Ridgewood Theatre

EcRocker on February 8, 2009 at 3:42 pm

Wow thats a hand full of posts here today. I agree that it would be logistcaly impossible to move the Ridgewood in one piece. Even as Lost eluded to I think there is a Major difference between the London Bridge which was mainly all stone to a building that is brick mortar and for the most part plaster on the inside. I have heard of major size buildings such as the Empire being relocated but that was only a matter of blocks and even then it took a matter of days to do that. To move a structure such as Ridgewood Alabama would cost more then the building is worth.

Keep the Ridgewood where it is in one piece.

Luis Vazquez on February 8, 2009 at 2:25 pm

No one is moving the theater!

Luis Vazquez on February 8, 2009 at 11:06 am

Agreed Panzer. This is a stunt, though she said nothing about moving the actual building. I really don’t see anything viable about her statements. That’s why I am looking forward to a posting by Michael Perlman. He must know more about their intentions than was mentioned in the article.

Another thought. If people are willing to let pieces of the Ridgewood be sold off piece meal than it might as well be made a retail space. At least then, the theater’s limited ornamentation can be restored so that people can see it as it once was in its original space. Better that than have pieces off it sit forlornly in some godforesaken place on the outskits of Birmingham.

Luis Vazquez on February 8, 2009 at 10:34 am

MPol, the Cheyenne Diner is arguably much better known in New York City than the Ridgewood Theatre. The Moondance, without a doubt was much better known. I just don’t understand how moving the seats and “some furnishings” of the Ridgewood can be deemed as saving it for future generations to enjoy. Seats, by and large, are not that special and I can’t imagine what else they would relocate to Birmingham and in what capacity. Is there a theater shell in Birmingham that would be “outfitted” with Ridgewood “furinishings”?

This just sounds more like a publicity stunt to me. Especially since Ms. Miller’s stated occupation is “Publicity Manager”. Hmmmmmm……

I have attached excerpts from the NY Times story below so that CT readers can reach their own conclusions.

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Hey, Alabama, you want a piece of us?

By Nicole Bengiveno/The New York Times

The Moondance Diner, which sat near the Holland Tunnel, was sold in 2007 and now resides in La Barge, Wyo.

Now that an Alabama couple have purchased the Cheyenne Diner on Ninth Avenue and 33rd Street, they say they are eyeing the historic Ridgewood Theater in Queens, which played movies from 1916 until it closed last year.

Also on their list of possible acquisitions, she said, is the Ridgewood Theater on Myrtle Avenue, where Queens and Brooklyn meet.

“We might take it,” said Ms. Miller, a publicity manager. Mr. Owens is an auto dealer and financial planner.

The 93-year-old movie house, designed by Thomas W. Lamb, who was considered the king of theater architects, never missed a day of showings until it closed last March, making it the longest-continuously operated cinema in the country, according to the Theater Historical Society of America.

Ms. Miller said that she and Mr. Owens learned of the theater’s uncertain fate from Michael Perlman, a local preservationist who has rallied supporters in efforts to save the theater and recently got the preservation commission to consider designating it for protection. In any case, only the facade would be granted landmark status. Of the 25,000 landmark buildings in New York, only 125 are protected inside as well.

Mr. Perlman, 26, who has a graphic arts business and collects vintage postcards, said that the relocation of the seats and other furnishings of the Ridgewood Theater to Birmingham would be “bittersweet.” But he said, “At least it would allow future generations to cherish it.”

Luis Vazquez on February 8, 2009 at 8:59 am

There is an article in today’s NY Times about a couple from Alabama, who purchased the Cheyenne Diner and are moving it to Birmingham. Apparently, they may also be interested in buying the Ridgewood Theatre. it is implied that they would move the interior, but it is not at all clear what would be done and, more importantly, what there is to move besides the seats.

I looked through the pictures provided above by NativeForestHiller (thanks NFH) but I am still stumped. This theater still strikes me as rather bland and not worthy of interior designation; certainly not when compared to the true New York movie palaces. What on earth would they move to Birmingham and why?

I totally agree that the exterior deserves to be landmarked and it is highly unlikely that that could be carted off to Alabama if it is so designated.

Michael Perlman, who is spearheading the effort to save the Ridgewood is quoted in the article but precious few details are disclosed. Hopefully, he will post details on this page.

MPol on February 7, 2009 at 10:34 am

Thanks for the pictures of the Ridgewood, NativeForestHiller. It’s a beautiful theatre, both inside and out.

PeterKoch on February 5, 2009 at 5:16 pm

You’re welcome again, MPol.

PeterKoch on February 5, 2009 at 10:09 am

You’re welcome, MPol. Thanks for the good wishes for saving the Ridgewood. If you’ve had any possibly relevant and helpful experience in preserving endangered theatres, please share it here. Thanks.

PeterKoch on February 4, 2009 at 11:17 am

MPol, glad I made you LOL, and that you know about NYC’s Film Forum.

Mike, thanks for not giving up hope for the Ridgewood Theatre’s restoration and preservation.

MPol on February 3, 2009 at 12:47 am

You’re welcome, Peter.K.

“If you haunted the Ridgewood Theatre, MPol, I’d be tempted to haunt it with you !”

LOL!

PeterKoch on February 2, 2009 at 3:37 pm

If you haunted the Ridgewood Theatre, MPol, I’d be tempted to haunt it with you !

Luis Vazquez on February 2, 2009 at 2:03 pm

I’m going to preface this by saying that I have never been to the Ridgewood and I am only going by the photos and comments previously posted on this page, but based on that……I feel that there is no “grandeur” to save. It was never designed to be a Mayan Temple, an Italian Courtyard or a Spanish Villa. It was not atmospheric. It didn’t have murals and I don’t even think it has a fancy Chandelier (I could be wrong about that).

That is why this is so difficult. Many people from outside the neighborhood will say “Why are we saving this? It’s rather plain."
That is why we need the support aof local politicians and people of influence. The designation will happen only with their help. Except for the exterior, the building does not warrant landmark based on its architecture alone.