Peter.K…….Ohhhhh…Dem Beattle’s! It took me awhile to put my finger on just what you were referring to. Uh, you see, I have this callous……:)
Peter .K…..I think you’ve hit upon a generational gap…. I’ll spend the remainder of the day translating your references to my calloused finger. As for meeting at the Madison, I’ll catch you over there after I write of my Parthenon days this weekend. Chat with you again by Tuesday.
Peter……Presently, I’m sitting back eating an eating an apple with one hand and clicking the ‘refresh’ key with the other. With the over two-thousand comments in the Ridgewood Theatre page, I find it easier to just remain at the bottom and refresh each of the seven times (today, so far) that my E-mail tone has sounded. Yesterday, I was getting a calloused finger from fully scrolling down to read your and Panzers interesting comments.
I submit that perhaps, ‘Cappy’ is now getting more recognition than he had, while living. As to the configuration of the wall separating the ‘other venue’s from the theatres balcony’… wow…if that wall could talk….especially the portion of which, backed the ‘infamous’ Third Balcony! (Circa ‘40/’50’s).
I’ll close this comment with gratitude toward you, Panzer and Lost Memory for your interesting exchanges. I’m flattered to think that my contribution had stimulated what I’m discovering is the true spirit of this site .Thank you all for making me feel a part of Cinema Treasures!.
Post script: While still composing the above, the latest three E-tones reveal a shifting interest to the Madison. I plan on writing of that updated Radio-Keith’s Orpheum chain theatre in due course….perhaps by way of the Parthenon, which like the .splendiferous Madison, it carried a Classical name. Oooops, 13th E-tone just sounded! I’ll respond to all, timely and appropriately.
Panzer 65…..thank you so much for you kind words. I relocated from Ridgewood in 1960 and in a 1967 visit I attended the Ridgewood and saw ‘the Sound of Music’. Consequently, I never knew the Ridgewood as a multi-screened theatre. Personally, from a nostalgic point of view, perhaps I’m glad I didn’t.
As for Cappy’s location; If, standing in front of the box office and looking to the right, one would see a single door. On the door was a large blue sign with the circular image with the words ‘Silver Dollar Club’. That club, which I never attended, was above Cappy’s.
I knew the size of the pool room approximated the theatre lobby. I would guess that Cappys back wall was adjacent to the second balcony and the Club wall, the ‘infamous’ third balcony’s back wall. But…come to think of it…the back walls of the aisles leading forward to both balcony’s probably served as a boundary wall for the Club and the Pool Room. Perhaps, this isn’t much help in figuring out the structural placements.. but…I do know both ‘enterprises’ were there. Let’s hope a more informed opinion may come from another member. I’ll close my architectural prowess by noting that the back wall of the pool room….was definitely not slanted!!!
As for the Grove Billiards, I don’t remember such. The only Grove I knew of was the Ridgewood Grove, alongside of the trolley tracks and ’El’. Note, I remember when it had a large fire in the early 1940’s. Perhaps another could enlarge on that event.
Peter…Thanks again for a quick and very welcome response. As for your query, Re: ‘Wheelchair’ …Yes, Richard Widmark, as the young tough and sadistic ’Johnny Udo’ did push the old lady down a flight of stairs…but only after pulling a phone line from the wall and tying her in. Her downward tumbling was accompanied by his repetitive jeering laughter. Remarkably, it was Widmark’s first film and even more noteworthy, that was the first scene shot when making the movie!
As for the upper floors of the Ridgewood; Cappy’s Pool Room was on the first landing. It was about the width and depth of the theatre lobby. I knew not the name of ‘Hank’s’. It might be supposed that Cappy… passed it on to Hank…. After Cappy might have… passed on… from eating all the spaghetti he used to heat and reheat on the radiator.
One the top landing was the ‘Silver Dollar Club’. As a young teen, I never attended it. It seemed to cater to fellows in their late teens and early 20’s.
As I reflect on my early movie days, it seems all the theatres in the Ridgewood area had a unique persona. And in my opinion, none projected a more balanced blend of a relaxed formality than the one that heralded its neighborhood name…. The Ridgewood!
The Ridgewood was structurally much larger than the Grandview, yet shared its warmth. The Madison was certainly more opulent. Serving as a happy medium between them, were the Parthenon, Glenwood and Oasis.
My first memories of the Ridgewood were the tugging arms of my father and oldest brother as we ascended the soft carpeted steps to the balcony. As I recall, the picture showing was ‘Tobacco Road’ (1941). Somehow, I related the plumes of cigar, cigarette and pipe tobacco swirling in the projectors beam of light as having to do with the movies plot. Ah, so much for the intellectual acumen of my five-year old mind.
Of the many times I attended the Ridgewood in the 1940’s, several highlights stand out. One was a Saturday matinee that substituted the half-dozen cartoons with an Amateur Contest. In it, an aspiring eleven year old Jeanette MacDonald screeched out a rather unconvincing rendition of ‘My Man’! Another Saturday afternoon feature which even prompted my Dad to come along, was the theatres ballyhoo of a Live Circus on stage. They should have instead, showed DeMille’s ‘Greatest Show on Earth’.
However, what I consider the best of their double bills was shown in the late 1940’s: ‘The Jolson Story’ playing with…‘Jolson Sings Again’. Kudos for Larry Parks!
As young teens, the above double bill’s resultant Jolson imitations were probably only surpassed by our echoing Richard Widmark. All of his high pitched wise cracks were jeeringly preceded with “Hey..Big Man†in ‘Kiss of Death’ (1947). After seeing and hearing ‘Johnny Udo’ on the Ridgewood’s screen, we ran outside the theatre and up one flight of steps to Cappy’s Pool Room. Cue sticks in hand, we tauntingly mimicked Widmark’s character. Trivia: How many of you remember the other establishment above the Ridgewood Theatre, circa 1940’s-’50’s?….Hmmm…how many remember Cappy’s?
Speaking of that era, and this is perhaps a comment on those times and the neighborhood’s quality of life. During those years, I occasionally saw several ‘cans’ of film left on the sidewalk outside the Ridgewood’s Box Office. They were apparently delivered in early hours for future showing. To my knowledge, those metal octagon shaped film cans apparently remained untouched till a staff member opened the theatre and brought them inside!
And such were the times in Ridgewood…. at the Ridgewood!
As I reflect on my early movie days, it seems all the theatres in the Ridgewood area had a unique persona. And in my opinion, none projected a more balanced blend of a relaxed formality than the one that heralded its neighborhood name…. The Ridgewood!
The Ridgewood was structurally much larger than the Grandview, yet shared its warmth. The Madison was certainly more opulent. Serving as a happy medium between them, were the Parthenon, Glenwood and Oasis.
My first memories of the Ridgewood were the tugging arms of my father and oldest brother as we ascended the soft carpeted steps to the balcony. As I recall, the picture showing was ‘Tobacco Road’ (1941). Somehow, I related the plumes of cigar, cigarette and pipe tobacco swirling in the projectors beam of light as having to do with the movies plot. Ah, so much for the intellectual acumen of my five-year old mind.
Of the many times I attended the Ridgewood in the 1940’s, several highlights stand out. One was a Saturday matinee that substituted the half-dozen cartoons with an Amateur Contest. In it, an aspiring eleven year old Jeanette MacDonald screeched out a rather unconvincing rendition of ‘My Man’! Another Saturday afternoon feature which even prompted my Dad to come along, was the theatres ballyhoo of a Live Circus on stage. They should have instead, showed DeMille’s ‘Greatest Show on Earth’.
However, what I consider the best of their double bills was shown in the late 1940’s: ‘The Jolson Story’ playing with…‘Jolson Sings Again’. Kudos for Larry Parks!
As young teens, the above double bill’s resultant Jolson imitations were probably only surpassed by our echoing Richard Widmark. All of his high pitched wise cracks were jeeringly preceded with “Hey..Big Man†in ‘Kiss of Death’ (1947). After seeing and hearing ‘Johnny Udo’ on the Ridgewood’s screen, we ran outside the theatre and up one flight of steps to Cappy’s Pool Room. Cue sticks in hand, we tauntingly mimicked Widmark’s character. Trivia: How many of you remember the other establishment above the Ridgewood Theatre, circa 1940’s-’50’s?….Hmmm…how many remember Cappy’s?
Speaking of that era, and this is perhaps a comment on those times and the neighborhood’s quality of life. During those years, I occasionally saw several ‘cans’ of film left on the sidewalk outside the Ridgewood’s Box Office. They were apparently delivered in early hours for future showing. To my knowledge, those metal octagon shaped film cans apparently remained untouched till a staff member opened the theatre and brought them inside!
And such were the times in Ridgewood…. at the Ridgewood!
Peter…thank you for your interest. As for Cornelia St. continuing through to Fresh Pond Rd. Well, it did and it didn’t! Name-wise, Cornelia ended at Forest Ave. When I lived at 67-01 Forest (corner of 68th Ave) what could have been construed as the continuation of Cornelia was actually named 68th Ave. A look at an area map shows the name Cornelia stopping at Forest Ave. About 200 feet to the left, toward the ‘El’ ,the street continues, but with the name of 68th Ave., for one block and then jogs back to the right by the Lutheran Church. At that point, it is again in alignment with Cornelia St.. 68th Ave then continues to Fresh Pond Rd.
Oddly, not following the example of Cornelia changing to 68th Ave at Forest, the jog back to the right at Fresh Pond, continues with the 68th Ave name to the Farmers Oval. Confusingly, in some cases a jog created a new street name/number and some places it didn’t…which might explain why, up to when I was age five, my mother would answer a call from the candy store and go up to the 104 Pct. and pick up her lost son…again!
Oh, for the one person in the world perhaps wondering; the Candy Store on the corner of Cornelia and Forest was named ‘Barry’s’. In 1941 a sign appeared in the window proclaiming…“Gone For the Duration !â€. As for the Drug store at Forest and 68th Ave., It was named ‘Millers’ up to1940 and afterwards was named ‘Pena’s’.
The short answer to your query….I never saw a street sign named Cornelia past Forest Ave…Uh…going toward the farmers Oval. ( Plenty in the other direction). Thanks for your indulgence for the longer answer.
This Comment really, really strains my mind, but here goes; about 1939 or ’40 (see what I mean)…I was living on Forest Ave at 67th Ave. (at Fairview Ave) I remember, as a pre-five year old, being walked by my parents the several blocks to Fresh Pond Rd. It was in the evening and we climbed a flight of steps. My memory then places me in a big room (Auditorium?) and there was a party or gathering of some sort. I do remember being given (winning?) a child’s cardboard picture puzzle of an apple. Blanksville after that….except…
Years later, during a visit from an out-of-town uncle, he mentioned remembering Ridgewood from the time he ‘Played the Whitney’. Family lore does mention his having been in Vaudeville with a magic act. On a subsequent walk to Farmers Oval, while crossing Fresh Pond to 68th Ave., I glanced toward a turning trolley. My eyes traveled upwards and for the first time, I noticed the ornate theatre facade. My mind immediately connected that image to that night when I was taken to a party, perhaps above, the Whitney Theatre.
I offer the above only as a child’s memory with the possibility that it may be useful to another member trying to piece together the history of The Whitney and its part in Ridgewood’s theatrical past.
Although not Theatre related, I’ll risk Cinema Treasures Comment Policy and add a few words to other Comments, Re: Nagengast Hardware Store at 68th Ave.
Firstly; my 1940 Lionel Trains Service Directory lists that Hardware Store as a dealer, but under the name of Maurice A. Redlich. I’m not sure I knew him, but I certainly had many dealing with the gentleman who operated it in the late 1940’s and early ’50’s. I also recall, shortly after WW-II, the store was renovated and a brick side wall, with several recessed small display windows, was added along the 68th Ave. side. I’m happy to see that the Nagengast name, (albeit Tru Value) continues on.
Peter….thank you for your warm and overly generous comments. I’ll look forward to accepting your kind invitation to visit ‘Bushwickbuddies’. I’ll also take your encouraging suggestion regarding future comments. Perhaps one of the the Myrtle Ave ‘palaces’ will be next to cross the stream (screen?) of my memory.
As a new member, this is my first Comment. I grew up in Ridgewood during the 1940’s and ’50’s. That affords me a remembrance of twenty-five cents matinee’s and ten-cent popcorn in Ridgewood’s Movie Palaces. In their own way, all were a palace of my mind!
Nostalgically, the ‘palace’ that awakens in me the earliest and warmest memories would be the Grandview. In a sense, there were two Grandviews; the evening, informal friendly Grandview and the Grandview of Saturday matinee madness and mayhem. I’ll comment on those afternoon shenanigans another time. Incidentally, although I recall earlier visits, the first movie I definitely remember seeing from my wood seat was…‘Lassie Come Home’, in 1944. (film’s release date was ’43)
Others have commented extensively on the size, shape and indeed, the technical location of Ridgewood’s early twin screen theatre. Okay, don’t scream; it was a ‘twin’ in the hot summer months and single screen in the winter. Arriving patrons smiled when the ‘Open Air Tonite’ banner was seen hanging from the marquee. On those hot summer nights I believe the camera was rolled from indoor projection to a side wall opening and aimed at the huge, out door screen. I’ve noted mention of the movie being projected onto the side of the adjoining apartment house. As I recall, the large outdoor screen was framed in a wood structure with a peaked top and like the benches, it was painted green. I have many memories of those hard wooden outdoor benches and five-cent ices. The outdoor breeze was more pleasing than the theatre’s insides floor fans that whirled beneath the colorful murals at stage left and right…or should I say, screen, left and right?
Another ‘feature’ of the Grandview which I haven’t seen mentioned in other Comments, were the circular, wire rimmed receptacles installed beneath each seat. Men would simply slide their inverted Fedora’s into them. (archaic: Fedora; crowned hat with a rim around the base.) Those receptacles were a convenience for those wearing hats and more so, for those sitting directly behind. As for the Ladies
hats, no such hide-away for them.
Complimenting the charm and neighborly informality was the friendly gesture of the Manager. At the close of each nights show, he would stand in the elongated narrow lobby and as the patrons were leaving, he’d wish each a good night, thank them for coming and hand them a free Program of Coming Attractions.
In the mid-1950‘s, the Manager stood in the lobby and said his last Good Nights. There would be no more ‘Coming Attractions’ at The Grandview.
Peter.K…….Ohhhhh…Dem Beattle’s! It took me awhile to put my finger on just what you were referring to. Uh, you see, I have this callous……:)
Peter .K…..I think you’ve hit upon a generational gap…. I’ll spend the remainder of the day translating your references to my calloused finger. As for meeting at the Madison, I’ll catch you over there after I write of my Parthenon days this weekend. Chat with you again by Tuesday.
Peter……Presently, I’m sitting back eating an eating an apple with one hand and clicking the ‘refresh’ key with the other. With the over two-thousand comments in the Ridgewood Theatre page, I find it easier to just remain at the bottom and refresh each of the seven times (today, so far) that my E-mail tone has sounded. Yesterday, I was getting a calloused finger from fully scrolling down to read your and Panzers interesting comments.
I submit that perhaps, ‘Cappy’ is now getting more recognition than he had, while living. As to the configuration of the wall separating the ‘other venue’s from the theatres balcony’… wow…if that wall could talk….especially the portion of which, backed the ‘infamous’ Third Balcony! (Circa ‘40/’50’s).
I’ll close this comment with gratitude toward you, Panzer and Lost Memory for your interesting exchanges. I’m flattered to think that my contribution had stimulated what I’m discovering is the true spirit of this site .Thank you all for making me feel a part of Cinema Treasures!.
Post script: While still composing the above, the latest three E-tones reveal a shifting interest to the Madison. I plan on writing of that updated Radio-Keith’s Orpheum chain theatre in due course….perhaps by way of the Parthenon, which like the .splendiferous Madison, it carried a Classical name. Oooops, 13th E-tone just sounded! I’ll respond to all, timely and appropriately.
Panzer 65…..thank you so much for you kind words. I relocated from Ridgewood in 1960 and in a 1967 visit I attended the Ridgewood and saw ‘the Sound of Music’. Consequently, I never knew the Ridgewood as a multi-screened theatre. Personally, from a nostalgic point of view, perhaps I’m glad I didn’t.
As for Cappy’s location; If, standing in front of the box office and looking to the right, one would see a single door. On the door was a large blue sign with the circular image with the words ‘Silver Dollar Club’. That club, which I never attended, was above Cappy’s.
I knew the size of the pool room approximated the theatre lobby. I would guess that Cappys back wall was adjacent to the second balcony and the Club wall, the ‘infamous’ third balcony’s back wall. But…come to think of it…the back walls of the aisles leading forward to both balcony’s probably served as a boundary wall for the Club and the Pool Room. Perhaps, this isn’t much help in figuring out the structural placements.. but…I do know both ‘enterprises’ were there. Let’s hope a more informed opinion may come from another member. I’ll close my architectural prowess by noting that the back wall of the pool room….was definitely not slanted!!!
As for the Grove Billiards, I don’t remember such. The only Grove I knew of was the Ridgewood Grove, alongside of the trolley tracks and ’El’. Note, I remember when it had a large fire in the early 1940’s. Perhaps another could enlarge on that event.
Peter…Thanks again for a quick and very welcome response. As for your query, Re: ‘Wheelchair’ …Yes, Richard Widmark, as the young tough and sadistic ’Johnny Udo’ did push the old lady down a flight of stairs…but only after pulling a phone line from the wall and tying her in. Her downward tumbling was accompanied by his repetitive jeering laughter. Remarkably, it was Widmark’s first film and even more noteworthy, that was the first scene shot when making the movie!
As for the upper floors of the Ridgewood; Cappy’s Pool Room was on the first landing. It was about the width and depth of the theatre lobby. I knew not the name of ‘Hank’s’. It might be supposed that Cappy… passed it on to Hank…. After Cappy might have… passed on… from eating all the spaghetti he used to heat and reheat on the radiator.
One the top landing was the ‘Silver Dollar Club’. As a young teen, I never attended it. It seemed to cater to fellows in their late teens and early 20’s.
As I reflect on my early movie days, it seems all the theatres in the Ridgewood area had a unique persona. And in my opinion, none projected a more balanced blend of a relaxed formality than the one that heralded its neighborhood name…. The Ridgewood!
The Ridgewood was structurally much larger than the Grandview, yet shared its warmth. The Madison was certainly more opulent. Serving as a happy medium between them, were the Parthenon, Glenwood and Oasis.
My first memories of the Ridgewood were the tugging arms of my father and oldest brother as we ascended the soft carpeted steps to the balcony. As I recall, the picture showing was ‘Tobacco Road’ (1941). Somehow, I related the plumes of cigar, cigarette and pipe tobacco swirling in the projectors beam of light as having to do with the movies plot. Ah, so much for the intellectual acumen of my five-year old mind.
Of the many times I attended the Ridgewood in the 1940’s, several highlights stand out. One was a Saturday matinee that substituted the half-dozen cartoons with an Amateur Contest. In it, an aspiring eleven year old Jeanette MacDonald screeched out a rather unconvincing rendition of ‘My Man’! Another Saturday afternoon feature which even prompted my Dad to come along, was the theatres ballyhoo of a Live Circus on stage. They should have instead, showed DeMille’s ‘Greatest Show on Earth’.
However, what I consider the best of their double bills was shown in the late 1940’s: ‘The Jolson Story’ playing with…‘Jolson Sings Again’. Kudos for Larry Parks!
As young teens, the above double bill’s resultant Jolson imitations were probably only surpassed by our echoing Richard Widmark. All of his high pitched wise cracks were jeeringly preceded with “Hey..Big Man†in ‘Kiss of Death’ (1947). After seeing and hearing ‘Johnny Udo’ on the Ridgewood’s screen, we ran outside the theatre and up one flight of steps to Cappy’s Pool Room. Cue sticks in hand, we tauntingly mimicked Widmark’s character. Trivia: How many of you remember the other establishment above the Ridgewood Theatre, circa 1940’s-’50’s?….Hmmm…how many remember Cappy’s?
Speaking of that era, and this is perhaps a comment on those times and the neighborhood’s quality of life. During those years, I occasionally saw several ‘cans’ of film left on the sidewalk outside the Ridgewood’s Box Office. They were apparently delivered in early hours for future showing. To my knowledge, those metal octagon shaped film cans apparently remained untouched till a staff member opened the theatre and brought them inside!
And such were the times in Ridgewood…. at the Ridgewood!
As I reflect on my early movie days, it seems all the theatres in the Ridgewood area had a unique persona. And in my opinion, none projected a more balanced blend of a relaxed formality than the one that heralded its neighborhood name…. The Ridgewood!
The Ridgewood was structurally much larger than the Grandview, yet shared its warmth. The Madison was certainly more opulent. Serving as a happy medium between them, were the Parthenon, Glenwood and Oasis.
My first memories of the Ridgewood were the tugging arms of my father and oldest brother as we ascended the soft carpeted steps to the balcony. As I recall, the picture showing was ‘Tobacco Road’ (1941). Somehow, I related the plumes of cigar, cigarette and pipe tobacco swirling in the projectors beam of light as having to do with the movies plot. Ah, so much for the intellectual acumen of my five-year old mind.
Of the many times I attended the Ridgewood in the 1940’s, several highlights stand out. One was a Saturday matinee that substituted the half-dozen cartoons with an Amateur Contest. In it, an aspiring eleven year old Jeanette MacDonald screeched out a rather unconvincing rendition of ‘My Man’! Another Saturday afternoon feature which even prompted my Dad to come along, was the theatres ballyhoo of a Live Circus on stage. They should have instead, showed DeMille’s ‘Greatest Show on Earth’.
However, what I consider the best of their double bills was shown in the late 1940’s: ‘The Jolson Story’ playing with…‘Jolson Sings Again’. Kudos for Larry Parks!
As young teens, the above double bill’s resultant Jolson imitations were probably only surpassed by our echoing Richard Widmark. All of his high pitched wise cracks were jeeringly preceded with “Hey..Big Man†in ‘Kiss of Death’ (1947). After seeing and hearing ‘Johnny Udo’ on the Ridgewood’s screen, we ran outside the theatre and up one flight of steps to Cappy’s Pool Room. Cue sticks in hand, we tauntingly mimicked Widmark’s character. Trivia: How many of you remember the other establishment above the Ridgewood Theatre, circa 1940’s-’50’s?….Hmmm…how many remember Cappy’s?
Speaking of that era, and this is perhaps a comment on those times and the neighborhood’s quality of life. During those years, I occasionally saw several ‘cans’ of film left on the sidewalk outside the Ridgewood’s Box Office. They were apparently delivered in early hours for future showing. To my knowledge, those metal octagon shaped film cans apparently remained untouched till a staff member opened the theatre and brought them inside!
And such were the times in Ridgewood…. at the Ridgewood!
Peter…thank you for your interest. As for Cornelia St. continuing through to Fresh Pond Rd. Well, it did and it didn’t! Name-wise, Cornelia ended at Forest Ave. When I lived at 67-01 Forest (corner of 68th Ave) what could have been construed as the continuation of Cornelia was actually named 68th Ave. A look at an area map shows the name Cornelia stopping at Forest Ave. About 200 feet to the left, toward the ‘El’ ,the street continues, but with the name of 68th Ave., for one block and then jogs back to the right by the Lutheran Church. At that point, it is again in alignment with Cornelia St.. 68th Ave then continues to Fresh Pond Rd.
Oddly, not following the example of Cornelia changing to 68th Ave at Forest, the jog back to the right at Fresh Pond, continues with the 68th Ave name to the Farmers Oval. Confusingly, in some cases a jog created a new street name/number and some places it didn’t…which might explain why, up to when I was age five, my mother would answer a call from the candy store and go up to the 104 Pct. and pick up her lost son…again!
Oh, for the one person in the world perhaps wondering; the Candy Store on the corner of Cornelia and Forest was named ‘Barry’s’. In 1941 a sign appeared in the window proclaiming…“Gone For the Duration !â€. As for the Drug store at Forest and 68th Ave., It was named ‘Millers’ up to1940 and afterwards was named ‘Pena’s’.
The short answer to your query….I never saw a street sign named Cornelia past Forest Ave…Uh…going toward the farmers Oval. ( Plenty in the other direction). Thanks for your indulgence for the longer answer.
This Comment really, really strains my mind, but here goes; about 1939 or ’40 (see what I mean)…I was living on Forest Ave at 67th Ave. (at Fairview Ave) I remember, as a pre-five year old, being walked by my parents the several blocks to Fresh Pond Rd. It was in the evening and we climbed a flight of steps. My memory then places me in a big room (Auditorium?) and there was a party or gathering of some sort. I do remember being given (winning?) a child’s cardboard picture puzzle of an apple. Blanksville after that….except…
Years later, during a visit from an out-of-town uncle, he mentioned remembering Ridgewood from the time he ‘Played the Whitney’. Family lore does mention his having been in Vaudeville with a magic act. On a subsequent walk to Farmers Oval, while crossing Fresh Pond to 68th Ave., I glanced toward a turning trolley. My eyes traveled upwards and for the first time, I noticed the ornate theatre facade. My mind immediately connected that image to that night when I was taken to a party, perhaps above, the Whitney Theatre.
I offer the above only as a child’s memory with the possibility that it may be useful to another member trying to piece together the history of The Whitney and its part in Ridgewood’s theatrical past.
Although not Theatre related, I’ll risk Cinema Treasures Comment Policy and add a few words to other Comments, Re: Nagengast Hardware Store at 68th Ave.
Firstly; my 1940 Lionel Trains Service Directory lists that Hardware Store as a dealer, but under the name of Maurice A. Redlich. I’m not sure I knew him, but I certainly had many dealing with the gentleman who operated it in the late 1940’s and early ’50’s. I also recall, shortly after WW-II, the store was renovated and a brick side wall, with several recessed small display windows, was added along the 68th Ave. side. I’m happy to see that the Nagengast name, (albeit Tru Value) continues on.
Peter….thank you for your warm and overly generous comments. I’ll look forward to accepting your kind invitation to visit ‘Bushwickbuddies’. I’ll also take your encouraging suggestion regarding future comments. Perhaps one of the the Myrtle Ave ‘palaces’ will be next to cross the stream (screen?) of my memory.
As a new member, this is my first Comment. I grew up in Ridgewood during the 1940’s and ’50’s. That affords me a remembrance of twenty-five cents matinee’s and ten-cent popcorn in Ridgewood’s Movie Palaces. In their own way, all were a palace of my mind!
Nostalgically, the ‘palace’ that awakens in me the earliest and warmest memories would be the Grandview. In a sense, there were two Grandviews; the evening, informal friendly Grandview and the Grandview of Saturday matinee madness and mayhem. I’ll comment on those afternoon shenanigans another time. Incidentally, although I recall earlier visits, the first movie I definitely remember seeing from my wood seat was…‘Lassie Come Home’, in 1944. (film’s release date was ’43)
Others have commented extensively on the size, shape and indeed, the technical location of Ridgewood’s early twin screen theatre. Okay, don’t scream; it was a ‘twin’ in the hot summer months and single screen in the winter. Arriving patrons smiled when the ‘Open Air Tonite’ banner was seen hanging from the marquee. On those hot summer nights I believe the camera was rolled from indoor projection to a side wall opening and aimed at the huge, out door screen. I’ve noted mention of the movie being projected onto the side of the adjoining apartment house. As I recall, the large outdoor screen was framed in a wood structure with a peaked top and like the benches, it was painted green. I have many memories of those hard wooden outdoor benches and five-cent ices. The outdoor breeze was more pleasing than the theatre’s insides floor fans that whirled beneath the colorful murals at stage left and right…or should I say, screen, left and right?
Another ‘feature’ of the Grandview which I haven’t seen mentioned in other Comments, were the circular, wire rimmed receptacles installed beneath each seat. Men would simply slide their inverted Fedora’s into them. (archaic: Fedora; crowned hat with a rim around the base.) Those receptacles were a convenience for those wearing hats and more so, for those sitting directly behind. As for the Ladies
hats, no such hide-away for them.
Complimenting the charm and neighborly informality was the friendly gesture of the Manager. At the close of each nights show, he would stand in the elongated narrow lobby and as the patrons were leaving, he’d wish each a good night, thank them for coming and hand them a free Program of Coming Attractions.
In the mid-1950‘s, the Manager stood in the lobby and said his last Good Nights. There would be no more ‘Coming Attractions’ at The Grandview.