RKO Greenpoint Theatre
825 Manhattan Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11222
825 Manhattan Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11222
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Interesting question Bway. A few thoughts come to mind.
Since it had become pretty rundown during its final years of existence, the physical plant may have been considered too deteriorated to be worth saving. Beyond that, there was certainly no organized “save the Greenpoint” group urging preservation at that time. (On landmarks issues accross the board, this was a very differebt era – especially in working class Greenpoint.)
Of greater significance was the fact that most of the Greenpoint was situated along Calyer St., which was and is commercial, and not Manhattan Ave. In developing the property for new commercial use, the easiest route to take involved tearing down the old building and then constructing two large stores – the A&P (now the gym) and the clothing store (originally Goodwins) – that had their main entrances on Calyer. (The Manhattan Ave. entrance to the clothing store is clearly a secondary point of entry.) Trying to adapt these new uses from the hulking old movie theater was probably considered to be a much less realistic alternative.
In contrast to the Greenpoint, most of the old Meserole lies along solidly residential Lorimer St. In ths case, it made far less sense to develop new commercial space fronting Lorimer St. via demolition and new construction, since this would conflict with Lorimer’s residential nature.
I wonder why they tore the theater down, instead of just converting it to retail.
Unfortunately, the Greenpoint was torn down, and is now a store.
I have a current (5 years ago) photo of the outside of the store, but can’t find it, but will look for it.
Dear Bway, any current pic’s of this moviehouse…I remember the loft’s candy store on the corner of Manhattan and Noble street. I vaguley remember seeing a movie in this moviehouse. I think it was a comedy with Jerry Lewis. but can’t remember the title…I can remember in 1966 or later that the RKO was still a working moviehouse.anniegirl
There’s a great photo of the Greenpoint on brooklynpix.com:
View link
Great to hear from you, Anniegirl,
Dear John,
You sure remember a lot about the RKO Greenpoint. I can still see that theater next to the Lofts Candy Store on Manhattan Ave at Noble Street. I only went to that Moviehouse twice prior to it’s demise. I loved going to Greenpoint and do some shopping and going to the Meserole also. Great Memories. Anniegirl
While I did not attend their appearance, I do recall seeing it heavily advertised both in front of the theater and on the local TV channel – WPIX – that ran old Three Stooges shorts and helped revive interest in the group. That show was hosted by “Officer” Joe Bolton, and was must-see TV for all of us eleven year olds.
By 1962, the Greenpoint had become a pretty rundown place. Rumors of its demise were widespread. So, when it did shut down for good, no one was surprised – or, frankly, that upset. (We, of course, still had the Meserole.)
By the way, does anyone remember exactly when the Greenpoint closed? (I could not find an answer in this thread.) The fatal day obviously occurred after 1962 and before 1966 when, as per the Buildings Dept., the demolition permit was granted. But does anyone remember a more specific date – or recall the last pictures shown?
The last picture that I remember viewing at the Greenpoint was Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson, which was released in 1960. It was one of the first movies that I was allowed to see by myself. Since I thoroughly enjoyed the film, I forgot about the time decided to see it again. At about 10 PM, I received a nudge on my shoulder from my father, who has been summoned by my very worried mother to retrieve me. We did, however, stay to see the rest of the film – and I was eventually permitted to go to the movies by myself again. (I probably did visit the Greenpoint after that, but nothing special sticks out in my memory.)
Finally, in searching the Building Dept. records for this address, I noted that the 1926 certificate of occupancy listed a capacity of 1,774, which is different from the 1,673 number noted at the top of this page. Since the two balconies were almost never used during the Greenpoint’s final decade of existence, its functional capacity was considerably lower.
On Friday January 26, 1962, the Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly-Joe DeRita) embarked on a three day promotional tour for their latest feature film, THE THREE STOOGES MEET HERCULES. They were accompanied by “The Herculean Giant” (almost 8 foot tall Dave Ballard) and popular DJ Clay Cole, who was one of the stars of the co-feature, TWIST AROUND THE CLOCK.
On Sunday January 28, they appeared at the RKO Greenpoint at 8:50 PM.
JOHN,
I THOUGHT IT WAS BOHACKS. MY MOM AND DAD USED TO GO SHOPPING THERE. MY DAD ALWAYS PARKED ACROSS THE STREET NEAR THE BANK AND WE STAYED IN THE CAR WHILE MY PARTENTS SHOPPED AND WE WERE GOOD KIDS IN THE CAR.. I REMEMBER MANHATTAN AVE AND ALL OF THE STORES. JOHN DO YOU REMEMBER THE DRESS STORE THAT WAS NEXT TO THE RKO. MM AUNTS WOULD BUY STOCKINGS IN THERE BUT I CANNOT REMEMBER THE NAME. IT DEFINATLEY WAS NOT RAINBOW SHOPS. IT HAD ANOTHER NAME IN THE 60’S.. BUT MY PARENTS WENT TO BUY MEAT AT TRUNZ. THE STORE WAS NEXT TO SAINT ANTHONY’S THEN THERE WAS A CARVEL STORE NEXT I THINK? THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES JOHN AND ALL..ANNIEGIRL
Wonderful picture, J. F. Lundy! I noticed that the supermarket that is now situated across the street from the bank was not yet a reality at that time. A few really ancient houses occupied that site.
By the way Butch, the supermarket across the street was a Bohacks, not an A&P. The latter was situated down the block from the bank and did feature two levels. Interestingly, when the A&P relocated, it moved into space that had previously been occupied by the old Greenpoint RKO. It is now a gym.
I believe the Stetson Hat sign survived for many years. I vaguely remember it in my younger years.
Again, thanks for the memories!
Haha. Really though, many of the theaters REALLY could used revamped introductions. This one of course especially so, but many of them don’t really give justice to the theaters they are introducing in the first paragraphs.
Did it really take two people to contribute the eight-word introduction…?
Thanks Butch, I sometimes long for some good memories of Greenpoint.
I created a book of memories that include pictures and comments of Williamsburgh, where I grew up and of coarse Greenpoint and all of my favorite stores and Moviehouses of Greenpoint, and friends. Thanks again. Anniegirl
Anniegirl, it was the A&P. they had upstairs & downstairs.
Does anyone know what Supermarket was across from the bank in the 60’s. It was either Bohack or A&P. I went there with my Parents but I can’t remember which one it was. I also remember that Trunz Meat Market was across from the Greenpoint Theater. And we went to the RKO Greenpoint Moviehouse quite often..Loved Greenpoint then in the 60’s. So many stores including the Hat and Glove Stores. anniegirl
Sorry for bad link. Try this one:
View link
Here is a photo circa 1925 showing Manhattan Avenue and an early marquee. It is summer time and the windows are out of convertible trolley cars, the fare is a nickel but the BRT is in receivership after the inflation of WW1 made it impossible to cover cost with the fixed fare.
View link
Photo coutesy of Fran Pfuhler’s Webshots trolley picture collection.
Thanks Lost Memory, Anniegirl here..Just to let you know I created a Book of Brooklyn Memories from the Brooklyn Pix site and also Birdseye view of Williamsburgh and Greenpoint neighborhood. I shared them with all of my daughter’s guests at her wedding 2 years ago…They were amazed at the photo’s and we discused the movies we visited at that time…Lot’s of fun then….anniegirl
Hi Everyone,
I collect pld photos of the Greenpoint area. I was wondering if anyone had any to share?
Thanks
Thanks John for the memories…Do u know that Gerke’s became a Catering Hall upstairs from the Bar..back in the 60’s…Funny how thgs change……anniegirl
Anniegirl, I also remember Gerke’s which, thanks to Cinema Treasures, I learned was the site of a long lost movie house – the Garden Theater – which included both the bar and the catering hall area. It closed in the late 1920’s and never made it past the silent era. (Competition from the Meserole was probably just too much of a problem.) I entered a few notes about Gerke’s on that page that you might find interesting. Talk soon.
Dear John, how right you are it was Peter Della’s..However I never went into that bar..I did go to the Triangle on Bedford and Nassau and to Gerke’s 0n Manhattan a few times. and yes time does march on…..anniegirl
Anniegirl, since Lorimer and McGuinness do not intersect, I think you are probably referring to the corner of Nassau and McGuinness, where Petey Della’s bar/restaurant was located. As I noted previously (in the Meserole thread), this was the place where many Greenpointers – myself included – had a meal and an (illegal) drink after enjoying our first date at either the Greenpoint or the Meserole. The old place is long gone; it is now part of the Evergreen Funeral Home! Thus the world moves on!
Thanks John, However I have not seen Teddy’s in ages since I was a young lady in my late teens….What Bar was on the corner of Loimer and McGuiness Blvd…..I vaguely remember a bar on the Corner……talk to you soon….anniegirl