Ruby Theatre
105-9 Rivington Street,
New York,
NY
10002
105-9 Rivington Street,
New York,
NY
10002
1 person
favorited this theater
Construction of the Ruby was announced, along with that of its Lower East Side neighbors the Palestine, the Charles (then Bijou), and Apollo, in November 1925.
Like those theatres, the Ruby opened in 1926. Home to 484 first floor seats plus 100 in the balcony, the theatre was gone by 1940.
Hotel on Rivington now occupies the space.
Contributed by
Damien Farley
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Recent comments (view all 15 comments)
A fairly short “life-span” after only 14 years in operation.
The New York Times of November 1, 1925 reported that Delancey-Clinton Realty Co. would build four theatres on the Lower East Side, all with Eugene DeRosa as architect. The theatre that was supposed to be at 105 Rivington Street apparently became the Ruby, though the 1928 FDYB gives an address for the Ruby of Essex & Rivington Streets. Curiously, the same volume also lists a New Rivington for 107 Rivington Street. Both are reported to have 1,000 seats. I would guess that they’re the same theatre.
I witnessed the destruction of the building when I was in NYC in 2002 (or 2003?). For many years it was a furniture and mattress outlet. The floor was slightly sloped and one could still see the projection room. I have photograph somewhere. I don’t think that it had more than 600 seats.
Economy Candy, the large cut-rate candy emporium, has been situated across the street from the theatre site since 1937. Can’t imagine what it was like to stock up on penny-candy and cross the street for a double feature at the Ruby.
Turner Classic Movies recently televised the Bowery Boys feature “Feudin' Foolsâ€. Following the main titles there were two New York City “stock footage†establishing shots. The first was that of the New York skyline and second was a street scene in which the marquee of the Ruby Theatre was clearly visible in the background. If I recall correctly, these same two shots were used at the beginning of a number of other Bowery Boys features of the mid 1950s.
I can confirm what the above post just wrote about the Bowery Boys features which have been shown on TCM, in fact, that’s why I was looking up the Ruby theatre on this site. The Bowery boys were once the “Dead End Kids,” then the “East Side Kids.” Since the Ruby Theatre was on the East Side, I guess that’s why the stock footage was used. All those movies were of course shot in LA.
I see that I’m at least the 3rd person drawn to this listing by seeing the stock footage of the Ruby Theatre at the beginning of the Bowery Boys movies that are being telecast by TCM on Saturday mornings. Oddly enough, I saw some of these movies originally at a drive in theatre in rural Tennessee, where rereleases of Bowery Boys movies continued to be popular through the early to mid 60’s. It was always a treat when they would have a Bowery Boys triple feature over the weekend. Haven’t seen most of these movies since then. Seems ironic that a high rise boutique hotel is now located on the site that I now connect with the Bowery!
thanks bbrown,I will try and catch the TCM Bowery Boys movies.
Finally caught the opening scenes of this past Saturday’s Bowery Boys feature on TCM and saw the Ruby marquee. Any idea when that scene was shot? The 2nd Ave. elevated train is in the background. Somethings remain the same.The water tower belonging to University Settlement continues as part of the LES skyline.
Geez,I missed the Movie again!!!