For many years after Loews closed the Boulevard it was operated by an independant who called it The Puerto Rico. They created 2 or 3 theatres in the balcony and kept the huge orchestra as it was. They presented live Spanish shows, I think in collaberation with the Commodore in Brooklyn. Many times they only ran movies in the upstairs cinemas because the main house was so big to heat and air condition.
You have to add an s to it www.deadmalls.com, thanks this is an unreal site. Did you see on the page where the closed Loews sits, there is also another even older theatre rotting away? It is still shocking that the Loews closed, a 20-plex does not need a mall to draw business.
I know the owner of this theatre who has had it since the early 60’s. Except from years of being run down as a porno house, all of its art deco elements are still there. I saw the theatre with the porters cleaning lights on, and if it was painted and had new seats, screen and carpet wold be a mini gem almost as nice as the Loews Trylon. The marquee is so 1940’s it should have landmark status.
No never been there but I used to be in the theatre business, both booking and operating and I hate to see the whole second run business dry up. There are alot of people who cant afford or wont pay $10 (NY price right now) to see a movie. The second run discount policy makes good use of theatres that were never palaces or first rate plexes. In NY second run is just about dead.
I was given a tour of this theatre by a projectionist friend around 1990. Words cant describe theatres like this. One thing I found ammusing is that the size of the main mens room could accomidate ten of todays multi-plex sized theatres. Each stall had its own sink and mirror. To say they dont make them like this anymore is an understatement.
I loved all of these theatres. I remember when Cinema 5 had the Cinema Manhasset on Long Island on the Miracle Mile. They would bring the big ones out there, advertising “direct from it’s smash 6 month engagement at Cinema 1”. These would be exclusive to Long Island. Cinema 1 and Cinema 2 had such prestige in the old days,they always played art films exclusive. Now they play commercial films with everyone else and art films day and date with The Angelika or another village location. Cinema 3 at The Plaza was indeed an elegant theatre. I remember a few times being one of 4 or 5 patrons in the place, but when they played good films they sold out. This also reminds me how when we think back on good films from years ago we remember saying “oh I saw that at The Music Hall, or I saw that at The Sutton”. Do we ever say “oh yeah I saw that at AMC’s 99 plex”?
So much could have been done with this theatre, not everyone who lives in Brooklyn wants to go to The Sheepsead Bay. On the weekend the exit is backed up onto the Belt Parkway.
Number one with Carnige Hall, Lincoln Center and dozens of other smaller venues new York does not need another symphoney concert hall. Number two if you read the description this theatre was built as a cinema from nothing but a shell. What is it that you propose is converted into a concert hall? You obviously have little regard for motion picture theatres.
This theatre was very similar to the original Loews Bay Terrace excpet that was built as a single and later twinned (excellent twiining 2 huge cinemas with balconies and drapes). I think if Loews Cineplex had not been in financial troubles they might have done something with this place. Some of the theatres they still have open are being given the UA treatment and being run into the ground.
The location across the street from a busy multiplex should also give it alot of free publicity. There are always audiences who will pay the first run prices, as well as the bargain movie goer. Even with 14 screens across the street, it is possible The Riviera will play some second run films that never even played at the multiplex across the road.
Very true but he had 3 screens at the Nova in a building he owned. The Coliseum had 4 cinemas in the balcony level. Maybe there was room to add more screens there and make it a multiplex.
I remember a projectionist Lester Prager telling me when it was a single screen it had an awesome CinemaScope screen with a very deep curve.
The Canarsie theatre is still open, is it the same one?
For many years after Loews closed the Boulevard it was operated by an independant who called it The Puerto Rico. They created 2 or 3 theatres in the balcony and kept the huge orchestra as it was. They presented live Spanish shows, I think in collaberation with the Commodore in Brooklyn. Many times they only ran movies in the upstairs cinemas because the main house was so big to heat and air condition.
I guess the prior twin is gone and the place might be just a shell inside.
Thats a shame, it is another village landmark. I spent many days there when I was in college seeing some great films.
Has the Waverly re-opened yet? I have not been to that part of town in a few months.
You have to add an s to it www.deadmalls.com, thanks this is an unreal site. Did you see on the page where the closed Loews sits, there is also another even older theatre rotting away? It is still shocking that the Loews closed, a 20-plex does not need a mall to draw business.
I know the owner of this theatre who has had it since the early 60’s. Except from years of being run down as a porno house, all of its art deco elements are still there. I saw the theatre with the porters cleaning lights on, and if it was painted and had new seats, screen and carpet wold be a mini gem almost as nice as the Loews Trylon. The marquee is so 1940’s it should have landmark status.
So find one and let them help preserve this treasure!!!!
No never been there but I used to be in the theatre business, both booking and operating and I hate to see the whole second run business dry up. There are alot of people who cant afford or wont pay $10 (NY price right now) to see a movie. The second run discount policy makes good use of theatres that were never palaces or first rate plexes. In NY second run is just about dead.
Wow thats a shame, many times at least the main auditourium is preserverd.
I was given a tour of this theatre by a projectionist friend around 1990. Words cant describe theatres like this. One thing I found ammusing is that the size of the main mens room could accomidate ten of todays multi-plex sized theatres. Each stall had its own sink and mirror. To say they dont make them like this anymore is an understatement.
I am confused, if all six theatres are on an upper floors what is where the auditorium once was?
I loved all of these theatres. I remember when Cinema 5 had the Cinema Manhasset on Long Island on the Miracle Mile. They would bring the big ones out there, advertising “direct from it’s smash 6 month engagement at Cinema 1”. These would be exclusive to Long Island. Cinema 1 and Cinema 2 had such prestige in the old days,they always played art films exclusive. Now they play commercial films with everyone else and art films day and date with The Angelika or another village location. Cinema 3 at The Plaza was indeed an elegant theatre. I remember a few times being one of 4 or 5 patrons in the place, but when they played good films they sold out. This also reminds me how when we think back on good films from years ago we remember saying “oh I saw that at The Music Hall, or I saw that at The Sutton”. Do we ever say “oh yeah I saw that at AMC’s 99 plex”?
So much could have been done with this theatre, not everyone who lives in Brooklyn wants to go to The Sheepsead Bay. On the weekend the exit is backed up onto the Belt Parkway.
Dont you find it hard to believe a 12-plex closing? I am suprised nobody else wanted to take over this theatre.
Number one with Carnige Hall, Lincoln Center and dozens of other smaller venues new York does not need another symphoney concert hall. Number two if you read the description this theatre was built as a cinema from nothing but a shell. What is it that you propose is converted into a concert hall? You obviously have little regard for motion picture theatres.
Is that slime all over the walls in the auditorium? They could film a horror movie in there which could infuse some cash toward the renovations.
This theatre was very similar to the original Loews Bay Terrace excpet that was built as a single and later twinned (excellent twiining 2 huge cinemas with balconies and drapes). I think if Loews Cineplex had not been in financial troubles they might have done something with this place. Some of the theatres they still have open are being given the UA treatment and being run into the ground.
The location across the street from a busy multiplex should also give it alot of free publicity. There are always audiences who will pay the first run prices, as well as the bargain movie goer. Even with 14 screens across the street, it is possible The Riviera will play some second run films that never even played at the multiplex across the road.
Very true but he had 3 screens at the Nova in a building he owned. The Coliseum had 4 cinemas in the balcony level. Maybe there was room to add more screens there and make it a multiplex.
When did this theatre stop showing movies?
When you read histories like this you wonder why anyone would seal off a balcony?
I was suprised he closed the Nova, I thought he owned the building.
How long was this theatre closed?