RKO Keith's Richmond Hill Theatre
117-09 Hillside Avenue,
Richmond Hill,
NY
11418
117-09 Hillside Avenue,
Richmond Hill,
NY
11418
25 people
favorited this theater
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Here are some photographs I took of the RKO Keith’s Richmond Hill on a visit to the ‘The Museum of Sound Recording’ which was housed in the upstairs foyer area in July 2003:
Exterior view:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/118400483/
A closer view of the exterior:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/118400840/
The marquee, renovated after the location shoot of the movie “The Guru” in May 2001:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/118401244/
Auditorium from balcony:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/118401582/
View of side balcony:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/118403579/
Proscenium:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/118404201/
Close-up of side boxes:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/118404572/
Side-wall from the balcony:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/118405080/
Top of proscenium:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/118405374/
Detail on box front:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/118406262/
Foyer looking towards the entrance:
Foyer mirrored walls:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/118407330/
To promote his new film “The Ladies Man,” Jerry Lewis appeared on stage at this theater on July 13, 1961.
Yes, MartyBraun, thank you. Downtown Richmond Hill has always been special to me, and by posting your description of the RKO Keith Richmond Hill, you have made it even more special, and magical. Thank you.
Thanks Marty for your description. From the sound of it it’s almost exactly the way I remember it from 15 to 20 years ago, the last time I was in there.
See my post from April 2004 and August 2004, near the top of the messages for a description of how I remember it.
I stopped in this theater two nights ago while working in the neighborhood. (FDNY EMS Paramedic Lietenant) The security person let me tour the building unescorted once I convinced him I wasn’t doing a fire inspection and was only there to admire the architecture. A flea market was operating in the lobby with the beautiful terrazo floors still intact. I was confused when I entered the main seating area because the ceiling appeared very low. This area had been leveled off with a platform floor for the bingo parlour operation. Nervous old biddies fearing I was there to enforce fire code snuffed out their cigarettes as I passed. Once in the main area of the bingo parlour and out from under the balcony I could appreciate the true majesty of this theater. I used my flashlight to guide my way up to the balcony. From the balcony this is truly an incredible theater, even with seats missing, carpeting worn through to the concrete, and layers of dust on its chandeliers. If I had my digital camera I would have taken some images. It reminds me of the Queens Theater in Queens Village wich is also well preserved as a Gospel Church.
Wacky Eddie is with Mae West either in his dreams, or in the Twilight Zone ! While there, check under “C” for cinema, or “T” for troll !
Yeah, it’s unfortunate that they left actually, as they had big plans to renovate the theater I believe. The RKO Keiths Richmond Hill is far from a lost theater. Much of the original ornamentation is all still there, and even the sloped floor is still there. It needs a tremendous amount of work, but it’s not “lost”.
Actually, the owner even seems to have a little bit of interest in the building, as when they movie company uncovered the original marquee, and then left, the owners are “working” with it quite nicely.
Of course, renovations would only go as far as they would need to go at this point, as obviously they want to make money on their building, and there is no “need” to return the theater to it’s glory when it’s only being used as a bingo hall and flea market….but who knows, one day…..
I know what you mean. Tastes good to me ! That says a lot for Jahn’s in those days.
The last time I saw Jahn’s with any degree of liveliness was when I went there Saturday April 21, 1990.
Great photos, lostmemory. Thanks a lot !
Thanks. I’ve been there, as well as to Salerno’s to the north (last ate there Saturday Sept. 8, 1990) and Jahn’s to the south (Saturday April 4, 2004 : sadly, I’ve been to livelier and brighter funeral homes, compared to how it was then !)
It’s also a flea market, about which Bway may have something more to say.
A fun double bill of re-issues in April of 1964 played here
View link
A fun double bill of re-issues in April of 1964 played here
View link
Speaking of pictures.
<<http://www.richmondhillhistory.org/rhhollywood.html>>
shows some pictures ofm or near, the Keiths and Lefferts used in the movies over the last 15 years.
peter K’s picture <http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?31151>
permits an interesting aside comment. It shows a vintage Myrtle Avenue Trolley running between Richmond Hill to Ridgewood (placard). Interesting because there is always a lot of discussion whether certain theaters are in Queens or Brooklyn.
Yeah, yeah, I know guys. A blond moment.
Ciao and excelsior
‘Tonino
Christmas week 1960 every RKO nabe was showing a double bill of “Midnight Lace” starring Doris day and Rex Harrison and “College Confidential” with Steve Allen, Jayne Meadows, Walter Winchell and Mamie Van Doren. The ad also proclaimed “plan to spend New Years Eve at your favorite RKO”.
OK, thanks. I can research the film on the IMDb, mentioned by Warren in his post, six posts above this one.
Thanks, lostmemory. Do you know anything about “Chicken Every Sunday”, either film or radio program ?
Thanks, Warren. My dad remembers “Chicken Every Sunday” as a radio and perhaps also a TV show. I’ll have to ask him about it next time I see him.
I also didn’t know that “The Life of Riley” was a film, as well as a Gleason / Bendix TV show.
Thanks, Warren. It’s probably in the “I Have Often Walked …” column of the Queens Chronicle, in which are published images of familiar locales as they appeared many years ago.
Orlando, we look forward to your posts on what you mentioned above.
What is interesting about the restoration of the RKO Keith’s Richmond Hill’s marquee was that they didn’t realize it was all still back there when they were going to “recreate” it. When they ripped the covering from the marquee (that must have been installed in the 1950’s over the original), there was the old marquee in it’s former diamond in the rough glory. They then restored the old original marquee instead of recreating it. Thankfully, it now remains as such today.
I believe I read about this in a Richmond Hill website.
The marquee of the RKO Keith’s, Richmond Hill was restored by the filmakers of the 2002 comedy movie “The Guru”. It can be seen several times in the movie and also what appears to be what could have been the former manager’s office above the lobby which in the movie serves as the appartment Jimi Mistry moves into on his arrival in New York.
Later in the movie, you can see scenes that were shot in the lobby and auditorium of Loew’s 175th St.Theatre, Manhattan, NYC.
Early in 1968, just around the same time as the Bushwick And Prospect in Brooklyn and the Strand, Far Rockaway in Queens ceased to operate. I know the closing features of most Brooklyn Theatres and I will post this theatre’s “swan” songs in a few days.
I’m not sure if it was THE last, but Reflections in a Golden Eye was one of the final films to play here.
When did the RKO Keith’s Richmond Hill cease operations as a movie theatre? What was/were the final booking(s)?