On my trips to Boston I was always amazed that all of the city area theatres were gone. Does the above post mean that NONE of the great theatres survived at all?
In the 70’s the Elmwood, Keiths and Meadows were the big 3 in Queens. Movies like The Godfather opened in these houses to never ending lines. The manager of the RKO Keiths told me for The Godfather the begining of the line met the end all around the block. If anyone has ever been to The Keiths they know how stupendous this was.
This site has incredible pictures of Cinerama Theatres in Europe and loads of info on Cinemiracle and “Wind Jammer”. I am not sure if the Cinerama played Wind Jammer here on Broadway.
I always wondered why Disney did not try to have a film and stage outlet in New York like the El Capitan. The Demille is available would make a great house to open all the Buena Vista product in. By the way did Disney stop using the Touchstone logo?
I laughed when I read the post above about “I A Woman” playing here forever. The owner of the Polk told me he ran that film almost a year and it payed for his house outright. Those early porno days when they were real films made alot of people rich.
The Rivoli and Capitol could surely have been used for legitimate theatre and concerts. I for one was never thrilled by the Beacon. The Rivoli and Capitol were classy houses. They tore down the Capitol and built the very sterile Uris (now the Gershwin). The loss of the Rivoli is a sin, they should have tore down the Ziegfeld instead. To me it’s a movie palace imposter, but it’s all we have so at least it’s something.
The Embassy theatre a standard marquee, but when National General theatres in the mid 60’s did the remodel. They tried a new different design for the marquee. No other theatre used this design.
posted by William on Oct 8, 2001 at 4:37pm
Wow I’m suprised Loews State looked run down, I am not sure the last time I was there but last time I was it still looked regal. What a loss that it’s gone now.
When they were one of the only full time art houses in Nassau County they did decent grosses (and that’s just what they reported). Without the screaming and badgering they could have survived. Who did they think was going to come there for all the Paramount movies they played with Spanish subtitles? One side of Westbury has million dollar homes and could have supported an art house indefinitely.
This is another example of the minute there is competition, they let the older house go to hell. The dumb thing is they are both owned by Loews Cineplex and both get a good share of A pictures.
Odder even then leaving an open hole in the roof that left rain pouring in and destroying the place while it was still open. Then there was collecting money to quad the theatre that they just seemed to put in their pockets. There was a whole program to get your name on the marquee if you donated $100. What a sham.
Very true but at least we have a few gems left like The Paris, Beekman and to an extent Cinema 1-2-3 and The Metro.
On my trips to Boston I was always amazed that all of the city area theatres were gone. Does the above post mean that NONE of the great theatres survived at all?
In the 70’s the Elmwood, Keiths and Meadows were the big 3 in Queens. Movies like The Godfather opened in these houses to never ending lines. The manager of the RKO Keiths told me for The Godfather the begining of the line met the end all around the block. If anyone has ever been to The Keiths they know how stupendous this was.
This site has incredible pictures of Cinerama Theatres in Europe and loads of info on Cinemiracle and “Wind Jammer”. I am not sure if the Cinerama played Wind Jammer here on Broadway.
View link
I always wondered why Disney did not try to have a film and stage outlet in New York like the El Capitan. The Demille is available would make a great house to open all the Buena Vista product in. By the way did Disney stop using the Touchstone logo?
In it’s porno days I believe this was run by the same owner as the Adult Fair in Jackson Heights.
I laughed when I read the post above about “I A Woman” playing here forever. The owner of the Polk told me he ran that film almost a year and it payed for his house outright. Those early porno days when they were real films made alot of people rich.
The Rivoli and Capitol could surely have been used for legitimate theatre and concerts. I for one was never thrilled by the Beacon. The Rivoli and Capitol were classy houses. They tore down the Capitol and built the very sterile Uris (now the Gershwin). The loss of the Rivoli is a sin, they should have tore down the Ziegfeld instead. To me it’s a movie palace imposter, but it’s all we have so at least it’s something.
I love that 60’s marquee.
Your right about it being on the dark side, so was the downstairs house.
This is another tragedy. Does the exterior still have this beautiful marquee or has it been torn off?
Cineplex built this during their construction frenzy. This is one of the only Nassau County theatres I have never been to.
The Embassy theatre a standard marquee, but when National General theatres in the mid 60’s did the remodel. They tried a new different design for the marquee. No other theatre used this design.
posted by William on Oct 8, 2001 at 4:37pm
What was the marquee like that made it unusual?
Wow I’m suprised Loews State looked run down, I am not sure the last time I was there but last time I was it still looked regal. What a loss that it’s gone now.
This has to be the Demille, the balcony was very steep and halved down the middle.
Could we please add an introduction to one of the most important of all NY theatres
Yup thats the one LOL
Just how many great theatres have we lost to CVS and Rite Aid?
also the Essex and the Coliseum at one time.
Hey
I was just thinking what was that famous French comedy where the inmates were running the asylum? My story about the Westbury could be a remake.
That is one awesome pic, thanks for sharing the link.
It’s unusual for a Manhattan house to be evenings only.
When they were one of the only full time art houses in Nassau County they did decent grosses (and that’s just what they reported). Without the screaming and badgering they could have survived. Who did they think was going to come there for all the Paramount movies they played with Spanish subtitles? One side of Westbury has million dollar homes and could have supported an art house indefinitely.
This is another example of the minute there is competition, they let the older house go to hell. The dumb thing is they are both owned by Loews Cineplex and both get a good share of A pictures.
Odder even then leaving an open hole in the roof that left rain pouring in and destroying the place while it was still open. Then there was collecting money to quad the theatre that they just seemed to put in their pockets. There was a whole program to get your name on the marquee if you donated $100. What a sham.