But this wasn’t the first art house in Westchester. General Cinema’s former Hartsdale One up the road opened as an art house in the early 1960’s before going with mainstream films. And during the 1960’s and early 1970’s, nearby Bronxville ran some art films. And beleieve it or not, back then some x features also like “I Am Curious Yellow” “The Swinging Stewardesses” etc.
There was talk of an art house to be included in the Galleria Mall
expansion that was proposed and later dropped when Mills Company bought the mall several years ago. The theater operator was never identified.
The Jacob Burns Center in Pleasantville will continue the legacy of the Fine Arts Theater which I once heard was the most successful siburban art house. True ??
In particular, I was guessing other General Cinema theaters may have had them since the same architect designed most of their theaters, many of which had the same amenities. Central Plaza was their only Westchester County theater with a waterfall/ fountain.
Was thinking a similiar sized theater like their Menlo Park, NJ house might have had the same waterfall with it’s thin ring shaped fountain that they would turn on late in the afternoon. Very memorable as a kid with friends sitting in the matinees back then.
This is a rehash of closed circuit presentations from the 1960’s into the 1970’s, mostly boxing matches, but they did a Daytona 500 car race one time along with Evel Knievel’s jump over the Snake Canyon River, early 1970’s.
But digital is only a natural for these types of presentations.
Would be interesting to see if people would pay for a cable TV big event like the Sopranos final episode. Many people don’t still have cable, believe it or not, myself included.
Thank You so much to both Mr. Lopes and the Paradise owners for organizing these tours.
FYI: Feature film “We Own the Night” shot in the Pradise a few weeks back. Stars Jaquin Phoenix, Robert Duvall, Eva Mendes. Also filmed in the church nearby on Fordham @ University Avenue.
Feature Film “We Own the Night” with Jaquin Phoenix, Eva Mendes, and Robert Duvall filmed last week at the Paradise. I am so glad the location scouts discovered this gem. Don’t know how many days they filmed and if they filmed exteriors of the theater.
They had also shot around the corner in the church on Fordham Road @ University Avenue.
Question about Forest Hill Gardens: Have they ever filmed anything in that private enclave? Has the hotel opposite the LIRR Station ever been filmed? Thought I saw it in a Citibank comercial, but never anywhere else and it’s so unique.
Don’t know if your local theaters do morning shows, but they do in NYC and there are no ticket or concession lines and you get your choice of the best seats without the nightime trash element.
Cheapest theater in mid town is Loews on West 34th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues at $9.50 as opposed to $10.75 everywhere else.
Go to an 11AM movie and you leave with the day still ahead of you….
Anytime I wrote to crappy Clearview Cinemas ( worst chain in Westchester County) a reply never came. And I had written to offer suggestions as opposed to criticisms, but still to no avail.
Yesterday I walked by Central Plaza Cinema, Yonkers and noticed paint stains on the poster cases that have been there ( not kidding) for at least one year. No point in saying anything, just thought about how wonderful a place it was under General Cinema.
If you read into the Jihad manuals, they instruct the terrorists to cry torture, abuse, etc knowing well many Americans will fall for it. Yes, some of the abuse is true, but much of it isn’t either. Thanks to Landmark to going for their defense so quickly.
This theater opened around 1964 or 1965 based on a microfilm newspaper story about the shopping center soon to open. It was reported as being an art house in the article and in the early days only, probably was. They did quite well all along, especially with the 1970’s blockbusters like “Serpico”, “Death Wish” both “Godfather” films, etc. I worked at Hartsdale 2 on the north end of the center and both complexes were converted to twins in the mid 1970’s.
They hung on after National Amusements opened in nearby Hawthorne, but the later opened Cross County Multiplex likely was the final
blow to both Hartsdale Cinemas.
GCC had really established itself as the predominant operator in mid-lower Westchester during the 1960’s through 1970’s. They were always aggressive in not waiting for the competition to take a potential theater site and that is why they opened Harstdale 2 after hearing that Loews was interested.
Best of luck to you and local historical societies can likely provide good materials. You can also place wanted ads for free on craigslist.org. The local newspapers might also do a story about you seeking the artifacts.
The NY Daily News runs tiny ads for two porno theaters in Newark which must be the only remaining ones on the east coast. True ??
I was impressed with the big screen when seeing “Munich” in theater #6 several Sundays back. Early morning shows are great. Pick any seat, barely any ticket or concession lines, no rowdy customers.
Why doesn’t this theater have any water fountains?
Isn’t that a health code violation ??
Having restrooms on one floor is stupid.
Overall though, I will return.
Why are they charging less per ticket than Kip’s Bay?
Because it’s a trashy neighborhood maybe??
Maybe because the neighborhood is slightly trashy?
P.S to my posting above…….When Loews became Brandt’s Yonkers, a new marquee shaped like a triangle was erected. Almost identical to the one down the street in the still vacant Park Hill Theater.
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been occupying it on and off in recent years. And I got in for a peek during one of their services.
Went to see “Munich” here on Sunday morning and was very happy with the very large, curved screen in theater 6. The only drawback is the lack of restrooms on each floor and total absence of water fountains. Otherwise, this place seems as good as their Kip’s Bay theater.
P.S.—I totally agree with the comment about Clearview and how crappy a chain it is. Just last night I walked past my formerly beloved Central Plaza Cinema, Yonkers, NY and their outdoor poster cases still have paint stains on them from months ago. I kid you not !!! What the hell kind of management and employees ( gulp !) do they hire?? Has a district manager ever visited this theater?
This theater during General Cinema’s heydey, was the best new single screen theater in the entire county. See my detailed comments under the theater thread itself. CLEARVIEW BITES !!!!
Pretty good piece and similiar to the popcorn-thirst theory, some theaters don’t have any water fountains. Discovered this yesterday at Loew’s 34th St, NYC. Is this legal ???
Having restrooms on one floor is very stupid.
But the screens are nice and big with good projection.
www.laedc.org ( Los Angeles Economic Development Corp) has a good downloadable piece on the state of the film business in general.
The article basically said nothing new whatsoever.
Should have just done a piece on the opning in Port Chester and I heard they had free admission for the entire first week.
Another possible new theater is included in the proposed Ridge Hill development project in Yonkers. The chain has not been identified yet, but based on the rendering, it looks like a National Amusements multiplex. It’s not a good site at all for another theater either.
The article basically said nothing new whatsoever.
Should have just done a piece on the opning in Port Chester and I heard they had free admission for the entire first week.
Another possible new theater is included in the proposed Ridge Hill development project in Yonkers. The chain has not been identified yet, but based on the rendering, it looks like a National Amusements multiplex. It’s not a good site at all for another theater either.
What a stupid place for a theater !!!
Just to find it becomes a treasure hunt !!!
By placing the theater below street level it’s almost as if the movie going experience has become second rate compared to the stores above. At least witht the NYc Loews inside of Virgin Records, there is a marquee outside.
Where is that Columbia Park 12 located exactly?
Mapquest shows I-495 at Kennedy Blvd. Couldn’t find it.
It’s located below some other stores? Which ones? Curious to see this place. Please email me at
You could probably get an answer as to the location of the fish pond by posting a message in backinthebronx.com message board. I think the fish pond was in the lobby possibly. Good source for other Bronx theater related questions.
See if the Bronx Historical Society has photos of the drive in.
When it opened as a multiplex in 1983, it was worth the trip from nearby Yonkers and I commend National Amusements for maintaining it so well that it doesn’t appear to have aged one day in 20 years. They added on two more screens years back and I think it’s mentioned in Sumner Redstone’s biography as being one of their top earning theaters. They were leery about building this theater because the the left over Bronx stigma from the 1970’s. Now literally every retailer in America sees the money to made in Da' Bronx. Another possible multiplex coming to Marble Hill at Broadway and West 233 Street.
Was ortiginally run by Ackerman-Tolchin chain as a first run $1.50 at all times house. Nice little theater back then. This is actuallyy located in the Town of Greenburgh which carries a White Plains postal address. I think it’s a twin, not a quad. I don’t believe it opened until the very early 1970’s.
Skouras chain ran this theater until the late 1960’s when United Artists took it over. Lots a cherished childhood memories here. And they did run some x-rated films in the 1960’s like “I Am Curious Yellow” “The Swinging Stewardesses” in 3-D. Theater is patronized by many seniors wanting to avoid the chaos of the multiplexes and who can blame them??? Clearview runs many independent and art films in this theater.
Was sorry to read this last week.
But this wasn’t the first art house in Westchester. General Cinema’s former Hartsdale One up the road opened as an art house in the early 1960’s before going with mainstream films. And during the 1960’s and early 1970’s, nearby Bronxville ran some art films. And beleieve it or not, back then some x features also like “I Am Curious Yellow” “The Swinging Stewardesses” etc.
There was talk of an art house to be included in the Galleria Mall
expansion that was proposed and later dropped when Mills Company bought the mall several years ago. The theater operator was never identified.
The Jacob Burns Center in Pleasantville will continue the legacy of the Fine Arts Theater which I once heard was the most successful siburban art house. True ??
In particular, I was guessing other General Cinema theaters may have had them since the same architect designed most of their theaters, many of which had the same amenities. Central Plaza was their only Westchester County theater with a waterfall/ fountain.
Was thinking a similiar sized theater like their Menlo Park, NJ house might have had the same waterfall with it’s thin ring shaped fountain that they would turn on late in the afternoon. Very memorable as a kid with friends sitting in the matinees back then.
This is a rehash of closed circuit presentations from the 1960’s into the 1970’s, mostly boxing matches, but they did a Daytona 500 car race one time along with Evel Knievel’s jump over the Snake Canyon River, early 1970’s.
But digital is only a natural for these types of presentations.
Would be interesting to see if people would pay for a cable TV big event like the Sopranos final episode. Many people don’t still have cable, believe it or not, myself included.
Thank You so much to both Mr. Lopes and the Paradise owners for organizing these tours.
FYI: Feature film “We Own the Night” shot in the Pradise a few weeks back. Stars Jaquin Phoenix, Robert Duvall, Eva Mendes. Also filmed in the church nearby on Fordham @ University Avenue.
Robin Williams is filming feture film “August Rush” in this theater all week.
Feature Film “We Own the Night” with Jaquin Phoenix, Eva Mendes, and Robert Duvall filmed last week at the Paradise. I am so glad the location scouts discovered this gem. Don’t know how many days they filmed and if they filmed exteriors of the theater.
They had also shot around the corner in the church on Fordham Road @ University Avenue.
Good luck with this endeavor Mr. Perlman.
Question about Forest Hill Gardens: Have they ever filmed anything in that private enclave? Has the hotel opposite the LIRR Station ever been filmed? Thought I saw it in a Citibank comercial, but never anywhere else and it’s so unique.
Thank You Much.
Don’t know if your local theaters do morning shows, but they do in NYC and there are no ticket or concession lines and you get your choice of the best seats without the nightime trash element.
Cheapest theater in mid town is Loews on West 34th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues at $9.50 as opposed to $10.75 everywhere else.
Go to an 11AM movie and you leave with the day still ahead of you….
Nice that they resonded back to you…
Anytime I wrote to crappy Clearview Cinemas ( worst chain in Westchester County) a reply never came. And I had written to offer suggestions as opposed to criticisms, but still to no avail.
Yesterday I walked by Central Plaza Cinema, Yonkers and noticed paint stains on the poster cases that have been there ( not kidding) for at least one year. No point in saying anything, just thought about how wonderful a place it was under General Cinema.
At least Landmark cares…
If you read into the Jihad manuals, they instruct the terrorists to cry torture, abuse, etc knowing well many Americans will fall for it. Yes, some of the abuse is true, but much of it isn’t either. Thanks to Landmark to going for their defense so quickly.
This theater opened around 1964 or 1965 based on a microfilm newspaper story about the shopping center soon to open. It was reported as being an art house in the article and in the early days only, probably was. They did quite well all along, especially with the 1970’s blockbusters like “Serpico”, “Death Wish” both “Godfather” films, etc. I worked at Hartsdale 2 on the north end of the center and both complexes were converted to twins in the mid 1970’s.
They hung on after National Amusements opened in nearby Hawthorne, but the later opened Cross County Multiplex likely was the final
blow to both Hartsdale Cinemas.
GCC had really established itself as the predominant operator in mid-lower Westchester during the 1960’s through 1970’s. They were always aggressive in not waiting for the competition to take a potential theater site and that is why they opened Harstdale 2 after hearing that Loews was interested.
Best of luck to you and local historical societies can likely provide good materials. You can also place wanted ads for free on craigslist.org. The local newspapers might also do a story about you seeking the artifacts.
The NY Daily News runs tiny ads for two porno theaters in Newark which must be the only remaining ones on the east coast. True ??
Good Luck to you.
I was impressed with the big screen when seeing “Munich” in theater #6 several Sundays back. Early morning shows are great. Pick any seat, barely any ticket or concession lines, no rowdy customers.
Why doesn’t this theater have any water fountains?
Isn’t that a health code violation ??
Having restrooms on one floor is stupid.
Overall though, I will return.
Why are they charging less per ticket than Kip’s Bay?
Because it’s a trashy neighborhood maybe??
Maybe because the neighborhood is slightly trashy?
P.S to my posting above…….When Loews became Brandt’s Yonkers, a new marquee shaped like a triangle was erected. Almost identical to the one down the street in the still vacant Park Hill Theater.
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been occupying it on and off in recent years. And I got in for a peek during one of their services.
Are all the screens in this place the same size?
Went to see “Munich” here on Sunday morning and was very happy with the very large, curved screen in theater 6. The only drawback is the lack of restrooms on each floor and total absence of water fountains. Otherwise, this place seems as good as their Kip’s Bay theater.
P.S.—I totally agree with the comment about Clearview and how crappy a chain it is. Just last night I walked past my formerly beloved Central Plaza Cinema, Yonkers, NY and their outdoor poster cases still have paint stains on them from months ago. I kid you not !!! What the hell kind of management and employees ( gulp !) do they hire?? Has a district manager ever visited this theater?
This theater during General Cinema’s heydey, was the best new single screen theater in the entire county. See my detailed comments under the theater thread itself. CLEARVIEW BITES !!!!
Happy Movie going to all.
Pretty good piece and similiar to the popcorn-thirst theory, some theaters don’t have any water fountains. Discovered this yesterday at Loew’s 34th St, NYC. Is this legal ???
Having restrooms on one floor is very stupid.
But the screens are nice and big with good projection.
www.laedc.org ( Los Angeles Economic Development Corp) has a good downloadable piece on the state of the film business in general.
The article basically said nothing new whatsoever.
Should have just done a piece on the opning in Port Chester and I heard they had free admission for the entire first week.
Another possible new theater is included in the proposed Ridge Hill development project in Yonkers. The chain has not been identified yet, but based on the rendering, it looks like a National Amusements multiplex. It’s not a good site at all for another theater either.
The article basically said nothing new whatsoever.
Should have just done a piece on the opning in Port Chester and I heard they had free admission for the entire first week.
Another possible new theater is included in the proposed Ridge Hill development project in Yonkers. The chain has not been identified yet, but based on the rendering, it looks like a National Amusements multiplex. It’s not a good site at all for another theater either.
What a stupid place for a theater !!!
Just to find it becomes a treasure hunt !!!
By placing the theater below street level it’s almost as if the movie going experience has become second rate compared to the stores above. At least witht the NYc Loews inside of Virgin Records, there is a marquee outside.
Where is that Columbia Park 12 located exactly?
Mapquest shows I-495 at Kennedy Blvd. Couldn’t find it.
It’s located below some other stores? Which ones? Curious to see this place. Please email me at
Thank You Much
You could probably get an answer as to the location of the fish pond by posting a message in backinthebronx.com message board. I think the fish pond was in the lobby possibly. Good source for other Bronx theater related questions.
See if the Bronx Historical Society has photos of the drive in.
When it opened as a multiplex in 1983, it was worth the trip from nearby Yonkers and I commend National Amusements for maintaining it so well that it doesn’t appear to have aged one day in 20 years. They added on two more screens years back and I think it’s mentioned in Sumner Redstone’s biography as being one of their top earning theaters. They were leery about building this theater because the the left over Bronx stigma from the 1970’s. Now literally every retailer in America sees the money to made in Da' Bronx. Another possible multiplex coming to Marble Hill at Broadway and West 233 Street.
Was ortiginally run by Ackerman-Tolchin chain as a first run $1.50 at all times house. Nice little theater back then. This is actuallyy located in the Town of Greenburgh which carries a White Plains postal address. I think it’s a twin, not a quad. I don’t believe it opened until the very early 1970’s.
Skouras chain ran this theater until the late 1960’s when United Artists took it over. Lots a cherished childhood memories here. And they did run some x-rated films in the 1960’s like “I Am Curious Yellow” “The Swinging Stewardesses” in 3-D. Theater is patronized by many seniors wanting to avoid the chaos of the multiplexes and who can blame them??? Clearview runs many independent and art films in this theater.