RKO Strand Theatre
714 Beach 20th Street,
Far Rockaway,
NY
11691
714 Beach 20th Street,
Far Rockaway,
NY
11691
4 people
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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.
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philipgoldberg
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Recent comments (view all 27 comments)
This June 10, 2005 article claims that the interior “has been completely gutted and looks like a warehouse”.
An Austin theater organ opus 852 size 3/12 was installed in the Strand Theater in 1919 at a cost of $5,500.
Any updates on this once cherished theater?
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.
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.
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.
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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Updates appreciated.
Can’t see much today, the facade appears to have been bricked up with cinder blocks. Its a bleak area.
On Thursday 1 February 1951, Bela “Dracula” Lugosi presented his in person Horror and Magic Stage show at RKO Strand. Currently I am conducting research on all things Lugosi; if anyone out there actually saw this show and/or has memorabilia (poster, handbill, photos) related to this show, please contact Bill at Thanks in advance for any assistance!