RKO Keith's Theatre

I can answer some questions based on my recent visit with Mike.
asphoto: as far as i could tell, no holes in the floor
>This is not correct. Unless it has been filled in, there was a huge square cut into the auditorium floor descending into the basement. Rubble was partially pushed through this space.
mikemovies:Is there a hole in the roof
>No. Mike69 tells me a new roof was put on fairly recently before the closing, so the roof is pretty stable. However half of the whole plaster ceiling is missing, as are the two ornate plaster fixtures depicted in the blueprints. Apparently the ceiling is a “Drop” down from steel framework so it’s not a huge problem.

On a sidenote, the eastern and western walls are not in horrible shape. If anyone would like to see the pictures I took, please email me privately.

asphoto those are exellent pictures. How did you get inside? Is the storefront still open?

Yes, the draperies do appear to be still hanging amazingly. When looking at the photos of the procenium, and of the ornate plasterwork around the stairways, it looks like a lot of the plaster was deliberately sledgehammered.

What was the configuration of the theater when multiplexed? How was it cut up?

These photos are very poignant, and deserve wide circulation! I think you should offer them to a local newspaper so that people can see, and it might just generate some momentum for saving and restoring this grand theater!

That IS the auditorium? But what about the ceiling — are there holes? Are there holes in the floor? Are there holes in the walls? Just because the seats are gone doesn’t mean it isn’t salvagable, especially if the structural integrity and remnants of the decorations are still there! I can’t wait to see the other pictures.

asphoto, these are quite remarkable. They show that things are in bad shape — but still within the realm of possibility to restore.

But could you please explain HOW you got inside and took these photos? If you’ve been following this thread AT ALL, you’ll know that this has been discussed ad infinitum, especially in the last couple of months — and supposedly, the place was sealed as of the first of the new year. If you actually have shots taken inside the auditorium, a lot of folks are going to be quite agitated if they have to wait to see them!

The last movie I saw there was “Running Scared.” At first, I wanted to see “Top Gun,” but I was with my friend, Steve, and he already saw it. I also saw “The Never Ending Story,” as well as “The Return of the Jedi” at that theater. It was magical when you walked into that theater…and it was almost immediate, when the gorgeous fountain and the beautiful staircase leading up to the balcony grabbed hold of your attention.

If you want to see where the theater is on google map, type in the address: 135-33 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11354 or 135-35 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11354. This should place the arrow directly on top of it.

I’ve wondered about that myself all these years. I assume it’s Fireman terminology like the square spray-painted in one of the boxes of the marquis. A box with and X inside means “Roof Open” (unstable roof) since this one has a solid square, I’m assuming the roof is safe. Mike69 tells me a new roof was put on fairly recently so that’s a good thing.

Here are the few exterior shots from Friday, December 29, 2006:

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I would tend to doubt that they’d be stripping the landmarked areas or purposely damaging remaining ornamentation in these areas. I don’t think Boymelgreen is as underhanded and criminal as Huang was when he conducted his assault on the building’s interior during the ‘80’s. I observed a good deal of debris in the storefront that I was in a few weeks back… I imagine the materials being carted away were rubble from the demolition of interior walls within the retail spaces and perhaps from damage that had previously been inflicted during Huang’s reign of terror. Anyway… we have no true confirmation that Boymelgreen is, in fact, pulling out of the project… do we? Mike69’s conversation with that woman on the site is intriguing, but hardly definitive.

Yesterday I equipped myself with camera and flashlight and rode the 7 Train to Main Street, hoping to gain access to the interior of the RKO Keith’s through the open storefront. I found not one but three open storefronts, and a crew of mean-looking workmen filling a dumpster with wreckage from the interior of the theatre. They were using one of those miniature bulldozers. There was so much dust and grit flying around that it nearly choked me as I walked past the open storefronts, trying to appear casual as I peered inside. Nothing was visible beyond the big holes torn into the rear walls of the stores. The workmen were shouting and moving very fast and looked like they were stressing out big time…perhaps a deadline? I could not tell what debris was being carted out, it looked like big chunks of concrete and plaster. I hope Boymelgreen is not stripping the landmarked areas or damaging them out of spite. Instead of interior pictures I took a few exterior shots and left, as the work crew was eyeing me with suspicion!

Hi Luis! Thank you for pointing out the presently landmarked Valencia as a “Wonder Theater.” Queens deserves all it can get, especially since it’s a politicians' back alley (i.e. those who pretend to care about landmarks), as well as a developer’s paradise (those who score high on violations & illegal work). Let’s all chant & sing the praises of the… “RKO KEITH’S!!!” This theater is too good to be forgotten!