RKO Keith's Theatre
135-35 Northern Boulevard,
Flushing,
NY
11354
135-35 Northern Boulevard,
Flushing,
NY
11354
51 people
favorited this theater
Showing 876 - 900 of 1,324 comments
It doesnt matter that we cover topics that have already been discussed. Thank God that there are still people willing to talk about it.Heck, I’d go see Running Scared at the Keith’s every week if it was open and it was the only thing playing! Some of the newer members may not have the time to read the entire thread and would rather ask a question. I dont mind.
It would be great if they created a FAQ on the Keith’s….this theater gets a lot of activity!
mike69 and bobosan, you’re covering a lot of old ground — note this post you can find above from way back in January 2004:
The last motion picture I saw there was a “buddy-picture” called “Running Scared”. It starred Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines, …with Jimmy Smits as the heavy. I think it may have been the last film screened there because, when they shut the joint down the posters for said film were still up. I can remember passing by the theatre and seeing them fading from the sunlight. I saw some fun movies there over the years(Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Airplane,etc.) It was a shame to see it just waste away. I hate passing by that place whenever I’m in town.
posted by Chester37a on Jan 16, 2004 at 9:36am
Like so many great things, we only appreciate the RKO now that it’s gone. It certainly was a unique place to watch a movie.
Tom, college point will just have to do for now!
Well since I’ve snuck in once, let me grab my dad’s old super 8 and you bring the popcorn! JUST KIDDING! But it sure sounds like a damn good time!
I’m certain that you’re right about Running Scared, mike69. I didn’t remember the title, but I recalled the poster had Gregory Hines on it. And it did sit fading outside the theater long after it closed.
If the RKO was triplexed in ‘75, then the last movie I saw there beforehand was Godfather Part 2 in '74.
Wow, a couple more childhood memories flashed back: a cheapo sci-fi movied called First Spaceship on Venus, a war movie called Is Paris Burning, and a western called Major Dundee. I saw them all at the RKO. What I would give to see one more movie there……
I know I won’t! Though I was born in the multiplex era, so there is a tiny place in my heart for them. College Point’s is a novelty if anything to me.
Think anyone will ever mourn the closing and demolition of the College Point multiplex? LOL
It was triplexed in 75' and closed in 86' if my memory is correct.
One of the movies that was played right before it was closed was “running scared” with Billy Crystal. The movie poster sat fadding in the display case in front of the theater for almost 2 years after it shut.
Hi Bobosan! I know someone who is an RKO Keith’s expert. Please e-mail me at and I will be happy to put you in touch. – Michael
I’m almost certain that my last visit to the RKO was in 1983, when I saw Return of the Jedi in the upstairs theater. I also saw Star Wars there in 1977. The upstairs theater was the original balcony.
The only time I saw a “double feature” at the RKO was in 1982, when I watched Star Trek 2 upstairs, then snuck into one of the two downstairs theaters to watch Poltergeist.
Turning the RKO into a triplex was an act of vandalism. Besides replacing the lobby fountain with a candy counter, the conversion blocked off parts of the theater in order to construct walls dividing the downstairs seating and the ceiling/floor that turned the balcony into a separate theater. Of course, this was all a prelude to the destruction that has followed since. Does anyone remember when the RKO became a triplex, and the year the RKO shut its doors?
Does anyone know the exact date of the last movies shown at the RKO, and the names of the movies?
Not to worry, I’m fine! I will post more pictures later today, as I do have a newborn in the house and can only jump on here once in a while. Davebazooka, thanks for matching that photo to that drawing. Actually right above that “illuminated window” there is indeed a good size chunk missing but most of the procinium is still there above that hole. Its just too dark for my little camera to light up with the flash. The seats are long gone and like I said, the place is no worse off than lets say the new amsterdam but thats in time square not in flushing where it seams most dont care. Its all about location. If I was loaded, I’d buy the freaken place myself, retore it and use it for movies during the week and for a concert venue on the weekends, ala Beekman theater. Our young friend Tom, also known as Cartoonsonfilm was brave enough to join me on my second recent trip. We were lucky enough to find bits of the plaster molding on the ground before it was to be carted off so in a way we both have a tiny momento. Also to the suggestion that we all chip in and by it. Dont forget the yearly taxes and insurance added to a place that size!But like I said, If I had the dough I’d buy it, Hell I’d even live in it like the phantom of the Keiths or somthing. The lady I originally talked to doesnt know I took photos so dont go asking she had also said that a few weeks ago, a crew came in and removed any “valuble artifacts” which would be incorporated into the new building, light fixtures, glass and some plasterwork. Who knows now. I was also told that january 1st was the date they had to be out. So who knows. I’ll have to don my Indiana Jones hat at least 1 more time before they close shop.
Let’s hope Mike69 is ok and did not plunge into the hole where the stage was, or, worse, get caught. Or, worst, both.
According to Mike69’s above post, the stage floor is gone. The more photos, the merrier!
Mike69, were you able to visit the Keith’s today, meet the same woman, & take additional photos? The significant amount of plasterwork that is fairly intact should be a model for the entire theater’s restoration. I’d hate to see what’s left end up in a landfill! Once & for all, the politicians (“public servants”) should work for us, & do it the right way. It would mean a victory for a quarter of a century battle. LONG LIVE THE RKO KEITH’S!!!
Many thanks to Mike69 for taking and posting those photos! I live in Hawaii now but grew up in Flushing and have many fond memories of the RKO and the many movies I saw there (Godfather, Murder on the Orient Express, Star Wars, etc.)
I hope that more of you New Yorkers will enter the RKO (safely!) and take more photos. The more the better! Are there any seats still in the auditorium? Is the stage still there?
In short, I can now comment on the interior…yes, much of that area is terribly obliterated. It would need major reconstruction. There are sections, especially on the balcony level, where hardly any walls are left and there are just steel beams. What a crime!
I compared Mike69’s photo:
View link
with the Thomas Lamb firm’s original design of the Keith’s proscenium:
View link
The ornate window-like feature in Mike’s image matches the design element marked “Art Glass Illuminated Panel 2 like this” in the drawing of the proscenium. Unfortunately it looks like most of the structure above the window has been destroyed but there is still a significant amount of the plasterwork fairly intact.
Holy crappoly those are amazing photos no matter the darkness, a billion congratulations Mike69!!!! If you can go back next week on Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday I would be happy to join you and bring my digital camera, it is a rather old Samsung (three years maybe) but sometimes I get good pictures with it in very dark areas using the flash, though they might be a bit blurry. Your images evoke all the pathos of lost civilzations! Thank you for posting them. :)
Oh I forgot, let me give a short breakdown as to what the photos are
1. Looking at the stage,this is to the direct right, looks like the reminants of a box balcony ossome sort
2. Also next to he stage
3.Hole in the ceiling, this is really high and is probably 30 feet across
4.5.&6. Left side of the theaters wall, much of this was covered by a dummy wall during the triplexing.
7. Crown moulding in the ladys lounge
8.painted entrance ways in the ladies lounge
9.10. Main foyer, the part that will be saved
Lets see what I can come up with today!
I am usually one to discourage unauthorized entry into neglected buildings, because I think it is only luck that I was not killed by a falling ceiling chunk when I was younger. But the community has been wondering about this, and now we know what is happening. That’s pretty cool Mike.
Wow, this is great, thanks so much for posting this, it’s almost akin to seeing the first photos of the Titanic back in the 80’s!
Wow, you pretty much have the calculations down to a tee! True about restoration costs. We all need to create a formal committee (if he’s selling), set goals, and make pledges. We can apply for grants & tax credits, as well as hold fundraisers. Power to the “real” people!!!!!! ;–) Boymelgreen is no comparison.