UA Cinema 150
111 Jericho Turnpike,
Syosset,
NY
11791
111 Jericho Turnpike,
Syosset,
NY
11791
12 people
favorited this theater
This was one of a handful of "Cinema 150" movie theaters across the country, designed as an "all-purpose" luxury theater that could exhibit films in the following formats: D-150, Todd-AO, 70mm, Panavision, Cinemascope and 35mm.
Streamlined in a very late-1950’s, early-1960’s post-modern style that placed a premium on functionality, the Cinema 150’s vast auditorium featured a large, detached balcony, oversized rocking-chair seats, a huge curved screen with a 120' arc, and a phenomenal sound system. The theater could hold well over 1,000 (probably 1,200 or 1,400).
In contrast to the "golf ball" style of the now-restored Cinerama in California, this theater favored a simple, understated red brick and concrete exterior that blended in with the suburban surroundings.
Right up through its last days of operation, the theater remained immaculately maintained and well attended for blockbuster movies. Unfortunately, however, the geniuses at the United Artists chain decided to build a 12 screen stadium theater a mere one mile away in 2000. Not only did UA demolish the last remaining drive-in on Long Island, the Westbury Drive-In, to make room for the new multiplex, but it ultimately led to their decision to shut down the Cinema 150.
Although it was always a popular place to see a film, few people seemed to know of the theater’s unique design and technological amenities, and thus it was gutted to make way for a health club without a peep.
Contributed by
Marty Nartinez
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Recent comments (view all 172 comments)
I believe this is the theatre where I saw the reserved seat, roadshow engagements of “Star!‘ and "Hello, Dolly!”. Both films played here for their initial LI release,while continuing their reserved seat, roadshow engagements in Manhattan
They announced another 150 theatre for the Gardiner Manor Shopping Center in Bay Shore. But that never materialized and all the existing Bay Shore theatres- Bay Shore, Regent, Cinema, Bay Shore Sunrise Drive In, Fifth Avenue Drive in, Loew’s South Shore Mall and the Encore closed.
The Encore Theater? Oh my goodness. What a dump. I think I saw one double feature there of THE THING and CAT PEOPLE.
POMovie2 Maybe you could go to the Encore site and flesh out the info. Was there a sloped floor. A more exact location, etc.
I can’t seem to find the Encore site.
Rivoli, the theater opened with Hello, Dolly in 1969.
POMOVIE2, the Encore’s page may be found here.
Rivoli157/POMOVIE2: “Hello, Dolly!” opened at the UA Cinema 150 on March 26, 1970.
http://www.fromscripttodvd.com/70mm_in_new_york_1969.htm
Last movie to play here was Miss Congeniality. The poster remained in the display box many months after the theatre closed.
I saw ‘True Lies’ there and it was magnificent!! Sitting in the first row of the second level, and watching the literal curtains open, was a great experience. People need to be wooed back into movie theaters and a price cut should be the way. We’re not refining oil here people…