Merrick Theater

Nice to see the facade of the building looking so pristine. When the Jamaica Avenue El was still in place you could see very little of the building and everything was grimy.

Thanks Warren, I’ve seen that particular image.

I’m interested because these appear to be the same murals that Eberson used in the Central Theater in Passaic, NJ. By the time I was going to the Central, they had been covered over with wallpaper.

I know it’s a long shot, but I would really like to see what they might have looked like.

Back in 1910 or so, in ritzy La Jolla, CA, the same kind of theater thrived, Warren. I once did a before & after photo feature on it in my old newspaper column. I’m not certain if it even had a name, but I made mention of local kids who’d sit up on tree branches in the rear just beyond a wooden fence to avoid paying the admission price.

The old “Merrick Theatre” is now a church. The organization that runs the church has renovated the building to its old grandure. They have maintained the interior design of the building. The orgranization also owns buildings on Merrick Blvd (betweetn the Bus Terminal and the main branch of the Queensboro Public Library) for use by the congregation and the public. I don’t know if they still hold tours of the Theatre but if you contact the organization that runs the Theatre/Church the’ll be happy to give a tour of the location.

That most unpleasant aroma detected by everyone on this site is the dung-like condescension with which you spray your knowledge upon all of us. We on this site enjoy the companionship of sharing our friendly knowledge of an era which will never be forgotten, but which will never return. But the way YOU do it seems to indicate that you mistakenly believe yourself superior to all of us. We know that’s just not true, simply from detecting your tone. And as for your threat —– don’t mess with a gay Italian from 50’s Brooklyn, ‘cause I got friends in Red Hook who’ll lay you out to whale-SHIT !!! Have a lovely day, but lock that bathroom door next time you ascend your throne.

this is where i saw the best of the wyatt earp movies. my darling clementine with henry fonda victor mature linda darnell walter brennan tim holt and cathy downs as clementine.

Mommie Dearest did not turn Joan into a monster. She Obviously had an ungrateful stepdaughter who had the nerve to put a good dress on a wire hanger and intrude on her most intimate moments. There was only room for one drama queen in that house and Christina Crawford wasn’t it. That is exactly why I have decided to keep toy dogs as pets and not children (at least until I am in my mid thirties and in need of a good publicity stunt). :)

The Merrick was still alive during the early 60’s. One of films that played there was “Whatever Happend To Baby Jane?‘ Guess who shows up for a showing but Joan Crawford herself! Given the redcarpet star treatment, Ms. Crawford held court at the Merrick"s lobby with many crowding fans about her. She went next door with her entourage to get something to eat at Teddy’s a Greek owned diner. A picture in Teddy’s hung for years showing Ms. Crawford haveing a burger deluxe drinking Pepsi with the owner Ted Mantelarios and other "Mildred Pierce” waitresses.

On 4/28/58 the Merrick advertised the exclusive Queens showing of “Saddle The Wind” starring Robert Taylor & Julie London. However the second Cinemascopic feature “The Deer Slayer” was playing all over town but mostly with a re-release of “The Song of Bernadette”. Was this a common practice to send a co-feature out with different main features.