Touro College now occupies the entire second floor space, where the balcony and bathrooms used to be in the former RKO Century Kingsway Theatre. It looks like the entire building is now fully occupied, it’s a shame we don’t have a theatre to go to anymore.
Theatre 3 is currently closed off from showing movies, one of the theatre employees had told me the roof over that auditorium had sprung some leaks and the ceiling tiles had started to fall down on the patrons. I also noticed scaffolding going up against the back wall of the theatre, so perhaps they are doing emergency roof repairs. My guess is they will not be able to find a buyer for this building if the roof is still leaky, they must shore up the leaks if they want to get the 4.5 million asking price.
It wasn’t until March of 2004 that the Fortway finally switched over from the old Pacer-Cats system to the much newer Radiant touch screen terminals, they even kept issuing the old Cineplex Odeon tickets for years after the merger with Loews in May of 98. When Loews Cineplex still had their contract with Moviefone, you were not able to pick up your moviefone tickets at the Fortway’s Box Office, but you could at the Alpine.
Passed by the Marboro yesterday it was still boarded up but one of the side doors looked unlocked, I guess there were squaters inside. The walls of the theatre have really become something of an eyesore because of all of the graffiti all over the walls, Regal painted over it once and now the graffiti is back.
I spoke with a former Loew’s State employee who now works at the Lincoln Square, she said the State will definitely be closing this summer, that is part of the reason she was transferred over to the Lincoln Square.
Times Square only remaing Loews Theatre will be the Ewalk on 42nd Street, which is one of their cash cows. When the State closes this summer it will only have been open to show movies for nine years, is that some sort of record for the shortest time a theatre was in operation?
Another article on the pending closure in the March 5, 2005 Home Reporter and Sunset News, The title reads: “It May Be ‘The Last Picture Show’ For Fortway if $4.5 Million Asking Price Attracts Developers”.
This is really a nice theatre that was chopped up into a multiplex in the 70’s and 80’s. Three auditoiums on the main floor and two more upstairs in the former balcony. It retains some of its original charm in the downstairs theatres. It’s a shame the upstairs theatres have ceiling panels hiding the original atmospheric elements. The Alpine on the other hand has none of its original elements left in any of the seven theatres, it must have been totaly gutted when the subdivision took place in a sad and ugly way.
The Fortway is also in a lot better shape than a lot of the other theatres to close recently in Southern Brooklyn, such as the Oriental, Kingsway & Marboro. The seats are in good condition, carpeting not ripped of stained, walls not crumbling away. This theatre may not have all the bells and whistles associated with newer theatres such as stadium seating, etc. it still was a pretty decent place to catch a flick on a Saturday night.
In one of the top windows above the doors is a New York City Buildings Department Permit, unfortunately it’s posted up too high to make out what it says.
According to the February 28th Issue of the Bay Ridge Courier, The Fortway theatre may close soon. Apparently Massey Knakal Realty has been shopping the property since January 27th, It’s asking price is 4.5 million dollars. The 33 x 160 two story theatre will be delivered vacant. Interest in the property so far has ranged from the City of New York wanting to construct a public school, to major big box retailers wanting to branch out to Brooklyn. The property holder will not be renewing its lease with Loews Cineplex which manages the theatre. It looks like the final curtain is imminent for the Fortway as a theatre. I will try to get there before it closes.
It depends on what the area is zoned for. UA Court Street is 11 stories tall, I doubt they can get away with building something that size right on Bay Parkway.
Urbitran was the architecture firm that were responsible for the renovation of the UA Sheepshead Bay Theatre, wonder if they will be doing this project as well?
There is a small hallway in the center, that slopes down. Off to the left of the hallway there are two large auditoriums numbers 1 & 2, To the right of the hallway are five much, much smaller theatres, numbers 3-7, the screens for these smaller theatres face a different direction than the two main ones. The Alpine never had a balcony so all the theatres are on one main level of the theatre.
Everyone,
“Memoirs of a Movie Palace” is available for loan from the New York Public Library, here is the info:
Memoirs of a Movie Palace
Christian Blackwood Productions, 1979
Call #: VTH 2832 M
1 videocassette (45 min.)
Summary: Before the proliferation of homogenized multiplex theaters, there existed the sumptuous and ornately otherworldly movie palaces. In Blackwoods’s nostalgic documentary, cameras record the worn and melancholic splendor of the Loew’s Kings Theater on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. Built just prior to the fateful 1929 Stock Market Crash, the theater conferred temporary royalty on its patrons during hard times and entertained with a bounteous moving picture feat of double features, cartoons, travelogues and serials. The affectionate (and sometimes tearful) reminiscences of loyal patrons are joined by those of the theater’s architect, its one-time manager and other former staff members including a projectionist, organist, candy seller, usher and children’s section matron. Archival footage, stills and clips from the movies shown at the Loew’s Kings offer a glimpse of the theater in its heyday. Today, the once beloved motion picture palace stands locked, abandoned and exhibiting severe deterioration.
Performers: Eli Wallach.
Credits: Producer, director, Christian Blackwood; writer, Elliott Stein.
Anyone with a New York Public Library Card would be able to check this program out, The branch that has it is the Donnell Library Center, located at: 20 West 53rd Street, off of Fifth Avenue, the phone # is 212-621-0618. They are showing it as currently checked in.
I was able to borrow it from them It’s an amazing program, well worth the trip to the library.
Bob – The only shots on the DVD of The Bellboy bus tour were of the Loew’s Premier, Loew’s Kings and the Loew’s 46th Street all in Brooklyn. It’s a shame the Paradise was not included, since we know footage exists.
I saw the special features part on “The Bellboy” DVD and the Loew’s 46th St. marquee they show is very simillar to the one the Loew’s Oriental had, except for the shape. By the looks of things I think the 46th St marquee is still there, underneath the furniture store sign. On a related note the arrangement of lights underneath the marquee of the 46th ST. is also the same way that the lights were at the Loew’s Oriental on 86th St.
To catch a glimpse of the old RKO Fordham check out the 1954 film “Marty” in the movie there is a scene right after Marty and Clara have coffee they walk right in front of this theatre under the marquee. The RKO letters are above the poster case and I can make out “Mickey Spillane” and “Ring of Fear” on one of the posters. I was able to match up this theatre with an old photo of the Fordham that I have. Earlier in the film you get to see the front of the RKO Chester on Boston Road as well.
Marty may have not played here but the front of the RKO Chester is visible in film “Marty” when the Marty and Clara leave the Stardust Ballroom for the first time they walk right in front of this theatre under the marquee. The RKO Chester name is quite visible in the backround. Later in the film they walk in front of the RKO Fordham Theatre as well.
I have a feeling any new theatre Regal Entertainment Group will open from now on will use the Regal Cinemas name, much like Loews Cineplex did with all their new theatres opening under the “Loews” banner.
Thanks for the info Organ-ized, I’ll try to see what I find out with some detective work next time I visit the Fortway to see a film there, hopefully I’ll be in the main auditorium!
Nothing at all, since the last time Regal sealed it with plywood boards. The only additions have been a ton of grafiti on the side of the theatre and where the front entrance is boarded up. Regal finally boarded the place up pretty well, so I don’t think there have been any more break in attempts. I doubt we will see anything happen until demolition begins next May.
I was there Tuesday the 29th and I feel I really feel quite privileged to have been there for the 75th Anniversary celebration and to have been in such magnificent movie palace surroundings. It was a night to remember! I really do hope the friends of the Loews succeed with the battle over the theatres lease issue.
Loews really should have put in the same type of marquee that the Ewalk, and 84th Street have to let patrons know what’s playing downstairs in the four cinemas. The State used to have a small type LED rolling one, but it was very hard to read and make out and often incorrect at times.
No a new marquee was not added. Just a change in the signage, basically all the old neon was taken off and a new big plastic sign that says “Loews Theatres” over the loews logo was put up instead, it’s now clearly visible as opposed to the old one, which you could hardly make out. The new sign is the same basic size and shape of the old one.
Touro College now occupies the entire second floor space, where the balcony and bathrooms used to be in the former RKO Century Kingsway Theatre. It looks like the entire building is now fully occupied, it’s a shame we don’t have a theatre to go to anymore.
Theatre 3 is currently closed off from showing movies, one of the theatre employees had told me the roof over that auditorium had sprung some leaks and the ceiling tiles had started to fall down on the patrons. I also noticed scaffolding going up against the back wall of the theatre, so perhaps they are doing emergency roof repairs. My guess is they will not be able to find a buyer for this building if the roof is still leaky, they must shore up the leaks if they want to get the 4.5 million asking price.
It wasn’t until March of 2004 that the Fortway finally switched over from the old Pacer-Cats system to the much newer Radiant touch screen terminals, they even kept issuing the old Cineplex Odeon tickets for years after the merger with Loews in May of 98. When Loews Cineplex still had their contract with Moviefone, you were not able to pick up your moviefone tickets at the Fortway’s Box Office, but you could at the Alpine.
Passed by the Marboro yesterday it was still boarded up but one of the side doors looked unlocked, I guess there were squaters inside. The walls of the theatre have really become something of an eyesore because of all of the graffiti all over the walls, Regal painted over it once and now the graffiti is back.
I spoke with a former Loew’s State employee who now works at the Lincoln Square, she said the State will definitely be closing this summer, that is part of the reason she was transferred over to the Lincoln Square.
Times Square only remaing Loews Theatre will be the Ewalk on 42nd Street, which is one of their cash cows. When the State closes this summer it will only have been open to show movies for nine years, is that some sort of record for the shortest time a theatre was in operation?
Another article on the pending closure in the March 5, 2005 Home Reporter and Sunset News, The title reads: “It May Be ‘The Last Picture Show’ For Fortway if $4.5 Million Asking Price Attracts Developers”.
This is really a nice theatre that was chopped up into a multiplex in the 70’s and 80’s. Three auditoiums on the main floor and two more upstairs in the former balcony. It retains some of its original charm in the downstairs theatres. It’s a shame the upstairs theatres have ceiling panels hiding the original atmospheric elements. The Alpine on the other hand has none of its original elements left in any of the seven theatres, it must have been totaly gutted when the subdivision took place in a sad and ugly way.
The Fortway is also in a lot better shape than a lot of the other theatres to close recently in Southern Brooklyn, such as the Oriental, Kingsway & Marboro. The seats are in good condition, carpeting not ripped of stained, walls not crumbling away. This theatre may not have all the bells and whistles associated with newer theatres such as stadium seating, etc. it still was a pretty decent place to catch a flick on a Saturday night.
In one of the top windows above the doors is a New York City Buildings Department Permit, unfortunately it’s posted up too high to make out what it says.
According to the February 28th Issue of the Bay Ridge Courier, The Fortway theatre may close soon. Apparently Massey Knakal Realty has been shopping the property since January 27th, It’s asking price is 4.5 million dollars. The 33 x 160 two story theatre will be delivered vacant. Interest in the property so far has ranged from the City of New York wanting to construct a public school, to major big box retailers wanting to branch out to Brooklyn. The property holder will not be renewing its lease with Loews Cineplex which manages the theatre. It looks like the final curtain is imminent for the Fortway as a theatre. I will try to get there before it closes.
It depends on what the area is zoned for. UA Court Street is 11 stories tall, I doubt they can get away with building something that size right on Bay Parkway.
Urbitran was the architecture firm that were responsible for the renovation of the UA Sheepshead Bay Theatre, wonder if they will be doing this project as well?
According to a recent article in the local Brooklyn papers, demolition of the Marboro is scheduled to begin in May of this year.
There is a small hallway in the center, that slopes down. Off to the left of the hallway there are two large auditoriums numbers 1 & 2, To the right of the hallway are five much, much smaller theatres, numbers 3-7, the screens for these smaller theatres face a different direction than the two main ones. The Alpine never had a balcony so all the theatres are on one main level of the theatre.
Everyone,
“Memoirs of a Movie Palace” is available for loan from the New York Public Library, here is the info:
Memoirs of a Movie Palace
Christian Blackwood Productions, 1979
Call #: VTH 2832 M
1 videocassette (45 min.)
Summary: Before the proliferation of homogenized multiplex theaters, there existed the sumptuous and ornately otherworldly movie palaces. In Blackwoods’s nostalgic documentary, cameras record the worn and melancholic splendor of the Loew’s Kings Theater on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. Built just prior to the fateful 1929 Stock Market Crash, the theater conferred temporary royalty on its patrons during hard times and entertained with a bounteous moving picture feat of double features, cartoons, travelogues and serials. The affectionate (and sometimes tearful) reminiscences of loyal patrons are joined by those of the theater’s architect, its one-time manager and other former staff members including a projectionist, organist, candy seller, usher and children’s section matron. Archival footage, stills and clips from the movies shown at the Loew’s Kings offer a glimpse of the theater in its heyday. Today, the once beloved motion picture palace stands locked, abandoned and exhibiting severe deterioration.
Performers: Eli Wallach.
Credits: Producer, director, Christian Blackwood; writer, Elliott Stein.
Anyone with a New York Public Library Card would be able to check this program out, The branch that has it is the Donnell Library Center, located at: 20 West 53rd Street, off of Fifth Avenue, the phone # is 212-621-0618. They are showing it as currently checked in.
I was able to borrow it from them It’s an amazing program, well worth the trip to the library.
Bob – The only shots on the DVD of The Bellboy bus tour were of the Loew’s Premier, Loew’s Kings and the Loew’s 46th Street all in Brooklyn. It’s a shame the Paradise was not included, since we know footage exists.
I saw the special features part on “The Bellboy” DVD and the Loew’s 46th St. marquee they show is very simillar to the one the Loew’s Oriental had, except for the shape. By the looks of things I think the 46th St marquee is still there, underneath the furniture store sign. On a related note the arrangement of lights underneath the marquee of the 46th ST. is also the same way that the lights were at the Loew’s Oriental on 86th St.
To catch a glimpse of the old RKO Fordham check out the 1954 film “Marty” in the movie there is a scene right after Marty and Clara have coffee they walk right in front of this theatre under the marquee. The RKO letters are above the poster case and I can make out “Mickey Spillane” and “Ring of Fear” on one of the posters. I was able to match up this theatre with an old photo of the Fordham that I have. Earlier in the film you get to see the front of the RKO Chester on Boston Road as well.
Marty may have not played here but the front of the RKO Chester is visible in film “Marty” when the Marty and Clara leave the Stardust Ballroom for the first time they walk right in front of this theatre under the marquee. The RKO Chester name is quite visible in the backround. Later in the film they walk in front of the RKO Fordham Theatre as well.
Bob – Wasn’t Forbidden Planet presented in Perspecta Stereo sound back in April 2002? I was there for that show and it was awesome!
I think vandals destroyed the original one, so its a new screen.
I have a feeling any new theatre Regal Entertainment Group will open from now on will use the Regal Cinemas name, much like Loews Cineplex did with all their new theatres opening under the “Loews” banner.
Thanks for the info Organ-ized, I’ll try to see what I find out with some detective work next time I visit the Fortway to see a film there, hopefully I’ll be in the main auditorium!
Nothing at all, since the last time Regal sealed it with plywood boards. The only additions have been a ton of grafiti on the side of the theatre and where the front entrance is boarded up. Regal finally boarded the place up pretty well, so I don’t think there have been any more break in attempts. I doubt we will see anything happen until demolition begins next May.
I was there Tuesday the 29th and I feel I really feel quite privileged to have been there for the 75th Anniversary celebration and to have been in such magnificent movie palace surroundings. It was a night to remember! I really do hope the friends of the Loews succeed with the battle over the theatres lease issue.
Loews really should have put in the same type of marquee that the Ewalk, and 84th Street have to let patrons know what’s playing downstairs in the four cinemas. The State used to have a small type LED rolling one, but it was very hard to read and make out and often incorrect at times.
Mikeoaklandpark,
No a new marquee was not added. Just a change in the signage, basically all the old neon was taken off and a new big plastic sign that says “Loews Theatres” over the loews logo was put up instead, it’s now clearly visible as opposed to the old one, which you could hardly make out. The new sign is the same basic size and shape of the old one.