Jackson Heights Cinema
40-31 82nd Street,
Jackson Heights,
NY
11373
40-31 82nd Street,
Jackson Heights,
NY
11373
11 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 139 comments
May 13, 2012 New York Times interview with current owner.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/nyregion/gone-hollywood-bollywood-theater-in-queens-still-struggles.html?_r=1&smid=tw-nytimes&seid=auto
As kids, we used to eat in the great Kosher deli next door, then see a movie at the Jackson. Here’s a list of movies I saw there: The Long Gray Line, Kiss Me, Kate (3D), Dial M for Murder (3D), Ben Hur, Vertigo, Porgy and Bess, Ship of Fools, Judgment at Nuremburg, Freud.
“Jackson Heights Triplex” would be more specific. “Jackson Triplex” could be in Jackson, Mississippi!
It’s odd that it’s still being advertised as Jackson Triplex, since the 2010 Daily News story specifically said it was being renamed Jackson Heights Cinema. Did they perhaps delay the renaming until the new equipment, also referred to in that story, was installed?
Yes they are biligual. Also, they will be running 3-D soon. They are starting major upgrades to the equipment next week.
I saw some movies here in the 90’s when I lived in Queens. Always loved the place and thought it was fortunate to have been designed the way it is (with the stadium seating at the rear) which made it possible to triplex without disturbing the main auditorium.
I can’t seem to open the Jackson Heights Cinema website. Theater still seems to be open, however and listed on moviefone. Seems that one of the screens may have a split schedule between two different films… and the showtimes seem really tight considering length of the movies playing. I suppose not being part of a chain, there’s probably a minimal amount of trailers and none of those annoying “Sneak Peak” type of pre-show video programs you get at Regal and Clearview.
Anyway…
Here’s a 2007 shot of the marquee and entrance.
Found this on a Facebook group dedicated to photos and memories of growing up in and around Queens, mostly Corona, Elmhurst and Jackson Heights.
Does anyone remember seeing Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder at the Jackson in the 1950s? If so, was it screened in 2D or 3D? I seem to recall it being shown in 3D ..
New name is Jackson Heights Cinema. Website is http://www.jacksonheightscinema.com/ and phone is (718) 205-5100.
I am elated to hear the news of the Jackson Triplex’s new lease on life. I am from the Four Borough Preservation Alliance, Queens Preservation Council, and Rego-Forest Preservation Council, and I have a vast interest in Queens preservation; particularly theaters. My research and advocacy by establishing Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre led to its Individual Landmark status on Jan 12, 2010. I am willing to accomplish the same for the Jackson Theatre, by submitting an RFE form and accompanying research (including primary sources) to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (City agency), and help the owner acquire grants through the State & National Register of Historic Places and NY Landmarks Conservancy (non-profit), for example.
I sent you a detailed e-mail around 2 weeks ago, concerning the Jackson Theatre and Eagle/Earle Theatre. Please add to your safe contacts list. It may have ended up in spam. We are both young advocates with similar interests, and should correspond with each other and meet with the new operator of the Jackson Theatre. Please post a comment on this forum as well as send me an e-mail, and we will test if it’s being transmitted successfully.
The theater has reopened!
I received a phone call last night from a friend in Jackson Heights, she told me that the Triplex was open, under new management and a lease renewal. I immediately made my way to the theater to greet the owners. Upon arriving I noticed a camera crew interviewing the new owner of the theater, a middle aged Indian man. I approached one of them and expressed my appreciation for their vested interest in trying to restore the theater. He said it was an arduous undertaking, but they renewed the lease for five more years and they are working on making it a landmark. Wink
Reparations and renovations are already underway, (they’ve added carpeting and painted the walls in the lobby) and the theater will have it’s “official opening” this Saturday. I thought this would be of interest to everyone on the forum.
On another note, I am working in conjunction with owner’s son to premiere my film at the theater, we are planning on having a red carpet screening (he’s even willing to close the theater down just for this event). It would be great to have support from the community for this, as it is probably the first time something like this is attempted at the theater. We are thinking June 18.
This has been a childhood dream of mine and now its come true. I get a second chance at screening my first feature film in the theater that cultivated my love for film in the first place.
The name of the film is ‘The Electro Wars'
You can find more information on it here: www.theelectrowars.com
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I grew up in Jackson Heights my whole life, I am now 26 years old, and I am still very fond of the neighborhood. The subject matter in the film appeals to a younger demographic, and it has the support from many of them in the community, it would be a great event to bring publicity to the theater, give it a second life. I am actually screening a preview of the film in Amsterdam tomorrow and then in Vegas next week, but there has not been a NYC screening as of yet.
What will the theater reopen as? A movie theater developed with creativity with community spaces could foster jobs. A revitalized theater that respects the historic ornate craftsmanship is what Jackson Heights and all of Queens needs. Please let us know, so we can contribute in any way possible. I am aware of funding sources. Thank you!
The Jackson will reopen within the next 2 weeks……….
Hi Everyone! Any updates on the Jackson Theatre? It must be creatively and adaptively reused, and preserved by a party who thinks “outside of the box” and values community, before it’s too late. Please post here and e-mail
Yes, that sounds familiar. There was one on either side on Roosevelt on 82nd right?
You are right tinseltoes. I had to recall my memories of youth
The Colony operated under the Brant’s banner
There was another theater in Jackson Hts (NOT the Corona Plaza) up until at least the late 80’s. Anybody know what it was called?
I am unsure of the real estate price on leasing a theater such as the Jackson Triplex. I would need to do more research. I also suggest contacting the Jackson Heights Beautification Group to find out more specifics, and they will refer you to the necessary party/parties: http://www.jhbg.org/
What do you plan on using the theater for? A combination of films and performing arts?
For the long-term success of the theater, and its state of preservation and feasibility, I recommend consistently keeping in touch with experienced preservation non-profits including the Historic Districts Council, www.hdc.org (Exec. Dir. Simeon Bankoff), NY Landmarks Conservancy (Pres. Peg Breen or Community Outreach Manager Andrea Goldwyn, or Program Coordinator Karen Ansis), Four Borough Preservation Alliance (I am Queens VP of the Corp, and Raul Rothblatt is the Exec. Dir), National Trust For Historic Preservation, Theatre Historical Society of America (Pres. Karen Noonan, NYC Regional Rep Orlando Lopes). The NY Landmarks Conservancy has a number of grant programs for the facade and interior, which property owners can utilize at the Conservancy’s discretion: http://www.nylandmarks.org/ One such funding program that we should explore is the Queens Historic Properties Fund: View link
Another superb idea is as follows. If the property is proposed for the NY State Historic Preservation Office’s “State & Nat'l Register of Historic Places,” and is deemed eligible for listing by a professional SHPO regional surveyor, it would be your option to support it, and apply for tax credits &/or matching grants, which would be advantageous in restoring the facade and interior features, and upgrading the theater’s technical aspects, while respecting its overall historic integrity. You would likely save significant pocket money. It would also grant historic recognition. The website which includes links to various options is as follows. This link includes the nomination forms that can be downloaded: View link In this case, the SHPO regional representative is Virginia Bartos: .ny.us & (518) 237-8643 ext. 3256.
The League of Historic American Theatres can connect theater owners to rehabilitation experts, with a yearly membership: http://www.lhat.org/programs_services.asp The LHAT’s Exec. Dir. Fran Holden can be reached at (410) 659-9533 &
In the long run, significant pocket money can also be saved by seeking truly passionate volunteers to perform necessary work. Great models of success are:
A. Loew’s Jersey: http://www.loewsjersey.org/restore/index.php (Best example)
B. Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda: http://www.rivieratheatre.org/ (History link has success story)
C. Landmark Theatre in Syracuse: http://landmarktheatre.org/history.html
D. Capitol Theatre Center For Performing Arts in Rome, NY: http://www.romecapitol.com/restoration.html
If you would like to introduce an artistic platform to the theatre i.e. a performing arts space (besides the film aspect), then consulting with the Queens Council on the Arts may be advantageous. They mention related programs that may also be beneficial: http://www.queenscouncilarts.org/
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on all of the above, as well as learning more about your vision. Please feel free to contact me via e-mail at
Out of curiosity, how much might it cost to rent or lease a theater like this? What would operating costs be like on a daily or monthly basis, initial renovations aside of course. I haven’t been to this theater in about 2 years and I know it could use some elbow grease to buff it up. I’d love to start a small business in the next year or so and have had many a daydream about a small theater like this one. I’ve lived in Jackson Heights all my life and would love to stay in my own backyard.
As part of a preservation and revitalize campaign, can some of my fellow theater enthusiasts assist me? I would appreciate high-quality exterior and interior photos, which illustrate the Italian Renaissance style of the Jackson Triplex, and Art Deco style of the Eagle/Earle Theatre. Photos of the streetscape which show them as a central unit of a commercial complex, and wide-angles and details of the facades would be great, as I’d like to feature them on flickr and give you credit.
Also, any historic photos and newspaper clippings, which would strengthen our preservation cause, would be much-appreciated. Please e-mail me at
Thank you,
Michael Perlman
Four Borough Preservation Alliance Corp, Queens VP
Rego-Forest Preservation Council, Chair
I think most of the inteiror is still intect .The triplexing was done with minimun costs. The ceiling is glorious to to behold
Hi Bway, I’ve seen photos posted on this page and they were pretty amazing. I don’t know if the links still work, but other comments above implied that most of the interior was still there. I’m acutally busy at work righ now and don’t have the time to investigate, but I intend to. :–)
I don’t believe so. The Ridgewood was pretty ornate on the inside. Granted a lot was lost over the years inside in the Ridgewood, but a lot remains too. but what remains inside of the Jackson? Any interior photos (current or recent)?
Isn’t this theater much more adorned and architecturally significant than the Ridgewood? Certainly it is on the inside. The danger, of course, is the familiar “economic hardship” that the owner can claim. This would be an incredible shame to lose this beautiful theater.