Master Theater

1029 Brighton Beach Avenue,
Brooklyn, NY 11235

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ridethectrain
ridethectrain on July 4, 2023 at 1:50 pm

The seating capacity of the Oceana Sixplex when it closed based on the Dept of Buildings records 1. 431 2. 449 3. 367 Upstairs 4. 367 Upstairs 5. 222 6. 137

amby_moho
amby_moho on November 1, 2021 at 2:28 pm

I agree that this listing should be changed to closed. It appears to be currently available for rent: https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/1027-1035-Brighton-Beach-Ave-Brooklyn-NY/20301550/

Greenpoint
Greenpoint on October 8, 2019 at 7:36 am

Yesterday after a job interview, I had a slice of pizza at Lenny’s. The original “double-slice” pizzeria from Saturday night fever. In perusing the SNF theatrical artifacts, I came upon an invitation for the December 16,1977 movie premiere and after party at 2001 odyssey (original disco from the film)

Orlando
Orlando on August 28, 2019 at 11:03 am

The staircase is not the original one. You acsess the restrooms from a wide staircase on the riht hand side of the orchestra seating area, the candy stand was in the, set slightly back from the seating area so you could actually around the counter but concessions wer sold from the front facing incoming audiences. The ladies room would be at the top ofthe left staircase and the mens room was to the left accssesed by a simple staircase in the inner lobby on ththe left, not in the orchestra. Today you can see cove lighting as you enter the supermarket still intact.. this would have been the back of the orchestra between the back ofthe candy stand to the last row of the orchestra, a four foot wooden halh wall backed the seats and you would be able to see the entire auditorium. 1n 1974-1975 when I worked there, Mr. Schiering closed the balcony to save on projectionist’s salaries as they got paidby the number of seats. Two balcony/loge entrances wer plaster-boarded one with a door so the Projectio booth still in the balcony. I left in 1976 when it became apparent that Scheiring would be retiring and was going to sublease to Golden Theatres, the abotionists of the Loew’s Alpine ant then the Oceana. The Oceana was a beautiful theatre as far as I was concerned, but to longtime employe there “Gloria” the candy counter/matron called it “Do you how much money it costs to heat up this big old barn?” She was ahoot anda very nice lady with a good sense of humor on everything and sex. This is only a tid-bit, there is much more. Let me know if you want to hear Part II.

ridethectrain
ridethectrain on August 27, 2019 at 2:41 pm

Please update this theatre to Oceana Theatre. The theatre inside is a supermarket. Just uploaded photos. The Master Theatre entrance is a staircase inside, don’t know if it the original staircase of the Oceana.

I agree with thehorror13, it should be listed as closed and have a separate entry for the Master. When google, most people will google Oceana. Unfortunately, I never saw a film their. Mostly in the 1980 and 1990 I went to Kings Plaza, Sheepshead Bay and the Kingsway a few times.

robboehm
robboehm on May 25, 2017 at 11:10 pm

If you search as Oceana you’ll get the Master. In theory all CT sites should be by the last name used. In theory.

thehorror13
thehorror13 on May 25, 2017 at 2:09 pm

This theater should be listed as the Oceana!! Nobody is going to search for this classic old Brooklyn theater as the Master Theater. It has become a Russian supermarket for the most part and does not deserve to be associated with this Russian “theater”. ALL THE TRUE MEMORIES OF THIS THEATER IS OF OCEANA! This theater should be listed as CLOSED! Give the Master Theater it own listing or make it a side note!

Dodiad
Dodiad on November 25, 2016 at 8:07 pm

I grew up on Banner Avenue and Brighton 7th Street in the 1950s. The Oceana was our regular neighborhood tgeater (along with the Tuxedo on Ocean Parkway off Brighton Beach Avenue). I remember going to the Oceana in about 1955 (I would have been 9 years old) to see a live stage show with tge Merry Mailman, Ray Heatherton (actress Joey Heatherton’s father). Many good times at the Oceana.

Roger Katz
Roger Katz on September 6, 2016 at 9:46 pm

This has reopened as the Master Theater.

http://mastertheater.com

robboehm
robboehm on August 22, 2014 at 9:59 am

Apparently the theater is no more. A 15,000 feet gourmet Russian supermarket is due to open on the site offering 40 varieties of caviar. It’s called Gourmanoff. Foods of Bulgaria, Uzbekistan and Latvia will also be featured.

Ed Solero
Ed Solero on March 12, 2012 at 5:35 pm

I think the streamlined architectural lines in the portions of the lobby ceiling depicted are consistent with a theatre built in the 1930’s. The color scheme seems a bit garish, and most likely not original. I’d also think some of the lighting is retro-fitted. The carpeting along the staircase wall appears to be repeated in the auditorium side walls – at least from what I can make out in the very first picture taken of seated patrons that appears in the gallery. Outside of the lobby ceiling, I’m not sure very much (if anything) survives from the original interior design.

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez on March 12, 2012 at 2:16 pm

Thanks Ed, I don’t know ho wI didn’t see the link! That said, I’m not sure what to think about the photos. I thought the one shot of the red carpeted walls with the chandelier was interesting but the other shots made the interior look rather bland. This might be deceiving though. What do you think?

Ed Solero
Ed Solero on March 12, 2012 at 1:16 pm

There’s also this photo gallery with several glimpses at the interior (mostly portions of the lobby).

Luis Vazquez
Luis Vazquez on March 12, 2012 at 9:22 am

A big article in today’s NY Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/12/arts/millennium-theater-in-brighton-beach-as-link-to-old-country.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=millennium%20brooklyn&st=cse

Relatively little is said about the theater itself except for this nugget: “The theater, with its glittering chandeliers and red-carpet walls, has a threadbare glamour.” It also calls this 1,400 seat theater a Lincoln Center of sorts for the Russian Community. I wonder how much of the original details remain.

certrix
certrix on December 27, 2008 at 5:01 am

Living on Brighton 12th street in the 1960’s, the Oceana was my neighborhood theater. I remember attending a premire of The Monkey’s Uncle, starring Annette Funicello, in 1965. After the picture started I remember following Annette and watching her hail a cab on Brighton Beach Avenue. What a time, no security, no escort, no chaperone.

I took piano lessons from Mrs. Bocher in a studio over the Oceana’s marquee. There was an electronic repair shop in the storefront to the east of the entrance. I used to wait there before catching the bus to go to school. By the way, singer Neil Diamond’s parents had an infant’s aparell shop located a few doors east of the theater.

bsolue
bsolue on January 30, 2008 at 9:35 am

does anyone remember Zeimars Deli which was located in Brighton Beach? My uncle used to own it.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on September 16, 2006 at 1:18 pm

This is a 1934 sketch of the proposed Oceana:
http://tinyurl.com/z5xb5

ERD
ERD on October 31, 2005 at 2:38 pm

The Oceana was an attractive neighborhood theatre. It was was close to the once fashionable Manhattan Beach.

RobertR
RobertR on October 13, 2005 at 12:39 pm

The two backstage theatres could easily be opened for movies again if they have not been torn out.

RodgerLodger
RodgerLodger on September 26, 2005 at 5:12 am

On Saturday afternoons we kids had to sit on the left side…the center, the good seats, were off-limits, and an annoying woman (“matron”) in a white outfit would patrol with a flash light. Years later I learned of a New York state law requiring segregation of children, apparently for their own safety. But for budding movie buffs to have to sit off-center was an insult, let alone a joy dampener.

zach
zach on July 6, 2005 at 1:57 pm

Lived near the oceana, sheepshead ,lakeland and tuxedo.Also near me was the kings highway theater.across from the oceana was the brighton baths and downstairs was Zeimars deli.

sethbook
sethbook on November 2, 2004 at 3:52 pm

My mother’s mother used to go to the movies here every Saturday after she was done with the shabbos lunch dishes. Even though my grandfather was strictly orthodox, she somehow brokered a deal for herself whereby once a week, she got to go to the movies by herself without acceding to his demands and the chores of housewifery. Good for her!

RobertR
RobertR on May 7, 2004 at 10:46 am

What do they show in the Millenium theatre upstairs? I bet the two backstage theatres are still there, might make a few dollors to run it as a twin if it could be done cheaply.

Orlando
Orlando on May 7, 2004 at 10:40 am

Yes, I saw the Golden Gloves boxing match last year in the original auditorium orchestra space. Some of the exterior is the same, the box-office removed within the past three years. The lobby marble has been removed and redone, the coved ceiling intact. I believe the balcony is now the Millenium Theatre and must have been de-multiplexed even though that staircase was closed to the public that night. It was funny because the Daily News did an item on the theatre that I was quoted to have worked there. In addition, when I asked the manager/owner about the changes to the building, she told me it was a landmark and couldn’t be changed (however many changes did occur). Some of the theatre’s features are noticeable but you have to know ehere to look. Thi person obviously didn’t know much about the origins of her building.

RobertR
RobertR on May 7, 2004 at 10:22 am

Has all the multi-plexing been removed now that this is a live theatre again?