Meserole Theatre

The correct name of this theatre is the Meserole, not the Mezzerole. It was named for nearby Meserole Street and is located at 723 Manhattan Avenue. Most of the interior has been converted into a chain drug store, and you can see portions of the original auditorium if you walk all the way to the back of the premises...For most of its life, the Meserole was operated by the Randforce Circuit, and its chief rival in the neighborhood was the RKO Greenpoint.

Hi Warren,The theatre is near Meserole Avenue. Meserole Street is located in Williamsburg.Alot of people don't realize that there is both a street and avenue.

In the early 1980's this place became a skating rink called Laces. My father was hanging out here in 1983, when someone got stabbed.I think they closed soon after that incident. Then the next thing that opened here was Liquidators Arena in 1984 (think of a mega 99 cent store). I did actually manage to get up to the upper levels, which were the balcony seating for the old Meserole Theatre. I remember the seats were maroon. Then in about 1990, Genovese opened up and has been there ever since.

I saw "2001 : A Space Odyssey" at the Meserole on a high school sophomore class trip in mid-November 1970. At first I asked not to go, because I had already "seen" it at the Ridgewood earlier that month. I write "seen" because I walked in late and so had missed the main title and "Dawn Of Man" sequences. I first saw the complete film at the Meserole. I would have not been fully educated, had I not seen this film in its entirety, had it explained to me, and learned of the music and philosophy behind it. Seeing the film there was a major milestone in my education.

On a totally different note, the second and last film I saw there was "Ladies and Gentlemen The Rolling Stones" in June 1975. "In quad" had been carefully covered over on the outer lobby poster. The theater seemed to have deteriorated since November 1970. Or perhaps it was the film, the audience, and the pot smoke hanging in the air.

Add The Meserole to the long and growing list of theatres UA ran into the ground and then closed. This would have made a great quad, there are no theatres near it.

I remember going to the Meserole in the mid-1970's to see the Disney summer matinee double features. This included such "notable" fims as "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" (starring Kurt Russell) and "The Apple Dumpling Gang" (starring Don Knotts and Tim Conway in roles they would both probably rather forget). The Meserole was always a good neighborhood theater.

As was mentioned, it has gone through a couple of changes, first as the roller disco, then as the Liquidators (which was really sad to see) and now as an Eckerd's (which bought out all of the Genovese stores a couple of years ago). One thing that I must say is that it is still obviously a former theater on the inside. Not only is the outline of the big screen still there (behind the cosmetics counter), they are actually now showing Eckerd's promo pictures on it. The ceiling is recognizable (and also includes the mirrored ball from the roller rink days). Anyone familiar with the layout of the Meserole can still picture themselves walking along a wall of posters of coming attractions as they go to the checkout counters or maybe even catch themselves asking the pharmacist for popcorn and a coke. :)

Bob D. - Greenpoint/Williamsburg

Bob D. :

Thanks for posting your comment. Interesting that the Meserole's big screen is now being used to show Eckerd's promo pictures, and that it is still recognizable as a theater on the inside.

Are you, by any chance, Bob Dunas, of Leonard Street, Greenpoint, Saint Francis Prep class of 1973 ? If so, please see my April 14, 2004 comment, two comments above yours.

See also the Ridgewood Theater page on this site : there's an SFP mini-reunion going on there !

Peter K. - Dobbs Ferry, NY
Formerly of Ridgewood, Queens, NY

The Meserole was built and first operated by the S&S Circuit (Small & Strausberg), one of the companies that William Fox purchased during the late 1920s buying spree that ended with his bankruptcy at the start of the Depression. Like most of the Fox Brooklyn theatres, it eventually landed under Randforce management (finally UA when the parent company retired the name of Randforce). In the days before saturation release, the booking situation in Greenpoint of the Randforce Meserole versus the RKO Greenpoint was the same as that in Ridgewood with the Randforce Ridgewood against the RKO Madison. The programs at the Meserole and Ridgewood were off the Loew's circuit.

Wow, I have to check that theater out!
Apparently coversion to a roller rink was kind to the Meserole. Interstingly, the Oasis theater had a similar fate, although the Meserole seems to have had a better fortune in the end. The Oasis was converted to a concert venue, and then shartly after, a roller rink. I have made many comments on the Oasis on the Oasis page. (also note that a former worker said that all they did was fill in the sloped floor of the auditorium with sand when they converted the Oasis to a roller rink, and part of the seating area still existed under the floor in hidden rooms! See here:
http://cinematreasures.org/theater/4624/

Anyway, in the end, the Oasis burned, and is now a drug store, CVS, just like the meserole, however no ornamentation still exists visable. Most of the Oasis was torn down (lobby, etc), however since the main auditorium is what is left, and houses the CVS, it is possible that maybe the ceiling may exist above the drop ceiling there.
I will definitely stop by the Meserole. Finally, a theater that is readily available for viewing as a store, where the theater has been preserved a bit (unlike the Madison Theater in Ridgewood, and the Oasis, both of which are stores, but have no hint of their theater days - although you can see the balcony outline at the Madison is visable).

Peter K.- I am not Bob Dunas, but I do have a connection to the St. Francis Prep Class of 1973. I am the brother of Rich Dittus. I'm still in Greenpoint/Williamsburg and have seen the neighborhood go through many changes through the years. With the current crowd bringing in a new wave of restaurants and cafes, I wouldn't be surprised if a movie theater could possibly reappear in this neighborhood that once had many and now has none. The Commodore was the last to be open in either Greenpoint or Willimasburg but it was closed after some political attempts to try to keep it open. It now looks like something is trying to be done to it, but I gather that it wasn't extrremely well maintained in its later years.

As for the comments on the Oasis, I had acutally forgotten about that theater and I don't think I was ever in it except for its current incarnationas a CVS. It is definitely a totally different structure. I had been to the Arion (now an Eckerd's) the Chopin (now a Burger King), and the Elmwood (now sort of empty - or is it some kind of church?), the Cinemart (still going), and the Drake (now part of a restaurant). I probably went to the Meserole or for the short bus ride to the Arion for most movies that I saw groing up.

Bob D.

That's right, I forgot that the Arion also became a drug store. Where was the Chopin that is now a Burger King? Are there any features left there, or has it been gutted?

Bob D.(Dittus): Good to meet you after all these years, albeit through the Cinema Treasures site. I am still waiting for a private e-mail reply from your older brother Rich, my friend and SFP Class of 1973 classmate, from his Ave Maria University e-mail address. I was on a cursillo with Rich at St. Paul's, January 16-19 1975, as noted above, and I still remember Rich in tears of joy from the "palanca" that you wrote to him.

Thanks for your comments on Greenpoint and Williamsburg. I am from Bushwick and Ridgewood, but Greenpoint and Williamsburg are "stamping grounds" of mine, because my mother's family lived in Greenpoint, at about 256 Kingsland Avenue, near St. Stanislaus Kostka church, which is at Humboldt St. and Driggs Avenue, before moving to 412 Harman Street in Wyckoff Heights (lower Ridgewood), because I attended the Prep on North 6th Street in Williamsburg, and because I hung out with Joe Kuceluk and friends, including your older brother Rich, for years after graduating the Prep in June 1973.

My mother's mother's second husband pronounced Grand St. and Graham Avenue, both stops on the L line, the same way : "Grem !" It's a family joke of many years.

I agree, with its current population of young professionals, artists, new bohemians and neo-hippies, how could "The Point" and "The Burg" remain much longer without a cinema ? It's been suggested elsewhere on this site that perhaps Film Forum, the avant-garde cinema at W. Houston and Varick, should move to occupy the former RKO Commodore.

I have never seen a film at the Commodore, but I have been to the Oasis, (once), to the Arion many times, to the Chopin once, to the Meserole, twice, to the Elmwood and Cinemart many times, and once to the Drake. Interesting that you describe the bus ride to the Arion as "short". I suppose it is, if that Q-53 Metropolitan Avenue bus really books, and doesn't get bogged down in traffic, stops, and lights.

"Bway" and I have a great interest in former Bushwick theaters such as the Casino/DeKalb, Loew's Gates, RKO Bushwick, Empire, Colonial, Decatur, Alhambra, Broadway, and Monroe. "Bway" has some great recent images of some of these former theaters which he would probably be happy and proud to direct you to.

Once again, Bob, good to meet you (albeit indirectly, and better late than never), please keep posting here, as I will be doing, and save me an aisle seat !

Peter K.

Just for the record, both the street, the avenue and the theater were named after the Meserole family, one of Greenpoint's original settlers. Back in the mid-ninteenth century, Archibald K. Meserole was on the original board of the GreenPoint Bank (just up the street); William H. Meserole was the bank's first president.
-R

Thank you, Robbie !

Self-correction : The last film I saw at the Meserole was the original Disney "101 Dalmatians" in re-release, on Saturday July 26th 1975, with my friend and fellow SFP class of 1973 classmate, Joe Kuceluk.

In answer to Bway's question about the Chopin, the Chopin was on Manhattan Avenue near Greenpoint Avenue - a couple of blocks away from the Meserole. It was diagonally across the street from a catering hall called The Polynaise, which at one point I belive had the same owner (hence the classical music connection in the names). The Polynaise has remianed a very nice catering hall and has been upgraded through the years (my wedding reception was there in 1991). The Chopin closed quite a few yeares ago (the last movie I saw there was Back to the Future). It was gutted for the Burger King. I will look closer the next time I am in there, but I do not recall any recognizable features of the movie theater.

Thanks Bob. I want to go to Greenpoint to check out the drug store that is in the Meserole theater in the near future, and will drive by the Chopin while there. Speaking of Greenpoint, has the RKO Greenpoint been completely demolished, or just converted to stores? I may drive by that site too, I understand it was right near the big Greenpoint savings bank on Manhattan Ave.

Well, today I did go to Greenpoint, and got a chance to see the interior of the Meserole. See below for a link too current photo of the exterior I took today.
The theater was just like everyone described above. You walk into the "lobby" area, where all the checkouts are lined up, and you walk towards the main auditorium on a downward sloped floor.
The pharmacy is under the balcony. To deal with the sloped floor of the original theater, either Eckerd (Genovese) or the Roller RInk people seemed to have dug out the auditorium area to make the floor flat. There are downward inclines on either side of the store to that you have to go down to get to the main part of the store which is in a "pit". The pharmacy area is much higher up, apparently the height of the upper end of the theater's original floor, when it still sloped towards the stage.
The screen area is all intact, and as mentioned, they actally show slides of sales and stuff on the screen. The balcony is fully intact (along with all the ornamentation), however they put a wall up there so you can't see it.
Also as mentioned, a disco ball still hangs in the center of the aditorium from the roller rink days.
Truly an amazing transformation from theater to store. If it can't be a theater anymore, this is the next best thing for sure. I wish other companies would have done it this way when converting to retail space, instead of destroying or covering everything.

Here's a link to an exterior photo of the Meserole

What are those exterior decorations on the Meserole? Some things with horns...buffalo skulls?

Kevin
www.forgotten-ny.com

Kevin, what things d you mean? Those black things on either side of the Eckert sign?

Here's another photo i took of the exterior of the Meserole the same day:

Click here for link to photo

I found the following on a Greenpoint history site:

"At #723 Manhattan Avenue between Norman Avenue & Meserole Avenue stood the Meserole Farmhouse. The farmhouse was razed and the Meserole Theatre was built on its former site. At #742 Manhattan Avenue was the location of the Garden Theatre".

Other than the address, it said the Garden Theater was open in the late 20's. I don't see a Garden Theater in Greenpoint listed on here. Is this another missing Brooklyn theater? If anyone has any info on this Garden theater, post it here or feel free to add the theater to C.T.

Was the Meserole Theater ever a Fox Theater? I found an old photo of Manhattan Avenue near Norman Avenue. On the left side of the photo is a Fox Theater. The photo claims to be from 1931. That location is where the Meserole Theater should have been located. I looked at the modern photo that Bway posted of the Eckerd drugstore (message dated Dec 10, 2004) and the building looks alot like the photo of the Fox Theater. This is the link to the old photo. Its the top right photo. Click on it to enlarge it.
http://www.brooklynpix.com/catalog5.php?locality_no=1215

Yes, the Meserole became a Fox theatre in the late 1920s via Fox's purchase of the Small & Strausberg circuit, which built and first operated the Meserole. After William Fox's bankruptcy, the Brooklyn theatres (with the notable exception of the downtown Fox) became part of the Randforce Circuit, a name that was eventually dropped in favor of the parent United Artists Theatre Circuit.

Thanks. On the 1925 silen era theater list which is based in part on a 1926 FDYB, the Meserole theater appears. So this theater was open at least by the mid 20's. I know that photo isn't very clear but I expanded the photo in a photo editing program and noticed something else. On the right hand side of the street in the distance there appears to be a marquee and a tall vertical sign. That could be the Garden theater because that area is where the Garden theater would have been located.

Cool. Thanks for posting that link. As Warren said, that is definitely the Meserole. Lost, by the way, check your mail.

Bway...Thanks for the photos. I wish that I could find a better photo of Manhattan Ave that would show both the Meserole and Garden theaters. Should this theater have an aka Fox Theater?

During the time it was operated by William Fox, it was called the Fox Meserole, not just the Fox. It's possible that the marquee said only Fox, but just because there wasn't enough space and/or to save the expense of putting up the full name. Often, a marquee would show only the circuit name on the two sides, and the full name across the front.

My mistake. There should be an aka Fox Meserole added to the name above.

June 5, 1928 news story from the Brooklyn Standard Union

"Because she thought her cousin was being impersonated in the leading role of a western motion picture shown at the Meserole Theater, between Norman and Meserole ave., Mrs. Stella SKAOZAZCINISKI, 34 years old, of 185 Huron st., rushed from her seat in the orchestra to the manager's office and demanded that the film be stopped. Sidney LARSCHAN, manager of the theater, helped the woman's husband take her to the Greenpoint police station, where an ambulance was called. Dr.DRAINICK of Greenpoint Hospital treated the woman for hysterics after which she was allowed to go home with her husband".

Some recent exterior and interior views of the remains of the Meserole Theatre can be seen in the new photo feature about Greenpoint at www.forgotten-ny.com

Here are two 1927 images of the Meserole's auditorium. Some features are still visible in the store currently occupying the site:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/125-2536_IMG.jpg
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/125-2537_IMG.jpg

Thanks for posting those warren. Yes, the theater hasn't changed all that much at all, at least structurally. I was in there last June. They now show slides of sales on in the center area between the columns, on a large screen. The two adjoining arches are also still there. A disco ball (from the roller skating days) hangs in the place of the chandelier. The biggest difference is the paint scheme... While all the ornamentation of the plasterwork remains on the walls and ceilings, it is painted beige and a dark unattractive brown. Just those two colors, so of course it isn't as "ornate" looking anymore. (Picture the interior beige color of the RKO Keith's which also has all it's ornamentation surviving, but painted a plain beige, so everything is one color).
The balcony is still there, although they put a wall up from the railing to the ceiling, so you can't see it.
Other than that, it's a real credit to the pharmacy company that they preserved as much as they did.

A Moller organ Opus 3232 Size 3/17 was installed in the Loew's Gates Theater in 1921. Cost of organ was $9000.00.

Here's a trivia question.

What movie was playing at the Meserole the night of the blackout on July 13, 1977?

"Where Were You When The Lights Went Out", starring Robert Morse ?

"Sorcerer" ? "Cross Of Iron" ?

Dear Peter K or anyone. I went to the Meserole to see the French Connection with my Husband Louie and my Parents when it first appeared in the 70's Then we went to VAN DOLHENS ICe Cream Parlor down the block towards Nassau Ave. Peter K you aren't Peter K from Williamsburgh are you. I went to Transfiguration Grammer School on Marcy and Graduated in 1960. Let me know. I had achance to drive up Manahttan Ave a few months ago. What changes. The Chinese Resturant is gone you know the one upstairs on Norman and Manhattan Avenues. My husband and I celebrated our wedding at the Polaniase Terrace on Greenpoint Ave and we went to the Chopin when it first opened. Now that is gone too. Too Bad. Anniegirl.
posted by louieb Apr 5th 2006

Dear Anniegirl : I am probably not the Peter K from Williamsburgh that you are remembering, because of the difference in our ages. You graduated grade school in 1960, and I graduated in 1969 (St. Brigid Parochial School in Ridgewood, Queens). I then attended St. Francis Prep in Williamsburg, Bklyn (186 North 6th St.) from September 1969 to June 1973.

Yes, Greenpoint has changed much. It is now like Greenwich Village in Manhattan with all the young artists and musicians.

I worked just a few doors down the block from the former Meserole in the 1980's at a Mini-Mart at 711 Manhattan Ave just off Norman. At the time, I seem to recall the theater housed Wholesale Liquidators type of discount store, which advertised on the old marquee. This was about 1984 or '85. I remember years later, I was driving back through the area and circled around Lorimer Street to see the shell of the auditorium and took note of how big a nabe it actually was.

Yeh I know. Loimer was the back of the moviehouse. i hung out in Greenpoint in the 1960's and I loved it. Went to Saint Anthony's Church many times. BBeautiful Garden Spot of the World. Anniegirl
posted by louieb on Apr 5th 2006

Anniegirl, by Saint Anthony's Church, do you mean St. Anthony Of Padua in Greenpoint ? A block east of Manhattan Avenue, between Greenpoint Avenue and Calyer St. ?

Yes I do A Beauiful Church. Anniegirl
posted by louieb on Apr 5 2006

I'm sure it was. My family's roots, on my mom's side, are in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church at Humboldt and Driggs. My mom's family lived at 254 Kingsland Avenue in Greenpoint before moving to 412 Harman St. in Bushwick, about 1925.

I used to hang out in Mc Carran Park and go to St. Stans sometimes. I was 16 years old then. Do you remember the Hot Dog stand on Driggs and Loimer? We used to go there after swimming in the pool back in 1961. Lots of memories right? Anniegirl
posted by louieb on Apr 5 2006

I remember in the late '70's when Pope John Paul II visited St. Stanislaus during his tour of the States. The very substantial Polish community gave the Pontiff (their fellow countryman by birth) a jubilant reception. I wonder if the Meserole closed for business that day or offered any special programming.

I think I remember that visit of the Pope. October 1979, wasn't it ?

I spent many weekends at the Meserole theater seeing some memourable movies in the 1960's and 1970's like the "Planet Of The Apes" films, the Original "Night Of The Living Dead" and many more. I have many fond memories of this theater. This was what a movie theater was all about. I even saw the original Batman movie there when Adam West and Burt Ward showed up with the Batmobile. Many years later I got to meet and speak with Adam West when I worked for the Chiller Theatre Convention in New Jersey (1993-2002).

Looking for any copies of Artiles, newspaper movie ads, photos of the Meserole theater.

Dear AnthonyS1957 I tried to get photo's you can go on local.live.com and see a birds eye view of the hood. As far as photo's of the Meserole theater I will continue to search and let u know. I hung out in Greenpoint in the 60's I was born in 1945 and hung out in McCarran Park and the swing park near the pool. My girlfriend Paulette Godlewski Swenck might still live in Greenpoint. She married Henry Schwenk who graduated 8th grade with my sister. At the time paulette lived on Noble Street before she married Henry. We used to go to the Meserole and RKO Greenpoint often. Loved the place.
I will keep you posted. anniegirl

Here is a message website for former and current "Brooklynites". And there is another one here.

Great photos of the Meserole in its current usage as an Eckerd's Store, showing how niceley preserved the ceiling and some external features are:

http://www.forgotten-ny.com/STREET%20SCENES/greenpoint2/greenpoint.html

Dear Bob D. great pics of Greenpoint. I used to hang out there in my youth of 16 years old. Miss the old hood. Anniegirl

It's good seeing you back on this page, Bob D. !

As your older brother Rich once signed my SFP senior yearbook :

"Thanks for being here !"

That's definitely something that my brother would say. It is always fun to check out what is going on out here. Things have changed so much with DVD's and all of that, but I do appreciate how much the theaters meant to our neighborhoods.

Strange thought - I don't remember ever going to The Meserole with my brother. I do remember going to The Arion to see The Deerhunter with him.

I remember the Arion Theater very well. It was a dollar cheaper than the Ridgewood and the Madison. I have probably posted many movie memories on its page, on this website.

The first film I recall seeing there was "Marooned" in spring 1970. It was returned to theaters after the Apollo 13 astronuats got back safely in April 1970. The last film I saw there was part of "Terms Of Endearment" in late April 1984. I say "part" because I got bored with it, left, and went east on Metropolitan Avenue to see "The Right Stuff" at the CineMart in Forest Hills.

I next walked past the Arion in October 1984 when it was showing "Buckaroo Banzai" with Christopher Lloyd, but saw "Places In The Heart" at the Forest Hills Theater on Continental Avenue instead. Now that theater is gone, too. The last film I saw there was "Primary Colors" with John Travolta and Emma Thompson, Saturday March 21, 1998. It was the 50th birthday of the friend whom I saw it with.

In between, I saw "Carrie", "Logan's Run" and "Looking For Mr. Goodbar" at the Arion in January and December of 1977, respectively.

Dear PKoch, you know that the Cinemart is redone now and the inside is still the same. I remember the Arion, but the address escapes me was it in Forest Hills somewhere? Or was it on Metropolitan Ave in Middele Village? Anniegirl

Anniegirl, I was last in the Cinemart Saturday August 6 2005 to see the Tom Cruise - Stephen Spielberg "War Of The Worlds", after having a hot fudge sundae at Eddie's Sweet Shop nearby, so, yes, I know what it's like inside now.

The Arion was on the south side of Metropolitan Avenue in Middle Village, half a block east of 73rd Place, almost directly across Metropolitan Avenue from Kopp's Bakery and Scheinfeld's Men's and Boy's Clothing Store.

Dear PKoch. I remembered later on where the Arion was. and Yes I lived in Kew Gardens for 25 years and I always went to Eddie's Sweet Shop. A great place for Ice Cream and all of his trinkets in the window case. Is Eddie still there? The cinemart is a pretty good place to catch a movie, but not the nostalgia moviehouses I am accostom to such as the Met and Albee downtown brooklyn. I now live in Suffolk County and all there is is Multiplex Moviehouses like Island 16 where they serve food at your seat if you sit in the Director's Studio at a fee of $12.00.

I just went to Eddie's last Sunday. Homemade ice cream and whipped cream in a great atmosphere. This is the way it ought to be. I'm also happy to see that the Cinemart is still there and still going well. That's another place I would go to see movies once in a while in the 1980's.

There is a link to Grennpoint photos on an earlier posting to show a 1931 photo of The Meserole. On the same page is another photo of Manhattan Ave near Greenpoint Ave from 1928.
http://www.brooklynpix.com/images/bklyn-f-p/greenpoint21_b.jpg

If you look carefully at the right side of the photo is a movie marquee with the words "Not For Publication". This is where a theater that I knew as The Chopin stood. IMDB does show that there was in fact a 1927 movie by that title.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0142704/

hey Bob I went to the Chopin when it first opened in Greenpoint. It was a rather small theater. My Wedding reception was at the Polainse Terrace across the street in 1970. I knew the owner Vincent. Great Guy. Lots of memories in Greenpoint for me. I used to go to Trunz Meat Market located next to St. Anthony's Church and I bought my Christmas Tree (Mountain King) on Manhattan Ave at the Christmas Tree store 2 doors down from Trunz. Fun Times in Greenpoint. Anniegirl

Bob I do not think it is the meserole because the pic is facing West and the meserole was south east of Greenpoint Avenue. Anniegirl

Bob I meant North West not West. That building in the foreground was at the very end of Greenpoint near the canal.Anniegirl

The Meserole was in another picture on the same page:
http://www.brooklynpix.com/images/bklyn-f-p/greenpoint21_b.jpg

Here is the link to the entire page of photos:
http://www.brooklynpix.com/catalog5.php?locality_no=1215

The building that I mentioned in the May 13th post is definitely the Chopin, which is now a Burger King.

Sorry. I posted the link to the Chopin again in the previous post.

Here is the link to the Meserole:
http://www.brooklynpix.com/images/bklyn-f-p/greenpoint23_b.jpg

Does anyone remember that new movies came out on Wednesday instead of Friday (occasionally on a Friday). This was at least in the 1960's / 1970's when I hung out at the Meserole.

Dear Bob D the pic showing Norman Ave is the Fox which probably became the Meserole Theater. The other I do not know because Freeman Street is past Greenpoint Ave going Northwest. Anniegirl

Anniegirl, the Arion Theater is # 4617 on this site.

The picture of the Chopin is the corner of Greenpoint Ave and Manhattan Ave. I do not know of any theater (nor do I see any) as far north as Freeman Street. The northernmost one that I knew in Greenpoint was the Chopin.

yeh Bob D and That moviehouse in the foreground that says Not for Publication of the pic looks like a meathouse our a vaudville pic place. We need to research that place out just to see what it really is. Anniegirl

The Chopin was just a small, late-run cinema for most of its life. It was not a "palace," and I doubt that it ever presented vaudeville. Perhaps you have it confused with the palatial Greenpoint Theatre, which was directly across the street. At the time of the photo, the cinema was not yet called the Chopin, which came when it started specializing in Polish imports.

No Warren, Look at the picture that says Not for Publication, it is on the Northeast side of Manhattan Ave towards Long Island City. We are trying to guess what the business was. It does not look like the building that housed the Chopin but I could be wrong. Anniegirl

It was the Chopin's location. That is the intersection of Manhattan Avenue and Greenpoint Avenue looking north on Manhattan Avenue and the theater is on the east side of Manhattan Avenue (exactly where the Chopin was). Many of the buildings in the picture are relatively unchanged to this date. (aside from thactual businesses in the storefronts).

As Warren said, the Chopin was not a large theater. As I pointed out earrlier, Not for Publication was a 1927 movie and the picture is dated 1928. There is no question that this is The Chopin (or whatever name it went under in 1928).

That building is definitely the Chopin. You can see the eagle on top if you look closely. That eagle is still on top of the Burger King that is housed in the former lobby area.
Here's a photo I took of the Chopin about two years ago:

Click here for photo

Here is a website about peoples memories of Greenpoint including the Meserole Theater.

Thanks to all for the info on the Chopin. Gee you guy's are so informed on things. It's great corresponding with you all. Anniegirl

You're welcome, Anniegirl. It's easy and fun to write such pleasant memories.

Yes it is fun to find people who enjoy sharing these memories. I also enjoy seeing the old photos.

An update on the Chopin photo I posted above, apparently, the Burger King has moved out of the lobby area (see Chopin section).

Here are two photos of the Lorimer Street side of the building that I took last weekend. The fire escapes are still in place, but heavily corroded and partially covered by barbed wire:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/meserole01.jpg
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/meserole02.jpg

Warren I used to hang out on the stoop next door of the Meserole on Loimer with my friends Paulette, Eddie, Zowie and others. We had so much fun in those day's in the 60's. I was in High School then. Loved hanging out in Greenpoint.

Greenpoint was a post-high school hangout of mine, 1973 to 1976.

A few photographs I took of the Meserole Theatre in June 2006, some auditorium shots included:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/186726350/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/186726955/
http;//www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/186727398/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/186727969/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/186728458/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/186728928/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/186729300/

See Warren's posting dated July 13 2005 for original 1927 images of the auditorium.

Sorry here is the mistyped 3rd link above:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/186727398/

Thanks, KenRoe, for another fine photography job !

A fascinating history including fascinating conversions.

It all appears to still be there.

I want to thank everyone for their comments. It is nice to see people talk about the history of Greenpoint. Unfortunately, I was unable to see the Meserole as a movie theater but I had so much fun when it was a rolling rink. I used to go to the Chopin until it went down hill. My mom and dad said that the Meserole was the greatest theater. At least I still get to see the disco ball. I really wish a movie theater would open up around here; I have to take my kids to Sunnyside. Does anyone remember the bowling ally on Meserole Avenue? It used to be a factory then a bowling ally now I think GMDC owns it. Thanks again for the comments and the pics, with all the changes going on it made me feel better to see and listen to some of the past.

You are most welcome, KarenN., to my comments, and thank you for yours. Yes, Greenpoint could use some movie theaters. Sorry, I do not remember the bowling alley on Meserole Avenue.

KarenN. go on BrooklynPix.com and punch in Greenpoint or go on Locallive.com and get birds eye views of Greenpoint. I used to go to all of the places on Manhattan Ave in Greenpoint in the 1960's I hung out in McCarran Park when I was 15 years old and the Triangle Park on Bedford and Loimer Street with my friends as a kid. Lot's of fun there. I remember going to the Library on Norman Ave. I grew up in Williamsburgh but always went to Greenpoint to shop. Also went to the Meserole Theater to see First Rate Movies. Also the RKO was still open for a short time when I was a kid. I now the Pizza Prince is still there but they expanded. I used to go there wnen it was a small store back in 1963 and 1964 with my boyfriend Joe at the time. We used to chow down a whole pizza between us. We were skinny kids then. Ask you parents about the Chinese Resturant Upstairs on Manhattan Ave. I got married and had my reception at the Polaniase Terrace. Lots of Memories. Enjoy the websites. Anniegirl

I remember the Greenpoint Bowl only too well. My brother and I used to go there almost every Saturday back when bowling was an affordable fun thing to do.

Speaking of bowling, and to stay on topic....my first bowling experience was at the converted Glenwood Theater in Ridgewood. The converted the Glenwood Theater to a bowling alley, I guess in the 60's. It was torn down around 1980 to build the Ridgewood post office.
Yeah, today bowling is an expensive proposition. I went with a couple friends a few months ago.... A few games later, and a couple pitchers of beer, and our bill was well over $100. Bowling is certainly not the "poor" man's sport anymore....

Thank you PKoch for your warm reply. micheleandanniegirl, I remember the Chinese restaurant, I had my confirmation party there when I was younger. After it closed down they made it into a karate place and it burnt down, now it is a Polish nightclub called the Europa. Bob D. I used to live two blocks from the bowling ally, my sister and I went there, she was on a league and it closed down just before I was old enough to get on. Bway I know what you mean, I take the kids to Woodhaven Lanes from time to time and it costs a small fortune…. Is anything cheap to do anymore?

Dear Karen, My husband used to bowl on a league at Woodhaven Lanes. We now live in Long Island and we took our kids bowling one night and it cost us a small fortune. Nothing is cheap anymore, not even going to the movie with the kids. We usually go with our daughters one is 28 and the other is 17 and it cost's almost $40.00 not including treats. We go to a moviehouse called Island 16, they have concession stands that if you buy a ticket for the directors studio for $12.00, They take your food order and deliver it to your seat. Can you imagine that. What is next, tables and charis in the moviehouse???????? Anniegirl

Anniegirl, that is something, it is a small world. We normally go to the matinee in Sunnyside and it is still $8.00 a ticket. I wouldn't mind every now and then paying an extra $4.00 for them to bring the food to us. Do you know how many times I almost dropped the popcorn... Thanks

You're most welcome, KarenN, to my reply. My pleasure.

Is anything cheap to do anymore ? Perhaps watch dvd's at home while eating popcorn popped in one's microwave.

Where exactly is Woodhaven Lanes ?

Peter....The bowling alley is on Woodhaven Blvd, right near Metropolitan Ave.

Thanks, Lost Memory, I think I remember now. It's near the southeast corner of Woodhaven Blvd, and Metropolitan Ave. between Metropolitan and the LIRR tracks, isn't it, near where there was talk of building a multiplex cinema for awhile ?

Woodhaven Lanes.....
Well, those old trainwrecks are gone...the station is gone...and the el is gone, but the Bowl still remains...

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2302

The train that you show is the "J" train at the station on Metropolitan and Jamaica Avenues. That would be in front of the Van Wyck Bowling alley, where I bowled in a league while I was in high school. They finally built the Archer Avenue extension, and I think they finally tore that part of the line down and put a stop underground. By Woodhaven Lanes, there is some unused LIRR tracks that are heavilly overgrown but not torn down. There is now a Sports Authority and Home Depot right next to it, maybe where that multiplex was going to go, although there is still an abandoned factory there that looks like a candidate for bulldozing.

Woodhaven Lanes is considered located in Glendale Queens. You can take the E train to 71st & Continental -Forest Hills or take the M train to Metropolitan Avenue-Middle Village and take the Q54 Bus to Metropolitan Ave. and Woodhaven Blvd or drive. A couple years back there was talk that they were closing down but it never happened. They are always packed so I know they won't be closing anytime soon.

Links to Woodhaven Lanes:
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=72-25+Woodhaven+Blvd.&csz=Glendale%2cNY+&country=US
http://brunswickbowling.findlocation.com/results.aspx?postalcode=11211&Search_Param=N5

PKoch, microwave popcorn and movies on demand seems more and more appealing. By the way I am planning on going to the movies next week any good movies you guys could recommend..

Bway,See Bob D's answer. He is correct.Anniegirl

Great picture even if it is Van Wyck and not Woodhaven. I may need to spend some time at that site too.

That is a great site, it has information on the Atlantic Avenue Tunnel. Has anyone heard about the Lost Atlantic Avenue Tunnel. Bob Diamond rediscovered the tunnel around 1980 and it is rumored that a locomotive is still behind the wall of the tunnel. Bob Diamond used to give tours of the tunnel. In 1995, I was lucky enough to take the tour with my sister. Unfortunately, he is not allowed to give the tours anymore and I don't know if the MTA has dug through the tunnel to see if the train is there..

Check the links below:

http://rapidtransit.net/net/faq/nyc/AtlanticTunnel.html
http://the-tech.mit.edu/~Subway/Tunnel/diamond.html
http://the-tech.mit.edu/~Subway/Tunnel/mypics.html

Ooops. Wrong Bowling Alley! I remember now the sign saying "Van Wyck lanes".

I never got to take Bob Diamond's Atlantic Avenue tunnel tour but I did take his trolley ride in 1994. My daughter (who was 2) even got her picture in the paper for being the youngest rider. I haven't heard anything about him in years. I hope that all the red tape didn't frustrate him to give up.

Bob Diamond's trolley is dead. The whole thing came to a crashing halt, and not a nice crash either. The whole thing was shrouded in controversy, and the trolleys I believe were haulded off in defalt or something. The whole thing was a mess. Not a pretty sight. Too bad.

Fox Meserole was a relatively brief name for this theatre. It was originally the S&S Meserole (built by Small & Strausberg), and for most of its life the Randfoce Meserole. I don't know if it was still operating as a cinema by the time that the Randforce circuit name was retired in favor of United Artists Theatres.

I'm on my way to Eckerds - in the Meserole Theater. I do appreciate that there is enough of the old theater that is still recognizable, right down to the Eckerd promo shots shown on the old screen and the cashiers in the old concession area.

OK. I'll make a couple of corrections to my previous post - The pharmacy counter is where the concession stand was (under the balcony) and the cahsiers are in the long hallway from the ticket booth to the concession area. The ceiling, the screen, and some of the metal trim are still obvious, as well as various aspects of the exterior. I give them a lot of credit for not just bulldozing or renovating beyond all recognition.

Yeah, the phrarmacy is right under the balcony. The cashiers are in the old lobby area. You can actually still feel the flow of the theater walking in, through the lobby, inner lobby area (although doors gone), and then entrance into the theater. They did an outstanding job.

KarenN, please go see "Hannibal Rising" for me. Thanks.

The "Parkside" station of the LIRR Rockaway Line, now abandoned, used to be right near where Woodhaven Lanes is now. Go to the page for the Cinemart Theater, # 4615, click on the last link provided by Lost Memory. Scroll down to the picture of the RR overpass with the sign for the "brushless" car wash. The "Parkside" station was once just to the left (north) of that sign. The overpass is the abandoned Rockaway Line.

Bway will back me up on this.

Dear pkoch..My Husband used to work for Four Ones Car Service and we used to pass under the LIRR station all the time. I did not know that there was station under there..It's great history. there is a Mall there now it is so congested by the Car Wash Area in the back..Anniegirl

Anniegirl :

The station was on the same level as the tracks, just north of Metropolitan Avenue (going towards Yellowstone Blvd.) one wooden platform on each side.

My parents and I used Four Ones Car Service when we lived in Ridgewood, until October 1999. Also Lindy's.

The Parkside LIRR station closed in 1962.

Yes. The last day of operation on the Rockaway Line, from Ozone Park, to Penn Station, Manhattan, was June 11, 1962.

Dear Koch My Husband worked for the Forest Hills location of Four Ones.. Thanks for the information on the LIRR station anniegirl

You're welcome, anniegirl. I think the phone # for the Forest Hills location of Four Ones was, and still is, (718) 441-1111. For Ridgewood, it was (718) 456-1111.

Bway is also very knowledgable about the LIRR in NYC.

Yep PKOCH My Husband worked for that company until we moved to Long Island. He had many a good customers. At one point he was a owner-operator. It was a good company and very safe.Bway and Warren are very up on the Theater Circut information. Anniegirl

Did the Meserole have a period of closure in the 1950s? I couldn't find it advertised circa 1955, though other Randforce theatres were. Perhaps it was being renovated, or shuttered temporarily waiting for patrons to lose interest in their home TVs.

Dear Warren, I do not remember the Meserole being closed for any period of time in the 50's, but I do remember going to the RKO Greenpoint with my Aunt's when I was a kid in the 50's. So It could have happened. It's a mystery to me.......Anniegirl

Anniegirl, where was the RKO Greenpoint ? Does it have a page on this site ?

Yes PKoch go to status look for Closed and Demolished scroll down to RKO Greenpoint Brooklyn. Anniegirl

Thanks, Anniegirl. I never knew the RKO Greenpoint existed. It was fun learning about it. It was not far from the Meserole, the Chopin, the southeastern corner of Manhattan Avenue and Calyer St., where a friend of mine from high school lived, or from Calyer St. itself, where another h.s. friend of mine lived.

The marquee and entrance on Manhattan Avenue seem very small compared to the theater itself.

During its existence, the Greenpoint was considered the top theatre in that area due to its vaudeville history and architecture. In its early days, the Greenpoint was also one of the top theatres in all of Brooklyn. The Meserole was just a "nabe" built for movies, and rather plain in comparison to the Greenpoint.

Thanks, Warren. I would have thought the top theatre in all of Brooklyn would have been Loew's Kings on Flatbush Avenue or Loew's Metropolitan in downtown Brooklyn, rather than the Greenpoint, in the northwest corner of Brooklyn.

Peter, in the Greenpoints section, I posted a fairly recent photo of the Greenpoint, which it's location is now a Rainbow Shop.

Thanks, Bway, I saw it.

Dear Koch, The Met was a top movie theater in Downtown Brooklyn. So was the Paramount and the Fox. But if you lived in the Greenpoint Area " The Garden Spot of the World" the RKO Greenpoint was the Best. Anniegirl right Warren...Anniegirl

Peter, show business did exist before movies. The Greenpoint was prominent in the heyday of vaudeville. I would say it was one of the "Top Three" theatres in Brooklyn, along with the Bushwick and Orpheum.Those theatres were eventually overshadowed by the big movie palaces. But vaudeville was king, and remained so for at least 25 years into the twentieth century.

Thanks for the reminder about live theater and vaudeville.

I think Fred Allen once referred to TV as "tired vaudeville".

I was also thinking of theaters located in the heart of Brooklyn or downtown Brooklyn, as opposed to a theater located in Greenpoint, the extreme northwest corner of Brooklyn.

Yes, Annie girl, my Greenpoint buddies and I used to joke about "the Point" as "The Garden Spot of the World".

Ed Norton : I hear Jackie Gleason's from our own Brooklyn neighborhood right here !

[laughter from audience]

Ralph Kramden : Jackie Gleason's not in Brooklyn ! Jackie Gleason's in the sun and fun capital of the world !

Ed Norton : What's he doing in Perth Amboy ?!?!

[uproarious laughter from TV audience for about a minute]

Dear PKoch Jackie Gleason's Mom lived on Chauncey Street in Bed Stuy near Bushwick Ave but such fun watching the Honeymooner's and I have all the DVD's of the Series. Love them all......Anniegirl

Good for you, Anniegirl. Yes, Gleason lived on Chauncey St., either 329 (mentioned in "The Honeymooners")or 358(on his mother's death cetificate), between B'way and Fulton St. near Saratoga Avenue.

Yes sir PKoch.....Anniegirl

I have also seen it listed as 328 Chauncey....you can google any of those addresses, and get Jackie Gleason stuff no matter which you use. I don't know which is correct.

Thanks Bway..Anniegirl

I remember debating Gleason's address before. Bway, you recently took and posted pictures of those blocks of Chauncey Street. Perhaps Gleason lived at both addresses.

reading all the comments about the Meserole brought back many memories for me. I was born on Leonard Street(#523) between Nassau and Driggs in 1943. I remember seeing the original Clarabel the clown from the Howdy Doody Show at the Meserole. I also bowled at Greenpoint Bowl the day it opened and the day it closed. There was a shoe factory above the bowling alley and they found a clause in the bowling alley lease that allowed them to close it. I then bowled at Woodhaven for many years. In the comments everyone refers to the "Chopin Theather". It was the American before it became the Chopin. And on the corner there is a McDonalds.
Butch Olson

Thank you, Butch Olson, of "the Point" !

A friend of mine from Manhattan Avenue and Calyer Street used to refer to Greenpoint as "the Point" also !

Pronounced, no doubt, "of the pernt!"

Ed Solero, you got it ! It almost rhymes with the "earl" sold by Newell Fuel Company !

Does that mean that the song recorded by Gene Chandler was really called the "Duke of Oil". :)

My brothers Carl, Walter and I hung out on Calyer and Eckford with the Quinns. I spent a lot of time in McCarren pool with my friends. We would also go to Astoria & sunset pools to Dive. The best diving board in NYC was in the hotel St George in Brooklyn Heights. They had a salt water pool there. We would dive ond flip off the board and leave our footprints on the ceiling believe it or not.There was a lot of action bowling at greenpoint bowl. Bowl all night for money then go out for breakfast. There was Augie Minucci (Lindas brother). Bobby Dunn, Ernie Ball, Charlie johnson, Eddie Novack and more that I can't remember. Those were the good old days. I have lots of memories and love to talk about the old days.

Keep the good memories coming, Butch !

Yes, Lost Memory, quite possibly. In mid-April 1988 I remember John Laroquette, as Dan Fielding on the TV show "Night Court", referring to a certain slimy character in a diving suit as both "The Wizard Of Ooze" and the "Duke Of Oil".

Butch, you might enjoy Bushwick Buddies. Here's the link. It centers around Bushwick, but there are threads and discussions of Greenpoint and Williamsburg as well :

http://www.bushwickbuddies.com/

ANyone remember Wayne County on I beleive it was Newell or Jewell street between Calyer and Greenpoint. They made cider and we used to climb the tanks in their yard and "borrow" some cider. Also remember diving from the warehouses into the river on hot days with Brian Ferchaw, Richie Shevlin and others. (about a 70 foot dive). We were always into sports in those days. Swimming, Diving, Punchball, Stickball, Softball and basketball. Also hung around St. anthonys when Father harris was there. We were a group of guys (and girls) that stayed on Leonard between Calyer and Greenpoint Ave. Brian Sosnowski, Jerry Conway, John Daly, Jimmy (Cousin) Lynch, Steve gatson and his brother (forgot his name). Frankie Brudecki and a few others.

Butch, I had a Franciscan brother, Brian Sosnowski, as my religion teacher at my first year (1969-1970) at St. Francis Prep. He was a handsome, blonde man of medium build. I can't help but wonder if he was the same Brian Sosnowski that you knew.

Yes he became a Brother so it probably was. It's funny, the guys were called "The Brothers"

Small world. Yes, funny that your guys were called "The Brothers".

The Prep swim team practiced frequently at McCarren Pool, and the track team gathered frequently at McCarren Park. My former boss used to go swimming at the St. George Hotel in Bklyn Heights. I think my mom went to a Prep Mother's Guild card party at the St. George Hotel while I was at the Prep (1969-73).

Please, folks, let's keep this restricted to discussions of the Meserole Theatre. I was summoned here numerous times today and found mainly off-topic gossip about the neighborhood. Please go to Brooklyn Board or some other chat board for that. Many thanks!

Dear all
Does anyone remember the Dr. Brown's Soda Company on the Northside and Bedford Ave near Automotive Trades High School.......Also the Chopin Theater was not as popular back then it did not even exist before the RKO and the Meserole.......I do not remember the American Theater but I do remember when the Chopin opened...at that time the RKO was gone....I do remember the Bowling Alley, went there twice with my friends from Greenpoint.....Paulette Godlewski, Barbara Tyska and Maryanne Mitrovitch......and others also the Public Library on Norman Avenue. anniegirl

I don't recall any of that, anniegirl, but perhaps Butch might. Thanks for posting more of your memories.

your welcome!!!!!!!!!anniegirl

Like countless other Greenpointers, my first date took place at the Meserole. (I have absolutely no idea what we saw.) We then went for a drink at what was then Petey Della's Bar/Restaurant, which was situated at the corner of McGuinness Blvd.(which was only recently known as Oakland St.) and Nassau Ave. It is now part of the Evergreen Funeral Home. Generations of 16 and 17 year olds learned how to drink at Petey Della's - remember, the legal drinking age in NYS was then only 18.

As the Greenpoint RKO limped through its last few years of existence as an increasingly shabby venue, the Meserole clearly became Greenpoint's premier movie house. The big music movies like South Pacific and My Fair Lady were slotted to play there, and drew very well.

It is interesting how people remember the Chopin but not the American, especially since the theater operated under the latter name for most of its existence. (Consider the Chopin to be a small Coda appended at the end of long orchestral movement in sonata form.) The remarkable thing about the Chopin was that - at a time the closure of a movie theater was a functional death sentence - the old American was actually resurrected, albeit briefly, to show movies again. Unfortunately, its second demise occurred just before Greenpoint started to become a hot community. If it had survived a little longer, the Chopin would have become a very successful art and indy house. But I guess we now have to settle for the Starbucks that now occupies this site.

I remember Petey Della's Bar / Restaurant, John Dereszewski, from my Greenpoint hangout days, 1973-76. I've been to the Chopin and the Meserole Theaters. Thanks for your post.

In reviewing this tread a second time, I noted the comment that the Meserole is situated on the site of an old Meserole farm. The Meserole's were one of the earliest settlers of north Brooklyn, arriving here when the entire area was a part of Bushwick and Greenpoint was little more than a salt marsh. The family remained prominent for a very long time, as witnessed by the fact that a Meserole was one of the founding members of the Greenpoint Bank's Board of Directors. This institution was only established in the late 1800's.

Anyhow, the reference to the farm house got me to remember a remark that my mother made when we walked up - and then down - Manhattan Ave. as we passed the Meserole Theater. She told me that we were traversing "Meserole Hill". So the idea of a farmhouse situated at the top of a hill makes a lot of sense.

Finally, most of us locals did not refer to this theater by its full name. To us, it was just "The Mezzie".

The introduction needs correcting. The movies at the Meserole were first-run for Greenpoint but behind many other theatres in Brooklyn until the saturation "Premiere Showcase" concept started circa 1962. Prior to that, the Meserole shared first-run status in Greenpoint with the RKO Greenpoint until that theatre closed. During that period, the double features shown at the Meserole were, for an obvious reason, off the Loew's circuit.

Here are new direct links to previously displayed images of the Meserole's original auditorium. It reminds of the work of architect Eugene De Rosa, but I have no proof that it was:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/125-2536_IMG.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/125-2537_IMG.jpg

Dear Warren, Thanks for the Interior Photo's.. Me, and my Husband and my Mom and Dad went to see The French Connection at the Messie when it was playing there.......Those were the days when Manhattan Avenue was still a great place to see the storefronts and such after the Movie was over....I passed by there last year and it was a fun to see how the neighborhood had changed/or not..Many of the old places were gone but St. Anthony's Steeple and Church is still the centerpoint of Manhattan Avenue......With sincere rememberance..anniegirl

Anniegirl, it is nice to make your acquaintance. I have enjoyed reading the comments you have submitted on many of the old local theater treads. And I say with even though you are of the "Messie" persuasion while I belong to the "Mezzie" faction!

Speaking of the old shops on Manhattan Avenue, do you remember Von Dolen's Ice Cream Parlour, which was situated one block to the south. This was a great place to visit after taking in a double bill.

Another eatery also comes to mind. My family frequently ate at the New Garden Chinese Restaurant which was situated at the corner of Meserole Ave. on the second floor. (It is now a Polish nightclub.) For many years it was practically Greenpoint's only restaurant. Since there was little to compare it with, we found it to be fine. In retrospect however, the owners were damn lucky not to have any competition. This was, after all, a Chinese restaurant whose best dish was Breaded Veal Cutlets!

Unfortunately, the old stores continue to disappear. On my last visit, I noticed that George's Bargain Store, a great old place that literally sold everything, had just closed. At least it wasn't replaced by a Starbucks!

Yes I went to Van Dolens so many times and the New Garden Chinese was my favorite place..,.Now that I live on Long Island in Shirley, NY, I usually frequent the Panda Chinese Resturant in Fort Solonga It is great place to eat Chinese Food....Do you remember the Appliance Store on Manhattan and Bedford Ave and of coarse the Pizza Prince...I remember when the Pizza Prince was but a small place just for takeout orders in 1964..I used to go there with my old boyfriend Joe every Friday for take out pizza and eat it in his car,......now it has expanded to a larger place....I had friends all over greenpoint, i would love to get in touch with a few if possible and I probably will sometime in the future...Well John thanks for the memories of the Point........anniegirl

I enjoyed reading your comments, Anniegirl. I also remember the Pizza Prince in its early days when it had just replaced a very dingy fruit and vegetable stand on Nassau Avenue. This was situated right next to the old Nassau Movies, which is now a catering hall.

Do you remember ever going to the Nassau? I only faintly remember it as a going cinematic operation just before it closed. I never saw a movie there. I also don't recall for how long the site stayed vacant before it became the catering hall. I believe it was only for a rather brief time though the building records suggest that the gap may have been considerably longer. So do you have any memories about this matter? If yes, you may wish to add them on the Nassau movie page. I have written a few comments there which you might find interesting. Also, that page can use a little beefing up.

Talk soon.

Hi John, It sadly was the Princess something or visa versa Catering Hall when I went to the Pizza Prince with my old beau....I will look at your comments on the Nassau..John how about the Appliance Store on Manhattan Ave do you remember?? Again I only went to the RKO and the Mezzie on occasions when there was a good movie playing, since I lived in Williamsburgh and mostly went to the Commodore and the Republic (known to us kids as the R&F).......I got Married in 1970 and had our Reception at the Polonaise Terrace on Greenpoint Ave...and I hear that Vincent is still there of late.....Talk to you soon...anniegirl

When the Nassau closed it became a hardware store. Fox & Shammels was the name. It was there for a few years then became a bar maned Rovenaks. The Rovnaks Princess catering hall was added a little later. I beleive the appliance store was L&R Shermans. Next door was a small record shop (JOE'S) which was originally on Nassau Ave. Where Pizza Prince is now.I Remember going to the Nassau many times. Th Matron (Mrs. Bueno) used to sneak us in. When we paid it was 9 cents for a movie, 25 cartoons and a serial (such as Rocketman). Those were great times. We didn't have much, but we never knew it.

That is so true Butch, I hung out on Loimer Street in the early 60's with a group of kids named Paulette Godlewski (now Schwenk) She lived on Noble Street before she married Henry Schwenk, I was in her Bridal Party.. Eddie Dierzowski who lived on Loimer between Bedford and Driggs and a friend named Zowie, Kevin.....and a few others...We all had fun hanging out in the point.......When we went to the mezzie, I think we paid 50 cents in the afteroon time...But I came from Williamsburgh and I went to the Commodore Theater most of the time......with fond memories anniegirl

During the late 40s and early 50s as kids we went to the Meserole almost every Saturday during school summer vacation. (PS 126) Most times we got the admission fee by snagging coins through the subway gratings along Manhattan Ave. We would stick a wad of gum on the end of a Good Humor Popsicle stick attached to a ball of string and lower it through the grating atop a coin and carefully hoist it back up through the grating and into our pockets. On good days, we gathered enough coins to even buy candy and soda as well as to see many a memorable matinee!

I don't know where the seating capacity came from, but I think that the Meserole had considerably more than 1,200. The 1926 Film Daily Year Book says 2,006, the 1945 FDYB reports 1,978, and the 1957 FDYB claims 2,016. Take your pick, but I would go for 2,000 in round numbers.

Warren, it could be that the Meserole had a first floor capacity of 1,200, wirh the balance situated in the balcony, which was both quite large and rarely used. While the balcony could once have served as the Smoking Section, by my time, smoking was allowed in the 10 or so rear rows on the right side of the lower floor. In any event, I could easily imagine 1,200 seats on the first floor - but probably not very much more.

Hope this is helpful.

Well of course if that is the case, Warren is correct, as the seating capacity should show the seating in the entire theater, not just the lower level, but the orchestra level plus the balcony. I don't know why it changed by 20 or seats over the years on either side of 2000 from 1926 to 1945 to 1957, but I would agree that 2000 would be close enough, either that or the original number which would be 2006 using the year 1926's capacity, or the most recent available which would be in 1956 showing 2016.

Since the numbers that Warren cited were generated by the theater's managers, I guess the 1,200 figure represents the number of seats that were actually used - and reported as capacity - in the Meserole's waning days of operation, when the balcony was not open. The Building Dept's public assembly capacity data for the Meserole - if it is available - could provide more official confirmation for these conjectures.

The one thing I do know is that no independent factor, such as the reduction of capacity due to fire damage or building renovation, had anything to do with this. This distinguishes the Meserole from the Graham Theater, where a damaging fire that occurred in the 1930's provided powerful circumstantial evidence for the capacity reduction that occurred at about that time.

This theater still has "seats" as the balcony's seats are still up there, lol!!!

Here's a new link to a 2006 view of the Lorimer Street side of the building. The fire escapes suggest that the Meserole had a substantial number of seats in its upstairs sections:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/meserole02.jpg

Dear Warren, When I hung out with friends on Loimer Street, where the loading dock is on the left is where we sat a many a afternoon into the night....What good times we had on that block and of coarse going to the mezzie on Friday nights when a good movie was playing....anniegirl

Hello All,

I was doing an internet search on Brian Sosnowski and it led me to this sight. My name is Ron and I am his nephew. I'd like to start a chat concerning him or head out to the Point to talk further...to anyone that knew him. I'm sorry to say that he was killed by a drunk driver in Bayville out here on the Island back in 1983. He left a wife and 4 children...yes, he left the brotherhood. Please post!!!

Ron, it might help if you told us Brian Sosnowski's connection with the Meserole Theatre.

Here are two views of the right wall of the auditorium in the Meserole's final years. An original chandelier still hangs in the dome. Re-painting the walls and ceiling in such light colors must have made for an unsatisfactory viewing experience, like sitting outdoors:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/mesaud1.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/mesaud2.jpg

Ron Wheeler
I knew Brian when we hung out on Leonard St. behind St. Anthonys.
We were a group know as the COUSINS. Sorry to hear of his passing.

Ron Wheeler
My email is olson16@optonline.net

Here are new links to 1927 images of the auditorium:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/125-2536_IMG.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/125-2537_IMG.jpg

Dear Butchofthepoint,
Did you ever hang out in McCarren Park..A few of my friends were Eddie Dzierowski. He lived on Loimer Street between Wythe and Bedford right across from the park..I also hung out with Bubba Brown who's sisters were Dolly and Teresa Brown..They lived on Bedford on the North Side.. Paulette Godlewski (now Schwenk) married to my Sister Mary's friend Henry. Zowie( can't remember his last mame. The Dietz Sisters Donna and Tina, they also lived on Bedford on the North Side..We all hung out in and around the park in the 60's. I was going to e-mail you but decided to write to you instead on this thread. By the way Warren's picks of the Meserole are fantastic..A true treasured memory of the Meserold Theater. anniegirl

I practically grew up in McCarren park. hung out in the pool for many years. I knew the Brown sisters & Zowie. The name Schwenk rings a current day bell. My daughters in-laws have a friend with that name. Their name is Vintis (from the South Side).

Do you still contact the Brown Sisters Dolly and Teresa and their younger brother Bubba, By the way Henry Schwenk married Paulette Godlewski who was my best friend. Henry graduated 8th grade with my sister Mary Anderson in Transfiguration School on Marcy Ave and Hooper Street in Williamsburg. I was one of Paulette's bridesmaids. Her sister was her maid of honor. They lived on Noble Street Do you keep in contact, if so could you give them my e-mail address and we can communicate with each other. I would love to contact Paulette and Henry again, we have lost touch for many years now. My e-mail address is anniegirl1945@optonline.net Thanks Butch. Anniegirl

Ron Wheeler, I'm sorry to read of Brian Sosnowski's tragic death. He was my 9th grade religion teacher at St. Francis Prep. I offer you my condolences.

Dear Ron,
I did not know Brian, however I offer my condolences to you and your family....anniegirl

Brian Sosnowski was my teacher in the 1969-1970 academic year, and a good one.

Yes, Brother Brian, the first five books of the Old Testament are the pentateuch, not the pentitude, as I once mis-heard and mis-spelled it.

Thank you for all the condolences. Butch, will email you back in 48 hours. Peter K., could you email me back at rwheele1@optonline.net - need a favor. Anyone with any knowledge of my uncle, Brian Sosnowski please email me directly. Appreciation To All! Ron

In 1949, Randforce started advertising the Meserole in Queens newspapers due to its proximity to that borough. The Meserole had just been upgraded to a first-run Brooklyn "nabe," which placed it a week ahead of most but not all Queens theatres. The Meserole's bookings were simultaneous with Loew's Triboro in Astoria, but a week after Loew's Valencia in Jamaica. The bookings shown here for the Maspeth and Lefferts were a week behind the Meserole, and simultaneous with such other Queens theatres as Loew's Willard, Plaza, Prospect, Hillside, and Woodside. These changes were gradually being made in compliance with the federal government's anti-trust suit against Hollywood's "Big 5" companies: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/meserole1949.jpg

Thanks, Warren. That's good to know.

Dear Warren, I made a copy of the advertising to show to my husband and we watch TCM when a good old movie is playing. Since he was raised in Astoria, he will remember the Triboro....Thanks for the info..anniegirl

Earlier today, I stumbled over the Meserole's 1922 certificate of occupancy. It permits a 1,990 capacity. This confirms both what Warren and I previously noted that the real capacity of this theater was far higher than the far lower number - 1200 - provided in the title. Specifically, the lower number specifies the functioal capacity that existed in the theater's waning days when the balcony was no longer used. This confirms another finding regarding the Greenpoint RKO, where the 100 or so difference in c of o versus announced capacity probably reflected the functional loss of the small second balcony, which was never used during that theater's last decade of existence.

It's sort of ironic, as I believe as a store, the balcony is still intact upstairs, with the seats still in it!

Wow, Bway, almost like, and even "better" than, the RKO Madison.

Just returned home and found 24 "Someone just responded to..." messages in my "Junk Mail" folder. What's going on? Has Microsoft suddenly declared Cinema Treasures a dealer in junk?

46 waiting for me this morning, all in "Junk Mail."

Mine still go to my normal mail. All you have to is click "not junk", and most email programs will ask if you want to put that email address on your "safe list", and that should fix the problem.

That' right Bway..Thanks for the info. My daughter who is a computer wiz says you are right..Anniegirl

There's two wonderful photos of the Meserole on the brooklynpix.com website. One historic, and one in later years:

http://brooklynpix.com/photoframex1.php?photo=/photo99/T/theater313.jpg&key=THEATERS%20313

http://brooklynpix.com/photoframex1.php?photo=/photo99/T/theater314.jpg&key=THEATERS%20314

I linked one of those Meserole photos earlier today, yet my post has been removed. What's going on? And the photos in some of the links being posted by "Bway" are sometimes too magnified for some browsers to handle.

Greetings Warren. Maybe the CT admin could determine what happened to your post.

But as far as the magnified size of photos from linked-to sites, you may want to try going directly to the "brooklynpix" site via your search feature. Then click on the "Theaters 1" link in the margin. (That's where the Meserole pic is.)

My WebTV is probably the oldest, non-computer server still going.
And often if I just search for a site directly, instead of clicking on an embedded link, I'm able to reach the site in a different size. Not always. But I have a "Resize Page" key if it's the wrong size.

That's odd, I checked before I posted some of these links on the pages to see if anyone else posted them, but there were none about the Meserole here to those photos. But sometimes I press "submit" and sometimes it doesn't submit to an actual comment here, and sometimes I don't confirm that the post went through, and instead just go on to the next page. That is what probably happened to you.

Oddly, by the way, those photos fit fit on my browser, perhaps it's something to do with individual browsers. It's nothing I can alter, I just copied the link directly from the brooklynpix site.

Dear Bway,
I clicked on your post and got a perfect pic of the Mezzie. Great photo. I along with my husband Lou and my mom and dad went to see the French Connection at the Meserole..What a quaint moviehouse here in the garden spot of the world..Love Greenpoint many memories for me as a Williamsburghite keep em coming Bway......anniegirl

Great pix, Bway. Thanks.

Annie, thank goodness the Meserole survives intact. While it's no longer a theater, it's interior is very much intact. It's one of the best conversions to retail I have ever seen... It's a drug store now, but it's so intact, that they even project slides of sales onto the old screen area!

That's good to know, Bway. Thanks.

Based on the films named on the marquee, I think the later pic was taken in 1965 or 1966. Odd how the marquee obscures the Roman arch motif of the front of the building itself.

Many of the marquees we are so familiar with blocked architectual features of the theaters they were on, as most were not original. The original marquees were often very light, and thin, and didn't house all the information the "classic" marquees we know did. This is a great example, and also think of the RKO Bushwick that had very decorative cement work above the doors, that by the 30's was covered up by the big marquee it had. Ironically, covered most of the theater's life. They are of course once again exposed now that the Bushwick is a school now, and marquee long gone.

Thanks, Bway, for this info. Yes, ironic indeed, now that the Meserole is a drug store, and the Bushwick, a school.

Dear Bway and Peter K
Buildings change but our memories will always be there and as for the Meserole the behind-the-scene's are still intact, how wonderful is that...anniegirl

Yes, anniegirl, I have more than enough of the Meserole and many other NYC theaters inside me to last several lifetimes !

Dear Peter.K
So do I. but I love to reminiece about the good ole days...anniegirl

So do I, anniegirl, and have done so extensively, here on CT, on the pages of the many theatres I have known and loved.

This photo shows the theatre during its brief life as the Fox Meserole. The marquee can be seen in the left background: http://www.brooklynpix.com/photoframex1.php?photo=/photo1/G/greenpoint23.jpg&key=GREENPOINT 23

Warren, thanks so much for this picture. It seems to have been taken in 1931, after the Garden movie house had closed across the street but before Fox went bankrupt. Most of the buildings pictured here are still intact, although some of the larger buildings on the next block appear to have been replaced by decidedly smaller structures. (I would love to see an enlarged copy of this photo!)

One of the amazing things about this photo is the lack of cars, this is such a busy location today. The block does look very similar to what it looks like today (building-wise), for the most part.

Greenpoint was a "blue collar," working class district. I doubt if many residents could afford to own a car. This photo was also taken in the midst of the Depression. The few cars look expensive, and might have belonged to the owners of the businesses or bank managers. Also, the photo might have been taken early in the morning, before people came to shop. And most of the shoppers probably lived in the neighborhood and would have walked there. If they did need "wheels," they probably would have taken a streetcar, bus, or subway.

Warren, you are absolutely right about the lack of cars in depression era Greenpoint. When my father was growing up during the 1930's, he told me how automobile free the streets were when he and his friends played punch and stick ball. In fact, many horse drawn carts were still making deliveries at that time. (So I guess they had to duck horse manure instead of parked vehicles!) Also, since such a high percentage of the people who had jobs worked in the neighborhood, an automobile was a superfluous item even for those who could afford one.

By the way, did you catch the tiny "Norman Avenue" street sign in the foreground. You would probably need a pair of binoculars to read it unless you were right on top of it! And the partially obscured Anderson's furniture sign, located on the building just south of the Meserole, depicted a store, housed in that building, that only closed its dors within the past decade. (I bought my first furniture sets there.) That building was recently converted into luxury condos, giving the one-time movie palace an upscale neighbor.

That was excactly my point Warren...it's a strange sight because of the lack of cars. Obviously it was a different era.

Here is the Meserole in 1967.

Here's the google street view image of the Meserole, to compare to the link Lost posted. Sad it's not a theater, but one of the classiest retail conversions I can think of.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=723+Manhattan+Avenue,+Brooklyn,+NY+11222+United+States&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=40.727551,-73.952086&spn=0.007887,0.016329&z=16&iwloc=A&layer=c&cbll=40.726033,-73.952072&panoid=ttjX2qZts3Uf4V8DLlLwzQ&cbp=12,282.2983439752943,,0,-14.277266754270702