Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts
2 E. Main Street,
Smithtown,
NY
11787
2 E. Main Street,
Smithtown,
NY
11787
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I saw Wyatt Earp here shortly after that picture was out of first run theaters. They actually showed it with an intermission and I recall the theater being quite packed for it.
also saw the lousy “Jaws 3 – D” here
I stood on that marquee many times…
That’s a great photo Lost, thanks.
I remember when this theater used to play “just out of the theater” movies, and you could see them there cheap.
An earlier comment mention Radio City Music Hall. What a coicidence, the designer was the same for Smithtown – a garden courtyard setting vs Art Deco. Amazing. When I was here for a live show there was a handout on the theatre. It mention the Old Town theatre which was also in town and which this, essentially replaced. I don’t see a posting for this.
This is a photo of the Smithtown Theater from 2004.
I saw Dumb and Dumber here. My ticket, soda and popcorn came to like $7.
The Smithtown first opened in November, 1932, according to a report in Box Office Magazine at the time. The theatre was operated by the independent Prudential circuit, and brought its cinema total to 39, all of them in suburbs within commuting distance of its Manhattan headquarters. Prudential later became part of Metropolitan Playhouses, a holding company that also owned the Skouras and Randforce chains. Those individual circuits were eventually combined, with their names retired in favor of a blanket United Artists Theatre Circuit.
This was my first movie-theatre at the relatively late age of 5 (1958, Merry Andrew with Danny Kaye). Packed on a Sunday afternoon – was fascinated most by it being in color (since TV was black and white at that time).
Saw “Aliens” here……
I remember seeing E.T. here back in the early 80’s, I thought it was first run at the time (then again I was 6 years old). In the 90’s my friends and I would go see any movie playing since it was only $1.99 for the longest time. I think we went almost every day when Pulp Fiction played. Bring back the cheap theater!!!! Who needs another playhouse!
I worked as an usher in this theatre from 1986 – 1989. (16yo – 18yo) Some of my best memories are from the midnight screenings of Pink Floyd’s The Wall. Hanging out in the balcony, overlooking the crowd, comfiscating the beer and “funny” cigarettes.
Greatest Memory… Listening to the Mets win the World Series in 1986 while popping popcorn.
First Run Movies I remember…
Aliens (lines around the corner for weeks)
Jumpin' Jack Flash (lines around the corner for weeks)
Stand By Me (lines around the corner for weeks)
Outrageous Fortune (lines around the corner for weeks)
Sky Bandits (no customers for two days straight)
Shout Out to my former employees..
Mrs B
Jeanne M (my first love)
Tom D
Michelle K
Tisha B
Mike G
I miss this place….
A Smith Haven mall theater is listed on CT here.
No listing for the Smithhaven Mall theaters on this site?
Here is a website for this theater.
I read somewhere that the same architectural firm that designed Radio City Music Hall designed this building. I will check into it and write back with info and sources. Art V.
I read somewhere that the same architectural firm that designed Radio City Music Hall designed this building. I will check into it and write back with info and sources. Art V.
I remember when this used to play rereleases of somewhat older movies…at least movies that were out of the theater for a while.
This is now a live performance theater known as the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts. The address is 2 East Main St.
In 1999 my husband & I saw the Matrix here on the great big single screen of this Smithtown theatre! It was marvelous. We actually got to sit in a balcony! I truely miss being able to view movies in this single screen setting.
What would it take to open it again as a theatre?
In the same vein, I miss watching movies at Radio City Music Hall too!
In 1999 my husband & I saw the Matrix here on the great big single screen of this Smithtown theatre! It was marvelous. We actually got to sit in a balcony! I truely miss being able to view movies in this single screen setting.
What would it take to open it again as a theatre?
In the same vein, I miss watching movies at Radio City Music Hall too!
I think this theatre now goes by the name Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts. I used to go often in junior high to see the $2 movies and later saw Grease and West Side Story there when it first reopened. It was nice to see the old place all cleaned up with new seats and everything. Also nice to see the proscenium arch exposed. I guess it had been hidden behind the curtain or movie screen in the past. One thing I hope they’ve fixed, or will fix, are the stained glass windows. They’re not at all elaborate, but that should make them all the easier to repair.
When I was a boy, in the 60s, we went to the matinees here often. I remember seeing Sound of Music and the crowd going wild, kids throwing popcorn and candy wrappers, during the kissing, Matrons running down the aisle yelling. At the time the theater seemed so old and run down that we joked that George Washington saw his first movie there. But it was a lovely old building that was better appreciated once the mall was the only place left to go.
yes
Is this theater still in use as a playhouse?