Although BushwickBK composed an overall great piece, this is an important EDIT on the last paragraph of the piece as it appears on the blog:
The owners original intentions to develop retail will not be affected by Individual Landmark status (facade) or any future possibilities of Interior Landmark status. Landmarking does not dictate the use of a building. It only ensures that historic architectural features will be preserved and reused creatively in the new use for the theater, so future generations can cherish them. As in this case, it is most likely retail for the back auditorium space, with modern screens upstairs. Landmarking helps maintain and enhance the values of a property.
Also visit http://www.savethekeiths.com It will also feature a silent auction, music & dancing! Power to the people in sparing a highly significant gem, since once it’s gone, it is gone!
What movies played at the Earle Theatre from its opening circa 1939 through 1955? Does anyone have a listing, or can provide some highlights? Please let me know. Thank you!
Thank you, John for your informative update. With unanimous support from all people who provided testimony to the Commissioners, political support, owner support, and given the theater’s extensive history, I am confident it will be an easy pass.
Since the letters on the marquee were not for sale according to the blog posting, it seems as if they will be retained on the facade, which I truly hope. I hope as much of the theater’s Art Deco features will be preserve and reused in the name of our great movie theater history. Architect John Eberson was the designer, and a prominent architect of his time. Queens and Jackson Heights should feel honored to have the Eagle/Earle Theatre.
I attended a function there recently, and I was hard-pressed to think of its resemblance to its theater space. It has dropped ceilings and other finishes that strips it of its formerly Art Deco and modernistic interior appeal.
I searched on Proquest, and came across the NY Times article, “Deals On Long Island – New Theatre Is Planned For Jackson Heights” dated Jun 1, 1937, Page 38. It reads:
The Queens Seventy-third Street Corporation, Sam Minskoff, president, will erect a motion-picture theatre at the northeast corner of Seventy-third Street and Albemarle Terrace, in Jackson Heights, as a result of a lease for the proposed building made by the Brandt theatre circuit, headed by Harry Brandt and Dave Weinstock. The total rental under the lease is said to be about $250,000.
Plans for the new building are being prepared by John Eberson. It will seat about 600 persons. David Berk & J. Krumbold were the brokers in the deal.
Please e-mail Michael Perlman of the Four Borough Preservation Alliance and Queens Preservation Council at with any memorabilia that may merit inclusion. Credit will be granted. Thank you!
Has anyone received a response regarding any of the above historic Ridgewood Theatre items?
As a result of our 2-year cause, the theater has been declared an Individual Landmark on Jan 12, 2010. I know it would be nice for a personal collection. However, any historic findings that were original to the theater, Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre feels belong at the theater as part of a restoration &/or put on display, so the entire community and future generations can cherish a 1916 gem by America’s foremost theater architect, Thomas W. Lamb. Please feel free to e-mail me at and I will help point anyone in the right direction.
37-27 82nd St is the correct address. It is part of the Jackson Heights Historic District, and safeguarded by Landmark Laws. Can someone from the Cinema Treasures staff please correct it? Thank you!
Can someone please describe the original configuration of the auditorium? “Panzer65” and I would appreciate any interior photos, besides the more current theater lobby photos. It would be helpful for the Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre preservation cause. Contact me at Thank you!
I am unsure of the real estate price on leasing a theater such as the Jackson Triplex. I would need to do more research. I also suggest contacting the Jackson Heights Beautification Group to find out more specifics, and they will refer you to the necessary party/parties: http://www.jhbg.org/
What do you plan on using the theater for? A combination of films and performing arts?
For the long-term success of the theater, and its state of preservation and feasibility, I recommend consistently keeping in touch with experienced preservation non-profits including the Historic Districts Council, www.hdc.org (Exec. Dir. Simeon Bankoff), NY Landmarks Conservancy (Pres. Peg Breen or Community Outreach Manager Andrea Goldwyn, or Program Coordinator Karen Ansis), Four Borough Preservation Alliance (I am Queens VP of the Corp, and Raul Rothblatt is the Exec. Dir), National Trust For Historic Preservation, Theatre Historical Society of America (Pres. Karen Noonan, NYC Regional Rep Orlando Lopes). The NY Landmarks Conservancy has a number of grant programs for the facade and interior, which property owners can utilize at the Conservancy’s discretion: http://www.nylandmarks.org/ One such funding program that we should explore is the Queens Historic Properties Fund: View link
Another superb idea is as follows. If the property is proposed for the NY State Historic Preservation Office’s “State & Nat'l Register of Historic Places,” and is deemed eligible for listing by a professional SHPO regional surveyor, it would be your option to support it, and apply for tax credits &/or matching grants, which would be advantageous in restoring the facade and interior features, and upgrading the theater’s technical aspects, while respecting its overall historic integrity. You would likely save significant pocket money. It would also grant historic recognition. The website which includes links to various options is as follows. This link includes the nomination forms that can be downloaded: View link In this case, the SHPO regional representative is Virginia Bartos: .ny.us & (518) 237-8643 ext. 3256.
The League of Historic American Theatres can connect theater owners to rehabilitation experts, with a yearly membership: http://www.lhat.org/programs_services.asp The LHAT’s Exec. Dir. Fran Holden can be reached at (410) 659-9533 &
In the long run, significant pocket money can also be saved by seeking truly passionate volunteers to perform necessary work. Great models of success are:
If you would like to introduce an artistic platform to the theatre i.e. a performing arts space (besides the film aspect), then consulting with the Queens Council on the Arts may be advantageous. They mention related programs that may also be beneficial: http://www.queenscouncilarts.org/
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on all of the above, as well as learning more about your vision. Please feel free to contact me via e-mail at
Although BushwickBK composed an overall great piece, this is an important EDIT on the last paragraph of the piece as it appears on the blog:
The owners original intentions to develop retail will not be affected by Individual Landmark status (facade) or any future possibilities of Interior Landmark status. Landmarking does not dictate the use of a building. It only ensures that historic architectural features will be preserved and reused creatively in the new use for the theater, so future generations can cherish them. As in this case, it is most likely retail for the back auditorium space, with modern screens upstairs. Landmarking helps maintain and enhance the values of a property.
Also visit http://www.savethekeiths.com It will also feature a silent auction, music & dancing! Power to the people in sparing a highly significant gem, since once it’s gone, it is gone!
Anyone aware about what is happening to this theater? Visit
View link
I am unsure who recorded this footage. It could be Monica.
Thank you for sharing this impressive bit of history by Kevin Walsh!
What movies played at the Earle Theatre from its opening circa 1939 through 1955? Does anyone have a listing, or can provide some highlights? Please let me know. Thank you!
Thank you, John for your informative update. With unanimous support from all people who provided testimony to the Commissioners, political support, owner support, and given the theater’s extensive history, I am confident it will be an easy pass.
This is a direct link for the Eagle Theatre on the food blog:
View link
Since the letters on the marquee were not for sale according to the blog posting, it seems as if they will be retained on the facade, which I truly hope. I hope as much of the theater’s Art Deco features will be preserve and reused in the name of our great movie theater history. Architect John Eberson was the designer, and a prominent architect of his time. Queens and Jackson Heights should feel honored to have the Eagle/Earle Theatre.
I attended a function there recently, and I was hard-pressed to think of its resemblance to its theater space. It has dropped ceilings and other finishes that strips it of its formerly Art Deco and modernistic interior appeal.
Thank you for updating the theater’s address on this thread, as well as the write-up.
Tinseltoes: Thank you for sharing this very impressive vintage image.
I searched on Proquest, and came across the NY Times article, “Deals On Long Island – New Theatre Is Planned For Jackson Heights” dated Jun 1, 1937, Page 38. It reads:
The Queens Seventy-third Street Corporation, Sam Minskoff, president, will erect a motion-picture theatre at the northeast corner of Seventy-third Street and Albemarle Terrace, in Jackson Heights, as a result of a lease for the proposed building made by the Brandt theatre circuit, headed by Harry Brandt and Dave Weinstock. The total rental under the lease is said to be about $250,000.
Plans for the new building are being prepared by John Eberson. It will seat about 600 persons. David Berk & J. Krumbold were the brokers in the deal.
This is the Eagle/Earle Theatre flickr photoset, which will be useful in the theater’s preservation campaign, and will be updated periodically:
View link
Please e-mail Michael Perlman of the Four Borough Preservation Alliance and Queens Preservation Council at with any memorabilia that may merit inclusion. Credit will be granted. Thank you!
Does anyone have leads on any historic resources for the Eagle Theatre, formerly known as the Earle Theatre?
Vintage photos have been provided courtesy of Warren Harris. Thank you!
This is the Drake Theatre photoset, courtesy of Rego-Forest Preservation Council:
View link
Please feel free to contact and send vintage photos and ads, which may merit inclusion. Thank you!
Thank you for your update, Peter!
Has anyone received a response regarding any of the above historic Ridgewood Theatre items?
As a result of our 2-year cause, the theater has been declared an Individual Landmark on Jan 12, 2010. I know it would be nice for a personal collection. However, any historic findings that were original to the theater, Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre feels belong at the theater as part of a restoration &/or put on display, so the entire community and future generations can cherish a 1916 gem by America’s foremost theater architect, Thomas W. Lamb. Please feel free to e-mail me at and I will help point anyone in the right direction.
Thank you,
Michael Perlman
Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre, Chair
www.myspace.com/ridgewoodtheatre
View link
This is the Ridgewood Theatre Individual Landmark Designation Report, courtesy of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission:
View link
This is the Ridgewood Theatre Individual Landmark Designation Report, courtesy of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission:
View link
37-27 82nd St is the correct address. It is part of the Jackson Heights Historic District, and safeguarded by Landmark Laws. Can someone from the Cinema Treasures staff please correct it? Thank you!
Can someone please describe the original configuration of the auditorium? “Panzer65” and I would appreciate any interior photos, besides the more current theater lobby photos. It would be helpful for the Friends of The Ridgewood Theatre preservation cause. Contact me at Thank you!
NY 1 Video, “Ridgewood Theatre Given Landmark Status” by CeFaan Kim: http://www.ny1.com/content/112136/story
Times Ledger, “City Landmarks Ridgewood Theatre, PS 66” by Philip Newman & Contributing Writer Jeremy Walsh: View link
Queens Chronicle, “Historic Building Gets Preservation Nod” by Michael Lanza: View link
Warren, can you please re-post your scan from Sept 4th?
Ed, can you re-post the photos from your 2006 postings? I am looking for other historic photos as well, from anyone else who may have some. Thank you!
I am unsure of the real estate price on leasing a theater such as the Jackson Triplex. I would need to do more research. I also suggest contacting the Jackson Heights Beautification Group to find out more specifics, and they will refer you to the necessary party/parties: http://www.jhbg.org/
What do you plan on using the theater for? A combination of films and performing arts?
For the long-term success of the theater, and its state of preservation and feasibility, I recommend consistently keeping in touch with experienced preservation non-profits including the Historic Districts Council, www.hdc.org (Exec. Dir. Simeon Bankoff), NY Landmarks Conservancy (Pres. Peg Breen or Community Outreach Manager Andrea Goldwyn, or Program Coordinator Karen Ansis), Four Borough Preservation Alliance (I am Queens VP of the Corp, and Raul Rothblatt is the Exec. Dir), National Trust For Historic Preservation, Theatre Historical Society of America (Pres. Karen Noonan, NYC Regional Rep Orlando Lopes). The NY Landmarks Conservancy has a number of grant programs for the facade and interior, which property owners can utilize at the Conservancy’s discretion: http://www.nylandmarks.org/ One such funding program that we should explore is the Queens Historic Properties Fund: View link
Another superb idea is as follows. If the property is proposed for the NY State Historic Preservation Office’s “State & Nat'l Register of Historic Places,” and is deemed eligible for listing by a professional SHPO regional surveyor, it would be your option to support it, and apply for tax credits &/or matching grants, which would be advantageous in restoring the facade and interior features, and upgrading the theater’s technical aspects, while respecting its overall historic integrity. You would likely save significant pocket money. It would also grant historic recognition. The website which includes links to various options is as follows. This link includes the nomination forms that can be downloaded: View link In this case, the SHPO regional representative is Virginia Bartos: .ny.us & (518) 237-8643 ext. 3256.
The League of Historic American Theatres can connect theater owners to rehabilitation experts, with a yearly membership: http://www.lhat.org/programs_services.asp The LHAT’s Exec. Dir. Fran Holden can be reached at (410) 659-9533 &
In the long run, significant pocket money can also be saved by seeking truly passionate volunteers to perform necessary work. Great models of success are:
A. Loew’s Jersey: http://www.loewsjersey.org/restore/index.php (Best example)
B. Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda: http://www.rivieratheatre.org/ (History link has success story)
C. Landmark Theatre in Syracuse: http://landmarktheatre.org/history.html
D. Capitol Theatre Center For Performing Arts in Rome, NY: http://www.romecapitol.com/restoration.html
If you would like to introduce an artistic platform to the theatre i.e. a performing arts space (besides the film aspect), then consulting with the Queens Council on the Arts may be advantageous. They mention related programs that may also be beneficial: http://www.queenscouncilarts.org/
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on all of the above, as well as learning more about your vision. Please feel free to contact me via e-mail at