Williamsburg Theatre
279 Broadway,
Brooklyn,
NY
11211
279 Broadway,
Brooklyn,
NY
11211
6 people
favorited this theater
Opened in 1914 as the Williamsburg Playhouse, this theater was designed by Shampan & Shampan.
It closed in 1958 and reopened as the Williamsburg Theatre in 1959.
It closed for good in 1985 and now houses a store.
Contributed by
Cesar Del Valle, William Gabel
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Recent comments (view all 110 comments)
Hello All. My nam is Alan, and I spent the first five years of my life at 202 Keap St. near the corner of Lee Av. The Joe of Joe’s Luncheonette (louieb’s April 6 post) was my grandfather. I spent many Saturday nights during my younger years putting together the Suday paper, which came delivered in sections. I never attended the theaters mentioned since I was part of the “great migration†of the early ‘60’s. But we didn’t go far…just to the Midwood section of Brooklynâ€"Nostrand and K. I invite you all to go to my blog at ahodara.blogspot.com to read my short story “The Storeâ€-my fictional picture of Joe’s store and life in Williamburgh in the early ‘60’s.
Here is a link to a photo taken on Broadway, August 20, 1947, by Ed Doyle. It shows a movie theater marquee on the right side. The name appears to be W.McBurney Playhouse. Is this the Williamsburg as it was known in 1947 or can some one tells us where this theater was located ?
View link
Comparing this photo with 1973 photo posted by Harvey shows that correct name on 1947 marquee to be WasBurg Playhouse W.McBurney as I wrongly projected it to be. That is a photo of the Williamsburg Playhouse in 1947 with a shorthand name on the marquee.
Dinner and a movie â€" coming soon to Williamsburg
View link
J.F. Lundy in your last post you stated WasBurg was the currect name. But it’s Wms Burg. The short version of William is Wm, so Wms Burg is Williamsburg. Since I use the short version sometime for my name William.
Thanks for the correction William. I had a lot of trouble making out those letters on the marquee.
Jayar, it was great to hear the good news about the new movie theater in Williamsburg. (The vacant lot that was once the Commodore is just so depressing.) So I guess that the community that was able to open a bowling alley will now bring back the movies!
The 1947 picture is really terrific and also, at first sight, appears to be even older than it is.
I still can’t believe the needlessly and deliberately destroyed the Commodore and tore it down. And for what?
I’ve seen shortened names on ads but never before on a marquee, St. being excepted.
The Broadway Theater (Lowes Broadway) also had a shortened name on the marquee…. “Bway”….