I agree with Astyanax that many theaters changed their weekly runs on Wednesday. (On any Tuesday night, you could see the theater attendant changing the facade sign to announce the new production.) But this most usually occurred at the community’s main movie theaters – such as the Meserole and RKO Greenpoint in Greenpoint and the Loews Gates and RKO Bushwick in Bushwick. The smaller “nabe” theaters, like the Grand and the nearby Graham, maintained their own schedules, which could feature triple bills that only ran for a few days. This obviously encouraged their patrons to visit the theater – and benefit from the lower price – more frequently.
Bway, while CT’s rule of crediting the theater’s most recent name on title makes eminent sense and works in most cases, there are situations where exceptions should definitely be made.
An extreme example concerns the Graham Theatre, in Williamsburg, where after having served the community for decades under that name was turned into a porn house and “rechristened” The Capri. It only lasted a your or so in that capacity before closing for good. In the Graham page, I argued that it would make absolutely no sense to use the name of a theater that not only lasted for a brief time but did not, in any way, reflect the tastes and memories of thse thousands of people who patronized the Graham over its long lifetime.
That was an easy one. The Irving/Mozart provides a much closer question, since the name change did not, in all probability, reflect any change in programming. Still, I agree with you that the Mozart’s relatively brief lifespan works against its use. I am sure that practically everyone who patronized this theater remembered it as The Irving and only viewed The Mozart, if at all, as a footnote.
So, let’s keep the Irving’s name at the top while also hearing other views on this subject.
Although the Brooklyn Theatre Index only specifies that the Airdrome was situated at the Bushwick-Hancock intersection, the northeast corner was indicated as the site for the proposed theater. When I visited the site, it became clear that only that corner could have possessed the space to accommodate a 1,500 outdoor theater. This is why I felt comfortable in assigning the specific street address in the introduction.
Speaking of the proposed “grand” theater, while no reason was provided for the failure of this venture – and it could simply have been the inability to raise the required funds – some speculation can be offered. In 1914, Bushwick Avenue was a truly grand boulevard, the place where the community’s churches and fancy residences were situated. The local theaters, on the other hand, were relegated to nearby Broadway, which was one of Brooklyn’s leading commercial strips. Given this, the construction of such a purely – and permanent – commercial entity on this very smart street might not have gone over well with the local community leadership. While they could tolerate a seasonal venture like the outdoor airdrome, a year-round operation like this theater was something else again. (The theater owners on Broadway would also not have appreciated the additional competition.) This could have made this proposal a rather controversial item.
Anyhow, minus any firm documentation, this scenario is only speculative. But it provides some food for thought and will hopefully encourage some of us to explore the old newspapers and other sources to see if there is – or is not – any truth to it. Good digging!
Site manager, as previously noted, please edit the introduction to this page to correct a typo regarding this theater’s years of operation. The correct dates are: opened in 1914 and closed in 1917.
Similar requests made in this manner have been honored before; I hope it also occurs here. Thanks.
In consulting the Brooklyn Theatre Index – and the results of my recent site visit – the following observations can be made.
The building’s address should be given as either 1533 Myrtle Avenue – as noted in the store’s address – or 1533-37 – as provided in the Index. (Given the current address sequence, the Index’s address is probably the more accurate one.) In any case, the address noted in the intro needs to be changed.
In addition, the Index provides an operating date history of 1914-40 for the Irving and a 1940-42 run for the Mozart. Since this theater was, for the bulk of its run, known as the Irving, it should continue to be designated as such in CT. (Sorry WAM.)
Finally, the Index does note the one time existence – in 1914 – of a 1,600 seat Airdrome at this location. It probably had a very short run.
I finally visited this site – or more likely passed by what I now know was once a movie house. The 99 cent store is still doing well and – as Bway previously noted – the building, or at least a portion thereof, is being offered for sale.
While the interior has definitely been gutted, the exterior is in very good shape. This is particularly the case of the Spanish tile roof awning, which is quite attractive. The overall facade is, however, solid but very modest, as was the case of this old “nabe” theater.
Finally, as I noted in my Wyckoff Theatre comment, I really cannot see how nearly 600 people could have been crammed into this very small apace.
Thank you so much TT for resurrecting – an apt religous term – this previously lost link that really establishes the connection of the old movie palace to its current religous use. This really represents one of the most successful re-uses of an old movie house than I am aware of.
Site manager, if you have not previously seen the error that I made regarding the Central’s years of operation, please make the correction as noted in my previous comment.
When I served as the District Manager of Brooklyn Community Board #4, which served Bushwick, in the late 1970’s, our office was situated at the eastern end of the Bushwick Health Clinic building. In other words, it overlooked Linden Street and was located in the very same territory previously occupied by the old Central Theatre. Who would have known?
After posting the last comment, I perused the Halsey’s page in the Brooklyn Theatre Index. A few interesting facts emerged.
Most significantly, the Index provides a 1943 closing date, which conflicts with the 1945 date cited in the previous comments. The Index’s documentation – a 1945 NY Times article that, in the course of describing the property’s sale, notes that the Halsey had been dark for about two years – seems pretty strong, though not absolutely conclusive.
Another 1945 article, this time from the Brooklyn Eagle, notes the possibility of the old theater being converted into a boxing venue. While it is unclear if this ever came to pass, it does provide some documentation for several previous comments. There was probably much comment in the community that the place COULD become a boxing site that may have lingered in people’s memories whether or not the move was ever made.
The last property transaction cited occurred in 1953, when it was probably converted into a factory. It is interesting to note that, between the 1945 and 1953 sales, the assessed valuation of the property had plunged from $100,000 to $50,000. My guess is that the intervening decline in the community’s fortunes during that time was not the only reason for this development.
Getting back to Jackie Gleason, it is clear that the Halsey provided many fond memories to him. Although it closed sometime in the mid-1940’s, it remained Ralph Kramdan’s movie house of choice well into the following decade. Long live the Halsey!
I just saw one of the “lost” Honeymooner episodes where Ralph referred to the Halsey. In this piece, he was planning a surprise anniversary party for Alice at the “Kit Kat Club', which was situated right down the street from the Halsey. (Taking Alice to the movies was the ploy he would use to get her to the club.)
My question is, does anyone remember if something like the Kit Kat Club ever existed here? Given all of the other references to local people and businesses that pop up on the Honeymooners, the possibility that this is also the case with the Kit Kat is quite likely.
I really enjoyed perusing the memories of the Halsey and its neighborhood on this page.
Given the current non-residential nature of the surrounding community, it is hard to believe that a movie theater could have drawn an audience base to sustain itself. But far more people did live here in the past, since many of the current vacant and parking lots that dominate large portins of this area once suppported housing. This was an area that was especially devastated by the 1961 zoning ordinance, which pretty much wrote off any future residential development here. We have now come full circle and the Broadway Triangle plan will – whenever it gets off the ground – bring back housing to this community for the first time in over half a century. Who knows, perhaps a movie theater will follow!
Finally, I noticed that the Brooklyn Theatre Index stated that this building was once somewhat higher than the remaining ediface, with residential apartments situated on the second and third floor.
This is where I saw “2001, A Space Odyssey” in the late 1960’s. While I did visit this theater several other times, I will always remember it for providing me with the tremendous eperience of viewing this very special film.
The attached article in the Brownstoner blog provides an update regarding the long delayed Broadway Triangle project that I referenced above. The map included therein also clearly includes the old Grace Theatre site in the project area.
It is also a mystery to me how this building can still be listed as “Open”. In any event, the Brooklyb Theatre Index clearly notes a 1937 closing date, which seems about right.
Although the building should, for now, be listed as “Closed”, it will, in all probability, be demolished when and if the long delayed Broadway Triangle housing development plan ever gets off the ground. Given the degree of litigation that has, to date, plagued this project, the old Grace may be with us for quite a while.
Well, my wife and I passed by the old Steinway yesterday evening and found that the “modernistic” facade has been removed and that the old white marble frontage now appears to have burst from its “iron mask”. While a remnant of the “Dr. Jays” logo remains etched in the surface, this can probably be corrected – or, perhaps one could say, exorcized.
Since it was dark when we visited the site, I can’t definitively verify this development. What I CAN say is that my wife, who was not previously aware of the site’s specific history, made an unprompted comment that “this looks like an old theater” when she saw it. This comment could not have been made while the awful Dr. Jays facade defiled the exterior.
I hope that other commentators will visit the site, take pictures and either verify or contradict my observations. If I am correct here, this facade could very easily support the development of a classy business, such as a bank or a good restaurant. In any event, let’s take a close look of this very promising recent development.
The Brooklyn Theatre Index notes that the Rainbow closed as a movie house in 1964. This clearly confirms my memory that the theater had just closed and begun its conversion into a church – initially called the “Love Chapel” – when I began to attend Most Holy Trinity HS in the fall of 1964.
The Brooklyn Theatre Index provides some valuable information that sheds additional light about the old Grove, and also raises a few questions:
It lists an opening date, as the Jefferson Casino Theatre, of 1912. This is four years after the date provided for the
“1908” photo previously provided by Bway. So either the date of the photo is wrong – or the Index misstated the opening date.
The Index next notes that the theater’s width was doubled in 1915, with the archectural work being performed by one Harry A. Sand. This confirms a statement provided earlier in the thread that made this exact point. It also confirms, at least in my judgment, that Bway’s early photo depicted a “pre-enlargement” version of this establishment.
The Index also provides a 1951 closing date for the Grove. This makes sense, since “nabe” theaters like the Grove were being killed by the onset of television at the time. It also rekindles questions that I raised above about what use, if any, occupied this building between the theater’s closing and the building’s late 1970’s/early 1980’s demolition.
Finally, the Index confirms that, at least during 1915, an adjacent Airdrome operated at 478-482 Hamburg Ave, with Harry Sand also credited as the architect. (Actually, it incorrectly references a Wilson Ave. address.) Thus, as previously speculated, the Airdrome was situated just east of the movie house. It also seemed to have had a very short life.
So, we seem to have identified a few more pieces to this puzzle.
The Index is published by Theatre Talks and is written by Cezar Del Valle. I was able to buy it through Amazon, but had to pay the full $43 price. However, our friend Bway was able to identify a lower price, so it makes sense to shop around. (As usual, I am a much better giver than follower of my advise.)
I strongly recommend buying this two volume set. For anyone seriously interested in the history of Brooklyn theaters, it is an essential reference source.
This theater, or at least its site, is suggested, in the Brooklyn Theatre Index, to be the possible location of the World Theatre, a small nickelodeon that existed somewhere in Williamsburg circa 1912. It was owned by the uncle of Dario Marotta, whose extensive research provided one of the principal sources that the Index relied upon. A terrific old picture of the place appears on page xxiv in volume one and the speculation of its location is provided on page 360.
While the designation of the World’s actual location remains, at best, speculative, it is certainly intriguing. Hopefully, someone will come forward with information that will shed some more light on this mystery.
The recently released Brooklyn Theatre Index confirms the fact that Thomas Lamb was the architect. This project, which was little more than a rather plain “nabe” theater, must have been one of Lamb’s very early creations. Also, given the similarity in design that, as noted in previous comments, the Eagle shares with other local theaters, one would wonder if Lamb was, in some way, involved with them as well. (I believe Lamb did live in the general area.) Anyhow, a little food for thought.
The Index does, however, part company from Peter’s introduction by providing a 1940 closing date for the place, while Peter places it in the early 1950’s. In addition, the only testimony of actual attendance noted in the comments provides a 1938 date. Thus, the actual closing date needs to be clarified.
Finally, the theater’s initial name – the Central Theatre – should be added as a previous name at the top of the page.
I agree with Astyanax that many theaters changed their weekly runs on Wednesday. (On any Tuesday night, you could see the theater attendant changing the facade sign to announce the new production.) But this most usually occurred at the community’s main movie theaters – such as the Meserole and RKO Greenpoint in Greenpoint and the Loews Gates and RKO Bushwick in Bushwick. The smaller “nabe” theaters, like the Grand and the nearby Graham, maintained their own schedules, which could feature triple bills that only ran for a few days. This obviously encouraged their patrons to visit the theater – and benefit from the lower price – more frequently.
Obviously, the Capri lasted for only one YEAR or so – not “one your”, whatever that is!
Bway, while CT’s rule of crediting the theater’s most recent name on title makes eminent sense and works in most cases, there are situations where exceptions should definitely be made.
An extreme example concerns the Graham Theatre, in Williamsburg, where after having served the community for decades under that name was turned into a porn house and “rechristened” The Capri. It only lasted a your or so in that capacity before closing for good. In the Graham page, I argued that it would make absolutely no sense to use the name of a theater that not only lasted for a brief time but did not, in any way, reflect the tastes and memories of thse thousands of people who patronized the Graham over its long lifetime.
That was an easy one. The Irving/Mozart provides a much closer question, since the name change did not, in all probability, reflect any change in programming. Still, I agree with you that the Mozart’s relatively brief lifespan works against its use. I am sure that practically everyone who patronized this theater remembered it as The Irving and only viewed The Mozart, if at all, as a footnote.
So, let’s keep the Irving’s name at the top while also hearing other views on this subject.
Thanks, site manager, for the quick response.
Although the Brooklyn Theatre Index only specifies that the Airdrome was situated at the Bushwick-Hancock intersection, the northeast corner was indicated as the site for the proposed theater. When I visited the site, it became clear that only that corner could have possessed the space to accommodate a 1,500 outdoor theater. This is why I felt comfortable in assigning the specific street address in the introduction.
Speaking of the proposed “grand” theater, while no reason was provided for the failure of this venture – and it could simply have been the inability to raise the required funds – some speculation can be offered. In 1914, Bushwick Avenue was a truly grand boulevard, the place where the community’s churches and fancy residences were situated. The local theaters, on the other hand, were relegated to nearby Broadway, which was one of Brooklyn’s leading commercial strips. Given this, the construction of such a purely – and permanent – commercial entity on this very smart street might not have gone over well with the local community leadership. While they could tolerate a seasonal venture like the outdoor airdrome, a year-round operation like this theater was something else again. (The theater owners on Broadway would also not have appreciated the additional competition.) This could have made this proposal a rather controversial item.
Anyhow, minus any firm documentation, this scenario is only speculative. But it provides some food for thought and will hopefully encourage some of us to explore the old newspapers and other sources to see if there is – or is not – any truth to it. Good digging!
Site manager, as previously noted, please edit the introduction to this page to correct a typo regarding this theater’s years of operation. The correct dates are: opened in 1914 and closed in 1917.
Similar requests made in this manner have been honored before; I hope it also occurs here. Thanks.
In consulting the Brooklyn Theatre Index – and the results of my recent site visit – the following observations can be made.
The building’s address should be given as either 1533 Myrtle Avenue – as noted in the store’s address – or 1533-37 – as provided in the Index. (Given the current address sequence, the Index’s address is probably the more accurate one.) In any case, the address noted in the intro needs to be changed.
In addition, the Index provides an operating date history of 1914-40 for the Irving and a 1940-42 run for the Mozart. Since this theater was, for the bulk of its run, known as the Irving, it should continue to be designated as such in CT. (Sorry WAM.)
Finally, the Index does note the one time existence – in 1914 – of a 1,600 seat Airdrome at this location. It probably had a very short run.
I finally visited this site – or more likely passed by what I now know was once a movie house. The 99 cent store is still doing well and – as Bway previously noted – the building, or at least a portion thereof, is being offered for sale.
While the interior has definitely been gutted, the exterior is in very good shape. This is particularly the case of the Spanish tile roof awning, which is quite attractive. The overall facade is, however, solid but very modest, as was the case of this old “nabe” theater.
Finally, as I noted in my Wyckoff Theatre comment, I really cannot see how nearly 600 people could have been crammed into this very small apace.
Ed, thanks for your comment that confirmed my previous observation. Also, thanks for all of the other great contributions that you have made to CT.
Thank you so much TT for resurrecting – an apt religous term – this previously lost link that really establishes the connection of the old movie palace to its current religous use. This really represents one of the most successful re-uses of an old movie house than I am aware of.
Site manager, if you have not previously seen the error that I made regarding the Central’s years of operation, please make the correction as noted in my previous comment.
Thanks.
When I served as the District Manager of Brooklyn Community Board #4, which served Bushwick, in the late 1970’s, our office was situated at the eastern end of the Bushwick Health Clinic building. In other words, it overlooked Linden Street and was located in the very same territory previously occupied by the old Central Theatre. Who would have known?
So sorry. I meant to have said 1914 through 1917. The theater’s life was not THAT brief!
After posting the last comment, I perused the Halsey’s page in the Brooklyn Theatre Index. A few interesting facts emerged.
Most significantly, the Index provides a 1943 closing date, which conflicts with the 1945 date cited in the previous comments. The Index’s documentation – a 1945 NY Times article that, in the course of describing the property’s sale, notes that the Halsey had been dark for about two years – seems pretty strong, though not absolutely conclusive.
Another 1945 article, this time from the Brooklyn Eagle, notes the possibility of the old theater being converted into a boxing venue. While it is unclear if this ever came to pass, it does provide some documentation for several previous comments. There was probably much comment in the community that the place COULD become a boxing site that may have lingered in people’s memories whether or not the move was ever made.
The last property transaction cited occurred in 1953, when it was probably converted into a factory. It is interesting to note that, between the 1945 and 1953 sales, the assessed valuation of the property had plunged from $100,000 to $50,000. My guess is that the intervening decline in the community’s fortunes during that time was not the only reason for this development.
Getting back to Jackie Gleason, it is clear that the Halsey provided many fond memories to him. Although it closed sometime in the mid-1940’s, it remained Ralph Kramdan’s movie house of choice well into the following decade. Long live the Halsey!
I just saw one of the “lost” Honeymooner episodes where Ralph referred to the Halsey. In this piece, he was planning a surprise anniversary party for Alice at the “Kit Kat Club', which was situated right down the street from the Halsey. (Taking Alice to the movies was the ploy he would use to get her to the club.)
My question is, does anyone remember if something like the Kit Kat Club ever existed here? Given all of the other references to local people and businesses that pop up on the Honeymooners, the possibility that this is also the case with the Kit Kat is quite likely.
I really enjoyed perusing the memories of the Halsey and its neighborhood on this page.
Thanks, site manager, for such a prompt response.
Given the current non-residential nature of the surrounding community, it is hard to believe that a movie theater could have drawn an audience base to sustain itself. But far more people did live here in the past, since many of the current vacant and parking lots that dominate large portins of this area once suppported housing. This was an area that was especially devastated by the 1961 zoning ordinance, which pretty much wrote off any future residential development here. We have now come full circle and the Broadway Triangle plan will – whenever it gets off the ground – bring back housing to this community for the first time in over half a century. Who knows, perhaps a movie theater will follow!
Finally, I noticed that the Brooklyn Theatre Index stated that this building was once somewhat higher than the remaining ediface, with residential apartments situated on the second and third floor.
This is where I saw “2001, A Space Odyssey” in the late 1960’s. While I did visit this theater several other times, I will always remember it for providing me with the tremendous eperience of viewing this very special film.
The attached article in the Brownstoner blog provides an update regarding the long delayed Broadway Triangle project that I referenced above. The map included therein also clearly includes the old Grace Theatre site in the project area.
Hope the link works.
View link
It is also a mystery to me how this building can still be listed as “Open”. In any event, the Brooklyb Theatre Index clearly notes a 1937 closing date, which seems about right.
Although the building should, for now, be listed as “Closed”, it will, in all probability, be demolished when and if the long delayed Broadway Triangle housing development plan ever gets off the ground. Given the degree of litigation that has, to date, plagued this project, the old Grace may be with us for quite a while.
Well, my wife and I passed by the old Steinway yesterday evening and found that the “modernistic” facade has been removed and that the old white marble frontage now appears to have burst from its “iron mask”. While a remnant of the “Dr. Jays” logo remains etched in the surface, this can probably be corrected – or, perhaps one could say, exorcized.
Since it was dark when we visited the site, I can’t definitively verify this development. What I CAN say is that my wife, who was not previously aware of the site’s specific history, made an unprompted comment that “this looks like an old theater” when she saw it. This comment could not have been made while the awful Dr. Jays facade defiled the exterior.
I hope that other commentators will visit the site, take pictures and either verify or contradict my observations. If I am correct here, this facade could very easily support the development of a classy business, such as a bank or a good restaurant. In any event, let’s take a close look of this very promising recent development.
The Brooklyn Theatre Index notes that the Rainbow closed as a movie house in 1964. This clearly confirms my memory that the theater had just closed and begun its conversion into a church – initially called the “Love Chapel” – when I began to attend Most Holy Trinity HS in the fall of 1964.
The Brooklyn Theatre Index provides some valuable information that sheds additional light about the old Grove, and also raises a few questions:
It lists an opening date, as the Jefferson Casino Theatre, of 1912. This is four years after the date provided for the
“1908” photo previously provided by Bway. So either the date of the photo is wrong – or the Index misstated the opening date.
The Index next notes that the theater’s width was doubled in 1915, with the archectural work being performed by one Harry A. Sand. This confirms a statement provided earlier in the thread that made this exact point. It also confirms, at least in my judgment, that Bway’s early photo depicted a “pre-enlargement” version of this establishment.
The Index also provides a 1951 closing date for the Grove. This makes sense, since “nabe” theaters like the Grove were being killed by the onset of television at the time. It also rekindles questions that I raised above about what use, if any, occupied this building between the theater’s closing and the building’s late 1970’s/early 1980’s demolition.
Finally, the Index confirms that, at least during 1915, an adjacent Airdrome operated at 478-482 Hamburg Ave, with Harry Sand also credited as the architect. (Actually, it incorrectly references a Wilson Ave. address.) Thus, as previously speculated, the Airdrome was situated just east of the movie house. It also seemed to have had a very short life.
So, we seem to have identified a few more pieces to this puzzle.
The Index is published by Theatre Talks and is written by Cezar Del Valle. I was able to buy it through Amazon, but had to pay the full $43 price. However, our friend Bway was able to identify a lower price, so it makes sense to shop around. (As usual, I am a much better giver than follower of my advise.)
I strongly recommend buying this two volume set. For anyone seriously interested in the history of Brooklyn theaters, it is an essential reference source.
This theater, or at least its site, is suggested, in the Brooklyn Theatre Index, to be the possible location of the World Theatre, a small nickelodeon that existed somewhere in Williamsburg circa 1912. It was owned by the uncle of Dario Marotta, whose extensive research provided one of the principal sources that the Index relied upon. A terrific old picture of the place appears on page xxiv in volume one and the speculation of its location is provided on page 360.
While the designation of the World’s actual location remains, at best, speculative, it is certainly intriguing. Hopefully, someone will come forward with information that will shed some more light on this mystery.
The recently released Brooklyn Theatre Index confirms the fact that Thomas Lamb was the architect. This project, which was little more than a rather plain “nabe” theater, must have been one of Lamb’s very early creations. Also, given the similarity in design that, as noted in previous comments, the Eagle shares with other local theaters, one would wonder if Lamb was, in some way, involved with them as well. (I believe Lamb did live in the general area.) Anyhow, a little food for thought.
The Index does, however, part company from Peter’s introduction by providing a 1940 closing date for the place, while Peter places it in the early 1950’s. In addition, the only testimony of actual attendance noted in the comments provides a 1938 date. Thus, the actual closing date needs to be clarified.
Finally, the theater’s initial name – the Central Theatre – should be added as a previous name at the top of the page.