When the theatre opened they listed it as being “fascinating”. I guess they were referring to the design. You never really expected the auditorium to be where it was when you entered.
I remember when they installed the new vertical in the late 50’s. Traffic really stopped on Steinway street. As far as it being more economical, per a prior posting, it was large, even tho it only said LOEWS. The letters were five or more neon lights in depth and could be illumated one at a time (top to bottom) or all together.
Floral Park was unique in that the street names were plants, flowers and the like. The exception was on the north side of Jericho Turnpike. Since the Floral was on the south side of Jericho the adjacent street should have carried a floral related name. Therefore, my presumption is, no, this was not the same theatre.
The only “t” named street that comes to mind is Tulip Avenue which is about a third of a mile west of the Floral site. If you really want to pursue it you could contact Village Hall. They may even have a historical society
It’s interesting that I posted my comment on Saturday and then watched Cinema 13 on NY PBS 13. At the end of the movie they announced that next week’s movie is Pat and Mike. I’ll have to make it a point to watch it.
Also, somebody mentioned the last theatre with a vertical. What about the Fantasy. And, in recent years they added one to the Greeport when they split up the old auditorium into a handful of theatres. As far as the simple neon style I believe the old Cambria and Laurelton had these. The big guns of, course were the Queens, Floral, Triboro, Valencia, Astoria, etc.etc,
My only experience at this theatre was a performance of Rocky. Although I don’t usually see movies first run this was an exception and, as a result, I had to stand on line. I couldn’t believe the audience got so worked up during the big fight scene that they were out of their seats cheering. Talk about a movie grabbing you.
Since I lived on Long Island most of the theatre excursions my family took me to were at the Music Hall, the Roxy or Loew’s State. Which of the latter had the fountain? I think I was once in the theatre to see Pat and Mike with Tracy and Hepburn. But my real recollection of the theatre was that it’s white neon name could be seen for a dozen or more blocks before you got there.
Although some people in their postings have referred to the auditorium as beautiful, the only time I was there as a young child for a mid week matinee I thought it was gray and bleak. I do remember the boxes and also little “windows” on either side of the procenium. I presume that had something to do with vaudeville where they displayed the identity of the act that was on.
I wss never in the Drake but was impressed to read one time that the owners would close the theatre for a week or two each year and give it a really thorough cleaning. Must have been a mom and pop shop.
As part of it’s attempt to operate theatres north of the Jamaica Av/ Jericho Tpk corridor Century had plans to build a free standing theatre on the north side of Hillside Av in Bellerose, Queens. I remember the bulletin board they erected which said “On this site will be built another link in the chain of Century theatres.” But that never happened when the theatre business went sour. I wonder if actual plans for this theatre were ever drawn up?
And what ever happened to all the Century ephemera? One of the sites on one of their Brooklyn theatres mentions a montage of all the marques of the Brooklyn theatres. Somewhere I have a couple of the theatre programs they mailed to your home.
Somewhere I saw a painting of the facade of the theatre. It was on some one of the other movie theatre sites, the name of which escapes me.
Also, it was planned that there would be a small multiplex in the shopping center King Kullen was opening outside of the village proper. UA went bankrupt and all that ever existed was the footprint.
As of 2/24 when I made my comment I hadn’t seen it. But sometimes the postings are listed in the wrong city and hard to track down,which I’ll do in time.
They worked day and night to get the original theatre open on the appointed date. One, night at about 10 PM and one man was laying the tile floor in the one auditorium. The opening was like three days away. I think they did make the deadline but not all auditoriums were online at first.
There are two problems with this theatre. Parking is one. They have limited parking of their own but have cut a deal with the neighboring Executive Plaza office building to use their space. A good solution. Who goes to a matinee on a weekday.
The other problem is the tiny lobby. When there is a crowd, crowd being defined as over twenty, you’re out in the elements and the marquee is just a small projection.
Because a stadium theatre opened just down the road, literally, the owners were forced to convert some of the theatres to stadium seating. But not all. Theatre number two is a big, traditional auditorium. That’s where the Silver Screen Classics are shown. They used to rotate between the multiplexes, Hickville Tuesday, Farmingdale Wed etc. Now it seems that every Monday in every Multiplex there is a classic. Now the price has doubled to $2.00.
Why is there no listing for the hard top Bay theatre. When I had to go to summer camp with the army we would weekend in Alex Bay. I was wandering around the street once time and came upon this good sized theatre. The doors were wide open. I never actually went back to see a performance if it was open. And I question that because there was a small neon sign which said Bay Theatre and had an arrow which was lying on the floor of the auditorium, leading me to believe the theatre was closed. In hind sight I’m sorry I never checked it out. Who would have thought that forty plus years later I’d find this site on my computer?
Well, the sign that a new cinema deluxe will be coming, after having been displayed for almost a year, is gone. I believe the reason is the new stadium theatre which just opened at the new Tanger Outlet which is only a stones throw away. I think they are going to bide their time. If they tear it down before opening a new complex they might just as well forget about it. All their patrons will have gone elsewhere. They seemed to have a pretty good crowd the other night when I went past.
The layout of the auditorium in the original single screen theatre.
The most desirable location center and the last dozen or so rows were railed off from the rest. The seats were luxurious and there was a premium admission price. This was the loge
It’s interesting that the executive offices of the chain that operated this theatre were next store to the theatre. I’d been in many Prudential houses in my day but it was sadly neglected to put it mildly.
The conversion to the PAC resulted in the loss of several dozen seats to accommodate the techie stuff needed for live performances.
The sound system for films is spectacular. This is such a jewel box of a space I’m glad is was rescued. Actually, the PAC has added to the right side of the original structure to provide a bar/reception area on the main level and offices on the balcony level.
The newowners had to completely rebuild the place. The previous owners illegally subdivided a couple of the auditoriums resulting in 10 houses, not the seven they had permits for. The town closed them down. Then the former owners removed EVERYTHING from the space. The new owners had to reequip the place. I think the total
auditorium count is 7 not 8.
My thought was that the Movieland name had nothing to do with the one used by BS Moss in Douglaston. I thought it might be associated with Movieland in Coram. But knowing that at least one lawyer was one of a group which owns the Coram house I would hope not.
As far as naming a theatre is concerned I think they could have chosen something better than Island Cinemas when the 16 plex in Holtsville was already well established.
This site is frought with misinformation. The RKO Babylon Twin was built at the same time as the other RKO twins. It was not on Sunrise Highway but on Merrick Rd (Montauk Highway). The last time I was in the area it was used as retail space. When first constructed as a twin it was, virtually, identical to the Twin in Rockville Centre. Short and stubby. In later years they added to the back making it long and narrow. No way was this in Copiague. I might buy Lindenhurst, but more probably West Babylon, just west of the South Bay.
All the new RKO twins were to debut at the same time but the opening on this one was delayed to they could complete the “lavish finishing touches”. Yes, that’s what the ad said. Since I lived fairly near there I drove over to take a look. They hadn’t even put on the roof. Lavishing finishing touches my …
The Skyway was small and seasonal. Remember, past it’s early days of fishing Greeport is a summer community. Even the current hard top closes after Labor day.
When the theatre opened they listed it as being “fascinating”. I guess they were referring to the design. You never really expected the auditorium to be where it was when you entered.
I remember when they installed the new vertical in the late 50’s. Traffic really stopped on Steinway street. As far as it being more economical, per a prior posting, it was large, even tho it only said LOEWS. The letters were five or more neon lights in depth and could be illumated one at a time (top to bottom) or all together.
Floral Park was unique in that the street names were plants, flowers and the like. The exception was on the north side of Jericho Turnpike. Since the Floral was on the south side of Jericho the adjacent street should have carried a floral related name. Therefore, my presumption is, no, this was not the same theatre.
The only “t” named street that comes to mind is Tulip Avenue which is about a third of a mile west of the Floral site. If you really want to pursue it you could contact Village Hall. They may even have a historical society
It’s interesting that I posted my comment on Saturday and then watched Cinema 13 on NY PBS 13. At the end of the movie they announced that next week’s movie is Pat and Mike. I’ll have to make it a point to watch it.
Also, somebody mentioned the last theatre with a vertical. What about the Fantasy. And, in recent years they added one to the Greeport when they split up the old auditorium into a handful of theatres. As far as the simple neon style I believe the old Cambria and Laurelton had these. The big guns of, course were the Queens, Floral, Triboro, Valencia, Astoria, etc.etc,
My only experience at this theatre was a performance of Rocky. Although I don’t usually see movies first run this was an exception and, as a result, I had to stand on line. I couldn’t believe the audience got so worked up during the big fight scene that they were out of their seats cheering. Talk about a movie grabbing you.
Since I lived on Long Island most of the theatre excursions my family took me to were at the Music Hall, the Roxy or Loew’s State. Which of the latter had the fountain? I think I was once in the theatre to see Pat and Mike with Tracy and Hepburn. But my real recollection of the theatre was that it’s white neon name could be seen for a dozen or more blocks before you got there.
Although some people in their postings have referred to the auditorium as beautiful, the only time I was there as a young child for a mid week matinee I thought it was gray and bleak. I do remember the boxes and also little “windows” on either side of the procenium. I presume that had something to do with vaudeville where they displayed the identity of the act that was on.
I wss never in the Drake but was impressed to read one time that the owners would close the theatre for a week or two each year and give it a really thorough cleaning. Must have been a mom and pop shop.
As part of it’s attempt to operate theatres north of the Jamaica Av/ Jericho Tpk corridor Century had plans to build a free standing theatre on the north side of Hillside Av in Bellerose, Queens. I remember the bulletin board they erected which said “On this site will be built another link in the chain of Century theatres.” But that never happened when the theatre business went sour. I wonder if actual plans for this theatre were ever drawn up?
And what ever happened to all the Century ephemera? One of the sites on one of their Brooklyn theatres mentions a montage of all the marques of the Brooklyn theatres. Somewhere I have a couple of the theatre programs they mailed to your home.
Somewhere I saw a painting of the facade of the theatre. It was on some one of the other movie theatre sites, the name of which escapes me.
Also, it was planned that there would be a small multiplex in the shopping center King Kullen was opening outside of the village proper. UA went bankrupt and all that ever existed was the footprint.
One interesting note on this, the manager was murdered on the premises. It seems he was “entertaining” after hours and ……
I remember the movie times listing a theatre in Point-O-Woods on Fire Island.
As of 2/24 when I made my comment I hadn’t seen it. But sometimes the postings are listed in the wrong city and hard to track down,which I’ll do in time.
They worked day and night to get the original theatre open on the appointed date. One, night at about 10 PM and one man was laying the tile floor in the one auditorium. The opening was like three days away. I think they did make the deadline but not all auditoriums were online at first.
There are two problems with this theatre. Parking is one. They have limited parking of their own but have cut a deal with the neighboring Executive Plaza office building to use their space. A good solution. Who goes to a matinee on a weekday.
The other problem is the tiny lobby. When there is a crowd, crowd being defined as over twenty, you’re out in the elements and the marquee is just a small projection.
Because a stadium theatre opened just down the road, literally, the owners were forced to convert some of the theatres to stadium seating. But not all. Theatre number two is a big, traditional auditorium. That’s where the Silver Screen Classics are shown. They used to rotate between the multiplexes, Hickville Tuesday, Farmingdale Wed etc. Now it seems that every Monday in every Multiplex there is a classic. Now the price has doubled to $2.00.
Why is there no listing for the hard top Bay theatre. When I had to go to summer camp with the army we would weekend in Alex Bay. I was wandering around the street once time and came upon this good sized theatre. The doors were wide open. I never actually went back to see a performance if it was open. And I question that because there was a small neon sign which said Bay Theatre and had an arrow which was lying on the floor of the auditorium, leading me to believe the theatre was closed. In hind sight I’m sorry I never checked it out. Who would have thought that forty plus years later I’d find this site on my computer?
Well, the sign that a new cinema deluxe will be coming, after having been displayed for almost a year, is gone. I believe the reason is the new stadium theatre which just opened at the new Tanger Outlet which is only a stones throw away. I think they are going to bide their time. If they tear it down before opening a new complex they might just as well forget about it. All their patrons will have gone elsewhere. They seemed to have a pretty good crowd the other night when I went past.
The layout of the auditorium in the original single screen theatre.
The most desirable location center and the last dozen or so rows were railed off from the rest. The seats were luxurious and there was a premium admission price. This was the loge
It’s interesting that the executive offices of the chain that operated this theatre were next store to the theatre. I’d been in many Prudential houses in my day but it was sadly neglected to put it mildly.
Which came first the Glen Cove or the Town. They were built side by side and looked identical from the outside.
The conversion to the PAC resulted in the loss of several dozen seats to accommodate the techie stuff needed for live performances.
The sound system for films is spectacular. This is such a jewel box of a space I’m glad is was rescued. Actually, the PAC has added to the right side of the original structure to provide a bar/reception area on the main level and offices on the balcony level.
The newowners had to completely rebuild the place. The previous owners illegally subdivided a couple of the auditoriums resulting in 10 houses, not the seven they had permits for. The town closed them down. Then the former owners removed EVERYTHING from the space. The new owners had to reequip the place. I think the total
auditorium count is 7 not 8.
My thought was that the Movieland name had nothing to do with the one used by BS Moss in Douglaston. I thought it might be associated with Movieland in Coram. But knowing that at least one lawyer was one of a group which owns the Coram house I would hope not.
As far as naming a theatre is concerned I think they could have chosen something better than Island Cinemas when the 16 plex in Holtsville was already well established.
This site is frought with misinformation. The RKO Babylon Twin was built at the same time as the other RKO twins. It was not on Sunrise Highway but on Merrick Rd (Montauk Highway). The last time I was in the area it was used as retail space. When first constructed as a twin it was, virtually, identical to the Twin in Rockville Centre. Short and stubby. In later years they added to the back making it long and narrow. No way was this in Copiague. I might buy Lindenhurst, but more probably West Babylon, just west of the South Bay.
All the new RKO twins were to debut at the same time but the opening on this one was delayed to they could complete the “lavish finishing touches”. Yes, that’s what the ad said. Since I lived fairly near there I drove over to take a look. They hadn’t even put on the roof. Lavishing finishing touches my …
The Skyway was small and seasonal. Remember, past it’s early days of fishing Greeport is a summer community. Even the current hard top closes after Labor day.