RKO Keith's Richmond Hill

So it has been over a year since the last posting on this theater. It appears nothing has changed, which I guess is good as that means it is still there and maintaining itself as a flea market. The RKO Keiths, along with the Loew’s Canal in Manhattan have got to be the largest and most promising of the unrenovated theaters in Manhattan. Unfortunately, the location of the Keiths makes it unlikely that the money will be spent to properly restore it. Ironically, it is the location that has allowed it to last this long relatively undisturbed.

A marquee photo as flea market can be seen near the end of the final installment of this multi-part article about Myrtle Avenue:
View link

Roseland was once a ice skating rink and later converted to a roller skating rink.

I also have to add, that I never saw any of these theaters while they were actually showing films. But I was able to enjoy and admire them many times during my “disco” years. I couldn’t even pick a favorite as each was spectacular in its own way; particularly The Palladium, Club USA and of course, The Saint!

I forgot about perhaps one of the best church conversions…. the 175th St in Manhattan….now the United Palace.

Thank you, John, I read the CT page on the Woodside, and it is on my must visit list.

Panzer, I would also include the old Woodside Theater, which was marvelously converted into a Catholic Church in the early 1950’s. Its CT page has a number of terrific pictures that clearly indicate how such conversions should be made. Unfortunately, no pictures of its terrific exterior, which has been equipped with a very imposing Romanesque front, have been added to this site.

But please take a look of this unjustly neglected site and enjoy.

Hello Bway,
There must be more examples of the mentioned theaters across America, the ones in New York most likely are plentiful, but gaining access to these forgotten places is the key. The gentleman who owns the website definitely has a good idea as far as wanting only the reclusive sections of theater conversions, they are almost like a time portal…a forgotten area that only the true theater fan would like to see and explore. Thanks for the tip about the Loews 46 st..I’m going to check the CT site and may visit the store in the future.I have been to the Meserole in Brooklyn, its forgotten area exists in the balcony I beleive.

I felt this thread was the appropriate place to post this link because the Keith’s Richmond Hill is a stunning example of how the American movie palace experience was seen and felt, not only that, the mentioned site also has a photo of the Keith’s projection room. It appears the photographer was interested in the areas that were abandoned in conversions to other uses. This is a fascinating venture for the classic movie house fan like ourselves.I do wish he would have taken photos of the Keith’s balcony area. I have been to the orchestra section, but the owner would not let me into the balcony. Upon viewing the photos , I took an interest in the one of Chicago’s Uptown theater. The architecture of the interior is quite stunning, especially the fact that it has a mezzanine section, which is peculiar to most American movie houses that sweeps gracefully into the side walls where the box seats are usually situated and have independent access. The design also has an oval

shaped dome above the mezzanine, which doubles as a ventilation duct. The Uptown
is also under landmark protection, it closed in 1981, but grass roots group has cared for her until a full restoration can begin.
Check out their CT thread, and also they have a petition you can sign to accelerate the process of renovation. Here’s a link of the beautiful mezzanine.
View link

Thanks! That is very interesting, and this theater is such an appropriate spot to put that link!

Luis, I completely agree with you. And Radio City was another theater I loved to see a movie in as a kid. I saw a few films there as a kid, and my parents took me to a movie there in the late 70’s when they were going to close Radio City. It was supposed to be the last movie to be screened there. Luckily the theater was saved. The last movie I saw there was The Lion King in the early 90’s, when Disney premiered it there.
The Elmwood was another theater I liked. And yes, the curtain thing at the Zeigfeld is great. I used to go there a lot too. The Trylon on Queens Blvd still did the curtain thing to until it’s unfortunate demise.

Nice Post B'way. You got me to thinking which theater got ME intersted in theaters and my answer is Loews Valencia in Jamaica with Radio City a close second. They were two theaters that it almost didn’t matter what was on screen. The space itself was enough entertainment. It saddens me that today’s youth (I’m turning 50 this year and still consider myself young btw) will never know what it was like to go to a movie palace to see regular films; or more importantly, to have a grand choice of palaces to pick from.

While I remember attending occassional films at the Valencia, Radio City, Elmwood, Loews State, I’ll even throw in the Loews Astor Plaza, most of the theaters that I went too were the crummy nabe theaters like the Lefferts, Crossbay and Casino. If only I had the appreciation for theaters then that I do now, I would have had a chance to have seen movies at so many of the palaces that are long gone today.

My partner chuckles about how excited everyone gets at The Ziegfeld when the curtains are closed….then opened before a film. He finds it amazing that anyone cares about that (He’s from Texas!) :–)
But, it is a big deal. Few theaters are truly part of the show anymore. Virtually no theaters do the curtain thing anymore and I absolutely love it when I see it done at the Ziegfeld. Yes, it is one of the main reasons I go there as frequently as I do. It brings me back to the heydey of movie palaces.

Well, I’ve gone off topic. While I grew up in Richmond Hill and Kew Gardens, I have never had a chance to explore the inside of the Keiths. I’ve been in the lobby and, of course, seen all of the photos. This theater deserves to be saved. Unfortuantely, it has to be able to support itself financially. Who is going to come up with the funds necessary for a proper restoration and expect to get it back; especially in these hard times.

It’s encouraging that the Shore Theater in Brooklyn is getting attention. The Kings is in city hands and I am hopeful that it too will be restored. The Paramount is safely in LIU’s hands and it too, may be restored to the public and the other Ketihs in Flushing has a grass roots movement to save it from the wrecking ball. So there is still hope for the Keiths Richmond Hill.