United Artists 64th & Second
1210 Second Avenue,
New York,
NY
10021
1210 Second Avenue,
New York,
NY
10021
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Opened in 1971 as the Columbia I & II, it was one of the better twin cinemas built at that time. The downstairs auditorium has the look of a single screen theatre complete with stage and luxurious drapes. The upstairs auditorium is not as nice but still scores above most. When UA added the third screen in an acquired space next store, they gave it it’s present moronic name. Why must theatres be names after the street they are on? What happened to names like Rialto, Roxy and Star?
Later known as the Gemeni Cinemas, another noteworthy thing is that this theatre was run for many years by Bob Meyer who started his career as an usher in the Roxy. He was the last of a dying breed of old time theatre managers who knew what showmanship was all about. My friend ran this theatre after Bob Meyers' sad passing. He felt the theatre reached its zenith with the two week Manhattan exclusive of “Bugsy”.
Some of those that came there to see it were Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Tom Cruise, Liza Minnelli and Joan Rivers. The staff adored Liza. She always tipped the candy people $20, telling them they work harder than anyone else there.
Contributed by
RobertR
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Recent comments (view all 38 comments)
Renewing link.
As the Gemini.
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Opened as the Columbia 1 & 2 in October 1971.
Became the Gemini 1 & 2 in July 1978.
Became the Gemini 1, 2 & 3 in June 1996.
Became the 64th & 2nd 1, 2 & 3 in October 1996.
<<< SethLewis mentioned above, in 2004, that the Columbia I & II hosted a retrospective of Columbia classics to celebrate the studio’s 50th anniversary in 1974. We had that all-night show in Pittsburgh, too, at Squirrel Hill Theater. It consisted of 10 outstanding Columbia films… I wonder how many cities had that festival and if we all had it the same night. >>>
<<< *The NY one started at 12:01am Saturday night/Sunday morning, October 12/13. * >>>
In Los Angeles this fest was shown at the Avco on Oct. 17/18, 1974. They ran the same ten films shown in New York. (See my posts of March 8 & 11, 2008 on the Avco page for more info.)
Is this theatre still open?
Yes it is.
Another Columbia 1 and 2 Theatres.Great.
Thanks Al.
I telephoned today and the staffer replied that each of the 3 auditoriums has about 400 seats. Anybody been recently in one of the 2 original auditoriums? How’s the digital projection? surround sound? screen size?
Does the sign still say United Artists, or have they changed it to Regal?