I don’t remember much about this theatre. It was located on Lake Avenue, at the southern edge of the little business district that serves the Lake/Ridge/Kodak Park area. The outside was yellow brick with decorative cast stone trim. A friend of mine said the interior had a flat ceiling with cast ornaments on it, and a small balcony. My mother remembers being at the movies here when Pearl Harbor was attacked. I believe it opened in 1926. My grandfather worked at Kodak and remembered when it was being built. It was torn down in the 70’s to make way for a drug store, which has since been replaced by a newer drug store. I still miss driving past it on my way to the beach.
Hi Hilarie. If you have access to the Rochester Public Library their local history department used to have photos of several Rochester theatres, including the Palace. You might also try the Rochester Historical Society. If you’re not local (even if you are) you can contact the Rochester Theatre Organ Society. They may have some photos they are willing to share with you. You can probably get their contact info from the internet. As a final possibility, there is a series of books called “Images of America”, their volume on “Rochester Labor and Leisure” has some interior and exterior photos.
I heard there are plans to replicate the original vertical sign and to reproduce the terra cotta pediment that used to be on top of the Main Street facade. Now if they could only get rid of the hideous racks of spotlights that mar the organ grills. I can only hope they were some sort of temporary thing and have been removed since I was there last December.
Well, I’m very glad to hear about the activity going on, especially the theatre seats. I hope they are the original ones that had been warehoused. Thanks for the good news Joel! Keep us posted, will ya?
At least we are talking about it. One has to start somewhere. If you want to succeed then you need to imitate success. Didn’t “Friends of the Loew’s” convince the city to buy Loew’s Jersey? (that’s not a rhetorical question, I really want to know)And then didn’t the city somehow get it back into the hands of the non-profit trying to save it? If you ever read any web pages about the Bronx, people are always bringing up the Paradise. It seems like there’s a lot of interest in talking about. It’s a matter of what action to take. Now Jim and Warren seem like very knowledgeable and wise men. You’ve brought up plenty of reasons why it won’t work, can you think of any reasons why it will work? I wouldn’t care if they ran 24 hour Britney Spears and Spice Girl concerts if it meant the place was safe. Can the City of New York be convinced that this might be worth investing in, even if only to safely mothball it while an investor is found. Seriously, do you have some constructive suggestions? I ask because I’m willing to do what I can if someone (including me) comes up with a good idea.
Does that mean you wouldn’t be willing to help Warren? Because your help would be great. I think some of the things that can be done long distance are: to make donations, to help with paperwork, to make contacts, and organizing. So the “Friends of Loew’s Kings” failed, at least they tried. We ought to at least try as well.
I was thinking that myself Warren. I think a bunch of us here at this site should contact the “Friends of the Loew’s” and see what tactics they used to get the Jersey Theatre out of danger. Those people are an inspiration as far as I’m concerned. Don’t forget what an 11th hour rescue they performed. I’d have to do 99.9% of my part from long distance, but I’d be happy to do it.
I just got done reading Jim Rankins' comment from March 25th and I totally disagree. We can’t renovate this place because of the cost of light bulbs? Is that arguement supposed to be taken seriously? As far as vandalism is concerned, it’s true that people have less self control in public than in previous times, but it’s not an insurmountable issue. I think the sort of people who would attend this restored theatre are the same sort of people who would appreciate it and not vandalize it. Why can’t a group similar to “Friends of the Loew’s” to the rescue? Who would have thought that Jersey City was a good place to operate a restored movie palace, and yet they’re doing it! So what if the Paradise is in The Bronx. A building this important would define the neighborhood, not the other way around
I don’t know how to use the “add a link” feature, but if you type http://www.silverscreens.com/thsa.php you will wind up on a page (in french) that has some photos of the Kings interior as it looked in 2001. Don’t click on the english version of the page. I did it and, for some reason, could no longer find the photos.
I’m not a New Yorker, so I’ve only been to this theatre 3 times, but I remember those three trips well! I thought the theatre was gorgeous back then, and it probably still is, but it seems like the magic is gone. It was great to go there and catch a great movie AND a great stage show, to watch the lights slowly change color in the auditorium during the presentation, to feel the rumble of the organ even as you’re standing out in the lobby, the crush of thousands of people all enjoying themselves. I remember how even the “ordinary” stage shows (the non-holiday ones) were spectacular.
Now it just seems as if it’s just another 75 dollar a head theatre which presents a whole lot of stuff that doesn’t do this great place justice. Wasn’t the whole point behind movie palaces to provide a huge amount of entertainment at the lowest possible price, and to be surrounded by incredible luxury that anyone could afford to enjoy?
I’m glad the place is still standing and serving, it’s just not the same place anymore.
I was recently in Jersey City and parked behind this theatre. There are two old signs, one painted over the other, that have both faded and are still semi legible. The oldest one has the name of the theatre, and advertises “select motion and talking pictures” and “symphony orchestra” among other things. The newer sign states “The Home of MGM Pictures”
I’ve always wanted to get inside this place. I’ve only been past the outside once. Thanks, Damien, for the great links! If only some folks like the people who are fixing up the Loew’s Jersey could fix this place up.
I’m just saying that theatre fans are good at making up stories. For example “many many theatre history circles”, how many could there possibly be, that aren’t all made up of the same people all talking to the same other people? When you talk to people who actually patronized this theatre they talk about how lovely it was. Even if it was considered the least attractive, that could only be by virtue of the competition. Compared to a modern cineplex (or compared to the hideous office building that replaced it)it is a definite improvement and it’s destruction a definite loss.
Hey Carl, I wouldn’t worry about Warren’s comment. For one thing it’s tactless, and for another thing I don’t believe it. Do you really think someone making the kind of investment it took to build a place like that is going to look at the plans and say “wow, that’s ugly” and then go ahead and build it? If anyone has a capacity for making up facts it’s theatre fans. I remember someone claiming that the clock on Loew’s Paradise was made in Venice in the 15th century and was bought especially for the theatre. Too bad the clock actually came from the Seth Thomas Co. of Connecticut. I’m sure this is more of the same. Warren thinks it’s ugly, so obviously it' now a matter of historical record. As my Mom use to say, before you say anything, think, “is it true, is it necessary, is it kind?”
I don’t remember much about this theatre. It was located on Lake Avenue, at the southern edge of the little business district that serves the Lake/Ridge/Kodak Park area. The outside was yellow brick with decorative cast stone trim. A friend of mine said the interior had a flat ceiling with cast ornaments on it, and a small balcony. My mother remembers being at the movies here when Pearl Harbor was attacked. I believe it opened in 1926. My grandfather worked at Kodak and remembered when it was being built. It was torn down in the 70’s to make way for a drug store, which has since been replaced by a newer drug store. I still miss driving past it on my way to the beach.
Hi Hilarie. If you have access to the Rochester Public Library their local history department used to have photos of several Rochester theatres, including the Palace. You might also try the Rochester Historical Society. If you’re not local (even if you are) you can contact the Rochester Theatre Organ Society. They may have some photos they are willing to share with you. You can probably get their contact info from the internet. As a final possibility, there is a series of books called “Images of America”, their volume on “Rochester Labor and Leisure” has some interior and exterior photos.
I heard there are plans to replicate the original vertical sign and to reproduce the terra cotta pediment that used to be on top of the Main Street facade. Now if they could only get rid of the hideous racks of spotlights that mar the organ grills. I can only hope they were some sort of temporary thing and have been removed since I was there last December.
Well, I’m very glad to hear about the activity going on, especially the theatre seats. I hope they are the original ones that had been warehoused. Thanks for the good news Joel! Keep us posted, will ya?
At least we are talking about it. One has to start somewhere. If you want to succeed then you need to imitate success. Didn’t “Friends of the Loew’s” convince the city to buy Loew’s Jersey? (that’s not a rhetorical question, I really want to know)And then didn’t the city somehow get it back into the hands of the non-profit trying to save it? If you ever read any web pages about the Bronx, people are always bringing up the Paradise. It seems like there’s a lot of interest in talking about. It’s a matter of what action to take. Now Jim and Warren seem like very knowledgeable and wise men. You’ve brought up plenty of reasons why it won’t work, can you think of any reasons why it will work? I wouldn’t care if they ran 24 hour Britney Spears and Spice Girl concerts if it meant the place was safe. Can the City of New York be convinced that this might be worth investing in, even if only to safely mothball it while an investor is found. Seriously, do you have some constructive suggestions? I ask because I’m willing to do what I can if someone (including me) comes up with a good idea.
Does that mean you wouldn’t be willing to help Warren? Because your help would be great. I think some of the things that can be done long distance are: to make donations, to help with paperwork, to make contacts, and organizing. So the “Friends of Loew’s Kings” failed, at least they tried. We ought to at least try as well.
I was thinking that myself Warren. I think a bunch of us here at this site should contact the “Friends of the Loew’s” and see what tactics they used to get the Jersey Theatre out of danger. Those people are an inspiration as far as I’m concerned. Don’t forget what an 11th hour rescue they performed. I’d have to do 99.9% of my part from long distance, but I’d be happy to do it.
I just got done reading Jim Rankins' comment from March 25th and I totally disagree. We can’t renovate this place because of the cost of light bulbs? Is that arguement supposed to be taken seriously? As far as vandalism is concerned, it’s true that people have less self control in public than in previous times, but it’s not an insurmountable issue. I think the sort of people who would attend this restored theatre are the same sort of people who would appreciate it and not vandalize it. Why can’t a group similar to “Friends of the Loew’s” to the rescue? Who would have thought that Jersey City was a good place to operate a restored movie palace, and yet they’re doing it! So what if the Paradise is in The Bronx. A building this important would define the neighborhood, not the other way around
Okay, I just found out that it adds the link automatically when you type it in, so just go ahead and click on it. Enjoy!
I don’t know how to use the “add a link” feature, but if you type http://www.silverscreens.com/thsa.php you will wind up on a page (in french) that has some photos of the Kings interior as it looked in 2001. Don’t click on the english version of the page. I did it and, for some reason, could no longer find the photos.
I’m not a New Yorker, so I’ve only been to this theatre 3 times, but I remember those three trips well! I thought the theatre was gorgeous back then, and it probably still is, but it seems like the magic is gone. It was great to go there and catch a great movie AND a great stage show, to watch the lights slowly change color in the auditorium during the presentation, to feel the rumble of the organ even as you’re standing out in the lobby, the crush of thousands of people all enjoying themselves. I remember how even the “ordinary” stage shows (the non-holiday ones) were spectacular.
Now it just seems as if it’s just another 75 dollar a head theatre which presents a whole lot of stuff that doesn’t do this great place justice. Wasn’t the whole point behind movie palaces to provide a huge amount of entertainment at the lowest possible price, and to be surrounded by incredible luxury that anyone could afford to enjoy?
I’m glad the place is still standing and serving, it’s just not the same place anymore.
I was recently in Jersey City and parked behind this theatre. There are two old signs, one painted over the other, that have both faded and are still semi legible. The oldest one has the name of the theatre, and advertises “select motion and talking pictures” and “symphony orchestra” among other things. The newer sign states “The Home of MGM Pictures”
I’ve always wanted to get inside this place. I’ve only been past the outside once. Thanks, Damien, for the great links! If only some folks like the people who are fixing up the Loew’s Jersey could fix this place up.
I’m just saying that theatre fans are good at making up stories. For example “many many theatre history circles”, how many could there possibly be, that aren’t all made up of the same people all talking to the same other people? When you talk to people who actually patronized this theatre they talk about how lovely it was. Even if it was considered the least attractive, that could only be by virtue of the competition. Compared to a modern cineplex (or compared to the hideous office building that replaced it)it is a definite improvement and it’s destruction a definite loss.
Hey Carl, I wouldn’t worry about Warren’s comment. For one thing it’s tactless, and for another thing I don’t believe it. Do you really think someone making the kind of investment it took to build a place like that is going to look at the plans and say “wow, that’s ugly” and then go ahead and build it? If anyone has a capacity for making up facts it’s theatre fans. I remember someone claiming that the clock on Loew’s Paradise was made in Venice in the 15th century and was bought especially for the theatre. Too bad the clock actually came from the Seth Thomas Co. of Connecticut. I’m sure this is more of the same. Warren thinks it’s ugly, so obviously it' now a matter of historical record. As my Mom use to say, before you say anything, think, “is it true, is it necessary, is it kind?”