Jackson Heights Cinema
40-31 82nd Street,
Jackson Heights,
NY
11373
40-31 82nd Street,
Jackson Heights,
NY
11373
9 people
favorited this theater
Located in the Jackson Heights section of Queens. The Jackson Theatre opened December 26, 1924 as a single screen movie theatre with a total seating capacity of 1,500. The theatre was equipped with a Wurlitzer 2 manual, 7 rank theatre organ. It was built and operated by the small Grob & Knobel chain, who sold it to William Fox in 1928. He lost it in bankruptcy in 1930 and the Jackson Theatre, together with the Boulevard Theatre were taken over by Skouras Theaters Corp. chain.
The stadium style raised seating area at the rear was later halved to allow for two small theatres, each seating 228. However, the main floor auditorium, with 601 seats, its original stylings intact, and Dolby digital stereo, was arguably the best “Cinema Treasure” theatre still operating in Queens until it closed on October 20, 2009. The operators were evicted by the Sheriff for non-payment (presumably of rent). The Jackson Heights Food & Film Festival, due to take place on October 24, was cancelled due to the closure.
In recent years as a triplex, re-named Jackson Triplex Cinema, it had been showing first run Hollywood releases with Spanish subtitles to cater for the area’s large Latin American population. It was closed in October 2009 and a ‘For Rent’ sign was the only message on the marquee.
It was reopened on May 22, 2010 as the Jackson Heights Cinema.
Contributed by
SteveSmith
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Recent comments (view all 159 comments)
To be honest, I think that Jackson Triples is a better name, since it’s more specific. Jackson Heights Cinema suggests a single screen. The plural Jackson Heights Cinemas would be better, though “Cinema” in the singular or plural is a bit high falutin' for that rough-and- tumble area of Queens. Years ago, Jackson Heights was considered quite “chic,” but no longer.
“Jackson Heights Triplex” would be more specific. “Jackson Triplex” could be in Jackson, Mississippi!
It was originally known as Jackson. No “Heights” was ever necessary. Patrons were coming mainly from the area, not from out of state.
As kids, we used to eat in the great Kosher deli next door, then see a movie at the Jackson. Here’s a list of movies I saw there: The Long Gray Line, Kiss Me, Kate (3D), Dial M for Murder (3D), Ben Hur, Vertigo, Porgy and Bess, Ship of Fools, Judgment at Nuremburg, Freud.
May 13, 2012 New York Times interview with current owner.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/nyregion/gone-hollywood-bollywood-theater-in-queens-still-struggles.html?_r=1&smid=tw-nytimes&seid=auto
The struggling owner owes $100,000 in back rent: nytimes
“Nearby Theaters” neglects to mention the Colony Theatre, which was only a block away and the Jackson’s closest competition.
Don’t depend on nearby theatres to be correct. I’ve complained about this before. What’s even wilder is when it says there are NO theatres and more than a half dozen exist. They have made attempt to fix this nor have they responded to my several comment to the webmaster.
I went here a few times, but have not one distinct memory. Of interest around the front of the theater was the frieda jensen candy store and merkel meats. Jeannie S. and I rode our bikes to Newtown High School each day past the back of this theater and onto Hampton Street.
When was this theater converted into a triplex?