An article in The Gothamist names this as the worst theatre in NYC, listing a myriad of problems. I have never been to this theatre, I would like to see comments from patrons.
The marquee is the same except uncle vinnies sign has been removed. Any furniture had been temporarily removed from the Orchestra to store storm relief supplies. Large tables were st up in the lobby to allow victims to choose from the supplies.The balcony had all new seats.The small stage is still there.
I stopped into the church today as they were giving out supplies to storm victims. The Uncle Vinnie’s people did a fantastic job renovating the theatre, and it is being well maintained by Crossroads church.
The theatre has now been transformed into a church. The lower half of the facade has been renovated and there is now a set of wooden double doors at the entrance. I did not see any name of the facility, there is still a Farrell Lumber sign on the side of the building. Unknown if it has opened for services.
I was here last weekend and it has been cleaned up. It also now has bargain ticket prices – only $5.50 on a Saturday matinee. They were not stingy with the A/C like they once were. One complaint – some seats are worn out and should be replaced.
Al I only know that when I saw “The Story of Joanna” here in 1975 the other theatre was showing “The Naughty Victorians”. That was also a hard-core film. I believe it was 1978 when I was dragged here by a girlfriend to see “The Savage is Loose”, but that arrangement was a private one year lease with the film’s star/ Director.
I like that they request all electronic devices be turned completely off. The patrons take their filmgoing very seriously. I was there for the Spaghetti Western series and a man in front of me took out his cel. A patron behind me immediately leaned forward and requested he take it outside. Yes! But some go a bit too far. The man directly in front of me turned around every time I shifted in my seat. Give us a break!
I have uploaded several photos taken during the attempted restoration. I found them on a website called Staten Island and the Arts. And Vito you were right, note the marquee photo advertising “2 Big XXX Hits!”
“Smash” is filming every day this week at the theatre and is rumored to be getting a second season in the fall. That is very good news for the St.George which I’m sure is being well compensated by NBC. Good for them.
Movieswithdad thank you for that update. That is good news for the theatre and for New Dorp Lane. At least the theatre will be maintained and put to good use.
Tinsel I remember it being one of the longest movie lines I ever waited on. I’d like to know what the seating capacity was. Of course the movie was worth the wait.
I saw “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” here. I don’t remember much about the interior except for it being underground. Since the line for “Cuckoo’s Nest” stretched for blocks it must have had a large seating capacity. I always remembered the unique exterior. Now that it is a parking garage with no traces of it left perhaps the introduction should list it as demolished.
Glad to read Ed and LuisV’s info about the renovations and new life as a restaurant. I went to many Manhattan theatres in the 70’s but never had the grindhouse experience. We have the Paramount theatre here in Staten Island that some good people tried to renovate and open as a restaurant/ catering hall. They were well into the renovations but the theatre became a money pit and the project was abandoned. At least the Liberty has a new lease on life.
On the Amboy page it says it didnt open until ‘79 and the UA was some time in 1980 , so both the St.George and Paramount had actually already shut down. With what it must have cost for heating and air conditioning in those huge theatres I’m not surprised. According to the S.I. Advance at the time the Paramount was supposed to continue as an adult movie house. When word got out the move was protested and the theatre closed for good (as a movie house).
I seem to recall them closing in ‘77 or '78. What did them in was the opening of new multiplexes in the area. First the Amboy Multiplex in Perth Amboy , NJ and then UA Staten Island 14 in Travis. Ironically both of those are now long gone. They did not have stadium seating , and the Amboy started sinking cause it was built on marshland.
Back then on weeknights the film would be shown twice, with a matinee on Wednesday afternoon. Then the continous showings on weekends but the only midnight shows would be special features like Rocky Horror. I don’t recall the St. George having any of these midnight shows. rivoli may I ask where you are getting the info on the bookings?
rivoli , in the ‘70s they alternated between major releases and occasional grindhouse fare. I recall seeing “The Exorcist” and “The Longest Yard” there, along with “Ilsa: She-wolf of the SS” and a double bill of “Mark of the Devil” and “Last House on the Left”. Also some blaxploitation flicks such as “Hit!” with Billy Dee Williams.
An article in The Gothamist names this as the worst theatre in NYC, listing a myriad of problems. I have never been to this theatre, I would like to see comments from patrons.
It has been a church for some time now.
I agree. The Empire has also been restored as a church , from the looks of the renovated facade.
The marquee is the same except uncle vinnies sign has been removed. Any furniture had been temporarily removed from the Orchestra to store storm relief supplies. Large tables were st up in the lobby to allow victims to choose from the supplies.The balcony had all new seats.The small stage is still there.
I stopped into the church today as they were giving out supplies to storm victims. The Uncle Vinnie’s people did a fantastic job renovating the theatre, and it is being well maintained by Crossroads church.
The theatre has now been transformed into a church. The lower half of the facade has been renovated and there is now a set of wooden double doors at the entrance. I did not see any name of the facility, there is still a Farrell Lumber sign on the side of the building. Unknown if it has opened for services.
I recall seeing ‘The Drowning Pool’ here.
I was here last weekend and it has been cleaned up. It also now has bargain ticket prices – only $5.50 on a Saturday matinee. They were not stingy with the A/C like they once were. One complaint – some seats are worn out and should be replaced.
Al I only know that when I saw “The Story of Joanna” here in 1975 the other theatre was showing “The Naughty Victorians”. That was also a hard-core film. I believe it was 1978 when I was dragged here by a girlfriend to see “The Savage is Loose”, but that arrangement was a private one year lease with the film’s star/ Director.
I seem to remember Funny Lady playing at the Hylan Cinema.
I like that they request all electronic devices be turned completely off. The patrons take their filmgoing very seriously. I was there for the Spaghetti Western series and a man in front of me took out his cel. A patron behind me immediately leaned forward and requested he take it outside. Yes! But some go a bit too far. The man directly in front of me turned around every time I shifted in my seat. Give us a break!
I have uploaded several photos taken during the attempted restoration. I found them on a website called Staten Island and the Arts. And Vito you were right, note the marquee photo advertising “2 Big XXX Hits!”
“Smash” is filming every day this week at the theatre and is rumored to be getting a second season in the fall. That is very good news for the St.George which I’m sure is being well compensated by NBC. Good for them.
Movieswithdad thank you for that update. That is good news for the theatre and for New Dorp Lane. At least the theatre will be maintained and put to good use.
Tinsel I remember it being one of the longest movie lines I ever waited on. I’d like to know what the seating capacity was. Of course the movie was worth the wait.
I saw “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” here. I don’t remember much about the interior except for it being underground. Since the line for “Cuckoo’s Nest” stretched for blocks it must have had a large seating capacity. I always remembered the unique exterior. Now that it is a parking garage with no traces of it left perhaps the introduction should list it as demolished.
Glad to read Ed and LuisV’s info about the renovations and new life as a restaurant. I went to many Manhattan theatres in the 70’s but never had the grindhouse experience. We have the Paramount theatre here in Staten Island that some good people tried to renovate and open as a restaurant/ catering hall. They were well into the renovations but the theatre became a money pit and the project was abandoned. At least the Liberty has a new lease on life.
moviebuff I saw the digital presentation due to timing concerns. I plan to see the movie again in IMAX at a later date.
Saw MI4 here yesterday. Still a great place to see a movie. A small complaint – the popcorn is tasteless compared to the Regal 13.
On the Amboy page it says it didnt open until ‘79 and the UA was some time in 1980 , so both the St.George and Paramount had actually already shut down. With what it must have cost for heating and air conditioning in those huge theatres I’m not surprised. According to the S.I. Advance at the time the Paramount was supposed to continue as an adult movie house. When word got out the move was protested and the theatre closed for good (as a movie house).
markp is the theatre still standing? I thought it had to be demolished because the ground it was built on was unstable.
I seem to recall them closing in ‘77 or '78. What did them in was the opening of new multiplexes in the area. First the Amboy Multiplex in Perth Amboy , NJ and then UA Staten Island 14 in Travis. Ironically both of those are now long gone. They did not have stadium seating , and the Amboy started sinking cause it was built on marshland.
OK Thanks.
Back then on weeknights the film would be shown twice, with a matinee on Wednesday afternoon. Then the continous showings on weekends but the only midnight shows would be special features like Rocky Horror. I don’t recall the St. George having any of these midnight shows. rivoli may I ask where you are getting the info on the bookings?
rivoli , in the ‘70s they alternated between major releases and occasional grindhouse fare. I recall seeing “The Exorcist” and “The Longest Yard” there, along with “Ilsa: She-wolf of the SS” and a double bill of “Mark of the Devil” and “Last House on the Left”. Also some blaxploitation flicks such as “Hit!” with Billy Dee Williams.