Farmingdale Theater
360 N. Main Street,
Farmingdale,
NY
11735
360 N. Main Street,
Farmingdale,
NY
11735
2 people
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See the photo section announcing that the theatre was going to be twinned for a February 1981 opening. Never happened. I presumed 1981 because the film being shown was Private Benjamin which was a 1980 film.
YES ; they did run this the same as Northport. 76 cents in 76, then 80 cents in 1980s – then it jumped to one dollar in 1981. Same movies and everything.
Apparently the balcony is still in tact. Would love to see photos of that.
Jim C. Thank you for all the photos and info !
I saw the re-release of the late “1950’s” Steve Reeves movies “Hercules” and “Hercules Unchained” at the Farmingdale theater. I had originally seen them on W.O.R. channel nine. It was a big treat to see it on the “Big” screen. Steve Reeves had been the 1948 Mr. Universe, went to Italy, and became an international “star” making mostly Greek legends and Roman hero roles. When the genre died in the mid 60’s he retired. The new trend would be the spaghetti western, starting with the original “Django” starring Franco Nero.
He didn’t. “And” was in lower case.
you don’t need to post in all caps…
I SAW RUSS MEYER’S “BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS”,“INVASION OF THE BEE GIRLS”,“THE LEGEND OF BOGGY CREEK"and"MY NAME IS NOBODY"with TERENCE HILL and HENRY FONDA. WHEN I MOVED TO FARMINGDALE VILLAGE in "1976” THE PRICE OF A TICKET WAS .76 CENTS.
Recent photo added
To NYer:
Thank you so much for the info!
Help! I have fond memories of seeing Mad Monster Party with my grandfather here in the late 1960s. The movie came out in 1967 but I can swear that I would have seen it in 1968. Do your records show the dates when this movie ran at Farmingdale? Thanks so much!
During the opening of Star Wars, I was hired to paint scenes from the movie in the lobby. I had some great pictures that were lost, wondering if anyone else ever took any photos? Laura
robboehm: Yes, it was the one on Main St that was run by Prudential, and not the one in the shopping center. I know nothing about either of the Moriches theatres.
Back in the 1970’s when I first started working, “the union” would send you out to fill in at different theaters on the regular operator’s night off or when they were on vacation, so that you would get experience on all different types of equipment and the different theaters. I worked at almost all the theaters on that Prudential pamphlet at one time or another. (I just found a bunch of pictures of the old East Islip theater from when I worked there which I’ll be posting on that theater’s page soon)
At the time I worked at the Farmindale, I was with Local 640 IATSE&MPMOOE (“The International Alliance of Television & Theatrical Stage Employees and Moving Picture Machine Operators of America”) [ ! ] With a name like that, my union card was so big I had to fold it to get it to fit in my wallet!
Back then, you couldn’t work in a projection room unless you were in the union. It was hard to get into, but it paid very well. In fact, it was not unusual for the projectionist to be the highest paid person in the theater- – in many cases making even more than the manager. There are still a number of jobs I do that require me to have a union affiliation. (and it still pays well!)
Jim_C – re your Prudential Guide photo. When you say Kings Park I presume you mean the Park on Main Street rather than the Kings Park in the shopping center. If so, the Park site is in need of additional information if you have any.
I seem to recall Prudential having a theater in Moriches in addition to the Center Moriches. Am I correct? Do you have anything to substantiate that?
rrocket17: “Ask and you shall receive” – I just came across several more old negatives. I’ve scanned them and added them to the photo collection- JimC-
Jim C. haha worked there 79-80 best job I ever had. Working for Yvonne etc. Worked with Phil, John, Debbie, Patty …what a party…any other pics??
pete c.
View of the theater, in the day, uploaded from the Newsday Long Island Places We Loved site.
To Jim Cassedy, I enjoyed the photos tremendously, thank you for posting. My e-mail is . Drop me an e-mail, I go to San Francisco very often and maybe we can hook up and share a few memories. I remember the split breaks on Sat., and Sun.? too when we’d go back to your apt for the rest of the afternoon.
Hello All!– I recently discovered a stash of negatives of pictures taken when I worked at the old Farmindale theater in the late 1970’s & early 80’s. I’ve scanned them & added them to the ‘photos’ page. Enjoy!
Even though I now work at a number of famous film festivals and have a really great projection ‘gig’ where I now live in San Francisco, I still have fond memories of the old Farmindale Theater and all the people I worked with, and still consider it “the best job I ever had”
To the last contributor, He also worked the York and said that was the best. One day does not determine an evaluation. I will no longer answer your comments since you think you are a know it all. Remember what happened to Harris when he got persnickety. Cinema Treasures rubbed him out. You probably never went to the Morton Village at all.
Orlando, I find it interesting that you mentioned a transfer to the Morton Village. On that site CT contributor longislandmovies said he managed the theater for one night and it was the worst in the Century chain in every aspect.
To robboehm,
The address of the law firm that now occupies the former Farmingdale Theatre is 360 N. Main Street. 354 was the address of the earlier Strand Theatre next door.
Here is the brief notice of the opening of the Farmingdale Theatre that appeared in The Nassau Daily Review-Star of Friday, January 30, 1942:
Orlando, I take exception to your deprecating remarks about the patrons. As a resident of Farmingdale I often attended performances there as did members of my church, most of whom had college degrees.