RKO Bushwick Theatre
1396 Broadway,
Brooklyn,
NY
11221
1396 Broadway,
Brooklyn,
NY
11221
12 people
favorited this theater
The Bushwick Theatre opened on September 11, 1911 and was operated by Percy Williams as a vaudeville theatre. It became part of the B.F. Keith’s chain in 1912, operating until 1930. It became a movie theatre for the RKO-Keiths chain in 1930 and operated until closing in 1969.
Church use followed, for a period of time, then the building fell into disuse and decay for decades.
A high school opened within the shell of the former theater in March of 2004.
Contributed by
Kevin Backmann, William Gabel
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Recent comments (view all 487 comments)
John D., I like your modest proposal very much, as well as your allusion to the work of the same name by Jonathan Swift. I thought the exterior of the Bushwick had already been landmarked.
Tinseltoes, thanks for your reminder of the 62-year anniversary of “Chamber Of Horrors”, live on stage at the RKO Bushwick.
It’s ironic in retrospect, for two reasons :
1) the real life “chamber of horrors” that the RKO Bushwick deteriorated into after it was abandoned in 1970 or so, and
2) the filming of “The Believers” at the RKO Bushwick in 1987, which was about the cult of Santeria, and a human sacrifice on the stage of the RKO Bushwick.
Peter, great to hear from you.
Although it should definitely be a landmark, since it wonderfully reflects the best of theaters created a century ago, the old RKO Bushwick has never been so designated. Since the Landmarks Commission has exhibited a recent interest in noting such gems, this is clearly the time to move on this issue.
So, let’s do it.
I agree, John D, let’s do it. I probably won’t be able to help much, though.
In terms of comic book superhero clichees :
THIS IS A JOB FOR NATIVE FOREST HILLER !!!!
(Here he comes to save the day !!!!!)
Peter, I actually put the ball in motion and, earlier today, submitted a “Request for Evaluation” for the landmarking of the old Bushwick’s facade to the Landmarks Commission. This will probably trigger an investigation of this site for its “landmarks-worthiness”.
My request did specifically reference this page. However, any of you may wish to reinforce my proposal by also writing to the Commission in support. You should send your correspondence to:
Ms. Mary Beth Betts
Director of Research
Landmarks Preservation Commission
1 Centre Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10007
This will probably be the start of a VERY long process; but at least it will be a start!
When I hear anything from the Commission on this, I will certainly let you know.
Get your elected polticians to take a stand now. Get them behind you. It will help a lot & speed up the process.
Thanks, John D and WilliamMcQuade !
Thanks John for spearheading this effort. It would mean a l;ot for a neighborhood that is in the process of rebuilding to have a landmark designation for this site.
Good point, Astyanax ! Thanks.
Unfortunately, when I returned from my vacation, I found a response to my “landmark the RKO Bushwick” request in my mailbox. Specifically, the Landmarks Commission noted that, since the building is “too significantly altered to meet the criteria for designation” it will not be recommended for designation.
Given the Commission’s interest in designating other – and frankly less imposing – facades such as the Bushwick and the Shore, I was more than a bit perplexed by this decision.
If anyone wishes to take up the torch on this issue, I would certainly welcome your interest.
In reviewing my last message, I noted a mistake. Specifically, I wished to reference the RIDGEWOOD – not the Bushwick – as a theater whose facade did not architectually match the Bushwick’s. Sorry.