I cant wait to go to see films in this theatre. I wanted to attend this past weekends festival, but had a wedding and tickets to the US Open. The owners of the Lafayette are true theatre saviors.
UA ran this down until it looked like a 42nd St. grind house and then sold it. The floors were filthy, and the seats and bathrooms falling apart. It has since been torn down and a new building built. This could still be a viable theatre, it had ample parking. The nearest competition was the Loews Levittown which is one town over. This theatre did respectable grosses through the 80’s when it was being maintained.
The original introduction for this theatre should be changed. UA ran this theatre into the ground (what else is new), but Clearview has done a nice job on it. It is never dirty and no longer sub-par. I love going here again.
This theatre was once owned by two partners who also had The Malverne, Roslyn and Main St. My friend was a manager for them and their personal and business lives could fill a book.
I rememember seeing a matinee holiday re-release of “Santa Clause Conquers the Martians” in the late 60’s at the Ridgewood. I believe we got the tickets free at the Ridgewood Savings Bank. Santa appeared on stage after the movie. Definately kinder simpler times. Does anyone know what year the Parthenon closed?
Shame on greedy City Cinemas who seem to be more real estate brokers then theatre owners. Originally alot of their upper management were the same people from Cinema 5, but I guess they all died out. Cinema 1 & 2 were once among the most prestigious art houses in the country. The adding of the third screen was only the start of the downfall. They began to book mainstream garbage like any UA theatre in a suburban mall would book.
This is a magnificent story and a theatre that was treated with respect and brought back to life. All New York has is greedy landowners who hacked away the facade of the once beautiful Sutton so it could not be landmarked. California should be commended for all the theatres they have restored, and continue to show classic films in.
I just came across a Long Island Press ad for 11/7/68 and at time the theatre was being run by UA and was showing Clint Eastwood in “Coogans Bluff” on showcase. The theatre address can also be updated to Rockaway Avenue.
br91975 I agree, to think it made it from 1913 and then into the new millenium and then greed closed it. I drove by it a few times but never saw the inside. Never saw inside The Astro either but went buy it a few times.
Grave Robbers LOL that reminds me that the original name of Plan Nine From Outer Space was Grave Robbers From Outer Space. I would love to see the lineup of theatres where that originally played.
I remember the 70mm print looking washed out and dull compared to the 35mm version. Making it widescreen and projected on that enormous screen just seemed to fade the otherwise brilliant colors.
Vincent
I am also reminded of another total dog I saw at RCMH, do you remember “Matilda-the Boxing Kangaroo” with Eliot Gould? I could not believe the music hall playing an AIP picture. At the same time was the Film Vincent Minnelli did for Liza and Ingrid Bergman called “A Matter of Time”. AIP may have also released that. In spite of it all seeing even bad films there was still special. One of my happiest memories was seeing “Magic of Lassie” which I mentioned in an earlier post. Although I was already a teen it was still a kick seeing Lassie on stage in the stage show.
Look at what we used to get when we went to the movies. A theatre to die for along with a movie, stage show and the organ. We were fortunate to have it until 1979, I dont think any other theatre had this policy after the 1950’s did they?
I was looking through the programs I saved from RCMH and forgot all about “The Blue Bird”. Does anyone remember that one? Elizabeth Taylor and Ava Gardner. It was billed as the first US-Soviet co-production. George Cukor directed it. I have never seen this film again on tv or video.
It’s too bad this could not be saved as an all purpose theatre. Since the owners of The St George seem adamant about never running movies, a venue like this could get alot of publicity. The Suffern and Loews Jersey City do well with sporadic classic nights.
In spite of the rear projection I loved seeing movies here. I remember a Marlene Dietrich triple bill where we waited on a huge line that went around the block. What happened to those days? The film forum does revival on one screen but its just not the same. The Thalia is back but nothing has played there yet that makes me want to trek to the city.
I cant wait to go to see films in this theatre. I wanted to attend this past weekends festival, but had a wedding and tickets to the US Open. The owners of the Lafayette are true theatre saviors.
UA ran this down until it looked like a 42nd St. grind house and then sold it. The floors were filthy, and the seats and bathrooms falling apart. It has since been torn down and a new building built. This could still be a viable theatre, it had ample parking. The nearest competition was the Loews Levittown which is one town over. This theatre did respectable grosses through the 80’s when it was being maintained.
Since this is really a new theatre, should there be a seperate page for the late great Loews State?
The original introduction for this theatre should be changed. UA ran this theatre into the ground (what else is new), but Clearview has done a nice job on it. It is never dirty and no longer sub-par. I love going here again.
This theatre was once owned by two partners who also had The Malverne, Roslyn and Main St. My friend was a manager for them and their personal and business lives could fill a book.
I rememember seeing a matinee holiday re-release of “Santa Clause Conquers the Martians” in the late 60’s at the Ridgewood. I believe we got the tickets free at the Ridgewood Savings Bank. Santa appeared on stage after the movie. Definately kinder simpler times. Does anyone know what year the Parthenon closed?
Shame on greedy City Cinemas who seem to be more real estate brokers then theatre owners. Originally alot of their upper management were the same people from Cinema 5, but I guess they all died out. Cinema 1 & 2 were once among the most prestigious art houses in the country. The adding of the third screen was only the start of the downfall. They began to book mainstream garbage like any UA theatre in a suburban mall would book.
This is a magnificent story and a theatre that was treated with respect and brought back to life. All New York has is greedy landowners who hacked away the facade of the once beautiful Sutton so it could not be landmarked. California should be commended for all the theatres they have restored, and continue to show classic films in.
The last owner of the U also had the Chopin in Greenpoint.
Loews operated this Drive-In
longislandmovies
What was so bad about this house?
I just found a 1968 ad showing this as a B.S. Moss house
I just came across a Long Island Press ad for 11/7/68 and at time the theatre was being run by UA and was showing Clint Eastwood in “Coogans Bluff” on showcase. The theatre address can also be updated to Rockaway Avenue.
This cinema was located on South Oyster Bay Road and status should show as closed.
This drive-in has a nice web site with pictures. It’s so good to see a place like this still thrives with double bills.
br91975 I agree, to think it made it from 1913 and then into the new millenium and then greed closed it. I drove by it a few times but never saw the inside. Never saw inside The Astro either but went buy it a few times.
Grave Robbers LOL that reminds me that the original name of Plan Nine From Outer Space was Grave Robbers From Outer Space. I would love to see the lineup of theatres where that originally played.
I remember the 70mm print looking washed out and dull compared to the 35mm version. Making it widescreen and projected on that enormous screen just seemed to fade the otherwise brilliant colors.
Vincent
I am also reminded of another total dog I saw at RCMH, do you remember “Matilda-the Boxing Kangaroo” with Eliot Gould? I could not believe the music hall playing an AIP picture. At the same time was the Film Vincent Minnelli did for Liza and Ingrid Bergman called “A Matter of Time”. AIP may have also released that. In spite of it all seeing even bad films there was still special. One of my happiest memories was seeing “Magic of Lassie” which I mentioned in an earlier post. Although I was already a teen it was still a kick seeing Lassie on stage in the stage show.
Look at what we used to get when we went to the movies. A theatre to die for along with a movie, stage show and the organ. We were fortunate to have it until 1979, I dont think any other theatre had this policy after the 1950’s did they?
I was looking through the programs I saved from RCMH and forgot all about “The Blue Bird”. Does anyone remember that one? Elizabeth Taylor and Ava Gardner. It was billed as the first US-Soviet co-production. George Cukor directed it. I have never seen this film again on tv or video.
It’s too bad this could not be saved as an all purpose theatre. Since the owners of The St George seem adamant about never running movies, a venue like this could get alot of publicity. The Suffern and Loews Jersey City do well with sporadic classic nights.
In spite of the rear projection I loved seeing movies here. I remember a Marlene Dietrich triple bill where we waited on a huge line that went around the block. What happened to those days? The film forum does revival on one screen but its just not the same. The Thalia is back but nothing has played there yet that makes me want to trek to the city.
Technically there is no more UA, they just leave it up on the theatres that have it, although they did change Union Square to Regal.
A 50s view of Sheridan Road, showing the towering vertical sign of the Granada, can be seen here.
posted by Bryan Krefft on Apr 22, 2004 at 11:06pm
This sign was HUGE what a loss it’s all gone