Beekman Theatre
1254 2nd Avenue,
New York,
NY
10021
1254 2nd Avenue,
New York,
NY
10021
41 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 75 of 399 comments
Well… at least they found a good home and didn’t wind up in some dumpster or garbage heap broken to shards. Thanks for sharing, Marty.
The script neon marque signs now adorn the interior of the Greenport Long Island Theater’s auditorium: http://www.greenporttheater.com/
Hardbop, they are all there but on the dates they opened.
I didn’t go here often, but do remember seeing THE PLAYER here on its original run and remember the line was ‘round the block as they used to say. With the rise of the multi-plexes you don’t often see movie lines snaking down sidewalks any longer.
I’m not 100% sure I saw it here, but the last time I was in the Beekman may have been back in ‘99 for THE RED VIOLIN, but I’m not 100% certain I caught it at the Beekman because TRV also played at Lincoln Plaza & UA’s 14th Street 'plex.
There are some gaps in AAlvarez' list and I know the Irish film I WENT DOWN played there on 7/1/98, though I’m not sure I caught it at the Beekman because it also played at City Cinemas Village East ‘plex.
I definitely saw 12 MONKEYS here back on original release in ‘95 because when I saw it on 12/29/95 it must have been playing exclusively at the Beekman when it first opened. I also must have seen SHADOWLANDS here (not on AAlvarez’ list) which must have opened exclusively at the Beekman when I saw it on 1/7/94.
A hospital that could have been built someplace else, is slated to rise in its place. Extremely sad!
I passed by the theater site a couple of days ago, they had also destroyed the corner building which was a bank, they demolished the entire section up to the corner. It’s all boarded up now. Even though I knew about it, it was still very disillusioning to actually see it in person. I’m sure another monsterousity high rise is going up in it’s place.
Hi! Sounds as if you have a fulfilling & unique project ahead of you. I hope you are able to find hinges that support its weight. I’m looking forward to seeing the photo. I appreciate it! Thanks!!! Good luck! :)
Have had it designed since last summer but have not begun building it. I have some of the lumber but still have to work out some of the meaurements before buying the rest of it. I originally designed the armoire with the intention of finding art deco-style door-pulls similar to the Beekman’s…little did I know that I would eventually obtain an actual set! They are so massively heavy that my new dilemma is finding hinges that will support the weight of the armoire doors once the door-pulls are installed. When I solve the problem and comstruct the armoire I will definitely post a pic for you! :–)
How is your prized Beekman-inspired armoire turning out? Please tell me if it would be possible to share a photo with us when it’s all complete.
Very true. I agree entirely. Sadly, this is a reality. If & when those responsible do wake up, it just might be too late! :( GREED! GREED! GREED! A disaster!!!
Yes, we are returning to a time when the interests of the rich, and big business, take precedence over all things cultural in NYC. The only difference seems to lie in the attitude. Though Pennsylvania Station was a terrible loss, its destruction, related to greed, came after two decades of a genuine confidence and true (if naive) hope for a bright future. In that time, New Yorkers were willing to believe that perhaps whatever replaced the Station might possible be better (what a joke). The current trends are pure greed and nothing more. No hopefulness, no brighter future for the city, no thoughts that something better might replace the lost monuments…just pure, blind greed. New Yorkers vote more and more for the interests of the wealthy…this is the result.
Please read the following from the Friends of the Upper East Side site:
Cinemas Facing Eviction and Demolition
For Immediate Release: January 7, 2005
Two of New York’s pre-eminent post-World War II art film houses and significant examples of modern architecture on the Upper East Side are scheduled to close. Cinema I II at 1001 3rd Avenue (Abraham W. Geller & Associates with Ben Schlanger, consulting theater architect: 1962), and the Beekman Theater at 1258 Second Avenue (1952: Architects: Fellheimer & Wagner, et al) face heavy alterations and possible demolition. On March 29, 2002 FRIENDS (of the Upper East Side) submitted a Request for Evaluation to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the theaters, strongly recommending the commission to hold a hearing to designate the theaters. Shortly thereafter, we received a letter of strong interest from the LPC in considering these buildings for designation. The Landmarks Preservation Commission has not acted since.
My response: Typical of the LPC! The Beekman Theater, a prime example of mid-century modernism on the Upper East Side, has now been demolished. Cinema 1 & 2 is now extensively altered, and looks like a blank canvas. Also, if you search the LPC archives on their site, they’re designating less & less on a monthly basis. With all these prime examples recently demolished, and a decrease in designations, it makes me wonder… Are we backtracking to the Penn Station era?
The Beekman in the nineties…
01/26/90 STRIKE IT RICH
02/16/90 REVENGE
03/09/90 COUPE DE VILLE
03/30/90 OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
04/13/90 THE GODS MUST BE CRAZY II
05/04/90 CHATTAHOOCHEE
05/18/90 BIRD ON A WIRE
06/29/90 GHOST DAD
07/27/90 PROBLEM CHILD
08/17/90 WILD AT HEART
09/14/90 POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE
11/09/90 THE KRAYS
12/07/90 THE GRIFTERS
12/14/90 HAVANA
01/18/91 ONCE AROUND
03/15/91 TRUE COLORS
04/12/91 IMPROMPTU
05/24/91 ONLY THE LONELY
06/14/91 BACKDRAFT
07/19/91 BILL & TED’S BOGUS JOURNEY
08/02/91 CITY SLICKERS
08/16/91 THE COMMITMENTS
08/30/91 BLACK ROBE
10/11/91 AT PLAY IN THE FIELDS OF THE LORD
02/28/92 UNDER SUSPICION
04/10/92 THE PLAYER
07/10/92 THE BEST INTENTIONS
08/14/92 SINGLE WHITE FEMALE
09/18/92 HUSBANDS AND WIVES
11/13/92 A FEW GOOD MEN
03/05/93 RICH IN LOVE
04/16/93 UNFORGIVEN
04/30/93 THE PICKLE
05/14/93 BENNY & JOON
06/25/93 SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE
08/27/93 MANHATTAN MURDER MYSTERY
10/01/93 A BRONX TALE
11/12/93 THE PIANO
12/31/93 SHADOWLANDS
03/11/94 GUARDING TESS
04/15/94 NAKED IN NEW YORK
06/17/94 WOLF
08/26/94 NATURAL BORN KILLERS
09/30/94 MY FAIR LADY
10/07/94 PULP FICTION
12/23/94 LEGENDS OF THE FALL
02/24/95 BULLETS OVER BROADWAY
03/10/95 MURIEL’S WEDDING
04/07/95 ROB ROY
05/19/95 FORGET PARIS
07/07/95 FIRST KNIGHT
08/11/95 A WALK IN THE CLOUDS
09/29/95 STEAL BIG, STEAL LITTLE
10/13/95 STRANGE DAYS
10/27/95 LEAVING LAS VEGAS
11/17/95 CASINO
12/29/95 12 MONKEYS
02/16/96 CITY HALL
03/22/96 JACK AND SARAH
03/29/96 A FAMILY THING
04/12/96 GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER
04/26/96 THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS AND DOGS
06/14/96 STEALING BEAUTY
08/02/96 EMMA
10/11/96 MICHAEL COLLINS
12/27/96 MICHAEL
02/07/97 HOTEL DE LOVE
02/14/97 TOUCH
02/28/97 SMILLA’S SENSE OF SNOW
04/11/97 PARADISE ROAD
05/02/97 THE COMMANDMENTS
05/16/97 ANNA KARENINA
05/30/97 TIL THERE WAS YOU
06/27/97 BRASSED OFF
08/01/97 PICTURE PERFECT
08/22/97 A SMILE LIKE YOURS
09/19/97 closed?
10/24/97 IN THE COMPANY OF MEN/ MRS. BROWN
11/07/97 WINGS OF THE DOVE
03/06/98 THE BIG LEBOWSKI
04/03/98 THE BUTCHER BOY
05/22/98 FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS
07/24/98 I WENT DOWN
07/31/98 EVER AFTER
09/18/98 ONE TRUE THING
10/09/98 THE MIGHTY
11/13/98 MEET JOE BLACK
12/11/98 CELEBRITY
12/25/98 THE THEORY OF FLIGHT
01/08/99 LITTLE VOICE
02/19/99 OCTOBER SKY
03/26/99 SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
04/02/99 COOKIE’S FORTUNE
05/07/99 THE MUMMY
06/11/99 THE RED VIOLIN
08/06/99 THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR
09/17/99 AMERICAN BEAUTY
12/31/99 THE HURRICANE
What a superb idea & concept!
Thank you everyone! I am not sure yet how I will display them. Someone at the office saw them and said they would make beautiful towel racks. Good grief! I think not.
I have been designing a HUGE armoire to house my gigantic TV and a stereo, DVD player, etc…as well many DVDs and VHS tapes, and the design includes two big doors for the front of the piece which will hide the general disorganized appearance of it all, plus conceal the TV itself (I think TVs and entertainment centers are ugly). The Beekman door-pulls would be perfect for the front, and even the reverse “PUSH” sides would be there, and when the doors are opened for TV viewing they would be visible. Of course there is no way I would damage the door-pulls with varnish or anything, I would install them way after any stain dries. I am going to leave them as they are, I love the chipped vintage appearance.
I picked the door-pulls up this morning from the seller and carried them through the subways to work and they are IMMENSELY HEAVY!! Now I have to carry them home…my whole body will probably get a hernia. It would be worth it!
The seller told me he has another set of Beekman door-pulls but they are damaged. I did not see them. They might appear on eBay, anyone interested should keep checking!
Hi Dave! Much congratulations, it’s great that part of the Beekman will stay in the family
Hi Dave! Congratulations to you. You deserve this prized possession!!! Quite a conversation piece! Out of curiosity, how do you plan on displaying or incorporating it into your home? It would be unique to have pieces of several regretfully demolished theaters, present in one’s home.
Thanks! It will be well cared for. Good lord maybe I should insure it!!
Congrats davebazooka on your win. It’s great to see it go to a good home.
Sony changed the names of the Loews theaters to Sony, then as Sony (of Japan) sold their movie theater chain and new company merged with Cineplex Odeon, the Loews names returned to the theaters.
AMC has said maybe there will be a use for Loews name somewhere.
alalvarez, although sony took over the loews name was still being used, now it will just be amc
Hi William: Thank you for the info re the Beekman door-pulls up for auction on eBay. Winning bidder here! I feel honored to own this piece of the lovely lost Beekman. I am amazed that no one salvaged the beautiful chrome doors that separated the ticket lobby from the interior. More fodder for the landfill. I wonder what became of the exterior logo from the top of the facade. Maybe it’s in the landfill too. :–(
I think when Sony first took over Loews they also changed all the names to SONY for a while, so Loews has been missing from the New York scene before.
howardbhaas. We all will miss it. But at least we saw it think of all those who will only read about it we are the lucky ones. and i’m proud to say i was once a manager of the BEEKMAN! Also the state is now closed.
Thanks for the clarification, Astrocks.
As to the Beekman, I photographed the Art Moderne hardware, in the interior, too, and I hoped somebody salvaged it.
I’m gonna miss the Beekman!