RKO Madison Theatre
54-30 Myrtle Avenue,
Ridgewood,
NY
11385
54-30 Myrtle Avenue,
Ridgewood,
NY
11385
21 people
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Showing 526 - 550 of 1,251 comments
Your welcome and always my pleasure PKoch.
Thanks for the explanation and details, Panzer65.
To clarify the type of air conditioning, it most likely was a water chiller setup, where well water is chilled in a central chamber and then sent to a series of coils and fans called air handlers. The cool air is distributed through the ductwork. Since Madison is ornate, perhaps the air handlers were disguised behind decorative fixtures, which perhaps were also utilized for heating. Since this cooling arrangement recirculates water, as opposed to using city water, wells were an efficient means of saving on water bills. The tanks above the theater are known as gravity tanks, which supply high pressure water for the fire protection sprinklers.
Zelaine was before my time, Warren, but thank you for posting about her appearances at the Madison.
Do you remember how helpful her advice was, or how accurate her predictions of the future were ? Did you ever see or speak with her personally at the Madison ?
I vaguely remember radiators hidden behind decorative grilles in the Madison, and possibly the Ridgewood as well. I’m just not sure where in the theater I saw them.
ps…roll back to sept. 16th 06'…..
for coal details…
it had a coal furnace…
The Ridgewood used water from an underground well, not the water tank on the roof ?
What I remember about all this was the horizontal banner signs at the entrances to the Ridgewood and Madison Theatres, reading “HEALTHFULLY AIR CONDITIONED” in large icicled block capital letters, blue and white against a yellow ground. It has been suggested elsewhere that the “healthful” referred to the filtration (of dust, pollen, other allergens ?) but as a small child in the summer heat, all I could think “healthful” meant was relief from the summer heat, and humidity, the risk of heat stroke, etc.
Thanks, Warren. I wonder what the air cooling inside the Ridgewood Theatre was like in July 1949, when the Madison made its boast.
Thanks, Lost Memory.
Perhaps Lost Memory could be of some help about outdoor movies at the Glenwood.
One has to wonder how they perceived air conditioning back in those days as healthy, perhaps it was in the filtration. Another interesting fact is that most of these classic movies houses, especially the RKO Madison, date back to the 20’s when a/c did not exist.The building had to be retrofitted to accommodate such equipment and to run it, which must have been costly for Madison, given its square footage.
But interestingly, the ad right next to it says that the Ridgewood, Parthenon, Oasis, Gledwood, and Alhambra are all “healthily air cooled”. I guess it’s what the Madison considered “real” air cooling.
Warren, have you communicated this to the Cinema Treasures management ?
I know Salerno’s well, having eaten there with a date on two Saturdays in 1990, April 21 and September 8th. On April 21st 1990 my date and I went to Jahn’s for dessert after eating at Salerno’s. I last ate at the Hofbrau on Friday November 10 1994 with my wife, a friend from work, and his wife. By May 1995 the Hofbrau was gone and had become the Cafe Europa. Now it is medical offices.
The “triangle” is that formed by Myrtle Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, and 117th Street, where the Q-55 bus turns around to return to Ridgewood. Hillside Avenue begins north of Myrtle Avenue at 117th Street. The RKO Keith Richmond Hill sits on Hillside Avenue between Jahn’s to the south and Salerno’s to the north, just south of the LIRR viaduct and the now closed Richmond Hill LIRR station.
Mr Tomai,
Thanks for your reply concerning the corner of Hillside and Myrtle aves.
It may have been before my time ,but I believe the pool hall was above or in the bowling alley building. When I attended high school ,this corner was where I transferred buses, I would always stop by Jahn’s on the last day of school.I have heard of the kitchen sink, but never tried it.
Glad to hear you and your family have memories of Salerno’s, a fine Italian restaurant.Unfortunately, The Triangle Hofbrau closed about ten years ago.
OK, Panzer65 – now you’re jarring the memory bank…I do remember the bowling alley and the German restaurant. Wasn’t there also a billiards parlor right near there as well? I can’t quite remember but I seem to recall that the streets sort of converged into a triangle at this juncture. Duh – hence the TRIANGLE Hofbrau!
Glad to hear that Salerno’s is still in operation. Coincidentally, my brother in law is visiting with us right now from Cal. so I’ll have to tell him that the restaurant where he had his wedding reception is still there.
Nice story Mr. Tomai, Salerno’s is still there, and your quite right, it is a great block. At one time across the street, there was a bowling alley and a German restaurant called Triangle Hofbrau, which are unfortunately defunct today.
I graduated from Delehanty High School in Jamaica back in 64. The school often sponsored special skating nights at the Hillside Roller Rink and we always went to Jahn’s Ice Cream parlor afterwards. A bunch of us would order THE KITCHEN SINK. It was a tremendous ice cream confection that about 10 teenagers could share. I remember Jahn’s as being very bright and cheerful and ALWAYS busy. It was quite a place. Whenever we saw a movie at the RKO Keith’s, we would always hit Jahn’s before home.
If I’m not mistaken there used to be a terrific Italian restaurant between the Keith’s and Jahn’s. It was called Salerno’s. Don’t know if it’s still there. My wife’s brother had his wedding reception there in 1972. What a great block: movie theatre, Italian restaurant and old-fashioned ice-cream parlor!
Good points, all, Panzer65. Please continue your good posts !
Eddie’s sweet shop and Jahn’s ice cream parlor are two treasures of the food industry. Never visited Eddie’s , I heard their egg creams rival any ice cream or restaurant venue in New York. How ironic that the buildings that support a bygone era of movie palaces,
supports the bygone era of ice cream parlors! In other words, Carvel and Baskin Robbins don’t even come close, its all about atmosphere!
Even Nathans of Coney Island sets the example,one of my favorite places,Coney Island, is nothing without a Nathan’s hot dog and fries.
Same holds true for ballparks, compare seeing a baseball game at Ebbets Field, to seeing one at Shea Stadium, no contest!
By all means, Panzer65, if you’re visiting RKO Keith’s Richmond Hill, please get a sundae next door at Jahn’s. I did precisely that a year and a week ago, on Saturday July 8 2006. No, I didn’t try out the player piano. I did ask what kept them in business. They said mostly the bingo and flea market crowd from RKO Keith’s. I had wondered, because the place is so dark, deserted and quiet inside. I have literally been in brighter, more crowded and livelier funeral homes !
By contrast, Eddie’s Sweet Shoppe across from the Cinemart is much more bustling and lively.
You are most likely to my hospitality, Panzer65. My pleasure !
PKoch
I read the RKO Keith’s Richmond Hill page two days ago,very intriguing to say the least. I under stand its “A Diamond in the Rough”.Apparently you and I think on similar terms, after reading the
page and your suggestion, I think its time for another “Detailed Report”, and just to keep the nostalgia going, I may get a sundae at Jahn’s, a most unique and original ice cream parlor.
Have you ever visited the Keith’s RH? Have you visited Jahns? If so ,have you tried out that player piano? I was there about two years ago on a date, and witnessed that piano and was fascinated by it.
Thanks PKoch ,appreciate the hospitality!
The exterior of the Bushwick was preserved, fortunately, but the inside was gutted to convert it into a school.