Polk Theater

The Flagship Pussycat Theatre in West Hollywood was once equipped with a full Dolby Stereo system (a CP-50). During the 70’s & 80’s when they were paying union projectionists to run the adult houses. During that time if you were just starting out in the local, you got your start with a shift or two at an adult theatre. Those adult theatres were just worn out, the equipment and the theatre.

Many of the remaining adult theatres around the country have been running videos for over the last 10-15 years. All the former Pussycat Theatres stopped running film 15 years ago. And at one time they were union projectionists running them. The theatres installed Sony or Barco type projection systems and VHS & later DVD players for the material. You could cut the amount of people on the payroll each shift by having a box office/snackbar person and a manager/video button pusher. Remember it’s cheaper to run video and no one strikes new 35mm prints for adult theatres anymore, because of the video age.

But I see no reason to doubt the Voice’s accounting of the condition of the theater’s facilities. (should have finished the thought before hitting the “Submit” button)

Something not made clear was if the Polk had still been projecting FILM up to the end. I know it is extremely doubtful, and info that is in the above postings indicates otherwise. But I would like to have this confirmed. The Village Voice article implies the place was still showing film — I’m sure this was just to make the article more interesting. Please forward any info on this or any adult cinema showing FILM to — thanks!
BTW — the Polk’s phone number is OOS.

I’ve mentioned this before, but James McCourt’s “Queer Street” has a terrific account of the Polk as a teenage hangout in the 1950s. McCourt does a few spots as a confidante and former interviewer of Bette Davis in Turner Classic Movie’s tribute to the star, “Stardust,” airing this evening at 6:30 pm.

It seems suspended in time. It has been closed since mid-February. In all probability, it will never reopen. Eventually, a buyer will come along and either make new use of tne space or demolish it.

The “status” in the profile is incorrect – it needs to be changed to “closed”.

Here’s my new Polk Theater album where I’ve reorganized the photos I previously posted in September and December. I also have a couple of vintage shots I stole from Warren, which he already posted above.

Aw, don’t be too hard on Kevin. He tries hard.

The second post from the top — posted by Warren on Feb 18, 2004 at 11:05am — has all these details and more.

If the Polk really is to disappear, I wish there were some way to at the very least save that marquee — even uncover the original Polk Avenue sign, if it’s still hiding underneath — as it appears to be a true treasure of Art Deco design.

Intuition is a funny thing, but this is downright creepy…

I was informed that as of Monday, February 20th (Presidents’ Day), this theater was closed. I passed by on Friday the 24th at 6 p.m. to investigate further, and by all appearances, it is true. All entry doors were locked, and the entire place was dark (except for a small lamp left on in the lobby, visible through an open inside door). All display cases, inside and out, were emptied of their ancient faded movie posters and hand-written notices. The box office booth was “de-cluttered” of items, and the hours of operation were no longer posted.

The only “official proof” of closure that I saw was a small, hand-made “sign”: an 8.5”x11” sheet of plain paper with a message scrawled in marker ink “CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS â€" OPENING SOON”. However, it was casually placed on the counter, out of general view and difficult to see through the dirty glass (I had to squint to read it).

I do not believe there is any validity to this claim. If the owners were sincere in their attempt to publicize genuine changes or improvements, they would have conspicuously posted larger, more informative signs on the doors and the box office window, clearly visible from the sidewalk and street.

Renovating this facility (in its current condition) into a presentable, legitimate theatre operation would require MILLIONS of dollars and MONTHS of planning, inspections, permit approvals, and reconstruction. I just don’t see it happening. This neighborhood’s demographics simply do not support the need for any cinema, let alone a 599-seat movie theatre. Consider the following:
(1) Area residents are predominantly low-income or working class immigrants (mostly Mexican and other Spanish-speaking) who do not have the disposable income necessary for today’s ridiculous movie ticket prices.
(2) There is a huge Hollywood Video store located two blocks east on Junction Blvd, not to mention numerous small “mom & pop” convenience stores and even bodegas that rent or sell movies dirt cheap. And let’s not forget Queens Library’s Jackson Heights branch and its extensive DVD collection on loan for free. An affordable night at the movies for an economically disadvantaged family is a TV set and an inexpensive DVD player.
(3) The nearby Plaza Twin in Corona tried to make a go of it, showing first-run films with Spanish subtitles (this after converting half the space to a Walgreen’s drug store, then investing in downsizing and reconfiguring). Attendance was poor, the owners took a financial bath, and it closed. Having worked in areas where Spanish is the primary household language, I can tell you that most Hispanic customers do not want to read subtitles â€" they want their movie soundtracks IN Spanish, even if it’s dubbed (DVD-video has both capabilities, another reason for this medium’s immense popularity with this audience).
(4) The only [modestly] successful old-time movie house left in Jackson Heights is the Eagle (a former XXX theatre) that now plays Indian movies (a tremendously loyal fan base for “Bollywood” fare exists in the shopping area around 74th St. known as “Little India”)
(5) The Polk is located in an area that has an intimidating reputation, especially after dark. The Corona-Jackson Heights area is known for its Mexican and Columbian gang turf wars and drug peddling (especially along nearby Roosevelt Ave, where I’ve actually witnessed drug pushers, fights, police busts and a crime scene investigation that included yellow “do not cross” tape and a body bag).

It looks like this place is finished. Polk Theatre…1938-2006…R.I.P.

Thanks for that information, Alto.

The Fair’s original single-screen main auditorium is basically intact, including its balcony (which, by all appearances, has been declared “off-limits” for quite some time), with only minor aesthetic modifications. Expansion of the facilities to include additional smaller XXX theatres and private viewing booths was achieved by acquiring space from adjoining box stores on the west side of the building (if you look carefully, you can figure out where the walls used to exist).

The two Greek brothers who manage the theatre also run the adjacent Stella D’Argento Italian Restaurant located on the east side of the theatre (a convenient “walk-through” entry provides direct access to its “bar lounge” by theatre customers). The lounge menu offering “specials for theatre customers only” has proven popular and provides additional income for the restaurant.

The owners have provided amenities and reasonable levels of comfort and cleanliness that are unexpected in an establishment of this type. The décor, although somewhat tacky, sets a pleasant and inviting tone. The fish tanks bubbling away in the lobby are particularly unique. The relaxed, non-intimidating (even social) atmosphere will surprise adult theatre “veterans” and “novices” alike.

Ironically, the same block-long building housing the theatre and restaurant also provides storefront space to a black “church” (I use the term loosely) on its northwest corner! These are same wonderful people who have repeatedly tried (thankfully without success) to curtail or close down the theatre’s operations.