With the exception of the Winter Garden, none of the other venues that appear are mentioned here at CT. The Knickerbocker, the Casino, and the Maxine Harris, from right to left. My best guess is that these venues are perhaps Vaudeville Houses. It was during this era that these theatres were combining silent films with live stage shows.Later when the talkies arrived, these venues would convert to the more lucrative motion picture on a full time basis. The Casino Theatre intrigues me the most, it has a most unusual facade. And the first generation marquees are also a clue that these indeed are Vaudeville Houses.
I was not sure which thread to place this stunning photo of an early 1920’s shot of Broadway at 38 st. With the exception of the Winter Garden, none of the other venues that appear are mentioned here at CT. The Knickerbocker, the Casino, and the Maxine Harris, from right to left. My best guess is that these venues are perhaps Vaudeville Houses. It was during this era that these theatres were combining silent films with live stage shows.Later when the talkies arrived, these venues would convert to the more lucrative motion picture on a full time basis. The Casino Theatre intrigues me the most, it has a most unusual facade. And the first generation marquees are also a clue that these indeed are Vaudeville Houses. So I guess the Ridgewood Thread is appropriate. View link
Agreed, Luis V., actually reading the CT page for Ridgewood, it appears that it was modeled after the Mark Strand theater in Manhattan, which was one of the earliest forms of purpose built theaters for motion pictures.Perhaps that may contribute to the historical nature of its landmark status.
Thank you jwballer for your kind words…I hate the Yankees also (Mets fan)..but we do share a common cause,and we will succeed.Actually my visits to Ridgewood as a multi plex were quite pleasant, much of its interior was saved, especially the lobby, and it was just a cozy place..sort of like home..but Uptown must survive as a single screen venue, or performing arts center..its design is a class act!!
I’m form New York ,where our treasured landmark buildings are destroyed mindlessly. Just recently the historic Yankee Stadium was demolished without a trace of a memorial to remember it by, let alone countless movie palaces. My best wishes to save your beautiful Uptown Theater.
Could it be that someone already knows that the City Council already reneged on Landmark status, or is the owner just “testing the waters” before a decision is made?
Murken’s..heard of it through a friend who lived a few blocks away on Centre St……never been there , but passed it..sort of a duplicate of Jahn’s without the frills.
The Commodore Theater in a Hasidim community in Brooklyn (Williamsburg) was destroyed after trying to sell it at an insanely large price, thinking that a group would buy it just to save it. Well, history perhaps may repeat itself sometime soon!!
Hello Bway,
There must be more examples of the mentioned theaters across America, the ones in New York most likely are plentiful, but gaining access to these forgotten places is the key. The gentleman who owns the website definitely has a good idea as far as wanting only the reclusive sections of theater conversions, they are almost like a time portal…a forgotten area that only the true theater fan would like to see and explore. Thanks for the tip about the Loews 46 st..I’m going to check the CT site and may visit the store in the future.I have been to the Meserole in Brooklyn, its forgotten area exists in the balcony I beleive.
I felt this thread was the appropriate place to post this link because the Keith’s Richmond Hill is a stunning example of how the American movie palace experience was seen and felt, not only that, the mentioned site also has a photo of the Keith’s projection room. It appears the photographer was interested in the areas that were abandoned in conversions to other uses. This is a fascinating venture for the classic movie house fan like ourselves.I do wish he would have taken photos of the Keith’s balcony area. I have been to the orchestra section, but the owner would not let me into the balcony. Upon viewing the photos , I took an interest in the one of Chicago’s Uptown theater. The architecture of the interior is quite stunning, especially the fact that it has a mezzanine section, which is peculiar to most American movie houses that sweeps gracefully into the side walls where the box seats are usually situated and have independent access. The design also has an oval
shaped dome above the mezzanine, which doubles as a ventilation duct. The Uptown
is also under landmark protection, it closed in 1981, but grass roots group has cared for her until a full restoration can begin.
Check out their CT thread, and also they have a petition you can sign to accelerate the process of renovation. Here’s a link of the beautiful mezzanine. View link
Sorry, here’s the link:
View link
With the exception of the Winter Garden, none of the other venues that appear are mentioned here at CT. The Knickerbocker, the Casino, and the Maxine Harris, from right to left. My best guess is that these venues are perhaps Vaudeville Houses. It was during this era that these theatres were combining silent films with live stage shows.Later when the talkies arrived, these venues would convert to the more lucrative motion picture on a full time basis. The Casino Theatre intrigues me the most, it has a most unusual facade. And the first generation marquees are also a clue that these indeed are Vaudeville Houses.
Peter,
I simply wanted my friends, like yourself, to see them.
I was not sure which thread to place this stunning photo of an early 1920’s shot of Broadway at 38 st. With the exception of the Winter Garden, none of the other venues that appear are mentioned here at CT. The Knickerbocker, the Casino, and the Maxine Harris, from right to left. My best guess is that these venues are perhaps Vaudeville Houses. It was during this era that these theatres were combining silent films with live stage shows.Later when the talkies arrived, these venues would convert to the more lucrative motion picture on a full time basis. The Casino Theatre intrigues me the most, it has a most unusual facade. And the first generation marquees are also a clue that these indeed are Vaudeville Houses. So I guess the Ridgewood Thread is appropriate. View link
Peter, you are truly a trooper…..thanks for the updates!!!!
An architectural treasure for any theater fan..excellent photos..Thank you for posting!!
Agreed, Luis V., actually reading the CT page for Ridgewood, it appears that it was modeled after the Mark Strand theater in Manhattan, which was one of the earliest forms of purpose built theaters for motion pictures.Perhaps that may contribute to the historical nature of its landmark status.
Outstanding!! But just like the Madison..there’s still a mystery lurking beyond that door and staircase!!! How I miss those cozy confines.
Some how..some way..some one will post an interior photo of our beloved Ridgewood..believe!!!!
Thank you jwballer for your kind words…I hate the Yankees also (Mets fan)..but we do share a common cause,and we will succeed.Actually my visits to Ridgewood as a multi plex were quite pleasant, much of its interior was saved, especially the lobby, and it was just a cozy place..sort of like home..but Uptown must survive as a single screen venue, or performing arts center..its design is a class act!!
I’m form New York ,where our treasured landmark buildings are destroyed mindlessly. Just recently the historic Yankee Stadium was demolished without a trace of a memorial to remember it by, let alone countless movie palaces. My best wishes to save your beautiful Uptown Theater.
LOL..I do have memories of the pre multi- plex Ridgewood..but photos would be great to see.
Does make one kind of want Warren back here again..but then again,no.
It was only speculation John, perhaps the owner is growing impatient on his investment.
Could it be that someone already knows that the City Council already reneged on Landmark status, or is the owner just “testing the waters” before a decision is made?
Hi Peter,
If memory serves me correctly, it was around that exact time…astonishingly with my mother too, and my brother!!
The first movie I saw at Ridgewood was “The Sound of Music”….great memory of this historic gem.
Murken’s..heard of it through a friend who lived a few blocks away on Centre St……never been there , but passed it..sort of a duplicate of Jahn’s without the frills.
Hello Bway and Peter..just checking in!!
Does anyone have interior photos of the orchestra? I would love to see that chandelier again.
The Rolling Stones at the Ridgewood? Great re-opening day act!!
Thank you, John, I read the CT page on the Woodside, and it is on my must visit list.
The Commodore Theater in a Hasidim community in Brooklyn (Williamsburg) was destroyed after trying to sell it at an insanely large price, thinking that a group would buy it just to save it. Well, history perhaps may repeat itself sometime soon!!
Hello Bway,
There must be more examples of the mentioned theaters across America, the ones in New York most likely are plentiful, but gaining access to these forgotten places is the key. The gentleman who owns the website definitely has a good idea as far as wanting only the reclusive sections of theater conversions, they are almost like a time portal…a forgotten area that only the true theater fan would like to see and explore. Thanks for the tip about the Loews 46 st..I’m going to check the CT site and may visit the store in the future.I have been to the Meserole in Brooklyn, its forgotten area exists in the balcony I beleive.
I felt this thread was the appropriate place to post this link because the Keith’s Richmond Hill is a stunning example of how the American movie palace experience was seen and felt, not only that, the mentioned site also has a photo of the Keith’s projection room. It appears the photographer was interested in the areas that were abandoned in conversions to other uses. This is a fascinating venture for the classic movie house fan like ourselves.I do wish he would have taken photos of the Keith’s balcony area. I have been to the orchestra section, but the owner would not let me into the balcony. Upon viewing the photos , I took an interest in the one of Chicago’s Uptown theater. The architecture of the interior is quite stunning, especially the fact that it has a mezzanine section, which is peculiar to most American movie houses that sweeps gracefully into the side walls where the box seats are usually situated and have independent access. The design also has an oval
shaped dome above the mezzanine, which doubles as a ventilation duct. The Uptown
is also under landmark protection, it closed in 1981, but grass roots group has cared for her until a full restoration can begin.
Check out their CT thread, and also they have a petition you can sign to accelerate the process of renovation. Here’s a link of the beautiful mezzanine.
View link