Glenwood Theatre

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.

Does anyone know when the Glenwood actually stopped showing movies?

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.

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!

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?

Thanks for posting your memories, robertwa.

How did you and your classmates enjoy “The Ten Commandments” at the Oasis ?

I saw it at the RKO Madison at age ten in its summer 1966 re-release, and enjoyed it then.

As well you should be, Bway. More power to you !

BklynJim, thanks for the recommendation of the Stephen King story, “Cell”.

I don’t own a cell phone, either.

‘Tonino, I’d de-subscribed to a number of theater pages last August when my e-mail account had swelled unbelievably high while I was in NYC. The Glenwood was one, along with the RKO Madison, Embassy, Haven, Oasis and a few others. So, wassup?

P.S.: I refuse to own a cell phone myself. Try Stephen King’s “Cell” for a fun (but gruesome) romp into the land of the phoners…

I don’t recall long lines outside those phone booths at the Valencia. In those days, people managed very well without cell phones. They usually only used pay phones for emergencies. Sometimes, if a doctor was attending a performance, he would report his seat location to the manager’s office in case an urgent phone call came for him, or if he was needed in case of an emergency in the theatre.

Warren, I am still with you. Do not remember the exact box office daily take, could not have been much with the low admission prices, however little as it was a police officer accompanied the cashier to the bank. I do remenber bringing the very heavy film box down to the lobby after the final showing

If I recall correctly, Loew’s Valencia in Jamaica had nine public phone booths, six in the downstairs lounge and three on the mezzanine promenade. All were part of John Eberson’s original design, and harmonized with the decor.

The booth in the Glenwood was on the second floor, which was the former balcony level, PKoch you mention that the Ridgewood and former Madison (which I still plan on visiting) had booths on the balcony level, which may confirm that the aforementioned one is indeed a remnant of theater days.