Ridgewood Theatre
55-27 Myrtle Avenue,
Ridgewood,
NY
11385
55-27 Myrtle Avenue,
Ridgewood,
NY
11385
31 people
favorited this theater
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Thank you, Frankie. I will be looking forward to meeting you. I hope others come forward & join us at our meeting. We can still try to preserve the theater, even if the owners oppose our effort. I’m glad you understand my point, Mike.
Our next 2 major goals should be to: 1. Photograph & research the theater to compose a “Request For Evaluation” report to the Landmarks Preservation Commission; 2. Fill out Nat'l Register nomination forms & submit it to the State Historic Preservation Office. If the property qualifies, the owners would be eligible for grants & tax credits to restore their theater. They could also be eligible for other types of technical assistance, which would in turn initiate business. We should share #2 with them. Please refer to my 9/17 posting above for more information. My e-mail is and cell is (917) 446-7775. Please feel free to call or e-mail me.
Would love to have a meeting at the theater. Count me in. Anyone who hasn’t contacted Mr. Hirshon, by all means do so. But if the owners don’t want to preserve it ——???
Regarding mikemovies comment of Sept 16:
I would love to help, but I already have a significant volunteer commitment. Every time I think it might be winding down it becomes apparent that I will be needed for at least another six months.
Thank you for responding to my question.
I see what you mean now NativeForestHiller. The exterior looks original from the photos I have viewed. Mr Hirschon doing another story could only help our cause. What is the next step?
To my understanding, Nicholas Hirshon is running another story on the Ridgewood Theatre. The missing aluminum pane is on the right hand side of the photo, directly underneath the word “furious” on the marquee. It is a small portion. I’m thankful that it’s missing, since this serves as a lens which proves the entire white glazed terra cotta facade is intact beneath the siding. This increases our chances of gaining landmark status, although the Landmarks Law does not state that an alteration wouldn’t qualify a site.
I looked at the photo link posted by NativeForestHiller. I’m not sure what I am supposed to see. When you say ‘note the missing generic aluminum pane on the right beneath the marquee’ do you mean the aluminum piece over the entrance doors? Is there any chance of Mr Hirshon doing another Ridgewood theatre story?
It is my pleasure to get involved and assist anyone in any way. It is very true as to what you said. Hopefully, our proactivity will ensure its preservation!
Native Forest Hiller, I am so glad you have gotten involved. I just wanted to thank you so much for getting involved in the Ridgewood Theater, which not only is historic for it’s amazing non-stop 90 year run, but also because since it is still open as of right now, holds such a lot of history and memories for all who past through the old work-horse’s doors over the decades. It would be sad to lose one of NYC’s LAST operating old movie houses. There are not many left, just look around all the boroughs. You hyave a few here and there, but the number is dwindling every year.
I just wanted to thank you for all you efforts. I saw how much work you had put into the Trylon, and now the Ridgewood Theater thanks you too.
I am more than happy that there are fellow enthusiasts that are willing to preserve & landmark the Ridgewood Theatre, and I am looking forward to working with all of you further!!! Thank you for your encouragement & kind words in regard to my synopsis on how to get a building landmarked.
Thanks for taking the initiative for corresponding with Nicholas Hirshon of the Daily News. He would like to interview more people on Tuesday, and might also be seeking additional comment from those he previously interviewed. Please call him at (718) 793-3328. Speaking with him over the phone is probably the best way. If you can’t call, e-mail with full name at I got in touch with him yesterday, and will correspond further as well.
We should call ourselves, “Committee To Save The Ridgewood Theatre.” Any thoughts? Besides corresponding in cyberspace, I recommend meeting in the near future at the theater, so we can brainstorm a bit more, and photograph the exterior and interior extensively. Then we’ll work on visiting archives/city agencies, and compose a mini feature story to complement our detailed photos. Our goal is to take photos of almost every view possible, to establish its relationship to the streetscape & the passersby. After an article is out in the Daily News, which should get the ball rolling, I recommend sending out a press release to as many contacts as possible, with all our names and contact info on it. Please share your thoughts.
One CT member raised a question. My reply is that we should not ask the Landmarks Preservation Commission for any advice on what to include in the Request For Evaluation form i.e. architect’s name or specific historical facts. Many Queens preservation activists find the LPC too busy to answer such questions, besides the fact that they have been ignoring Queens for quite some time. We want to come over as knowledgable and confident in our endeavors. The LPC is not so transparent as it is. As you may recall, I am a director on the board of the Four Boroughs Preservation Alliance, who is trying to reform the LPC.
Getting back to my interview with Nicholas Hirshon, I explained my reasoning for declaring it a superb candidate for landmark status. I pointed out the rich ornament of the white glazed terra cotta facade (pilasters, classic geometric patterns, the coat of arms) above the marquee. Then I explained another eye-opener, which will lead one to believe it’s completely intact (minus the doors). Check out Kencta’s June 2006 photos on View link Please note the missing generic aluminum pane on the right beneath the marquee & the detail that’s hiding underneath. (You can also scroll left &/or right to see Kencta’s other photos, some of which are of the interior). Another point in my interview was that the owner should clean up and restore the theater, as well as sponsor a celebration to honor its 90-year run. This would be a great marketing tool, since there’s no reason why it shouldn’t operate another 90 years!
I appreciate it that some of you have volunteered to contact the owner. It should be noted to him that they can make use of programs setforth by the NY State Historic Preservation Office. This is an agency that administers the Nat'l Register of Historic Places. We would have to fill out a form & submit it to the Queens representative, Virginia Bartos. If they nominate it for the State &/or National Registers, the owner could be eligible for grants, tax credits, and other technical services and benefits, which would be one of many ways they can assist him in restoring the theater. Virginia Bartos contact info is as follows: .ny.us & (518) 237-8643 ext.3256, & http://nysparks.state.ny.us/shpo/ This is a case in point that should be relayed to the owner, but all in the right timing. Who is part of the newly formed committee? What are the best days & times to meet? Thanks again, & hope to hear your thoughts.
One thing that makes this theatre special is the fact that it is still open after 90 years. It is also the last operating theatre in this town and it possibly might not survive to see 91 years. Perhaps you would like to join us in our efforts to land mark the Ridgewood theatre. I have never been to this theatre nor do I come from Ridgewood. Yet I am willing to help these fella’s to preserve a piece of history from their past.
There has been much discussion about this thatre, as evidenced by the pile of “4021” postings I find every day. I love old theatres. But I have to ask: what is the root of the fascination with this one in particular? It doesn’t seem like anything all that special.
Thanx AlAlvarez. The NY Times blurb should be adequate proof. I have already looked into Queens Circuit Management Corp. Not much to find for free. A full report costs $129.50. I did receive this much for free.
Queens Circuit Management Corp
103-14 Roosevelt Ave
Corona, NY 11368-2330
Queens County
United States
(718) 478-9200
(718) 639-9323
Year Started:
1984
State of Incorporation:
NY
Location type:
Single Location
SIC Code:
6512-Operators of Nonresidential Buildings
Business Description:
Movie Theatre Managers
Estimated Annual Sales:
$97,000
Contact Name:
Jose Diaz
Contact Title:
President
Al, you beat me to the punch. I’ve been going Times-Crazy lately through their archives and I found that article as well. Lot’s of Lamb-related articles in their files – and I don’t mean in the culinary sections!
“Thomas Lamb is the architect.” – NY Times, 2-19-1916, excerpt courtesy of AlAlvarez’s research.
Nice going, Al! Now I’m holding my breath to see if and when anyone will complain about the Times not including Lamb’s middle initial.
Thanks LM. I want a vitual tour of the Roxy!
Slight correction the above. The item ran on Februry 19, 1916 not 9. My typing skills suck.
This from the New York Times February 9, 1916.
“A plot 100 by 158 on Myrtle Avenue bewteen Madison and Cypress Avenue, Brooklyn has been purchased by Levy Brothers as a site for a vaudeville theatre planned to seat 2,500 persons.
Thomas Lamb is the architect.”
Architect unknown, aye. But wholly inconsistent with attempts to get the Ridgewood designated a landmark. We need someone to chase down its designer.
Shalom, ciao, and excelsior
I absolutely agree, mikemovies.
Fella’s I believe the best way to handle this is to set the architect to ‘unknown’. Until such time that someone can substantiate the claim that Thomas W Lamb was the architect of the Ridgewood theatre, I suggest that his name be removed from this theatre page. After doing some internet searches for the Ridgewood theatre and Thomas W Lamb many search results brought me back to Cinema Treasures. This unproven claim is being perpetuated all over the internet due to this website. Even the Wikipedia website refers you back to CT for a list of Thomas Lamb designed theatres including the Ridgewood theatre. If someone finds proof that Thomas Lamb was the architect of the Ridgewood theatre his name can be restored to the top of this page, Better to have no architect then to have the wrong fella listed. If we are serious about land marking this theatre the information must be accurate.
Warren, have you reviewed the list of 153 theaters claimed by CT to have been designed by Thomas W Lamb? I paraphrased what was claimed to be some of his most noteworthy theaters from >http://www.heritagewinnipeg.com/historic_buildingsTheatres.htm
except, of course, that I included the Ridgewood with tongue in cheek ( or maybe not, ;–)
……..* May I suggest you review CT’s list of Lamb designed theaters and advise the list owners of any errors?
……..* Are you aware of any other errors on the Ridgewood page.
My apologies to the list.
Mike, gotsta establish the credentials for a wannabe Landmark candidate. Architetual significance is a key factor. TW Lamb gets much higher marks and recognition than, eg, Trump’s gang.
Shalom, ciao, and excelsior
Mike, you’re killing me! LOL. Maybe we should re-research whether the word “The” was ever part of the Ridgewood’s name.
Why are you fella’s quibbling over an architect? You don’t need to know anything more than some architect designed the Ridgewood theatre. haha
“Don’t do Depp ?” The finest, most versatile, most sensible young actor working today ? They should build movie palaces just to show HIS movies ! Oh well, “chacun a son gout.” Say, if it’s gonna be 90 years in December, what better time for an anniversary celebration ? I’ll mention it in my letter to the owners.
Warren… you wrote yourself that Lamb designed the Ridgewood in the very first post on the page! I realize you were wrong about the 1913 construction date you originally posted, but have you also retracted your statement on the identity of the Ridgewood’s architect?
Thanks, ‘Tonino… Yup. I’m aware of Lamb’s contributions to theater architecture. The Midway, by the way, was first twinned and then furhter cut into 4 in the late '70’s. The current gut-job that resulted in 9 screens didn’t occur until the late '80’s or very early '90’s. Only the lobby space and mezzanine stair case (with its large landing halfway up) retains any semblance of Lamb’s original design – although even that space has been completely redecorated and altered.