Now operated by the Brandt circuit, the Manhattan opened with a resissue of a WB classic that had premiered directy across the street at the Hollywood Theatre in 1935.
The name was borrowed from a nearby landmark, the Hotel Abbey, on Seventh Avenue at 51st Street…Following the world premiere engagement of the French import, the Abbey carried on with some “B” programmers from Columbia, Republic, and Monogram before closing for the summer for lack of a reliable air-conditioning system.
It would never re-open under that name.
Still remembered for holding the funeral service of Malcolm X in 1965, the Childs Memorial Church of God in Christ is being prepared for demolition, according to recent news reports. The ground site will be used for a 10-story apartment building on the north end, and a new and much larger church on the south end.
After several more program changes, all very unprofitable, the policy was scrapped with decision to transform the theatre into a showcase for Cinerama roadshow presentations.
The Technicolor musical took place in the honky tonk world of Chicago in the 1890s…On opening day, Martin & Lewis sold tickets in the box office to the first 100 patrons.
The Brandt Circuit, which had been operating the Central with sub-run product, refurbished it into the first-run Gotham, starting with this Monogram shocker.
In January, 1929, Fox Theatres Corporation announced plans to build a 52-story skyscraper on the SW corner of Broadway and 47th Street, using Walter H. Ahlschalager as architect. The Central Theatre and surrounding buildings would be demolished for the project, which would include a large movie palace with entrance on West 47th Street. A news clipping has been posted in the Photos Section. The arrival of the Depression and William Fox’s bankruptcy eventually killed the idea.
Film was a move-over of a roadshow, now being shown at reduced prices. Stage revue had a secular first half, including the Roxyettes as wooden soldiers, and a religious finale depicting “The Last Supper.”
The Interboro Circuit’s takeover in 1946 included the theatre’s first refrigerated air-conditioning system…The Newtown fronted on Corona Avenue, part of the trolley car route that connected Ridgewood and downtown Flushing. MTA buses now provide the same service.
Now frequently revived on television during the Easter holiday season, the Technicolor musical was originally released during the summer of 1948, starting with this booking which was notched to Fourth of July celebrations.
The ad for the British import gave no credit to the film’s director, Alfred Hitchcock, but did squeeze in mention of the Mayfair’s owner, Walter Reade.
The Picker family owned theatres in Manhattan and the Bronx before selling the operating leases to Loew’s. The current David Picker is the son of Eugene Picker, who became an executive of Loew’s Theatres and eventually president by the time the Tisch brothers bought control.
Tall office building at left (1540 Broadway) is now demolished and served as HQ to Loew’s corporate empire. The adjacent Loew’s State Theatre was demolished simultaneously.
The Cecilwood was a “strawhat” summer legit theatre that sometimes showed movies but not regularly enough to qualify as a cinema. But it was located near Beacon, which is across the Hudson River from Newburgh, and in a different county. If listed at all at CT, the Cecilwood should be under Beacon, not Newburgh.
Now operated by the Brandt circuit, the Manhattan opened with a resissue of a WB classic that had premiered directy across the street at the Hollywood Theatre in 1935.
The name was borrowed from a nearby landmark, the Hotel Abbey, on Seventh Avenue at 51st Street…Following the world premiere engagement of the French import, the Abbey carried on with some “B” programmers from Columbia, Republic, and Monogram before closing for the summer for lack of a reliable air-conditioning system. It would never re-open under that name.
Frank Sinatra was one of the vocalists performing with Dorsey’s orchestra during this engagement.
Still remembered for holding the funeral service of Malcolm X in 1965, the Childs Memorial Church of God in Christ is being prepared for demolition, according to recent news reports. The ground site will be used for a 10-story apartment building on the north end, and a new and much larger church on the south end.
After several more program changes, all very unprofitable, the policy was scrapped with decision to transform the theatre into a showcase for Cinerama roadshow presentations.
The movie was part of the Easter holiday presentation for 1969.
Trade ad published on March 30th, 1927.
The Technicolor musical took place in the honky tonk world of Chicago in the 1890s…On opening day, Martin & Lewis sold tickets in the box office to the first 100 patrons.
The Brandt Circuit, which had been operating the Central with sub-run product, refurbished it into the first-run Gotham, starting with this Monogram shocker.
In January, 1929, Fox Theatres Corporation announced plans to build a 52-story skyscraper on the SW corner of Broadway and 47th Street, using Walter H. Ahlschalager as architect. The Central Theatre and surrounding buildings would be demolished for the project, which would include a large movie palace with entrance on West 47th Street. A news clipping has been posted in the Photos Section. The arrival of the Depression and William Fox’s bankruptcy eventually killed the idea.
This group ad published on Easter Sunday, March 27th, 1932, covers some but not all Loew’s theatres in Brooklyn and Queens.
Film was a move-over of a roadshow, now being shown at reduced prices. Stage revue had a secular first half, including the Roxyettes as wooden soldiers, and a religious finale depicting “The Last Supper.”
The B&W adaptation of Noel Coward’s epic stage play went on to win the Academy Award for “Best Picture” of 1932-33.
The Interboro Circuit’s takeover in 1946 included the theatre’s first refrigerated air-conditioning system…The Newtown fronted on Corona Avenue, part of the trolley car route that connected Ridgewood and downtown Flushing. MTA buses now provide the same service.
Now frequently revived on television during the Easter holiday season, the Technicolor musical was originally released during the summer of 1948, starting with this booking which was notched to Fourth of July celebrations.
The ad for the British import gave no credit to the film’s director, Alfred Hitchcock, but did squeeze in mention of the Mayfair’s owner, Walter Reade.
“Formal” premiere meant that guests were expected to dress “formally,”— men in tuxedos, women in evening gowns.
Filmed on studio sets in Moscow, the Russian anti-Nazi melodrama was shown with English sub-titles, a fact unmentioned in the ad.
Left photo with projection booth looks north towards Fisk Building, which still stands on West 57th Street between Eighth Avenue & Broadway.
Election Day, and much closer to Thanksgiving than to St. Patrick’s Day.
Night before St. Patrick’s Day, with “Command Decision” and “Racing Luck” on screen.
This was a difficult period for the Palace, with subsequent-run double features simultaneous with RKO neighborhood theatres.
The Picker family owned theatres in Manhattan and the Bronx before selling the operating leases to Loew’s. The current David Picker is the son of Eugene Picker, who became an executive of Loew’s Theatres and eventually president by the time the Tisch brothers bought control.
Tall office building at left (1540 Broadway) is now demolished and served as HQ to Loew’s corporate empire. The adjacent Loew’s State Theatre was demolished simultaneously.
The Cecilwood was a “strawhat” summer legit theatre that sometimes showed movies but not regularly enough to qualify as a cinema. But it was located near Beacon, which is across the Hudson River from Newburgh, and in a different county. If listed at all at CT, the Cecilwood should be under Beacon, not Newburgh.