We’re talking about the Guild 50th Street, Tinseltoes, which was acquired by Trans-Lux when Norman Elson was president. I know at some point Elson left Trans-Lux to run Guild Enterprises with his son Peter, and operated a string of theaters under the Embassy banner, including the Embassy Newsreel in Times Square. I assume they acquired the Guild from Trans-Lux – we were just trying to ascertain if the Guild ever operated with the Embassy name on the marquee.
The only minor correction I would make to the opening description is to note that the theater was gutted for the drug store (as were the other storefronts that ran along its length on Union Turnpike) and not torn down. The auditorium structure still stands behind the street front facade – no doubt stripped down to the bare bricks before the drug store was layed out within.
Looking along the block, I would propose that a good possibility for the old theater building (if it still exists) would be the auto repair shop just a few doors up from Jamaica Avenue opposite where Babbage Street forms the southern point of the actual Library Square. Just an educated guess. LuisV, in the street view I’m looking at, the building to the right of the old Republican Club appears to be a residential dwelling from the 1920’s. Do you know for sure that this was the site of this theater?
Old thread, but I wonder if JAB still monitors this page and if he has the means to upload that photo of the Plaza in his possession? Anyway, looks like this is now occupied by a church. JAB says the equipment was disposed of in 1961… did they then sell or lease to a church?
This page from the New York City Organ Project has several vintage photos of the Oasis Theatre’s entrance and auditorium. Click on each image to open it to full size.
This photo of the Forest Hills is dated 1940, which the titles on the marquee bear out. Thanks to Tinseltoes, who introduced me to this website (for The New York City Organ Project) by linking out to pictures on other theater pages.
Hi vyurkevich… If you mean the ad for the movie “Bigtime” that is at the top of the page, I posted it. It’s just a photo I took of a page from an old Daily News paper that I have. My grandfather saved it for some reason – not sure what it was in that particular edition that held significance for him, but when he passed, I got possession of it. I hold no ownership, since it’s a newspaper ad, so you are free to use it. If you like, I will send you a copy of the original photo file, which you’ll be able to open up much larger than is currently allowed here on Cinema Treasures. Just let me know your email address and I’ll forward it.
Seems that the Westbury’s tudor revival Post Avenue facade will be completely replaced with a modern take on art deco, according to the article. I was a little confused when it noted that the new developer was struck by the theater’s “bare proscenium” as being “glamorous” and “beautiful.” Did he fall in love with the ruins of the original interior and then proceed to gut the theater? Or was the building already gutted by previous owners and he was just struck by the beauty of the theater’s form and bare bones?
In any event, it seems that the new performing arts center will look radically different – both outside and in – from the house originally opened by the Salvatore Calderone back in 1927.
Wow, John… this ties in nicely with the photo I posted just before this one – which is the cover to the movie program for “Crossed Swords” – which was the Easter Attraction and was actually scheduled to be the very last attraction at the Hall.
That YouTube clip is terrific! Looks like it was a packed house for those Edison photoplays. Would have hated to be seated behind some of those ladies hats that were seen parading out in the clip. Also noticed a couple of baby-carriages being strolled out the door – I guess bringing infants to a movie theater isn’t such a recent development after all! Although, I’d forgive the parents in this clip since I’m guessing cinema-going etiquette may have yet been fully established at this point.
I, too, remember the Autopub in the plaza below the GM building. I went there once as a boy with my family in the 1970’s and we sat in the “Drive-In theatre” and watched the movie “Airport,” which had by then already been on network TV. Being so young at the time, I have no idea what sort of presentation was made at the Autopub (must have been 16mm rental prints, no?), but I seem to recall that it was in something close to its widescreen format because I can remember noticing how the split-screen sequences played much better than in the network TV broadcast.
I never did get to see the New York Experience, but I remember it running for years at the McGraw-Hill Trans-Lux.
Anyone else experiencing problems viewing photos on CT the last day or two? Both the thumbnails and full size images have been coming and going depending on what page you’re on or if you refresh the screen. They are replaced with blue question marks, when not visible.
Hey Saps… I’ll have to upload that photo here for it to show up as the intro photo. They can’t snag photos on other websites like photobucket to use for the I.D. photo. I’ll get around to it one of these days!
Chas, you’re quite right – and I know I’ve been guilty as charged of this very crime. Without a batch upload option in place yet, I find it sometimes difficult to edit out redundant pictures while I’m uploading one photo at a time – particularly in the many instances where I have a dozen or more images for a single theater. What I try to do is go back through the images after I’ve finished a few sets and thin the herd out a bit by using the “remove photo” option. I will continue to do so as time permits. Right now, I’m just trying to upload what is at this point a tremendous backlog of images that I’ve had on my home computer (and in my photobucket scrapbook) for a number of years. Hopefully, others will do the same and help work the photo library down to fighting weight.
And hopefully, we’ll see a batch upload function on this site in the near future!
Ha! That is awesome! Not to mention, seeing the red “restricted” MPAA trailer tag at the beginning reminded me of the old grindhouse days where ALL the trailers seemed to be “restricted!” Although, I do also remember seeing R-rated trailers at some art houses and even accompanying R-rated features in mainstream theaters from time to time, but it has to be at least 20 or 25 years since I’ve spotted one!
I’ve noticed the same, Chris. I don’t think the warning about uploading potentially copyrighted photos was made as clearly and emphatically as it might have been – in fact it most prominently appears as a “tip” and not a mandate. I’ve been trying to keep my uploads to personal photos or newspaper clippings in my possession only. If I come across a great old image on the net, I’m linking out to it in a comment the old fashioned way.
While we’re on the topic of uploads… Not sure if its the high volume of new photos, but lately I’ve been experiencing significant slowness on the site that frequently leads to a message stating “Cinema Treasures is having difficulties…” Usually, when I refresh, my upload or comment has gone through, but the slowdown has really put a damper on my adding more photos here the past couple of days. You guys aware of a server or traffic issue with the site? Thanks!
Actually, Ken… the Times Square occupies just about all of this building. Stage house is on the right (you can see the fly tower rising above) and the house ran back to the left. The wooden doors on the left at street level indicate the original entrance foyer for the old Apollo Theatre, essentially a tunnel through the building to the Apollo’s lobby and auditorium, which sat behind the Times Square on 43rd Street. The upper portion of the Times Square’s balcony extends over this foyer. Fire exits for the balcony run behind the colonnade, with exit doors onto 42nd Street just to the left of the red awning for “42nd St Development Project” that we see in this photo.
Crazy how the old Apollo entrance was advertised as “Store for rent!” Luckily, the foyer was not irreparably harmed and has been beautifully restored as an alternate exit hallway for the Foxwoods Theatre (which is the “new/old” theater that was created in the combined footprints of the Apollo and Lyric, using architectural elements from both).
No doubt that typos abound in movie ads. But I’m sure the RKO Alden is correctly listed. I rode the Q5 bus up and down Merrick Boulevard on a daily basis from 1977 through 1982 to get to and from both my junior high school and my high school. And I was one of those kids who loved just looking out the windows at the passing scene, day in and day out. I used to pay particular attention to the progress of dismantling the old elevated tracks and took pleasure in seeing the two movie theater facades being revealed as the structure came down. My memory might not be as sharp as rafaelstorm – as I don’t remember the Alden’s closure – but I’m sure that the Alden was in operation (even if briefly interrupted) during the entire time I rode that bus back and forth for school. I think the newspaper ads help to support that as fact. And please understand, I do not mean to be argumentative, just trying to arrive at the true history of the theater and reconcile our collective memories here. I hope my efforts are taken in that spirit!
It was a very small lobby, as I recall. More like a foyer. Or a vestibule that led to another hall where there was a small concession stand (I think) that I never even wanted to LOOK at, and a flight of stairs that went to the balcony, which was always closed. When and how was this pic taken?
We’re talking about the Guild 50th Street, Tinseltoes, which was acquired by Trans-Lux when Norman Elson was president. I know at some point Elson left Trans-Lux to run Guild Enterprises with his son Peter, and operated a string of theaters under the Embassy banner, including the Embassy Newsreel in Times Square. I assume they acquired the Guild from Trans-Lux – we were just trying to ascertain if the Guild ever operated with the Embassy name on the marquee.
I think the Guild may have at one time been known as Embassy Newsreel Theatre, probably when Trans-Lux Corporation took it over in the late ‘40’s.
The only minor correction I would make to the opening description is to note that the theater was gutted for the drug store (as were the other storefronts that ran along its length on Union Turnpike) and not torn down. The auditorium structure still stands behind the street front facade – no doubt stripped down to the bare bricks before the drug store was layed out within.
Looking along the block, I would propose that a good possibility for the old theater building (if it still exists) would be the auto repair shop just a few doors up from Jamaica Avenue opposite where Babbage Street forms the southern point of the actual Library Square. Just an educated guess. LuisV, in the street view I’m looking at, the building to the right of the old Republican Club appears to be a residential dwelling from the 1920’s. Do you know for sure that this was the site of this theater?
Old thread, but I wonder if JAB still monitors this page and if he has the means to upload that photo of the Plaza in his possession? Anyway, looks like this is now occupied by a church. JAB says the equipment was disposed of in 1961… did they then sell or lease to a church?
This page from the New York City Organ Project has several vintage photos of the Oasis Theatre’s entrance and auditorium. Click on each image to open it to full size.
This photo of the Forest Hills is dated 1940, which the titles on the marquee bear out. Thanks to Tinseltoes, who introduced me to this website (for The New York City Organ Project) by linking out to pictures on other theater pages.
Hi vyurkevich… If you mean the ad for the movie “Bigtime” that is at the top of the page, I posted it. It’s just a photo I took of a page from an old Daily News paper that I have. My grandfather saved it for some reason – not sure what it was in that particular edition that held significance for him, but when he passed, I got possession of it. I hold no ownership, since it’s a newspaper ad, so you are free to use it. If you like, I will send you a copy of the original photo file, which you’ll be able to open up much larger than is currently allowed here on Cinema Treasures. Just let me know your email address and I’ll forward it.
Hey Bobby… Thanks for sharing. Is that a confirmed fact? If so, perhaps the stars are truly in alignment for this old gal! Terrific news!
Seems that the Westbury’s tudor revival Post Avenue facade will be completely replaced with a modern take on art deco, according to the article. I was a little confused when it noted that the new developer was struck by the theater’s “bare proscenium” as being “glamorous” and “beautiful.” Did he fall in love with the ruins of the original interior and then proceed to gut the theater? Or was the building already gutted by previous owners and he was just struck by the beauty of the theater’s form and bare bones?
In any event, it seems that the new performing arts center will look radically different – both outside and in – from the house originally opened by the Salvatore Calderone back in 1927.
I remember getting passes to see this with my parents when it played the Sutton. My mom used to work for Rugoff so she hooked it up.
Wow, John… this ties in nicely with the photo I posted just before this one – which is the cover to the movie program for “Crossed Swords” – which was the Easter Attraction and was actually scheduled to be the very last attraction at the Hall.
I love how even within the ordinary brickwork there are those clusters of music-stand figures!
That YouTube clip is terrific! Looks like it was a packed house for those Edison photoplays. Would have hated to be seated behind some of those ladies hats that were seen parading out in the clip. Also noticed a couple of baby-carriages being strolled out the door – I guess bringing infants to a movie theater isn’t such a recent development after all! Although, I’d forgive the parents in this clip since I’m guessing cinema-going etiquette may have yet been fully established at this point.
Nice long shots of the building at the end, also.
Here’s a link to the video that should work.
I, too, remember the Autopub in the plaza below the GM building. I went there once as a boy with my family in the 1970’s and we sat in the “Drive-In theatre” and watched the movie “Airport,” which had by then already been on network TV. Being so young at the time, I have no idea what sort of presentation was made at the Autopub (must have been 16mm rental prints, no?), but I seem to recall that it was in something close to its widescreen format because I can remember noticing how the split-screen sequences played much better than in the network TV broadcast.
I never did get to see the New York Experience, but I remember it running for years at the McGraw-Hill Trans-Lux.
Anyone else experiencing problems viewing photos on CT the last day or two? Both the thumbnails and full size images have been coming and going depending on what page you’re on or if you refresh the screen. They are replaced with blue question marks, when not visible.
Hey Saps… I’ll have to upload that photo here for it to show up as the intro photo. They can’t snag photos on other websites like photobucket to use for the I.D. photo. I’ll get around to it one of these days!
Chas, you’re quite right – and I know I’ve been guilty as charged of this very crime. Without a batch upload option in place yet, I find it sometimes difficult to edit out redundant pictures while I’m uploading one photo at a time – particularly in the many instances where I have a dozen or more images for a single theater. What I try to do is go back through the images after I’ve finished a few sets and thin the herd out a bit by using the “remove photo” option. I will continue to do so as time permits. Right now, I’m just trying to upload what is at this point a tremendous backlog of images that I’ve had on my home computer (and in my photobucket scrapbook) for a number of years. Hopefully, others will do the same and help work the photo library down to fighting weight.
And hopefully, we’ll see a batch upload function on this site in the near future!
Ha! That is awesome! Not to mention, seeing the red “restricted” MPAA trailer tag at the beginning reminded me of the old grindhouse days where ALL the trailers seemed to be “restricted!” Although, I do also remember seeing R-rated trailers at some art houses and even accompanying R-rated features in mainstream theaters from time to time, but it has to be at least 20 or 25 years since I’ve spotted one!
I’ve noticed the same, Chris. I don’t think the warning about uploading potentially copyrighted photos was made as clearly and emphatically as it might have been – in fact it most prominently appears as a “tip” and not a mandate. I’ve been trying to keep my uploads to personal photos or newspaper clippings in my possession only. If I come across a great old image on the net, I’m linking out to it in a comment the old fashioned way.
While we’re on the topic of uploads… Not sure if its the high volume of new photos, but lately I’ve been experiencing significant slowness on the site that frequently leads to a message stating “Cinema Treasures is having difficulties…” Usually, when I refresh, my upload or comment has gone through, but the slowdown has really put a damper on my adding more photos here the past couple of days. You guys aware of a server or traffic issue with the site? Thanks!
Hey Ed! Great name! I grew up in Laurelton and went to many a movie in Valley Stream, Lynbrook, Lawrence, Rockville Centre, etc.
DLC… did not hear about the Florida cruise. I’m hoping that, one of these days, TCM brings its film festival out east to NYC!
Actually, Ken… the Times Square occupies just about all of this building. Stage house is on the right (you can see the fly tower rising above) and the house ran back to the left. The wooden doors on the left at street level indicate the original entrance foyer for the old Apollo Theatre, essentially a tunnel through the building to the Apollo’s lobby and auditorium, which sat behind the Times Square on 43rd Street. The upper portion of the Times Square’s balcony extends over this foyer. Fire exits for the balcony run behind the colonnade, with exit doors onto 42nd Street just to the left of the red awning for “42nd St Development Project” that we see in this photo.
Crazy how the old Apollo entrance was advertised as “Store for rent!” Luckily, the foyer was not irreparably harmed and has been beautifully restored as an alternate exit hallway for the Foxwoods Theatre (which is the “new/old” theater that was created in the combined footprints of the Apollo and Lyric, using architectural elements from both).
No doubt that typos abound in movie ads. But I’m sure the RKO Alden is correctly listed. I rode the Q5 bus up and down Merrick Boulevard on a daily basis from 1977 through 1982 to get to and from both my junior high school and my high school. And I was one of those kids who loved just looking out the windows at the passing scene, day in and day out. I used to pay particular attention to the progress of dismantling the old elevated tracks and took pleasure in seeing the two movie theater facades being revealed as the structure came down. My memory might not be as sharp as rafaelstorm – as I don’t remember the Alden’s closure – but I’m sure that the Alden was in operation (even if briefly interrupted) during the entire time I rode that bus back and forth for school. I think the newspaper ads help to support that as fact. And please understand, I do not mean to be argumentative, just trying to arrive at the true history of the theater and reconcile our collective memories here. I hope my efforts are taken in that spirit!
It was a very small lobby, as I recall. More like a foyer. Or a vestibule that led to another hall where there was a small concession stand (I think) that I never even wanted to LOOK at, and a flight of stairs that went to the balcony, which was always closed. When and how was this pic taken?