Loew's Victoria Theatre
233 West 125th Street,
New York,
NY
10027
233 West 125th Street,
New York,
NY
10027
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I wish you could post the ads for these bits of history that you provide, tinseltoes. We all seem to love old movie advertising.
Seventy years ago today, Loew’s Victoria and Loew’s 116th Street opened the exclusive NYC premiere engagement of “Lucky Ghost,” with wide-eyed comedian Mantan Moreland and an “All-Star Colored Cast.” The low-budget Dixie National production was released by indie distributor Ted Toddy, but received top billing at the Victoria and 116th Street over MGM’s Edward G. Robinson melodrama, “Unholy Partners.” But at the rest of the Loew’s NYC neighborhood houses, “Unholy Partners” topped the bill, and with MGM’s Gracie Allen comedy, “Mr. & Mrs. North,” in support.
You beat me to it Ed! This was always something of a long shot for preservation and I’m not quite sure how much was there to preserve, but at least some of it will live on. Of course we wish we could save them all, but we can’t. We need to dedicate our efforts where the true potentials are: The Loew’s Canal is foremost on my mind as our best hope for bringing back a faded beauty in Manhattan. We have succeeded in saving stunners like Radio City, The New Amsterdam, The Hollywood, all five Wonder Theaters, The Saint George, The Beacon and, of course, the Apollo. I fear for the RKO Keiths Richmond Hill. However, I do have hope for the Brooklyn Paramount and The Jackson in Queens. As for the Victoria, we will still keep the dignified exterior though I hope with that hideous marquee removed and perhaps a period marquee in its place. I hope they make good use of the chandeliers and grand stairs.
According to the article, the facade will be preserved, but it looks like the theater’s interior will be gutted, with certain architectural elements – chandeliers, a fountain and a grand staircase – to be incorporated into the new space. When completed, there will be two small theaters – one seating 199 and the other only 99 patrons.
When is this revamped website bringing back automatic activation of links to other websites? Mr. Jackson’s welcome contribution doesn’t connect in its present form. One can only do it manually by enclosing the name of the website in brackets [nytimes] and then enclosing the rest in parentheses.
This theater will get a make-over and reopen for live entertainment. See today’s New York Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/31/realestate/commercial/along-harlems-125th-street-redevelopment-projects-advance.html
In March, 1948, Loew’s Victoria presented the world premiere engagement of “The Fight Never Ends,” a B&W melodrama starring boxing champion Joe Louis and Ruby Dee, simultaneously with three other Loew’s theatres in African-American neighborhoods. At Loew’s Victoria and Loew’s 116th Street in Manhattan, the independently-produced film was supported by Columbia’s Ginger Rogers-Cornel Wilde starrer, “It Had To Be You.” At Loew’s Burland in the Bronx, MGM’s Technicolor musical, “Good News,” was the second feature. Bottom of the bill at Loew’s Brevoort in Brooklyn was 20th-Fox’s “Daisy Kenyon,” starring Joan Crawford.
Thank you guys or girls VERY much
Josephine Baker gave only a single performance at the Victoria Theatre in 1973 as a benefit for the Harlem division of the Police Athletic League (PAL)…Loew’s Victoria had a limited connection with vaudeville due to intense competition from other theatres in the area. Further details can be found here: http://www.villageviews.org/victoria.pdf
Josephine Baker performed here in 1973.
does anyone know if they ever presented stage shows?If so what performers
That should be Buddy not Bubby!
A quick shot of this theatre and the Apollo can be seen in the movie,The Buddy Holly Story before the scene were Bubby and the Crickets performed at the Apollo.
Nice photos Tinseltoes.
The Victoria was still open as a single screen in 1977 and run by Loews. By 1978 it was closed.
In late 1986 it emerges as the Harlem Movie Center 5, run by Cine 42. It closed again in 1990 and re-opened in 1992 as the Harlem Victoria 5 run by Lesser. By 1994 it was closed again.
Loew’s Victoria was the middle of three theatres that shared the north side of 125th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues. Here are individual photos displayed on a single page, starting with the Apollo (#253) at left, the Victoria (#233) in center, and the Harlem Opera House (#211) at right: View link
Love the Loews Victoria 1968 Pictures.That style vertical was the best I have ever seen.Classy looking,those were the days.
View link
View link
Before its rebirth as Movie Center 5
View link
As the Loews.
View link
Renewing link.
You can see more of the building in this recent photo.
How depressing! :–)
Anyone know what the latest is on the redevelopment of this theater?
Welcome to Harlem.