RKO Strand Theatre

714 Beach 20th Street,
Far Rockaway, NY 11691

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The Strand Theatre was one of a handful of theatres that once operated on the Queens peninsula. The Strand Theatre opened in 1919.

After it closed in the 1970’s, RKO would reopen it during the summer to screen Disney fare. That soon ended and the theatre never screened another movie. It stood down the block from the Columbia.

Contributed by philipgoldberg

Recent comments (view all 24 comments)

NativeForestHiller
NativeForestHiller on March 23, 2007 at 5:15 am

This building deserves a sensible restoration. A wise choice needs to be made soon. I’ll add it to my list of projects.

NativeForestHiller
NativeForestHiller on March 23, 2007 at 5:17 am

Those wishing to read Ron Marzlock’s “I Have Often Walked” column documenting this theater, please follow this link:

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NativeForestHiller
NativeForestHiller on March 23, 2007 at 5:23 am

You can keep track of this building’s property profile & the latest permits and job filings by following:

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It seems as if it’s being converted to office and warehouse use. I hope the facade is preserved at the very least.

lostmemory
lostmemory on March 23, 2007 at 2:46 pm

This June 10, 2005 article claims that the interior “has been completely gutted and looks like a warehouse”.

lostmemory
lostmemory on September 6, 2007 at 2:52 am

An Austin theater organ opus 852 size 3/12 was installed in the Strand Theater in 1919 at a cost of $5,500.

NativeForestHiller
NativeForestHiller on March 22, 2008 at 7:38 am

Any updates on this once cherished theater?

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on January 31, 2009 at 11:50 pm

This is from Boxoffice magazine, August 1962:

FAR ROCKAWAY, N.Y.-Isidor Jutkovitz and other members of the Jutkovitz family have sold their interest in the RKO Columbia and Strand theaters here to the RKO Corp. The family served as partners with RKO for 40 years. The firm will continue to operate as in the past.

BobFurmanek
BobFurmanek on February 4, 2009 at 8:06 pm

On Friday January 26, 1962, the Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly-Joe DeRita) embarked on a three day promotional tour for their latest feature film, THE THREE STOOGES MEET HERCULES. They were accompanied by “The Herculean Giant” (almost 8 foot tall Dave Ballard) and popular DJ Clay Cole, who was one of the stars of the co-feature, TWIST AROUND THE CLOCK.

On Saturday January 28, they appeared at the RKO Strand at 1:45 PM.

BobFurmanek
BobFurmanek on February 4, 2009 at 8:06 pm

On Friday January 26, 1962, the Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly-Joe DeRita) embarked on a three day promotional tour for their latest feature film, THE THREE STOOGES MEET HERCULES. They were accompanied by “The Herculean Giant” (almost 8 foot tall Dave Ballard) and popular DJ Clay Cole, who was one of the stars of the co-feature, TWIST AROUND THE CLOCK.

On Sunday January 28, they appeared at the RKO Strand at 1:45 PM.

RobertR
RobertR on April 17, 2009 at 5:59 pm

Closed in 1969 advertising the new twin in Five Towns
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Re-opened in 1974

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Did it do time as an indie before closing since RKO has been covered over?
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