The Loew’s Metropolitan Theatre opened on 15th September 1918. It was not a ‘new build’, but a conversion by Thomas Lamb of the old Matthew’s Department Store that takes up virtually an entire city block. At the time of opening it was the largest theatre in Brooklyn (3,580 seats).
Both the Roxy Theater and the Liberty Theater were listed as operating in Film Daily Yearbook’s that I have, editions 1941-1950. The Roxy had a seating capacity of 300.
The Liberty Theater, located at 114 W. Main Street had a capacity of 750.
There is no listing for either of these theatre names in the 1941 Film Daily Yearbook, but in the 1943 and 1950 editions of F.D.Y. the Cameo is listed with 340 seats.
I see the CameoCenter website gives an opening year of 1940. In Film Daily Yearbooks that I have from 1941 there is only one Cameo Theatre listed but the address given is 619 E. Commerce Street. This Cameo is listed on Cinema Treasures /theaters/5553/ Has there been a re-numbering of the street and these are the same theatres?
The Film Daily Yearbook’s,1941 and 1943 give a seating capacity of 4,000. The Majestic was listed as being operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. through their subsidiary Hoblitzelle & O'Donnell. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. seating is given as 3,703.
The Aztec Theatre was done by a consortium of architects which included Meyer & Holler , so yes, the statement that Robert Kelly and R.O. Koenig designed the auditorium is most likely correct. The auditorium is in an atmosphric style, set in Mayan Revival styled surroundings.
The Film Daily Yearbook,1943 lists it as being operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. through their subsidiary Hoblitzelle & O'Donnell with a seating capacity given as 2,451.
This is the correct Ritz Cinema. It is common practice for the head of an architectural firm to take credit for work done by another member of the ‘team’. In the context of the headers on Cinema Treasures site they should read for this theatre: Architect: Bill O'Dwyer. Firm: Michael Scott & Associates.
The Kine. Yearbook,1944 gives the seating capacity as 977. Performances were once nightly and there were occasional Variety shows on the stage. The proscenium width was 30feet. It was operated by Western Cinemas of Dublin (later in the 1960’s known as Amalgamated Cinemas (Ireland) Ltd.). and was still listed as operating in the Kine. Yearbook, 1966 with a capacity of 822 seats.
Sorry I don’t have a closing date, but looking at the photo’s on the link given above, it was last used as a leisure centre, prior to standing derelict for a number of years and final demolition in the late 1990’s
Hi Jack,
Not doubting your local knowledge or the ‘natives’ but just to clarify a point. The F.D.Y. 1950 lists the Fairfax Theatre (1,000 seats) as being located at 211 S. Main Street.
I know that F.D.Y information can be un-reliable at times, but it is a good overall research tool. ie. In the 1941 and 1943 editions the East Point Theatre is listed as having 750 seats with the Russell just getting a listing with no further info (Read into that, that it was a new theatre where details hadn’t been provided, or it was the same theatre with a change of name and sloppy editing had let it go through twice). I think we will go with the latter on that.
The Fairfax seating capacity is given as 400 in the 1940’s editions of F.D.Y. but rises to 1,000 by 1950! As someone who does not know the area, or the buildings first hand I will leave this matter to your better judgement to clarify the situation. I hope thats ok with you?
I mention in the opening description that the Wurlitzer organ came from a theatre in Sacramento, California. I was originally installed in 1926 in the Majestic Theatre, Sacramento. CA and modified and enlarged for the Granada Tooting installation in 1931
As I stated in the opening description, it was operating as a gay male porn cinema, known as the Gaiety when I went there in 1976 (my first ever visit to the USA). Male strippers entertained between the movies, some were the ‘stars’ of the films being screened and there was a private space provided, where you could meet them after their act (for a price).
Opened as the Ritz Super Cinema in March 1935 with Helen Hayes and Brian Aherne starring in “What Every Woman Knows”, the original seating capacity was 1,508. The Ritz was badly damaged in an air raid in 1941 and didn’t re-open until October 1958.
It closed in 1984 but was re-opened under the control of the local Council in 1986 who leased it to Peter Walker a London businessman and cinema owner. Frustration over lack of funding for adding extra screens to be built on adjacent land ended Peter Walker’s lease and the cinema was taken over by Andrew West and then finally by Arrrow Cinemas. It closed on 11th April 1999 with the movie “L.A. Confidential”.
The Council put the building up for sale with a proposed use to build a multiplex, but there were no takers. In August 2001 the Ritz was demolished after being purchased by the Iceland supermarket chain who erected a new store on the site.
Jack;
Listed as the Russell Theatre in Film Daily Yearbook’s 1941-1950 (that I have) with a seating capacity of 660. The address given is 116 Jefferson Avenue (has there been a re-numbering?).
Also listed in F.D.Y. 1941-1950 is an East Point Theatre, 314 N. Church Street with 750 seats. Seems to me these are two different theatres.
Listed as the Riviera Theatre in Film Daily Yearbook’s that I have; editions 1941, 1943 and 1950. Seating capacity is given as 1,100 in the 1940’s and 606 in 1950.
Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook,1943 as being operated by Paramount Pictures Inc, through their subsidiary Mullins & Pinanski. The seating capacity is given as 1,000.
There are a couple of exterior photos 1. as the Capitol Theatre 2. as the Blue Mouse Theatre and an interior photo of the side wall and proscenium in the Theatre Historical Society of America publication ‘Marquee’ Volume 9 #3 which should be availbable from their archives. Details on their website http://www2.hawaii.edu/~angell/thsa/
In the same article there is an exterior and interior photo of the original Blue Mouse Theatre (ex Globe Theatre).
I do not have a date for demolition apart from the year 1977, but you may find more further details in the archives of the local newspaper or at a library/local history society.
The Loew’s Metropolitan Theatre opened on 15th September 1918. It was not a ‘new build’, but a conversion by Thomas Lamb of the old Matthew’s Department Store that takes up virtually an entire city block. At the time of opening it was the largest theatre in Brooklyn (3,580 seats).
The Hope Theatre became Loew’s Melba Theatre when that circuit took control in around 1926/27.
Seating capacity for the Roxy Theater in 1950 is given as 380.
Both the Roxy Theater and the Liberty Theater were listed as operating in Film Daily Yearbook’s that I have, editions 1941-1950. The Roxy had a seating capacity of 300.
The Liberty Theater, located at 114 W. Main Street had a capacity of 750.
There is no listing for either of these theatre names in the 1941 Film Daily Yearbook, but in the 1943 and 1950 editions of F.D.Y. the Cameo is listed with 340 seats.
I see the CameoCenter website gives an opening year of 1940. In Film Daily Yearbooks that I have from 1941 there is only one Cameo Theatre listed but the address given is 619 E. Commerce Street. This Cameo is listed on Cinema Treasures /theaters/5553/ Has there been a re-numbering of the street and these are the same theatres?
The Majestic Theatre opened in April 1929.
The Film Daily Yearbook’s,1941 and 1943 give a seating capacity of 4,000. The Majestic was listed as being operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. through their subsidiary Hoblitzelle & O'Donnell. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. seating is given as 3,703.
The Aztec Theatre was done by a consortium of architects which included Meyer & Holler , so yes, the statement that Robert Kelly and R.O. Koenig designed the auditorium is most likely correct. The auditorium is in an atmosphric style, set in Mayan Revival styled surroundings.
The Film Daily Yearbook,1943 lists it as being operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. through their subsidiary Hoblitzelle & O'Donnell with a seating capacity given as 2,451.
This is the correct Ritz Cinema. It is common practice for the head of an architectural firm to take credit for work done by another member of the ‘team’. In the context of the headers on Cinema Treasures site they should read for this theatre: Architect: Bill O'Dwyer. Firm: Michael Scott & Associates.
The Kine. Yearbook,1944 gives the seating capacity as 977. Performances were once nightly and there were occasional Variety shows on the stage. The proscenium width was 30feet. It was operated by Western Cinemas of Dublin (later in the 1960’s known as Amalgamated Cinemas (Ireland) Ltd.). and was still listed as operating in the Kine. Yearbook, 1966 with a capacity of 822 seats.
Sorry I don’t have a closing date, but looking at the photo’s on the link given above, it was last used as a leisure centre, prior to standing derelict for a number of years and final demolition in the late 1990’s
Gerald,
I agree with you. Must have been a mis-print in the F.D.Y. Thanks for clearing this up.
Hi Jack,
Not doubting your local knowledge or the ‘natives’ but just to clarify a point. The F.D.Y. 1950 lists the Fairfax Theatre (1,000 seats) as being located at 211 S. Main Street.
I know that F.D.Y information can be un-reliable at times, but it is a good overall research tool. ie. In the 1941 and 1943 editions the East Point Theatre is listed as having 750 seats with the Russell just getting a listing with no further info (Read into that, that it was a new theatre where details hadn’t been provided, or it was the same theatre with a change of name and sloppy editing had let it go through twice). I think we will go with the latter on that.
The Fairfax seating capacity is given as 400 in the 1940’s editions of F.D.Y. but rises to 1,000 by 1950! As someone who does not know the area, or the buildings first hand I will leave this matter to your better judgement to clarify the situation. I hope thats ok with you?
The seating capacity of the Mars Theatre was 1,472, as listed in the 1941 edition of Film Daily Yearbook.
I mention in the opening description that the Wurlitzer organ came from a theatre in Sacramento, California. I was originally installed in 1926 in the Majestic Theatre, Sacramento. CA and modified and enlarged for the Granada Tooting installation in 1931
As I stated in the opening description, it was operating as a gay male porn cinema, known as the Gaiety when I went there in 1976 (my first ever visit to the USA). Male strippers entertained between the movies, some were the ‘stars’ of the films being screened and there was a private space provided, where you could meet them after their act (for a price).
Gerald;
The Film Daily Yearbook, 1950 gives the address as 22 Broadway, Newport, RI. Has there been a re-numbering of the street?
Niles is now a district incorporated in the town of Freemont. The Niles Theatre is listed in Film Daily Yearbook’s that I have 1941-1952.
Opened as the Ritz Super Cinema in March 1935 with Helen Hayes and Brian Aherne starring in “What Every Woman Knows”, the original seating capacity was 1,508. The Ritz was badly damaged in an air raid in 1941 and didn’t re-open until October 1958.
It closed in 1984 but was re-opened under the control of the local Council in 1986 who leased it to Peter Walker a London businessman and cinema owner. Frustration over lack of funding for adding extra screens to be built on adjacent land ended Peter Walker’s lease and the cinema was taken over by Andrew West and then finally by Arrrow Cinemas. It closed on 11th April 1999 with the movie “L.A. Confidential”.
The Council put the building up for sale with a proposed use to build a multiplex, but there were no takers. In August 2001 the Ritz was demolished after being purchased by the Iceland supermarket chain who erected a new store on the site.
Jack;
Listed as the Russell Theatre in Film Daily Yearbook’s 1941-1950 (that I have) with a seating capacity of 660. The address given is 116 Jefferson Avenue (has there been a re-numbering?).
Also listed in F.D.Y. 1941-1950 is an East Point Theatre, 314 N. Church Street with 750 seats. Seems to me these are two different theatres.
Listed in Film Daily Yearbook’s 1941-1950 (editions that I have) with a seating capacity of 600.
The 4th Avenue Theatre opened in May 1947.
Thanks Irv, I will keep a look out for that book.
Listed as the Riviera Theatre in Film Daily Yearbook’s that I have; editions 1941, 1943 and 1950. Seating capacity is given as 1,100 in the 1940’s and 606 in 1950.
Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook,1943 as being operated by Paramount Pictures Inc, through their subsidiary Mullins & Pinanski. The seating capacity is given as 1,000.
There are a couple of exterior photos 1. as the Capitol Theatre 2. as the Blue Mouse Theatre and an interior photo of the side wall and proscenium in the Theatre Historical Society of America publication ‘Marquee’ Volume 9 #3 which should be availbable from their archives. Details on their website http://www2.hawaii.edu/~angell/thsa/
In the same article there is an exterior and interior photo of the original Blue Mouse Theatre (ex Globe Theatre).
I do not have a date for demolition apart from the year 1977, but you may find more further details in the archives of the local newspaper or at a library/local history society.