43rd Street Theatre
42-16 Greenpoint Avenue,
Sunnyside,
NY
11104
42-16 Greenpoint Avenue,
Sunnyside,
NY
11104
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The 43rd Street Theatre was one of four movie houses that once operated concurrently in the Sunnyside, Queens, area. Built and operated by the Century Circuit, it showed its double-feature programs a week after they’d played the Bliss Theatre and Sunnyside Theatre, which were also Century theatres.
The 43rd Street Theatre first opened in 1938 and survived until around 1950, its last few years under the management of the Springer circuit, which took over some of Century’s lesser theatres. The building still survives, currently with a Halal Chinese Restaurant occupying what was once the theatre’s entrance. The auditorium was totally gutted and serves as a warehouse for Nelson’s Christmas Decorations, which is the corner store in that retail block.
Although open only about three months of the year, Nelson’s also does business on the Internet and through a mail order catalog.
Contributed by
Warren G. Harris
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Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
This is a photo of Greenpoint Avenue that shows the 43rd Street Theater. Its not a great photo but it will have to do for now.
Sadly, the auditorium is currently used as a warehouse for a retailer of Christmas decorations, while just a block west on Greenpoint Avenue, the “legit” Thalia Spanish Theatre uses a converted store as its home. I wish that a swap could be arranged, but I doubt that will ever happen.
Two exterior views of the current building can be seen in the new article about Sunnyside at www.forgotten-ny.com
The 43rd Street Theatre first opened on November 10th, 1938 with a double-bill of “B” movies in their first Sunnyside engagement. Advertising described it as “A Blessed Event In The Century Circuit Family of Theatres,” with the 43rd Street as “The Darling of the Family.” Here it’s shown with its two Century siblings in Sunnyside, the Bliss and Sunnyside. Note the circular Century logo, which says “20th Century Entertainment” in the triangular center:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/43opener.jpg
The premises are currently vacant and being advertised for rent. I don’t know if that includes conversion back into a theatre. The owner can be reached at 718-786-1900…Here’s a new link to the opening day ad mentioned above:
View link
This should be the back of the theater building:
http://tinyurl.com/yeqo98x
The auditorium portion is becoming home to a canine rescue group. One can now say that the 43rd Street Theatre has truly “gone to the dogs.” Article and photos here: View link
In the Google Maps view, the theatre entrance is occupied by the Halal Kitchen with purple canope. A bit of the auditorium roof can be seen in the background. The auditorium is now used by a dog rescue group.
The auditorium portion is now vacant. The dog rescue group has moved elsewhere.