I think the multip-plexing was a cheap one? That would help in not ruining too much of the original theatre. What condition was the place in? Is downstairs all one large auditorium?
Great information, I thought I knew alot about old theatres in Queens but nver heard of The Farrell, The New Ozone or The State. Are you going to post them?
I did not realize that, I guess it was recent because i saw a film there last year. It is unreal how many theatres the Eastside had and one by one they are going. Did anyone ever find out the real story about why the Sutton Facade was defaced?
Another Quartet trivia item, the original neon and light bulb marquee from The Roosevelt was totally intact under the huge stainless steel Quartet one. Too bad it could not have been saved somehow, even moved to another location.
Till the day this theatre closed it had no real rear wall. It had the half wall with the curtains above it. You had to keep the lobby very quiet or it would be heard all over the audience. Centurys ran this for years as one of the discount houses wherre the price was the year, 77, 78, 79 cents.
I dont think this was the Pacific East, I am trying to rememeber which eastside house that was. As far as I remember it opned as Cinema Malibu, then the DW Griffith for the longert time, and finally The 59 St East. I was the manager here for a year with the DW Griffith name. The marquee was very classy at the time, the front had an outline of Griffith’s face. Also the post above about the few theatres left on the eastside, there is also City Cinemas Eastside Playhouse.
Wow your right I totally forgot this was The Columbia 1 & 2. I actually liked that old marquee better, there was more of an east side classiness to it. The new one is too gaudy for that location and I HATE the theatres name.
Cinema 5 had this theate for many years but I dont know who operated it in its infancy. To the day it closed it had wooden box protectors that were manually placed over the show cases at night. Another thing I remember was alot of the ornateness was wood and not plaster.
The Astoria theatre which just closed last year could also have been used for live shows, but it has been destroted also. I was amused when I read about the Queens Borough President fighting the Landmark designation. The one who replaced him was no better. I am not sure if you are aware of the Amphitheatre from the 1939 Worlds Fair in Flushing Meadows park. It had been unused for a few years and finally there was alot of intrest in restoring it and even a promoter willing to contract to put on shows there. Because of a fear from some well connected residents in affluent and somewhat nearby Forest Hills and Kew Gardens all of a sudden an aspestos issue was brought up and the BP used a special fund that required no community board approval to have the structure torn down. These residents were concerned about what kind of concerts would be given there. Meanwhile the amphitheatre is in the middle of a park and not close by to any homes. All this was carried out despite ongoing plans drawn up, meetings and negotiations with the concert promoter. Another Queens landmark destroyed.
This should be filed under Gramercy. I remember that they were on the Disney-Touchstone run for many years under Cinema 5 and City Cinemas. Roger Rabbit opened here. I am not sure in the 40’s and 50’s if it was first or sub run.
This theatre has changed ownership and policies many times over the years. The last chain to operate it was City Cinemas which previously had been Cinema 5. At one point they tried revival here after the closure of the Regency and then the Biograph.
The fountain is gone according to one newspaper report, I’m sure the crooked developer sold it before he drove the bulldozer through the lobby.
No knowledge of that but I am in the area so I will try to check it out.
The hack up was done by the people that for a short time had that multiplex on 42 street right?
I think the multip-plexing was a cheap one? That would help in not ruining too much of the original theatre. What condition was the place in? Is downstairs all one large auditorium?
Great information, I thought I knew alot about old theatres in Queens but nver heard of The Farrell, The New Ozone or The State. Are you going to post them?
I did not realize that, I guess it was recent because i saw a film there last year. It is unreal how many theatres the Eastside had and one by one they are going. Did anyone ever find out the real story about why the Sutton Facade was defaced?
Another Quartet trivia item, the original neon and light bulb marquee from The Roosevelt was totally intact under the huge stainless steel Quartet one. Too bad it could not have been saved somehow, even moved to another location.
Till the day this theatre closed it had no real rear wall. It had the half wall with the curtains above it. You had to keep the lobby very quiet or it would be heard all over the audience. Centurys ran this for years as one of the discount houses wherre the price was the year, 77, 78, 79 cents.
I dont think this was the Pacific East, I am trying to rememeber which eastside house that was. As far as I remember it opned as Cinema Malibu, then the DW Griffith for the longert time, and finally The 59 St East. I was the manager here for a year with the DW Griffith name. The marquee was very classy at the time, the front had an outline of Griffith’s face. Also the post above about the few theatres left on the eastside, there is also City Cinemas Eastside Playhouse.
Sounds like it could be converted back to a theatre if someone wanted to.
Wow your right I totally forgot this was The Columbia 1 & 2. I actually liked that old marquee better, there was more of an east side classiness to it. The new one is too gaudy for that location and I HATE the theatres name.
I managed The Haven in the early to mid 80’s. Every week another double feature plus kids matinees on the weekends.
I am shocked this theatre is still open. With a little shining up and some renovations it could be a nice place.
I drove by here last summer and the brass on the marquee is so shiney the glare can be seen 2 blocks away.
Was the Cinerama screen still in place when it closed?
Would this theatre survive showing art films?
I’m just thinking Walter Reade may have also had The Plaza at one time?????
Cinema 5 had this theate for many years but I dont know who operated it in its infancy. To the day it closed it had wooden box protectors that were manually placed over the show cases at night. Another thing I remember was alot of the ornateness was wood and not plaster.
The Astoria theatre which just closed last year could also have been used for live shows, but it has been destroted also. I was amused when I read about the Queens Borough President fighting the Landmark designation. The one who replaced him was no better. I am not sure if you are aware of the Amphitheatre from the 1939 Worlds Fair in Flushing Meadows park. It had been unused for a few years and finally there was alot of intrest in restoring it and even a promoter willing to contract to put on shows there. Because of a fear from some well connected residents in affluent and somewhat nearby Forest Hills and Kew Gardens all of a sudden an aspestos issue was brought up and the BP used a special fund that required no community board approval to have the structure torn down. These residents were concerned about what kind of concerts would be given there. Meanwhile the amphitheatre is in the middle of a park and not close by to any homes. All this was carried out despite ongoing plans drawn up, meetings and negotiations with the concert promoter. Another Queens landmark destroyed.
This is interesting anyone know any history of this theatre?
Wow was it that bad?
This should be filed under Gramercy. I remember that they were on the Disney-Touchstone run for many years under Cinema 5 and City Cinemas. Roger Rabbit opened here. I am not sure in the 40’s and 50’s if it was first or sub run.
So the Gramercy may be doomed when that happens
This theatre has changed ownership and policies many times over the years. The last chain to operate it was City Cinemas which previously had been Cinema 5. At one point they tried revival here after the closure of the Regency and then the Biograph.
I was told this is a definate Regal multi-plex site.