It is now 50 years that I joined the Oceana Theatre in Brighton Beach and today the large apartments built opposite the building block the splendid ocean views afforded any one walking on the the theatre side of Brighton Beach Avenue. The manager at the time was Carl Johnson and his relief manager Anthony DeCroce (I hope it’s spelled right) who always liked his coffee with half and half and was moved here from the Rugby Theatre (Utica and Church Aves) after it was transferred to Golden Theatres (where I was the marquee changer for $10.00 per week for a Tuesday night attraction change).
I came here from a 6 month job as manager of the Beverly Theatre which
Golden took over from United Artists after a dispute I had with one of the Golden partners. Carl Johnson also had worked for Golden (at the Graham Theatre in Gerritsen Beach and also left after a dispute and how his wife tussled with the Golden partner rolling down the aisle of the theatre. so the story goes as he told me.
My first double feature was “Funny Lady” (Back By Popular Demand) and the co-feature “Jenny” with Marlo Thomas for the umpteenth time. While there we had the first run, four week engagement of “Hester Street” with Carol Kane (who was also in “Dog Day Afternoon ” the same year 1975). …..to be continued….
Thank you Lance G. for taking me here during my trip to Fort Lauderdale
when it was still a single screen many years back. I saw “Where the Boys Are” this morning and saw the Gateway in the extras features and
remember it well, thanks for all the theatre trips that you arranged on
that visit.
A few days ago while watching the 1969 Argentinian movie “Fuego” with Isabel Sarli, at about 1 hour 10 minutes into the movie, while in New York the camera sweeps over 42nd Street’s Selwyn Theatre where the
movies “Inspector Clouseau” and “The Biggest Bundle Of Them All” were
advertised on the giant marquee. The 8th Avenue and front panels of the
marquee are well lit with gold chaser lights on all borders. “Inspector
Clouseau” opened on August 23, 1968 on United Artists Showcase Theatres
for two weeks when “Fuego” was filmed. You also see scenes of the Latin Quarter and the Rivoli Theatre on Broadway with a revival of the 70MM
version of “Gone With The Wind”
50 years ago today a revival of “Gone With The Wind” played for one entire week with showtimes daily at 1:00, 4:40 and 8:20. There was
no intermission in the movie and only a two minute intermission in
between shows. 5,000 people neighborhood patrons saw the film. I was
the manager at the time.
This photo is circa March 28, 1974 when “Blood Fingers” played with
“The Hammer Of God”. In 1975, “Blood Fingers” was the second feature
supporting “Dragon Squad” on April 2, 1975. I graduated from Erasmus
in June 1974.
This response is for jbltraveler on October 14th, 2021, a little late on the response but I had the pleasure of working with your father at
the Granada Theatre from 1970-early 1974 when he passed. For four years
under his guidance during my tenure at Erasmus Hall High School and
working first as a telephone answerer when the box-office was busy which seemed like every weekend. He taught me valuable lessons as a
teenager that stayed with me all my life. He told me about Century
Theatres and actually called some Century Theatres for passes for myself. Early on, I weaseled my way to change the lobby posters every
week for four years. Mr. L. liked that because that meant that he didn’t have to do it. The Granada had 8 poster cases, 3 outside 2 Now
Showing facing street and one with 8 color 8x10 stills which faced the
cashier’s box-office. In the lobby, 4 poster cases with 2 for the Next Attraction/Starts Wednesday (inside by front doors) and 2 for Coming
Soon. The 8th poster case was to the left of the candy stand which had
the Movie Ratings Poster. In 1968, it was G, M, R (under 16) and X (under 16, Later 17). Besides that I worked doorman, usher, candy
stand on Friday Eve and Sat and Sun Matinees and I used to hang out
after school and Sat and Sun eves. On Sunday Matinee your dad came in a
little later 3 PM. If you ever read this post, I still live in Flatbush
Brooklyn and I believe Mr. L lived either on Ocean Avenue or Ocean Pkwy. All the ushers and staff attended his funeral, he was well loved.
When it opened in 1967 seating was at least 1,000. When I was there in 2005-2012 the seating was 420 in theatre 5, theatre in the backstage was 350 when it was a Trio and then 170 when it was split in half with 175 in each one when it was a quad. Along the side of theatre 5 was a narrow theatre which had 230 seats as a trio and this was split to make it a five-plex with one theatre 150 seats and the other 60 seats
directly behind the 150 seats. The theatre numbers also changed to #1 & #2 (backstage), theatre #3 and #5 were the narrow theatre along side #4.
The large theatre remained at 420 and became theatre #4.
The theatre was very busy after the Lindenhurst closed and then busier when Babylon closed. Weeekends especially Friday, with the horror movies were always sellouts in #4 with shows cancelled in either #1 or # for the over flow from #4. It was basically a Disney and Horror house, the bread and butter always playing in theatre #4. All seats were $5. before 6 P.M. is the reason of its success!
Theatres today are very small with the average screen at 100 seats. At
$20. a ticket, you have sell a lot of tickets in these modern theatres.
I wish them good luck!
This is the 100th Anniversary of the former Loew’s Kameo opened in 1924 as the Cameo Theatre and taken over by Loew’s several months later. It closed in September 1974 with the double feature of “Uptown Saturday
Night” and “Cotton Comes To Harlem” which would have started this Wednesday Sept. 25, 1974… 50 years ago. After a short closure it was taken over by the Sabbath Cathedral.
P.S. “Cotton Comes To Harlem” played here during its' initial showing
on the neighborhood run in 1970-71 for four weeks with the co-feature
“Gaily, Gaily” which was the theatre’s longest running movie at that time. That record was broken in 1974 when “The Exorcist” played six weeks in June 1974 as a first run feature.
Orlando
commented about
Staron
Feb 24, 2020 at 5:53 pm
I believe it was, Terry. The Victoria Theatre is showing “The Secret Life Of An American Wife” with Walter Matthau and Anne Jackson which was also playing at a 42nd Street with a co-feature. See “The Deuce” for second feature. It could have been “Mission To Space”. Great photo though, thanks!
The Sabbath Cathedral tour is Saturday, April 4th 2020, just caught the error, thanks to the gentleman who already joined the tour and theatrefan for the Loew’s Paradise Theatre review….looking forward to meeting you both on April 4th, Saturday along with others. There are still about 16 reservations available. E-mail and phone # above along with information.
Here’s some good news… Bring your cameras, PHOTOS permitted! during the last 15 minutes of the tour ONLY!, however not during the tour speech as this will be a guided tour.
Here’s some good news!!! I will be conducting tours of the Sabbath Cathedral (as it’s known now for 45 years), formerly Loew’s Kameo Theatre and Roof, which celebrated its' 96th Anniversary this past Sabbath (Saturday). The tour is going to be on Saturday, April 1, 2020 at 3 P.M. and will last about an hour and fifteen minutes. It is limited to 40 people and the tour will cost $10. for each person, all ages. There will be a short slide show on the Kameo and a few local theatres nearby. The tour will include the lobby and the auditorium with its dramatic dome intact, as a matter of fact excepting the marquee its' 90% intact and good condition. The Sabbath Cathedral is holding this tour and maybe adding further dates if groups are interested. The proceeds will go to purchase of a new boiler and repairs on the one that is currently in use. For more information you may contact me at or 631-225-7071 between 11 AM to 7PM. Please Note: Tour is limited to 40 persons, on the date above.
If there is an overwhelming response due to the New York Times article, which many people flooded our phones at the Cathedral that we all felt a tour was needed. Again e-mail me or call me, as the Cathedral is not in use at all times and calls to Sabbath Cathedral may go unanswered. Don’t miss this one as the building approaches its' Centennial!
I think that they meant a street block from 47th St. to 48th St. and even then I would take a guess that a street block is approximately 100' long (That’s rentable space not including sidewalks). Even Radio City is not a block long. …That’s not about half…. Only you and I know that but most people read the Title and Theatre name.
For the celebration of Black History Month, a Fundraiser Event will be held here at the College Point Multiplex on Sunday, February 23, 2020 with a showing of the film “Just Mercy” with Jamie Fox. It is being sponsored by the Deaconess Board and Women’s Ministry of the Philadelphia Church. All attendees will also get a gourmet goodie bag with the reservation. Limited seating is available so e-mail for tickets for this event. No tickets will be sold at the box-office so if you want to join us e-mail Meghann as soon as you can. We will notify you here when we reach the cinema capacity and cut off sales at that time. So come on down to the College Point Multiplex for a great start to your Sunday activities. You can order tickets today. When you obtain your tikets directions to the College Point Multiplex are at the top of main page of this Multiplex. Don’t miss it!
“Summer of'42” was filmed here amongst others and features scenes with a theatre (the Coast?) which fits the time period as a coastal movie house. “Now, Voyager” was the movie within the movie filling in for Nantucket, NY. A boxoffice is seen, theatre balcony (wooden seats) and an usher opening the doors in uniform.
Pickup today’s “New York Times” bad news for the former Loew’s Kameo…will it be demolished…or saved! This one needs to be saved. The nearby Savoy set the precedent for this I’m quite sure. Loew’s still owned the building in 1977 and had guard’s on the Loew’s Kings payroll. Loew’s usually sold their buildings for the sum of $1.00- (Note Valencia and the Gates both went for a $1.00)
Rob, Go in person to Huntigton Historical on Main St. closer to Huntington Cinema Arts Center on the hill on the northside castle like historic building, you can’t miss it. They are very nice when I did a slide lecture in the historic Red Barn adjacent Cinema Arts entrance. I loved every one of the Century Theatres in Huntington and glad I worked them all (Exc. 110 Drive In and Huntington). In person is always the way to go and call for appointment so that they can have the materials for you to see. You’ll see pics of the Paramount marquee and a few others
not mentioned on this site… and enjoy Huntington Main St. even though it has dramatically changed since the early 1980’s when it had the flavor of a true style Main Street. Try the Mexican restaurant 2 blocks from the Shore.
Showcase Cinemas East Hartford (Redstone) alias National Amusements, it’s all the one and only Sumner Redstones' theatres.
It could not be a victim of the Buckland Hills. A redstome is a redstone is a redstone. Most of his theatre empire is now stone cold demolished. He will join them soon enough.
As of Saturday, October 26, 2019 …. all exterior walls are still standing. It looks like nothing has happened since July 2019 or maybe earlier than that. It’s a biggie… did they run out of money??? Is the coffee shop able to recoup its' demolition and building erection costs… as they said on the TV “Batman” series tune in next month for all the details!
It is now 50 years that I joined the Oceana Theatre in Brighton Beach and today the large apartments built opposite the building block the splendid ocean views afforded any one walking on the the theatre side of Brighton Beach Avenue. The manager at the time was Carl Johnson and his relief manager Anthony DeCroce (I hope it’s spelled right) who always liked his coffee with half and half and was moved here from the Rugby Theatre (Utica and Church Aves) after it was transferred to Golden Theatres (where I was the marquee changer for $10.00 per week for a Tuesday night attraction change). I came here from a 6 month job as manager of the Beverly Theatre which Golden took over from United Artists after a dispute I had with one of the Golden partners. Carl Johnson also had worked for Golden (at the Graham Theatre in Gerritsen Beach and also left after a dispute and how his wife tussled with the Golden partner rolling down the aisle of the theatre. so the story goes as he told me. My first double feature was “Funny Lady” (Back By Popular Demand) and the co-feature “Jenny” with Marlo Thomas for the umpteenth time. While there we had the first run, four week engagement of “Hester Street” with Carol Kane (who was also in “Dog Day Afternoon ” the same year 1975). …..to be continued….
Thank you Lance G. for taking me here during my trip to Fort Lauderdale when it was still a single screen many years back. I saw “Where the Boys Are” this morning and saw the Gateway in the extras features and remember it well, thanks for all the theatre trips that you arranged on that visit.
A few days ago while watching the 1969 Argentinian movie “Fuego” with Isabel Sarli, at about 1 hour 10 minutes into the movie, while in New York the camera sweeps over 42nd Street’s Selwyn Theatre where the movies “Inspector Clouseau” and “The Biggest Bundle Of Them All” were advertised on the giant marquee. The 8th Avenue and front panels of the marquee are well lit with gold chaser lights on all borders. “Inspector Clouseau” opened on August 23, 1968 on United Artists Showcase Theatres for two weeks when “Fuego” was filmed. You also see scenes of the Latin Quarter and the Rivoli Theatre on Broadway with a revival of the 70MM version of “Gone With The Wind”
50 years ago today a revival of “Gone With The Wind” played for one entire week with showtimes daily at 1:00, 4:40 and 8:20. There was no intermission in the movie and only a two minute intermission in between shows. 5,000 people neighborhood patrons saw the film. I was the manager at the time.
This photo shows a 40 x 60 poster for “Casino Royale” 1967. That is the exact year.
This photo is circa March 28, 1974 when “Blood Fingers” played with “The Hammer Of God”. In 1975, “Blood Fingers” was the second feature supporting “Dragon Squad” on April 2, 1975. I graduated from Erasmus in June 1974.
This response is for jbltraveler on October 14th, 2021, a little late on the response but I had the pleasure of working with your father at the Granada Theatre from 1970-early 1974 when he passed. For four years under his guidance during my tenure at Erasmus Hall High School and working first as a telephone answerer when the box-office was busy which seemed like every weekend. He taught me valuable lessons as a teenager that stayed with me all my life. He told me about Century Theatres and actually called some Century Theatres for passes for myself. Early on, I weaseled my way to change the lobby posters every week for four years. Mr. L. liked that because that meant that he didn’t have to do it. The Granada had 8 poster cases, 3 outside 2 Now Showing facing street and one with 8 color 8x10 stills which faced the cashier’s box-office. In the lobby, 4 poster cases with 2 for the Next Attraction/Starts Wednesday (inside by front doors) and 2 for Coming Soon. The 8th poster case was to the left of the candy stand which had the Movie Ratings Poster. In 1968, it was G, M, R (under 16) and X (under 16, Later 17). Besides that I worked doorman, usher, candy stand on Friday Eve and Sat and Sun Matinees and I used to hang out after school and Sat and Sun eves. On Sunday Matinee your dad came in a little later 3 PM. If you ever read this post, I still live in Flatbush Brooklyn and I believe Mr. L lived either on Ocean Avenue or Ocean Pkwy. All the ushers and staff attended his funeral, he was well loved.
When it opened in 1967 seating was at least 1,000. When I was there in 2005-2012 the seating was 420 in theatre 5, theatre in the backstage was 350 when it was a Trio and then 170 when it was split in half with 175 in each one when it was a quad. Along the side of theatre 5 was a narrow theatre which had 230 seats as a trio and this was split to make it a five-plex with one theatre 150 seats and the other 60 seats directly behind the 150 seats. The theatre numbers also changed to #1 & #2 (backstage), theatre #3 and #5 were the narrow theatre along side #4. The large theatre remained at 420 and became theatre #4. The theatre was very busy after the Lindenhurst closed and then busier when Babylon closed. Weeekends especially Friday, with the horror movies were always sellouts in #4 with shows cancelled in either #1 or # for the over flow from #4. It was basically a Disney and Horror house, the bread and butter always playing in theatre #4. All seats were $5. before 6 P.M. is the reason of its success! Theatres today are very small with the average screen at 100 seats. At $20. a ticket, you have sell a lot of tickets in these modern theatres. I wish them good luck!
The RKO Fordham was still a single screen when it played…
This is the 100th Anniversary of the former Loew’s Kameo opened in 1924 as the Cameo Theatre and taken over by Loew’s several months later. It closed in September 1974 with the double feature of “Uptown Saturday Night” and “Cotton Comes To Harlem” which would have started this Wednesday Sept. 25, 1974… 50 years ago. After a short closure it was taken over by the Sabbath Cathedral. P.S. “Cotton Comes To Harlem” played here during its' initial showing on the neighborhood run in 1970-71 for four weeks with the co-feature “Gaily, Gaily” which was the theatre’s longest running movie at that time. That record was broken in 1974 when “The Exorcist” played six weeks in June 1974 as a first run feature.
I believe it was, Terry. The Victoria Theatre is showing “The Secret Life Of An American Wife” with Walter Matthau and Anne Jackson which was also playing at a 42nd Street with a co-feature. See “The Deuce” for second feature. It could have been “Mission To Space”. Great photo though, thanks!
The Sabbath Cathedral tour is Saturday, April 4th 2020, just caught the error, thanks to the gentleman who already joined the tour and theatrefan for the Loew’s Paradise Theatre review….looking forward to meeting you both on April 4th, Saturday along with others. There are still about 16 reservations available. E-mail and phone # above along with information.
….from under the New York theatre marquee….
Here’s some good news… Bring your cameras, PHOTOS permitted! during the last 15 minutes of the tour ONLY!, however not during the tour speech as this will be a guided tour.
Here’s some good news!!! I will be conducting tours of the Sabbath Cathedral (as it’s known now for 45 years), formerly Loew’s Kameo Theatre and Roof, which celebrated its' 96th Anniversary this past Sabbath (Saturday). The tour is going to be on Saturday, April 1, 2020 at 3 P.M. and will last about an hour and fifteen minutes. It is limited to 40 people and the tour will cost $10. for each person, all ages. There will be a short slide show on the Kameo and a few local theatres nearby. The tour will include the lobby and the auditorium with its dramatic dome intact, as a matter of fact excepting the marquee its' 90% intact and good condition. The Sabbath Cathedral is holding this tour and maybe adding further dates if groups are interested. The proceeds will go to purchase of a new boiler and repairs on the one that is currently in use. For more information you may contact me at or 631-225-7071 between 11 AM to 7PM. Please Note: Tour is limited to 40 persons, on the date above. If there is an overwhelming response due to the New York Times article, which many people flooded our phones at the Cathedral that we all felt a tour was needed. Again e-mail me or call me, as the Cathedral is not in use at all times and calls to Sabbath Cathedral may go unanswered. Don’t miss this one as the building approaches its' Centennial!
I think that they meant a street block from 47th St. to 48th St. and even then I would take a guess that a street block is approximately 100' long (That’s rentable space not including sidewalks). Even Radio City is not a block long. …That’s not about half…. Only you and I know that but most people read the Title and Theatre name.
For the celebration of Black History Month, a Fundraiser Event will be held here at the College Point Multiplex on Sunday, February 23, 2020 with a showing of the film “Just Mercy” with Jamie Fox. It is being sponsored by the Deaconess Board and Women’s Ministry of the Philadelphia Church. All attendees will also get a gourmet goodie bag with the reservation. Limited seating is available so e-mail for tickets for this event. No tickets will be sold at the box-office so if you want to join us e-mail Meghann as soon as you can. We will notify you here when we reach the cinema capacity and cut off sales at that time. So come on down to the College Point Multiplex for a great start to your Sunday activities. You can order tickets today. When you obtain your tikets directions to the College Point Multiplex are at the top of main page of this Multiplex. Don’t miss it!
also at Century’s Rialto, Flatbush and Cortelyou Rd. Brooklyn, NY. and other theatres in Brooklyn.
Clip from “Goodbye, Columbus” 1968 Paramount Pictures, never a postcard.
“Summer of'42” was filmed here amongst others and features scenes with a theatre (the Coast?) which fits the time period as a coastal movie house. “Now, Voyager” was the movie within the movie filling in for Nantucket, NY. A boxoffice is seen, theatre balcony (wooden seats) and an usher opening the doors in uniform.
Pickup today’s “New York Times” bad news for the former Loew’s Kameo…will it be demolished…or saved! This one needs to be saved. The nearby Savoy set the precedent for this I’m quite sure. Loew’s still owned the building in 1977 and had guard’s on the Loew’s Kings payroll. Loew’s usually sold their buildings for the sum of $1.00- (Note Valencia and the Gates both went for a $1.00)
Rob, Go in person to Huntigton Historical on Main St. closer to Huntington Cinema Arts Center on the hill on the northside castle like historic building, you can’t miss it. They are very nice when I did a slide lecture in the historic Red Barn adjacent Cinema Arts entrance. I loved every one of the Century Theatres in Huntington and glad I worked them all (Exc. 110 Drive In and Huntington). In person is always the way to go and call for appointment so that they can have the materials for you to see. You’ll see pics of the Paramount marquee and a few others not mentioned on this site… and enjoy Huntington Main St. even though it has dramatically changed since the early 1980’s when it had the flavor of a true style Main Street. Try the Mexican restaurant 2 blocks from the Shore.
Showcase Cinemas East Hartford (Redstone) alias National Amusements, it’s all the one and only Sumner Redstones' theatres. It could not be a victim of the Buckland Hills. A redstome is a redstone is a redstone. Most of his theatre empire is now stone cold demolished. He will join them soon enough.
As of Saturday, October 26, 2019 …. all exterior walls are still standing. It looks like nothing has happened since July 2019 or maybe earlier than that. It’s a biggie… did they run out of money??? Is the coffee shop able to recoup its' demolition and building erection costs… as they said on the TV “Batman” series tune in next month for all the details!
That’s “Low-eez” for Brooklyn accented persons of the day.