RKO Keith's Theatre

I don’t believe that it’s too late. I proceed my preservation efforts with optimism. You’re doing a superb job, Tom! And Jeffrey, a very well composed letter to the editor indeed! I urge all to sign the RKO Keith petition.

I’m not sure if Queens Gazette or their associated papers accept e-mailed letters, or if you have to send them by snail mail — that’s not completely clear on their site — but I e-mailed them one anyway:
[quote]To The Editor:
Rarely have I read a bigger self-serving pile of dog droppings than the letter from Chuck Apelian of Community Board 7 praising Chairperson Meenakshi Srinivasan and the Board of Standards and Appeals for the “shining example” of the RKO Keith’s Theater fiasco.

The RKO Keith’s, a magnificent example of theater architecture and interior design, is being completely destroyed under this plan, save for a small lobby area that will be totally useless, “preserved” behind glass. Compare this with other genuine examples of theater preservation and restoration, such as the recent triumphant re-emergence of Loew’s Paradise in the Bronx, and it is difficult to understand how anyone can sing the praises of the Keith’s disaster. Why was no effort made to restore and utilize the auditorium and build above it?

In truth, far from being an example of “the enormous benefit a community receives when all parties work together for the common good,” this is an illustration of the worst that happens when politicians continue to divvy up the public good to the machinations of private developers. If it is to be the “cornerstone” of the community for generations to come, I hope they drive very deep pilings, for it seems destined to sink into the quagmire of political payoffs.

I was raised in Queens; my Intermediate School graduation was held at RKO Keith’s. I’m glad I had the opportunity to see it in all its splendor. It pains me to see what has become of both the theater and community leadership. I urge everyone who truly cares about the future to work at preserving the past. Visit View link and sign a petition to save the RKO Keith’s.[/quote]
Their e-mail address is

As many Cinema Treasures members as possible should write letters to our locally “elected” politicians and Community Board 7 regarding the proposed Boymelgreen heritage trasher. Let your voice be heard!!! Also, voice your opinion and write letters to the editor of various newspapers. Every bit helps! Did anyone think of starting an online/offline petition? Why doesn’t Mr. Boymelgreen AT LEAST build above the cherished RKO Keith? A lobby is a head without brains! Please share your thoughts. Thank you!

RobertR, please don’t fall into the trap of blaming “the trouble” on “foreigners.” “The trouble” is, and always has been, the capitalist imperative to make a quick buck. The corrupt politicians and profiteers have been around forever, and they come in every language and culture. Unless you’re prepared to explain the destruction of all the other theaters documented on this site as because of “foreign business dollars” I’d watch the generalizations.

I meant “The” in my first sentence above. I am sorry that I do not have any current or semi-current photos of the RKO Keith. Perhaps the Theater Historical Society could be of help. Good luck!

The real problem is that everything here is hearsay, as no current (or even semi-current photos) of the interior have ever been posted. There are conflicting reports. My “information” is based on what others have said here, or elsewhere about the condition of the interior of the theater. Some reports are that the interior has been widely damaged and destroyed, both through demolition, and through ravages of neglect for two decades.
So which is it – I don’t know, but most of the reports say that the interior is damaged almost beyond recognitioin. Again, this is only based on what others have said…not visual proof.
So really though – does anyone know of ANY current or even semi current (10 years or more ago) photos of the interior available, either personal or online?

I stumbled onto this website in search of the Loew’s Victory Theater on Third Ave. in the Bronx and spent an hour reading the many comments about RKO Keith. Both movie houses figured prominently in my life at the ages of 6 through 20.
Unfortunately I was to learn that The Keith, like so many places in my past life in New York have been wiped away with no proof they ever existed: the apartment house, church and school in East Harlem; the apartment building, school and church in the south Bronx, and now the RKO Keith in Flushing.
I wonder what other civilization in the world is so anxious to obliterate structures of their past like New York. Imagine Paris dismantling the Eiffel Tower because its too tall, or Rome bulldozing the Coliseum, because, after all, its juat a hulking ruin taking up valuable real estate. That’s just what happened to Penn Station until someone woke up in defense of saving Grand Central.
Fortunately, there are safeguards to protect such landmarks here and there, but it takes clout, money and a buy-in from the local community and government. I no longer live in New York but grieve over the loss of these architectural treasures which were built with purpose and style with the hope of enduring time. I’m sure the architects and builders who created details like the lobby and interior of the Keith ever considered developer’s greed would destroy their creation.
Since moving to NE Pennsylvania in 1968, I guess I learned a lesson before leaving New York: that attention must be paid to the deeds and merits of those before us. I joined several historical organizations in past years with the idea of educating the public on preservation and giving structures of historic importance a second use.
I wish I had the checkbook or the political clout to make a difference in Flushing, to save a bit of my own childhood and the Keith to pass on to others. There are ways of preventing unscrupulous developers and politicans from destroying the heritage of our neighborhoods.
It would be in the best interest of those in Flushing’s community and those of us who fondly remember such structures as the Keith to create an historical organization, amass a board with some clout and recognition to let those like the Board of Standards and Appeals in NYC, the importance of all structures in the community. Once an abandoned property like the Keith is saved, the next step is to assign a use to justify having saved it.
If the Keith was in a more pristine condition, its easy to see it revived as a movie house, showing certain or special films once again, but also allowing its use to go beyond, as a learning and performing arts center for the community and even a museum.
It takes planning by members of local organizations to attend meetings and fight, fight, fight. It can be done. As for the fate of Flushing’s RKO Keith? Without proper attention to what it was initially designed for, yes, get permission and photograph it thoroughly for the record. Let it be the inspiration to create an organization to prevent other structures in the community from suffering the same fate.
For me, like with other structures I grew up with and have now found gone, I can only recall 50 years ago as a fifth grader, that magical lobby in The Keith which made me feel I was in a courtyard at dusk, the buildings surrounding me in a warm Naples yellow as that acquamarine sky held constellations of tiny white lights above my head. That’s what we’re losing. That’s what is lost.
Does anyone know the cell number of Donald Trump or Bill Gates?

I probably agree with Warren, however, demolition photos can be very interesting. I am still kicking myself from the mid-90’s, when they were demolishing the old abandoned Loews Broadway Theater at the Myrtle and Broadway elevated station. The entire interior was opened up and visible from the station platform. Even the chandeliers were still hanging inside. The procenium arch was still intact, as were it’s corintian columns on either side. I missed about 3 trains while peaking in the building as the forth wall was removed.
If only I took some photos. It was a sad day that day, but now I only wish I could look at the photos.

Those of us who are interested in exploring the Keith’s before demolition should really try to organize together and find some way to get in, preferably with permission. It’s important that ALL parts of the building safe to explore are photographed, and anything lying around not in the landmarked areas be saved. It would even be awesome if some of us could save the plaster decor and other architectural odds and ends which will only be destroyed.
Once Boymelgreen starts demolition, a great part of history will be lost forever and we can at least try to do something beforehand!

THE NEW RENDERING IS NOWHERE NEAR A REVIVAL. SHAME ON ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE BELOVED RKO KEITH’S THEATRE’S DEMISE. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!

Warren-
What a depressing photo! I went to this theatre many times during the late 60’s and early 70’s, what a beautiful theatre. The first time I went after the multiplexing, I was in the upper room? and thought to myself,“I gotta get out of here!, its making me sick"
My friends could not understand what my problem was, they only go there for "the movie” You’ll think I’m crazy, but they really should put it out of its misery! Do it NOW!!!!

Don’t sweat it. It’s dumb and inappropriateness were not at all diminished by the misspelling! ;–)