Main Street Cinemas

the upstair theaters are very small and cramp

This was originally called the Main Street Playhouse, although the actual address is 141-50 72nd Drive. It's quite a distance from Flushing's shopping hub. I believe that the current management is the same as that of the Center Theatre in Sunnyside, which is another small theatre that has probably been sub-divided too many times for patron comfort.

The theater is located in Kew Gardens Hills, where I grew up. Its a landmark in the community, although it is not an official City landmark. Its famous for always having shown family-friendly fare. The theater used to have something called the Disney Film Festival every summer in the 1970's, during which Disney films would be shown. I saw a lot of Disney films there, including Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, Gus and Follow Me Boys. I distinctly remember watching movies from the balcony during the '70s.

The theater remained a single screen facility until sometime during the 1980's, when competition from the widespread availability of VCR's and video stores became serious. It was then twinned and then quaded. The theater was closed and fell into a state of disrepair in the early '90s and everyone thought that it would be converted into a social hall of sorts for the community, which by that time had been heavily Orthodox Jewish (which it still is). However, the theater was sold, renovated and reopened as a six plex. The upstairs theaters used to be the balcony when the theater was a single, so the screens and seating areas are quite small, almost like a private viewing room.

Today, the Main Street theater is thriving. My mom still lives in the area and whenever I visit her, I drive past the theater. They are showing first run movies and the theater is also apparently available for private screenings for birthday parties. Whenever a hit movie opens there, there are lines down the block. The Main Street should be around for quite some time to come.

The main street theater was a delightful little local movie house.
I remember seeing dozens of movies hear throughout the 70's.
Im amazed that they were able to sixplex.The theaters must belike
shoeboxes!

The Main was my neighborhood movie house, 1955 - 1964, though I was only reached moviegoing age in 1960. It was where I began my lifelong love of movies. On Saturdays in 1962, and probably 1963, there would be special childrens' double-feature matinees, often including a science fiction or "monster" feature. The movies were usually several years old, which was perfect, because all of us kids were avid fans of the "Famous Monsters" magazine. The magazine carried appreciations of both old and new releases, and we were only too delighted to get a chance to see the movies we had read about, on a big screen and in color. This included some fine Japanese scifi -- The Mysterians, The H Man, Gigantis. Also fondly remembered is The Blob, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, Atlantis the Lost Continent.
Other kid-memories of the Main:
-- In those years it showed the same main features as The Parsons, but a week later, and usually with a different second feature.

--It had an unusual aroma, different from any of the hundreds of different theaters I've been to over the years -- unusually vivid popcorn, mixed with a pungent air-conditioner smell and -- what -- mildew? It blended into a pleasant, almost magical scent and if someone opened the door as I walked past the theater, the aroma would make me dizzy with desire to see a movie (a rare treat, stingily parcelled out by my stingy parents).

-- Mounted on the auditorium walls were, I think, torch-like lighting sconces.

I can't imagine the Main as a six-plex! I don't suppose it has the magical movie smell either.

It doesn't, believe me. In fact, the theater has become a little run down, because of the crowded conditions and the vast amount of foot traffic in and out of the theater. I imagine its a cash cow, though!

It is a cash cow. A bad smelling one though.

The downstairs restrooms need to be replaced so bad, the mens room is vile.

To the best of my knowledge, this was never called the Main Street Theatre. It was originally known as the Main Street Playhouse, and is now the Main Street Cinemas. I don't think there was any period when "Theatre" or "Theater" was part of its name.

Warren
You are correct since Interboro it was the Main Street Playhouse, then Main Street Twin and when it was quaded it became the Main Street Cinema, which it has been ever since. The manager here for many years was named Flo Deane, she worked for many years at the Lefferts before she came here.

Warren, I am a little confused on the address on the Main Street Cinema, all the sites I pull up listing this Cinema lists the address as 72-66 Main Street, Flushing, NY. 11367. What is the correct address? Some just show it as 7266 Main St. What is the correct address.

Charles is correct. I also show 7266 Main St as the address for Main Street Cinemas.

The correct address of the Main Street Cinemas is 72-66 Main Street. All Queens street address numbers are hyphenated, the first number representing the block within that street the building resides within (i.e., the 72nd block of Main Street), the second number representing its address within that block (think of each block as its own street). Hope that helps...

What is the address listed above under the name? Was there a street address change at one time? Should this not be listed as 72-66 Main Street then?

Wow, I can't believe the Main Street is still open and operating! I remember seeing "The St. Valentine Day Massacre" here in the mid-60s! So many theaters have disappeared from the area that it's good to know this one is still around.

Prices are cheap, but it's not a good atmosphere. I went there once when the roof was leaking so much that they had to block off some rows in the theater and move customers from them -- during the movie!

I believe the architect was NY's-own, Joseph Unger, the same who built the Trylon Theater; a true landmark. It's a shame that the side of the often gets vandalized. Does anyone know if the facade is concealed with a later facade? It looks rather bland.

The Main Street is under the same management as the Center on Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside, which is another small theatre sub-divided into four screens. The operating company is called Lesser, which seems a good name for it. Both the Main Street and Center were considered among the lesser theatres of Queens when they first opened.

Lesser is a film buying firm, they don't own the theatre. They just book the films

I grew up around the corner and down the block from the Main Street Cinema in the 1950s. I went to Saturday morning kids' double features for 25 cents and saw Japanese horror films like Godzilla. Brings back old memories!
Ron Alexander

I grew up around the corner and down the block from the Main Street Cinema in the 1950s. I went to Saturday morning kids' double features for 25 cents and saw Japanese horror films like Godzilla. Brings back old memories!
Ron Alexander

dOES ANYONE KNOW THE SEATING CAPACITIES AND WHICH SCREENS ARE UPSTAIRS

5 and 6 are upstairs

The multiplex has been enjoying success with its "cheap prices," according to a story in the Queens section of today's NY Daily News. Since I couldn't find the article at the News's website, I am posting it here. Note that Cinema Treasures is prominently mentioned:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/mainst28.jpg

The only C/O information on NYC's Building Department site is the one issued in 1985 for the twinning of the Main Street Theater. Apparently, the theater was divided down the middle with each theater retaining it's own balcony seating. Each theater is listed as having a capacity of 216 people on the ground floor and 72 in the balcony, for a total of 288 seats each. I imagine that the current theaters 5 and 6 are merely those balcony sections sealed off from the 1st floor, with the twin orchestra theaters each split in half to make current theaters 1, 2, 3 and 4. Unless, did they gut the 1st level and completely re-configure the space for the four current auditoriums there?

Did this originally have a traditional balcony? I've never been in the theatre, but someone once told me that the auditorium was in stadium style, similar to the Mayfair in what is now called Fresh Meadows but used to be classified as Flushing.

Did this originally have a traditional balcony? I've never been in the theatre, but someone once told me that the auditorium was in stadium style, similar to the Mayfair in what is now called Fresh Meadows but used to be classified as Flushing.

Did this originally have a traditional balcony? I've never been in the theatre, but someone once told me that the auditorium was in stadium style, similar to the Mayfair in what is now called Fresh Meadows but used to be classified as Flushing. If the Main Street was first divided down the middle, each half would still have had a stadium section at the rear.

Ed....The latest c/o that I can find for this address is from 1999. The seating given at that time is:

Theater#1-128
Theater#2-90
Theater#3-72
Theater#4-72
Theater#5-56
Theater#6-74

Thanks, Lost. So it's technically theater's 3 and 4 up in the old loge area - which I presume based on the identical capacity of those theaters at 72 persons each. The site is acting up again, as evidenced by your C/O comment being attributed to Warren on an entirely different theater page, not to mention Warren's triple listing above in this page. Anyhow... If the other 4 auditoriums are located on the ground floor, then the disparity in their seating capacities would indicate something other than an even dividing up of the old auditorium space. Anyone familiar with the layout?

Warren... I was at this theater as a single many years ago. I was also at the Utopia Theater a few times during the early '80's. One of these theaters definitely had a proper balcony, because I remember sitting up there to watch the Mel Brooks version of "To Be or Not to Be" in 1983 or thereabouts. I used to get the two theaters confused in my memory, but I'm pretty sure I raised the question on the Utopia page and learned that it was THAT theater that did not have a proper balcony and that the Main Street did.

Exactly right Ed. The 1999 c/o identifies the six theaters this way:

First floor-Theaters 1,2,5 and 6.
Balcony-Theaters 3 and 4.

A 1989 c/o has this theater listed as a quad. Seating was:

First floor
Theater#1-216
Theater#2-216

Balcony
Theater#3-72
Theater#4-72

The balcony seating seems to remain consistent from a twin to a sixplex.

Hey guys,
I actually did the 6 plex split in the 90's. Here how it went.....upstairs the old balcony is theaters 5 and 6. Downstairs theaters 3 and 4 are the back third of the theater when it was twinned. Now the front 2/3 of the downstairs was turned 90 degrees and is now theaters 1 and 2. Got that? Lol.....

I understand perfectly. Your saying that this theater is now a bowling alley? LOL

Okay, your theater numbering is different then the theater numbering on the c/o. Do you know if the two theaters in the former balcony have around 72 seats each?

I imagine the C/O numbers the theaters differently than they are numbered on site. Perhaps because the balcony theaters were kept in the same configuration as when when it was a quad, the C/O considered the new theaters to be those carved from the older ones on the 1st floor, hence 5 and 6 on the ground floor.

Anyway, thanks for the clarificationm, RCDTJ. So, "back third" means the rear of the auditorium closest to the lobby and "front 2/3" means closest to the screen? Either way, I presume you have 2 theaters with entrances right off the lobby and then a foyer leading to the other 2 theaters on the ground floor. Sounds sort of like how they carved up the Cinemart (though, there was no balcony at the Cinemart).

The notification system for comments seems to be out of whack, lately. I recently noticed that I wasn't getting any notifications for comments being made in theaters I haven't made comments in for a while. But now this morning, I had no notifications at all, yet find new comments here on this page as well as on the RKO Keith's page where I commented only yesterday (and clicked the notification box).

Ed, you're correct about the theater entrances on the first floor. Also correct about back 2/3 and front 2/3. Lost Memory, balcony theaters do have 72 seats each.

Thanks RCDTJ. Even though the c/o has the theaters numbered differently, its the accuracy of the seat count that I'm interested in.

Does anyone know what digital sound systems they have. Which has Dolby EX and which has dts. They claim their all digital

Theaters 1,3 and 5 have Dolby Digital. Theaters 2 and 4 have DTS. Theater 6 has the dreaded Sony SDDS. None of them have EX unless they were installed in the last 2 years.

That theater is very profitable now. A lot of families live in Kew Gardens Hills and there are no video stores in the area anymore. Whenever I'm in KGH, the theater is usually pretty busy. I haven't seen a movie there (or anywhere else for that matter, since I have three little kids) for many years.

Main St Cinemas was built by Architect Joseph Unger, who also built the Trylon Theater. It was more simplistic than the Trylon. I have a feeling that the original facade is concealed somewhat.

I live in Forest Hills, and pass by the Main St Cinemas pretty frequently. Is it just me, or does the marquee look like it's about to collapse?

Can you please post some photos of its current condition?

You really don't want to see them

This makes it a whole lot more convincing to see! It needs to be repaired ASAP, and those who see it first-hand need to call 311, on behalf of everyone's safety. This is a crucial issue.

We may not have to call the emergency squad just yet...I passed by and examined the marquee. It's sagging a bit on the bottom, but not bad enough to look like it's actually endangering moviegoers or passers-by. I snapped a quick photo...sorry, it's from a cell phone, but it gives you a good enough idea.
I'm just glad there's still some independent theaters still around.

<img src=\"http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj177/mcginty400/Photo_021908_001.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Photobucket\">

Thank you very much for the update and the photo. I don't think it's necessary to file a complaint at this time. It sure is great having independent neighborhood theaters around! At some point, they really should remove all of the aluminum siding that's obscuring the Art Moderne facade, but there are other theaters that could use our efforts as preservationists first.

What theaters are you most concerned about now, specifically?

Since 2006, I am founder & Chair of Rego-Forest Preservation Council, which advocates for potential Individual Landmarks & Historic Districts in Rego Park and Forest Hills. Forest Hills only has 2 official landmarks since the Landmark Preservation Commission's founding, and Rego Park has none. Both areas do have potential in terms of landmarking, fundraisers for restoration & adaptive reuse, etc. We occasionally expand our advocacy work beyond our immediate area. Our group operates on a voluntary basis & pure passion... no membership fees at this time.

I am primarily interested in greater architectural examples which could become endangered in years to come: Midway Theater, Forest Hills Theater (even though it's a Duane Reade/Staples since '99 with a restored facade), Drake Theater in Rego Park (now a catering hall, but may be sold to developers), the distinctive Art Moderne facade of the '39 Trylon Theater (mosaic & terrazzo floor is sadly concealed since 2005, but can't be let out of our scope), the Fair Theatre in Jackson Heights, Ridgewood Theater (the oldest extant theater in operation in Queens), the great Terra Cotta facade of the former Bellerose Theater (now a Karate studio minus its marquee), as well as some others.

How long have you lived in Forest Hills?

Thanks for sharing your information and insight. I find these theaters vital and fascinating as well, particularly the Fair & the Ridgewood. I was wondering what your views on the Cinemart on Metropolitan Ave. are.
I've only lived in Forest Hills for 2 years now, but I grew up in Middle Village and lived there for many years.

You're welcome! Several generations of my family came from Forest Hills. What were some of your favorite theaters in Middle Village? As a Forest Hills resident, do you go to the Main St Cinemas? I do occasionally, and wish it would be restored properly, as well as maintained. The occasional graffiti on the aluminum-siding facade is an eyesore!

The following is a Daily News article on the Cinemart from March 2006: http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/ny_local/2006/03/15/2006-03-15_movie_house_revival__restora.html I have been corresponding with the owner in regard to possible restoration plans for the interior (as a start), but nothing materialized due to the owner's lack of time. In spring 2006, he added Bay Ridge's Alpine Theater to his holdings, to prevent it from becoming a chain store. I am proud that the Cinemart has been in existence since the 1920s, since neighborhood theaters rank high amongst the "ultimate public institutions."

I also take pride that the owner is passionate about keeping neighborhood theaters open, but some theatergoers (including myself) weren't so enthusiastic that the facade's bricks, brick patterns, and terra cotta which adorned the central window, were concealed with stucco in 2002-2003. That was prior to my involvement in preservation. If I knew, I would have tried to convince the owner to apply for funding to restore the facade in an historically appropriate context. I am still hoping he will have some time to work with me, and remove the generic ceiling panels that conceal the ornate coffered ceiling in the inner lobby, and repaint the coffered ceiling in the outer lobby in its original colors. Grants may be available through one of the NY Landmarks Conservancy's funding programs, National Register of Historic Places if the State Historic Preservation Office deems the property eligible for placement, or through my own fundraiser. I understand his time constraints though.

Whenever I think of the Cinemart, the long summer walks to the theater with my mother, or both my parents, and a friend, come to mind. After the screening, we would treat ourselves to homemade ice cream in Eddie's Sweet Shop around the corner, and its distinctive early 20th century ambiance would add to the spirit of an afternoon/evening well-spent!

I think that Middle Village had only one theatre, the Arion, so it would have to be everybody's favorite in that area, whether they liked it or not.

Thank you, NativeForestHiller, for the Daily News article, more information and your efforts with the Preservation Council.

Overall, I'm happy with the renovated Cinemart, and also have positive memories of going there when I was younger. When I was little,I remember my friends & I taking a bus down Metropolitan Ave. from Middle Village to Forest Hills around 1979 to see Breaking Away, when the Cinemart was a twin. I would imagine we stopped into Eddie's as well. I also remember going there in the early 90s to see a midnight show of the bizarre Mike & Spike animation festival, which included some pornographic cartoons. Even when the Cinemart was a second-run house, I remember it being infinitely cleaner than the Arion or any of the other older neighborhood independents. I went to the Arion often, I believe I have a post regarding the Arion on its page.

To answer your question, I don’t go out to the cinema very much anymore, being that I have a high-definition TV hooked up with Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound & a Netflix subscription. But I’ve been to the Kew Gardens a few times, and I did enjoy seeing No Country For Old Men recently at the Cinemart. I haven’t been to Main St Cinemas at all.

I took a better photo of the Main St Cinemas…if you go to the Photobucket album, you’ll see some recent shots of the Fair as well.

<img src=\"http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj177/mcginty400/IMG_0046.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Main St Cinemas marquee\">

A recent exterior photo can be found midway through this article on Kew Gardens Hills: http://www.forgotten-ny.com/NEIGHBORHOODS/kg.hills/kghills.html