Comments from Ken Roe - Cinema Treasures

Ken Roe commented about Ridgewood Theatre on Jul 19, 2006 at 7:50 am

Regarding York/Yorke Theatres in NYC….The American Motion Picture Directory 1914-1915 lists a York Theatre, 189 Eighth Avenue, Manhattan, NY.

This is still listed in Film Daily Yearbook’s 1926 and 1927 with a seating capacity of 300 but has gone from listings in 1930.

In those same two F.D.Y. is also the Yorke Theatre,723 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY with a seating capacity of 1,260 This remains listed thru 1941. From 1943 it is listed as the Park Theatre and continues as this until at least 1950. It has gone from listings by 1957. I don’t see it listed on Cinematreasures at this present time.

The York Theatre, 1187 First Avenue, Manhattan is the one already listed on CinemaTreasures. This was known as the Victor Theatre in the American Motion Picture Directory 1914-1915. Then the East End Theatre from at least 1926 thru 1930 (in 1941 it is the York and is still listed as the York in 1957).

I wish there was a specific queries page on the Cinema Treasures site where these types of questions could be posted. It would then save blocking up specific theatres with postings that are nothing to do with them.

Ken Roe commented about Vogue Theatre on Jul 19, 2006 at 5:45 am

The 1950 edition of Film Daily Yearbook lists the Vogue Theatre, 20100 S. Moreland Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44122 (in the Shaker Heights district) with a seating capacity of 1,565.

Ken Roe commented about Flora Theatre on Jul 18, 2006 at 6:17 pm

Here is a photgraph I took in June 2006 of the Flora Theatre, now with new brickwork on the facade:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/193043029/

Lost Memory…regarding the ‘other’ Eden Theatre, its listed in the 1926, 1927 and 1930 Film Daily Yearbooks that I have:Eden Theatre, 409 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY seating 500. It gone from listings by 1941. It’s currently not listed on Cinematreasures.

Ken Roe commented about American Theatre on Jul 18, 2006 at 5:29 pm

Various seating capacities are given in the Film Daily Yearbook for the American Theatre over the years…..In 1941=600 seats, In 1943=390 seats and it is listed as (Closed), In 1950 and 1952=542 seats.

Ken Roe commented about Gem Theatre on Jul 18, 2006 at 12:23 pm

Here is a photograph I took of the Gem Theatre, now in retail and billiard hall use:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/192825705/

Ken Roe commented about Heights Theater on Jul 18, 2006 at 11:39 am

Here are a couple of photographs I took in May 2006. Nothing has changed on the exterior apart from the removal of the marquee. Inside everything has either been gutted or covered over:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/192797148/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/192797605/

Ken Roe commented about Heights Theater on Jul 18, 2006 at 11:31 am

The Heights Theatre opened in October 1913 according to The Movie Lovers Guide to New York (1987 edition). There is a photograph in the book with the Heights playing ‘3 Big Adult Hits XXX’

Ken Roe commented about Ridgewood Theatre on Jul 18, 2006 at 7:51 am

I can’t see the Towne Theatre, Brooklyn listed on Cinematreasures under that name or its previous name Crystal Theatre. It is the Crystal Theatre, Washington Street nr. Fulton Place with 500 seats in the 1927 Film Daily Yearbook (not listed in 1926) and is still the Crystal, 327 Washington Street with a seating capacity of 529 in the 1930 edition of F.D.Y. By 1941 it has the name Towne Theatre, same address and same seating capacity. It has gone from listings by 1957.

Sorry I can’t find anything on the Brooklyn Theatre aka R.H. Jacobs Brooklyn Theatre at either a Washington St. or Ave address.

Ken Roe commented about New Gallery Cinema on Jul 18, 2006 at 1:55 am

Malcolm….Nice story, thanks for sharing it with us. The only question that I have is regarding the specific mention of ‘had the usual piano accompaniment’. The New Gallery Cinema was the third cinema in the UK to be equipped with a Wurlitzer Theatre Organ (it was installed in June 1925 and was opened by organist Jack Courtnay) and I would have thought that this would have been used to full advantage, together with the full orchestra that this prestigious West End cinema had.

The Wurlitzer organ is still in situ at the former New Gallery Cinema (now recently converted into a Habitat furniture store) and is played regularly on (I believe) Thursday afternoons and Saturday lunchtime.

Also still surviving is the early sound film clip of George Bernard Shaw which I remember seeing on tv a while ago.

Ken Roe commented about Yam Theatre on Jul 18, 2006 at 1:28 am

Listed in Film Daily Yearbook’s:1941 and 1943 editions with a seating capacity of 402. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. the seating capacity is 530 and the address is given as; 121 S.E. Main Street (now known as S. Main Avenue).

Ken Roe commented about Home Theater on Jul 18, 2006 at 1:13 am

Seating capacities seem to vary over the years in edtions of Film Daily Yearbook. In 1941=600. In 1943=800. In 1950=811.

Ken Roe commented about Dixie Theatre on Jul 18, 2006 at 1:06 am

Listed in the 1950 edition of Film Daily Yearbook with a seating capacity of 450.

Ken Roe commented about Capitol Theater on Jul 18, 2006 at 1:03 am

Listed as operating in Film Daily Yearbook’s from at least 1941.

Ken Roe commented about Coliseum Cinemas on Jul 17, 2006 at 12:29 pm

Two exterior photographs I took in July 2003 when the Coliseum had been closed for a year:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/191897951/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/191912748/

The building was clean and tidy and well maintained. Although I did not have the time to sit and watch a movie, I saw a couple of the screens which had begun their programmes and the picture quality, presentation and sound were very good. Definately a cinema to patronise if you are in the Washinton Heights area, or want a trip away from your local multiplex!

Ken Roe commented about United Palace of Cultural Arts on Jul 17, 2006 at 8:30 am

Ken Roe commented about Delmar Theatre on Jul 16, 2006 at 11:46 am

Ace;I don’t know about a supermarket at the rear.

Here are two views of the exterior of the Delmar Theatre from each end that I took in June 2006:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/190991956/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/190992471/

Ken Roe commented about Grange Theatre on Jul 16, 2006 at 11:16 am

Here is a June 2006 photograph I took of the Grange Theatre:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/190967613/

Regarding my posting above about #3 Hamilton Place. It could be that the Hudson Fulton Theatre at this address (now demolished) could have been a small nickelodeon theatre.

Ken Roe commented about Claremont Theatre on Jul 16, 2006 at 8:00 am

Here are two photographs I took of the Claremont Theatre in June 2006:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/190807270/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/190807717/

An interesting observation I note in the Edison film, is that almost all the audience departing the theatre are turning to their right to go uptown. Only a few turn left.

Ken Roe commented about Kingsway Theatre on Jul 15, 2006 at 11:04 am

Here is a recent(June 2006) photograph I took of the now much altered Kingsway Theatre:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/190189864/

Ken Roe commented about 27th Avenue Drive-In on Jul 15, 2006 at 8:33 am

A quote from Kerry Segrave’s book “Drive-In Theatres” – A history from their inception in 1933 (published by McFarland & Co 1992):–

One of the attempts to air condition the great ourdoors was seen in 1953 at Phoenix, AZ, Cinema Park Drive-In. A number of fouteen foot poles were installed on the lot. Each was topped by vertically mounted propeller blades behind water pipes containing tiny holes. With the blades whirring around, water was forced up the pipes, out of the holes, and then blown across the lot in the form of a fine mist. It caused the temperature to drop, said the marketers, several degrees. A few years later a similar invention was announced. Again it was a tall pole with baldes mounted on top, horizontally this time. The idea was to circulate the air, thus lowering the humidity. Models were said to be available especially to control fog and mist as well as humidity. These units called “Fogmaster” and “Weathermaster”, could operate successfully over several acres or more. Another feature touted was that it helped overcome the mosquito nuisance. Presumably they blew them away!

Seemingly all attempts to control the climate to their patrons, greater comfort have been singularly unsuccessful.

Ken Roe commented about Loew's Fulton Theatre on Jul 14, 2006 at 9:37 am

Thanks Warren, Bway, EdSolero & Lost Memory; We can now surely say this investigation is over and get the Status changed to Closed/Demolished.

Ken Roe commented about Sunshine Cinema on Jul 14, 2006 at 8:29 am

Thanks Warren. I believe we have now solved this ‘other’ Houston Hippodrome Theatre. It must have been a live theatre known as the Houston Hippodrome, 67 E. Houston Street and by 1930 and into 1931 at least, had become a movie theatre known as the Houston Theatre with a seating capacity of 546. It should be added with its own page on CinemaTreasures.

Ken Roe commented about Sunshine Cinema on Jul 14, 2006 at 8:04 am

In the American Motion Picture Directory 1914-1915 the Houston Hippodrome, 141 E. Houston Street, Manhattan, NY is listed. This address is also listed as being the Sunshine Theatre in the Film Daily Yearbook’s;1926 & 1927 editions with a seating capacity of 600.

I can’t find another Houston Hippodrome Theatre, but in the 1930 edition of Film Daily Yearbook there is the Houston Theatre, 67 Houston Street, Manhattan, NY with a seating capacity of 546. This must be the Houston Hippodrome, 67 W. Houston Street in the photo that is for sale. It has gone from listings in 1941 which is the next year’s F.D.Y. that I have. Currently, I can’t see the Houston Theatre listed on this site. btw 67 W. Houston Street seems to be known as 159 Wooster Street nowadays!.

Ken Roe commented about Cinema Kings Highway on Jul 13, 2006 at 4:32 pm

Here is a June 2006 photograph I took of the Cinema Kings Highway:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/189079112/

Ken Roe commented about Loew's Delancey Theatre on Jul 13, 2006 at 4:04 pm

Lostmemory;…Sorry for the confusion, my eyes are tired…must get out more and off this web-site! lol
So we can now establish that the building was completed in 1912, opening on 28th March 1912. Marcus Loew built it and operated it as a vaudville theatre with short movie interludes in the programme until it became a full time cinema in around 1917.