Oh thanks for this moviegoer…I haven’t even heard of either of these movies…as you said..going out with a “whimper” instead of a “bang”. That’s about the same time the Patchogue Theatre closed so would be about right I’d say. My guess it was the Brookhaven and the eventual opening of the Patchogue multiplex that did it in. I still get the newspaper delivered at my door at 4 AM in the morning…I mean, how much longer will that last? Everything has an eventual end.
Oh gee I saw “The River” there too. I remember it distinctly as I exited out the side door of the theatre, vs. the front door. I had never done that before. A little thing, but I remember it. Gee we are always talking about “When did The Plaza close?” I’m sure it must be in one of the back issues of The L.I. Advance. I remember the Patchogue Theatre’s closing was on the front page and I believe it was a Rodney Dangerfield movie that closed that out. Yes I guess everything is on Google now; whatta world. I thought you were in some old bookstore w. a bunch of ratty, “dog-eared” magazines!!
Thx. moviegoer. I was wondering when it would be “completed”. So interesting about what was playing there in 1983. I saw “Tootsie” there w. my mother in Feb. ‘83 so this makes it so special for me as my mother just passed in May of this year. Before it was razed, I was able to walk to the front door of the theatre (this past summmer) and I could still see the gold lettering on the door. I thought it said it was a UA cinema. Yeah, the RKO notation is foreign to me as well. Thx. for the report.
Bway wanted to ask you…why did they leave the frame up? I’m surprised they didn’t take it down in one fell swoop, or do they need different kind of machinery for the steel frame, ductwork, etc. I am guessing so. Oh funny about “The Birds” comment. You should submit that picture to The Advance. It is very sweet and charming.
Hey Bway these are great pictures…I see it was an “event” w. several people. I guess the last “production” at the Plaza was the “Demolition Event” as ironic as that is. I see what you mean..it appears the building was still fairly structurally sound…I doubt you would find a bldg. constructed now that would hold up as well. Especially touching to see the little bird perched on the “L” of the Plaza. I forgot that the theatre was “twinned”. Not sure how to do the updating either, but thanks for sharing these pics. In spite of it being an eyesore, I feel sad when I see them. Thanks for all of the hard work.
Yes I saw those interior photos a while ago and they were really bad. But what a great idea to rebuild on the site and for the time being to hold the screenings at the ArtSpace on Terry St. Wow Patchogue has come a long way baby and thanks for all of your efforts dalglish!
Thx. for letting me know. I was talking to a friend today who grew up in Patchogue and now lives in NJ…he too knew that “today as the day” and as he said, “we all remember the Plaza Theatre”..I mentioned about saving the letters and he agreed and said I should contact Paul Pontieri, but it was too late for a last minute reprieve. We both agreed it’s for the best that the building be razed. But again, as he said, it’s part of our past. Thx. for the update as I was wondering…look forward to seeing the pictures, as sad as that is. It’s for the best. Thx.
Thx. Bway..the minutes are counting down now. Oh I agree..the letters are so iconic and they endured the elements for almost 50 years…it seems they should be saved just for that. But then what do you do with them? Thx. for the info.
Oh wow the end of an era. I was wondering if Hurricane Irene would do the job but I guess not. Look at those letters on the bldg..they have held up after all of these years, so I guess it would stand to reason the rest of the bldg. would. Gosh, it has been closed more years then it was open. As I have mentioned before – and someone else mentioned in this blog – the last movie I saw there was “Back To The Future” in the Summer of 1985 and it closed shortly thereafter. RIP!
Hi rvb…I have both of Hans' books here as well…will have to check them out; shamefully I bought them several years ago and haven’t cracked them open yet. What does “lost to CT” mean…lost in cyberspace so to speak? Thx. for all of the info.
Okay thx. yes will check this out…I am laughing to myself about “Jack and Jerry’s” because they are “two guys” so-to-speak so I guess I wasn’t far off with my remembrance! Thx. rvb & Bway!
Oh you are right rvb!! Yes it was Two Guys…that is it…don’t know where I got the other name from. That’s the name – you got it. Did they mention the “sloping floor” as well? Again I believe it was an auto parts store but I could be wrong about that. Thx. for asking Hans and his wife!!
Hi Possibilities – Just viewed the YouTube video. I admire your passion and dedication to this project; funny I was thinking of Alec Baldwin as a supporter and then his name was mentioned! It would be even more appropriate for him to support this facility as he is a L.I. boy! I work in the entertainment industry in So. Cal now but I don’t know him. At any rate, I’ll try and stop by on 7/16 when I am in town. When I lived in Patchogue, I used to go to the Huntington facility to view films..and of course hopped the train to NYC. This would be much better. Hope to see you next month. Oh I filled out the survey too.
Hi Lost Memory – I have been talking to rvb, Broadway and possibilities about the Granada. I remember an auto parts store which I believe was called Jack & Jerry’s at the time. It was on the south side of East Main St. – near Railroad Ave. It had a sloped floor and when I inquired as to why, I was told it used to be a movie theatre. My guess is the Granada. Bingo?!! Does “Jack & Jerry’s” (I think this was the name) ring a bell w. you?
Hi again B'way – I haven’t looked at the Granada link you sent but will do so in a moment. Yup…that’s where “Jack & Jerry’s” was….in the Railroad and West Ave. neighborhood. I remember the distinct feeling of vertigo when I walked into that store. That had it be it in another incarnation!
Hi Bway – Regarding Morgan’s…again I have not been in Patchogue in a while but my recollection was it bordered the side of a printing company. I remember because when they tore down Morgan’s, you could still see the outline of the bldg. against the printing co.’s wall. It was in the area of East Main St., on the North side. Somewhere in the vicinity of what is now the Brickhouse but a little bit east of it. I know it existed because Brian Curry went to bat for me and I think looked up Property and Records info. and found it!
Hi possibilities – Yes I remember the street fair when I lived in Patchogue. Okay I will try and stop by on 7/16 as I’ll be on L.I. from 7/6 – 7/20. I live in So. Cal. now. Will check out your YouTube video too. Oh, I was shopping in Target yesterday and saw Fanta and Fresca…I had to laugh as there is a Fanta soda dispenser in the Plaza pics…I didn’t think it existed any longer either. How strange since the last movie I saw @ the Plaza was “Back To The Future”!! Oh and also I am amazed all of the letters on the front of the bldg. are intact…usually one or the other fall off in time.
Also…sort of related to this site…no theatre connection though. Any one remember a club named Morgan’s that was next to the Railroad Ave. bowling alley? It was torn down in the mid-60’s. I racked my brain trying to get info. on it but none of the “Patchoguians” knew of it. Finally connected w. Brian Curry of the L.I. Advance who did some detective work for me and turned it up. It was a “tiki” looking place…kind of a coffee house…rather odd for Patchogue at the time but then it was the 60’s so it was rather “in” as well. Ring a bell? I enjoy corresponding w. you all!!
Oh thanks for this moviegoer…I haven’t even heard of either of these movies…as you said..going out with a “whimper” instead of a “bang”. That’s about the same time the Patchogue Theatre closed so would be about right I’d say. My guess it was the Brookhaven and the eventual opening of the Patchogue multiplex that did it in. I still get the newspaper delivered at my door at 4 AM in the morning…I mean, how much longer will that last? Everything has an eventual end.
It was “Back to School” w. Rodney Dangerfield. I obsess way too much about all of this stuff!!!
Oh gee I saw “The River” there too. I remember it distinctly as I exited out the side door of the theatre, vs. the front door. I had never done that before. A little thing, but I remember it. Gee we are always talking about “When did The Plaza close?” I’m sure it must be in one of the back issues of The L.I. Advance. I remember the Patchogue Theatre’s closing was on the front page and I believe it was a Rodney Dangerfield movie that closed that out. Yes I guess everything is on Google now; whatta world. I thought you were in some old bookstore w. a bunch of ratty, “dog-eared” magazines!!
Thx. moviegoer. I was wondering when it would be “completed”. So interesting about what was playing there in 1983. I saw “Tootsie” there w. my mother in Feb. ‘83 so this makes it so special for me as my mother just passed in May of this year. Before it was razed, I was able to walk to the front door of the theatre (this past summmer) and I could still see the gold lettering on the door. I thought it said it was a UA cinema. Yeah, the RKO notation is foreign to me as well. Thx. for the report.
Oh great news….so glad Tim’s office “rescued” it!! Yay! An excellent piece of news…the Plaza Theatre will “live on” at ArtSpace!!
I would love to go but I live in L.A. now but come home to Patchogue often and will remember this.
Thx. for the info. Ed!
I guess I am doing something wrong bec. I see a “(remove)” next to my name but at least my comments are still posting!
Bway wanted to ask you…why did they leave the frame up? I’m surprised they didn’t take it down in one fell swoop, or do they need different kind of machinery for the steel frame, ductwork, etc. I am guessing so. Oh funny about “The Birds” comment. You should submit that picture to The Advance. It is very sweet and charming.
Hey Bway these are great pictures…I see it was an “event” w. several people. I guess the last “production” at the Plaza was the “Demolition Event” as ironic as that is. I see what you mean..it appears the building was still fairly structurally sound…I doubt you would find a bldg. constructed now that would hold up as well. Especially touching to see the little bird perched on the “L” of the Plaza. I forgot that the theatre was “twinned”. Not sure how to do the updating either, but thanks for sharing these pics. In spite of it being an eyesore, I feel sad when I see them. Thanks for all of the hard work.
Yes I saw those interior photos a while ago and they were really bad. But what a great idea to rebuild on the site and for the time being to hold the screenings at the ArtSpace on Terry St. Wow Patchogue has come a long way baby and thanks for all of your efforts dalglish!
Thx. for letting me know. I was talking to a friend today who grew up in Patchogue and now lives in NJ…he too knew that “today as the day” and as he said, “we all remember the Plaza Theatre”..I mentioned about saving the letters and he agreed and said I should contact Paul Pontieri, but it was too late for a last minute reprieve. We both agreed it’s for the best that the building be razed. But again, as he said, it’s part of our past. Thx. for the update as I was wondering…look forward to seeing the pictures, as sad as that is. It’s for the best. Thx.
Thx. Bway..the minutes are counting down now. Oh I agree..the letters are so iconic and they endured the elements for almost 50 years…it seems they should be saved just for that. But then what do you do with them? Thx. for the info.
Oh wow the end of an era. I was wondering if Hurricane Irene would do the job but I guess not. Look at those letters on the bldg..they have held up after all of these years, so I guess it would stand to reason the rest of the bldg. would. Gosh, it has been closed more years then it was open. As I have mentioned before – and someone else mentioned in this blog – the last movie I saw there was “Back To The Future” in the Summer of 1985 and it closed shortly thereafter. RIP!
Hi rvb…I have both of Hans' books here as well…will have to check them out; shamefully I bought them several years ago and haven’t cracked them open yet. What does “lost to CT” mean…lost in cyberspace so to speak? Thx. for all of the info.
Okay thx. yes will check this out…I am laughing to myself about “Jack and Jerry’s” because they are “two guys” so-to-speak so I guess I wasn’t far off with my remembrance! Thx. rvb & Bway!
Oh you are right rvb!! Yes it was Two Guys…that is it…don’t know where I got the other name from. That’s the name – you got it. Did they mention the “sloping floor” as well? Again I believe it was an auto parts store but I could be wrong about that. Thx. for asking Hans and his wife!!
Oh sure that’s the old Island State Bank I believe – I worked there in the 1970’s. Okay will check out your website too. See you on 7/16!
Hi Possibilities – Just viewed the YouTube video. I admire your passion and dedication to this project; funny I was thinking of Alec Baldwin as a supporter and then his name was mentioned! It would be even more appropriate for him to support this facility as he is a L.I. boy! I work in the entertainment industry in So. Cal now but I don’t know him. At any rate, I’ll try and stop by on 7/16 when I am in town. When I lived in Patchogue, I used to go to the Huntington facility to view films..and of course hopped the train to NYC. This would be much better. Hope to see you next month. Oh I filled out the survey too.
Oh rvb thanks for offering to ask Hans about Jack & Jerry’s!
Hi Lost Memory – I have been talking to rvb, Broadway and possibilities about the Granada. I remember an auto parts store which I believe was called Jack & Jerry’s at the time. It was on the south side of East Main St. – near Railroad Ave. It had a sloped floor and when I inquired as to why, I was told it used to be a movie theatre. My guess is the Granada. Bingo?!! Does “Jack & Jerry’s” (I think this was the name) ring a bell w. you?
Hi again B'way – I haven’t looked at the Granada link you sent but will do so in a moment. Yup…that’s where “Jack & Jerry’s” was….in the Railroad and West Ave. neighborhood. I remember the distinct feeling of vertigo when I walked into that store. That had it be it in another incarnation!
Hi Bway – Regarding Morgan’s…again I have not been in Patchogue in a while but my recollection was it bordered the side of a printing company. I remember because when they tore down Morgan’s, you could still see the outline of the bldg. against the printing co.’s wall. It was in the area of East Main St., on the North side. Somewhere in the vicinity of what is now the Brickhouse but a little bit east of it. I know it existed because Brian Curry went to bat for me and I think looked up Property and Records info. and found it!
Hi possibilities – Yes I remember the street fair when I lived in Patchogue. Okay I will try and stop by on 7/16 as I’ll be on L.I. from 7/6 – 7/20. I live in So. Cal. now. Will check out your YouTube video too. Oh, I was shopping in Target yesterday and saw Fanta and Fresca…I had to laugh as there is a Fanta soda dispenser in the Plaza pics…I didn’t think it existed any longer either. How strange since the last movie I saw @ the Plaza was “Back To The Future”!! Oh and also I am amazed all of the letters on the front of the bldg. are intact…usually one or the other fall off in time.
Also…sort of related to this site…no theatre connection though. Any one remember a club named Morgan’s that was next to the Railroad Ave. bowling alley? It was torn down in the mid-60’s. I racked my brain trying to get info. on it but none of the “Patchoguians” knew of it. Finally connected w. Brian Curry of the L.I. Advance who did some detective work for me and turned it up. It was a “tiki” looking place…kind of a coffee house…rather odd for Patchogue at the time but then it was the 60’s so it was rather “in” as well. Ring a bell? I enjoy corresponding w. you all!!