Times Theatre
302 West 42nd Street,
New York,
NY
302 West 42nd Street,
New York,
NY
1 person
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For at least part of its life, this small, late-run movie house had two entrances and two marquees, the largest at 302 West 42nd Street, just west of Eighth Avenue. The smaller one, which was probably the original and later used just for display purposes, was at 653 Eighth Avenue.
The theatre had a curious history, being built in the gutted interior of Vogel Brothers, a 19th-early 20th century department store that specialized in clothing for men, women, and children. Vogel’s had taken up the entire SW corner of Eighth Avenue and 42nd Street. After the theatre was built, the remaining space fronting on the two streets was converted into stores and eateries.
Due to its location west of Eighth Avenue, the Times played its movies well after all the other 42nd Street theatres, and was one of the first to show adult fare, though no more than nudist documentaries or filmed striptease shows. In 1956, the head of the nearby Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church and its allied girls' high school tried to get the Times' operating license revoked, claiming that the theatre’s “lewd” advertising and programs were attracting degenerates and contributing to juvenile delinquency.
The campaign failed, but the Times closed soon after that to make way for an expanded Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Contributed by
Warren G. Harris
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
Great info, this is the first I have ever heard of this theatre.
I don’t remember this one either. But with that programming, Dad probably made certain that my eyes focused on the main 42nd Street marquees.
Brings back a memory of seeing an action double feature at the Empire in the 50s but the “Coming Attractions” were for a nudist film at another theater. Dad put his hat in front of my eyes and laughed.
A photo of this theatre and its two entrances can be found at www.digitalgallery.nypl.org The photo has a Digital ID number of TH-57048.
Here is an undated pic of the Times Theatre
View link
A Marr & Colton theater organ was installed in a Times Theater in 1917.
Still listed in the 1959 Film Daily Yearbook as a J.J. Theatre, as is the Tivoli.
Those are wonderful photos William added to this page. Thanks!