“It’s hard to keep a great theatre open with no one coming.”
is true too, William.
I guess the fact that mall cineplexes became so popular was/is a sign of the times, but, from what I understand, many of these multiplex ciinemas that’re situated in malls are in pretty big trouble too, from what I understand. Too bad. Maybe, if and when times change, movie palaces such as the old Rivoli Theatre will come back in vogue. Or is that wishful thinking?
They were thinking of gutting Radio City Music Hall and turning it into office space? Wow!! That I hadn’t known! I’m glad they didn’t do it, because look at all the missed opportunities there would’ve been, so to speak!
Again, guys—good luck in your endeavor to save the Ridgewood Theatre from the wrecking ball.
Hi, Lost Memory. Thanks for all the info. As someone who’s never resided in the Ridgewood community (or in NYC or NY State, generally), it’s clear to me that the Ridgewood Theatre was/is part of the heart and soul of a community for a great many people. If the Ridgewood gets converted into retail use if and when the economy improves, that’s also too bad, in a way. The question is….why has that happened with so many of the venerable old movie palaces throughout the United States at large?
Good point, Panzer65! What better way to (at least temporarily) take people’s minds off of what’s going on in terms of the news, weather, etc., than some good, old-fashioned movie classics, or good movies..period, to see good movies in a real movie theatre, with the lights down low, on a great big, wide movie screen, and to share the (communal) experience with tons of other people, whether one knows them or not? Do classics such as West Side Story, Lawrence of Arabia, Dr. Zhivago, to name afew, come to mind here? Hehehehehe.
It’s heartening to read about a movie theatre’s being renovated and restored. It’s far cheaper than tearing it down and building an expensive promenade or whatever in its place. Not to get too, too political here, but here’s hoping that people’s homes, schools, businesses, hospitals, etc. also get restored and renovated.
While I don’t remember those particular above-mentioned titles of cartoons, I do remember going to the movies and seeing a slew of cartoons prior to the feature movie, back in the mid to late 1950’s, as a young pre-teen. Yes, I do remember Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Tom (cat) and Jerry, etc. Those were the days.
Lost Memory and John Dereszewski, if the bad economy is a blessing in disguise for the Ridgewood Theatre and other movie palaces, etc., that’re slated for the wrecking ball, and produces a silver lining for the Ridgewood Theatre, then is it possible that other movie palaces and historical buildings in general could be saved and merely restored and renovated? It seems like it would be cheaper on the long run to just restore and renovate such palaces as the Ridgewood, etc., than to just tear them down and build expensive “Grand Promenades”, etc. in their place, especially since the economy is in such awful shape.
During the Great Depression, in the 1930’s, people frequently flocked to movie palaces to keep their spirits up and to temporarily take their minds off of the overall vissitudes of life in general, and I wonder if that’s begun to re-emerge in our bad economy. It may very well be, imho. Just saying…
You’re welcome, Peter.K. Glad to offer my moral and emotional support even though I’ve never lived in the area. I enjoy posting on this site overall. Good luck in your work in preserving the Ridgewood Theatre, despite the fact that it’s closed.
Thanks for the responses, Panzer65 and Bway. Without having seen the Ridgewood Theatre in person, much less been inside (since I’ve never resided in the area), from the description of the theatre here on CinemaTreasures by everyone who remembers it from a bygone era, and the one or two photographs of the exterior that I’ve seen, I’d say that the Ridgewood Theatre sounds like it should probably be made into a theatre that has all kinds of special events: Classic films, concerts, and other stuff.
Thanks for all the interesting stuff about the Ridgewood Theatre, everybody. Although I’ve never, ever lived in the area, I’ve thus far gotten a real kick out of reading all the postings about what was a memory of a theatre for so many people. I wish you all the best of luck in being able to save the Ridgewood Theatre. Sounds like a wonderful trip down memory lane that you’re all taking here. to digress from the subject at hand just a wee bit; one of the things that I’ve noticed that many, if not most newer movie theatres, as well as renovated movie palaces have are chairs that’re newer and more comfortable than the much older chairs. I think that this, in itself, is one way to bring back people to the theatres and therefore rake in some extra money. It’s not the end in itself, but it’s a start.
I really don’t know what to say to this, except that if movie theatres feel the need to broadcast football games, etc., as well as Presidential Inaugurations on their big screens, when people can and often enough do stay home and watch such things on their TV’s, it’s yet another indication, imho, that many of the movie theatres really are in trouble and have decided to do this in order to get some cash flow coming in. It’s the sign of the times, I guess.
Most movie theatres, to what limited knowledge I have about them, have never had dressing rooms or anything like that. I think it’s pitiful that developers couldn’t think of anything to do with most of these venerable old movie palaces except to knock them down and build a parking lot or whatever else they thought they could make a really great profit on. Many developers didn’t seem to have the hint that the arts, which the movies are a part of, have also always played a great part in the average, ordinary people’s lives.
If that be the case, it’s really unfortunate, Warren. Again, however, from the photos that I saw of both the interior and exterior of the Rivoli Theatre, it seems like it had a great deal of potential for renovation and revival. Why didn’t people see past the decaying conditions and realize the potential that this theatre could’ve had? That’s what I don’t understand. Unfortunately, this is happening with far too many of the venerable movie palaces here in the United States at large, as well as throughout the world. it’s sad, and it’s pitiful that these grand old movie palaces have never been integrated into the fabric of downtown redevelopment(s), instead of just being destroyed outright.
The fact that the Rivoli Theatre was getting dumpier and dirtier, as well as playing junkier, schlockier movies shortly before it closed, and the fact that it was “Twinned” were all omens of what was to come. Often enough, when these movie palaces are “twinned”, or cut up into several screens, it destroys the very character of the theatre. Too bad that many people don’t realize that this is the beginning of the end for a lot of these movie palaces.
I realize that this is a bit off the subject of movie theatres in general here, but I’m so excited and elated about the fact that the Coolidge Corner Theatre patrons (myself included) helped get the great, golden-oldie-but-goody movie musical classic, West Side Story voted in by this wonderful theatre as the number one movie of the 1960’s!
If this particular theatre was always packed, then why was the Rivoli ultimately closed and demollshed? Why wasn’t it revitalized and restored?
This:
“It’s hard to keep a great theatre open with no one coming.”
is true too, William.
I guess the fact that mall cineplexes became so popular was/is a sign of the times, but, from what I understand, many of these multiplex ciinemas that’re situated in malls are in pretty big trouble too, from what I understand. Too bad. Maybe, if and when times change, movie palaces such as the old Rivoli Theatre will come back in vogue. Or is that wishful thinking?
This:
“ it is more likely that the Ridgewood will be saved WITH Landmark designation, than without. ”
makes great, good sense.
They were thinking of gutting Radio City Music Hall and turning it into office space? Wow!! That I hadn’t known! I’m glad they didn’t do it, because look at all the missed opportunities there would’ve been, so to speak!
Again, guys—good luck in your endeavor to save the Ridgewood Theatre from the wrecking ball.
Hi, Lost Memory. Thanks for all the info. As someone who’s never resided in the Ridgewood community (or in NYC or NY State, generally), it’s clear to me that the Ridgewood Theatre was/is part of the heart and soul of a community for a great many people. If the Ridgewood gets converted into retail use if and when the economy improves, that’s also too bad, in a way. The question is….why has that happened with so many of the venerable old movie palaces throughout the United States at large?
Good point, Panzer65! What better way to (at least temporarily) take people’s minds off of what’s going on in terms of the news, weather, etc., than some good, old-fashioned movie classics, or good movies..period, to see good movies in a real movie theatre, with the lights down low, on a great big, wide movie screen, and to share the (communal) experience with tons of other people, whether one knows them or not? Do classics such as West Side Story, Lawrence of Arabia, Dr. Zhivago, to name afew, come to mind here? Hehehehehe.
It’s heartening to read about a movie theatre’s being renovated and restored. It’s far cheaper than tearing it down and building an expensive promenade or whatever in its place. Not to get too, too political here, but here’s hoping that people’s homes, schools, businesses, hospitals, etc. also get restored and renovated.
If that be the case, though, AlAlvarez, then going to the big movie theatres generally is a communal event. Again, just saying.
While I don’t remember those particular above-mentioned titles of cartoons, I do remember going to the movies and seeing a slew of cartoons prior to the feature movie, back in the mid to late 1950’s, as a young pre-teen. Yes, I do remember Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Tom (cat) and Jerry, etc. Those were the days.
Lost Memory and John Dereszewski, if the bad economy is a blessing in disguise for the Ridgewood Theatre and other movie palaces, etc., that’re slated for the wrecking ball, and produces a silver lining for the Ridgewood Theatre, then is it possible that other movie palaces and historical buildings in general could be saved and merely restored and renovated? It seems like it would be cheaper on the long run to just restore and renovate such palaces as the Ridgewood, etc., than to just tear them down and build expensive “Grand Promenades”, etc. in their place, especially since the economy is in such awful shape.
During the Great Depression, in the 1930’s, people frequently flocked to movie palaces to keep their spirits up and to temporarily take their minds off of the overall vissitudes of life in general, and I wonder if that’s begun to re-emerge in our bad economy. It may very well be, imho. Just saying…
You’re welcome, Peter.K. Glad to offer my moral and emotional support even though I’ve never lived in the area. I enjoy posting on this site overall. Good luck in your work in preserving the Ridgewood Theatre, despite the fact that it’s closed.
Thanks for the responses, Panzer65 and Bway. Without having seen the Ridgewood Theatre in person, much less been inside (since I’ve never resided in the area), from the description of the theatre here on CinemaTreasures by everyone who remembers it from a bygone era, and the one or two photographs of the exterior that I’ve seen, I’d say that the Ridgewood Theatre sounds like it should probably be made into a theatre that has all kinds of special events: Classic films, concerts, and other stuff.
Thanks for all the interesting stuff about the Ridgewood Theatre, everybody. Although I’ve never, ever lived in the area, I’ve thus far gotten a real kick out of reading all the postings about what was a memory of a theatre for so many people. I wish you all the best of luck in being able to save the Ridgewood Theatre. Sounds like a wonderful trip down memory lane that you’re all taking here. to digress from the subject at hand just a wee bit; one of the things that I’ve noticed that many, if not most newer movie theatres, as well as renovated movie palaces have are chairs that’re newer and more comfortable than the much older chairs. I think that this, in itself, is one way to bring back people to the theatres and therefore rake in some extra money. It’s not the end in itself, but it’s a start.
This looks like a wonderful theatre, both inside and out.
I really don’t know what to say to this, except that if movie theatres feel the need to broadcast football games, etc., as well as Presidential Inaugurations on their big screens, when people can and often enough do stay home and watch such things on their TV’s, it’s yet another indication, imho, that many of the movie theatres really are in trouble and have decided to do this in order to get some cash flow coming in. It’s the sign of the times, I guess.
Aha…The Orson Welles. Memory lane! I miss that place. Too bad about what happened to it.
It’s agreed, uptownjen. Pretty cool!
Can the Ridgewood Theatre be saved now that it’s closed? Just curious.
Btw, Lost Memory, the link for the above-mentioned theatre doesn’t seem to work.
Interesting article, ken mc, even though it’s from 1930. Thanks for that, and the expanded photograph of the Golden State Theatre.
Way to go, Love movies-hate going!!
The name,“ Love older movies, hate going to new ones” sounds cool! (lol)
Sounds cool! Will they also show lots of the other great, golden oldie-but-goody classic films, also?
Just curious.
Most movie theatres, to what limited knowledge I have about them, have never had dressing rooms or anything like that. I think it’s pitiful that developers couldn’t think of anything to do with most of these venerable old movie palaces except to knock them down and build a parking lot or whatever else they thought they could make a really great profit on. Many developers didn’t seem to have the hint that the arts, which the movies are a part of, have also always played a great part in the average, ordinary people’s lives.
If that be the case, it’s really unfortunate, Warren. Again, however, from the photos that I saw of both the interior and exterior of the Rivoli Theatre, it seems like it had a great deal of potential for renovation and revival. Why didn’t people see past the decaying conditions and realize the potential that this theatre could’ve had? That’s what I don’t understand. Unfortunately, this is happening with far too many of the venerable movie palaces here in the United States at large, as well as throughout the world. it’s sad, and it’s pitiful that these grand old movie palaces have never been integrated into the fabric of downtown redevelopment(s), instead of just being destroyed outright.
The fact that the Rivoli Theatre was getting dumpier and dirtier, as well as playing junkier, schlockier movies shortly before it closed, and the fact that it was “Twinned” were all omens of what was to come. Often enough, when these movie palaces are “twinned”, or cut up into several screens, it destroys the very character of the theatre. Too bad that many people don’t realize that this is the beginning of the end for a lot of these movie palaces.
I realize that this is a bit off the subject of movie theatres in general here, but I’m so excited and elated about the fact that the Coolidge Corner Theatre patrons (myself included) helped get the great, golden-oldie-but-goody movie musical classic, West Side Story voted in by this wonderful theatre as the number one movie of the 1960’s!