UA Quartet
16006 Northern Boulevard,
Flushing,
NY
11358
16006 Northern Boulevard,
Flushing,
NY
11358
6 people
favorited this theater
The Roosevelt Theatre opened in 1926 with a seating capacity of 1,758.
In 1971, this was the first quad ever opened in New York. I remember the projectionist telling me that when it opened people came from all over the country to see it. Architect Maurice D. Sornik was the architect for the conversion, and theater look was very funky 1960’s.
The lobby was located in the middle of what once was the original auditorium and the theaters built around the perimeter. The restrooms were the only thing on the second floor besides the projection booth and were reached by climbing a huge staircase. When the Quartet first opened, there was not all the automated projection equiptment and actually had four projectionists for a very short time.
UA let this house crumble in the early-1990’s. There was talk about expanding it but they just quietly closed it.
Contributed by
RobertR
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Recent comments (view all 102 comments)
Does anyone remember the “Coin Box”, it was there before Mike’s Comic Hut. I sold them a 1927S Penny for 25 cents. I wish I’d never done that.
To those of you still interested, Edward “Eddie” Hambrecht was my uncle. If you would like information regarding him feel free to contact me. Eddie passed away a few years ago, he was the hardest working person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Contact info- fishncopper@ yahoo. com
I remember Eddie. He also worked at “Save More” (now marinos) on 29th avenue. Eddie was always a sweet man.
Sorry to hear of his passing. I am sure he is in heaven. He was super nice.
I remember seeing Karate Kid, Teenage Mutant Ninjas Turtles, No Hold’s Barred, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare, Street fighter, Vegas Vacation, Beavis and Butthead’s Do AMERICA, ACE VENTURA, From Dusk Till' Dawn, etc etc … That’s funny as hell that other’s commented about it feeling a Lil' creepy, whenever I went to the bathroom by myself, “I WENT FAST” LOL ! Somebody also brought up the BIG numbers … ahh it’s all coming back to me now ! The Reception House, WIG CITY, Jack in the Box (TACOS) , Rock Bottom’s , even R&S STRAUSS , Good memories! It’s a shame how Flushing changed … but it will always be my hometown !
I was the assistant manager at the Quartet Theatre in the summer of 1980 under Rose G. I found her to be a nasty and vulgar person who would not have survived the era of political correctness that we have today. On more than one occasion I witnessed here mouthing off to patrons and wondered how she got away with such awful behavior.
In late August Beverly replaced Rose and I was shipped off to another theatre. I returned to the Quartet in January 1981 as the manager and remained there for exactly five years to the day.
I’ve noticed the many posts regarding Eddie Hambrect. I’d like to share my memories.
Eddie played Santa Claus for us for three Christmas seasons and did an outstanding job. He was loved by both patrons and our staff, his efforts were greatly appreciated. I’m saddened to hear of his passing. He will always be remembered warmly.
Many others contributed valuable efforts over a long period that helped me get over some rough spots. I’d like to thank Lisa C., Kathryn S., Ritsa G., Barbara G., Graham H., John D., Julie H., Vito Q., Sean O., Paul F., Dennis O., Jerry M., Diedre L., Liz G., Mike H., Anthony T., Jane D., Richard B., John M for all your help. My apologies to anyone I may have missed and to those whose stay was shorter but not any less appreciated.
Together we overcame three fires in my first six months, all of them suspicious. There were a group of jerks in the neighborhood who I’m sure had a hand in these incidents. Thankfully no one was ever hurt.
The summer of 1982 featured Rocky 3 on two screens and ET on two screens. We sold out each show all day, everyday, for three months. It was exhausting and my thanks again to everyone who got us through that summer.
In August of 1983 on the opening night of Nightmare on Elm Street 3 we drew such a rowdy crowd of maniacs I feared for our safety. We needed about half a dozen police cars to disperse the crowd and we closed the theatre at 8:30. UA got their panties in a twist over the lost ticket and concession sales, they didn’t care about us.
We featured a Walt Disney film each Easter and Christmas which was challenging on a different level. Hundreds of kids each day and what a mess they made, popcorn everywhere.
I wish I had kept notes at the time, there are so many stories to tell.
If anyone sees this entry that worked for me, please say hi.
I’ll attempt to post a couple of pictures showing the renovation of the lobby in 1985 and craziness of Halloween in 1981.
I’ll attempt to post a couple of pictures showing the renovation of the lobby in 1985 and craziness of Halloween in 1981.
Cant wait to see the pics. Please post them soon.
Hey intass123… Kurt already posted those pics last month. Click on the “photos” tab at the top of this page to see them all.
Wow! Talk about Memories… I remember I believe in 1989 me and my 2 Best Friends went on a Saturday and watched 3 movies and got home late and got in trouble from all our parents. We had no cell phones back then and got scolded on pay phones… We still talk about it till this day. We saw Major League, Skindeep (with Jack Tripper from Three’s Company) and I forgot the 3rd movie. I also do remember Mike’s Comic Hut, Hobby Dens, Etc… I remember a Sporting Goods store where I used to order my Little League Uniforms… I forgot the name.
I worked at the quartet from july 1977-august 1979..Mike Hochstien was the manager and there were several assistants(Kevin Kilkenny, Frank Nardi)..It was one of the best experiences of my youth…we would hit the Gable Inn after work on weekends…Nearly all the kids in my niehgborhood worked there in the mid-late 70’s-Loretta B.Patricia B, David B, Arlene L, Jodi P, Linda P,Craig B. Kenny M.,Sue G….It was a time I will cherish in my heart forever as I will the friends I made there. It seems like 100 years ago. Scott M.
I just saw the pics that Kurt uploaded. Awesome !!! Thanks for sharing.
Also, as a word of note – at the end of this month, the Asian market that has been occupying the UA Quartet is closing down, so the final chapter in this landmark has not yet been written. I will miss my $1.00 coffee’s and discussing business and politics in aisle 5 next to the moon cakes and tea herbs :(
Somehow I have a feeling the UA Quartet will be knocked down and an apartment complex will be erected