RKO Keith's Richmond Hill Theatre
117-09 Hillside Avenue,
Richmond Hill,
NY
11418
117-09 Hillside Avenue,
Richmond Hill,
NY
11418
25 people
favorited this theater
Showing 226 - 250 of 427 comments
Peter,
Thanks for the tip about the two palaces in operation.
I would like to share a theater which I have seen photos of in Chicago, that reminds me of a dark, gothic mansion, which so far i have found most unique.
/theaters/362/
Well form my standpoint Peter,
LOW-EASE!
I know what you mean, Panzer65, but perhaps you can take heart from the current state of Loew’s Jersey in Jersey City, and Loew’s Paradise in The Bronx.
BTW, is it pronounced “Low’s” or “Low-ease” ?
Peter,
Ithink the pastime of seeing films at movie house is soon to be extinct in the form that I know and remember it by. The single screen house in all the glory of its palace type atmosphere form which I was accustomed to is rapidly fading. I think its just a bit of anger on my part, looking back, of course, you are quite correct that the multi plex’s are thriving. My anger I feel is a just cause, perhaps because my CT research has seen many of these beautiful theaters perish through the making of the dollar, another words, death,demolition, loss, sell, make money. My recent foray was the death of the Hollywood in Rhoade Island,and also my deep sorrow for the loss of the Commodore, and then seeing the Ridgewood close, and finally the RKO Keith’s Richmond Hill in its first stage of decline. Also I was so close yest so far in attending the Madison in its glory days, but never stepped a foot in it, adding to my obsession.I feel that the venue of bingo is about to become a victim of the past just like bowling alleys and Jahn’s, that being said, the other diamond in the rough, the Maspeth, may become a victim in this recent attack on historic buildings.
I, too, would suspend judgment, and would not label the owners of RKO Keith’s Richmond Hill as “greedy”. In our free enterprise system and capitalist economy, virtually everything must make a profit to stay in business. That includes the RKO Keith’s Richmond Hill, whether or not it functions as a theatre once again, or as a bingo hall + flea market.
Panzer65, why do you see the cinema as a “soon extinct pastime” ? Movies are bigger and better business than ever in multiplex cinemas all over the USA and probably the rest of the world as well. And cinema is still a legitimate art form.
LuisV, Warren, Panzer65, you have all made good points. Perhaps the wisest thing to do is to continue to keep our Internet “eye” on this theater, and to do what we can to help preserve it as a theatre.
Re: Greedy owners.
I do regret calling the owners greedy, how ever, real estate activities in New York City are one that are not honest to say the least. My apologies to the owners of the RKO Keith’s Richmond Hill and any one else who read my thread.I was very angered by the activities that were going on, and may have over reacted.
Thanks Warren. I agree that more info is needed and that’s why I didn’t think it fair to call the owner greedy. It’s also why I was surprised that the reporter didn’t ask the question of “WHY” the lettering was taken down. Still, I’m not optismistic for the Keiths because I don’t see a flea market/bingo hall as a long term business plan.
I don’t think that it’s fair to call the current owners of the Keiths Richmond Hill greedy. Unless I’m mistaken, the current owners have run this old palace as a flea market/bingo hall for decades while still leaving the theater pretty much intact. A “greedy” landlord would have gutted the theater years ago to prevent calls for landmarking. Except for the slight alteration of the marquee (which is still tragic) the theater remains intact.
Nonetheless, I have to agree with Panzer65 that it doesn’t look good for this theater. How long could it possibly go on as a bingo hall? If they sell, the new owner is going to want a higher income revenue stream. How will this theater support itself? Richmond Hill is a quiet lower middle to middle income neighborhod with some low end retail on Jamaica Avenue. It is not a destination for anyone except those who live there.
I would love to see the Keiths saved, but I don’t see the city stepping forward on this one. I would prefer the focus be on saving the Kings in Brooklyn which the city has said it will contribute significnat funds to and has much better odds of paying its own way once it’s been restored.
I just don’t see how this will end well for the Keiths. I feel the minor vandalism of the marquee is just the opening shot. The owner is looking to to see what kind of reaction occurs. I think it’s the beginning of the end. It’s really a shame, but the reality is that this theater is not landmarked and it is private property unlike the Kings which is owned by the city and, while not officially landmarked, it is being treated as such by the city.
In retrospect, theaters are a difficult proposition, they are costly to maintain, and take up a lot of space. There are many pieces to the equation here. Many owners are unscrupulous because of this fact, on the other hand, they know there are a small amount of preservationists that want to save these historic buildings.So like many events of the past they either do some damage to accelerate deterioration, or they secretly perform “renovations”, to push the structure to the brink of immeasurable damage, therefore getting the odds in their favor. Wake up friends!This is perhaps the death knell for the RKO Richmond Hill and Ridgewood, these greedy owners will do anything to eliminate the money losers to get the money winners.The only salvation that can occur is not really preservation.The purpose of these great buildings was to entertain through the soon extinct pastime of the cinema and the long obsolete Vaudeville. My stance is yes, save the building, but since times are changing rapidly,we must have to look at what makes the money, modern uses.Not retail, but performing arts, school, or churches, especially the latter.The Valencia & RKO Bushwick stand tall, proud and well cared for today as examples of modern uses of theater buildings.
I don’t know if it’s too late to landmark this theatre, George Tobor, but thanks for your input … and welcome to Cinema Treasures !
Yes this situation is intolerable. It reminds one of the RKO Keith’s in Flushing. The desecration at this theatre might only be in early stages but it is disturbing none the less. I have read that the number of bingo players has declined in recent years. Perhaps this theatre will be on the market soon. An adventurous soul could transform this theatre into a concert venue. Is it too late to landmark this theatre.
George
Good question, Panzer65. The borough of Queens seems to have no respect for its historic buildings, whether they be Neiderstein’s Restaurant, the Ridgewood and RKO Madison Theatres, or the RKO Keith’s Flushing and Richmond Hill Theatres, to name a few.
Once again the torrent of disrespect for historic structures is being aimed at another classic movie house,amongst other venues. How long is this new wave of attacks going to last until its put in check?
Is the Landmarks Preservation Commision and Theater Historical Society a$leep?
Thanks again, Lost Memory.
Thanks, Lost Memory.
I hope not, RobertR.
Where were the Rivoli and Sutton Theatres located ?
This is probably another case of destroy it so it can’t be landmarked like what happened to the Rivoli and Sutton.
Thanks, KenRoe, and thanks for all your photography of Queens, NYC theatres, particularly the Ridgewood Theatre.
As per my photo’s and comment on March 26, 2006 ‘The marquee was renovated for the location shoot of the British film “The Guru” in 2001’.
LuisV, it still looked like a theater inside, when I was last inside on Saturday July 8 2006.
True, Richmond Hill is a quiet neighborhood, but the Keith is located at a transportation hub and major crossroads in downtown Richmond Hill. I think it stopped showing movies about 1970, but is still thriving as a bingo hall and a flea market.
I can’t believe the reporter didn’t ask the simple question, WHY was the lettering taken down? WHY? It’s a great marquee and now it looks sad. What a shame. I still haven’t had an opportunity to take a look inside but I understand the theater is substantially intact with the exception that all of the orchestra seats have been removed.
Unfortunately, Richmond Hill is a quiet neighborhood and it is unlikely that a renovated theater could support itself in this location. It’s actually a small miracle that it has survived this long.
I just read this on-line in the Daily News itself. Very sad.
Is there anything that the Cinema Treasures on-line community can do ?
From Daily News, Thursday, August 14, 2008 (Our Warren is quoted).
The future of a 79-year-old Richmond Hill movie theater has been cast into doubt after workers recently yanked letters that spelled its famous name – “RKO Keith’s” – off the historic marquee.
Preservationists wonder if more changes are planned at the Hillside Ave. mainstay – used as a bingo hall and flea market – now that the striking type has come down, apparently for good.
“It’s not going back up,” said a man who’s helping out at the bingo hall while its manager, Bob Wooldridge, is on vacation.
Wooldridge did not return calls seeking comment.
Buildings Department spokeswoman Kate Lindquist said the city hasn’t issued permits to remove the entire marquee or renovate the former theater, opened in 1929. But preservationists remain worried.
Orlando Lopes, New York City director of the Theatre Historical Society of America, said he was “shocked” by changes to “one of the best-looking marquees” on a former theater.
Adding to the concerns are reminders of a developer mutilating a glamorous RKO Keith’s in Flushing nearly two decades ago.
The city revoked Thomas Huang’s building permits in 1990 after crews let 10,000 gallons of heating oil leak into the moviehouse and bulldozed its landmarked grand staircase.
Warren Harris, a film star biographer and Queens theater buff, considered the moves at the Richmond Hill RKO Keith’s only a “minor loss” compared to the destruction in Flushing.
But it’s the fourth blow in just more than a year for efforts to save Richmond Hill history.
Next door to the RKO Keith’s, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor named Jahn’s closed in November after nearly eight decades in business.
Blocks away, at Hillside Ave. and Lefferts Blvd., the 1887 Simonson’s Funeral Home was demolished early last year after a failed landmarking bid.
Next to Simonson’s, a developer is gutting the 1908 Richmond Hill Republican Club, sparing only four exterior walls that are protected with landmark status.
“Everything historical down there is gone, almost,” said Nancy Cataldi, president of the Richmond Hill Historical Society.
Thanks J.D. & PKoch for your postings,
I could not find any info regarding the nickelodeon, hopefully its somewhere playing its happy tunes for others to enjoy.
Thanks, J.D. Good to know about Salerno’s / Sorrento’s, and the surviving Jahn’s in Jackson Heights.
Queens crap, eh ?