There is a documentary running on PBS this week called “P.O.V. Prison Town USA” and there are several shots of this Main Sreet mainstay, with its vertical sign and yellow marquee, in plain view. I was happily surprised to find that such a seemingly depressed location is able to support this theater. (There is another theatre in town, the Uptown, but I didn’t notice if it too was shown.)
This link at the first comment still works; check it out for all things Susanville.
I had been to both the upstairs and downstairs here several times in its last years. (I preferred the upstairs…so expansively raked and comfortable.) I wish I’d had enough sense to appreciate where I was, and that it wouldn’t last forever.
I was here not too long ago for a screening of “Singin' in the Rain” with my 2-½ year old daughter. We’d seen the DVD many times, but we were both mesmerized by the beautiful Technicolor print and full sound up there on the big screen. She didn’t budge an inch for the entire running time, except once to climb on my lap to get more comfy.
Before the show, they had a drawing for a free pass and let her pick the winning number out of a bag — and she picked my ticket! (The fix was in?…nah!)
This theater’s marquee and outside vestibule are featured in the new Verizon cable TV commercials, which is somewhat ironic since the Manhasset is owned by Clearview, which is owned by Cablevision, which is Verizon’s main competitor.
How did something like that slip by, or is Verizon zinging it to Cablevision? Either way, it made me chuckle.
I saw Poseidon Adventure here (it must have been at the very end of its run) and I was blown away. I had no idea it was about a sinking luxury liner — based on the name I thought it was about mythological gods or something and I didn’t really want to see it! Boy, was I surprised. When that ship turned over my heart was in my throat.
Parents would drop their kids off while they shopped, and I recall that it was pitch black in that little theater at the back of the store, near the grocery pickup. I think there were also kiddie rides nearby.
The Larkfield had SOME decor — it did have about a dozen light sconces on the auditorium walls. I changed those bulbs, and changed them to red and green during the holidays.
And it also had a lovely Austrian-style scalloped gold curtain, which rose before each show and came down at the end. When the curtain was down, it was illuminated by colored footlights, which I also changed.
It was a real treat when the projectionist would properly time the curtain’s rising and lowering, to see the film images slowly revealed or slowly covered.
There were also two one-sheet display cases outside the theater, and two “coming attractions” display cases in the ticket lobby.
And the inner lobby had a couple of illuminated advertising signs, including a nice Coca-Cola clock.
We didn’t have much, but we kept it clean and had a modest sense of showmanship.
When I was growing up I didn’t do my chores or something, and I wasn’t allowed to go see “Let’s Scare Jessica to Death” when it played here in 1971. My father drove us all to the theater and dropped my sisters off, but I had to stay in the car and go home. I guess he was trying to make a point, but I never really forgave him and never forgot it. And to this day I have never seen that movie.
Bloop, I also worked here in the late ‘70s. Who’s your friend? (You can click my name to get my email.)
By the way, for many years the lobby also had a soda machine, which dispensed soda and ice in paper cups. The only drinks available at the candy counter were fruit punch and lemonade. Buyer beware!
In the summer of 1976 the theater upgraded from second run double features to first run (but second rate) Paramount “Flagship” features, starting with “Lifeguard” and including “The Big Bus.” After that experiment was over, they went back to sub-run.
My family often went to Commack Drive-In in our station wagon. One night we went to see “Willard” and when it was over the second feature began, one we’d never heard of, in black and white, called “Night of the Living Dead.” My mother said, this is going to be very good or very bad, so we stayed to check it out.
In a word, wow! We were all petrified. At one point someone tapped on our window (causing us all to jump!) to ask my father to stop stepping on the brake pedal, as it was lighting up the tail-lights!
The ride home was extremely spooky, as we took an unlighted route. Just out luck, it was also foggy that night. Yikes.
So where will the exhibits go if not the auditorium? (Odditorium is also apt!)
I visited the Ripleys in Key West a few years ago, and it was located in the old Strand theater. They did a good job there, but I heard that it has since closed is now a Walgreens.
I’m answering my own question: Yes, it seems so. The address is the same: 234 West 42nd Street. This is good news. Here’s the link to Ripleys: http://ripleysnewyork.com/
The piece that’s missing in the center of the marquee used to say something like “Loew’s 42nd Street” so I guess they are still waiting for the replacement part that will say “Regal.”
That said, the big Regal letters atop the marquee really brighten it up; now they need improved video monitors (that tell the names of the features, etc.) and the outside will be all spiffed up.
There’s a construction shed up under the marquee, so maybe they’re replacing it. It always looked like an bulky afterthought, anyway, compared to the elegant facade and vertical sign, so anything else would be an improvement.
There is a documentary running on PBS this week called “P.O.V. Prison Town USA” and there are several shots of this Main Sreet mainstay, with its vertical sign and yellow marquee, in plain view. I was happily surprised to find that such a seemingly depressed location is able to support this theater. (There is another theatre in town, the Uptown, but I didn’t notice if it too was shown.)
This link at the first comment still works; check it out for all things Susanville.
Not the greatest twin cinemas in creation, but the loss of any is still a blow to the heart.
Craig O'Connor, what say you?
I had been to both the upstairs and downstairs here several times in its last years. (I preferred the upstairs…so expansively raked and comfortable.) I wish I’d had enough sense to appreciate where I was, and that it wouldn’t last forever.
I was here not too long ago for a screening of “Singin' in the Rain” with my 2-½ year old daughter. We’d seen the DVD many times, but we were both mesmerized by the beautiful Technicolor print and full sound up there on the big screen. She didn’t budge an inch for the entire running time, except once to climb on my lap to get more comfy.
Before the show, they had a drawing for a free pass and let her pick the winning number out of a bag — and she picked my ticket! (The fix was in?…nah!)
This theater’s marquee and outside vestibule are featured in the new Verizon cable TV commercials, which is somewhat ironic since the Manhasset is owned by Clearview, which is owned by Cablevision, which is Verizon’s main competitor.
How did something like that slip by, or is Verizon zinging it to Cablevision? Either way, it made me chuckle.
I’m working not far from here and plan to visit real soon.
I just started working in the neighborhood and am sorry to see this is closed. I came here once or twice when I lived in Flushing over 20 years ago.
Maybe I’ll check out the church; all are welcome, right?
I saw Poseidon Adventure here (it must have been at the very end of its run) and I was blown away. I had no idea it was about a sinking luxury liner — based on the name I thought it was about mythological gods or something and I didn’t really want to see it! Boy, was I surprised. When that ship turned over my heart was in my throat.
Is that photo above of the Cinerama in Seattle? I’d vote for that one, too.
Parents would drop their kids off while they shopped, and I recall that it was pitch black in that little theater at the back of the store, near the grocery pickup. I think there were also kiddie rides nearby.
The Larkfield had SOME decor — it did have about a dozen light sconces on the auditorium walls. I changed those bulbs, and changed them to red and green during the holidays.
And it also had a lovely Austrian-style scalloped gold curtain, which rose before each show and came down at the end. When the curtain was down, it was illuminated by colored footlights, which I also changed.
It was a real treat when the projectionist would properly time the curtain’s rising and lowering, to see the film images slowly revealed or slowly covered.
There were also two one-sheet display cases outside the theater, and two “coming attractions” display cases in the ticket lobby.
And the inner lobby had a couple of illuminated advertising signs, including a nice Coca-Cola clock.
We didn’t have much, but we kept it clean and had a modest sense of showmanship.
Great photos, memories and info on this page.
When I was growing up I didn’t do my chores or something, and I wasn’t allowed to go see “Let’s Scare Jessica to Death” when it played here in 1971. My father drove us all to the theater and dropped my sisters off, but I had to stay in the car and go home. I guess he was trying to make a point, but I never really forgave him and never forgot it. And to this day I have never seen that movie.
Bloop, I also worked here in the late ‘70s. Who’s your friend? (You can click my name to get my email.)
By the way, for many years the lobby also had a soda machine, which dispensed soda and ice in paper cups. The only drinks available at the candy counter were fruit punch and lemonade. Buyer beware!
In the summer of 1976 the theater upgraded from second run double features to first run (but second rate) Paramount “Flagship” features, starting with “Lifeguard” and including “The Big Bus.” After that experiment was over, they went back to sub-run.
All screens will be equipped with Odorama. Oh, wait, they already are.
My family often went to Commack Drive-In in our station wagon. One night we went to see “Willard” and when it was over the second feature began, one we’d never heard of, in black and white, called “Night of the Living Dead.” My mother said, this is going to be very good or very bad, so we stayed to check it out.
In a word, wow! We were all petrified. At one point someone tapped on our window (causing us all to jump!) to ask my father to stop stepping on the brake pedal, as it was lighting up the tail-lights!
The ride home was extremely spooky, as we took an unlighted route. Just out luck, it was also foggy that night. Yikes.
I loved that fucking place.
I saw that Trog/Dracula double feature. Trog was my first Joan Crawford picture, and her last. Thanks for the flashback.
So where will the exhibits go if not the auditorium? (Odditorium is also apt!)
I visited the Ripleys in Key West a few years ago, and it was located in the old Strand theater. They did a good job there, but I heard that it has since closed is now a Walgreens.
I’m answering my own question: Yes, it seems so. The address is the same: 234 West 42nd Street. This is good news. Here’s the link to Ripleys: http://ripleysnewyork.com/
Is this the location of the new Ripley’s museum?
The piece that’s missing in the center of the marquee used to say something like “Loew’s 42nd Street” so I guess they are still waiting for the replacement part that will say “Regal.”
That said, the big Regal letters atop the marquee really brighten it up; now they need improved video monitors (that tell the names of the features, etc.) and the outside will be all spiffed up.
There’s a construction shed up under the marquee, so maybe they’re replacing it. It always looked like an bulky afterthought, anyway, compared to the elegant facade and vertical sign, so anything else would be an improvement.
Wareen, another fantastic photo — it practically sizzles off the computer screen. It feels like I’m there.
Yeah, just scroll through 2000 posts, I’m sure you’ll find it.