Please sign our petition & post a comment, as well as share it with as many friends as possible. Power to the people who respect history, architecture, culture, religious values, preservation, art, & small businesses:
December 26, 1939: This day in our community’s history is marked by the opening of the 1939 World’s Fair-inspired Art Deco Trylon Theater, where the earliest films were “The Wizard of Oz” & “Gone With The Wind” - http://www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/27050355/article-The-Trylon–The-Theater-of-Tomorrow We will continue to advocate for the preservation & restoration of this landmark in the eyes of the majority. Let’s save the Trylon/Ohr Natan Synagogue & Community Center & the Tower Diner clock tower bank building. Take a stand for religious values, architecture, culture, history, art, historic preservation, morals, & small businesses. Power to the people who understand & value our communities most!
In the Forest Hills Theatre description, please include its original architect, Kenneth M. Murchison, who was a foremost public buildings architect. He also designed Forest Hills Stadium (first tennis stadium countrywide as of 1923), Baltimore’s Penn Station, Jamaica Station, Hoboken Terminal, and the Beaux-Arts Apartments. I would also like to mention that the theater opened on December 5, 1922. Architect John J. McNamara performed renovations later on.
Ridethectrain: One of the last movies was “Dance With Me” featuring Vanessa Williams & Maria Torres, which was released in August 1998. The theater closed shortly after. I attended and have proof.
As a result of the Cinemart Cinemas Preservation Campaign, the owner’s dedication, and the screening of “American Sniper” (a first-run film!), the Cinemart achieved a record number of ticket sales: http://www.queensledger.com/view/full_story/26391453/article-Cinemart-Cinemas-achieves-record-ticket-sales
The good fight is far from over. As a preservationist who is assisting the owner, we are determined to succeed.For ideas and preservation leads, please email Michael Perlman of Rego-Forest Preservation Council at
PRESERVATION ALERT – Save The Historic Cinemart Theatre by seeing a major film screening this week!!! Please share & buy tickets for “American Sniper”
http://foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/26362063/article-Major-film-to-determine-theater-s-future
Thanks for your comments. The mosaics were intact and in good condition until their destruction in 2005. The mosaic ticket booth bearing the Trylon Monument was jackhammered in July 2005, and the mosaic and terrazzo floor which also depicted the monument and Art Deco chevrons was cemented over for a front that began disintegrating upon installment.
This is a view from 2002, which was 3 years after the Trylon Theater closed its doors. This is before the beautiful Art Deco 1939 World’s Fair-themed detail in the entrance pavilion was destroyed during the 2005 demolition process.
Hi everyone, I just uploaded numerous Trylon Theater photos under the photo thread. Please feel free to post your comments. The views range from the theater’s opening in 1939 to its closure in December 1999, and also include some views of the insensitive alterations in summer 2005.
When the Trylon Theater was taken over by Ohr Natan in 2005, this unique Art Deco mosaic floor in the entrance pavilion was paved over with cement. It is still “restorable!”
Are there any quotes from the Landmarks Preservation Commission? It is of the utmost significance to calendar a public hearing for the Ridgewood Theatre’s interior. This is famed architect Thomas Lamb’s earliest and most intact example of a theater throughout NYC!
The Queens Chronicle quotes potentially one of the developers/owners as stating the following:
Though the property, known as the Trylon Triangle was only recently acquired, Babaev said the company is already working on designs for the space.
“We’re thinking retail on the ground floor, a community center on the second floor and residential from three to eight,” he said. “We want to RESTORE the front entrance of the building to resemble what it looked like in 1939 when it opened. We want to bring back the essence of the building’s history and keep all of the tenants.”
The Queens Ledger-/Forest Hills Times features “Midway Theatre 70th Anniversary Benefits Alzheimer’s” by Michael Perlman: http://www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/20349385/article-Midway-Theatre-70th-Anniversary-Benefits-Alzheimer-s
On 9/24, patrons saw Hitchcock’s “Rear Window” (1954) & the proceeds benefited the Alzheimer’s Association (NYC Chapter). The Midway opened in 1942 & was named after WWII’s Battle of Midway. It was designed in the Art Moderne style by America’s foremost theater architect, Thomas W. Lamb. Please share & feel free to post a comment on the article link.
“Coming Attractions: Legendary Midway Theatre To Turn 70” in the Forest Hills Times/Queens Ledger by Michael Perlman.
Mark your calendar for a 70th anniversary celebration, likely on September 24, 2012. Let’s preserve & commemorate our Art Moderne theater designed by the great Thomas Lamb, & named after WWII’s Battle of Midway.
If you would like to share your theater memories or experiences or any comment, please feel free to post on the article link:
P.S. The theater can always be incorporated into a residential development above. The loss of the remaining ornate features would be detrimental. If the owner cares about his/her reputation, they will work with us.
I agree. SWC deserves an award for his prominent role in documenting and publicizing this theater. We have proof of the great extent of architectural details in the auditorium, lounges, & other areas, which remain by the foremost theater architect Thomas W. Lamb. Don’t believe anything about what the politicians & developer(s) say.
Interview on CBS News: https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2021/11/04/rego-park-queens-demolition-building-ohr-natan-synagogue-rj-capital-holdings/
Interview on WPIX 11: https://pix11.com/news/local-news/queens/neighbors-rally-to-save-historic-diner-and-building-in-queens/
Petition & comment drive: https://www.change.org/p/rj-capital-holdings-save-historic-trylon-theater-ohr-natan-tower-diner-small-businesses-from-demolition
https://nypost.com/2021/11/03/nyc-neighbors-fighting-to-save-historic-ohr-natan-synagogue/
http://foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/27827733/article-Push-to-save-Trylon-Theater—Tower-Diner
http://foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/27830127/article-CB6-considers-demo-of-Trylon–Tower-Diner
https://qns.com/2021/11/forest-hills-and-rego-park-residents-reject-developers-plan-to-demolish-tower-diner-and-ohr-natan-synagogue/
Please sign our petition & post a comment, as well as share it with as many friends as possible. Power to the people who respect history, architecture, culture, religious values, preservation, art, & small businesses:
https://www.change.org/p/rj-capital-holdings-save-historic-trylon-theater-ohr-natan-tower-diner-small-businesses-from-demolition
December 26, 1939: This day in our community’s history is marked by the opening of the 1939 World’s Fair-inspired Art Deco Trylon Theater, where the earliest films were “The Wizard of Oz” & “Gone With The Wind” - http://www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/27050355/article-The-Trylon–The-Theater-of-Tomorrow We will continue to advocate for the preservation & restoration of this landmark in the eyes of the majority. Let’s save the Trylon/Ohr Natan Synagogue & Community Center & the Tower Diner clock tower bank building. Take a stand for religious values, architecture, culture, history, art, historic preservation, morals, & small businesses. Power to the people who understand & value our communities most!
In the Forest Hills Theatre description, please include its original architect, Kenneth M. Murchison, who was a foremost public buildings architect. He also designed Forest Hills Stadium (first tennis stadium countrywide as of 1923), Baltimore’s Penn Station, Jamaica Station, Hoboken Terminal, and the Beaux-Arts Apartments. I would also like to mention that the theater opened on December 5, 1922. Architect John J. McNamara performed renovations later on.
Ridethectrain: One of the last movies was “Dance With Me” featuring Vanessa Williams & Maria Torres, which was released in August 1998. The theater closed shortly after. I attended and have proof.
The theater closed in the latter part of 1998.
As a result of the Cinemart Cinemas Preservation Campaign, the owner’s dedication, and the screening of “American Sniper” (a first-run film!), the Cinemart achieved a record number of ticket sales: http://www.queensledger.com/view/full_story/26391453/article-Cinemart-Cinemas-achieves-record-ticket-sales
The good fight is far from over. As a preservationist who is assisting the owner, we are determined to succeed.For ideas and preservation leads, please email Michael Perlman of Rego-Forest Preservation Council at
PRESERVATION ALERT – Save The Historic Cinemart Theatre by seeing a major film screening this week!!! Please share & buy tickets for “American Sniper” http://foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/26362063/article-Major-film-to-determine-theater-s-future
Please share with all your contacts.
Thanks for your comments. The mosaics were intact and in good condition until their destruction in 2005. The mosaic ticket booth bearing the Trylon Monument was jackhammered in July 2005, and the mosaic and terrazzo floor which also depicted the monument and Art Deco chevrons was cemented over for a front that began disintegrating upon installment.
This is a view from 2002, which was 3 years after the Trylon Theater closed its doors. This is before the beautiful Art Deco 1939 World’s Fair-themed detail in the entrance pavilion was destroyed during the 2005 demolition process.
Thank you, Bway.
Hi everyone, I just uploaded numerous Trylon Theater photos under the photo thread. Please feel free to post your comments. The views range from the theater’s opening in 1939 to its closure in December 1999, and also include some views of the insensitive alterations in summer 2005.
The Trylon Theater was featured in the 1941 Theatre Catalog
When the Trylon Theater was taken over by Ohr Natan in 2005, this unique Art Deco mosaic floor in the entrance pavilion was paved over with cement. It is still “restorable!”
In the “Now showing” display case, you can see the reflection of the former Jay Dee Bakery’s retro neon sign.
Trylon Theater’s Art Deco entrance pavilion in 1999 bearing the Trylon Monument, Courtesy of Michael Perlman
Trylon Theater’s Art Deco facade & entrance pavilion in 1999, Courtesy of Michael Perlman
In the upper left-hand corner, the vertical Art Deco streamlined detail is peeking through the vitrolite paneling.
How can I add my Trylon Theater photos directly to this thread? Please let me know. Thanks!
Are there any quotes from the Landmarks Preservation Commission? It is of the utmost significance to calendar a public hearing for the Ridgewood Theatre’s interior. This is famed architect Thomas Lamb’s earliest and most intact example of a theater throughout NYC!
The Queens Chronicle quotes potentially one of the developers/owners as stating the following:
Though the property, known as the Trylon Triangle was only recently acquired, Babaev said the company is already working on designs for the space.
“We’re thinking retail on the ground floor, a community center on the second floor and residential from three to eight,” he said. “We want to RESTORE the front entrance of the building to resemble what it looked like in 1939 when it opened. We want to bring back the essence of the building’s history and keep all of the tenants.”
http://www.qchron.com/editions/central/the-plot-thickens-at-ohr-natan-center/article_c5531a86-a026-5171-8b10-c78bfa77adf5.html
What are some of your immediate thoughts?
In addition, does anyone have historic photos (personal or company-produced) showing the Trylon Theater?
These are some Trylon Theater photos I uploaded to flickr over the years:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8095451@N08/sets/72157623065121152
The Queens Ledger-/Forest Hills Times features “Midway Theatre 70th Anniversary Benefits Alzheimer’s” by Michael Perlman: http://www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/20349385/article-Midway-Theatre-70th-Anniversary-Benefits-Alzheimer-s On 9/24, patrons saw Hitchcock’s “Rear Window” (1954) & the proceeds benefited the Alzheimer’s Association (NYC Chapter). The Midway opened in 1942 & was named after WWII’s Battle of Midway. It was designed in the Art Moderne style by America’s foremost theater architect, Thomas W. Lamb. Please share & feel free to post a comment on the article link.
“Coming Attractions: Legendary Midway Theatre To Turn 70” in the Forest Hills Times/Queens Ledger by Michael Perlman.
Mark your calendar for a 70th anniversary celebration, likely on September 24, 2012. Let’s preserve & commemorate our Art Moderne theater designed by the great Thomas Lamb, & named after WWII’s Battle of Midway.
If you would like to share your theater memories or experiences or any comment, please feel free to post on the article link:
http://www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/18969666/article-Coming-Attractions—Legendary-Midway-Theatre-To-Turn-70
A thank you to all who contributed to my article’s interviews.
P.S. The theater can always be incorporated into a residential development above. The loss of the remaining ornate features would be detrimental. If the owner cares about his/her reputation, they will work with us.
Does anyone know the owner’s name? Maybe some of us can call for a meeting with the owner & the councilmember. Thoughts?
I agree. SWC deserves an award for his prominent role in documenting and publicizing this theater. We have proof of the great extent of architectural details in the auditorium, lounges, & other areas, which remain by the foremost theater architect Thomas W. Lamb. Don’t believe anything about what the politicians & developer(s) say.