CT member phillipgoldberg noted way at the top of this thread that the Mineola Theatre was razed for a parking garage. While there is a multi-level parking garage down First Street that probably shares some of the former footprint of the old theatre, a non-descript 4 story medical-professional building now sits at 120 Mineola Boulevard. Many of the medical offices within the building are affiliated with nearby Winthrop Hospital.
Lost, when Mineola Blvd crosses Old Country Road just a few blocks to the south, it becomes Franklin Avenue. This may not have always been the case, which may explain the Times' 1936 report of the theatre’s address – that is, if it wasn’t just an outright error.
So, no one had or was able to cut a proper Academy-ratio aperture plate for this presentation. That’s disappointing to hear. I won’t be coming to this theatre for any pre-1953 revivals!
The 86th Street East had at least one XXX adult engagement in 1975 – and that would be for the film “S.O.S.” produced by and starring Al Goldstein of Screw Magazine fame and released on April 29th. The tag for the film was “The magazine you swore you’d never read … becomes the film you can’t miss. I imagine that Goldstein might have four-walled the theatre for this premiere engagement.
In February of 1976, the Love hosted the “first and only NY showing” of “Tongue” – billed as the “first major black erotic film!” It starred Al Poe as a black man with a 9 inch…. tongue!
If you’ve ever seen clips from the Academy Awards presentation of 1971, the song “Thank You Very Much” from “Scrooge” was a theme of sorts that a number of celebrities sang at various points in the show (and in various different languages). Unfortunately, that didn’t guarantee an Oscar for the ditty – it lost to the tune “For All We Know” from the movie “Lovers and Other Strangers.” Someone named Larry Meredith sang the tune on that film’s soundtrack, but it was popularized later by The Carpenters. You might remember the song which begins with the line “Love, look at the two of us…”
Hey guys, I eventually created a Harem Theatre page here on CT after this thread started to develop. It would be great if some of you would go there to post any memories or factual information you may have about the theatre. Thanks!
I saw one or two movies here in the late ‘90’s. The only one that comes to mind is Luc Besson’s bizarre “The Fifth Element” with Bruce Willis in the summer of 1997. I recall at the time that there was very little in theatres that held any interest for me (at least that I hadn’t already seen) and the big new release was “Air Force One.” By that point, the prospect of sitting through yet another by-the-numbers action film where Harrison Ford indignantly defends himself and family (“Get off my plane!”) against terrorists was depressing – I thought the movie looked like “Jack Ryan Goes to Washington” judging from the trailers. I had a desire to see something “different” and settled on the Besson film – which was at the end of it’s run at the Worldwide. Well… I got what I asked for! I’m not saying it’s a great movie (or even a GOOD one), but it sure did seem like a refreshing change of pace at the time – though I wanted to jump up on the screen and strangle the Chris Tucker character at several points!
I’m sure there were many such theatres on Bruce’s concert tours in the ‘70’s, but I know for sure of two local venues that were former cinemas: the Passaic Capitol and the [/theaters/1301/]Palladium/Academy of Music[/url] in NYC.
I think the term “sexual adventurers” is fair, but I agree that there is no evidence of anything predatory going on at the Fair. By most accounts, the clandestine activity at the theatre would seem to be entirely consensual – at least as far as the participants (or would-be participants as the case may be) are concerned. On the other hand, one cannot blame Fair Theatre management for trying to police the situation so that their establishment remains within the bounds of legality – and performing a sex act in a public place (whatever your thoughts on the morality of the situation) remains an illegal activity in the City of New York. I’m just not entirely clear on whether this effort to police things is sincere. It is possible that security at the theatre thought the M-F couple mentioned above might have been undercover cops and, therefore, they were merely putting on a show for their benefit.
They’ll have to fix the “R” in Rock Church. It doesn’t seem to illuminate fully and looks like “Pock Church” in the long shot. I hope the “ELMWOOD” lettering will remain – even if they don’t decide to restore illumination. Should I be encouraged by the fact that the original letters are still up there or discouraged that the clashing font and color of the new signage might spell doom for the original?
That’s some good news. I’m delighted that the sigh will be retained – even if somewhat altered. I’m hoping the new lettering will be in keeping with the overall design of the original sign.
Vito… My experiences at the Hall only date back to the early 1970’s, but I can definitely recall seeing an attraction at the Hall in ‘73 (might have been Disney’s animated “Robin Hood”) and seeing an amazingly long trailer for the upcoming “Mame” starring Lucille Ball. I assume this was one of those special “snipes” you mentioned above. I remember someone in our party commented after the snipe that we wouldn’t have to pay to see that flick since we practically saw the whole thing in the trailer! We did wind up coming back for “Mame” after all – much to our eventual dismay as it wasn’t a very good movie!
The organ plus “Mary Poppins” sounds like an ideal family show. I’m going to make every effort to make the journey “…‘cross the river to the Jersey side” (per Tom Waits) with kids in tow!
Apologies… that should be “Beowulf” with a “u”… I posed this question on the Grumman Imax page, but I was wondering when the Museum started allowing mainstream fare to be booked here in addition to the usual “specialty” films one finds in a Museum IMAX dome? I was also wondering if why the Museum has not upgraded to 3D capabilities – is that an expensive conversion? Does IMAX 3D involve an interlocking pair of prints? I’m not sure what the technology involved is.
I see that “Beowulf” is booked at this theatre – albeit in the only 2D IMAX presentation I know of for the release. Per the theatre’s website, “I Am Legend” will be opening here on December 14th. I didn’t realize that mainstream movies were being booked in addition to the usual “Museum” IMAX specialty fare. When was that policy instituted? And why, I wonder, is the theatre not equipped for 3D?
Michael… The Grumman Imax Dome at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, Long Island, is playing “Beowolf” in what is advertised as a “special” 2-D 70MM engagement. I suppose this is some hyporbolic rhetoric since all of the other IMAX engagements are in 3-D making this presentation a “special” downgrade! Still, I thought it merited a note.
There is very little data available online about 750 Nostrand Ave – at least at the City’s Building Department site. No C of O’s are available, but the use is classified as “J9 Theatre.” One site lists an estimated build date of 1910. The owner is listed as “J J Real Estate Properties” – the same owner of the Regent/Slave.
Here’s a local.live aerial view of the block that would seem to reveal that this was a conversion of existing space rather than a structure built from the ground up as a theatre. I wonder if it had even operated as a cinema before being purchased by John L. Phillips – the Slave Theatre’s founder and subject of the NY Times article.
In the local.live view, 750 Nostrand would be the wide three-story building about mid-block with the white arches above the third story windows and the long awning running the length of the structure just over street level. Looks like there might be a vertical sign running up from the center of the canopy.
Fred Beall… I regret to inform you – and anyone else who didn’t already know – that demolition of the Embasy 2,3,4’s interior began several weeks ago, as reported on the theatre’s CT page. I believe that the gut job is all but complete by now and the space stands ready for (or is already in the process of) conversion to other commercial space.
Hey Peter… Is this the image that you’re referring to? This is from my copy of the souvenir booklet that I purchased around Easter 1978 when I went to see “Crossed Swords” (billed at the time as the Hall’s “final attraction” – though that was not the case). I posted this image before, somewhere above, and recall Bob stating that the photo had been taken in 1974 – not too long after he took the position at the Hall.
Anyway, I believe Bob did confirm that he is the tall gentleman in the glasses and moustache (and snazzy mid-70’s necktie!) – if not, I’d have presumed as much if based on nothing else than the apparent ages of the other gentlemen in the photo.
CT member phillipgoldberg noted way at the top of this thread that the Mineola Theatre was razed for a parking garage. While there is a multi-level parking garage down First Street that probably shares some of the former footprint of the old theatre, a non-descript 4 story medical-professional building now sits at 120 Mineola Boulevard. Many of the medical offices within the building are affiliated with nearby Winthrop Hospital.
Lost, when Mineola Blvd crosses Old Country Road just a few blocks to the south, it becomes Franklin Avenue. This may not have always been the case, which may explain the Times' 1936 report of the theatre’s address – that is, if it wasn’t just an outright error.
So, no one had or was able to cut a proper Academy-ratio aperture plate for this presentation. That’s disappointing to hear. I won’t be coming to this theatre for any pre-1953 revivals!
Are there any images of the original 42nd Street entrance utilized by the Bryant Theatre?
The 86th Street East had at least one XXX adult engagement in 1975 – and that would be for the film “S.O.S.” produced by and starring Al Goldstein of Screw Magazine fame and released on April 29th. The tag for the film was “The magazine you swore you’d never read … becomes the film you can’t miss. I imagine that Goldstein might have four-walled the theatre for this premiere engagement.
This is a very small image of an ad for the movie.
In February of 1976, the Love hosted the “first and only NY showing” of “Tongue” – billed as the “first major black erotic film!” It starred Al Poe as a black man with a 9 inch…. tongue!
Incredibly, the film has a listing on IMDB.COM where this image of a local advertisement for the film can be found!
If you’ve ever seen clips from the Academy Awards presentation of 1971, the song “Thank You Very Much” from “Scrooge” was a theme of sorts that a number of celebrities sang at various points in the show (and in various different languages). Unfortunately, that didn’t guarantee an Oscar for the ditty – it lost to the tune “For All We Know” from the movie “Lovers and Other Strangers.” Someone named Larry Meredith sang the tune on that film’s soundtrack, but it was popularized later by The Carpenters. You might remember the song which begins with the line “Love, look at the two of us…”
Hey guys, I eventually created a Harem Theatre page here on CT after this thread started to develop. It would be great if some of you would go there to post any memories or factual information you may have about the theatre. Thanks!
Thanks for laughs, guys!
I saw one or two movies here in the late ‘90’s. The only one that comes to mind is Luc Besson’s bizarre “The Fifth Element” with Bruce Willis in the summer of 1997. I recall at the time that there was very little in theatres that held any interest for me (at least that I hadn’t already seen) and the big new release was “Air Force One.” By that point, the prospect of sitting through yet another by-the-numbers action film where Harrison Ford indignantly defends himself and family (“Get off my plane!”) against terrorists was depressing – I thought the movie looked like “Jack Ryan Goes to Washington” judging from the trailers. I had a desire to see something “different” and settled on the Besson film – which was at the end of it’s run at the Worldwide. Well… I got what I asked for! I’m not saying it’s a great movie (or even a GOOD one), but it sure did seem like a refreshing change of pace at the time – though I wanted to jump up on the screen and strangle the Chris Tucker character at several points!
Oops! Here is the Palladium page.
I’m sure there were many such theatres on Bruce’s concert tours in the ‘70’s, but I know for sure of two local venues that were former cinemas: the Passaic Capitol and the [/theaters/1301/]Palladium/Academy of Music[/url] in NYC.
Ha! You are probably quite correct on that count, McGinty!
I think the term “sexual adventurers” is fair, but I agree that there is no evidence of anything predatory going on at the Fair. By most accounts, the clandestine activity at the theatre would seem to be entirely consensual – at least as far as the participants (or would-be participants as the case may be) are concerned. On the other hand, one cannot blame Fair Theatre management for trying to police the situation so that their establishment remains within the bounds of legality – and performing a sex act in a public place (whatever your thoughts on the morality of the situation) remains an illegal activity in the City of New York. I’m just not entirely clear on whether this effort to police things is sincere. It is possible that security at the theatre thought the M-F couple mentioned above might have been undercover cops and, therefore, they were merely putting on a show for their benefit.
They’ll have to fix the “R” in Rock Church. It doesn’t seem to illuminate fully and looks like “Pock Church” in the long shot. I hope the “ELMWOOD” lettering will remain – even if they don’t decide to restore illumination. Should I be encouraged by the fact that the original letters are still up there or discouraged that the clashing font and color of the new signage might spell doom for the original?
That’s some good news. I’m delighted that the sigh will be retained – even if somewhat altered. I’m hoping the new lettering will be in keeping with the overall design of the original sign.
Vito… My experiences at the Hall only date back to the early 1970’s, but I can definitely recall seeing an attraction at the Hall in ‘73 (might have been Disney’s animated “Robin Hood”) and seeing an amazingly long trailer for the upcoming “Mame” starring Lucille Ball. I assume this was one of those special “snipes” you mentioned above. I remember someone in our party commented after the snipe that we wouldn’t have to pay to see that flick since we practically saw the whole thing in the trailer! We did wind up coming back for “Mame” after all – much to our eventual dismay as it wasn’t a very good movie!
The organ plus “Mary Poppins” sounds like an ideal family show. I’m going to make every effort to make the journey “…‘cross the river to the Jersey side” (per Tom Waits) with kids in tow!
Great set of photos, Woody… thanks!
Apologies… that should be “Beowulf” with a “u”… I posed this question on the Grumman Imax page, but I was wondering when the Museum started allowing mainstream fare to be booked here in addition to the usual “specialty” films one finds in a Museum IMAX dome? I was also wondering if why the Museum has not upgraded to 3D capabilities – is that an expensive conversion? Does IMAX 3D involve an interlocking pair of prints? I’m not sure what the technology involved is.
I see that “Beowulf” is booked at this theatre – albeit in the only 2D IMAX presentation I know of for the release. Per the theatre’s website, “I Am Legend” will be opening here on December 14th. I didn’t realize that mainstream movies were being booked in addition to the usual “Museum” IMAX specialty fare. When was that policy instituted? And why, I wonder, is the theatre not equipped for 3D?
Michael… The Grumman Imax Dome at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, Long Island, is playing “Beowolf” in what is advertised as a “special” 2-D 70MM engagement. I suppose this is some hyporbolic rhetoric since all of the other IMAX engagements are in 3-D making this presentation a “special” downgrade! Still, I thought it merited a note.
There is very little data available online about 750 Nostrand Ave – at least at the City’s Building Department site. No C of O’s are available, but the use is classified as “J9 Theatre.” One site lists an estimated build date of 1910. The owner is listed as “J J Real Estate Properties” – the same owner of the Regent/Slave.
Here’s a local.live aerial view of the block that would seem to reveal that this was a conversion of existing space rather than a structure built from the ground up as a theatre. I wonder if it had even operated as a cinema before being purchased by John L. Phillips – the Slave Theatre’s founder and subject of the NY Times article.
In the local.live view, 750 Nostrand would be the wide three-story building about mid-block with the white arches above the third story windows and the long awning running the length of the structure just over street level. Looks like there might be a vertical sign running up from the center of the canopy.
Correction… that should read “several MONTHS ago” not “weeks.”
Fred Beall… I regret to inform you – and anyone else who didn’t already know – that demolition of the Embasy 2,3,4’s interior began several weeks ago, as reported on the theatre’s CT page. I believe that the gut job is all but complete by now and the space stands ready for (or is already in the process of) conversion to other commercial space.
Hey Peter… Is this the image that you’re referring to? This is from my copy of the souvenir booklet that I purchased around Easter 1978 when I went to see “Crossed Swords” (billed at the time as the Hall’s “final attraction” – though that was not the case). I posted this image before, somewhere above, and recall Bob stating that the photo had been taken in 1974 – not too long after he took the position at the Hall.
Anyway, I believe Bob did confirm that he is the tall gentleman in the glasses and moustache (and snazzy mid-70’s necktie!) – if not, I’d have presumed as much if based on nothing else than the apparent ages of the other gentlemen in the photo.