I have just found that this originally opened in around 1911 as the Electric Cinema. Within days it had been re-named Olympia Cinema. It became the Standard Cinema from 1912 and had a ‘straight’ pipe organ to acompany the silent films.
The Film Daily Yearbook;1930 edition lists the Amphion Theatre, 614 Ninth Avenue, Manhattan, New York with a seating capacity given as 578.
In the American Motion Picture Directory 1914-1915 there is an Amphion Theatre, Brooklyn listed at Bedford Avenue and Division Avenue. It is not listed under Brooklyn in the F.D.Y. of 1926 or subsequent editions, only the one in Manhattan.
In my opinion, the 500 seating capacity must have been on long benches to cram in as many as possible.
It was certainly a tiny cinema building, as seen in this April 2006 exterior view of the former Park Picture Theatre: http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/136386604/
After sitting empty and unused for the past 10 years or so, and surving plans to convert into a restaurant and tv studio, the New Gallery Cinema building is set to re-open on 28th April 2006 as a Habitat furnishings store.
The Wurlitzer organ (the 3rd oldest installation in the UK) has been preserved and has been restored to playable condition. It will be featured as an ‘occasional’ entertainment to shoppers. The opening day organist will be Richard Hills, followed the next day by Keith Beckingham and then Richard Hills again. Initially it is planned to have the Wurlitzer played at lunchtimes on Wednesday’s thru Sundays for the first 3 weeks of operation.
Listed as a Negro theatre in editions of Film Daily Yearbook; 1933 and 1940-1955, it was known as Bailey Royal Theatre, or Bailey’s Royal Theatre in the early 1940’s with a seating capacity given as 500.
The 1950 edition of F.D.Y. gives an increased seating capacity of 700 for the Royal Theatre. Also the address seems to have variated between 232 or 238 Auburn Avenue NE, Atlanta.
Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook;1941 edition with a seating capacity of 800. The 1943 edition of F.D.Y. gives a seating capacity of 500. In the 1950 edition it is listed with 800 seats again.
Photographed as the Cannon Ionic in the Summer of 1994:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/138342204/
Photographed in use as a snooker club in 1987:
http://flickr.com/photos/12494104@N00/137540465/
I have just found that this originally opened in around 1911 as the Electric Cinema. Within days it had been re-named Olympia Cinema. It became the Standard Cinema from 1912 and had a ‘straight’ pipe organ to acompany the silent films.
The Standard Cinema was equipped with a Christie 2Manual/8Ranks theatre organ in 1927. It was opened by Charles Willis.
A photograph of the shuttered former ABC, Hackney in the Summer of 1994:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/137710831/
Three views of the former Standard Super Cinema that I took in October 2004:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/137690777/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/137691083/
A view of the rear of the building:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/137691435/
A vintage 1928 photograph of the original facade of the Carlton Cinema:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/137554717/
Al; Thanks for adding further details to the Amphion Theatre’s (Manhattan & Brooklyn). Always good to read your interesting comments on this site.
Yes, I am based in London(South Tottenham in the North of the capitol). I read on your profile you are here too?
I will be in NYC in late May for 5 weeks, again checking out more theatres.
The Film Daily Yearbook;1930 edition lists the Amphion Theatre, 614 Ninth Avenue, Manhattan, New York with a seating capacity given as 578.
In the American Motion Picture Directory 1914-1915 there is an Amphion Theatre, Brooklyn listed at Bedford Avenue and Division Avenue. It is not listed under Brooklyn in the F.D.Y. of 1926 or subsequent editions, only the one in Manhattan.
A current (April 2006) view of what remains of the 1953 re-built facade of the former Carlton Cinema/ABC/ACE:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/136394362/
In my opinion, the 500 seating capacity must have been on long benches to cram in as many as possible.
It was certainly a tiny cinema building, as seen in this April 2006 exterior view of the former Park Picture Theatre:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/136386604/
The Lido Theatre is listed in the Film Daily Yearbook;1943 edition with a seating capacity given as 500.
A set of 4 photographs I took of the Rex Theatre in April 2006. It seems like the building is temporarily closed and under repair:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/136070467/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/136071319/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/136071977/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/136073921/
Two exterior photographs I took in April 2006:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/136058971/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/136059567/
Two exterior photographs I took of the exterior of the Genesis Cinema in April 2006:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/136048923/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/136049151/
After sitting empty and unused for the past 10 years or so, and surving plans to convert into a restaurant and tv studio, the New Gallery Cinema building is set to re-open on 28th April 2006 as a Habitat furnishings store.
The Wurlitzer organ (the 3rd oldest installation in the UK) has been preserved and has been restored to playable condition. It will be featured as an ‘occasional’ entertainment to shoppers. The opening day organist will be Richard Hills, followed the next day by Keith Beckingham and then Richard Hills again. Initially it is planned to have the Wurlitzer played at lunchtimes on Wednesday’s thru Sundays for the first 3 weeks of operation.
Listed as a Negro theatre in editions of Film Daily Yearbook; 1933 and 1940-1955, it was known as Bailey Royal Theatre, or Bailey’s Royal Theatre in the early 1940’s with a seating capacity given as 500.
The 1950 edition of F.D.Y. gives an increased seating capacity of 700 for the Royal Theatre. Also the address seems to have variated between 232 or 238 Auburn Avenue NE, Atlanta.
Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook;1941 edition with a seating capacity of 800. The 1943 edition of F.D.Y. gives a seating capacity of 500. In the 1950 edition it is listed with 800 seats again.
Photographed in September 2005:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/134952486/
Photographed in September 2005, just 3 months before closing:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/134952860/
Two photographs of the former Cieac Damrak Cinema taken in September 2005:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/134953298/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/134953732/
Two September 2005 photographs here:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/134954288/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/134954636/
Some photographs I took of the Cine Broadway in April 2006:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/131455675/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/131455879/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/131456044/
Some photos I took of the currently closed Teatro del Este in April 2006:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/131474348/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/131474762/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/131475045/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/131475284/
Some photographs I took of the Teatro Continental in April 2006:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/131446581/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/131446825
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/131447122/