The great photo Warren posted linked above Oct 9 2005 should be re-dated from 1930’s to 1940’s. My reason for saying this is that there is no EL on Fulton Street and no trolley wire. El structure and wire were removed in 1941-42 period. Zoot style hat on man in photo may indicate 1943-45 period.
According to an article in the New York Times of March 1, 1974, Tony’s Theater as well as the Kameo and Carroll Theaters were being operated at this time by Arthur Dickers and Charles Phillips. They were being extorted to allow free admission to youth gang members at Tony’s and the Carroll at 381 Utica Avenue. Such was part of the cost of doing business.
I recall walking past the Farragut the day after Century closed it in 1955. When I got under the marquee, the manager, a small, thin middle aged man with a fringe of hair around a bald dome, came out of one of the front doors. He was well known to the kids of the area as having a sour disposition. This was understandable given the Hell they put him through. Probably the reason he was bald on top was they drove him to pull out his hair. He had a carton in his hand and called to a few kids standing about to come and get it as he threw candy bars on the sidewalk. There was a rush. He said “ That’s it, it’s all over” and walked back inside, locking the doors.
Can anyone ID this theater on the north side of Queens Boulevard near 78 AVENUE, taken in 1932. Photo is located in Forest Hills section, page 8 of this web site: http://www.queenspix.com/
I recall going past this theater in December 1956. It was closed but from the condition of it, not for long. It was not boarded up and all marquee glass was intact. Exterior was clean.
Star Theater at 389 Jay Street was a Burlesque house that closed in late ‘30’s. It may have shown movies for a brief period but it was torn down, probably just before or after war and became a parking lot.
This is in response to question by Lost Memory on Sep 28, 2004 at 6:40pm.
The last marquee used on the Oasis was installed about 1948 or maybe 1947, around the time they changed the marquee on the Ridgewood. There used to be an Ice Cream Parlor on Fresh Pond Road, just south of the EL, Katty-corner from the carbarns and across the street from the greasy spoon where the shop men used to dine. The owner told my father that it was in Ridgewood when he asked back in 1949. I was sitting next to him.
During 1950 and 1951,I often took the Nostrand Avenue trolley from the Myrtle Avenue EL stop at Nostrand Avenue south to its end at Avenue U, I recall seeing a theater on Fulton Street to the east side of Nostrand, on the south side of Fulton, several stores down. The marquee attraction board was quite high but no name was on it that I can recall. The policy was to show 3 and some times four features, always old movies, action, war or westerns. I always looked to see what was playing.
The previous theater on the site was destroyed in the big hurricane of 1938. It may have been called the Opera House at one point. Postcard view linked above could be of site on which Greenport Theater of today sits.
The elephant was killed because it attacked a couple of sports. They had thought it great fun to give the animal a lighted cigarette in lieu of peanuts. The “beast” was adjudged dangerous. The elephant was electrocuted to make a buck on the public spectacle. It was a novelty to be savored by aficionados of the new technology. A grand time was had by the cultural high life as the elephant fried under high voltage for their diversion.
Here is a link to a really great view of the original Criterion with Ralph Ince’s “Civilization” on the attraction board. View link
Very high resolution of Times Square area.
Here is a photo showing a theater at Fulton St and Rockwell Place in 1940.I believe it is situated diagonally across from the Majestic . Can any one put a name to it?
Here is a photo showing the site where the future Olympic Theater would have its new Fulton Street entrance. It was taken not earlier than 1923 nor later than early 1925. By checking other photos linked you can see which building was converted.
The above photo is a shot taken from a building that shows the roof of famous “Joe’s” restaurant which opened in the 1880’s and closed about 1957 without any changes in furnishings, menu or waiters. It is immediately in front of photographer in photo.
The great photo Warren posted linked above Oct 9 2005 should be re-dated from 1930’s to 1940’s. My reason for saying this is that there is no EL on Fulton Street and no trolley wire. El structure and wire were removed in 1941-42 period. Zoot style hat on man in photo may indicate 1943-45 period.
According to an article in the New York Times of March 1, 1974, Tony’s Theater as well as the Kameo and Carroll Theaters were being operated at this time by Arthur Dickers and Charles Phillips. They were being extorted to allow free admission to youth gang members at Tony’s and the Carroll at 381 Utica Avenue. Such was part of the cost of doing business.
1964 Hudson Boulevard became John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
I recall walking past the Farragut the day after Century closed it in 1955. When I got under the marquee, the manager, a small, thin middle aged man with a fringe of hair around a bald dome, came out of one of the front doors. He was well known to the kids of the area as having a sour disposition. This was understandable given the Hell they put him through. Probably the reason he was bald on top was they drove him to pull out his hair. He had a carton in his hand and called to a few kids standing about to come and get it as he threw candy bars on the sidewalk. There was a rush. He said “ That’s it, it’s all over” and walked back inside, locking the doors.
Thank you Ed and Warren for your prompt identification !
Can anyone ID this theater on the north side of Queens Boulevard near 78 AVENUE, taken in 1932. Photo is located in Forest Hills section, page 8 of this web site:
http://www.queenspix.com/
Theater appears closed.
The Fisk Theater on WOODSIDE AVENUE at EAST 68th STREET 1939 is shown in photo on page 11 of Woodside photos this link:
http://www.queenspix.com/
I recall going past this theater in December 1956. It was closed but from the condition of it, not for long. It was not boarded up and all marquee glass was intact. Exterior was clean.
I attended this theater once in January 1957. It was a Saturday afternoon double feature and the theater was packed, no empty seats.The building was rather plain, cold modern, clean in good shape.I entered about 3:30 PM and left around 7:30. Evening crowd was about 60% of matinée.
I think this theater may have first opened in 1926.
Star Theater at 389 Jay Street was a Burlesque house that closed in late ‘30’s. It may have shown movies for a brief period but it was torn down, probably just before or after war and became a parking lot.
This is in response to question by Lost Memory on Sep 28, 2004 at 6:40pm.
The last marquee used on the Oasis was installed about 1948 or maybe 1947, around the time they changed the marquee on the Ridgewood. There used to be an Ice Cream Parlor on Fresh Pond Road, just south of the EL, Katty-corner from the carbarns and across the street from the greasy spoon where the shop men used to dine. The owner told my father that it was in Ridgewood when he asked back in 1949. I was sitting next to him.
During 1950 and 1951,I often took the Nostrand Avenue trolley from the Myrtle Avenue EL stop at Nostrand Avenue south to its end at Avenue U, I recall seeing a theater on Fulton Street to the east side of Nostrand, on the south side of Fulton, several stores down. The marquee attraction board was quite high but no name was on it that I can recall. The policy was to show 3 and some times four features, always old movies, action, war or westerns. I always looked to see what was playing.
The Fulton Street EL was torn down in 1941.
The previous theater on the site was destroyed in the big hurricane of 1938. It may have been called the Opera House at one point. Postcard view linked above could be of site on which Greenport Theater of today sits.
The elephant was killed because it attacked a couple of sports. They had thought it great fun to give the animal a lighted cigarette in lieu of peanuts. The “beast” was adjudged dangerous. The elephant was electrocuted to make a buck on the public spectacle. It was a novelty to be savored by aficionados of the new technology. A grand time was had by the cultural high life as the elephant fried under high voltage for their diversion.
Here is a higher resolution version of the auditorium photograph Warren linked above from 1932.
http://www.shorpy.com/node/1366?size=_original
It was actually Thomas Ince’s “ Civilization” that was playing.
Here is a link to a really great view of the original Criterion with Ralph Ince’s “Civilization” on the attraction board.
View link
Very high resolution of Times Square area.
Here is an interesting billboard for Paramount Theater back in the ‘30’s. View link
There is a photograph of the American Theater in Canarsie on a website of photos of old Canarsie. View link
Photo above may be Momart.
This view shows Majestic, Strand and Orpheum in 1925 and right foreground may be Fox under construction.
http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?52096
Here is a photo showing a theater at Fulton St and Rockwell Place in 1940.I believe it is situated diagonally across from the Majestic . Can any one put a name to it?
http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?52097
Here is a photo showing the site where the future Olympic Theater would have its new Fulton Street entrance. It was taken not earlier than 1923 nor later than early 1925. By checking other photos linked you can see which building was converted.
http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?52019
The above photo is a shot taken from a building that shows the roof of famous “Joe’s” restaurant which opened in the 1880’s and closed about 1957 without any changes in furnishings, menu or waiters. It is immediately in front of photographer in photo.
This link shows Tivoli vertical circa 1929.
http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?52028
Here is a view from circa 1935 showing marquee from above.
http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?52027