Tribune Theatre
170 Nassau Street,
New York,
NY
10038
170 Nassau Street,
New York,
NY
10038
1 person
favorited this theater
The Tribune Theatre occupied space that had been headquarters for The New York Tribune before the newspaper merged with The Herald. Showing late-run double features, the Tribune Theatre did most of its business during daytime, since the downtown financial and government district was nearly deserted at night.
Contributed by
Warren G. Harris
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Recent comments (view all 24 comments)
I added a 1933 photo of where the Tribune would be just before it opened.
Paging Detective Solero!
Flynn, thanks so much for adding that terrific picture. It really shows where the old Tribune Theatre fit in to what is now an open plaza. And seeing a small portion of the old BMT elevated City Hall terminal was very much a plus.
When I first discovered the City Hall Theatre page on this site, I was surprised to learn that one movie house could serve what, even at that time, was already a 9 to 5 community. I was realy shocked that TWO theaters, situated nearly within the shadow of each other, could exist – and apparently prosper -in this neighborhood. I wonder how the attendance patterns functioned here. Was it a habit for downtown workers to quit at five, have a drink and/or a quick meal and then take in a 6 or 7 o'clock showing – or did most patrons – perhaps including the Fulton Fish Market crowd – view the presentations earlier in the day? (I doubt that there was much of a crown for the late evening showings – but who knows?)
It would really be great to hear the thoughts and observations of those who actually saw movies in the City Hall area in that bygone time.
John, part of the confusion lies in mistaking the original real City Hall Cinema at 31-32 Park Row which closed in 1936 for the one noted in the 1965 advertisement. I’m guessing that the theater that was open from 1960 to 1966 after the Tribune Theater closed in 1959 was not actually named the Tribune Theater or City Hall Cinema. However, because of it’s proximity to the Tribune building and City Hall itself, everyone referred to it as both including the newspapers.
This unknown theater has some significance to me. My older sister took me there to see a Dracula movie when I was just 7 or 8 years old. I’m not sure which one because the theater seems to have screened more reruns than new features. Talk about shock therapy. I have never much cared for horror movies ever since. I need to determine exactly where it was and see a photo of it to purge the demons. lol.
Just added a photo showing that the theater was closed in March 1966.
This clearly proves that the Tribune Theater was renamed the City Hall Cinema and has thrown a huge monkey wrench into my search for the theater nearby that I went to as a kid.
I would greatlu appreciate if any of you folks with your vast historical theater listings can look for a Majestic Theater in this area.
There was a Majestic (Woolworth)further north on Second Avenue. Here
Thanks AlAlvarez, but the one I’m looking for was definately in the City Hall area. Perhaps on Frankfort, Spruce, Beekman, Gold or William Streets.
Could it be the Majestic in Jersey City you are thinking of?