Glenwood Theatre

jackahearn on August 26, 2008 at 11:03 pm

I believe the first time I went to the Glenwood Theater, I was accompanied by two Nuns ….(Be a great place to end this, wouldn’t it!)..and about 30 classmates..(Oh, Pheeeew).

It was 1947 and I was in Grade 5-A. on a St. Matthias School ‘Field Trip’. I guess I could say ‘The’ field trip, as it was the only one I remember. The movie we were taken to see, not surprisingly, was “The Bells of St. Mary”. As I recall, also not surprising, we didn’t remain for the second feature. If anyone wonders….yes, we walked, double file. No School Buses back then!

During my High School days, when I didn’t go to the ‘Biggies’ on Myrtle back toward Wyckoff Ave., the Glenwood was really nice to visit. I enjoyed seeing a bunch of good movies and, unlike the Ridgewood, one didn’t get blinded by the sun after leaving a summer matinee!

In my later teens, I took a few dates there on a Friday or Saturday nite. Mostly because those Gals lived either in Glendale or in the nearby area around Fresh Pond Rd.

Hey…I just realized what I like so much about this site!…I don’t even have to think about mentioning, as in the above paragraph, that on neighborhood dates…we walked. So we went to the nearest movies, ice cream parlors, etc. I think readers here, remember and take that as a given. Nice.

As for the theater itself, I remember a feeling of being relaxed. Other movies I saw there during the late 40s and early 50’s were mostly the ones I would have missed seeing at the two, afore referred to, Biggee’s.

A fun (?) thing about the Glenwood was their promotional ‘Dish Nites.” How cruel younger patrons could be; when some person carelessly placed a dish in their lap and then, absent-mindedly got up to buy candy or pop-corn. The accompanying clapping of hands was deafening. I’d wonder (after clapping, tee-hee) if the embarrassed dish collector ever came back to his/her seat.

I noted an above Comment by ‘Murray’, (June 5th, ’04) stating he was Manager during that time. It be interesting if a Group Rate was offered or if his, Jack Benny type telephone story, suggests S.M.S. paid full price?

jackahearn on August 27, 2008 at 11:31 am

Peter, Thank you for your Comment and the suggestion of my having a Super Memory. Indeed…I’m happy to remember the name of the Movie..I did see! It’s possible that the theater has us in for a special screening of just ‘Bells’,as I don’t seem to remember having a problem with seating. However, Re: my last paragraph, Murray wouldn’t seem to support such a generous act. I do remember we being seated in the rear, left side. Or, being a weekday matinee, they had a light movie house attendance.(light movie house..oxymoron?)Anyway, I yeah still don’t not remember seeun no 2nd feature der. Gads..now I’ve even forgotten how to talk!

Warren G. Harris on August 27, 2008 at 1:05 pm

If you saw “Bell’s of St. Mary’s” at the Glenwood Theatre in 1947, it must have been a “return” engagement. The movie was the Christmas attraction at Radio City Music Hall in December, 1945, and had its first neighborhood release on the RKO circuit during the Easter holidays in April, 1946. Due to its popularity and running time of over two hours, it was shown in the “nabes” as a single feature, acommpanied by short subjects. The Glenwood ran several weeks behind the RKO circuit, so “Bells” probably reached there in May, 1946. I believe that all those engagements were at somewhat advanced admission prices. In such cases, the movies usually returned later at regular prices.

Bway on April 2, 2009 at 3:33 pm

Does anyone know when the Glenwood actually stopped showing movies?

Joe Vogel on January 19, 2012 at 2:52 am

The Glenwood Theatre was designed by architect Louis Allmendinger. Notice that the construction contract for the project had been let was published in the January 22, 1921, issue of The American Contractor.