Freeport Theater

Some early 70s bookings, though the choices were large mainstream films, some it appears were move overs from Merrick. But the theatre was still solid, as the Village of Freeports problems had not fully come to light just yet.

Nov 1970- “2001: A Space Odyssey” Jan 1971-“MAS*H” Feb 1971-“Joe” April 1971-“Tora! Tora! Tora!”

The Fantasy and the Freeport always had the premiere bookings. The Grove and Queens were right up there, too.

In the early 70s I worked as an usher at the other theatre in Freeport,The Grove. As thst and The Freeport were owned by Century,on occasion I would sub at this theatre.It was huge,and quite popular,especially on the weekends. But as the problems in Freeport grew the attendance here and at the Grove dwindled.

After it closed as a theatre , but before being torn down, it was operated as a disco/nightclub for the 25 and over crowd. Then I believe it was an automotive shop for a bit. After that- dark,then torn down.

When I was little I would go here on Sat matinees, saw The Three Stooges, Robinson Caruso on Mars, Cold Turkey, The Russians are Coming, and many others.

I do remember there was an orchestra, loge and balcony, with a smoking section in one of the upper levels. The same was true at the Grove

The photo from 1973 is very different from what I can recall of the look of the Freeport in 1946. That whole massive white box like facade is closer to the look I remember from around 1956, but the marquee is different. Century Circuit did a makeover of many of its theaters in the late 1940’s focusing on the facade, marquee and entry lobby.
The Rialto, Patio and Albermarle in Brooklyn come to mind. They did another up dating on some theaters in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.

Lost Memory: Yes, that’s the Freeport Theater. The photo captures it the way I remember it perfectly (and not in a good way). The area was sad and this obviously once grand theater sat looking forlorn out there on Sunrise Highway.

I plan on adding the Plaza. I have some material but am holding off since once something is up I don’t think “we” have the ability to change it.

As far as the town is concerned, it is much improved. There is a lot of revitalization of Merrick Road and Main Street and, of course, there’s the whole restaurant row down by the docks.

The Freeport Theater was not near THe Grove – The Grove was down on Merrick Road near what was then called Grove Street. In 1943 I saw “For Me and My Gal” (Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, George Murphy) at The Freeport. When “Gone With the Wind” came to Freeport, it was shown at THe Freeport. It was much like The Grove structurally. THe “third” motion picture place was hardly a theater — The very old, very small Plaza was located right next to the rail road tracks next to the corner of Sunrise Highway and then-Grove Street. I saw all the Andy Hardy films at the Plaza and one early “Road” picture (Bob Hope, B CRosby). As far back as I can recall Freeport (Long Island, NY), starting in 1935- – these were the only movie houses.

This website gives a listing of old New York State Boxing Venues. It mentions the Freeport Auditorium.

“Freeport Auditorium: Freeport, LI. Also known as Brall’s Arena in the 1920’s. Capacity: 1,800”.

I wonder if the Freeport Auditorium changed its name after the Freeport Theater opened.

I really appreciate all of the hard work all of you put into this website——Being housebound, it’s a treat for me to see the old theaters again and to read your articles——-I wish sombody could come up with a photo or more info on the Old Rogers theater on Broadway under the Jamaica Elevated near the Flushing Ave entrance in Brooklyn, NY——-If you read some of the posts, you can see how many of us kids from the 40s and 50s loved that old place——-Joe From Florida

After the Grove opened, the Freeport didn’t survive for much longer as an “independent.” The Grove’s owners, who in 1928 incorporated as Century Circuit, purchased the Freeport’s operating lease and thus gained a virtual monoply in the town. The American Theatre and Freeport Auditorium closed, and the Plaza became a late-run house.

Very nice articles on the Freeport Warren———During the 1960s, my Wife and I went to both the Grove and Freeport theaters and they both were large spacious movie houses with Balconies——but for Splendor & Modernistic style, at that time, the Calderone in Hempstead & the Syosett on Jericho Tpke, surpassed them both——-That’s my recollection of days gone by——but the smaller ones like the Wantagh, Meadowbrook & little old Nassau, all had a certain comfy feeling about them——smaller, but comfortable———Joe From Florida

In 1921, while the promoters of the Freeport Theatre were selling stock to raise funding for the building, the owners of the Freeport Auditorium, Plaza Theatre, and American Theatre placed a full-page ad in The Nassau Daily Review to oppose the project. They also defended themselves against claims by the promoters that they were small, poorly equipped theatres that presented the cheapest types of vaudeville and movies. Between them, the three existing theatres had 2,450 seats, which they said was more than enough for a town the size of Freeport. “Never since they were erected have all three had a capacity business at the same time…As experienced theatrical people, we know there is not a theatre in the world that could earn the fabulous profits that the Freeport Theatre promoters are promising. If it was true, we would be ready and anxious to sell our holdings to them and retire.”