Kings Theatre
1027 Flatbush Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11226
1027 Flatbush Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11226
86 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1,426 - 1,450 of 1,564 comments
If no one else steps forward, one might ask the NYC area Director of the THEATRE HISTORICAL SOC., Joe Masher, via his E-mail at:
Well how about setting up some kind of NY borough movie palace mini tour allowing a group of us some weekend day a visit to the Paramount the Kings and the Paradise? This would obviously involve a lot of planning and a fee but with a bus and the proper permits and insurance I think those of us New Yorkers who regularly visit this site would greatly appreciate a visit to some of the most beautiful buildings that still exist in the tri-state area. And who knows how much longer we will have this chance before they join the rubble of the Roxy?
A side note to any ‘intrepid’ folks who are confident taht they can gain entry to any place, with or without permission: Entry to any place without the owners' permission is ILLEGAL, and even if an owner discovers you there and does not prosecute for malicious trespass, you cannot KNOW what will await you once inside. There may be two or four legged creatures that will confront you, and what will be your defense or path of escape? Even if the lights do work, where are the switches located, and if you do turn them on, you have used the owners' power at their expense, which can be prosecuted as theft even if no other damage is done. And if something should fall upon you, who will know to rescue you? Be eager, but be practical; get permission and an escort from the owners!
How does one get to the Kings from Manhattan and can one go inside at any point during the weekend?
Will the friends of the kings be creating a website?
I also thought of the Home Depot possibly sponsoring the project because they can work with the specialists as well as show the people how to handle the repairs. Another possibility would be an engineering college.
As a major in theater, I would like to see it as a performance space. Radio City Music Hall is Successful, so the Kings can be.
It’s about time I chimed in on this discussion now. Before anyone decides to start a not for profit then they have to consult a lawyer. You have to be registered in the State of New York. I remember this from a paralegal course I took in 1991.
To: Jim Rankin
From: Bruce (Save The Kings)
It’s possible that Jehovah’s Witnesses did survey the Loew’s Kings before taking over the Albermale or redoing the Stanley. However, the Stanley is over 5,000 seats, while Loews
Kings was originally 3,692 but was later reduced to 3,192 for more comfortable seating. However, you’re suggestion about asking JW, if they did a site survey and if they have photographs or documents is clever! Or what problems they faced even as a tax exempt organization…
If members of cinematreasures wanted to start our own tax exempt organization and answer the RFP, coming soon… then maybe, we could garner enough free labor volunteers, etc. etc. and try to Save The Kings as a Center for the Performing Arts. In some ways learning from the experience of JW and also the Loew’s Jersey team.
By the way, such an idea has been suggested to me in the past by the Loew’s Kings Project Mgrs of the NYC Economic Development Corporation. However, I thought that this idea was just tooo hard to put into practice. However, maybe it is possible? Especially since Borough President – Marty Markowitz very much wants to see a comeback of the Kings as a Center for the Arts!!
Theater restoration specialists have their facilities in Brooklyn and possibly, they would help to teach our volunteers, the tricks of the trade?
Bruce.
Since the Jehovah’s Witnesses did such a remarkably good job on both the STANLEY and the ALBERMARLE, among others, it may be a good idea for the leaders of the ‘Save the KINGS’ committee to meet by appointment with the officials of the Witnesses (their world HQ is in Brooklyn on the East River) who may have been offered the KINGS years ago when they were looking for a site and settled upon the STANLEY in Jersey City. Likely they will readily share with you the reasons that the KINGS site —if ever offered to them— was not then adaptable to their uses, since the STANLEY and the KINGS are close to the same size. If they did survey the KINGS, then they likely have numerous photos as well as documents concerning the place that they could show you, and thus give you a better idea of the problems they faced, even as a tax-exempt group.
This is another reason that so many churches take over theatres: they and their property are exempt from taxes, so they can undertake what would be financially very difficult for anyone else. If they can garner enough free labor volunteers, as the Witnesses do, then they can undertake even massive projects such as the KINGS with only the costs of materials their concern. Something tells me that the Witnesses are not likely to step forward about the KINGS if they already have the huge STANLEY, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask them. I’ve heard that their numbers are rapidly growing, and it must be a difficult drive from Brooklyn and Long Island over to Jersey City for their thousands of members in that area. Perhaps if they were invited to tour the KINGS, it was decades ago when the area was in less favorable condition as to safety. Would they view it differently today?
As we had in discussion in other theater sections, churches make great “after” theater uses. While it’s not ideal (what would be better than keeping it as a theater), churches are the least “damaging” to the integrity of a theater. Theaters lend themselves great to being churches, because they need a “stage” area (the altar), they need all the seats, etc, so the least destruction is done when they become churches. Many of the theater churches are well maintained; the 175th St theater in Manhattan is a showpiece, and they even use the old theater organ. The Loews Gates in Brooklyn is in great condition. The congregation originally started in the RKO Bushwick many years ago, and then moved to the Loews Gates. Just imagine if they had stayed in the RKO Bushwick, it may not be gutted today (although then we would have probably have lost the Loews Gates). The Valencia in Jamaica is very well maintained (even if painted quite gaudy on the interior – again it’s better than the alternative). Even smaller theaters like the Wyckoff Theater, etc are being maintained. The Belvedere in Glendale is also in beautiful condition.
However, most of these “churches” took over the theaters right after the theaters stopped showing film (although the Belvedere was a store for a while). So these theaters did not fall into the condition the Kings is in. They were more easily restored because while most of them probably needed work, they weren’t neglected for years on end. The Kings will be a monumental endevour even if they would find a church for it. There even are many church buildings that are even falling apart because the congregation can’t afford to maintain them.
Warren,
The theatre happens to be in Brooklyn NYC which makes it a great location. Long Island would be considered the middle of nowhere for most city residents. A Clearchannel representative has already toured the building and made suggestions. The middle of nowhere was obviously easier to find than you thought.
Why Hasent Clear Channel looked at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, which once hosted incredible concerts like the Beatles and Frank Sinatra?
Unfortunately, there is much misinformation on this message board:
1-The land under the Loew’s Kings is not and was never owned by Sears.
2-The theater is owned by the NYC Economic Development Corporation- which plans to issue, still another RFP as early as next month. They, along with the Brooklyn Borough President (And my group: Save The Kings) have long wanted it to reopen as a Center for the Performing Arts.
3-Clear Channel Entertainment (Ron Delsener) went with me on a guided tour of the Kings and thought it might serve as a concert venue. Then, Clear Channel entertained talks but so far, NO help!
4-Warren, don’t worry Sears does not own the lot! [Paramount-Publix started the “Wonder Theatres”, facing bankrupcty sold it to Marcus Loew. The land UNDER Sears is and has been owned by Vornado REIT and they are a major shareholder in both KMart and Sears. The 750 car parking lot (behind theater) is NOT owned by Sears, they have their own lot! EDC owns this lot and Bruce Ratner (Master Builder: Nets Arena, Atlantic Center, Metrotech, etc.) has a long term lease on parking lot for that exclusive purpose.)
Hello Everyone, I copied the following quote from the friends of the sammerick (also known as Sam Eric 4 and Boyd theatre) website at: http://savethesameric.org/
“Very important, a feasible plan to restore and reopen the Boyd has been put forth, with Clear Channel as the intended operator for musicals and concerts. Like many other large corporations, we found that Clear Channel has its detractors, but they have a tremendous track record of restoring and programming movie palaces in other cities. We have emphasized that in return for public funding, community access to the theater should be provided with a film program, public tours, and other public benefits”
Perhaps Clearchannel could help the Loews Kings.
The fact that the KINGS is much larger than any of the theatres listed above is impressive and could mean that more people could see a given performance at the same time, but, unfortunately, it also means that these seats must be continually filled in order to pay for and justify their existance. Greater capacity means greater costs. And if any of the shows want an ‘intimate’ atmosphere, they will not find that at the KINGS, of course. How many shows can really draw over 3,000 people for a performance without also having a huge screen suspended above the stage with images of what is going on, on the stage so that those in the rear can see the performance? The place was, after all, designed for images larger than life.
By the way did you know that according to this site the Kings has more seats then these Broadway Theaters? Here’s the list:
Ford Center for the Performing Arts (42nd Street); 1839
Palace (Aida); 1733
Broadway (Bombay Dreams); 1752
New Amsterdam (Lion King); 1702
Cadillac Winter Garden (Mamma Mia); 1533
Lunt Fontanne (???); 1475
Times Square [This theater is being restored]; 1056
Unbelievable ain’t it?
By the way, Mister Friedman is the Head of Friends of the Kings (I think that’s what it’s called), which may be a not for profit.
Here is how to get in touch directly with the person who starting the committee to reopen the Loew’s Kings. His name is Bruce Friedman, and his E-Mail is
PS This is not my E-Mail
A post script to my previous regarding approaching Streisand: By all means, FIRST set up a registered NOT-FOR-PROFIT 501-C3 corporation named something like “Pages of the Kings Theatre” (playing on the word ‘page’ which was a part of a king’s court). Once you have received this from the IRS, make up a simple yet artistic letterhead with names of the principals on it as well as the name of the bank at which you have established an account with a line something like “Funds maintained at XX bank.” With these measures you be better seen as legitimate and of an enduring nature, and that if she should ON HER OWN VOLITION enclose a check, she will know that it will go to a legitimate organization. Best Wishes!
Regarding Sears Roebuck ownership of the land on which the Kings Theater stands: I believe Sears may have acquired it in the early 1950’s when the area was booming and Sears needed more parking space for automobiles for their big Art Deco store on Beverly and Bedford a couple of blocks east. The store dates back to around 1934 when it replaced a Sears Roebuck catalog store in a small rustic building on the same site. Over the years they bought more property to create new parking lots around the new store. Store traffic peaked in the 1949-53 period and it is my recollection that then is when the area behind the Kings became a Sears lot with spaces right up to the brick walls. The land on which the Kings was built was once owned by the Brooklyn Rapid Transit and a few predecessor entities, probably up to 1928 when construction was planned for the theater.
I will pass this information to the person in charge of the committee. It’s not me by the way.
Some have speculated that if they could contact Barbara Streisand, they might be able to get her cooperation to some extent in revitalizing the KINGS. I append below her Agent and Recording company (as a secondary route in case the agent route fizzles). I strongly urge anyone writing her through her agent to make it a very PROFESSIONAL appeal, and NOT FOR MONEY. What you want is her Endorsement of your efforts, and perhaps ask her to share a favorite memory of her tenure there. You want to get her involved in such a way that it does NOT presume upon her time or talent. Perhaps sending her an opening day photo along with a present day photo (8x10s) will help her recall. Do NOT say that you will invite her to sing there when it is restored; she has stated that she will not appear in public much anymore. Since she is a famous feminist, it might be best if a woman approaches her via a letter with the photos enclosed. If possible, send the letter/photos in a RIGID mailer perhaps of Tyvek so that it arrives in good condition; the postal service is all automation now and heavy loads will descend upon anything put into the mail, and moisture is always a threat, which Tyvek will also repel. Sending it by CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED will at least let them know that you take it seriously, and you will have proof that her agent received it (the postal service cannot vouch for where anything goes unless you PAY to have it tracked!). Any letter should strike a balance between an appeal, and a recognition of her presence in the entertainment community and how she could lend her name if not also sponsorship. You might ask for just a personal note from her as to her thinking on the matter of bringing the KINGS back to its glory days when she was there. A little flattery can help, but she must not get the impression that you are fawning or want to obligate her in any way. Do NOT use Fax, as the copy that results on their side may be a cheap chemical paper that will not carry any idea of class on your part; use a good grade of paper without being too fancy. Address the envelope to her in care of her agent, and perhaps mark the envelope above the address: “THIS IS NOT FAN MAIL” else it might be sent to a fan mail service which most stars employ. BEST WISHES!
Management:
Martin Erlichman Associates Inc.
Address:
5670 Wilshire Blvd. Ste. 2400
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone
323.653.1555
Fax
323.653.1593
Record Co.:
Columbia Records
Address:
550 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10022-3211
Phone
212.833.8000
Fax
212.833.5401
I spoke with a professor, and will speak with some students about the Kings. I will see if I can put some contact information on the site when I speak with the head, or I will send him to this chat room.
WE WON THE POLL
News on the poll, WE ARE NOW NECK AND NECK with the LOEW’S JERSEY
Tomorrow I am going to speak to several professors about the Kings. I hope we can fix it. This former person from Flatbush prays it’s so.