I believe the Last time I visited the theater was when Sleeping Beauty was released again in the eighties. I was probably five years old. I remember the mysterious dark shadows being cast on the statues, pilasters and other ornaments. My eyes wandered everywhere fascinated by this magnificent gem even though it had seen better days before the multiplexing. I was interrupted a few times by my mother who kept on reminding me that when she was around my age, my grandmother also took her there to see double features and that her highschool graduation ceremony was held there (Walton 1968). After that we headed over to the elegant Art Deco Dollar Savings Bank with its murals(Now Emigrant)to get some money to spend at Alexanders across the street. Later on we stopped off at Woolworth to pick up some school supplies and when the popcorn went down, it was over to Annie’s Franks and Fries for those delicious hot dogs they sold.
It was all in a days work on Fordham Road.
Ahhh. The good old days.
Im just sorry that Krums Ice cream parlor was before my time. I’ve heard that the sundae’s were delicious.
When I saw Cats in 1995, The lobby was in wonderful shape but the walls and balcony of the auditorium were covered with larger than life garbage incuding an oversized dirty pink slipper, newspapers, records, boxes and other debris. From the stately lobby one was transported into the junkyard where the “jelecal cat ball” was held. I also believe that the ledge of the balcony was widened because the cats would perform on it. It was a magical production.
I suppose that this theater is/was truly atmospheric.
Did management remove the garbage?
It is just a sad case of the casual American experience. Movie theaters have become common places where oppulent ornamentation is not important anymore and people certainly do not dress for the occasion anymore. I have often seen people visit theaters in t-shirts. Even in movie palaces of all places. Some people say that modernism is sleek and sophisticated. The reality is that it is cheap and easy to accomplish. What is the solution? Do not go to unadorned multiplexes and always wear something in good taste out of respect for a movie palace.
I have seen the AMC and I think that more of the interior could have been preserved. They certainly didn’t replace the fabric that lined the walls.
Stop complaining about it and call the newspapers, tv stations, chain yourself to it if you love it so much! Save this piece of history and PROTEST PEOPLE!!!
You have the power to make it happen! I would love to help but I live in New York.
John Eberson, a master of his craft also designed the oppulent Loews Paradise Theater in the bronx NY which is also considered one of the greatest movie palaces in America. It was also atmospheric and its almost 4,000 seat auditorium sat in a beautiful italian garden with the constellations set in the sky as they were on the birthday of Marcus Loew. On opening night there were canaries singing from their cages in the halls and lounges. The theater cost 4,000,000 1929 dollars and did phenominally even before the Central Park West subway line brought people in from the west side of Manhattan. The theater had been divided in four by the 70’s. By the 1990’s, there werent enough bronx residents attending with the multiplexes opening in the bronx and the rest of NYC as well as neighboring Westchester County. The movie palace closed 1994 and is currently being restored so that it can be an entertainment venue for Bronx opera companies, symphony orchestras and entertainers. Images of the interior can be seen here: http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=16520
Information on the venue can be found at: http://www.rpaniagua.com/paradise2.html
Hello RKG,
Today I will be at the LuEster T. Mertz Library atthe New York Botanical Garden working on a school project about the Paradise. There is a book there written about the movie palace which I will be xeroxing. Perhaps we can help each other out. I need to find a magazine article on the theater today. Feel free to call my office at 718 817 8868 so that we can meet. Ask for Eric. I will put the book on the reserve shelf today.
I for one would have no problem visiting Flatbush. I lived through the 80’s in this city and it never kept me from going to the theater on Times Square. Those were the days when shootings and muggings were frequent. One had to walk around clusters of prostitutes, pimps and other unsavory individuals back then. Yet people kept visiting and Times Square is alive and well today.
I do agree about the Haunting being an approrriate film to play not only because it is an MGM but because the manor in the film is just as wonderful to look at as the theater is. The Loews Jersey should host a gala event next year. The theme should be a “Haunted Palace” equipped with performing artists dressed as statues where they once were. As well as A costume contest and dancing. Perhaps one of those trendy video mixers could volunteer and provide something on the screen so that there would be no video rental fee. A few of us could wear decadent costumes to create ambience. Mabye period costumes from the roaring twenties? This event would raise alot of money and interest many.
If anyone is interested I am an expert at both party planning and partying.
The Loews Jersey is a Divine theater that I discovered on this website. Thank you Cinematreasures! I finally made my first visit for the 75th anniversary festival. It was so wonderful wandering the halls and the grand lobby. There is a distinct aroma lingering in this theater that reminded me of what the Paradise (Jersey’s sister theater in the bronx) smelled like when I was a child. The exhibit in the lobby was wonderfully informative. I will definately re-visit for “Night of the living Dead” on Oct 30th. Hopefully I will be able to drag along some friends who will probably pretend to go only for the theater and not the cult classic. I have no shame in admitting that I will enjoy both.
Isn’t it horrible when they take a georgeouus atmospheric theater and paint it’s ornamentation in the wrong earth tones. I would like to smack the fool that contributed to the demise of this movie palace in that way. All of the finishes hane been covered up.
Earth tones are not to be toyed with by untrained professionals on oppulent movie palaces!
Well, enough of that. I am just happy for the people of Detroit getting there theater back. Good luck restoring those colors my darlings!
I believe the Last time I visited the theater was when Sleeping Beauty was released again in the eighties. I was probably five years old but I dont remember the walls being painted green. I do remember the mysterious dark shadows being cast on the statues, pilasters and other ornaments. My eyes wandered everywhere fascinated by this gem even though it had seen better days before the multiplexing. I was interrupted a few times by my mother who kept on reminding me that when she was around my age, my grandmother also took her there to see double features and that her highschool graduation ceremony was also held there (Walton 1968). After that we headed over to the lovely Dollar Savings Bank to get some money to spend at Alexanders across the street. Later on we stopped off at Woolworth to pick up some school supplies and when the popcorn went down, it was over to Annie’s Franks and Fries for those delicious hot dogs they sold.
It was all in a days work on Fordham Road.
Ahhh. The good old days.
Im just sorry that Krums Ice cream parlor was before my time. I’ve heard that the sundae’s were delicious.
I visited Recently and had a great time exploring Parkchester and watching Taxi at the theater. The Lobby is in tact and has lovely deco light fixtures. There is also a large pool with deco fountains two blocks away in the Metropolitan Oval Garden. Zarros Bakery has great pastries.
The theater was originally to be constructed a few blocks south near the old Ascot Theater. It was to be called the Venetian and its facade was to be of the same atyle but because of zoning restrictions and design changes it was built at the current site.
I am extremely pleased with the progress of our beloved movie palace (Thank you br91975 for the photos) although some features have been dramatically altered. The lush fabric that lined some of the halls and corridors seem to have been removed as well as the carpet and some areas have been painted white. I dont remember anything painted white in the Paradise.Although the lobby is in excellent shape I am disappointed with the oversized concession stand bei
+ng built in the center. What about the goldfish fountain that was to be replaced? Overall the theater has had extensive renovation work done to it and it looks wonderful. All this has excited me. I cannot wait for opening night! Hopefully there will be birdcages filled with singing canaries hanging from the ceilings as there were on its first opening night.
The Hispanic Society of America was founded on May 18, 1904 on the historic Audobon Terrace, the block between 155th and 156th Streets west of Broadway in upper Manhattan, like the nearby Church of the Intercession and Trinity Church Cemetery, was originally part of an estate belonging to the painter and naturalist, John James Audobon.
I believe that the equipment was attached to the ceiling and not cut into it. It would be easy to restore anyway since the ceiling is not adorned. It is painted to resemble a night sky with twinkling stars and hopefully the old cloud machine still remains.
It is not a matter of recovery since the area is being revitalized as we speak. The theater simply needs to be completed. I sometimes Travel out to the Loews Jersey City to enjoy the oppulence of our sister theater and so do others. Journal Square may be dressed up these days but the area is not better than Fordham Rd. It can be dangerous as all of the NYC metro area can be, yet it still attracts many people because once you enter a movie palace, the world is left behind, no matter where you are. I am an active member of the Bronx council of the Arts and there are opera companies, The Bronx Symphony Orchestra and other high profile artists that have filled Madison Square Garden that perform at the nearby Lehman Center for the Performing Arts. Although this building sits on the lovely Lehman College campus, it is a modern, unadorned eyesore that has absoutely no architectural appeal. However performances frequently sell out in this common theater. If it is possible for Lehman Center to be a successful venue,they better watch out for the reopening of the Paradise! People will enjoy attending our oppulent and palacial theater even if the performance is less than mediocre. I would attend the opening ceremony ever if Britney Spears was performing.
The adornment would entertain me.
I believe the Last time I visited the theater was when Sleeping Beauty was released again in the eighties. I was probably five years old. I remember the mysterious dark shadows being cast on the statues, pilasters and other ornaments. My eyes wandered everywhere fascinated by this magnificent gem even though it had seen better days before the multiplexing. I was interrupted a few times by my mother who kept on reminding me that when she was around my age, my grandmother also took her there to see double features and that her highschool graduation ceremony was held there (Walton 1968). After that we headed over to the elegant Art Deco Dollar Savings Bank with its murals(Now Emigrant)to get some money to spend at Alexanders across the street. Later on we stopped off at Woolworth to pick up some school supplies and when the popcorn went down, it was over to Annie’s Franks and Fries for those delicious hot dogs they sold.
It was all in a days work on Fordham Road.
Ahhh. The good old days.
Im just sorry that Krums Ice cream parlor was before my time. I’ve heard that the sundae’s were delicious.
IMAGES OF THE RESTORATION WORK CAN BE FOUND AT:
http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=16520
DETAILS ON USAGE CAN BE FOUND AT:
http://www.rpaniagua.com/paradise2.html
It’s all so wonderful.The Paradise will be greater than ever.
I hope to see you there on opening night Anita.
What is the lobby like here?
Loews 175th is much older than this one.
When I saw Cats in 1995, The lobby was in wonderful shape but the walls and balcony of the auditorium were covered with larger than life garbage incuding an oversized dirty pink slipper, newspapers, records, boxes and other debris. From the stately lobby one was transported into the junkyard where the “jelecal cat ball” was held. I also believe that the ledge of the balcony was widened because the cats would perform on it. It was a magical production.
I suppose that this theater is/was truly atmospheric.
Did management remove the garbage?
It is just a sad case of the casual American experience. Movie theaters have become common places where oppulent ornamentation is not important anymore and people certainly do not dress for the occasion anymore. I have often seen people visit theaters in t-shirts. Even in movie palaces of all places. Some people say that modernism is sleek and sophisticated. The reality is that it is cheap and easy to accomplish. What is the solution? Do not go to unadorned multiplexes and always wear something in good taste out of respect for a movie palace.
I have seen the AMC and I think that more of the interior could have been preserved. They certainly didn’t replace the fabric that lined the walls.
Stop complaining about it and call the newspapers, tv stations, chain yourself to it if you love it so much! Save this piece of history and PROTEST PEOPLE!!!
You have the power to make it happen! I would love to help but I live in New York.
Sorry that there are no photos depicting the magnificent stage with its adornment and the atmospheric elements.
John Eberson, a master of his craft also designed the oppulent Loews Paradise Theater in the bronx NY which is also considered one of the greatest movie palaces in America. It was also atmospheric and its almost 4,000 seat auditorium sat in a beautiful italian garden with the constellations set in the sky as they were on the birthday of Marcus Loew. On opening night there were canaries singing from their cages in the halls and lounges. The theater cost 4,000,000 1929 dollars and did phenominally even before the Central Park West subway line brought people in from the west side of Manhattan. The theater had been divided in four by the 70’s. By the 1990’s, there werent enough bronx residents attending with the multiplexes opening in the bronx and the rest of NYC as well as neighboring Westchester County. The movie palace closed 1994 and is currently being restored so that it can be an entertainment venue for Bronx opera companies, symphony orchestras and entertainers. Images of the interior can be seen here: http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=16520
Information on the venue can be found at: http://www.rpaniagua.com/paradise2.html
Is there a website for the church?
Hello RKG,
Today I will be at the LuEster T. Mertz Library atthe New York Botanical Garden working on a school project about the Paradise. There is a book there written about the movie palace which I will be xeroxing. Perhaps we can help each other out. I need to find a magazine article on the theater today. Feel free to call my office at 718 817 8868 so that we can meet. Ask for Eric. I will put the book on the reserve shelf today.
I for one would have no problem visiting Flatbush. I lived through the 80’s in this city and it never kept me from going to the theater on Times Square. Those were the days when shootings and muggings were frequent. One had to walk around clusters of prostitutes, pimps and other unsavory individuals back then. Yet people kept visiting and Times Square is alive and well today.
I do agree about the Haunting being an approrriate film to play not only because it is an MGM but because the manor in the film is just as wonderful to look at as the theater is. The Loews Jersey should host a gala event next year. The theme should be a “Haunted Palace” equipped with performing artists dressed as statues where they once were. As well as A costume contest and dancing. Perhaps one of those trendy video mixers could volunteer and provide something on the screen so that there would be no video rental fee. A few of us could wear decadent costumes to create ambience. Mabye period costumes from the roaring twenties? This event would raise alot of money and interest many.
If anyone is interested I am an expert at both party planning and partying.
Were the colors of the original fabric and painted walls more brilliant at one time?
When Did this Theater Close?
What is in its place?
The Loews Jersey is a Divine theater that I discovered on this website. Thank you Cinematreasures! I finally made my first visit for the 75th anniversary festival. It was so wonderful wandering the halls and the grand lobby. There is a distinct aroma lingering in this theater that reminded me of what the Paradise (Jersey’s sister theater in the bronx) smelled like when I was a child. The exhibit in the lobby was wonderfully informative. I will definately re-visit for “Night of the living Dead” on Oct 30th. Hopefully I will be able to drag along some friends who will probably pretend to go only for the theater and not the cult classic. I have no shame in admitting that I will enjoy both.
Isn’t it horrible when they take a georgeouus atmospheric theater and paint it’s ornamentation in the wrong earth tones. I would like to smack the fool that contributed to the demise of this movie palace in that way. All of the finishes hane been covered up.
Earth tones are not to be toyed with by untrained professionals on oppulent movie palaces!
Well, enough of that. I am just happy for the people of Detroit getting there theater back. Good luck restoring those colors my darlings!
I believe the Last time I visited the theater was when Sleeping Beauty was released again in the eighties. I was probably five years old but I dont remember the walls being painted green. I do remember the mysterious dark shadows being cast on the statues, pilasters and other ornaments. My eyes wandered everywhere fascinated by this gem even though it had seen better days before the multiplexing. I was interrupted a few times by my mother who kept on reminding me that when she was around my age, my grandmother also took her there to see double features and that her highschool graduation ceremony was also held there (Walton 1968). After that we headed over to the lovely Dollar Savings Bank to get some money to spend at Alexanders across the street. Later on we stopped off at Woolworth to pick up some school supplies and when the popcorn went down, it was over to Annie’s Franks and Fries for those delicious hot dogs they sold.
It was all in a days work on Fordham Road.
Ahhh. The good old days.
Im just sorry that Krums Ice cream parlor was before my time. I’ve heard that the sundae’s were delicious.
I visited Recently and had a great time exploring Parkchester and watching Taxi at the theater. The Lobby is in tact and has lovely deco light fixtures. There is also a large pool with deco fountains two blocks away in the Metropolitan Oval Garden. Zarros Bakery has great pastries.
The theater was originally to be constructed a few blocks south near the old Ascot Theater. It was to be called the Venetian and its facade was to be of the same atyle but because of zoning restrictions and design changes it was built at the current site.
I am extremely pleased with the progress of our beloved movie palace (Thank you br91975 for the photos) although some features have been dramatically altered. The lush fabric that lined some of the halls and corridors seem to have been removed as well as the carpet and some areas have been painted white. I dont remember anything painted white in the Paradise.Although the lobby is in excellent shape I am disappointed with the oversized concession stand bei
+ng built in the center. What about the goldfish fountain that was to be replaced? Overall the theater has had extensive renovation work done to it and it looks wonderful. All this has excited me. I cannot wait for opening night! Hopefully there will be birdcages filled with singing canaries hanging from the ceilings as there were on its first opening night.
The Hispanic Society of America was founded on May 18, 1904 on the historic Audobon Terrace, the block between 155th and 156th Streets west of Broadway in upper Manhattan, like the nearby Church of the Intercession and Trinity Church Cemetery, was originally part of an estate belonging to the painter and naturalist, John James Audobon.
INFORMATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARADISE CAN BE FOUND AT:
http://www.rpaniagua.com/paradise2.html
View link
I believe that the equipment was attached to the ceiling and not cut into it. It would be easy to restore anyway since the ceiling is not adorned. It is painted to resemble a night sky with twinkling stars and hopefully the old cloud machine still remains.
It is not a matter of recovery since the area is being revitalized as we speak. The theater simply needs to be completed. I sometimes Travel out to the Loews Jersey City to enjoy the oppulence of our sister theater and so do others. Journal Square may be dressed up these days but the area is not better than Fordham Rd. It can be dangerous as all of the NYC metro area can be, yet it still attracts many people because once you enter a movie palace, the world is left behind, no matter where you are. I am an active member of the Bronx council of the Arts and there are opera companies, The Bronx Symphony Orchestra and other high profile artists that have filled Madison Square Garden that perform at the nearby Lehman Center for the Performing Arts. Although this building sits on the lovely Lehman College campus, it is a modern, unadorned eyesore that has absoutely no architectural appeal. However performances frequently sell out in this common theater. If it is possible for Lehman Center to be a successful venue,they better watch out for the reopening of the Paradise! People will enjoy attending our oppulent and palacial theater even if the performance is less than mediocre. I would attend the opening ceremony ever if Britney Spears was performing.
The adornment would entertain me.
Is this a decadent movie palace?