Lane Theater
168 New Dorp Lane,
New Dorp,
NY
10306
168 New Dorp Lane,
New Dorp,
NY
10306
8 people
favorited this theater
Located in the New Dorp district of Staten Island. Charles, Elias and Lewis Moses were the original owners of the theater when it screened Deanna Durbin in "100 Men and a Girl" at its opening on February 10, 1938. The second feature in the opening program was "Hideaway." The theater’s "homey" atmosphere boasted a mere 600 seats and cost about $100,000.00 to build.
It offered the most modern RCA sound system of the time and was cooled by refrigeration. A spaghetti-eating contest was held at the theater and in 1942, a bed making contest was offered to open the film "Bedtime Story."
It was remodeled in 1977 and the seats dwindled to 550. In 1998, several concerts were given there. "The EleMent" nightclub opened and eventually closed due to drug related problems with the club crowds. Its' doors were shut in June 2001.
The "Lane" name can still be seen above the marquee. The name "EleMent" is still shown on the marquee.
The ceiling of the auditorium has a galactic motif. The interior has been Landmarked since November 1988.
In the summer of 2009, it was renovated, and was reopened as Uncle Vinnies Comedy Club on November 13, 2009. This was suddenly closed in April 2011.
By early-2012, it had become the Crossroads Church.
Contributed by
Jean
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater
Recent comments (view all 115 comments)
The Lane Theatre is now Crossroads Church.
Movieswithdad thank you for that update. That is good news for the theatre and for New Dorp Lane. At least the theatre will be maintained and put to good use.
KING KONG 1977. HALLOWEEN II Opening Night Friday Oct.30, 1981. FIRST BLOOD 1982 . ROCKY IV 1985.
I stopped into the church today as they were giving out supplies to storm victims. The Uncle Vinnie’s people did a fantastic job renovating the theatre, and it is being well maintained by Crossroads church.
How does thr signage outside look marquee etc? Uncle Vinnie had put tables an chairs in the orchestra level and a small stage is that the same?
The marquee is the same except uncle vinnies sign has been removed. Any furniture had been temporarily removed from the Orchestra to store storm relief supplies. Large tables were st up in the lobby to allow victims to choose from the supplies.The balcony had all new seats.The small stage is still there.
Thanks for that info, having cut my teeth in the business at that theatre working for Moses in the 50s it means a great deal to me to see the building survive in some capacity or another
I agree. The Empire has also been restored as a church , from the looks of the renovated facade.
Ah yes the good ole Empire; in the newspaper ads they used to call it the theatre with the perfect sound what ever that meant :) I wonder what the Liberty site is now?
It has been a church for some time now.