Deluxe Theatre

I remember when it was a porn theatre. That was long before internet porn and during what some people call the golden age of porn. Whatever that means. A few blocks down was Toys n Things. Great toy store. I got some great WWF figures there.

On October 30, 1935, The New York Times reported that: “Charles A. Sandblom, architect, has planned a motion-picture theatre for a site at Bath and Twentieth Avenues, in the Bensonhurst section. The building will be the fiftieth theatre in the chain operated in Brooklyn by the Randforce Amusement Corporation. The site is close to the housing development at Cropsey and Twentieth Avenues recently begun by Joseph P. Day.” It’s possible that the theatre was never built, or that the report refers to a modernization of an already existing theatre.

EdSolero. From the time I discovered the Deluxe, they always showed str8 porn. At one time, they showed regular flicks on the main screen, and they had a small room with about 12 seats with a monitor showing porn. Then they just switched to str8 porn on the big screen also. No private booths. they closed before these booths were used to circumnavigate the restrictive laws. All the action was behind a 4 or 5 foot wall at the back of the balcony and in the restrooms. They were so liberal at one time, that even in the balcony and orchestra seats there was activity. I know, even the owner at one time, used to mingle with the patrons. I have first hand experience of that. Well, sorry about all the confusion.

Flip-flops… when you say “right now they show cable TV projection…” are you referring to this theater? I thought it was closed! I know you also posted on the Fair Theater page, so perhaps you’re referring to that establishment – which is still open.

EdSolero. They started by showing only straight porn. Eventually, they intorduced gay porn, but only on TV monitors and eventually made it a half and half proposition. Youre right though. Once they started showing any kind of porn, the activities began, and it didnt make much difference what was on the screen. Although, I figure there are some that need to watch a little movie action to get inspired to indulge in the “real” action. They also showed some artsy fartsy soft core porn, mostly european stuff, and then just the regular grind stuff. Right now, they show “cable TV projection in the small lobby theater. Inside, they have a straight sex theater and a gay one on the other side. The same with the "personal' booths in the rear. In the balcony, again projection stuff. Sometimes VHS or DVD, and usually very dark and muddy. And they play the same film over and over. Some with sub-titles. Oh yeah. They have surveillence cameras in the lobby theater and balcony, as well as in the basement, near the restrooms. there was, at one time, a small, dimly lit room with one small TV monitor. You could relly get personal in there, but that room is now used for storage. The staff does a half ass job of keeping the place clean, but there is a small element of destructive and filthy pigs that make it tough for the rest of us.

Theaterat…I missed those 2. Think I saw AC/DC Let There Be Rock and Yessongs there but in those (good old) days were were usually pretty ‘out of it…’ So I’m not sure.

A pair of ads from the late ‘70’s and early '80’s:

Dutch Treat – Daily News 1/25/78
Downstairs, Upstairs – Post 3/10/82

I love how the 1978 ad plays up the $2.50 admission – but if you look carefully, that’s for “senior citizens!” Gotta love that sort of pluck!!!

Flip-flops… these ads are for straight porn. Did the cinema ever make the switch to all-male features or was the content on-screen immaterial to the activities in the bathrooms? I know in Times Square, the films didn’t even have to be pornographic and there was still a fair amount of diverse sexual activity taking place within the confines of the theater!

Apology accepted!

Dear “Seabeacher”, no one commented on your taking your wife or friends to the Deluxe. And where do you see any “gay” porn in my comments? You made your statement and “waxed” nostalgicly. I did the same exact thing. I was “waxing” nostalgic, too. The fact that it gives you some kind of “homophobic” reaction is definitely not my problem. And I really dont see what youre “apologizing” for or about. Insecurity is a “bitch”!!!

Will definately pass on that!

Having lived most of my life in Queens, I never went to the Deluxe until the late 80s. It was a porn theater by then, and that suited me fine. My first time there, I was amazed at all the action going on. In the orchestra seats, the balcony, the wall behind the balcony and in the restrooms. There were two restrooms. One on the left that had a sign saying "ladies" ( a hold over, as the clientel was all male) and one on the right side, saying mens. You could actually use both. I always prefered the "mens" room. When you entered, there were two urinals, a sink, and then the two stalls. I prefered the one against the wall. I would sometime spend a couple of hours in there, and I always had an "open" door policy. What delicious fun. I used to change into short shorts and flip-flops when I attended, even in winter. They had lockers to stow away any bags you might have. Until the city started cracking down on XXX theaters, the staff knew not to bother the patrons, and would usually make sounds to let you know they were coming. Im not bragging, but I once had an “encounter” with the owner, up in the balcony, near the projection room. His name is Sal. he also presently owns the theater at Kings Highway. Between the city crackdown and the owner lettingthe place totally run down, its days were numbered by the late 90s. I guess I discovered it and enjoyed it when it was at its peak. I loved the place so much, I would go there 3 and 4 times weekly. No matter how small the attendance, there was always someone to "play" with. Id love to hear from any ex-patrons that would like to hear further, very detailed adventures I had there, or who want to share their own. maybe we met? Remember, short-shorts and flip-flops. Sometimes, ankle bracelets and toe nail polish. Im a true believer in the old saying,"I never met a man I didnt like"! If you wish to contact me, do it at I`m 59, but still going strong!

Yes it was but if the efforts had been sucessful I doudt if the Deluxe would have went back to showing regular films. It just would have closed down about 15 years earlier then it did.

I would bet the stores on 86st probably forced the Benson to stop that practice.