RKO Madison Theatre
54-30 Myrtle Avenue,
Ridgewood,
NY
11385
54-30 Myrtle Avenue,
Ridgewood,
NY
11385
21 people
favorited this theater
Showing 176 - 200 of 1,251 comments
Yes … Episode Three, the first non-pilot episode made.
The Corbomite Manuver
It would be ironic, and poetic justice indeed, if former movie matrons got jobs in the video stores that helped put the movie theaters they used to work in, out of business.
Panzer65, have some tranya for me. I hope you relish it as much as I.
Seriously, if ANYONE goes “beyond that [second floor furniture dept.] door” in the Liberty / former RKO Madison, and takes pictures, PLEASE POST THEM HERE !!!!
Thanks.
Peter,
Maybe the store manager’s name is Balock (portrayed by Clint Howard)in Star trek, who incidentally was in many TV shows and movies.
Movie matrons in video stores? Its possible!
MrBill
If you do gain access to Liberty Stores' upper echelons before me please do take pictures, and Bill Murray and Harold Ramis.
Who you gonna call? GHOSTBUSTERS!
Panzer65, James T. Kirk always had a good, healthy fear reaction, which saved his life countless times.
The actor who played him, William Shatner, did so much screaming on-screen, early in his career, that he was known as “the male Fay Wray”.
I’ve also suggested to Bway that those movie matrons later got jobs in video stores, where their job was to shame and embarrass adolescent boys out of renting porno movies.
The Nurse Ratched – McMurphy male sexuality confrontation / conflict is, of course, straight out of “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest”.
MrBill, my wife has told me, Leonard Nimoy may PLAY Spock, but I AM Spock, in real life.
So, yes, let’s revisit the RKO Madison, and go where no CT member has gone before. I don’t think we’ll end up with glowing eyes, and super powers that will drive us power-mad, like Gary Lockwood’s character did.
Hey, Panzer, I got a tentative trip to New York planned for early October, and the Madison is high on my hit-list again. If we can round up Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy, maybe we can find truth, justice and the American Way. Wait a minute; that’s Superman. Who cares? We can check it out anyway.
The Ghost of the White Clad Matron,Fast Eddie, The Twilight Zone and the calls of Mannequins asking for Marsha..Marsha..?, interesting indeed. There may be hazards up in Liberty Stores upper echelons, but
it makes the possible journey that more interesting.Perhaps those restrooms may still be Madison’s original equipment. Very worthy of a Cinema Treasures historic tour.
Peter and once upon a time, you give me the motivation, now I must"Go where no Cinema Treasures member has gone before". I must say the last few postings have been quite funny, I appreciate the humor. Especially the one about the nurses and porno movies.
I could be scared enough to run down that marble staircase,to a waiting lobby matron , but hey, did James T. Kirk ever get scared?
Panzer65, you need to register first.
Try this shorter link :
http://www.bushwickbuddies.com/
once upon a time : Good one !
Those nurses, matrons, and stretchers on-hand were sometimes a gimmick of those late 1950’s, early 1960’s William Castle “gimmick” movies, like “The Tingler” and “House On Haunted Hill”. Ditto the ambulance parked outside (I think that was for “Macabre”, pronounced by 12-year-old Stephen King and friends as “McBare” !).
The balcony of the Madison, and also this page, are also haunted by ….
Fast Eddie, and the ghost (or corpse) of Mae West !
It reads like most of the appeal of that usherette smiling at you was the idea of a perceived disciplinarian suddenly appearing to be a possible girlfriend.
I shudder to think what those Nurse Ratched-tough matrons with those piercing and probing flashlight beams, would have done to guys pleasuring themselves while watching porno movies ….
Panzer65…..Be careful when exploring ‘Beyond that Door’ and other musty darkened halls of the Madison..there may be a stalking Ghost of that White Clad Matron still roaming around….and believe me…she was…Mean…!
If you see a beam of light suddenly shinning on you..Run to the Lobby..there may still be a stretcher to recover on.
Thank you Peter,
I’m having trouble with that link, I need a password, can you help?
If the staircase was on the Wyckoff side, then chances are it may very well be eliminated, judging by my last visit. The dimensions of that area do not allow a structure of that size to be hidden behind a wall.
Panzer65 :
Restrooms, “beyond that door” : It seems that the only way to find out is to visit. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. What could the management do, besides say no ? Have you arrested as a terrorist suspect ?
Marble (grand) staircase : was at the far end of the inner lobby, the near end being the entrance from the outer lobby. The marble grand staircase would have been (you should excuse the expression) up against the (Wyckoff Avenue) wall of the building.
Here’s the link to one of the two images of the inner lobby on Bushwick Buddies :
View link
Scroll down and you will see other images from the late 1920’s, shortly after the theatre opened.
I hope I’m not beating a dead horse here, but my curiosity about the configuration of today’s Liberty store furniture area,formerly the mezzanine promenade and balcony, has once been awakened.
Peter , you mentioned that the only restrooms in the Madison were in the balcony and not at street level, could they perhaps be functional today as the only restrooms in the store? If so that may explain why that door up there is sometimes ajar as Bway had mentioned. If this is the case, this may be an opportunity to have a look at any possible remnants of the theater (dome, chandelier, seats).I’m still wondering if I should ask the manager for access there.
once upon a time, in many postings on this page, we have wondered where exactly that marble staircase was located.Many of us feel it was either removed or hidden behind a wall. Any recollections of its exact location? I was also confused about the configuration of the mezzanine and balcony, your description of it during Madison’s heyday was a perfect description, wish I had attended while it was active!
Yes, Panzer65, it was like visiting a palace, concert hall, opera house, or a historic art museum, like the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
As opposed to nowadays, hunkering down in “the concrete bunker at the end of the shopping mall”, for a half hour or previews and commercials, before the feature movie starts.
Even if it IS in 3-D and six-channel digital DTS sound !
Yes, once upon a time, what IF you had returned that coy usherette’s demure smile …
once upon a time
Thank you for sharing your memories of the Madison theater, its interesting to hear recollections of past theater goers, and it also
is interesting to know first hand that in opulent venues such as this, that going to the movies was not just going there and sitting to watch a movie, but to take in the atmosphere and charm of a classic movie house.
Thanks so much, once upon a time !
Please visit Bushwick Buddies for a few images of the inside of the RKO Madison in all the regal splendor that you have here so wonderfully recalled and posted for all of us here at CT !
http://www.bushwickbuddies.com
peter .k, panzer65
Preceding note: The following reflects my memories of the 1940’s and early ‘50’s.
The very sound of ‘R.K.O. Madison’ evoked a tone of distinction and grandeur!
Upon leaving the Box Office, one was guided through the brightly illuminated outer Lobby along brass plated stanchions interlaced with red velour cords leading into the Main Lobby. It was there the full majesty of plush carpets and marbled walls, highlighted by magnificent chandeliers, emblazoned the Madison’s regal splendor!
On the left side of the plush lobby, multiple double doors opened into the orchestra floor . However, if one opted for balcony seating, a charming treat was forthcoming!
After ascending the white marble staircase, one entered into the cavernous mezzanine. The affluence of the ornate terrazzo floor was reflected in the richness of the deep toned wood paneled walls. While awaiting a friend, or start of the Show, one could comfortably relax in genuine leather covered chairs or equally plush sofas. There were also magnificent paintings for viewing .Complimenting that luxury and entering from its seating area, were the spacious Ladies and Gentlemen’s Lounges.
Walking through carpeted, wood paneled access hallways, patrons were then ushered forward into Loge seats or escorted upwards into one of the balconies. The seats were very soft with comfortably wide armrests. Adding to the ambiance; during the seating period, live organ music helped to quicken the flow of the many hundreds of patrons being guided by nattily uniformed ushers and usherettes. An added touch of class was the flourishing of the of the stage curtain as it ceremoniously signaled the start of the Featured Movie. Note; The music accompanied Friday and Saturday evening performances. Also, in latter year of my visits, I think the music was ‘piped’ in.
The pictures shown were mostly R.K.O. produced or distributed. For a full history of Radio-Keith-Orpheum go to; http://www.answers.com/topic/rko-pictures
So as not to overly aggrandize the Madison, I’ll point out that they had some less regal
ballyhoo. For instance, when publicizing an upcoming horror movie, compared to the Ridgewood Theatre, which merely advised audience’s to notify management of any Heart conditions. The Madison blatantly announced they would have emergency care provided in the Lobby. Alas, some matron in white, who drew the short straw, would be stationed aside a cot…. waiting for the faint of heart to be carried in from the shrieking audience
They were also a bit less ‘regal’ when ejecting kids from their designated front-right orchestra ‘battle zone’. The ‘all-seeing, all-knowing’ white clad ‘guards’ had a very effective way of restoring quiet during the ‘mush’ scenes. The stratagem was not a single ray of light directed at one unruly kid, but rather, a broad beam flashing across two entire rows, accompanied with the crackling command: “These two rows,…Out†!!!
The vision of two dozen kids being marched out of the theatre by the conquering Matron, quickly brought about a more easily controlled Saturday Matinee.
My last reflection is of my late teens and conjures up one of life’s, ‘What-If’, scenarios: Friday nite at the Madison; dressed in a light sport jacket with matching shirt and slacks, etc. My buddy and I were escorted to seats along side one of the balcony’s access passage ways. I was attracted to our usherettes vibrant smile. My seat was right along side the passageway, in which I happily noticed, she was stationed. As the music played, I noticed a slight movement of her feet, beneath her flared uniform slacks. The shifting increased with the music’s tempo as though subtly dancing to the rhythm. To emphasize those moments of inner excitement, I lit a cigarette while glancing and shyly smiling at the black-haired usherette. Then it happened…..She coyly looked down at her shifting feet and miracles of miracles; she looked back up…at me…and smiled…invitingly!
More than fifty years later, I warmly reflect on my many memories of The Madison. Alas, the most cherished was a Friday night, the balcony, and a smiling usherette in a sparkling black and red uniform. I saw her several more times during the Show, but in my youthful awkwardness, I didn’t (work up the nerve?) speak to her.
I’ve recalled that early boy-girl awareness several times during my later life… each time wondering….What if?
once upon a time, I would LOVE to read your recollections of moviegoing at the RKO Madison Theatre !
Regarding the former RKO Madison Theatre, the back of the entrance-outer lobby part of the building is completely connected with the main auditorium portion, unlike the Ridgewood Theatre, as previously noted. I think the only restrooms in the RKO Madison were on the balcony level, with none at street level. I think the only non-theater use of the building was that small store in the eastern end of the facade on Myrtle Avenue.
I’m not sure if there was anything else to the second story of the entrance-outer lobby part of the RKO Madison, other than the exit staircase from the balcony to the outer lobby.
I hereby apologize for my duplicate postings.
If one looks at aerial views of the Ridgewood and RKO Madison Theatres, one can see how small the part that fronted on Myrtle Avenue is, in comparison to the rest of the theatre.
Thanks Lost, I must have missed it, or it’s so long ago I don’t remember!
Thanks, Bway, for your Busy Bee / Liberty cmt. about the Madison’s exterior facade.
Thanks, MrBill. Right on about the Queens county line.
Thanks for the compliment, Panzer65. Many older theaters used the engineering / architectural technique that you mention. Good observation !
I enjoyed your article that you found on the Busy Bee! Two interesing points… One is that it said that “it was being used as a retail complex when it burned”. That would mean after Odd Lot? But that doesn’t coincide with what Peter thought he remembered, and what I thought I remembered, but something in the back of my mind thought it was after Odd Lot…unless that was a second fire? I really can’t remember.
The other thing I do remember though was when they BEAUTIFULLY restored the exterior facade of the Madison before the Busy Bee store opened. The Madison had these BEAUTIFUL Gothic windows. The Busy Bee sign was a tasteful sign that was put UNDER those windows, in the location of the old marquee, except it was flat, the marquee was gone. The stones were steam cleaned, and the whole building repointed. The windows were also replaced. It looked stunning. Unfortunately, after Busy Bee closed, the Liberty Dept store decided to put a HUGE sign up, that covered over all that beautiful masonary work. I have no idea why……
Excellent point Peter,I saw some old photos of the RKO Greenpoint,which unfortunately is no longer in existence, and it too used the same engineering technique, having the marquee and the lobby
amongst storefronts, usually on a main avenue, then having the auditorium offset 45 to 90 degrees sideways. A clever but functional
way of accommodating a large structure , without compromising space on a city block. And as I have mentioned in previous posts, the early 20 th century base ball venues used the same technique in comparison,
actually squeezing in a large structure amongst smaller ones as not to compromise space and functionality. There are not many specimens left to compare to, but the classic example would be Boston’s Fenway Park,
a true asymmetrical structure.