This theater opened in 1939 after the previous theater on the site was destroyed in the 1938 storm. It was air conditioned with a Minneapolis Honeywell control system and run by Prudential from opening until United Artists took over circuit. It closed in the late 70’s, reopened as a single screen several years later in 80’s, closed again and reopened in 90’s as multi screen. Believe it was designed by Eberson’s office in subdued art deco style.
Quonset hut theater was on Main Road (Rte.25) in Mattituck opened circa 1947. Closed by 1960. Think it may be auto parts store today.
This theater opened in the former Boston Hotel on Surf Avenue in 1920. It replaced a large saloon at ground level. The hotel itself dated prior to 1890 and became unviable after the BRT subway/“L” lines provided cheap (nickel),fast access from the City as well as Queens and far away Brooklyn neighborhoods such as Bushwick. The saloon was closed by passage of the Volstead act in October 1919 which implemented the 18th Ammendment.
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~angell/thsa/archive.html is the URL for the THSA archieve. It holds the Loews, Inc. collection of photographs. They can supply you at a price prints of any Loews house from various periods pre dating the 1960’s.
I have located a photo of the theater showing part of the marquee and building facade. It was taken in May 1941. It was in operation at this time.
the photo shows a four storey building with a pool hall on the second floor front. South face of marquee reads:
Laugh Hit……..
Pirate of……..
Late News……..
Remainder of dotted lines is not shown in photo.
This is not the theater I was describing in a previous comment above which would be located to the north around a corner from this one.
I saw the first day of the re-issue run of “King Kong” (1933) at the Albee along with “Island of the Dead” (1945 release). This was also the first day of this new type screen. I have a very negative impression of this screen. Image was lacking in contrast and as I recall I got a headache. I would not go back to see another movie on this type screen.
I saw “Windjammer” in 1958 early on and found it very enjoyable. I was seated in the lower center balcony and found the detail of the subject (in which I had a close interest) quite good. The seams were somewhat annoying but the transition from normal to full aspect after the introduction was most spectacular and I still see it clearly in my mind’s eye.
The theater itself gave me the strong impression of being “tired” as I walked around before and during intermission. I knew it’s time was coming.
There was also a previous Empire Theater in Williamsburg located on Broadway near Bedford. It opened circa 1874 and must have changed names or closed by 1903.
I have a recollection of a theater in the old Tribune Buiding on Park Row.
Park Row was the old center of the newspaper business in NYC in the 19th Century and into the early 20th. This area was also a transportation hub in period 1890-1943 when Brooklyn trolleys and ‘L" trains ran over the Brooklyn Bridge and met the Manhattan 'L" system and Third Avenue Railway trolleys at Park Row near City Hall.
The theater I recall was built into the old cavernous press rooms of the Tribune Building with an entrance on the northside facing toward the Brooklyn Bridge. It had a small round marquee that appeared to be of late ‘30’s or early 40’s vintage. It may have been called the City Hall but I can’t remember with any certainty. The last time I remember it open was circa 1961.
During the WW2 era in New York City, Trans Lux also operated newsreel theaters at 33 50th Street, Madison Avenue at 60th Street and on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn at the Astor Theater building. Two theaters operating as Trans Lux showed regular feature films at 4th Ave. near 52nd Street and Madison at 85th Street.
I attended movies at the Albermarle many times in 40’s and early 5o’s. I don’t remember projection being under balcony. There was not enough clearance. I saw “Charlie McCarthy Detective” at a special Saturday morning matinee paid for by a local appliance store which sent passes to all the schools. I think it was ‘Sunset Stores" or maybe “Mad Dog Tyson”. Feature was shown with 7 cartoons and a Boy Scouts of America short in 16mm. They had a non union projectionist set up his own projector under the balcony on top of some boards over a couple of seats to throw the 16mm short up on the big screen. Used a long, long extension cord. I was sitting behind it to left. The main show followed the short and a short pitch from the merchant.
Another such matinee featured “Wake Island” and cartoons but no 16mm stuff.
The 1941 photolink above shows riggers removing a large old jewelers side walk clock in the foreground on Livingston St. It will be taken to Jacob Reiss Park in the Rockaways and be used there for several decades.
This photo looks down Flatbush Avenue circa 1951. Trolleys were gone from late spring ‘51. Shows FOX marquee and vertical which were colored faded copper color at this time.
This theater opened in 1939 after the previous theater on the site was destroyed in the 1938 storm. It was air conditioned with a Minneapolis Honeywell control system and run by Prudential from opening until United Artists took over circuit. It closed in the late 70’s, reopened as a single screen several years later in 80’s, closed again and reopened in 90’s as multi screen. Believe it was designed by Eberson’s office in subdued art deco style.
Quonset hut theater was on Main Road (Rte.25) in Mattituck opened circa 1947. Closed by 1960. Think it may be auto parts store today.
This theater opened in the former Boston Hotel on Surf Avenue in 1920. It replaced a large saloon at ground level. The hotel itself dated prior to 1890 and became unviable after the BRT subway/“L” lines provided cheap (nickel),fast access from the City as well as Queens and far away Brooklyn neighborhoods such as Bushwick. The saloon was closed by passage of the Volstead act in October 1919 which implemented the 18th Ammendment.
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~angell/thsa/archive.html is the URL for the THSA archieve. It holds the Loews, Inc. collection of photographs. They can supply you at a price prints of any Loews house from various periods pre dating the 1960’s.
I have located a photo of the theater showing part of the marquee and building facade. It was taken in May 1941. It was in operation at this time.
the photo shows a four storey building with a pool hall on the second floor front. South face of marquee reads:
Laugh Hit……..
Pirate of……..
Late News……..
Remainder of dotted lines is not shown in photo.
This is not the theater I was describing in a previous comment above which would be located to the north around a corner from this one.
I saw the first day of the re-issue run of “King Kong” (1933) at the Albee along with “Island of the Dead” (1945 release). This was also the first day of this new type screen. I have a very negative impression of this screen. Image was lacking in contrast and as I recall I got a headache. I would not go back to see another movie on this type screen.
I saw “Windjammer” in 1958 early on and found it very enjoyable. I was seated in the lower center balcony and found the detail of the subject (in which I had a close interest) quite good. The seams were somewhat annoying but the transition from normal to full aspect after the introduction was most spectacular and I still see it clearly in my mind’s eye.
The theater itself gave me the strong impression of being “tired” as I walked around before and during intermission. I knew it’s time was coming.
There was also a previous Empire Theater in Williamsburg located on Broadway near Bedford. It opened circa 1874 and must have changed names or closed by 1903.
Peter K.
I will send you a scan of the Empire marquee circa 1949-50 if you provide an e-mail address for transmission of the image to .
I have a recollection of a theater in the old Tribune Buiding on Park Row.
Park Row was the old center of the newspaper business in NYC in the 19th Century and into the early 20th. This area was also a transportation hub in period 1890-1943 when Brooklyn trolleys and ‘L" trains ran over the Brooklyn Bridge and met the Manhattan 'L" system and Third Avenue Railway trolleys at Park Row near City Hall.
The theater I recall was built into the old cavernous press rooms of the Tribune Building with an entrance on the northside facing toward the Brooklyn Bridge. It had a small round marquee that appeared to be of late ‘30’s or early 40’s vintage. It may have been called the City Hall but I can’t remember with any certainty. The last time I remember it open was circa 1961.
See a 1949 photo of yhe Apollo and other 125th St theaters by link below.
This is a photo of theaters.
During the WW2 era in New York City, Trans Lux also operated newsreel theaters at 33 50th Street, Madison Avenue at 60th Street and on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn at the Astor Theater building. Two theaters operating as Trans Lux showed regular feature films at 4th Ave. near 52nd Street and Madison at 85th Street.
That is the Mardi Gras. Caption above should read “lower left”.
I attended movies at the Albermarle many times in 40’s and early 5o’s. I don’t remember projection being under balcony. There was not enough clearance. I saw “Charlie McCarthy Detective” at a special Saturday morning matinee paid for by a local appliance store which sent passes to all the schools. I think it was ‘Sunset Stores" or maybe “Mad Dog Tyson”. Feature was shown with 7 cartoons and a Boy Scouts of America short in 16mm. They had a non union projectionist set up his own projector under the balcony on top of some boards over a couple of seats to throw the 16mm short up on the big screen. Used a long, long extension cord. I was sitting behind it to left. The main show followed the short and a short pitch from the merchant.
Another such matinee featured “Wake Island” and cartoons but no 16mm stuff.
1943 image of Gates frim Ralph Avenue click for photo.
The 1941 photolink above shows riggers removing a large old jewelers side walk clock in the foreground on Livingston St. It will be taken to Jacob Reiss Park in the Rockaways and be used there for several decades.
Tivol1 viewed from steps of Brooklyn Boro Hall March 1954
Linkto Tivoli
1941 photo of Melba:
Link to Melba
Tivoli Theater as it looked on March 18, 1954
linkto Tivoli
A circa 1935 photo of the Tivoli which is behind the Fulton El in this link:
Here is a link to a photograph of the Tivoli Theatre.
This photo from January 8,1928 shows Majestic, Strand amd Orpheum along with Fulton El. It was taken from a great height, perhaps the Fox Building?
Brooklyn Public Library
This is a photo of the Brighton Theater circa 1912. It was the second Brighton theater.
Brooklyn Public Library
This is a photo link showing Mardi Gras Theater vetical on Surf Avenue in 1937 during Tri-Cent Parade. Theater is on lower right.
The End. Photo link:
Brooklyn Public Library link
This photo looks down Flatbush Avenue circa 1951. Trolleys were gone from late spring ‘51. Shows FOX marquee and vertical which were colored faded copper color at this time.
Brooklyn Public Library link
I believe Minsky’s BurlyQ Theater may have been originally Ryan’s Crescent Theater.