Kew Gardens Cinemas

this is the best theatre in Queens

I was there last night and auditorium one (which is the orchestra closest to the original screen) has been converted to stadium seating. They also enlarged the screen but foolishly got rid of the curtains. The curtains were only really used at the end of the night, since they run slides of advertising and trivia.

I remember constantly passing this theater when it went porno on the way to visit my grandmother (I was four at the time, you perverts!). My grandparents actually went to a showing of the X-rated Snow White and the Seven Dwarves thinking it was the Walt Disney version!

20 years later, my now-wife and I moved to Kew Gardens, just down the street from this theater. I can definitely attest that it is one of the best theaters in New York. They have the buckets of popcorn and, at least when I was there, they actually had REAL butter, not this stupid "topping". We saw a lot of great movies there, like "Being John Malkovich" and "Almost Famous." I sincerely hope that it's still open.

It's open and thriving, I am here almost once a week.

The Incompetent Journalism Award for 2004 should go to the weekly Queens Tribune for its current list of the "Top 10 Places To See a Movie" in the borough. "Most people think Manhattan is the place to go for great movies," says the Tribune. "But there is a selection of creative Queens theaters that run films that can't be found in Manhattan or anywhere in New York City for that matter." Following is the list in order of importance:
1-Kew Gardens Cinemas
2-Eagle, Jackson Heights
3-American Museum of the Moving Image, Astoria
4-Drake Theatre, Rego Park
5-Boulevard Theatre, Jackson Heights
6-Palace Theatre, Corona
7-Jackson Triplex, Jackson Heights
8-Cinemart Cinemas, Forest Hills
9-Broadway Theatre, Astoria
10-Center Cinemas, Sunnyside
Surprisingly, the Queens Tribute claims "cinematreasure.org" as its source of information, which, despite the incorrect spelling, is probably this website. If they had bothered to read it, they would have found that the Drake and Boulevard have been converted into restaurants, the Palace into a church, and the Broadway into a catering hall.

Charles Sandblom was architect for the Austin Theatre, which first opened in 1935 with a reported 599 seats.

Instead of making the trek into Manhattan from Astoria to attend an art house 'plex, I made the trek out to Kew Gardens on Saturday and caught a film at the Kew Gardens Cinema. I had never been there before and agree it is a delightful place to see a movie. It is clearly a labor of love for the people who own and/or run the theatre. What a difference between watching a film in a venue like this and those depersonalized mega-plexes. You can tell there isn't too much distance distance between the owners/operators and the theatre. It is real personalized with old magazine posters on the wall and just a genuine nice vibe in the place.

It is easy on the pocketbook too. The first screening on Saturday was at a friendly $5.50 and I would have paid $10.25 or $10.50 to see the movie in Manhattan. Good bargains weekdays as well. I'll be patronizing this place more often.

Interesting booking this week. DEAR FRANKIE has popped back after. This one closed a month ago or so and I thought it was dead and gone. In fact, this fill is like Freddie Krueger. It keeps closing and then popping back up in a first run house. Now, I'll get another chance to see it.

Another thing I noticed is that the listings in ads in the Times for the theatres where the advertised movie is playing often exclude this cinema. I don't think, for example, the Times ad lists LOOK AT ME, which is playing here.

No, CaptRon they are back with the "stupid topping." No real butter on the popcorn.

Great theatre when it was the Austin. Low admission price and double features. One of the few theatres to have a life after being a porno house. The Austin along with the nearby Cinemart are examples of theatres that are more viable today than 25 years ago. High real estate values and a sophisticated populace priced out of Manhattan have made these theatres up-scale and first-run.

Responding, hardbop, to your posting from this past May 14th - I wonder if the ads you saw at the time for 'Dear Frankie' and 'Look at Me' listed any other outer-borough theatres where either of those films were showing. I think the reason theatres outside of Manhattan are left out of such ads comes down to the discretion of the individual theatre owners (each owner has to pay for their theatre(s) to be listed in display ads or movie clocks) or the amount of ad space the distributor of a film is willing to pay for.

I can't remember, but I did notice that the display ads for SUMMER OF LOVE and HEIGHTS did not list the Kew Gardens Cinema. I saw both of those films yesterday for $5.50 each, which is a terrific bargain. In fact, I have the Times in front of me now and there is a display ad for HEIGHTS and it lists only the Paris and UA 14th St. as the theatres where it is playing.

I paid $10.75 to see ME AND YOU & EVERYONE WE KNOW at IFC and that is coming out to KG, where I could have seen it for $5.50. And I know City Cinemas Village East charges $10.75. Until I found this site I would have never patronized the Kew Gardens Cinemas. I am going to wait -- there is usually a lag between the time art films open in Manhattan and make their way to Kew Gardens -- to see these films to take advantage of the low ticket prices at KG. $5.50 is a steal.

I am surprised to learn that this theatre was a porno house since this is such as upscale neighborhood. I was walking down some of the side streets back and forth to the subway and there are some beautiful single-family homes.

Christmas of 1968 the Austin was playing "West Side Story"
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13/ChmnofBrd/WestSideStory1968re-issue.jpg

I first knew this theater as the Austin, when it was porno, and wonder why NYC shut it down. I am very glad it has been reborn as the five-plex Kew Gardens Cinemas. I have passed by there and have seen it in its new form, but have yet to see a film there. I, too, hope it survives as the mini-Angelika cinema of Queens.

Is the photo at the following link for this theater:
http://www.oldkewgardens.com/ss-kewcards/kc-0600-NL.html

Yes it is

Thanks Robert. This is the main link to that website in case you want to see the other Kew Gardens photos:

http://www.oldkewgardens.com/

Thanx to this site I am now a regular at the KG Cinema, taking advantage of the $6 tickets on all weekday afternoons, all day Tuesday & Thursday and first shows Saturday & Sunday that start before 2 p.m.

Recently, I caught GOODNIGHT, & GOOD LUCK, THE PRIZEWINNER FROM DEFIANCE, SEPARATE LIES & PROOF. PRIZEWINNER & DEFIANCE lasted only a week at the KG. Over time the savings add up. Some Manhattan Theatres now charge $10.75.

Go for those bargains, hardbop !

Fortunately, the Kew Gardens, formerly the Austin, is not in the middle of nowhere, but is at a busy, easily accessible location, convenient to subway, bus, LIRR and walking.

my absolutely favorite theater in the city. I love the movie selection, the cozy atmosphere, the personnel, the patrons, the price, the spotless bathrooms. And a hot cup of Earl Grey tea on a freezing winter afternoon (or evening) is that extra friendly touch that keeps bringing you back for more.

I remember one time coming here in 1983 or '84 on a drunken excursion with a few co-workers when it was a porn theater. I'll never forget the experience. The movie playing was something called "The Girl from S.E.X." with a "plot" that was intended to be a spoof of a spy movie. I went with 3 other guys, one of whom I worked with at a Mini-Mart on 108th Street in Forest Hills. It was a cool early summer's day and we were having some beers when we decided to pile into somebody's car and take a trip to the Austin. This would be the ONLY time I ever found myself inside a real XXX house.

I can't say I remember much about the theater's decor, but I know that the facade was completely different than it exists now. I want to say it was a low-lying 1 or 2 story brick front, but I have no clear mental image. I also think we purchased our tickets through an outdoor ticket window - much like the one at the Polk Theater in Jackson Heights. Inside, there was a short vestibule and second set of glass doors and then a dark and decent-sized lobby with doors to the auditorium (which ran straight back to the screen wall in a line from the sidewalk) and stairs up to the balcony.

We sat up in the balcony, which one entered through an open hallway from the staircase landing. The balcony appeared very shallow and I seem to recall that the seating included a couple of sofas at the rear!!! As we sat to watch the movie, a sense of discomfort sat in with all of us. As we talked before the movie began we decided to call each other by names other than our own (partially in jest and partially for the sake of anonymity)... but in our drunkeness, we had forgotten the names we had been using so that each time one of us addressed another, we'd use a completely different name than before. We joked that anyone below us in the orchestra might think there were 10 or 12 of us up there instead of the 4 that we actually were. We didn't get more than 20 minutes into the feature when we all sort of freaked out over the gentleman in the overcoat who had come in and stood silently in the row directly behind us. Having had enough, we elected to walk out before much longer, never learning if, in the end, the Girl from S.E.X. was able to "finish off" the bad guy (though, we can assume that she did exactly that... to their mutual satisfaction)!

I've been back a couple of times since the theater reinvented itself in 1999 or so as a multiplex for the more discerning film goer, but it has been a few years. I think I saw "Chocolat" and "Being John Malkovich" here and possibly "About Schmidt". Parking can be a bit problematic, but the effort is rewarded with an eclectic selection of films that usually do not reach the outer boroughs. If I recall, there is a small room off to the side of the lobby where an original neon sign for the Austin is on display. That's a nice touch. The way the theater itself has been carved up sort of reminds me of how the Fantasy in Rockville Center was subdivided.

The more I read about this theater, the more I want to go there !

Amazing history, a real pleasure to see first-runs at now.

Saw 'Cache' and 'Tristram Shandy' there in last few weeks. I like to go out of Manhattan to see movies, it's less claustrophobic and changes the perception. usually walk around the neighbourhood and try a restaurant. This is a nice area, but not all that characterful. I like Sheepshead Bay, and don't even mind the UA Cinema there, even though everybody else hates it. Of course it's ugly, but you can stop by Randazzo's and get Fried Calamari.

Anyway, this Kew Gardens cineplex is especially charming in itself and there are some good greengrocers around.

pmulins, there's also the El Greco Diner on Emmons Avenue in Sheepshead Bay, just south of the Belt Parkway.

I continue to patronize this theatre (which I had never even heard of until I found this board) and last Friday caught "Tsotsi" and "Thank You For Smoking" for $6 a pop. Also caught "Cache" here.

Over a year you can save quite a bit of money when you spend $6 to see a film instead of $10.75 that I was charged yesterday by the Angelika to see "Duck Season."

I now wait for the films to play at Kew Gardens whenever possible. They usually put up posters in the lobby trumpeting the upcoming films and put a sign up that tells when they are open. Usually they pop up here two or three weeks after they open in Manhattan at Lincoln Plaza or the Angelika.

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

pmulins, hardbop, perhaps the Kew Gardens Cinema should hire you to do their publicity, but then their ticket prices might go up, to pay your salaries ....

Yes, over the year, you can save lots of money, especially if you see at least one movie a week, like I did when I was single.

Now, I watch one of my wife's or son's movies each day ...

Kew Gardens Cinemas has one of the "blandest" facades, which bears no evidence of its Art Deco splendor. I have never been to this theater. I hope that the original facade is underneath, and can be restored. Forest Hills 100th anniversary is this year & Kew Gardens Cinemas borders Forest Hills. What better way is there to celebrate than restore as many historic buildings as possible!?! Does anyone have any photos prior to the renovation, or recall how it once looked? Let's work together, & hopefully we can convince the owner that our vision is viable. Please help. Thanks!

I'm not sure if anything remains beneath the current banal facade, Native. There is a vintage work of neon signage inside a small room off the theater's lobby (perhaps a former box office or manager's office?) but aside from that, I believe all was gutted and lost with the multi-plexing. Perhaps, as with the Cinemart, some remnant of the original lobby exists above the current drop ceiling?

Here's an ad from the 12/9/80 edition of the NY Post for the old XXX Austin, Olympia and Queens theaters (I presume they fell under the same ownership at the time):

Prisoners of Paradise

Typically, the small ad was clustered in a lower corner of the page with another ad for a Kung-Fu grind house feature and a few "hourly rate" motels!

Thank you very much for sharing this. Perhaps that will be one of my future efforts. In regard to the Cinemart, I hope to work with the owner and restore remnants of the interior. From what I've seen beneath the paneling, an ornate ceiling does exist, although it might have some holes.

In 1969-'70, we only knew this theater as the Austin up on Lefferts Blvd. My first fiancee and I were repeat customers many times during this timeframe. Since we were without cars then, we'd walk up from the BMT el on Jamaica Avenue to the Austin, perched atop a fairly steep hill. (Rough to climb in those windy winter months!)

The movie programs were varied and good, and the admission prices were always reasonable in those days. Saw a ton of movies there, including Liza Minelli's "Sterile Cuckoo," the re-release of Gable's "Gone With the Wind" (1939!) and the first run of George C. Scott's "Patton." Brilliant!

The only downer is that Antonina had her wallet stolen out of her purse by one slick dude who was sitting behind her in the balcony one evening. (Dick Tracy Crimestopper tips in the Daily News always warned her about thievery like this, but she was one careless gal. Oh, well. So sad, too bad...)

The Austin is one local neighborhood theater I miss a lot and will will have to check out the Kew Gardens Cinema next trip back to NY.

An article about the Kew Gardens Cinemas by Loraine Snapper entitled "Life of An Art House" was published in the August 10th, 2006 issue of Queens Chronicle and can be read at the weekly newspaper's website: www.queenschronicle.com Unfortunately, the website published only one of the three photographs that appeared in the paper's printed version, and that shows the Austin in 1977 as a porno venue. Omitted were a 1948 view of the Austin with "Key Largo" & "Wallflower" on the marquee, and a recent color shot of the Kew Gardens Cinemas marquee.

Click here to go directly to the article and photo. Thanks for sharing, Warren. Actually, I'm glad that the '77 shot of the Austin was included over the recent color shot (since we can go down there and easily see or photograph it ourselves), but I would have liked to have seen the '48 shot. I wish the image was larger than it is. Looks like they simply scaled down the marquee and re-faced the facade in modern looking materials for the conversion from porn to high art.

In the current theater, there is a small room off to the left as you walk through the front doors into the lobby. I seem to recall there is some vintage neon on the wall of that room that may be the big "AUSTIN" lettering from one side the old marquee. I have to go back there and check it out - I might be mistaken about exactly what it is that is in that room. Seems one of those signs would take up an awful lot of wall space!

Anyway, here's a repeat link to a recent photo first posted by Lost Memory on August 10th, 2005.

"Lost Memory" has proven himself such a computer whiz that he should be able to put up that 1948 photo. I could have done it myself, but no longer have the desire thanks to his petty ravings and machinations.

I probably could, but I have no desire to do it either! What you consider to be petty, others here consider very serious. Well, one Troll message deserves another:

And my number is Beechwood 4-5789

You can call me up and have a date, any old time.

Frankie???

Here are 5 photographs I took of the Kew Gardens Cinemas in July 2003:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/217992262/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/217992731/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/217993046/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/217993407/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/217993711/

And just for good measure.........

Why, the whole world will pay to see this.
No chains will ever hold That.
We'll give him more than chains. He's always been king of his world, but we'll teach him fear.
We're millionaires, boys. I'll share it with all of you. Why, in a few months, it'll be up in lights on Broadway: "Warren", the Eighth Wonder of the World!


Deep Throat

Hmmm...Who could that be? LOL

Ken... Thanks so much for posting those images. I'm glad to see that my memory wasn't as faulty as it often is and that the old "AUSTIN" lettering from the marquee is indeed displayed in that room off the lobby. Unfortunately, beyond those glass doors at the end of the long view of the foyer you shot, there is little left (if anything) of Sandblom's original design for the Austin's interior.

And now that the site seems to be back up and running properly, I'd like to make a plea to both Warren and Lost Memory to indefinitely extend the unintentional cooling down period that resulted from this most recent outage. Guys, you both contribute valuable information to this site and while some may not agree with Warren's purist vision of what this site should be just as others do not agree with the more casual conversational format Lost Memory supports, it would be a shame to see the comment threads here deterioate into a school yard pissing match (pardon my French). That, I fear, would drive more good people away from this site than any individual offense each one of us could possibly offer on our own.

So please, lay down the swords and lets continue on amicably in the spirit of our mutual admiration for this site's nominal topic.

While the site was experiencing problems this morning, the "Who's Online?" box in the lower left hand corner of the homepage displayed a listing for "Warren Broke The Website." When I clicked on the listing, I was immediately taken to the membership profile for "Lost Memory." Could someone please explain how that could have happened? Fortunately, I had my camera handy at the time and collected proof so that no one can say that I must be losing my mind. Yesterday, something similar happened to me when postings previously signed "Lost Memory" were replaced by the signature "GWHIZ," which is close to the "Warrengwhiz" that I use in some of my postings here.
I immediately suspected "Lost Memory" as the culprit, but I don't know how LM managed it unless LM had "inside" help from someone employed by Cinema Treasures. By the time I started asking questions, "GWHIZ" had reverted to "Lost Memory" and the latter was declaring me bonkers. It is all very troubling, and I've just sent e-mails to the heads of Cinema Treasures for an explanation.

Its a nice idea Ed but "Warren" will never play by the rules. I think that you already know that. He has a personality disorder which is very obvious to most "normal" people on this website. He gets obsessed over the most trivial things. He takes a photo of the page because he read "Warren Broke The Website". Why? Who cares what it reads. You cannot reason with him. Everyday before he logs off, he has to take one final "cheap shot" masquerading as a comment before he leaves. I guess that helps him to sleep better at night. During the last confrontation I had with him over an Airdrome theater, I gave him the last word and turned off the email notification for that theater just to keep peace. Am I supposed to turn off the email notification for ALL NYC theaters just to avoid a confrontation with His Majesty? I don't think so. I will no longer tolerate his nonsense and that is the bottom line. If I go, he goes with me. Its a package deal!

I took photos today to prove that such things are going on. When something similar happened yesterday, I didn't have a camera handy. After I reported the incident, I was immediately branded a lunatic by "Lost Memory." And, of course, many believed it because I had no evidence to prove otherwise. By that time, the postings signed "GWHIZ" had been changed back to "Lost Memory"...I don't know what "Lost Memory" means by "If I go, he goes with me. It's a package deal!," but I've photographed that, too, just in case it's a death threat.

Photograph this, YOU ARE A SICK PUPPY!

Ed....Do you understand now why your peace proposal will never work? He has a vivid imagination with the mind of a child. He puts meanings into messages that are not there. His reading comprehension is poor. Do you honestly believe that you can reason with him? Good Luck!

In my humble opinion the only way that someone could interpret 'If I go, he goes with me. It's a package deal!' as a death threat would be as a lover's suicide pact which I do not believe was the meaning of the above text.

A Public Service Announcement....

Digital Photos Challenged In Court

"While some police departments have been thinking of moving to digital photography for recording crime scene evidence, some court cases challenging the validity of digital photographs are making
them think twice. Even though film camera photos can be manipulated as well, defense attorneys are ready and willing to challenge any digital photo with a simple demonstration of how easy it
is to change and manipulate a photo in Photoshop".

All of your photos will Never nullify (translation for Mr. Credibility: to make legally null and void), the following comment:

"Frankie, how would you know? Have we ever shared a bathroom? If you ever again connect my name with the "s word," I will hunt you down and beat the "s" out of you!
posted by Warren on Apr 25, 2006 at 12:43pm"

I would appreciate it if Lost Memory, Warren and anyone else who wants to use this wonderful site for personal vendettas would refrain from doing so. If you want to call each other names, threaten each other or anything else then kindly create a Blog for yourselves or e-mail each other but please...Keep it out of here! Thank you.

What a dork.

Tim is not a dork. People who speak the truth are always attacked by those who don't want it told. I agree with Tim's plea 100%, even though I'm one of those people criticized. But "Lost Memory" is very secretive about his (or her) identity, and I have no way of responding to his/her insults except here. Believe me, I would not need to be "cranky" if members stuck to discussing theatres and did not ramble off onto other topics...Tim, if you have time to spare, please go to the listing for the Ridgewood Theatre and read my posting dated August 6, 2004 at 2:12 PM. This was only two days after "Lost Memory" joined CT, and he was already posting off-topic. A day later, on August 7 at 4:11 PM, he apologized, but after that, his off-topic postings steadily increased. Since joining CT on 8/4/04, he has done 7,059 postings, or an average of 9.46 per day. I would guess that at least 60% of those postings were off-topic. In my own case, I joined CT on October 6, 2003, and have made 3,797 postings, or an average of 3.61 per day. Of those 3,797, I think that about 90% were on topic. My off-topic postings have increased substantially in recent times due to provocations from "Lost Memory" and some of his/her comrades.

Yes Tim, notice how "Warren" agrees with your plea to stop and then continues his off topic Troll comments instead of just moving on. He is a sick and obsessed person. He keeps track of how many comments I have posted on this website. He even has those comments broken down to a per day ratio. Why? Because he has nothing else to do with his time. His only comments so far today and yesterday were Troll comments. He has nothing further to contribute to this website other than making threats against other members and false claims. What do those messages have to do with this theater? I agree that this matter should be handled via email but after the threats he has made, I had to remove my email address from my profile for security reasons. Need I say more?

"Lost Memory," my e-mail address has always been available through my membership profile. I suggest that you write to me there instead of filling this page up with further bilge. If you weren't so secretive about yourself, I would have no reason to communicate with you c/o this public forum.

As Tim and many other members are now observing, you cannot and will not stop your "bilge" messages. You have already threatened at least one other member and you have exhibited stalking tendencies. No one in their right mind would email you so you would then have their email address to continue your stalking tendencies. As I have said before, you are obsessed and should be removed from this website before your threats become a reality.

"If you weren't so secretive about yourself, I would have no reason to communicate with you c/o this public forum". What business is it of yours how "secretive" I am? What business is it of yours what I choose to use for a screen name? What business is it of yours how many comments I post? You are delusional. You believe that this website is controlled by you and that is not true. Every comment that you make incriminates you further. Please continue.

I have received an email from Warren G. Harris and I have been advised not to reply to him. My email address is not listed in my profile. How he obtained my email is not important. I have notified my email provider and I will be receiving a new email account shortly. This is further evidence that I am being stalked by Warren G. Harris. If Warren G. Harris is not removed from this website, I can only assume that the owners of this website condone his threatening behavior towards other members. I am posting this here so it can become public record.

Warren G. Harris, Please do not email me again. I will consider any and all future emails as harassment and will take legal action to stop them. I do not wish to correspond with you. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

The caption to this photo claims that the Austin switched to XXX adult fare on March 23rd, 1976, with this double feature. I wonder what Kathy graduated from (or to)?:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/austin1976.jpg

"I wonder what Kathy graduated from (or to)?:"

Hopefully not the fate of Shauna Grant, born Colleen Applegate : abortions, venereal disease, suicide by gunshot, as outlined in "Death Of A Porn Queen", Frontline, PBS, 1987.

Maybe Kathy's Graduation isn't the full title. There was a 1975 adult movie called "Kathy's Graduation Present" with Annie Sprinkle. It doesn't look like the word "present" would fit on the marquee.

Gotta say I save big bucks by patronizing this cinema, which I learned when I stumbled onto this web site. The $6 bargain price (weekdays before 5, all day Tues. & Thurs., shows before 2 p.m. weekends/holidays) is one of the best kept secrets in New York City. And it is a relatively short subway ride from Manhattan on the Express E & F trains.

Most of the films I want to see are playing in limited run in Manhattan, but at least four of them will eventually work their way out to Kew Gardens.

Thanks for mentioning this, hardbop.

Happy New Year to you and everyone else here on Cinema Treasures !

the cinema has a new website and planning to add a 6th theater
http://www.kewgardenscinemas.htmlplanet.com/

I wonder if they're cutting up an existing auditorium or expanding into adjacent space.

Thanks for letting me know, Fred.

Good question, EdSolero.

They expanded into the dry cleaners next door.

Thanks for your answer, dewotr.

I'm working not far from here and plan to visit real soon.

Good for you, saps. I last visited Saturday July 8 2006, though I did not see a film there.

I saw the last showing of 3:10 to Yuma (awesome movie) during its premiere on a Friday night. There were at most 20 people in a theater for 100 people (I'm only guessing the capacity). The view was awesome wherever you sat, and the sound was good too. Was able to recline comfortably and enjoy the movie. Bathrooms were clean and the cheesy onscreen ads were great too!

Thank you, VincentPrice, and welcome to Cinema Treasures !

I'm glad you had a good experience at the Kew Gardens Cinemas.

What were the cheesy on-screen ads for ? I enjoyed the pre-movie ads at the BAM Rose Cinema when I saw "Psycho" there Saturday July 15 2006. Most of the addresses of the vendors advertised there were on nearby Brooklyn streets I am familiar with, like Hancock Street.

The Austin might have been built in 1935, but it didn't open until September 10th, 1936, according to a front page article in The Forest Hills-Kew Gardens Post of that same day. Charles Sandblom was credited as architect, with Harold W. Rambusch as interior designer. At opening, the Austin was owned and operated by Rugoff & Becker, a sub-run but "first class" chain that ran only single features supported by short subjects. R&B claimed that in a poll of its patrons, about 78% said that they preferred such programming to double features. The first bill at the Austin was the British import, "First a Girl" starring Jessie Matthews; "On the Wrong Track," a Charlie Chase comedy short; "The Old Mill Pond," a color cartoon; "Living Jewels," a scenic novelty; and a newsreel. The Post article gave this description of the Austin's interior: "Good taste is evident from the walnut lobby to the handsome silk-hung auditorium. The curtain corresponds in treatment to the walls, and the whole is illuminated by soft indirect lighting. A novel feature is the mezzanine lounge, which dispenses with the usual balcony and affords patrons a maximum of comfort while viewing the performance. Among other innovations are the twenty-two inch seats, the largest made, which have been installed throughout the theatre. The screen is the most modern type and much larger than those in average use. RCA High Fidelity Sound is employed."

Thanks for all this information, Warren. I wonder how business picked up once the Independent Subway had been built out to Kew Gardens, and opened. The Union Turnpike / Kew Gardens station opened on December 31, 1936, according to nycsubway.org.

I'd be surprised if the opening of the nearby subway station had much of an impact on attendance at the Austin, Pete. I would imagine most of its contingent came from the surrounding neighborhood. I can't imagine it was a "destination" cinema - particularly with other sub-run houses competing in nearby Forest Hills, Richmond Hill and Kew Gardens Hills.

Probably true, Ed. I was just thinking how much easier it is to move along Queens Blvd. by subway than it is by LIRR or bus or trolley. But yes, the RKO Keith Richmond Hill and all the movies at Continental and Austin in Forest Hills were within walking distance of the Austin Cinema / Kew Gardens Cinemas.

Yup. Don't know if Briarwood had its own cinema, but there was also the Main Street Theatre not too far away (and which probably seemed a lot closer back when there was no Van Wyck Expressway standing in the path between Kew Gardens and Kew Gardens Hill)!

Yes, Ed, no Van Wyck Expressway and Kew Gardens Interchange between the old, original Kew Gardens (around the LIRR station at Lefferts and Austin) and the newer Kew Gardens Hills.

The most up to date website is http://www.kewgardenstheatre.com

Thanks, NativeForestHiller.

A vintage view and history of the Austin Theatre can be found here:
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd=2731&pag=460&dept_id=575602&nr=1&nostat=1

Here is a 2008 photo.

Both the Kew Gardens Cinema and the Austin look like cool theatres.

Just a bit off-topic, however: How safe is Kew Gardens these days? Just curious, because that's where the infamous and horrific Kitty Genovese killing took place, if I understand correctly.

Kitty Genovese was murdered in 1964. Her murder was the exception, rather than the rule, in Kew Gardens. So far as I know, Kew Gardens is now a safe place to live.

The Austin Cinema became the Kew Gardens Cinema. Yes, both were cool. The marquee and sign of the Austin were much more conspicuous than that of the Kew Gardens Cinema.

Here's a more direct link to the article about the Austin

http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=19749575&BRD=2731&PAG=461&dept_id=574908&rfi=8

Thanks, saps.

MPol, as a resident of Forest Hills and a frequent visitor to the Kew Gardens, let me assure you that this is a VERY safe neighborhood. The Kitty Genovese tragedy was an extreme aberration then and, in no way, reflects the nature this very safe community. So come and enjoy the wonderful Kew Gardens Cinema!

Thanks, John D. I couldn't have said it better myself !

Okay. thanks, Peter K. and John D. I don't reside anywhere in the NYC-NY area, but I was just curious. I realize that the Kitty Genovese murder was a serious abberratiion that occurred over 40 years ago, but, from what I understood, it certainly stained the area's reputation for awhile, because people heard her screams for help, looked out their windows and yet didn't even so much as call the police.

However, I'm glad to hear that things have changed, and that it is a safe area.

Back to the original topic: the Kew Gardens Cinema looks like a cool cinema, both inside and out.

btw: If I lived anywhere in the NY area, the Kew Gardens Cinema is a place that I, too, would frequent.

It's worth frequenting, believe me. It's almost too good to be true, how that theatre improved from when it was the pornographic Austin.

Too bad they couldn't save the old marquee. Not a fan of the modern look of the exterior. But I think some of the lettering from the marquee is preserved within the lobby, isn't it?

Yes Ed, the old Austin lights continue to glow in a lounge located just to the right of the entrance. While sitting there, you can also view tapes of old movies as you wait for the feature to begin.

That's good to know, John D. Saving the old marquee would have been good. As it is, the facade of the Kew Gardens Cinema is so inconspicuous, and so un-theatre like, that you could almost pass by it, and not know there was a theatre there at all. That's my only gripe about it.

Hopefully, those tapes of old movies showing in the lounge do not include the porno movies that the Austin used to show.

No Peter K, there was no porn to be seen. I think I did see scenes from All About Eve though!

That's good, John D. Thanks for you answer.

Spent a great evening yesterday enjoying Slumlord Millionaire at this lovely theater. While waiting for the flick, I caught a few minutes of Gone With the Wind which was being telecast in the lounge. This movie house remains a real treasure!

Correction. It was Slumdog - not Slumlord - Millionaire that I viewed at this great theater yesterday. (Hopefully, the protagonist will not turn into a slumlord after reaping the profits from the game show - but that is the plot of another - and far more depressing - sequel.)

In any event, long live the Kew Gardens!

Both good comments, John D. Thanks !

go on line to kewgardenstheatre.com to check out the website and see the original photo of the theatre in the thirties. the outside was not changed at all except the marquee. years ago they widened lefferts blvd. and shortened the sidewalk. the delivery trucks constantly backed into and damaged the oversized marquee. it had to be modified. the facade was recoated with fresh gray finish to duplicate the original concrete exterior. it looks even better than the original which had no punch.

I passed by the Kew Gardens Cinema yesterday and I saw a wonderful site! There was a line around the corner and onto Austin Street to get into the theater for the first showings around 12:30. I don't live in the area, though I own an apartment which I sublet and therefore brings me to the neighborhood periodically. I really would love to someday see a film at this theater. When I was growing up and lived in the area in the 70's this theater was a porno house and I never saw a line to get in though I am told it did pretty good business. Thank goodness for the VCR/DVD.

To the comments above about safety, let me add that this area has always been one of the safest in the city. That is what was truly shocking about the Kitty Genovese murder. That it could happen here scared everyone, no matter where they lived. Kew Gardens always has been and continues to be a very safe place to live and visit.

Very interesting comment b'klyn. The explanation for the replacement of marquees seems very plausable. I did not realize how narrow the sidewalk is and will pay special to this on my next visit.

Luis, you should definitely check out this wonderful theatre. A week ago Friday my wife and I saw The Wrestler here and had a great time.

I enjoyed viewing the web site and am trying to link it. Hope it works. Even if it doesn't, it's definitely worth accessing.

http://www.kewgardenstheatre.com/

I also found the comment about Leffert Blvd widening very interesting. Even today, the Q-10 bus has to do a wide turn from Austin Street to be able to turn onto Lefferts. I can see where a wider sidewalk would have been a major problem.

Columnist Denis Hamill writes about the Kew Gardens Cinemas in today's NY Daily News:
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/queens/2009/02/23/2009-02-23_theater_offers_escape_from_blahs-1.html?page=0

Good article, Warren. Thanks. If I were still single and living in Ridgewood, Queens, I, too, would probably be walking four miles or more to the Kew Gardens Cinemas to regularly see exceptional films there.

As opposed to exploding fireball movies at the Midway and Brandon Cinemas in downtown Forest Hills.

I passed by the front of the Kew Gardens Cinema yesterday evening and looked through the windows and thought "What a cute theater this is!" While I live in Manhattan, I am going to have to make a special effort to see a film here some day.

Which screen actually contains the original proscenium, if any?

The Austin days
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c32%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=100&ProductID=30864

I just treked out to Kew Gardens to see the old theater and it was a great experience. The area is like a cute old fashioned small town main street and the theater, though broken up into many screens, is a comfortable place to be. The lobby is long and big with the old murals in place and decorated throughout with old movie posters, framed movie fan magazines and such. However, I was one of 5 people in the big theater on a Friday night for the seven o'clock show. I hope this isn't the usual case these days because it's a great place to see a movie.

Michael, I'm glad you had such a great experience at the Kew Gardens. As an occasional patron of this place, my experience has been that it usually draws a lot of business. My guess is that you probably saw a film that was near the end of its run.

I just took a closer look at the picture RobertR posted in April. The fact that the old awning covered the entire narrow sidewalk and almost seemed to protrude over the roadway clearly underlines the hazard it posed to truck traffic on this busy and winding street. It's thus not at all surprising that it had to be replaced with today's more modest structure. Anyhow, the old "AUSTIN" sign still exists in the theaters side lounge.

It was also nice to see one of the old light Queens street signs.