I too just finished a nice chat with Mr. Hirshon. His correct e-mail address is the yahoo one. He does want to write something, and was interested in everything I had to say. He took the owner information, too. My next step will be to write to the owners, because without feed-back from them, there’s no point to all this. Yes, mikemovies, sadly, each of the other theaters only had 2 or 3 people there.
This is wonderful ! “We don' need no stinkin' BADGES !” I e-mailed him today, and will definitely call him tomorrow. If this works, we should have our names in stars on the sidewalk outside the Ridgewood !!! But seriously, I don’t know what to think until someone hears from the owners. To be continued !
Stop it, boys ! Avoid the picayune people ! We got WORK to do ! Yes, mikemovies, it all depends on the owners. Since they didn’t call me back, I’ll write them a letter. All you boys should do the same, to show them I’m not some solitary lunatic. I wrote to both newspapers, and PKoch says he will contact a local politico he knows. We’re doing well. If it doesn’t work out, then —-YES, YES, YES Lost Memory ! We organize a sad club meeting at “The Last Picture Show”, and then retire to a local wateringhole for mutual commiseration. “…all you wonderful people out there in the dark! All right, Mr. DeMille ! I’m ready for my close-up !!!”
Yes, I get inundated too, in spite of removing the check mark. Yes, I think we should all do what little we can, in spite of an unpromising forecast. What can we lose of our own ? But we might lose the theater. It wouldn’t affect me as much as losing the Pavilion, which thank God seems to be safe, but it’s a worthy cause. We may all be dreamers, but at least we will have tried, right kids ? Oh God, what i wouldn’t GIVE to have the old RKO Prospect back on 9th Street ! To think I took my kid sisters to see “Gypsy” there, and now it’s a supermarket ! THAT’S why i don’t mind doing a little something. I’m also deeply touched by this gallant little community we’ve formed ! I hope we all meet someday —– at “THE MOVIES” !!!
PKoch, I just tried to send an e-mail to the paper, but it didn’t go through, so I’m going to mail them a letter. Great that you know this guy Giordano ! Between us, maybe we can get the place SAVED !!! (LOL with an apprehensive tear !)
Hi LM, PK, and gang ! It’s been slow at work, so I also found this: Ridgewood Times
6658 Fresh Pond Rd FL 2
Ridgewood, NY 11385-3245
fax – 718-456-0120
phone – 718-821-7500
e-mail
Don’t know if it’s 2 different newspapers or not. I guess the politicians really have to be interested in the landmarking process. I know a Bay Ridge politico has assured people that the Alpine will be saved. Yes, LM, a good start would be a nice newspaper article about this whole thing. We can all certainly contact the paper about THAT, anyway.
Kids, I just called the number and left a message for the owners, telling of my interest, and asking for their e-mail, and looking for a chance to talk to them. Maybe I’ll search for the Ridgewood Times on the internet, too. Better than doing nothing ! Let’s see what happens.
I mentioned this website to the staff, but I think all of us need to call & write to the owners at the address & number I gave above, tell them about the website, and suggest some of these wonderful ideas we all have. I don’t know how it could get landmarked; maybe some of you politicos know about that. When it comes down to it: if the owners have given up, what can any of us do ? But let’s see what they say after we contact them. As I said, according to the manager I spoke with, they’ve lost interest. The feeling I got when i went there is that the staff is just marking time. I’m thinking of going to see “The Wicker Man” just to talk to the4 staff again, and see how attendance is. But I guess we all have to get ourselves in gear, and contact the owners. Have a good week-end, kids !
PKoch, I spoke to the manager, and he said that even on week-ends, business is lousy. Theater #1 had less than 10 people when I attended the second Friday screening of “S.O.A.P.” All the other theaters had about 2 or 3 people each. He thinks the owners may soon throw in the towel, and it could happen, unless the place is completely landmarked, and starts getting neighborhood support, like my Pavilion, which had a quiet, well-attended house for “The Illusionist” last week-end. I’ll come back here again soon, because I’m a sentimentalist. I too wish to scream out: “WELCOME BACK, LOST MEMORY !!!”
It’s hard to explain ! It’s like a Rubik’s Cube ! This was always my neighborhood theater, and I’m delighted to report that the last 2 times I went, the movies were well attended, and the audience was SILENT !!! The one big theater is delightful, but some of the others are pretty tight. I’m just grateful to be able to walk to the movies once again, long after the days when I came here to a single theater to see “Living It Up” and “Bells Are Ringing.” It’s a beautiful location right on the park, with several eating places right nearby. Life is good ! Come and enjoy !
LostMemory, thanks for your kindness & thoughfulness. I DID enjoy seeing the Ridgewood, although with mixed feelings, as I reported above. As you can see, you have a whole phalanx (!!!) of support, but it IS getting kinda creepy on this site. We can still have fun in spite of it. Hopefully, some of us may even meet at the Ridgewood sometime in the near future.
LostMemory makes valuable contributions to this site. His postings are always a delight. He is a true member of the movie fan brotherhood. Hopefully this is a temporary thing. All of us hope that the administrators of this site will make certain that there has been no foul play. “Come back, LostMemory ! Come back, Shane !”
This Art’s really something, ain’t he, people ? Anyway, moving on, yes Bway, it’s the lack of good movies. “Little Miss Sunshine” had the full, quiet Saturday house to which I alluded above, and “A Prairie Home Companion” was a delightful surprise for the thinking moviegoers who go to the Cobble Hill. If the Ridgewood gets “The Illusionist” and “Hollywoodland”, I’ll see them there just to patronize it, but I doubt it. Tonino, these other outlets don’t interest me at all, because I still savor that Norma Desmond experience: “…all those wonderful people out there in the dark.” The lady meant US, fellas, not these non-moviegoing boobs. And having seen Hedy Lamarr in “Ecstasy” last night, I know what the lady meant when she said: “WE—HAD—FACES !!!” BUT —– if I go to the Ridgewood some more, and get bad audiences, no matter how small, what would be the point of going ? Back to BAM Rose !!!Hope you guys have been ! I think they get the people who WOULD go to places like the Ridgewood in its hey-day. Anyone who DOES get to the Ridgewood, please let us all know what you thought. (Is THAT “on-topic” enough for you, Art ???)
A couple of things I forgot. The manager told me that they don’t have DVD capability, so they’d have to get the actual monster films. A costly proposition ! Also, they donated some old projectors to a NYC historical society. Also, one of the ushers told me there’s still a backstage area, although the dressing rooms may be closed up. Moviegoing may be popular in other neighborhoods, but I just didn’t feel the vibe here. Many of the current residents couldn’t care less about a still – operating historic theater the way we do.
OK boys, Frankie did it ! Here’s your report. The lobby looks really nice. Theater #1 is a nice size. The seats are old but OK. The screen has 2 holes or blemishes on it. The top of the screen has a long black bar, so maybe the picture wasn’t centered. The sound was loud, but kept getting soft towards the end of the film. Most shocking of all: for the second week of “Snakes On A Plane”, there were less that 10 people there ! 3 of them were little kids (even with the sex scenes) who kept running up & down the aisle. I talked with the staff, who are all very friendly. They are sort of aware that it’s a historic place, but there’s sort of a resigned, matter-of-fact air about them. The manager told me that the owners have lost interest, due to the new competition, and the fact that business is bad, and (spoiler) they are looking to sell. One of the ushers took me on a tour of all the theaters. The blue paint looks nice, but there were hardly any people. It’s a real labyrinth with passageways, etc. The remaining balcony stairs look wonderful. One of the ushers thinks that a monster festival is a wonderful idea, but the manager told me that it would be up to the owners. Boys, I think I became aware of 2 definite, sad facts that we can do nothing about: 1.) The coming attractions were so atrocious, that it’s no wonder intelligent people are repelled by the movies nowadays. 2.) Looking around the neighborhood, it just didn’t feel like the sort of area where people love to “go to the movies” on a Friday night. I saw them in a nearby restaurant and thought: “Why aren’t they at the movies ?” As many of us have said before, it’s just not one of the main urban activities anymore.
I got all the information for you guys about the owners, and yes, we should all write letters and make phone calls, and those of you who can get there should definitely patronize the theater when you can (I know I will) but it may be an exercise in futility. If the owners don’t care, and the neighborhood doesn’t care, what can we do ? It should be landmarked by the local politicians (if they care), but I feel like the old girl’s days are numbered. I feel so sad, boys & girls, but it’s not our world anymore. Anyway, here you go:
Queens Circuit Management Corp.
98 Cuttermill Road suite 466 south
Great Neck, NY 11021
718-478-9200 ext. #1
Orlando Mendoza & Joe Diaz
Boys, you’re all pushin' me to the Ridgewood tonight ! I’m gonna buttonhole a manager and pass our apparently mutually agreeable idea under his nose. Am anxious to see the theater itself tonight. By the way boys, try J & R Music near City Hall for cheap DVDs of some of these flicks. Will report back on Monday ! (STOP IT, ‘Tonino !!!)
KenRoe: I have a photo of the Globe taken on its last day of business. Don’t have a computer, but would like to mail you a copy if you like, so you can put it in here. Where can I mail it to you ?
No, dear inmate, we’re not related, except by our bittersweet longing for an era which has passed us by. I never got into the New Venus, or the Eden, or the Minerva, or the Paradise, although I still live near them all. I think my Dad took me to the 16th Street to see Charlie Chaplin eat his shoe, but after that I moved on to the Prospect, the Globe, the Avon, and the Sanders. At least I can still go to the former Sanders, now the Pavilion. Nice to meet you, inmate ! (Lost Memory ???)
That’s correct, CSI & mikemovies. Oh, and brenograph, how many times have YOU visited the Ridgewood ? How many informative comments have YOU contributed to this noble site ? Go away ! We don’t want you here ! Anyway, fellas, do patrons of the Ridgewood talk, or do they actually watch the movie ? Since brenograph is so nasty, I’m more determined than ever to visit the Ridgewood, and report to you guys. Hey CSI, maybe when I go, I’ll seek out the manager and make the “festival” suggestion.
Ed, I know Mantan is politically incorrect, but he never fails to crack me up: especially in that classic vaudeville routine where he & his friend anticipate what the other one’s going to say —– before they SAY it ! Sorry Jim, I guess “minutiae was a BIT pretentious. Yes PK, I think it was "From Hell It Came”…subtitled “The Life of Warren.” Anyway, wouldn’t it be fun if the Ridgewood did an all-day showing of these old horror movies ? Hope all you guys bought “Killer Shrews” on DVD !
Well, easy on the plaster & bricks ! It’s much more fun hearing about movies you guys love, and your history when you went to these theaters, and things about the neighborhoods. I like seeing & hearing how these theaters looked, but not too much minutiae. Charlie Chan say: “One picture worth thousand words.” Any Mantan Moreland fans out there ?
“OOO, LORD, I wonder what Confusion would say about this here now ?”
“No, no, Birmingham ! Not Confusion !
CONFUCIUS !”
“Well, it’s still all confusion to ME !!!
Great Gawdamighty !”
No, Lost Memory, don’t go ! Your pictures and comments are wonderful ! You’re a true fan ! We all love you ! Like I said before, despite Warren’s good points, he has a Messiah Complex. We all know it. Forget him ! He’s less than no one ! Don’t be intimidated ! Let Ross & Patrick handle it ! Now, here’s something off topic, just to get “you know whose” goat ! I just received the newly released DVD of “Stolen Face” with Lizabeth Scott ! Ever see it ? FUN ! Wonder if THAT ever played the Ridgewood ! PS – The new schedule just came out for the Lafayette Theater in Suffern. Check it out !
Now, the pay-off would be to find out when “Godzilla” played at the Ridgewood ! Sorry, I DID mean misanthrope, and of course I meant “have FUN”, not “have GUN”, although Warren is (to paraphrase Sheridan Whiteside) the greatest living argument for mercy killing ! But seriously, I wonder how attendance is at the Ridgewood these days ? I hope I won’t be too disillusioned when I go. Would like to hear from anyone who’s been there recently.
I too just finished a nice chat with Mr. Hirshon. His correct e-mail address is the yahoo one. He does want to write something, and was interested in everything I had to say. He took the owner information, too. My next step will be to write to the owners, because without feed-back from them, there’s no point to all this. Yes, mikemovies, sadly, each of the other theaters only had 2 or 3 people there.
This is wonderful ! “We don' need no stinkin' BADGES !” I e-mailed him today, and will definitely call him tomorrow. If this works, we should have our names in stars on the sidewalk outside the Ridgewood !!! But seriously, I don’t know what to think until someone hears from the owners. To be continued !
So don’t GO !!! Stay HOME !!! Who NEEDS ya ???
Stop it, boys ! Avoid the picayune people ! We got WORK to do ! Yes, mikemovies, it all depends on the owners. Since they didn’t call me back, I’ll write them a letter. All you boys should do the same, to show them I’m not some solitary lunatic. I wrote to both newspapers, and PKoch says he will contact a local politico he knows. We’re doing well. If it doesn’t work out, then —-YES, YES, YES Lost Memory ! We organize a sad club meeting at “The Last Picture Show”, and then retire to a local wateringhole for mutual commiseration. “…all you wonderful people out there in the dark! All right, Mr. DeMille ! I’m ready for my close-up !!!”
Yes, I get inundated too, in spite of removing the check mark. Yes, I think we should all do what little we can, in spite of an unpromising forecast. What can we lose of our own ? But we might lose the theater. It wouldn’t affect me as much as losing the Pavilion, which thank God seems to be safe, but it’s a worthy cause. We may all be dreamers, but at least we will have tried, right kids ? Oh God, what i wouldn’t GIVE to have the old RKO Prospect back on 9th Street ! To think I took my kid sisters to see “Gypsy” there, and now it’s a supermarket ! THAT’S why i don’t mind doing a little something. I’m also deeply touched by this gallant little community we’ve formed ! I hope we all meet someday —– at “THE MOVIES” !!!
PKoch, I just tried to send an e-mail to the paper, but it didn’t go through, so I’m going to mail them a letter. Great that you know this guy Giordano ! Between us, maybe we can get the place SAVED !!! (LOL with an apprehensive tear !)
Hi LM, PK, and gang ! It’s been slow at work, so I also found this: Ridgewood Times
6658 Fresh Pond Rd FL 2
Ridgewood, NY 11385-3245
fax – 718-456-0120
phone – 718-821-7500
e-mail
Don’t know if it’s 2 different newspapers or not. I guess the politicians really have to be interested in the landmarking process. I know a Bay Ridge politico has assured people that the Alpine will be saved. Yes, LM, a good start would be a nice newspaper article about this whole thing. We can all certainly contact the paper about THAT, anyway.
Kids, I just called the number and left a message for the owners, telling of my interest, and asking for their e-mail, and looking for a chance to talk to them. Maybe I’ll search for the Ridgewood Times on the internet, too. Better than doing nothing ! Let’s see what happens.
I mentioned this website to the staff, but I think all of us need to call & write to the owners at the address & number I gave above, tell them about the website, and suggest some of these wonderful ideas we all have. I don’t know how it could get landmarked; maybe some of you politicos know about that. When it comes down to it: if the owners have given up, what can any of us do ? But let’s see what they say after we contact them. As I said, according to the manager I spoke with, they’ve lost interest. The feeling I got when i went there is that the staff is just marking time. I’m thinking of going to see “The Wicker Man” just to talk to the4 staff again, and see how attendance is. But I guess we all have to get ourselves in gear, and contact the owners. Have a good week-end, kids !
PKoch, I spoke to the manager, and he said that even on week-ends, business is lousy. Theater #1 had less than 10 people when I attended the second Friday screening of “S.O.A.P.” All the other theaters had about 2 or 3 people each. He thinks the owners may soon throw in the towel, and it could happen, unless the place is completely landmarked, and starts getting neighborhood support, like my Pavilion, which had a quiet, well-attended house for “The Illusionist” last week-end. I’ll come back here again soon, because I’m a sentimentalist. I too wish to scream out: “WELCOME BACK, LOST MEMORY !!!”
It’s hard to explain ! It’s like a Rubik’s Cube ! This was always my neighborhood theater, and I’m delighted to report that the last 2 times I went, the movies were well attended, and the audience was SILENT !!! The one big theater is delightful, but some of the others are pretty tight. I’m just grateful to be able to walk to the movies once again, long after the days when I came here to a single theater to see “Living It Up” and “Bells Are Ringing.” It’s a beautiful location right on the park, with several eating places right nearby. Life is good ! Come and enjoy !
PKoch, I just meant with all the nastiness. But I think the administrators have it well in hand now.
LostMemory, thanks for your kindness & thoughfulness. I DID enjoy seeing the Ridgewood, although with mixed feelings, as I reported above. As you can see, you have a whole phalanx (!!!) of support, but it IS getting kinda creepy on this site. We can still have fun in spite of it. Hopefully, some of us may even meet at the Ridgewood sometime in the near future.
LostMemory makes valuable contributions to this site. His postings are always a delight. He is a true member of the movie fan brotherhood. Hopefully this is a temporary thing. All of us hope that the administrators of this site will make certain that there has been no foul play. “Come back, LostMemory ! Come back, Shane !”
This Art’s really something, ain’t he, people ? Anyway, moving on, yes Bway, it’s the lack of good movies. “Little Miss Sunshine” had the full, quiet Saturday house to which I alluded above, and “A Prairie Home Companion” was a delightful surprise for the thinking moviegoers who go to the Cobble Hill. If the Ridgewood gets “The Illusionist” and “Hollywoodland”, I’ll see them there just to patronize it, but I doubt it. Tonino, these other outlets don’t interest me at all, because I still savor that Norma Desmond experience: “…all those wonderful people out there in the dark.” The lady meant US, fellas, not these non-moviegoing boobs. And having seen Hedy Lamarr in “Ecstasy” last night, I know what the lady meant when she said: “WE—HAD—FACES !!!” BUT —– if I go to the Ridgewood some more, and get bad audiences, no matter how small, what would be the point of going ? Back to BAM Rose !!!Hope you guys have been ! I think they get the people who WOULD go to places like the Ridgewood in its hey-day. Anyone who DOES get to the Ridgewood, please let us all know what you thought. (Is THAT “on-topic” enough for you, Art ???)
A couple of things I forgot. The manager told me that they don’t have DVD capability, so they’d have to get the actual monster films. A costly proposition ! Also, they donated some old projectors to a NYC historical society. Also, one of the ushers told me there’s still a backstage area, although the dressing rooms may be closed up. Moviegoing may be popular in other neighborhoods, but I just didn’t feel the vibe here. Many of the current residents couldn’t care less about a still – operating historic theater the way we do.
OK boys, Frankie did it ! Here’s your report. The lobby looks really nice. Theater #1 is a nice size. The seats are old but OK. The screen has 2 holes or blemishes on it. The top of the screen has a long black bar, so maybe the picture wasn’t centered. The sound was loud, but kept getting soft towards the end of the film. Most shocking of all: for the second week of “Snakes On A Plane”, there were less that 10 people there ! 3 of them were little kids (even with the sex scenes) who kept running up & down the aisle. I talked with the staff, who are all very friendly. They are sort of aware that it’s a historic place, but there’s sort of a resigned, matter-of-fact air about them. The manager told me that the owners have lost interest, due to the new competition, and the fact that business is bad, and (spoiler) they are looking to sell. One of the ushers took me on a tour of all the theaters. The blue paint looks nice, but there were hardly any people. It’s a real labyrinth with passageways, etc. The remaining balcony stairs look wonderful. One of the ushers thinks that a monster festival is a wonderful idea, but the manager told me that it would be up to the owners. Boys, I think I became aware of 2 definite, sad facts that we can do nothing about: 1.) The coming attractions were so atrocious, that it’s no wonder intelligent people are repelled by the movies nowadays. 2.) Looking around the neighborhood, it just didn’t feel like the sort of area where people love to “go to the movies” on a Friday night. I saw them in a nearby restaurant and thought: “Why aren’t they at the movies ?” As many of us have said before, it’s just not one of the main urban activities anymore.
I got all the information for you guys about the owners, and yes, we should all write letters and make phone calls, and those of you who can get there should definitely patronize the theater when you can (I know I will) but it may be an exercise in futility. If the owners don’t care, and the neighborhood doesn’t care, what can we do ? It should be landmarked by the local politicians (if they care), but I feel like the old girl’s days are numbered. I feel so sad, boys & girls, but it’s not our world anymore. Anyway, here you go:
Queens Circuit Management Corp.
98 Cuttermill Road suite 466 south
Great Neck, NY 11021
718-478-9200 ext. #1
Orlando Mendoza & Joe Diaz
Boys, you’re all pushin' me to the Ridgewood tonight ! I’m gonna buttonhole a manager and pass our apparently mutually agreeable idea under his nose. Am anxious to see the theater itself tonight. By the way boys, try J & R Music near City Hall for cheap DVDs of some of these flicks. Will report back on Monday ! (STOP IT, ‘Tonino !!!)
KenRoe: I have a photo of the Globe taken on its last day of business. Don’t have a computer, but would like to mail you a copy if you like, so you can put it in here. Where can I mail it to you ?
No, dear inmate, we’re not related, except by our bittersweet longing for an era which has passed us by. I never got into the New Venus, or the Eden, or the Minerva, or the Paradise, although I still live near them all. I think my Dad took me to the 16th Street to see Charlie Chaplin eat his shoe, but after that I moved on to the Prospect, the Globe, the Avon, and the Sanders. At least I can still go to the former Sanders, now the Pavilion. Nice to meet you, inmate ! (Lost Memory ???)
That’s correct, CSI & mikemovies. Oh, and brenograph, how many times have YOU visited the Ridgewood ? How many informative comments have YOU contributed to this noble site ? Go away ! We don’t want you here ! Anyway, fellas, do patrons of the Ridgewood talk, or do they actually watch the movie ? Since brenograph is so nasty, I’m more determined than ever to visit the Ridgewood, and report to you guys. Hey CSI, maybe when I go, I’ll seek out the manager and make the “festival” suggestion.
Ed, I know Mantan is politically incorrect, but he never fails to crack me up: especially in that classic vaudeville routine where he & his friend anticipate what the other one’s going to say —– before they SAY it ! Sorry Jim, I guess “minutiae was a BIT pretentious. Yes PK, I think it was "From Hell It Came”…subtitled “The Life of Warren.” Anyway, wouldn’t it be fun if the Ridgewood did an all-day showing of these old horror movies ? Hope all you guys bought “Killer Shrews” on DVD !
Well, easy on the plaster & bricks ! It’s much more fun hearing about movies you guys love, and your history when you went to these theaters, and things about the neighborhoods. I like seeing & hearing how these theaters looked, but not too much minutiae. Charlie Chan say: “One picture worth thousand words.” Any Mantan Moreland fans out there ?
“OOO, LORD, I wonder what Confusion would say about this here now ?”
“No, no, Birmingham ! Not Confusion !
CONFUCIUS !”
“Well, it’s still all confusion to ME !!!
Great Gawdamighty !”
No, Lost Memory, don’t go ! Your pictures and comments are wonderful ! You’re a true fan ! We all love you ! Like I said before, despite Warren’s good points, he has a Messiah Complex. We all know it. Forget him ! He’s less than no one ! Don’t be intimidated ! Let Ross & Patrick handle it ! Now, here’s something off topic, just to get “you know whose” goat ! I just received the newly released DVD of “Stolen Face” with Lizabeth Scott ! Ever see it ? FUN ! Wonder if THAT ever played the Ridgewood ! PS – The new schedule just came out for the Lafayette Theater in Suffern. Check it out !
Now, the pay-off would be to find out when “Godzilla” played at the Ridgewood ! Sorry, I DID mean misanthrope, and of course I meant “have FUN”, not “have GUN”, although Warren is (to paraphrase Sheridan Whiteside) the greatest living argument for mercy killing ! But seriously, I wonder how attendance is at the Ridgewood these days ? I hope I won’t be too disillusioned when I go. Would like to hear from anyone who’s been there recently.