The NY Times for October 22 1959 has a short article reporting that the Ritz Theatre at “Broadway and Eighth Avenue, Brooklyn, owned by the Interboro chain of theaters has been sold to the K. L. & G. Real Estate Corp.” “The theatre section will be converted to a Dan’s Supermarket while a store has been leased to the Imperial chain of cleaning stores”.
I have a 1929 photograph taken from a building on the SW corner of Flatbush Avenue and Farragut Road. It shows the upper back wall of the auditorium which is painted with the name Farragut Theatre on a black background. This would be the correct name, not Farragut Theater as originally posted on this page.
Around 1939-40, a modernization program changed the lounge area on the second level behind the balcony to an art deco style decor with matching furniture, all in shades of pale green. The bathrooms were upgraded at this time as was the main floor drinking fountain.
Those in the NY Area may find this link of interest. http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/985
A chance to support the Paradise by going to these events:
•October 10, 2009
Bachata Fest 2009: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month08:00 PM
•October 24, 2009
Soul Summer Presents: Charlie Wilson & Friends Live08:00 PM
These events at the Paradise are an excellent opportunity to take in a couple of shows and see the theater as a live venue.
Warren G. Harris sends this link to the Queens Chronicle with a great photo of the Inwood and a story on the history of the theater over the years. View link
Warren G. Harris has provided this link to the NYT which gives a color slide tour of the Paradise. Just click on the Paradise icon to start the slide show once you get to the start page. View link
Jerry DeRosa began his theater career in 1920 as assistant manager of the B.S. Moss Flatbush Theatre before moving on to manage Moss’s Cameo Theatre on Eastern Parkway and the Colonial in the Eastern District.
In 1928 he became manager of Loew’s Paradise in the Bronx where he died at his desk in October 1945.
Warren G. Harris has provided this link to the Queens Chronicle for August 20, 2009, featuring an article about and photo of the Ritz Theatre: View link
They are looking at an old 4500 convertible trolley on a fan trip. At this point there was a switchback where double end cars could change direction. It dated from a time when people comuting to and from the City could ride the EL from Park Row in downtown Manhattan and take the Lexington Ave. EL to Broadway, then board the Cars on Ralph and homeward. The Cars coming down Broadway from Williamsburg were already loaded during the rush hour and so extra Cars from Canardie Depot were run up the line, loaded and switched back by the Empire Theater. A starter over saw the operation and helped pre collect fares with a portable fare box on the street at the normal exit doors to speed up the operation.
Here is a shot of the theater from the other side of the Boulevard circa 1935. Warren made the ID of the building from NYPL collection image which I located.
The photo from 1973 is very different from what I can recall of the look of the Freeport in 1946. That whole massive white box like facade is closer to the look I remember from around 1956, but the marquee is different. Century Circuit did a makeover of many of its theaters in the late 1940’s focusing on the facade, marquee and entry lobby.
The Rialto, Patio and Albermarle in Brooklyn come to mind. They did another up dating on some theaters in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.
On September 23, 1937, “The Golem”, in Yiddish with English sub- titles and starring Harry Baur was playing its last day at the People’s Cinema. In the Bronx, it was playing out its last week at the Ascot at 183rd on the Concourse.
As you wish to pursue this matter, I will comply with your request.
It was indeed Warren whom informed me of his resignation, some weeks ago. As he was involved first hand in this matter, this is direct testimony of a fact known to him and the person to whom he submitted his resignation. Warren’s word is good enough for me.
On what basis can you dispute this fact? You cite hearsay of other persons and of yourself. Will you name those persons and their first hand source ? Who gave you conflicting information? Did you verify it with Ross Melnick before making the statement that Warren was removed ? Perhaps you can clarify these questions. If you choose not to provide this information, I believe fairness requires you to retract the statement that Warren was “removed” from CT.
It is disturbing that all this conflict is being perpetuated. Warren resigned from CT because of the escalating bickering, he was not removed. Despite this, the rancorous comments continue to appear on various pages of CT.
On another page I asked that we cease and desist from this sort of thing. Warren has gone from CT and can not defend himself, yet has kindly asked me at times to post information of interest on various pages, to share with CT members what he can no longer post.
This is to correct the identity of the Jun 11, 2008 photo posting View link
which I linked above. It is not the Tivoli Theater , but the Towne, nee Crystal Theater, which was located at 327 Washington Street (which extended off Fulton Street in the old Brooklyn street pattern, to the north) beyond Myrtle Avenue. Warren provided the correct identification.
The Towne was closed by January 1951, how much earlier I don’t know.I have a photo of the marquee from March 5, 1951 showing “Closed for Alterations” displayed with the letters i and o missing.
As William has reported, the Reverend Ike has passed on. The Reverend deserves a lot of credit for the Loew’s 175th Street Theatre surviving in the form we see today.
A link to his obit in the New York Times is provided by Warren. View link
A friend provided this photo link to the NYT:
View link
The NY Times for October 22 1959 has a short article reporting that the Ritz Theatre at “Broadway and Eighth Avenue, Brooklyn, owned by the Interboro chain of theaters has been sold to the K. L. & G. Real Estate Corp.” “The theatre section will be converted to a Dan’s Supermarket while a store has been leased to the Imperial chain of cleaning stores”.
I have a 1929 photograph taken from a building on the SW corner of Flatbush Avenue and Farragut Road. It shows the upper back wall of the auditorium which is painted with the name Farragut Theatre on a black background. This would be the correct name, not Farragut Theater as originally posted on this page.
Around 1939-40, a modernization program changed the lounge area on the second level behind the balcony to an art deco style decor with matching furniture, all in shades of pale green. The bathrooms were upgraded at this time as was the main floor drinking fountain.
Jack Robinson, a THSA member, has made this link available:
View link
Good news about this beautiful venue!
Many thanks to the well known expert on theatre history whom brought it to my attention.
Those in the NY Area may find this link of interest.
http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/985
A chance to support the Paradise by going to these events:
•October 10, 2009
Bachata Fest 2009: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month08:00 PM
•October 24, 2009
Soul Summer Presents: Charlie Wilson & Friends Live08:00 PM
These events at the Paradise are an excellent opportunity to take in a couple of shows and see the theater as a live venue.
The Capitol is having a gala reopening following an $8 Million Dollar restoration tomorrow evening 23 September 2009.
There will be a big live show and free tickets are available today.
Go to Ch. 7 link for video:http:
www.boomboxradio.net/boombox/PlayerSetup/Players/WTRFPlayer.aspx?FileId=209613_wtrf
Here is a link to a real estate offering at 135-5 Northern Blvd. in Flushing NY:
View link
My posting, two comments up, should read Canarsie Depot, not Canardie.
Sorry for the typo.
Warren G. Harris provided this link to a 1952 photo by Ruth Orkin of the Selwyn. An extremely fine image.
View link
Warren G. Harris provided this link to a satellite image of the Loew’s Kings. Perhaps someone can put a date to it ?
http://www.planetplg.com/images/loews-sat.jpg
It gives a fine overview. Can anyone make out the banner on the former Flatbush Savings Bank building to the right of image?
Warren G. Harris sends this link to the Queens Chronicle with a great photo of the Inwood and a story on the history of the theater over the years.
View link
Warren G. Harris has provided this link to the NYT which gives a color slide tour of the Paradise. Just click on the Paradise icon to start the slide show once you get to the start page.
View link
Jerry DeRosa began his theater career in 1920 as assistant manager of the B.S. Moss Flatbush Theatre before moving on to manage Moss’s Cameo Theatre on Eastern Parkway and the Colonial in the Eastern District.
In 1928 he became manager of Loew’s Paradise in the Bronx where he died at his desk in October 1945.
Warren G. Harris has provided this link to the Queens Chronicle for August 20, 2009, featuring an article about and photo of the Ritz Theatre:
View link
The following link was provided by Warren G. Harris and the photo is from the Time Life Archive. It shows the Ticket Lobby in 1957.
View link
They are looking at an old 4500 convertible trolley on a fan trip. At this point there was a switchback where double end cars could change direction. It dated from a time when people comuting to and from the City could ride the EL from Park Row in downtown Manhattan and take the Lexington Ave. EL to Broadway, then board the Cars on Ralph and homeward. The Cars coming down Broadway from Williamsburg were already loaded during the rush hour and so extra Cars from Canardie Depot were run up the line, loaded and switched back by the Empire Theater. A starter over saw the operation and helped pre collect fares with a portable fare box on the street at the normal exit doors to speed up the operation.
Here is a shot of the theater from the other side of the Boulevard circa 1935. Warren made the ID of the building from NYPL collection image which I located.
View link
The photo from 1973 is very different from what I can recall of the look of the Freeport in 1946. That whole massive white box like facade is closer to the look I remember from around 1956, but the marquee is different. Century Circuit did a makeover of many of its theaters in the late 1940’s focusing on the facade, marquee and entry lobby.
The Rialto, Patio and Albermarle in Brooklyn come to mind. They did another up dating on some theaters in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.
On September 23, 1937, “The Golem”, in Yiddish with English sub- titles and starring Harry Baur was playing its last day at the People’s Cinema. In the Bronx, it was playing out its last week at the Ascot at 183rd on the Concourse.
Hello Lost Memory.
As you wish to pursue this matter, I will comply with your request.
It was indeed Warren whom informed me of his resignation, some weeks ago. As he was involved first hand in this matter, this is direct testimony of a fact known to him and the person to whom he submitted his resignation. Warren’s word is good enough for me.
On what basis can you dispute this fact? You cite hearsay of other persons and of yourself. Will you name those persons and their first hand source ? Who gave you conflicting information? Did you verify it with Ross Melnick before making the statement that Warren was removed ? Perhaps you can clarify these questions. If you choose not to provide this information, I believe fairness requires you to retract the statement that Warren was “removed” from CT.
Dan
It is disturbing that all this conflict is being perpetuated. Warren resigned from CT because of the escalating bickering, he was not removed. Despite this, the rancorous comments continue to appear on various pages of CT.
On another page I asked that we cease and desist from this sort of thing. Warren has gone from CT and can not defend himself, yet has kindly asked me at times to post information of interest on various pages, to share with CT members what he can no longer post.
It is time move on, well pat time to move on.
This is to correct the identity of the Jun 11, 2008 photo posting
View link
which I linked above. It is not the Tivoli Theater , but the Towne, nee Crystal Theater, which was located at 327 Washington Street (which extended off Fulton Street in the old Brooklyn street pattern, to the north) beyond Myrtle Avenue. Warren provided the correct identification.
The Towne was closed by January 1951, how much earlier I don’t know.I have a photo of the marquee from March 5, 1951 showing “Closed for Alterations” displayed with the letters i and o missing.
As William has reported, the Reverend Ike has passed on. The Reverend deserves a lot of credit for the Loew’s 175th Street Theatre surviving in the form we see today.
A link to his obit in the New York Times is provided by Warren.
View link
View link
This photo link to Brooklyn Pix shows the People’s Cinema some sixty years ago, courtesy of Warren.