Meserole Theatre

During the late 40s and early 50s as kids we went to the Meserole almost every Saturday during school summer vacation. (PS 126) Most times we got the admission fee by snagging coins through the subway gratings along Manhattan Ave. We would stick a wad of gum on the end of a Good Humor Popsicle stick attached to a ball of string and lower it through the grating atop a coin and carefully hoist it back up through the grating and into our pockets. On good days, we gathered enough coins to even buy candy and soda as well as to see many a memorable matinee!

When the Nassau closed it became a hardware store. Fox & Shammels was the name. It was there for a few years then became a bar maned Rovenaks. The Rovnaks Princess catering hall was added a little later. I beleive the appliance store was L&R Shermans. Next door was a small record shop (JOE’S) which was originally on Nassau Ave. Where Pizza Prince is now.I Remember going to the Nassau many times. Th Matron (Mrs. Bueno) used to sneak us in. When we paid it was 9 cents for a movie, 25 cartoons and a serial (such as Rocketman). Those were great times. We didn’t have much, but we never knew it.

I enjoyed reading your comments, Anniegirl. I also remember the Pizza Prince in its early days when it had just replaced a very dingy fruit and vegetable stand on Nassau Avenue. This was situated right next to the old Nassau Movies, which is now a catering hall.

Do you remember ever going to the Nassau? I only faintly remember it as a going cinematic operation just before it closed. I never saw a movie there. I also don’t recall for how long the site stayed vacant before it became the catering hall. I believe it was only for a rather brief time though the building records suggest that the gap may have been considerably longer. So do you have any memories about this matter? If yes, you may wish to add them on the Nassau movie page. I have written a few comments there which you might find interesting. Also, that page can use a little beefing up.

Talk soon.

Anniegirl, it is nice to make your acquaintance. I have enjoyed reading the comments you have submitted on many of the old local theater treads. And I say with even though you are of the “Messie” persuasion while I belong to the “Mezzie” faction!

Speaking of the old shops on Manhattan Avenue, do you remember Von Dolen’s Ice Cream Parlour, which was situated one block to the south. This was a great place to visit after taking in a double bill.

Another eatery also comes to mind. My family frequently ate at the New Garden Chinese Restaurant which was situated at the corner of Meserole Ave. on the second floor. (It is now a Polish nightclub.) For many years it was practically Greenpoint’s only restaurant. Since there was little to compare it with, we found it to be fine. In retrospect however, the owners were damn lucky not to have any competition. This was, after all, a Chinese restaurant whose best dish was Breaded Veal Cutlets!

Unfortunately, the old stores continue to disappear. On my last visit, I noticed that George’s Bargain Store, a great old place that literally sold everything, had just closed. At least it wasn’t replaced by a Starbucks!

In reviewing this tread a second time, I noted the comment that the Meserole is situated on the site of an old Meserole farm. The Meserole’s were one of the earliest settlers of north Brooklyn, arriving here when the entire area was a part of Bushwick and Greenpoint was little more than a salt marsh. The family remained prominent for a very long time, as witnessed by the fact that a Meserole was one of the founding members of the Greenpoint Bank’s Board of Directors. This institution was only established in the late 1800’s.

Anyhow, the reference to the farm house got me to remember a remark that my mother made when we walked up – and then down – Manhattan Ave. as we passed the Meserole Theater. She told me that we were traversing “Meserole Hill”. So the idea of a farmhouse situated at the top of a hill makes a lot of sense.

Finally, most of us locals did not refer to this theater by its full name. To us, it was just “The Mezzie”.

Like countless other Greenpointers, my first date took place at the Meserole. (I have absolutely no idea what we saw.) We then went for a drink at what was then Petey Della’s Bar/Restaurant, which was situated at the corner of McGuinness Blvd.(which was only recently known as Oakland St.) and Nassau Ave. It is now part of the Evergreen Funeral Home. Generations of 16 and 17 year olds learned how to drink at Petey Della’s – remember, the legal drinking age in NYS was then only 18.

As the Greenpoint RKO limped through its last few years of existence as an increasingly shabby venue, the Meserole clearly became Greenpoint’s premier movie house. The big music movies like South Pacific and My Fair Lady were slotted to play there, and drew very well.

It is interesting how people remember the Chopin but not the American, especially since the theater operated under the latter name for most of its existence. (Consider the Chopin to be a small Coda appended at the end of long orchestral movement in sonata form.) The remarkable thing about the Chopin was that – at a time the closure of a movie theater was a functional death sentence – the old American was actually resurrected, albeit briefly, to show movies again. Unfortunately, its second demise occurred just before Greenpoint started to become a hot community. If it had survived a little longer, the Chopin would have become a very successful art and indy house. But I guess we now have to settle for the Starbucks that now occupies this site.

I don’t recall any of that, anniegirl, but perhaps Butch might. Thanks for posting more of your memories.

Small world. Yes, funny that your guys were called “The Brothers”.

The Prep swim team practiced frequently at McCarren Pool, and the track team gathered frequently at McCarren Park. My former boss used to go swimming at the St. George Hotel in Bklyn Heights. I think my mom went to a Prep Mother’s Guild card party at the St. George Hotel while I was at the Prep (1969-73).

Butch, I had a Franciscan brother, Brian Sosnowski, as my religion teacher at my first year (1969-1970) at St. Francis Prep. He was a handsome, blonde man of medium build. I can’t help but wonder if he was the same Brian Sosnowski that you knew.

Butch, you might enjoy Bushwick Buddies. Here’s the link. It centers around Bushwick, but there are threads and discussions of Greenpoint and Williamsburg as well :

http://www.bushwickbuddies.com/

My brothers Carl, Walter and I hung out on Calyer and Eckford with the Quinns. I spent a lot of time in McCarren pool with my friends. We would also go to Astoria & sunset pools to Dive. The best diving board in NYC was in the hotel St George in Brooklyn Heights. They had a salt water pool there. We would dive ond flip off the board and leave our footprints on the ceiling believe it or not.There was a lot of action bowling at greenpoint bowl. Bowl all night for money then go out for breakfast. There was Augie Minucci (Lindas brother). Bobby Dunn, Ernie Ball, Charlie johnson, Eddie Novack and more that I can’t remember. Those were the good old days. I have lots of memories and love to talk about the old days.

Pronounced, no doubt, “of the pernt!”