St. George Theatre
25 Hyatt Street,
St. George,
NY
10301
25 Hyatt Street,
St. George,
NY
10301
22 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 253 comments found
What a pleasure to have seen the St. George Theatre showcased over the span of many weeks on the show SMASH! The theater came across as stunning; especially the lobby, and mezzanine levels as well as the sides of the theater. It was really a joy to see. SMASH has been renewed for a 2nd season though the St. George will not likely feature in it as it was subbing for a theater in Boston for the out of town tryout. Nonetheless, it was great publicity for this theater and hopefully will be used by many others.
How exciting to see this magnificent theatre on “Smash” Sure brought back many memories, the marquee looks to have been resored and looks magnificent.To think we almost lost this gem but thankfully it was saved I wondered if any one knows what is in the booth these days have the 35mm projectors been removed for spots?
“Smash” is filming every day this week at the theatre and is rumored to be getting a second season in the fall. That is very good news for the St.George which I’m sure is being well compensated by NBC. Good for them.
I’ve never been to the St. George, but based on the images I’ve seen, some elements of the interior – although in an entirely different motif – remind me a bit of the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan, which was opened at the end of 1929 and designed by Walter W. Ahlschlager.
At the end of last night’s installment of “The Voice” on NBC-TV, there was a very brief interview with two of the actresses from the show “SMASH.” During the interview, the two actresses were clearly sitting in the balcony of the St. George, with their backs towards the proscenium. One of the statuary sentries, standing guard in front of the pipe chamber grill, could clearly be seen behind the pair. The clip was probably taped at the same time the Today Show piece was recorded.
The St. George had a beautiful Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ.
Isn’t the address Staten Island, NY and not St. George, NY?
NBC Today show ran a piece this morning about “SMASH”, shot in the St. George. Interiors, backstage, on stage production shots & short interviews with 3 lead cast members. It might be up on the Today Show or NBC’s website.
(I predict now, that after that show’s TV run, a stage version is actually developed.)
St. George’s website lists their address as 35 Hyatt Street, not 25 BTW.
NBC television show SMASH filming at theatre again today.Seems this theatre will be used for the filming of musical numbers and some theatre interiors
Thank you garth. It seems that many bookings were also going to the Fox on Hylan, The Jerry Lewis Cinema, and for a while a theatre run by the Century chain.
Isnt it ironic that some of those multi-plexes that replaced the great palaces are now gone themselves?
On the Amboy page it says it didnt open until ‘79 and the UA was some time in 1980 , so both the St.George and Paramount had actually already shut down. With what it must have cost for heating and air conditioning in those huge theatres I’m not surprised. According to the S.I. Advance at the time the Paramount was supposed to continue as an adult movie house. When word got out the move was protested and the theatre closed for good (as a movie house).
I seem to recall them closing in ‘77 or '78. What did them in was the opening of new multiplexes in the area. First the Amboy Multiplex in Perth Amboy , NJ and then UA Staten Island 14 in Travis. Ironically both of those are now long gone. They did not have stadium seating , and the Amboy started sinking cause it was built on marshland.
According to ads in the Village Voice, December 1976, and January 1977 saw a booking of the film"In Search of Noahs Ark". The Paramount seemed to be getting the prime bookings by then.
Were both theatres not run by Fabian?.Was St George more of a problem than Stapleton by then?
Found some 1974 bookings
Jan 1974-“Mean Streets”
April 1974-“The Last Detail”
June 1974-“The Lords of Flatbush”
July 1974-“The Exorcist” -in its 3rd big week!
When exactly did this theatre first close? Did the Paramount stay open a bit longer?
OK Thanks.
garth you can use google news archive search
garth I am going through back issue of the Village Voice online.
These are great history lessons. The old movie and theatre ads,plus reviews. Not to mention just being able toread about the city from back then
Back then on weeknights the film would be shown twice, with a matinee on Wednesday afternoon. Then the continous showings on weekends but the only midnight shows would be special features like Rocky Horror. I don’t recall the St. George having any of these midnight shows. rivoli may I ask where you are getting the info on the bookings?
Still on top.
March 1973- “Childs Play” on a double bill w/ “The First Circle”
Nov 1973- “Billy Jack”
A question. During the week was there only one showing per evening, and then on weekends multiple showings?
Talk about your highs and lows. From “Frogs” in July 1972,to “Lady Sings The Blues” in November , 1972
Thank you garth,I appreciate the info. I just came across an engagement in July 1972 for the film “Frogs”.
Seems the St George suffered the same fate as the two theatres in my Long Island hometown. The Grove and The Freeport
rivoli , in the ‘70s they alternated between major releases and occasional grindhouse fare. I recall seeing “The Exorcist” and “The Longest Yard” there, along with “Ilsa: She-wolf of the SS” and a double bill of “Mark of the Devil” and “Last House on the Left”. Also some blaxploitation flicks such as “Hit!” with Billy Dee Williams.
And I have friends in the series, so I will keep an eye out. Thank you
Seems the St. George was still booking rather big in the early 70s.
Jan 1971-“Catch-22”
April- 1971- “Tora! Tora! Tora!”
The filming last week was for a new TV series called “Smash” , a Spielberg production about aspiring theatre performers.
St George I worked on that booth a few years back and left in usable two projector operation. Some additional work was recomended on the gear train on projector #2 and the scope lenses were mising but it was a workable operation The sound system, stage speaker and lamp houses were all working fine. What has happened up there since?