Thanks PKoch and Bway for your replies,
Looking back at the postings, one really must wonder why, in its conversion to a store, why Madison was stripped of its beautiful interior. It seems almost as if the renovation contractor went out of his way to destroy any remnants of the past. Why remove the marquee, it is a more visible sign, why jackhammer a marble staircase, when it adds a touch of elegance, Why cover an ornate domed ceiling , complete with chandelier, when it adds accent. The Meserole in Brooklyn had the right idea, retaining the original interior, and preserving the theater’s features. Today it exists as an Eckert pharmacy.
Has any body visited the retail store that now exists in the former Haven? Are any remnants intact? I remember this theater as being very plain, without the traditional ornamentation that most early 20 th century theaters possess. I wonder if the balcony is open to the public, it never was when I attended as a movie house.
PKoch
Perhaps you were correct in a earlier posting that the grand staircase split in two, the reason I may be wrong was that the only normal staircase I ascended was the one in the retail area, which was not grand at all, unless alterations were done. If any one visits the balcony from the aforementioned staircase, walk across the promenade
to the far wall, that grand staircase may be now A fire exit.On my visit I did just that but being respectable of private areas, I only peered in. Thanks PKoch, for visiting and sharing your experience.
Bway,
Judging by the current dimensions in the furniture area , I would say you are quite correct, the area behind that wall and and through that door most likely are the rear half of the balcony. Would that be great if one of us had permission to open that door and go back in time to see that magnificent domed ceiling and the chairs still in place?
Bway, I went back to your old postings about your discoveries in the balcony and then viewed that 1927 photo, and there really has to be some alterations done up there judging by the photo, it seems to be that the balcony was split in two, its just not the same dimension in the picture as far as from the edge to the back wall, and it was drastically leveled, to the point where its flat.
View link
This link is a 1927 Photo of Madison’s interior from a previous posting on microfilm, showing the view from the stage out on to the orchestra and up to the very large balcony.
Warren, The auditorium floor has been leveled (also the balcony)and is accessible to the public as retail space. The balcony, which the outline of the edge is visible,is used for furniture retail space. The lobby and auditorium are one open space.
Bway,
Nice description of the Oasis and the years of its demise, and you and PKoch are quite correct, when I pass I can still see the memories much better with half the building than none of the building!
PKoch
Nice description, it really puts into perspective how Madison’s interior was arranged, when I visited Liberty Dept . store, I was trying to see the theater perspective behind that sheetrock and drop ceiling, now its crystal clear. One quick question, You mention the grand staircase,(which exists today, but renovated) split in two, one to the left and the other to the right. It did not appear that way in my visit, it was one wide stairway going straight into the balcony, which is separated from the orchestra by a large wall. I never seen such a large balcony in any theater I have been to.
Unfortunately there are no memories I can recall other than what is posted, however I do have memories of the Glenwood bowl and the former Acme theater which I did visit as a refurbished supermarket and hope you find them interesting.
PKoch
How ironic certain pieces of history mingle, when you were watching the movies you mentioned above, I was watching them on so called “terrestrial television”, also known as as the 4:30 movie on WABC Tv channel 7. If I was a few years older I may have ventured to Putnam and Myrtle to view them. I do wish I could have experienced the theater experience at that grand palace, again I missed out, but Cinema Treasures allows me to experience what I missed.
I never knew Madison had so many elite names on its grand stage as a vaudeville venue, also as the introduction mentions, it was a first run RKO house. And as PKoch mentioned on August 28, it did run some first rate films post ‘59, but many of the elements mentioned in prior postings did do in the Madison,so i’m glad to see we finally found its closing date. When you look at the facts, perhaps Madison should have been multi plexed when its long time competitor, Ridgewood was. Then again, maybe its beautiful interior may have resisted efforts to to just that. Was there any reason Madison was not destroyed for a parking lot?
PKoch I wanted you to check out my May 28 posting to read all my priceless memories of the Oasis. Interesting how the demise of the Oasis with its bawdy rock concerts, also coincided with the demise of the RKO Madison.
If anyone is interested, I have a poll page on Cinema Treasures titled, “What features of Classic Movies Houses do You Remember Most?”.
It would be my pleasure if you visited,voted and posted.
Ed Solero, Thank you for explaining the meaning of “grind house”.
Your explanation really completes my curiosity about his theater that I missed out on. Warren’s August 24 posting really had me thinking, that RKO sold Madison in ‘59, and then leased it as a “grind house”. These films really set into motion Madison’s demise, slowly degrading a once proud theater prior to '59, by showing cheap b movies, thus never having a chance to exist in dignity. So it all came together for me with this posting and thanks to you Mr. Solero and every one else.I will quote myself upon exiting Madison (Liberty Store) for the first time. “A bleak ending to a once proud movie house.”
PKoch,
Nice recollection of memories.
My first 33LP was “Aerosmith-Toys in the Attic”.
Those slogans you mention are slowly becoming a thing of the past, but when they were in their prime, they were a clever way of remembering the product, even early TV and radio station identifications used this technique, the granddaddy of NY radio was the best, 77 WABC on the AM dial which folded in ‘82.
I’m trying to understand “grindhouse”,was that a branding technique
that AIP used to describe the B movies that they distributed at the movie houses they ran at?
PKoch,
Thank you for your reply concerning the space next door to Madison.
An excellent description, and a great place to have a record store!
On my first visit to Mdaison, I did not notice if Liberty Dept. store now occupies the former record store.Anyone remember Byhoff record store on Myrtle across from the venerable Ridgewood? I bought my second 33 LP there, “Jimi Hendrix, Are you Experienced?”
Thanks PKoch and Bway for your replies,
Looking back at the postings, one really must wonder why, in its conversion to a store, why Madison was stripped of its beautiful interior. It seems almost as if the renovation contractor went out of his way to destroy any remnants of the past. Why remove the marquee, it is a more visible sign, why jackhammer a marble staircase, when it adds a touch of elegance, Why cover an ornate domed ceiling , complete with chandelier, when it adds accent. The Meserole in Brooklyn had the right idea, retaining the original interior, and preserving the theater’s features. Today it exists as an Eckert pharmacy.
Has any body visited the retail store that now exists in the former Haven? Are any remnants intact? I remember this theater as being very plain, without the traditional ornamentation that most early 20 th century theaters possess. I wonder if the balcony is open to the public, it never was when I attended as a movie house.
PKoch
Perhaps you were correct in a earlier posting that the grand staircase split in two, the reason I may be wrong was that the only normal staircase I ascended was the one in the retail area, which was not grand at all, unless alterations were done. If any one visits the balcony from the aforementioned staircase, walk across the promenade
to the far wall, that grand staircase may be now A fire exit.On my visit I did just that but being respectable of private areas, I only peered in. Thanks PKoch, for visiting and sharing your experience.
PKoch,
Thanks for the description of “Son of Celluloid”, it’s very ironic that such a short story has parallels to our quest to find Madison’s
past.
…and the monster lives in the balcony..behind the furniture section"
Whoever is the one to open the door and find Madison’s long lost treasure I wish them luck..and photo’s to share!
Bway,
Judging by the current dimensions in the furniture area , I would say you are quite correct, the area behind that wall and and through that door most likely are the rear half of the balcony. Would that be great if one of us had permission to open that door and go back in time to see that magnificent domed ceiling and the chairs still in place?
My apologies Warren, hopr it will help us uncover that mystery in the balcony.
Bway, I went back to your old postings about your discoveries in the balcony and then viewed that 1927 photo, and there really has to be some alterations done up there judging by the photo, it seems to be that the balcony was split in two, its just not the same dimension in the picture as far as from the edge to the back wall, and it was drastically leveled, to the point where its flat.
View link
This link is a 1927 Photo of Madison’s interior from a previous posting on microfilm, showing the view from the stage out on to the orchestra and up to the very large balcony.
Warren, The whole store is open to the public.
Your welcome, just like Bway before me, I took a tour but did not bring my camera, enjoy!
Warren, The auditorium floor has been leveled (also the balcony)and is accessible to the public as retail space. The balcony, which the outline of the edge is visible,is used for furniture retail space. The lobby and auditorium are one open space.
Bway,
Nice description of the Oasis and the years of its demise, and you and PKoch are quite correct, when I pass I can still see the memories much better with half the building than none of the building!
PKoch
Nice description, it really puts into perspective how Madison’s interior was arranged, when I visited Liberty Dept . store, I was trying to see the theater perspective behind that sheetrock and drop ceiling, now its crystal clear. One quick question, You mention the grand staircase,(which exists today, but renovated) split in two, one to the left and the other to the right. It did not appear that way in my visit, it was one wide stairway going straight into the balcony, which is separated from the orchestra by a large wall. I never seen such a large balcony in any theater I have been to.
Unfortunately there are no memories I can recall other than what is posted, however I do have memories of the Glenwood bowl and the former Acme theater which I did visit as a refurbished supermarket and hope you find them interesting.
PKoch
How ironic certain pieces of history mingle, when you were watching the movies you mentioned above, I was watching them on so called “terrestrial television”, also known as as the 4:30 movie on WABC Tv channel 7. If I was a few years older I may have ventured to Putnam and Myrtle to view them. I do wish I could have experienced the theater experience at that grand palace, again I missed out, but Cinema Treasures allows me to experience what I missed.
I never knew Madison had so many elite names on its grand stage as a vaudeville venue, also as the introduction mentions, it was a first run RKO house. And as PKoch mentioned on August 28, it did run some first rate films post ‘59, but many of the elements mentioned in prior postings did do in the Madison,so i’m glad to see we finally found its closing date. When you look at the facts, perhaps Madison should have been multi plexed when its long time competitor, Ridgewood was. Then again, maybe its beautiful interior may have resisted efforts to to just that. Was there any reason Madison was not destroyed for a parking lot?
PKoch I wanted you to check out my May 28 posting to read all my priceless memories of the Oasis. Interesting how the demise of the Oasis with its bawdy rock concerts, also coincided with the demise of the RKO Madison.
If anyone is interested, I have a poll page on Cinema Treasures titled, “What features of Classic Movies Houses do You Remember Most?”.
It would be my pleasure if you visited,voted and posted.
PKoch,
I went from Aerosmith to Hendrix because I was a new comer to rock and roll and was experimenting with the different genres.
Ed Solero, Thank you for explaining the meaning of “grind house”.
Your explanation really completes my curiosity about his theater that I missed out on. Warren’s August 24 posting really had me thinking, that RKO sold Madison in ‘59, and then leased it as a “grind house”. These films really set into motion Madison’s demise, slowly degrading a once proud theater prior to '59, by showing cheap b movies, thus never having a chance to exist in dignity. So it all came together for me with this posting and thanks to you Mr. Solero and every one else.I will quote myself upon exiting Madison (Liberty Store) for the first time. “A bleak ending to a once proud movie house.”
PKoch,
Nice recollection of memories.
My first 33LP was “Aerosmith-Toys in the Attic”.
Those slogans you mention are slowly becoming a thing of the past, but when they were in their prime, they were a clever way of remembering the product, even early TV and radio station identifications used this technique, the granddaddy of NY radio was the best, 77 WABC on the AM dial which folded in ‘82.
I’m trying to understand “grindhouse”,was that a branding technique
that AIP used to describe the B movies that they distributed at the movie houses they ran at?
Thanks Bway,
I knew it was somewhere close by!!
PKoch,
Thank you for your reply concerning the space next door to Madison.
An excellent description, and a great place to have a record store!
On my first visit to Mdaison, I did not notice if Liberty Dept. store now occupies the former record store.Anyone remember Byhoff record store on Myrtle across from the venerable Ridgewood? I bought my second 33 LP there, “Jimi Hendrix, Are you Experienced?”