There was a theater called the New David, located around the corner from the Ed Sullivan Theater. I once passed by (okay, I was going in to the theater) and there was a line of people in front of the New David waiting to get into the David Letterman show which had moved into the refurbished Sullivan. The line was split into two so that men going into the New David could enter. I wonder if the folks at CBS pressured the landlord to evict the New David? If I am not mistaken there was another adult fare theater named the David somewhere around 49th and 7th. I have a foggy memory of seeing it when I started working in the area in the late 1980’s.
When the Adonis was forced out of the old Tivoli it ended up a few blocks down from 50th street. It was not alone as there was about 3 small theaters that were showing gay porn. These theaters are now restaurants.
I actually miss the sleaze that was Times Square. However, I am glad to see that many of the old theaters, or at least some, survived. Anyone remember the Selwyn? That theater ‘mysteriously’ collapsed while Times Square was undergoing redevelopment.
I wanted so much to jump the velvet rope that stood between me and the auditorium. Before the theater ‘collapsed’ the lobby was opened for people to see. It was very small. I believe that the Public Theater was going to take over old theater but after the ‘collapse’ a new building went up in its place. The Public Theater got a new home out of the deal.
I should add that the Adonis didn’t die out after being evicted from the former Tivoli. It simply moved down to 44th street. I think the theater it took over was the Cameo but can’t be sure. That theater, after the Adonis was closed, is now known as the Play Pen. The theater seats were removed and they installed booths where girls perform for a fee of a few dollars. The bolcony is now the male section with buddy booths. There were clippings about the former Tivoli on the wall of the new home of the Adonis.
I also recall that there was a theater called The David. It too was a gay porn theater and I believe that it was located on 7th avenue and 49. But can’t be sure. I never went in but do recall that the name DAVID was spelled out in neon. This is before AIDS reared it’s ugly head and the health department began to close down these theaters. I missed the opportunity to check out the old Victory theatre across the street from the New Amsterdam. As you may recall the old Times Square was home to many old theaters that were turned into porn houses.
An interesting footnote to the Adonis. The man who was in charge of real estate for the developers of the Worldwide Plaza was instrumental in purchasing the theater and closing it down because of the porn movies. In a case that made headlines, that man was found dead in a rundown motel in the Bronx. It was revealed that this pillar of the community enjoyed engaging in sex with men and he liked it rough. He would sometimes come into work with bruises and tell co-workers that he had been mugged. This was front page news as you can imagine. Hypocrates get it in the end all the time.
It is too bad that the theater wasn’t purchased, refurbished, and used to business presentations. I will never forget the grand marquee and lobby. It was quite large.
I can also recall that on one visit man were engaging in sexual activity near the left entry way to the balconey. It was crazy in there.
Reading your comments makes me feel ‘negelected’ as far as moving going is concerned. I was born in 1966 and lived briefly on Wythe Avenue then moved to 297 Maujer Street, between Waterbury and Morgan. When we moved to the neighborhood they were just starting to raze many of the buildings, including St. Catherine’s Hospital (sttod at the corner of Bushwick and Grand Street). There were about 4 theaters in the neighborhood. There was one on Grand Street, btwn Graham and Humbolt which became a porn theater in the 1970’s. There was the Rainbow on Graham Avenue, btwn Messerole and Montrose. And there was a larger theater up Grand Street that is now a gas station. The only movie theaters I remember going to were the Williamsburg (now a 99 cent store) and the recently shuttered Commodore.
I have seen it then. I remember looking at the building and it is clear to see that it housed a theater. I might try and get up there and take pictures of the building. The area is ripe for for redevelopment.
I am guess that this is the theater that is visible from the platform waiting for the M or J train heading into Queens? If I am correct I remember going to this theater over 30 years ago. The theater was known as the Rio Piedras. I went there for a Christmas show. However as I recall, the theater was small.
I tried accessing the link to find out more about the Broadway Theater but it is wrong or missing. Anyone have any updated site?
Hi Warren. In the main auditorium they show ‘legit’ movies. This Monday they were playing THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW with Dennis Quaid. In the back of the theater is where they show the gay and straight porn. They also have small booths where you can, well you get the picture. I think they change the program every Sunday and Wednesday. But that might be for the porn movies. In the main room they show a lot of old movies. The theater is well maintained and it is a relaxed atmosphere. They have the balcony but that is closed off. I would love to see the projection room. I bet the old projectors are still intact. Do you know if there was a stage?
I was talking to the manager of the theater. He said that there is a lot of pressure from the church that is on the corner to have the theater stop playing porn. However, the theater has gotten some support from people who say the theater is kept clean, the patrons don’t bother anyone. Let’s see. It might become a church yet.
I stopped by to see if this theater was still running. It is still open. I went there on 11/15/04. There was this old woman selling ‘tickets’ in the box office. The tickets are threaded through the old ticket machine, but unlike the old days, she doesn’t push a button to dispense them. The place has a musty smell. The small lobby is still intact. It is smaller than most theaters. Once inside I gave the ticket to an ‘usher’. Next to the door on the left is the old ticket collection box. I don’t know what it is actually called. There are still the old concession stand display cases. There are stairs that lead to the restrooms. There is no balcony. There is old paneling on the walls that no doubt hide the original walls. It would be interesting to peel them off. Upstairs is an old phone booth minus the pay phone. The bathrooms are okay. There are also to old scales that don’t work but are probably worth something. The theater looks as if suspended in time. It needs a good cleaning. I once had the opportunity to see the projection room. The projectors are still in place and probably work.
I am curious to know any info on a theater was located on Broadway and Myrtle in Brooklyn. It was demolished a few years ago after being vacant for many years. I seem to recall that it was known as El Teatro Rio Piedra, a Puerto Rican theater. I went to a christmas show there many years ago, the mid 1070’s. I remember that it was a very small theater.
It is sad when people allow a neighborhood to fall into disrepair. It mirrors their own dispair. Once upon a time ‘certain’ people could only dream of living in neighborhoods like Carnesie. And once they moved in the decline set in.
Thanks for the update.
Is this the theater that is seen briefly in the movie Saturday Night Fever during the opening scene with John Travolta?
Going off-topic, does anyone know the name of the theatre that is show in the background during the opening sequence of Saturday Night Fever?
There was a theater called the New David, located around the corner from the Ed Sullivan Theater. I once passed by (okay, I was going in to the theater) and there was a line of people in front of the New David waiting to get into the David Letterman show which had moved into the refurbished Sullivan. The line was split into two so that men going into the New David could enter. I wonder if the folks at CBS pressured the landlord to evict the New David? If I am not mistaken there was another adult fare theater named the David somewhere around 49th and 7th. I have a foggy memory of seeing it when I started working in the area in the late 1980’s.
When the Adonis was forced out of the old Tivoli it ended up a few blocks down from 50th street. It was not alone as there was about 3 small theaters that were showing gay porn. These theaters are now restaurants.
I made a mistake in my post. It wasn’t the Public Theater that is now located on the site of the old Selwyn but the Roundabout as br91975 pointed out.
I actually miss the sleaze that was Times Square. However, I am glad to see that many of the old theaters, or at least some, survived. Anyone remember the Selwyn? That theater ‘mysteriously’ collapsed while Times Square was undergoing redevelopment.
I wanted so much to jump the velvet rope that stood between me and the auditorium. Before the theater ‘collapsed’ the lobby was opened for people to see. It was very small. I believe that the Public Theater was going to take over old theater but after the ‘collapse’ a new building went up in its place. The Public Theater got a new home out of the deal.
I should add that the Adonis didn’t die out after being evicted from the former Tivoli. It simply moved down to 44th street. I think the theater it took over was the Cameo but can’t be sure. That theater, after the Adonis was closed, is now known as the Play Pen. The theater seats were removed and they installed booths where girls perform for a fee of a few dollars. The bolcony is now the male section with buddy booths. There were clippings about the former Tivoli on the wall of the new home of the Adonis.
I also recall that there was a theater called The David. It too was a gay porn theater and I believe that it was located on 7th avenue and 49. But can’t be sure. I never went in but do recall that the name DAVID was spelled out in neon. This is before AIDS reared it’s ugly head and the health department began to close down these theaters. I missed the opportunity to check out the old Victory theatre across the street from the New Amsterdam. As you may recall the old Times Square was home to many old theaters that were turned into porn houses.
An interesting footnote to the Adonis. The man who was in charge of real estate for the developers of the Worldwide Plaza was instrumental in purchasing the theater and closing it down because of the porn movies. In a case that made headlines, that man was found dead in a rundown motel in the Bronx. It was revealed that this pillar of the community enjoyed engaging in sex with men and he liked it rough. He would sometimes come into work with bruises and tell co-workers that he had been mugged. This was front page news as you can imagine. Hypocrates get it in the end all the time.
It is too bad that the theater wasn’t purchased, refurbished, and used to business presentations. I will never forget the grand marquee and lobby. It was quite large.
I can also recall that on one visit man were engaging in sexual activity near the left entry way to the balconey. It was crazy in there.
They stage concerts there now. I didn’t know it had been a theater.
Reading your comments makes me feel ‘negelected’ as far as moving going is concerned. I was born in 1966 and lived briefly on Wythe Avenue then moved to 297 Maujer Street, between Waterbury and Morgan. When we moved to the neighborhood they were just starting to raze many of the buildings, including St. Catherine’s Hospital (sttod at the corner of Bushwick and Grand Street). There were about 4 theaters in the neighborhood. There was one on Grand Street, btwn Graham and Humbolt which became a porn theater in the 1970’s. There was the Rainbow on Graham Avenue, btwn Messerole and Montrose. And there was a larger theater up Grand Street that is now a gas station. The only movie theaters I remember going to were the Williamsburg (now a 99 cent store) and the recently shuttered Commodore.
I have seen it then. I remember looking at the building and it is clear to see that it housed a theater. I might try and get up there and take pictures of the building. The area is ripe for for redevelopment.
what year did they start playing porn at the old Monroe theater?
I am guess that this is the theater that is visible from the platform waiting for the M or J train heading into Queens? If I am correct I remember going to this theater over 30 years ago. The theater was known as the Rio Piedras. I went there for a Christmas show. However as I recall, the theater was small.
I tried accessing the link to find out more about the Broadway Theater but it is wrong or missing. Anyone have any updated site?
How far is this theater from Newark/Penn Station?
Also, does anyone have any information on The Little Theater located on Broad Street?
Hi Warren. In the main auditorium they show ‘legit’ movies. This Monday they were playing THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW with Dennis Quaid. In the back of the theater is where they show the gay and straight porn. They also have small booths where you can, well you get the picture. I think they change the program every Sunday and Wednesday. But that might be for the porn movies. In the main room they show a lot of old movies. The theater is well maintained and it is a relaxed atmosphere. They have the balcony but that is closed off. I would love to see the projection room. I bet the old projectors are still intact. Do you know if there was a stage?
I was talking to the manager of the theater. He said that there is a lot of pressure from the church that is on the corner to have the theater stop playing porn. However, the theater has gotten some support from people who say the theater is kept clean, the patrons don’t bother anyone. Let’s see. It might become a church yet.
I stopped by to see if this theater was still running. It is still open. I went there on 11/15/04. There was this old woman selling ‘tickets’ in the box office. The tickets are threaded through the old ticket machine, but unlike the old days, she doesn’t push a button to dispense them. The place has a musty smell. The small lobby is still intact. It is smaller than most theaters. Once inside I gave the ticket to an ‘usher’. Next to the door on the left is the old ticket collection box. I don’t know what it is actually called. There are still the old concession stand display cases. There are stairs that lead to the restrooms. There is no balcony. There is old paneling on the walls that no doubt hide the original walls. It would be interesting to peel them off. Upstairs is an old phone booth minus the pay phone. The bathrooms are okay. There are also to old scales that don’t work but are probably worth something. The theater looks as if suspended in time. It needs a good cleaning. I once had the opportunity to see the projection room. The projectors are still in place and probably work.
This makes me think of the Newark Paramount. After the success of the Times Square area the downtown area in Newark is ripe for redevelopment.
I am curious to know any info on a theater was located on Broadway and Myrtle in Brooklyn. It was demolished a few years ago after being vacant for many years. I seem to recall that it was known as El Teatro Rio Piedra, a Puerto Rican theater. I went to a christmas show there many years ago, the mid 1070’s. I remember that it was a very small theater.
It is sad when people allow a neighborhood to fall into disrepair. It mirrors their own dispair. Once upon a time ‘certain’ people could only dream of living in neighborhoods like Carnesie. And once they moved in the decline set in.
How far is this from Newark Penn Station? Is this near the Newark Paramount?
When did the theater finally close?
I would love to see this theater. Do you know if MetroNorth services that area?
I would rather see an old theater become a church then a 99 cent store or supermarket.