Strand Theatre
1579 Broadway,
New York,
NY
10036
1579 Broadway,
New York,
NY
10036
32 people
favorited this theater
The Strand Theatre was opened in 1914 for the Mitchel Mark Realty Company and was under the early direction of Samuel “Roxy” Rothapfel as the Mark Strand. It originally had a seating capacity of 2,989.
The Strand Theatre began its life with stage shows in addition to movies and also had one of the largest stages in the city in 1914. After stage shows were dropped in 1929, seating was reduced to 2,750. In the late-1930’s stage shows (and vaudeville) were brought back.
After dropping stage shows on July 3, 1951, the Strand Theatre was renamed Warner Theatre, and opened with “Stangers on a Train”. During 1952 to 1953, the theatre closed, was renovated and renamed Warner Cinerama. Cinerama films moved here from the Broadway Theatre, starting with “This Is Cinerama” in 1953.
In 1963, the auditorium was equipped with a 81 foot wide, 30 feet tall screen to show “Its a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”. World Premiere’s of 70mm films included “Porgy and Bess”(June 24, 1959), “Exodus”(December 15, 1960), “The Greatest Story Ever Told”(February 15, 1965), “Grand Prix”(December 21, 1966 and “Camelot”(October 25, 1967).
On July 30, 1968, the theatre reopened as a triplex. The Warner Cinerama theatre with 1,000 seats occupied the main floor. The former balcony became the 1,200 seat Penthouse Theatre. A third theatre built in the old Stand’s stagehouse was also opened, called the Cine Orleans, which had its own entrance on W. 47th Street. In the early-1980’s the Cinerama and Penthouse were remodeled and renamed the RKO Warner Twin.
Unfortunately, on February 8th 1987, after a long and eventful life, one of the greatest movie palaces of New York City closed and was demolished.
Contributed by
Cinema Treasures, Warren, Orlando Lopes
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Recent comments (view all 356 comments)
Hey hdtv267… Back on 12/17/2010, you commented that on that date in 1979, you attended a viewing of Speilberg’s “1941” at the RKO Cinerama. Are you sure you saw it here and not a couple of blocks up Broadway at the Rivoli? I remember the film opened on 12/14/1979 (a week after “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” and same day as Steve Martin’s “The Jerk”) and that I initally saw it at the local UA theater in Lynbrook, Long Island. A big messy film that surely took its lumps from critics, but I was a fan from day one. Even so, as much as I enjoyed it at the Lynbrook, it was seeing that shelled Ferris Wheel roll down the pier and splash into the ocean on the big screen at the Rivoli – in 70mm – that left a truly lasting impression. I could swear I made that trip into the City to see the movie again within a couple of weeks of the movie’s opening. I’m almost certain it opened at the Rivoli – or could it have merely transfered? I doubt it played both theaters concurrently.
Ed, “1941” did open at the Rivoli on Dec. 14th. 1979. That screening could have been an advance preview. In LA “1941” opened at Pacific’s Cinerama Dome, but it had an advanced Record Company preview at Pacific’s Picwood Theatre before the release date.
Thanks, William. I thought so. Since hdtv267’s comment states he saw the movie December 17th, 1979 (3 days after opening night), I assume he must have seen it at the Rivoli and mistaken that theater with the Cinerama. Unless it was on another date.
Sixty-eight years ago today, WB’s “Edge of Darkness,” starring Errol Flynn, Ann Sheridan, and Walter Huston under Lewis Milestone’s direction, opened its NYC premiere engagement at the Strand Theatre. The B&W melodrama about resistance to the Nazi occupation of Norway had two great “legit” actresses, Judith Anderson and Ruth Gordon, in featured roles. A lighter mood prevailed in the Strand’s stage show, which was topped by Jan Savitt & His Orchestra and the incomparable Ethel Waters. Also on the bill were the dancing Berry Brothers and Bob Dupont (aka “The Duke of Dexterity”).
Ninety-seven years ago tonight, the Mark Strand Theatre had its grand opening with an invitational gala for VIPs and the press, masterminded by management consultant Samuel Rothapfel. Public performances started the next day. Presented on the screen was the Selig Company’s William Farnum starrer, “The Spoilers,” which ran for an unprecedented nine reels (about 15 minutes each) and was shown without a break, thanks to a booth equipped with four projectors. Filling out the program were “live” performances by singers and dancers and an assortment of film shorts and newsreels. Heard and seen throughout the entire evening was the 50-piece Strand Concert Orchestra, which played on stage, just below the raised platform that held the screen. Ticket prices were 10-15-25 cents.
Fifty-nine years ago today, WB’s “The San Francisco Story,” with Joel McCrea and Yvonne DeCarlo in a B&W melodrama about political corruption in the Bay City in the 1850s, opened its NYC premiere engagement at the Warner Theatre, which was still using a tiny “formerly Strand” in advertising. Carmen Cavallaro & His Orchestra topped the stage presentation, with support from The Honey Dreamers and The Albins. An extra added attraction was “The Continental” (aka Renzo Cesana), who pitched woo with the ladies twice a week on his top-rated TV show.
On this day in 1942, which happened to be a Sunday, the Strand Theatre’s last complete show started at 10:45pm. On screen in its first NYC engagement was WB’s “The Big Shot,” a B&W melodrama with Humphrey Bogart and Irene Manning. Performing on the Strand’s stage were Jerry Wald & His Orchestra, singer-comedian Judy Canova, Val Setz, and the Ross Sisters.
I am doing a research on movie theaters, please throw some light on what kind of facilities were available in the mark strand theater..thanks in advance
Arushi, I don’t understand your request. Please explain what you mean by “facilities.”
The Orleans did close first about a year before the Warner.