I knew something had to be up with this site. Hopefully, the snag has to do with the LPC standing up for the integrity of the theatre’s interior. I agree with Warren’s sentiments, but I wonder how long the 42nd Street Redevelopment Corp will allow the Times Square to remain vacant and boarded up before it starts convincing the City to relax any landmark restrictions so that the site can be made commercially viable. I know the Liberty Theatre’s auditorium also remains in stasis down the block, but unlike the highly visible Times Square, it is hidden away on 41st Street.
The stock market crash in October of ‘29 and the ensuing Depression helped save a number of older Times Square theatres – particularly those on 42nd Street. With the advent of talkies having a tremendously adverse affect on the fortunes of legitimate theatrical productions (and with the newer and more comfortable houses built between 44th and 46th Street offering stiff competition for a dwindling audience), plans to redevelop several theatre sites on the block were underway before the crash wiped out any hopes to see those projects come to fruition.
Hi movie534. I think I caught CHRISTMAS THAT ALMOST WASN’T on a re-release much earlier than ‘74. I was too young to see it in '66 (having been born in January of '65) but I definitely had seen it before I was school age. I’m thinking that would have been December of '69 or maybe 1970 at the latest. I remember my mom bought me the companion coloring book not too long afterwards – probably at the Woolworth’s store on Junction Blvd across from the old Corona Theatre (which was a Bingo Hall at the time). I had that coloring book for many, many years.
Hey Bryan. Nope. I’ve been in the Ed Sullivan and – while there are some similarities – that’s not the theatre. The auditorium of the Ed Sullivan theatre runs straight back perpendicular from it’s Broadway entrance. The auditorium in the movie runs parallel to the theatre’s streetfront, with auditorium doors on the right side of the lobby/foyer wall.
Hey markedmunds, I also watched SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS on TCM the other night and found myself wondering exactly which theatre was used as the set of the TV studio. I presume that it was one of the many playhouses in the upper reaches of the theatre district that were actually in use at the time (1957) as a TV or radio studio. The decor of the house looked to have a Gothic theme. Anyone know which theatre it might have been?
For anyone interested, this is a follow-up story to the NY Times piece on the Regent/Slave Theatre’s owner posted by Gerald DeLuca above on November 18th.
Wow. Great image, J.F. Look at how narrow East Houston was back then! The entire row of buildings across from the Sunshine (and as far into the distance as can be seen down Houston in this image) were razed at some point when the street was widened. If I’m not mistaken a narrow traffic island exists where the opposing curb used to be situated. The street is at least twice as wide as it used to be – perhaps three times as much.
I’ve read that those Capitol Theatre shows drew disappointing attendance. As I indicated above, Sinatra saw his popularity tail-off around this time and I’m curious as to just how well (or poorly) these shows at the Capitol were received by the public. Do you have any B.O. figures, Warren?
Rory, my grandfather always described this theatre to me as where all the old Universal horror flicks played. He grew up in upper Manhattan as a child in the 1930’s and would often venture to Times Square to catch a double feature. I’m not saying that his recollections are entirely accurate, but it does appear that a number of those old Universal classics played here either on original release or packaged as double bills in re-release.
In a post above from October 23, 2005, CT member RobertR linked to this 1938 clipping featuring an ad for such a twin-bill re-release.
Best bet is phoning the theatre directly on the day you’re thinking of going – that is IF you can get a live person on the phone. They should be able to confirm the screen on which any given film will be shown. Be sure to specify the particular screening you wish to attend in case your title is booked into multiple rooms.
Hey sonnyboy – HAPPY NEW YEAR! Frank Sinatra was basically “discovered” by Harry James and sang in his orchestra in 1939 before famously (or infamously – depending on the story you read) defecting to the Tommy Dorsey Band within a year. I don’t think you’d have found Old Blue Eyes singing with James in 1947, so the performance your grandparents saw at the Paramount was either one or the other! I suppose either artist might have topped the bill in ‘47 – although Sinatra’s career started to swoon a bit that year and wouldn’t fully recover until after his successful dramatic turn in FROM HERE TO ETERNITY in 1953. Hope that helps just a smidge!
The orchestra floor must have been raised a bit with the expansion of the basement space. It seems hard to believe that a formal balcony could have existed with the ceiling height depicted in the recent photo I posted above. Thanks for the info, saps.
This photo of the Northport’s interior appeared in the recent NY Times review of the current production of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE – a musical play adaptation of the classic Capra film. The play was not particularly well reviewed, but the critic did make note of the theatre’s gorgeous restoration. Looking at the photo, it appears as if the original seating has been replaced with a raked “stadium style” arrangement. It also seems that the new stage takes up some of the former seating closest to where the screen was. The intro above notes that 85 seats are located in the “balcony,” but it appears there is no formal balcony. Was the rear seating in the theatre always raked as it currently exists?
I wonder what exactly it was that Lancaster and company did on stage for those performances… Did he serve as Master of Ceremonies? Perform in skits? Dramatic scenes? Acrobatics?
Ah, OK. Thanks, CConnolly, now I know the building you’re describing. It’s the building right before the church on the north side of Merrick just east of Grand Avenue. I’ll have to take a closer look next time I pass by, but it sure doesn’t bare any resemblance to a theatre! There’s a building further east down Merrick on the right hand side (currently a supermarket, I believe) that I’ve always thought looked like it might have been a small theatre at one point. It’s just across from the lake
What a magnificent set of photos, Ken! Rather heartbreaking, actually. Given all that’s gone missing from the original ornamentation, it’s remarkable that so much still remains. With a new gymnasium in place for the university’s basketball team, I’m nervous as to what the future holds for this unique space. Thanks, once again!
Is the building still standing? If so, what currently occupies the site? I’ve passed through the area a number of times and can’t think of any structures on this block that resemble an old movie house.
No heat in the winter… and on several occasions this summer, there was no A/C. Yup. Definitely not a top priority for Regal. All maintenance deferred until absolutely needed, it seems! What a shame. I guess I still have some emotional attachment to this old dump and still hope that if Regal ever does pay attention to this old work-horse, that it will honor its long history by preserving the facade.
Thanks for that historic ad, Warren. Note the difference in billing between Astaire and Ginger Rogers. This was their first film toghether and they had obviously not yet been established as the celebrated dancing team that would go on to co-star in nine subsequent films for RKO and (for their swan song) MGM.
This is listed as a twin in the 12/11/1980 edition of the NY Post movie clock. You can find a clipping here with the Strand Twin listed about half way down the first column. The Daily News version of the movie timetable sorted theaters by neighborhood. The films listed are not porn, but a mix of mainstream films and action double features in late runs.
By March of 1982, the theatre is no longer listed in the movie clock of either the Post or the Daily News nor in the Post’s Neighborhood Movie Guide section (where many XXX houses advertised). That is not sufficient evidence to refute that the Strand ever operated as a porno house, but it does tell us the theatre was twinned towards the end and may have been shuttered by 1982.
Or that the cannisters would come back empty! Not to imply that the young Warren would have been so mischievous!
I knew something had to be up with this site. Hopefully, the snag has to do with the LPC standing up for the integrity of the theatre’s interior. I agree with Warren’s sentiments, but I wonder how long the 42nd Street Redevelopment Corp will allow the Times Square to remain vacant and boarded up before it starts convincing the City to relax any landmark restrictions so that the site can be made commercially viable. I know the Liberty Theatre’s auditorium also remains in stasis down the block, but unlike the highly visible Times Square, it is hidden away on 41st Street.
Hey Joe B… what happened to the photo? Did you post the wrong link or is this the record for quickest deletion of an image from a Photobucket account?
I concur. The columns above the marquee give it away.
PierreCity… This list has to be incomplete. The Loews State was a quad – shouldn’t each date list multiple titles?
The stock market crash in October of ‘29 and the ensuing Depression helped save a number of older Times Square theatres – particularly those on 42nd Street. With the advent of talkies having a tremendously adverse affect on the fortunes of legitimate theatrical productions (and with the newer and more comfortable houses built between 44th and 46th Street offering stiff competition for a dwindling audience), plans to redevelop several theatre sites on the block were underway before the crash wiped out any hopes to see those projects come to fruition.
Hi movie534. I think I caught CHRISTMAS THAT ALMOST WASN’T on a re-release much earlier than ‘74. I was too young to see it in '66 (having been born in January of '65) but I definitely had seen it before I was school age. I’m thinking that would have been December of '69 or maybe 1970 at the latest. I remember my mom bought me the companion coloring book not too long afterwards – probably at the Woolworth’s store on Junction Blvd across from the old Corona Theatre (which was a Bingo Hall at the time). I had that coloring book for many, many years.
Hey Bryan. Nope. I’ve been in the Ed Sullivan and – while there are some similarities – that’s not the theatre. The auditorium of the Ed Sullivan theatre runs straight back perpendicular from it’s Broadway entrance. The auditorium in the movie runs parallel to the theatre’s streetfront, with auditorium doors on the right side of the lobby/foyer wall.
Hey markedmunds, I also watched SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS on TCM the other night and found myself wondering exactly which theatre was used as the set of the TV studio. I presume that it was one of the many playhouses in the upper reaches of the theatre district that were actually in use at the time (1957) as a TV or radio studio. The decor of the house looked to have a Gothic theme. Anyone know which theatre it might have been?
For anyone interested, this is a follow-up story to the NY Times piece on the Regent/Slave Theatre’s owner posted by Gerald DeLuca above on November 18th.
The tower in the background behind the Putnam Building belongs to the Candler Building on W. 42nd Street. Great shot, J.F. Thanks for posting it here.
Wow. Great image, J.F. Look at how narrow East Houston was back then! The entire row of buildings across from the Sunshine (and as far into the distance as can be seen down Houston in this image) were razed at some point when the street was widened. If I’m not mistaken a narrow traffic island exists where the opposing curb used to be situated. The street is at least twice as wide as it used to be – perhaps three times as much.
I’ve read that those Capitol Theatre shows drew disappointing attendance. As I indicated above, Sinatra saw his popularity tail-off around this time and I’m curious as to just how well (or poorly) these shows at the Capitol were received by the public. Do you have any B.O. figures, Warren?
Rory, my grandfather always described this theatre to me as where all the old Universal horror flicks played. He grew up in upper Manhattan as a child in the 1930’s and would often venture to Times Square to catch a double feature. I’m not saying that his recollections are entirely accurate, but it does appear that a number of those old Universal classics played here either on original release or packaged as double bills in re-release.
In a post above from October 23, 2005, CT member RobertR linked to this 1938 clipping featuring an ad for such a twin-bill re-release.
Best bet is phoning the theatre directly on the day you’re thinking of going – that is IF you can get a live person on the phone. They should be able to confirm the screen on which any given film will be shown. Be sure to specify the particular screening you wish to attend in case your title is booked into multiple rooms.
Hey sonnyboy – HAPPY NEW YEAR! Frank Sinatra was basically “discovered” by Harry James and sang in his orchestra in 1939 before famously (or infamously – depending on the story you read) defecting to the Tommy Dorsey Band within a year. I don’t think you’d have found Old Blue Eyes singing with James in 1947, so the performance your grandparents saw at the Paramount was either one or the other! I suppose either artist might have topped the bill in ‘47 – although Sinatra’s career started to swoon a bit that year and wouldn’t fully recover until after his successful dramatic turn in FROM HERE TO ETERNITY in 1953. Hope that helps just a smidge!
The orchestra floor must have been raised a bit with the expansion of the basement space. It seems hard to believe that a formal balcony could have existed with the ceiling height depicted in the recent photo I posted above. Thanks for the info, saps.
This photo of the Northport’s interior appeared in the recent NY Times review of the current production of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE – a musical play adaptation of the classic Capra film. The play was not particularly well reviewed, but the critic did make note of the theatre’s gorgeous restoration. Looking at the photo, it appears as if the original seating has been replaced with a raked “stadium style” arrangement. It also seems that the new stage takes up some of the former seating closest to where the screen was. The intro above notes that 85 seats are located in the “balcony,” but it appears there is no formal balcony. Was the rear seating in the theatre always raked as it currently exists?
I wonder what exactly it was that Lancaster and company did on stage for those performances… Did he serve as Master of Ceremonies? Perform in skits? Dramatic scenes? Acrobatics?
Ah, OK. Thanks, CConnolly, now I know the building you’re describing. It’s the building right before the church on the north side of Merrick just east of Grand Avenue. I’ll have to take a closer look next time I pass by, but it sure doesn’t bare any resemblance to a theatre! There’s a building further east down Merrick on the right hand side (currently a supermarket, I believe) that I’ve always thought looked like it might have been a small theatre at one point. It’s just across from the lake
What a magnificent set of photos, Ken! Rather heartbreaking, actually. Given all that’s gone missing from the original ornamentation, it’s remarkable that so much still remains. With a new gymnasium in place for the university’s basketball team, I’m nervous as to what the future holds for this unique space. Thanks, once again!
Is the building still standing? If so, what currently occupies the site? I’ve passed through the area a number of times and can’t think of any structures on this block that resemble an old movie house.
No heat in the winter… and on several occasions this summer, there was no A/C. Yup. Definitely not a top priority for Regal. All maintenance deferred until absolutely needed, it seems! What a shame. I guess I still have some emotional attachment to this old dump and still hope that if Regal ever does pay attention to this old work-horse, that it will honor its long history by preserving the facade.
Thanks for that historic ad, Warren. Note the difference in billing between Astaire and Ginger Rogers. This was their first film toghether and they had obviously not yet been established as the celebrated dancing team that would go on to co-star in nine subsequent films for RKO and (for their swan song) MGM.
This is listed as a twin in the 12/11/1980 edition of the NY Post movie clock. You can find a clipping here with the Strand Twin listed about half way down the first column. The Daily News version of the movie timetable sorted theaters by neighborhood. The films listed are not porn, but a mix of mainstream films and action double features in late runs.
By March of 1982, the theatre is no longer listed in the movie clock of either the Post or the Daily News nor in the Post’s Neighborhood Movie Guide section (where many XXX houses advertised). That is not sufficient evidence to refute that the Strand ever operated as a porno house, but it does tell us the theatre was twinned towards the end and may have been shuttered by 1982.