Comments from Al Alvarez

Showing 1,576 - 1,600 of 3,427 comments

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about New Cinema Playhouse on Feb 15, 2010 at 6:22 am

Once the Filmmakers' Cinematheque had to vacate these premises they apparently went into ‘exile’ at other venues.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about New Douglas Theatre on Feb 14, 2010 at 10:56 am

A 1917 article in the New York Times makes reference to a motion picture theatre located at 308 West 143rd Street.

Does anyone have any more information or at least a name?

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about New Yorker Theater on Feb 13, 2010 at 7:46 pm

The New Yorker appears in the 1941 Film Daily Yearbook. It is gone after that.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Koster & Bial's Music Hall on Feb 13, 2010 at 7:33 pm

The Manhattan Opera House at 311 West 34th Street mentioned in the previous 2005 posts was showing German War Films in 1915 and is still standing today.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_Center

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Bay Cinema on Feb 13, 2010 at 7:01 pm

Closed on January 6, 1994.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Roosevelt Theatre on Feb 12, 2010 at 7:50 pm

The architect was Charles Goodman.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Uptown Theatre on Feb 12, 2010 at 7:44 pm

The Uptown opened in 1920.

The architect was George M. Pollard.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Reo Theater on Feb 12, 2010 at 5:56 pm

You have to love this story:

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Harlem Opera House on Feb 12, 2010 at 11:39 am

Still listed as open in the 1953 Film Daily Yearbook.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Gotham Theatre on Feb 11, 2010 at 9:27 pm

This theatre had a history of being raided by police for presenting scantily clad women (1930’s style) in live burlesque shows.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Orient Theatre on Feb 11, 2010 at 7:25 pm

The Orient was already operating in 1915.

In 1952 part of the theatre was converted into a men’s wear and appliance store owned by Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about United Palace of Cultural Arts on Feb 11, 2010 at 4:58 pm

Here’s my favorite:

/theaters/290/

You can’t do any New York research without stumbling on the Village East with some other name.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about New Pearl Theatre on Feb 11, 2010 at 4:53 pm

That must be yet another one Ken. This one was definitely on 114th street.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about United Palace of Cultural Arts on Feb 11, 2010 at 4:46 pm

There is some consistency at CT. If it is still used as a theatre, they use the new name.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Loew's 72nd Street East on Feb 11, 2010 at 4:42 pm

Nope. That was the Paris.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about United Palace of Cultural Arts on Feb 11, 2010 at 1:48 pm

Advanced search. It still is a theatre AND a church.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Alpine Cinema on Feb 11, 2010 at 6:55 am

…but they are advertising show times for seven screens.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about RKO Proctor's 58th Street Theatre on Feb 10, 2010 at 12:51 pm

This closed as a movie theatre in mid-May 1967 and the last films were indeed “The Viscount” and “The Cool Ones”.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Drury Lane Theatre on Feb 10, 2010 at 10:51 am

This was an Oscar Hammerstein project opened in 1901. According to the NYT opening announcement;

“The facades of the the structure will be of Wyoming blue stone and fancy brick with terra cotta ornaments of elaborate design. The auditorium will have three balconies, and there will also be a roof garden. Over the stage will be placed tablets bearing the names of famous playwrights and musical composers.”

It was still showing movies in 1923.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Superior Theatre on Feb 9, 2010 at 3:28 pm

Shows up in a 1919 Paramount Week ad.

Demolition is announced in August 1957 though it is unclear whether it was still operating at the time.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Regent Theatre on Feb 9, 2010 at 2:56 pm

In 1956 it was sold by the Playhouse Operating Company.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Chelsea Theatre on Feb 9, 2010 at 7:43 am

New York Times

January 19, 1915 – The spectatators at Miner’s Theatre, 312 Eighth Avenue, were startled during the exhibition of a wild west film …by the three pistol shots…

February 22, 1923 – Old Miner’s Theatre eighth avenue property sold…

April 26, 1925 – The Chelsea, a Movie House, once Miner’s Eighth Avenue, is badly damaged.

This was the second Miner’s Theatre at this location. The first one having burned down in 1902. This is the 1903 theatre, soon to be in the heart of the sleazy tenderloin.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theater on Feb 8, 2010 at 8:50 pm

Hi Michael.

The Miracle opened as a twin on June 23, 1978.

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Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Bridge Theatre on Feb 8, 2010 at 8:25 pm

It appears that the Palace may have been a couple of blocks away from the Palace Annex which was once known as the St. Nick prior to 1916.

Here are some blurbs form the NYT:

May 18, 1914 – Wolfsohn and August have leased…for the Esalmo Amusement company for a term of six years, two stores and the St. Nick Theatre, northeast corner of 174th street and St. Nicholas Avenue

September 9, 1916 – J.K. Moor has leased for a term of years the motion picture theatre at the north east corner of 174th street and St. Nicholas Avenue to the National City Amusements Enterprises who operate the theatre at the southeast corner of 176th street and St. Nicholas Avenue. It will be known as the Palace Annex.

November 21, 1921 – The police think boy burglars were responsible for the robbery of four stores in St. Nicholas Avenue between 174th street …(including) The Palace Annex Motion Picture Theatre where they obtained several hundred pennies.

Al Alvarez
Al Alvarez commented about Empress Theater on Feb 8, 2010 at 4:54 pm

The theatres of Washington Heights.

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