RKO Keith's Theatre
135-35 Northern Boulevard,
Flushing,
NY
11354
135-35 Northern Boulevard,
Flushing,
NY
11354
51 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 1,324 comments
Just posted a pair of screenshots from Google Maps satellite image of the site. Not as up to date as the Street View, but they show the vacant and cleaned lot as well the “protected” enclosed lobby and foyer space to be restored with the new development.
Demolished in 2022, confirmed via Google Street View.
The last movie I saw there was Hitchcock’s “Marnie” in 1964. As I recall, the theater was mostly empty. I kept staring up at the ceiling to watch the twinkling stars. The Keith’s in Huntington WV is its twin, and has been fully restored, including the organ.
Do not hold your breath waiting for the landmarked portion of the theater being reassembled as promised. Would not surprise me if it is now in pieces in a landfill. Politicians do no care.They never had and never will.I no longer get involved with anything involving NY or federal government A pox on them all
Hey, I’m still hoping they’ll reconstruct the original Penn Station.
Forgive me for trying to shine a tiny sliver of light on a bleak subject matter. The 42nd St theaters may not have been the opulent palaces that Loews, Fox, and RKO gave us, but the Beacon is magnificent, as is the former Hollywood. And my only point was that several of these remarkable buildings (yes, including all 5 Wonder Theaters) are still standing, and have benefited from the care of those who currently occupy them. No one here would rather see the Keith’s still standing in all its splendor as a church than see it pounded into rocks and dust? Optimist? Maybe… though I’m not optimistic that any of these buildings will ever be put back to their intended use. Cockeyed? Oh, well, yes… without a doubt!
Jeff. For 3 months nothing said Now we restart a conversation and we are beating a dead horse.If Ed wants to continue fine.I am out of here. May be awhile before I return .Best wishes to all.
Gentlemen, gentlemen… no use beating a dead horse. Or a bunch of dead theaters.
Ed. Loews Wonder Theaters. Paradise Bx Currently closed 175th St NYC Now a church Jersey Operates part time showing classic movies Queens Valencia Now a church ..Open for services Brooklyn Kings. Currently closed Open sporadically for live shows. Stanley Jersey City Jehovah’s Witnesses temple. Open for services 42nd St theaters not picture palaces .Neither are legit theaters Beacon Open for live shows and Hellinger now a church .A far cry from what we once had
Ed, you’re a cockeyed optimist
Well, sad as it is - and it is extraordinarily sad for us who so loved these great palaces - the fact is that not ALL is entirely lost. Thanks to repurposing as churches and live venues, there are still many such buildings to enjoy in NYC and it’s surroundings. All 5 of the Loews Wonder Theatres are still extant and open to the public - and one was actually still exhibiting films before the pandemic. In addition to the Loews Jersey, the RKO Stanley is still intact across Journal Square. That’s not to mention the theatres on 42nd Street that are still with us, or the Hollywood/Mark Hellinger, and Beacon.
See it has apparently happened.Sort of anti climatic now. A sad chapter in NYC history has closed. Demolition of classic buildings in the city started with the Roxy in 1960.It ramped up in mid 1960’s with the demolition of the NY Paramount. Now all picture palaces in NYC now gone. The outer boroughs have kept pace in destruction .Thank God I was in most of them before they were pounded to dust in the name of progress.
If only it were true. Keith’s R.I.P.
The RKO Keith’s has been demolished July 2021.
I said my peace and no need for any politics on this and anything else going forward. I no longer care about any of it. I am 75 and all I can say is thank god I am old. Could not deal with it if I was 30 years younger. Take care I am almost 75
Corrupt politicians are corrupt politicians, no matter which political flag they fly. Donald Manes certainly fit that bill and is deserving of all the slings and arrows. But to broaden the target to an entire political party is an insult to anyone who aligns themselves with that party. It also turns the argument into a political one - and I’m just tired of all the ugly trash talking that “political discourse” has devolved into over the last decade or so. You just can’t seem to get away from it on social medi, but I just don’t think it belongs in this forum. And I’m not a democrat - in fact I’ve never belonged to either party and have voted independently ever since I first registered.
Sorry but seeing 2 theaters destroyed by the same politician deserves notice. Generally I am apolitical but seeing this brought back many painful memories. The Triboro in Astoria in 1974 and the Keith’s in 1986 .If it offended your sensibilities I apologize
Oh brother, here we go. Another safe haven from partisan politics falls!
Give it a decent burial .Knock the whole thing down before it falls down. I am a theater historian that was in the initial effort to save it .Wave the white flag . Thanks Dems. This one is on you as dems sealed its doom much like they did with the Triboro 12 years earlier
Please update, became a Triplex on April 7, 1976 (Grand opening ad in photos) and closed September 4, 1986
“According to a local nothing has been done as yet.” I am shocked – shocked! Round up the usual suspects…
According to a local nothing has been done as yet.
I like the rendering that includes the original facade:
https://queenseagle.com/all/flushing-considers-latest-plan-for-historic-rko-keith-site-after-34-years-of-false-starts
I think only the lobby is being retained.
A buddy who lives near the RKO Flushing just told me the theater has been demolished. Or rather is undergoing demolition. I hope the ornate landmarked interiors were saved for reinstallation on site in the new structure.