playing films for both diverse communities, it is obvious that the attendance of patrons who this would discomfort is not sought after.

Are you still talking about this move on!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE

If the Jackson Triplex trend continues, every movie theatre in the Greater New York area could end up showing the latest Hollywood movies with sub-titles to suit the "ethnic" needs of the area it's situated in.

That's how I feel about it. What's next, the Ridgewood Theater? (Owned by the same people I believe). And it's another theater not near any other theater, in a neighborhood with about 30% or so Hispanic population. Or how about make it Polish? Ridgewood is also about 30% Polish now, and they would probably appreciate a Polish theater too.

Again, I have no problem with Spanish subtitles, in a neighborhood where there is a high percentage of Spanish speaking people - but only if there is a theater nearby that still shows films in English, without subtitles, so everyone else that wants to see a movie in English, without the distraction of subtitles in another lanuage can. After all this IS an English speaking country. If the Madison Theater in Ridgewood still existed, make that the English theater, and I could care less if the Ridgewood Theater showed it in subtitles, because everyone else would still have a choice in their own neighborhood.

The same for the Triplex in Jackson Heights. It's great, let it have the subtitles....but only if there was another theater nearby that was still showing movies normally.

This has NOTHING to do with Spanish, you can fill in any language you want in it's place, and I would feel the same way.

The Jackson may find this increses their box office numbers. This house like the Ridgewood is getting pretty run down and alot of people may drive to other areas to see films. Believe it or not the psychos who owned the Westbury ran some of the Paramount titles with Spanish subtitles. Who they were trying to attract there is a mystery.

Yes, I have to admit that when I lived in Ridgewood, I would travel to other areas to see movies, once I was old enough to ride the subway, or take the bus without an adult. Not only did it make a "day" out of it, which is great when you are a kid, it was also because of the condition of the Ridgewood Theater. I haven't been in the Ridgewood since around 1990, but in the 80's the Ridgewood was a dirty, run down, stick to the floor, and get sick on the popcorn type of place. I am hoping it improved, but from what people have said it hasn't.
If the Jackson is similar in condition, why don't they just fix these places up to attract patrons? They could start with better cleaning practices, because it is easier to handle "run down" than ti handle "dirty". And it is a lot cheaper to clean than to do major renovations. It's a start.

I sometimes wonder if our society has moved beyond the days of Ellis Island when the (ethnic sounding)last names were shortened to sound more "American" and people were expected to assimilate and leave their cultures back in the old country. If you are not of British descent, the English language is not your native tongue, and if you are not of Native American descent then you are the descendant of an immigrant somewhere along the line. Over many generations some Americans have lost important ties with their cultural heritage and language. The new waves of immigrants dont have to because of venues like this theatre that cater to them as well as bilingual staff in schools, buisnesses and cultural institutions (some hosting exhibitions regarding their culture and tradition). It is a crimminal act to try and erase the culture and influence of people who reside in the U.S. since many people have lost their own. With out knowlege of ones heritage and language, there is nothing but a big empty hole in ones past. We should embrace the Spanish speaking community for preserving their customs, weaving new colors and moving new rythm into the fabric of our country.
I urge those who have no knowlege of their origins to seek it. Without knowing the truth you have no place in a world where one can easily be lost or forgotten.

English is the official language of this country, not Spanish, not Italian, not Chinese. I have nothing against people keeping their cultures (and Spanish subtitles in a theater have nothing to do with Spanish culture). If I would move to France, I would be expected to learn French. If I were to move to Germany, I would be expected to learn German. If I were to move to Spain, I would be expected to know Spanish. If someone chooses to move to another country, that is their choice. If a Polish person comes to this country, the people already here should not have to learn Polish, it's the other way around. This has nothing to do with culture, and of course everyone should hold on to their culture. However, The Jackson Heights Triplex is not a culture venue, it is a movie theater showing English movies with Spanish subtitles, in an area where there is no alternative for another theater for people that don't speak Spanish. If it was to become a Spanish heritage theater showing cultural films, etc, that is a totally different scenario, but it isn't a Spanish Heritage theater.

I was sick when i went to vote and the polling place also had every thing in Spanish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you people aware that there is a Spanish version of the search engine Google?
http://www.google.com.mx/

ugh!

Unless you are suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder or some other visually crippling disability you should have no trouble viewing the film.
As for people who live abroad, there are British and American institutions that teach English as a primary language. Because many foreign hotels, government agencies, banks, buisnesses, cultural institions, cafes and other venues employ multilingual staff, it is not necessary to focus on the local language, as it is not necessary in the U.S. for dominant groups of non-English speaking people who are probably not interested in learing the language because they are comfortably catered to in their own.

Whats the comotion all about. My parents and grandparents only speak italian its only my genration that speak english cause they dont undestand. It'd be great if they could have italian theaters so they could understand more. they been ok in morris park where alot of people speak italian and the friendly neigbors read them the mail. We even got a colombus day parade here and everything. Were italian first then american. They dont care so we have to so that we can be better. Stop complainin and get a life.let spanish people have their own theater, you dont got to go.im lucky enough to know both but they struggled to much working in factories and the bakery to have time to learn. fogetabotit!

Tony,
It is possible that there is a theater with Italian subtitles that your whole family could enjoy. With everyone able to understand the film, it should be a pleasant occasion for all of you. Try calling Clearview Cinemas, or search for a local theater on the web.

can we save the world other than at the JACKSON TRIPLEX!!!!!!!

LIMovies, that's just my point (and the last I will talk about this). It is truly great when they can make a theater into a theater for different languages, especially if there is a call for it, and there is an available theater. That is not what I had the problem with. It's the fact that the Jackson Triplex is the only theater within miles for all the other people that don't speak Spanish, where they can all go to a movie and not have to watch a movie with the distraction of subtitles. That's the reason. There is noting wrong with making a theater have subtitles, if there are nearby alternatives for all the English speaking people.
If the Boulevard theater in Jackson Heights still existed, or some other theater in a neighboring community, or if the Fair Theater was showing regular movies as opposed to porn, then it would be fine if the Jackson Triplex was showing movies with foreign language subtitles. But the fact is that there is no alternative for English speaking people unless they travel outside their own community.

BWAY I hear you 100%

This page is becoming another Ridgewood Folly, lets move on to something interesting like the Westbury. :)

I agree Robert. As I said, I will not discuss this any firther either.

Oh my Gosh! What is the big deal about people enjoying there language. We need more ethnic venues like that to assist people that dont know the language and people that want to understand another one. I think that you people are bothered by the fact that it is a Spanish theatre, not by the letters. You are probably the same kind of people that hide in the shadows of the night so that no one will see you when you paint swasticas on our temple.

Hm... from a business standpoint, which movie theater in an ethnically diverse area will do better? One that shows movies catering to the two largest groups, or one? Which group is larger, the xenophobes who are afraid of words they don't understand, or the minority with no alternative venue. Gee... this is a tricky one.

And isn't it simply appalling how opera houses are now projecting subtitles for their operas? If you want to understand opera, you should learn the language!

Some claim that subtitles are a "distraction" (as posted above).
I happen to think that it's a bit deeper than that.
You may be on to something Jamie Somers.
By the way Jamie, I simply adore the bionic woman. Did you grow up watching those re-runs or is that your real name?

Let's give all this talk about 'subtitled films at the Jackson Triplex' A REST!!! Chill, people, chill... and let's move on...

The Jackson Theatre is given as having a seating capacity of 1,839 in Film Daily Yearbook for 1941, and 1,821 in the F.D.Y for 1950.

I have photographs of the auditorium and foyer taken at its opening which illustrate an article by Charles Sandblom in the June 1925 edition of the magazine "The Architectural Forum".

Charles A. Sandblom is credited as the architect of the Jackson Theatre.

Perhaps Charles Sandblom wrote an article about the Jackson Theatre for The Architectural Forum. Architecture & Building Magazine had photographs and a short article claiming Herbert J. Krapp as architect. Krapp's daughter, whom I once interviewed while doing theatre research, told me that her father took her to the Jackson's opening. I have a list of Sandblom theatres compiled by a member of Theatre Historical Society of America, and the Jackson isn't on it. The Jackson's opening date has been reported as December 26, 1924. For that year, the Sandblom list credits him only with the Cross Bay and Broadway, both in Queens.

Ok Warren, we will give it the majority view that Krapp was the architect.

I just find it strange that in an architectural magazine like The Architectural Forum was, there would be a 'mistake' in captions to photographs of theaters illustrated as having been designed by the architect and writer of the article-Charles Sandblom. Maybe a correction was printed in the following issue, eh?

Had a chance to peek inside the Jackson Triplex when I was in the area a couple of weeks ago and have to say I was very impressed with how well-preserved it is, save for some graffiti on the upper facade and a somewhat modernized (with stucco walls) vestibule area between the main entrance and secondary set of doors. It's clear the owners recognize the value of the property; they're also, from what I could tell, doing a solid business.

Here's an early image of the Jackson's auditorium. Please note the similarities to the Sunnyside, which had the same architect, Herbert J. Krapp. But the Jackson was smaller and had stadium seating at the rear. The Sunnyside was all on one deeply-pitched floor:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/124-2495_IMG.jpg

I never knew the jackson was such a beautiful house. It's shocking they have not carved up that main floor. Has anyone seen it recently, does it look the same?

Here's an image of the Jackson's original foyer. The ceiling is below the stadium section of seats. To enter the auditorium, you used a short corridor at the center of the foyer's left wall. This took you to the rear of the orchestra seats, and directly behind you was the stadium section:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/125-2512_IMG.jpg

The foyer retains most of that appearance to this day; I imagine much of the same, save for the alterations brought forth by the triplexing, can be said for the auditorium itself.

If you take the multiplexing of some of the other theaters, such as the Ridgewood Theater, most of the auditorium ornamentation survives, except for the fact that it has walls cutting up thing, like the huge ceiling circle, etc.

The Jackson used the elevated stadium section (I am refraining from using "balcony" before I am corrected)to make theatres 2 and 3, so except for the year iot must all be there.

Ah, it was cut up totally different than other cut up "multiplexes" I am thinking of.

Here are two more early images of the Jackson Theatre:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/125-2595_IMG.jpg

The exterior - without, of course, the original marquee - appears today much as it did in the image Warren posted earlier this afternoon.

I purchased and removed an old (early 1950s) sound system from the Jackson Triplex in the summer of 2004. Does anyone have any information or history on when the Jackson first went to stereo sound? I would venture that this system would have been their first sterophonic sound system and would love to know exactly when it was installed.

Stereo sound was first installed in Queens theatres in 1953, starting with the most important ones on the Loew's, RKO, Skouras, and Century circuits. Although the Jackson was not part of that group, I'm sure that it had stereo sound by the end of that year or early in 1954.

Grew up in the neighborhood. Was there many times, before and after it became a triplex. For some reason remember seeing, "The Incredible Shrinking Woman" there with Lily Tomlin over everything else. My fondest memory of it was pre-triplex was when I went to a Saturday afternoon event in the mid-70's, "Go Ape for a Day", all 5 films starting with of course "Planet of the...."

I went to see a movie there last night. Most of the theater's original details appear to be intact under several coats of paint. The main auditorium is one of the largest movie houses I've been in since I was a kid, although it has a faint odor of stale fake butter flavor.

And the movie had subtitles in Spanish. Did this bother me? No, as I've been to theaters all over the world that play Hollywood movies with subtitles in many different languages at once. It is rather entertaining that several of you are getting all hot and bothered over subtitles as some sort of vandalism of the movie. The Jackson Triplex shows Hollywood blockbusters--not art. There are several other movie theaters in the area accessible by subway and car. So it's not like the Jackson Triplex is the only theater around showing Hollywood movies. (You don’t’ complain about the Eagle that shows Bollywood musicals 8 blocks away.) However, the Jackson is the only theater accessible on foot from Jackson Heights that shows Hollywood movies.

could someone please post current photos of the jacksons exterior facade including entrance details, and any current interior shots
to show its condition, I am looking for highly intact new york movie houses to present to the landmarks commission

I don't have any of the interior, but if you are looking for a theater highly intact inside (and out), check out the RKO Kieth's Richmond Hill. While the seats have been removed, most of the interior of that theater is completely intact. And it was never multiplexed, so even more intact.
Here's a link:
http://cinematreasures.org/theater/3972/

As for the Jackson, I too would be interested in seeing photos of the inside. I don't know how much of the original ornamentation survived the multiplexing.

Here are two exterior views from October, 2003, before the Jackson switched to running Spanish sub-titles with its English-speaking films. Two of the titles on the marquee make an ironic comment on the theatre's physical condition:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/jax1.jpg
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/jax2.jpg

Thanks very much Warren, those are the first I have seen of it. did the Jackson have a balcony? It seems sort of too low, unless that's just an illusion of just the lobby being low.

As for the condition, it appears the owners of the Jackson (which also own the Ridgewood Theater) don't seem to take much better care of the place than the Ridgewood Theater. In fact, on the exterior, the Ridgewood seems to be in better shape (and that's saying a lot).

The Jackson had a stadium section of seats at the rear of the orchestra instead of a conventional, over-hanging balcony. For the triplex, the stadium section was walled off from the orchestra and divided into two screens. I posted some photos of the Jackson's original interior here about six months ago. Please look above.

Thank you Warren, what an elegant interior it had! And the beautiful marquee! Compared to what is there today! Thanks for the photos.
From what I gather, the front part fo the Jackson is still intact, meaning the procenium arch, and all the plasterwork, because the multiplexing took place in the back of the theater?

Oh, and Warren, I forgot to comment on your comment about the movies on the Jackson's marquee in the current photos.....it appears perhaps all three are fitting for the theater's present state!! Irony is not even the word!

The first cinema in Jackson Heights was an outdoor theatre called the Jackson Heights Airdome, which opened on July 5, 1919, and gave two performances per night (weather permitting) at 8:15 and 9:30 PM, according to a newspaper report of the time. The address given was Roosevelt Avenue & 25th Street, near the 25th Street elevated subway station. Since 25th Street is now known as 82nd Street, it seems possible that the Jackson Theatre was built on ground previously occupied by the Airdome.

Hey Guys,
I was at the Jackson the other night catching X-Men. I noticed that the main theater was closed and the windows blacked out. Depending who I spoke to I was told that the projector needed repair to the ceiling being fixed to a major overhaul of the main theater. I didn't see any building permits or construction containers around the theater. Everybody I did speak to said that it would reopen within a month. Does anybody have any further info?
Jimmy M

Well hopefully they do the same thing at the Ridgewood Theater, as I think it's the same owners. I don't think they need a building permit to just renovate their auditoriums. Apparently they keep the Jackson in about as good a shape as they keep the Ridgewood. Any repair is better than nothing.

Warren, interesting find about the JH Airdome.

Seating for this theater as a triplex is:
Theater#1-601
Theater#2-228
Theater#3-228

Total seats-1057

Theatre #1 is apparently the ground floor portion of the original auditiorium. #2 and #3 must be the original stadium section at the rear, divided in two.

This website has four photos of the Jackson Triplex.

Here's an opening ad from 1924. A news report of the opening night performance said that all 1,500 seats were filled, and that hundreds of people had to be turned away. For several decades, the Jackson was one of the most successful cinemas in Queens. When it was modernized and redecorated in 1939 in time for the NY World's Fair, publicity claimed that "over 1 million moviegoers attend the Jackson yearly!" That averaged out to at least 2,740 per day:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/jackson24.jpg

Here is another modern photo of the Jackson Triplex and this is a second photo.

I hate to rehash an old topic discussed above, but here goes.....I was born and raised in the US and speak perfect English. I also speak Spanish fluently. When I see the latest Almodovar film or other Spanish film I insist that the film be subtitled in English. Why? English is my first language and while I speak and understand Spanish quite well, there are some things I have trouble with: sometimes accents, sometimes very rapid speech, sometimes words I am not familiar with. So, even though I understand Spanish, having subtitles adds to my enjoyment of a film so that if I missed something that was spoken I can read it in English. Since I go to a movie to be entertained I think this is a great feature. The same situation applies to all of the Spanish speaking immigrants in Jackson Heights. They may and probably do know some English, but they go to the movies to be entertained. Having the Spanish subtitles enables them to enjoy the film and learn English at the same time.

I also insist on subtitles when I go to the Opera, even when the Opera is in English since I don't always understand the singers words.

There is obviously a market in this neighborhood for sub-titled movies. If it bothers you, then you should go to another theater.

The same situation applies to all of the Spanish speaking immigrants in Jackson Heights.[\i]

And what about all the non-Spanish speaking immigrants or residents in Jackson Heights having to have that annoyance flashing under the screen?

[i] If it bothers you, then you should go to another theater.


When another theater is not close or convenient?

Quote:
The same situation applies to all of the Spanish speaking immigrants in Jackson Heights.

And what about all the non-Spanish speaking immigrants or residents in Jackson Heights having to have that annoyance flashing under the screen?

Quote:
If it bothers you, then you should go to another theater.


When another theater is not close or convenient?

The market in Jackson heights is there for Spanish subtitling or they wouldn't do it....If there were a movie theater in Chinatown, I would feel the same about Chinese subtitling.

For me (and I am just speaking just for me) subtitles are no big deal. If a theater goer finds it so annoying then yes, they should go to another theater. It's not like they are dubbing the dialogue; they are just subtitling.

Note to Bway: Please don't misunderstand. I am not trying to be mean, but do you see any foreign films? Do you see them only if they're dubbed? If you do see them and they are subtitled, what's the difference?

One more thing....Let's say the theater stopped subtitling and a big part of their audience stopped going to the theater. The theater stands a real chance of closing. Then, everyone has to go to another theater or the DVD. I'm just saying that the management has determined that this helps their business and it is, after all, their business.

LuisV makes an excellent point, Bway, that the Spanish subtitles are primarily what keeps this theater afloat. I'm sure without benefit of those subtitles, the Plaza Theater in Corona wouldn't even have lasted as long as it did. In the end, even that wasn't enough. I have no problem with a business attempting to cater to the overwhelming population in its marketplace.

Luis, no I don't watch foreign films, just because I can't handle the subtitles, or the dubbing either for that matter. I could probably take the dubbing easier than subtitles, I just can't come to the movies to read instead of listen.

That's always been a debated issue amongst movie entusiasts - subtitles vs. dubbing. Do we want the distraction of having to read the translation and keep the integrity of each actor's performance whole, or will we suffer through even a hack dub-job so that are eyes need not be distracted from the images on screen? We might all agree that in certain cases (most Godzilla films and kung-fu epics) the hilarious dubbing might actually enhance the experience, but I personally find that subtitles work best in more seriously dramatic films, but it often depends on the film or director. I can't imagine watching, say, an Ingmar Bergman film like "Wild Strawberries" dubbed over with American actors and missing half of Victor Sjostrom's wonderful performance; he conveys so much with the tone of his voice in that film that one almost need not read the dialog. On the other hand, Fellini always shot silent and post-synched all of the dialog in his films - often having the actors recite the alphabet on set because the dialog was not yet written! Even then, at least the original Fellini dubs were performed by the same actors who appear on screen. It is rare that a film gets as expert and well directed a dubbing job as, say, "Das Boot."

I have to admit, though I said above that subtitling is no big deal, I now remember that it was an acquired taste. Way back when, I didn't see subtitled movies because I found them annoying, but over the years I realized that I was missing out on incredible films and so I began to watch and got accustomed to it. Now, I don't have any problem at all with them.

I think what also helped was that I had subscriptions for many years at NYC Opera and The Metropolitan Opera. The only reason I got the tickets was because I could read the subtitles. Otherwise, I wouldn't have the foggiest idea what was going on. I know that the purists still complain about the intrusion, but if it weren't for the titles I would never have gone at all. I think that is the lesson here at the Jackson. It probably is the reason that this theater is still open. Without subtitles, many of the local population who now go wouldn't.

The Jackson seems to be catering more and more to Hispanic audiences only. Yesterday, one of the two mainstream movies being shown was advertised on the marquee as "El Guardian." Like its other mainstream movie, the latest installment of "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," the Jackson was showing them in English with Spanish subtitles. But the Jackson't third screen is currently occupied by "Viajeros," filmed in the Dominican Republic, which is being shown in Spanish only, without English subtitles.

The truth is, a theater has to do whatever it can to survive. It's certainly better being alive as a Spanish movie Theater, than gutted up and turned into another CVS store.

or a bank!!!

If the Diaz brothers really wanted to stay in the business they could take back the Plaza, multi-plex the balcony like the Coliseum in Manhattan and even take over the Polk.

This early postcard view of the Jackson shows the opposite side of 82nd Street with its original residences. I suspect that the short-lived Jackson Heights Airdome, which no longer existed by this time, was on the same side of the street as the Jackson Theatre, and situated in the vicinity of the telephone pole nearest to the elevated subway line:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/jaxpost.jpg

Wow, that's a nice photo, the theater looks so out of place there!

I just don't get people who don't go to foreign films because they "can't handle " the subtitles. If you would just try it you would see that after the first few minutes, you don't even realize you're reading anymore. My favorite film this year is La Vie En Rose, which is in French with English subtitles. I guess I'm completely floored because I've been going to see so many great films for more than 30 years which are in foreign languages. Bergman, Fellini, Kurasawa; God, I can't imagine missing these great films because I stubbornly refuse to make a slight effort and read subtitles(which by the way are far preferable to dubbing). I also happen to live in Jackson Heights, just a few blocks from The Jackson. Just as reading subtitles doesn't bother me, NOT reading them doesn't bother me either!

To combat competition from the 1939 New York World's Fair, the Jackson Theatre closed for several weeks in June for modernization and redecoration, including installation of a new cooling plant, new seats, and new projection and sound equipment. It re-opened in July with this double bill that was first run for Jackson Heights but had already played at the more important RKO and Skouras theatres in Queens: www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/jackson39.jpg

hello, I just became a member because I wanted to find out about this theater that's been haunting my curiosity for quite some time now, not because the movies they show, but because of the architectural details that you could appreciated around the stage or screen whatever you want to call it, and around the columns and at the top of the dome, but cannot at the same time because of the poor managment in taking care of the theater,they recently change the seats by I hope the will never destroy the main theater, just by walking in, it is like going back in time, and all I find it's a disscution about subtitles and language, in a way I'm pleased because I found the information that I was looking for, but I feel sad, because the discussion about the ethnicity of the theater, I'm hispanic, and when I go to the theater don't pay attention to the subtitles, but I do take my time staring at the sorroundings.
My daughter whos 13 would like to add a comment...
hello i believe that the theater is an amazing structure. I as well believe that you are all arguing for the wrong reason, about subtitles and language choice in the theater. The top of the dome in the main center theater is astonishing. The architectual detail inside the theater in general is beautiful and i just hate to see the condition it is presently in. The Jackson Heights community is not aware of this beautiful Queens monument that we have today. They just treat it like a low quality theater.

Fascinated by some of your comments. This is a photo showing the original auditorium. Glad to hear that at least some of it is still there: www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/124-2495_IMG.jpg

Wow,that photo shows how beautiful this theater was. It may be a diamond in the rough, but hopefully one day it can be restored. At least it is still operating as a theater, and not gutted like so many other theaters.
How is it triplexed? One theater downstairs, and the balcony divided in two?

The Jackson never had a balcony. The original auditorium had a stadium section of seats at the rear, which has been walled off and divided into two "screens."

thanks for the picture, i always imagine that it could look like that...

Can someone please post a photo with a workable link?

Some browsers are currently having problems with links to Photobucket albums. If you have any problems with my photos, please contact me privately and I'll send you a copy: Warrengwhiz@nyc.rr.com

The Jackson is visible in this 2004 photo. The Passion of the Christ, Scooby Doo 2, Kill Bill, and The Alamo are playing. Judging from the order of the words on the marquee, it appears that not everything is subtitled in Spanish.

The original auditorium photo posted above on 1/26/08 has a new direct link:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/124-2495_IMG.jpg

Photos of the Jackson Theater can be seen here.

This is a recent photo.

OMG!!!! Ignorance is not dead!!Have YOU all forgotten that the very city YOU live in was built by immigrants. People who have sacrificed time and family for less than what YOU make. Immigrants are in fact the backbone of this country. And yet they are subjected to prejudice and humiliation DAILY. If a community, any community wants to give something to OUR NON ENGLISH speaking neighbors than DEAL. They deserve something.After all they work hard for a little entertainment. Those of you who live in the Jackson Heights area, know of the 74 st station Hop on the freakin E to 71 Forest Hills (15min ride) walk 7 mins to any of the 2 theaters there. Or visit Barnes and Noble an educate yourselves, a book perhaps written by an immigrant. it is Your mentality that may intimidate some immigrants to pursue an English education. Or rather stop being so CHEAP and cough up the 11.00 dollars like everyone else and go to another theater. Oh an I speak 3 languages and still enjoy a subtitled film. TOO Bad there isn't enough theaters like Jackson Triplex

Here is the Jackson in 1987.

Here's a fairly recent street view of the Jackson:


http://maps.google.com/maps?q=40-31+82nd+Street,+Jackson+Heights,+Queens,+NY+11373+United+States&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=40.746737,-73.883765&spn=0.008063,0.019312&t=h&z=16&iwloc=A&layer=c&cbll=40.746814,-73.883789&panoid=Xxcabuz0pIIv3MLA7XBxEw&cbp=12,59.928595993809296,,0,-6.42799163246943

Here is the Jackson Triplex today, May 3, 2009, playing first run movies, though the marquee and entrance is in horrible repair.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaeldj/3498753524/

Here is a back view showing the loft space.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaeldj/3498753492/

Just went there to see Harry Potter: The Half Blood Prince. You walk in, make a left, and there are three small theaters. Very interesting theater in that it looks very old-fashioned. It's clean but needs some work, as some of the seats are pretty beat up. The ticket stands are still the original ones I think! There is a small concession. It's funny how there were only 8 of us on the theater...ahhh the wonders of the declining American economy.

Per the Jackson Triplex closing, I've noticed more sheriff-enforced eviction notices plastered on business doors around the city lately; literally signs of the times, from both sides...

This article appeared in today's Daily News:

What's left of the Eagle Theater's once majestic marquee is rusting. Signs on the Jackson Triplex advertise films the movie house will never show.

Both of the small Jackson Heights movie theaters have closed within the last six months due to financial problems. And though many locals mourn the loss of cinemas in the neighborhood, others see it as a golden opportunity.

"It has awakened a sleeping giant in our community," said Edwin Westley, president of the Jackson Heights Beautification Group. "It presents a new opportunity for us to improve the quality of life with a quality, world-class movie house."

Westley said he wasn't too disappointed when the theaters closed because they had fallen into disrepair. He would like to see an independent movie theater open in the neighborhood and he's working with other community members to make it happen.

Several theater operators have expressed interest in opening a new movie house at the site of the Triplex, sources told the Daily News.

The disappearance of small movie houses isn't a new phenomenon in Jackson Heights. The Polk Theatre on 37th Ave., which showed adult films, closed in 2006.

But the latest losses were devastating for fans of the Jackson Heights Film and Food Festival. The film portion of the fourth annual festival was supposed to have been at the Eagle, said festival founder Bryan Pu-Folkes. When the Eagle went dark, the festival switched the venue to the Triplex, he said.

Several days before the festival, organizers learned the Triplex was also to be shuttered, Pu-Folkes said. It closed Oct. 20.

"It's very sad and disheartening that we don't have a theater in the neighborhood," he said.

But bringing one in is no easy task, said Edward Summer, chairman of the New York State Movie Theatre Corridor, which tries to preserve historic theaters.

It can be extremely difficult for small movie houses to compete with DVD sales and the typically more profitable multiplexes, he said.

These were problems for the Eagle, which was built in 1939, according to the Web site PropertyShark.com.

At one point, it showed pornographic films before specializing in Bollywood films more than a decade ago.

But the cinema was unable to survive the lethal mix of a Bollywood strike in India in April and the renewal of its lease, said former projectionist Amier Khan. The Eagle's rent was set to more than quadruple, said property manager Judson Ain.

"There were no movies coming out anywhere," Khan said. "We were losing business."

The 85-year-old Triplex also struggled to stay afloat, said property broker Suraj (Sonny) Advaney.

It couldn't compete with the multiplexes, Advaney said, and the owners were unable to pay rent and real estate taxes.

Since the Triplex closed, he has been approached by other cinema operators about the location, he said.

_____________________________________________________________________

Does anyone have any other information to add about this theater and its future?

The writing seemed to be on the wall for this theater....the same owners also operated the Ridgewood Theater, which closed a little over a year ago too.

Isn't this theater much more adorned and architecturally significant than the Ridgewood? Certainly it is on the inside. The danger, of course, is the familiar "economic hardship" that the owner can claim. This would be an incredible shame to lose this beautiful theater.

I don't believe so. The Ridgewood was pretty ornate on the inside. Granted a lot was lost over the years inside in the Ridgewood, but a lot remains too. but what remains inside of the Jackson? Any interior photos (current or recent)?

Hi Bway, I've seen photos posted on this page and they were pretty amazing. I don't know if the links still work, but other comments above implied that most of the interior was still there. I'm acutally busy at work righ now and don't have the time to investigate, but I intend to. :-)

I think most of the inteiror is still intect .The triplexing was done with minimun costs. The ceiling is glorious to to behold

As part of a preservation and revitalize campaign, can some of my fellow theater enthusiasts assist me? I would appreciate high-quality exterior and interior photos, which illustrate the Italian Renaissance style of the Jackson Triplex, and Art Deco style of the Eagle/Earle Theatre. Photos of the streetscape which show them as a central unit of a commercial complex, and wide-angles and details of the facades would be great, as I'd like to feature them on flickr and give you credit.

Also, any historic photos and newspaper clippings, which would strengthen our preservation cause, would be much-appreciated. Please e-mail me at unlockthevault@hotmail.com

Thank you,
Michael Perlman
Four Borough Preservation Alliance Corp, Queens VP
Rego-Forest Preservation Council, Chair

Out of curiosity, how much might it cost to rent or lease a theater like this? What would operating costs be like on a daily or monthly basis, initial renovations aside of course. I haven't been to this theater in about 2 years and I know it could use some elbow grease to buff it up. I'd love to start a small business in the next year or so and have had many a daydream about a small theater like this one. I've lived in Jackson Heights all my life and would love to stay in my own backyard.

I am unsure of the real estate price on leasing a theater such as the Jackson Triplex. I would need to do more research. I also suggest contacting the Jackson Heights Beautification Group to find out more specifics, and they will refer you to the necessary party/parties: http://www.jhbg.org/

What do you plan on using the theater for? A combination of films and performing arts?

For the long-term success of the theater, and its state of preservation and feasibility, I recommend consistently keeping in touch with experienced preservation non-profits including the Historic Districts Council, www.hdc.org (Exec. Dir. Simeon Bankoff), NY Landmarks Conservancy (Pres. Peg Breen or Community Outreach Manager Andrea Goldwyn, or Program Coordinator Karen Ansis), Four Borough Preservation Alliance (I am Queens VP of the Corp, and Raul Rothblatt is the Exec. Dir), National Trust For Historic Preservation, Theatre Historical Society of America (Pres. Karen Noonan, NYC Regional Rep Orlando Lopes). The NY Landmarks Conservancy has a number of grant programs for the facade and interior, which property owners can utilize at the Conservancy's discretion: http://www.nylandmarks.org/ One such funding program that we should explore is the Queens Historic Properties Fund: http://www.nylandmarks.org/programs_services/loans/queens_historic_properties_fund/

Another superb idea is as follows. If the property is proposed for the NY State Historic Preservation Office's "State & Nat'l Register of Historic Places," and is deemed eligible for listing by a professional SHPO regional surveyor, it would be your option to support it, and apply for tax credits &/or matching grants, which would be advantageous in restoring the facade and interior features, and upgrading the theater's technical aspects, while respecting its overall historic integrity. You would likely save significant pocket money. It would also grant historic recognition. The website which includes links to various options is as follows. This link includes the nomination forms that can be downloaded: http://nysparks.state.ny.us/shpo/national-register/ In this case, the SHPO regional representative is Virginia Bartos: Virginia.Bartos@oprhp.state.ny.us & (518) 237-8643 ext. 3256.

The League of Historic American Theatres can connect theater owners to rehabilitation experts, with a yearly membership: http://www.lhat.org/programs_services.asp The LHAT's Exec. Dir. Fran Holden can be reached at (410) 659-9533 & fholden@lhat.org

In the long run, significant pocket money can also be saved by seeking truly passionate volunteers to perform necessary work. Great models of success are:

A. Loew's Jersey: http://www.loewsjersey.org/restore/index.php (Best example)
B. Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda: http://www.rivieratheatre.org/ (History link has success story)
C. Landmark Theatre in Syracuse: http://landmarktheatre.org/history.html
D. Capitol Theatre Center For Performing Arts in Rome, NY: http://www.romecapitol.com/restoration.html

If you would like to introduce an artistic platform to the theatre i.e. a performing arts space (besides the film aspect), then consulting with the Queens Council on the Arts may be advantageous. They mention related programs that may also be beneficial: http://www.queenscouncilarts.org/

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on all of the above, as well as learning more about your vision. Please feel free to contact me via e-mail at unlockthevault@hotmail.com

There was another theater in Jackson Hts (NOT the Corona Plaza) up until at least the late 80's. Anybody know what it was called?

The Colony operated under the Brant's banner

The company was named after the Brandt (not Brant) family. The foremost executives were brothers Harry and William Brandt. Both were leaders in defending the rights of "independent" exhibitors against the "Big Five" monopoly that was eventually broken up by the Federal Government.

You are right tinseltoes. I had to recall my memories of youth

Yes, that sounds familiar. There was one on either side on Roosevelt on 82nd right?

The Colony has its own CT listing here. Although the introduction claims no information is available, there is considerable in the postings that follow it: http://cinematreasures.org/theater/4025/