dsslave, I was there as well for “The Omen”. (Left it off my list above.) That was summer 1976. My most memorable viewing experiences was in 1981, for John Water’s “Polyester”. Not only did we love the film, afterwards everybody else dropped or discarded their Odorama cards. Naturally, we were all “Grab ‘em!” ! Still have my original one, and it still smells. The Commack RKO snack bar served hot dogs…which was a little odd for a walk-in (non Drive In) theatres at the time. I believe that Evel Knevel movie is in all “dollar” DVD bins now. dsslave; how come no mentions of the Haupaugge theater on here? That was my “Rocky Horror” theater in the late 1970’s. I saw “Spinal Tap” at the Commack RKO. The Rockville Centre RKO Twin was a squat version of the Commack. I was there once a few years ago.
I saw “EARTHQUAKE” in Sensurround here, in 1974 ! This was a GREAT theater. In the 1980’s we went out of our way to go here, Saw the 1980’s re-release of “Metropolis”, “Return to OZ” (anyone remember that one?), “Little Shop of Horrors” , “Cape Fear”, and the last time I was there was in the 1990’s , that movie “Ransome” I think that was the name….a Ron Howard movie…..
In 1979, I was almost alone in the theater, watching the Bee Gees and Peter Frampton in “Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band” in this theater! At one point, the York (like the Whitman) was a “blind bid” theater and showed low budget “grindhouse” type movies? I also saw “Young Frankenstein” here in 1975, and in 1980, I saw “Zombie”.
When this was a “blaxploitation” theatre in the mid 1970’s, they showed “Abby”, a black version of The Exorcist! I believe this was the only theater on Long Island that showed it. This film was sued and yanked by Warner Brothers for being too close to The Exorcist as well, and was a rare movie for some 20 years! Does anyone know if this theater played “The Amityville Horror” (1979)? LOL!
I believe at one point, the Whitman was a “blind bid” theater. I remember in 1978 through 1980 or so (I was in high school), they showed super low budget 42nd Street type movies like “H.O.T.S.” “The Children”, “Screams of a Winter’s Night” (which Quentin Terantino showed at a festival in Los Angeles recently!)and obscure Joan Collins movies like “The Bitch”, “The Stud”—real garbage. These were really crappy movies that would not show anywhere else on Long Island. (But I went to see them anyway!). By 1980 or 1981 I saw “Dressed to Kill” there, and it was business as usual. I think the Big “H” Shopping center in Huntington Station was run by the same company? On another note: Long Island people: how come no mention of the Happauge Theatre? OR Commack Drive-In on here ??
I saw “Earthquake” in SENSUROUND at the 150 in 1974. No big deal. Now when I go into Best Buy and the have all those horrible booming speaker systems assaulting your ears…makes “Sensuround” sound like someone is typing on tin foil. Saw “Alien” and “Animal House” at the Syosset as well.
My grandparents lived around the corner. I recall my Grandmother asking my parents , “What’s the difference between "X” and “XXX” ? “ . LOL. I was never inside there but I love reading all this memories. I remember when in summer of 1976 "Squirm” was playing there. Wish someone had a nice clear photo of the front. I loved buying comic books and Mad magazines from that tiny newsstand to the left of the Benson all through the 1970’s. Oh boy has that neighborhood CHANGED!
The Smithtown Outdoor was actually better than the Commack Drive-In. In high school I saw some weird double bills there as well. Hard to believe I saw “I Drink Your Blood” there in 1979 . The movie was already 8 years old, pretty old even for a second billed movie! I saw “Halloween” there and as I recall, the outdoor was opened even in the WINTER! At the Indoor part, I think the only movies I saw in there was “Creepshow”, “Night Train to Terror” and “The Perils of Gwendolyn”. The snack bar was very 1960’s looking, and pretty big too. Does anyone know when this theater opened ?
The above poster w/ Pink Panther comment: Yes, it was odd. in the 1970’s (U.A.?) Theaters showed Pink Panther cartoons before any feature. I saw one before the 1978 version of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” at the Smithhaven Mall movie theatre. In hindsight, I’d rather see that than a Cingular or Coke commercial like they show today.
Movies I saw at Elwood: Yellow Submarine, 2001: A Space Odyssey, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, The Brood, Dick Tracy, Parasite (in 3-D). In the late 1960’s the Elwood Shopping Center had a Meat Farm type store called Ehlner & Pike. Their logo had a 3-D cow’s head on the sign…or something like that. On the right hand end of the strip of stores was a small “ma & pa” drugstore. I bought my Aurora Phantom of the Opera model kit from there. Across the street was: Friendly Frost appliences.
This theater opened in the late 1950’s. The first feature was a Frank Sinatra movie and the Northport High School Marching Band played. Longtime rumor had it that Frank Sinatra was actually there as well!
The theater closed in 1985 and the last feature to play there was Ken Russell’s “Crimes of Passion”. It then became some sort of “church” for a year, then an office space (that I do not think anyone has ever rented?). MOVIES I HAVE SEEN THERE: Escape from the Planet of the Apes, The Stepford Wives, The Love Bug, The Legend of Boggy Creek, The Towering Inferno, Hair, Midnight Express, Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror, Asylum, Arnold,The Eyes of Laura Mars and the above mentioned Grease/Saturday Night Fever double feature. The lobby had candy machines as well as a snack bar. Loved the Bonomo Turkish Taffy! The seats were UNCOMFORTABLE and not paddeed that well.
Movies I have seen at the Commack RKO Twin: Beast of Blood,Taste the Blood of Dracula, Spinal Tap, Angel Heart, Mel Brook’s Silent Movie, King Kong , King Kong Lives, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, When A Stranger Calls. Wow, that’s some time span! I did submit pix of the Commack RKO to this site and hope they will post them with the listing. I believe the theater closed in the late 1980’s? Didn’t everything leave us then?
dsslave, I was there as well for “The Omen”. (Left it off my list above.) That was summer 1976. My most memorable viewing experiences was in 1981, for John Water’s “Polyester”. Not only did we love the film, afterwards everybody else dropped or discarded their Odorama cards. Naturally, we were all “Grab ‘em!” ! Still have my original one, and it still smells. The Commack RKO snack bar served hot dogs…which was a little odd for a walk-in (non Drive In) theatres at the time. I believe that Evel Knevel movie is in all “dollar” DVD bins now. dsslave; how come no mentions of the Haupaugge theater on here? That was my “Rocky Horror” theater in the late 1970’s. I saw “Spinal Tap” at the Commack RKO. The Rockville Centre RKO Twin was a squat version of the Commack. I was there once a few years ago.
I saw “EARTHQUAKE” in Sensurround here, in 1974 ! This was a GREAT theater. In the 1980’s we went out of our way to go here, Saw the 1980’s re-release of “Metropolis”, “Return to OZ” (anyone remember that one?), “Little Shop of Horrors” , “Cape Fear”, and the last time I was there was in the 1990’s , that movie “Ransome” I think that was the name….a Ron Howard movie…..
The Mayfair had Rocky Horror?? Must have been the early 1980’s? How come the Hauppaugue Theater is not listed on this site??
I saw DEVO at The Calderone Concert Hall, right BEFORE “Whip It” became a top ten hit.
In 1979, I was almost alone in the theater, watching the Bee Gees and Peter Frampton in “Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band” in this theater! At one point, the York (like the Whitman) was a “blind bid” theater and showed low budget “grindhouse” type movies? I also saw “Young Frankenstein” here in 1975, and in 1980, I saw “Zombie”.
When this was a “blaxploitation” theatre in the mid 1970’s, they showed “Abby”, a black version of The Exorcist! I believe this was the only theater on Long Island that showed it. This film was sued and yanked by Warner Brothers for being too close to The Exorcist as well, and was a rare movie for some 20 years! Does anyone know if this theater played “The Amityville Horror” (1979)? LOL!
In the early 1980’s, I saw some art/revival movies: Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein, Christiane “F”, and some others….does anyone remember this?
I believe at one point, the Whitman was a “blind bid” theater. I remember in 1978 through 1980 or so (I was in high school), they showed super low budget 42nd Street type movies like “H.O.T.S.” “The Children”, “Screams of a Winter’s Night” (which Quentin Terantino showed at a festival in Los Angeles recently!)and obscure Joan Collins movies like “The Bitch”, “The Stud”—real garbage. These were really crappy movies that would not show anywhere else on Long Island. (But I went to see them anyway!). By 1980 or 1981 I saw “Dressed to Kill” there, and it was business as usual. I think the Big “H” Shopping center in Huntington Station was run by the same company? On another note: Long Island people: how come no mention of the Happauge Theatre? OR Commack Drive-In on here ??
I saw “Earthquake” in SENSUROUND at the 150 in 1974. No big deal. Now when I go into Best Buy and the have all those horrible booming speaker systems assaulting your ears…makes “Sensuround” sound like someone is typing on tin foil. Saw “Alien” and “Animal House” at the Syosset as well.
Flip-Flops, you rule!
My grandparents lived around the corner. I recall my Grandmother asking my parents , “What’s the difference between "X” and “XXX” ? “ . LOL. I was never inside there but I love reading all this memories. I remember when in summer of 1976 "Squirm” was playing there. Wish someone had a nice clear photo of the front. I loved buying comic books and Mad magazines from that tiny newsstand to the left of the Benson all through the 1970’s. Oh boy has that neighborhood CHANGED!
The Smithtown Outdoor was actually better than the Commack Drive-In. In high school I saw some weird double bills there as well. Hard to believe I saw “I Drink Your Blood” there in 1979 . The movie was already 8 years old, pretty old even for a second billed movie! I saw “Halloween” there and as I recall, the outdoor was opened even in the WINTER! At the Indoor part, I think the only movies I saw in there was “Creepshow”, “Night Train to Terror” and “The Perils of Gwendolyn”. The snack bar was very 1960’s looking, and pretty big too. Does anyone know when this theater opened ?
First movie I saw at this crappy “Plex: "Amityville: 3-D”. (1983). Yeah bad smells in there.
The above poster w/ Pink Panther comment: Yes, it was odd. in the 1970’s (U.A.?) Theaters showed Pink Panther cartoons before any feature. I saw one before the 1978 version of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” at the Smithhaven Mall movie theatre. In hindsight, I’d rather see that than a Cingular or Coke commercial like they show today.
Why would anyone book a kids birthday party at a movie theater? How is that “fun” or “special” ? Weird.
Movies I saw at Elwood: Yellow Submarine, 2001: A Space Odyssey, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, The Brood, Dick Tracy, Parasite (in 3-D). In the late 1960’s the Elwood Shopping Center had a Meat Farm type store called Ehlner & Pike. Their logo had a 3-D cow’s head on the sign…or something like that. On the right hand end of the strip of stores was a small “ma & pa” drugstore. I bought my Aurora Phantom of the Opera model kit from there. Across the street was: Friendly Frost appliences.
This theater opened in the late 1950’s. The first feature was a Frank Sinatra movie and the Northport High School Marching Band played. Longtime rumor had it that Frank Sinatra was actually there as well!
The theater closed in 1985 and the last feature to play there was Ken Russell’s “Crimes of Passion”. It then became some sort of “church” for a year, then an office space (that I do not think anyone has ever rented?). MOVIES I HAVE SEEN THERE: Escape from the Planet of the Apes, The Stepford Wives, The Love Bug, The Legend of Boggy Creek, The Towering Inferno, Hair, Midnight Express, Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror, Asylum, Arnold,The Eyes of Laura Mars and the above mentioned Grease/Saturday Night Fever double feature. The lobby had candy machines as well as a snack bar. Loved the Bonomo Turkish Taffy! The seats were UNCOMFORTABLE and not paddeed that well.
Movies I have seen at the Commack RKO Twin: Beast of Blood,Taste the Blood of Dracula, Spinal Tap, Angel Heart, Mel Brook’s Silent Movie, King Kong , King Kong Lives, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, When A Stranger Calls. Wow, that’s some time span! I did submit pix of the Commack RKO to this site and hope they will post them with the listing. I believe the theater closed in the late 1980’s? Didn’t everything leave us then?