When the Anthology Film Archives had its showings at this theatre, the theatre itself was known as the “The Invisible Cinema,” according to this article on the origins of Anthology. Here is a photo of that theatre interior with the all-black, side-partitioned seating to avoid distractions and enable total concentration on the movie. When this became the Public/Little Theatre regular seating was substituted.
Although I didn’t see these two movies when they played the Art in October 1959, since I was away at school, the double bill is probably one of the oddest (and best) bits of programming that ever came there. “Strangers” by Roberto Rossellini is also known as “Viaggio in Italia” or “Voyage to Italy” and was a major influence on the French New Wave directors. Some critics, especially the French ones, rank it among the best films of all time. “Strange Deception” is really “Il Cristo Proibito” or “Forbidden Christ” and was directed by Curzio Malaparte, his only film. Both films were shown ALMOST NOWHERE. Both are available on video today, but what a unique experience, if you really like movies, to have seen them both in 35mm prints! I am sure that, sadly, the program bombed completely.
Help! This old postcard of Broadway, shows the Majestic down the street (colored green here.) Can anyone identify and say something about the two theatres in the front? Alternate names, etc. On the left it looks like the “President.” To the right, across the street, the name over the marquee is not clear. The film titles “Street Scene” with Sylvia Sidney and “My Sin” with Tallulah Bankhead would make this 1931.
Can someone identify this photo ? Is this the Orpheum that became the Garrick, the original downtown Orpheum, or the new downtown Orpheum of 1909? The postcard bears a 1912 postmark.
Here is a photograph of the Carlton after it was closed and shortly before it was demolished in the mid-fifties. The façade, however, and front part of the building still remain, minus marquee. Only the auditorium was demolished. The inscription “Emery Theatre” remains over the front.
This photograph shows the auditorium of the RKO Albee. The “marble divider” or railing you mentioned, Marialivia, can be vaguely made out to the left and right of where the people are standing. The dizzying view of the two balconies and “dome” is impressive. God, do I miss this place!
Here is the other photo of the exterior from 1944. And here is a photo of the interior .
That White Tower later became the Californian, I believe. Now it’s a parking garage. The other White Towers I knew were on Dorrance Street and in Olneyville Square. They seemed so spiffy and “cool”.
Roland, That IS a nice photo. I have a photo which might have been taken around the same time, which I take to be 1944 or so. It’s the same angle and everything, except that there was an Abbott and Costello film program, plus cars and a bus to be seen. The vertical marquee is a gem. In this picture did you note the mill-factory to the left beyond LaSalle Square where the Dunkin' Donuts Center is now? And to the right on Washington Street you can see the White Tower, the hamburger place.
Here’s a photo of the Bradley Playhouse I took a while back. Sometime in the 1970s, when it was called the Imperial, I went to this theatre to see a revival of “The African Queen.”
When the Anthology Film Archives had its showings at this theatre, the theatre itself was known as the “The Invisible Cinema,” according to this article on the origins of Anthology. Here is a photo of that theatre interior with the all-black, side-partitioned seating to avoid distractions and enable total concentration on the movie. When this became the Public/Little Theatre regular seating was substituted.
Sic transit gloria theatrorum.
Nice web photo here.
Although I didn’t see these two movies when they played the Art in October 1959, since I was away at school, the double bill is probably one of the oddest (and best) bits of programming that ever came there. “Strangers” by Roberto Rossellini is also known as “Viaggio in Italia” or “Voyage to Italy” and was a major influence on the French New Wave directors. Some critics, especially the French ones, rank it among the best films of all time. “Strange Deception” is really “Il Cristo Proibito” or “Forbidden Christ” and was directed by Curzio Malaparte, his only film. Both films were shown ALMOST NOWHERE. Both are available on video today, but what a unique experience, if you really like movies, to have seen them both in 35mm prints! I am sure that, sadly, the program bombed completely.
Here is an old postcard which shows part of the theatre in 1931 when it was called the President…and includes a view of Broadway.
Here is an old postcard showing the entrance area of the Egyptian.
Help! This old postcard of Broadway, shows the Majestic down the street (colored green here.) Can anyone identify and say something about the two theatres in the front? Alternate names, etc. On the left it looks like the “President.” To the right, across the street, the name over the marquee is not clear. The film titles “Street Scene” with Sylvia Sidney and “My Sin” with Tallulah Bankhead would make this 1931.
Can someone identify this photo ? Is this the Orpheum that became the Garrick, the original downtown Orpheum, or the new downtown Orpheum of 1909? The postcard bears a 1912 postmark.
And a photo of the B.F. Keith Albee in 1923 as folks line up to see vaudeville acts and movies.
Here is a photograph of the Carlton after it was closed and shortly before it was demolished in the mid-fifties. The façade, however, and front part of the building still remain, minus marquee. Only the auditorium was demolished. The inscription “Emery Theatre” remains over the front.
This photograph shows the auditorium of the RKO Albee. The “marble divider” or railing you mentioned, Marialivia, can be vaguely made out to the left and right of where the people are standing. The dizzying view of the two balconies and “dome” is impressive. God, do I miss this place!
Here is the other photo of the exterior from 1944. And here is a photo of the
interior .
That White Tower later became the Californian, I believe. Now it’s a parking garage. The other White Towers I knew were on Dorrance Street and in Olneyville Square. They seemed so spiffy and “cool”.
Here is a photograph of the Odeon Cremazie which I took in 1989.
Here is a photograph I took of the Bijou in 1989.
Roland, That IS a nice photo. I have a photo which might have been taken around the same time, which I take to be 1944 or so. It’s the same angle and everything, except that there was an Abbott and Costello film program, plus cars and a bus to be seen. The vertical marquee is a gem. In this picture did you note the mill-factory to the left beyond LaSalle Square where the Dunkin' Donuts Center is now? And to the right on Washington Street you can see the White Tower, the hamburger place.
Here’s a photo of the Bradley Playhouse I took a while back. Sometime in the 1970s, when it was called the Imperial, I went to this theatre to see a revival of “The African Queen.”
Here is a photo of the Cinema du Plateau which I took in 1989.
Here are four photos I took of the Mahaiwe in 1991. Two are of the exterior. Two show the lobby area.
OneTwoThreeFour
Here is a photo I took of the Elmwood in its current state.
Jerry Kovar: Perhaps Cue Magazine listed them if it was around then. You might be able to find copies from that era at a library. Just a suggestion.
Here is a photo I took of the Imperial in 1989.
Mike,
I can do it if you don’t care to. Thaks for the clarification.
Davebazooka,
The theatre directly around the corner on 3rd Ave. would have been the Coronet/Baronet or later Coronet 1 & 2.
I took this photo of the Green Hill while driving by in January 2004.
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Here’s a postcard from the 1960s with Loew’s, the Pigalle (Strand), the Capitol.