When you first walked in the box office was on your right and was a window in the center of the wall, and I believe the managers office was behind it. You walked past the ticket taker and the next area of the lobby was larger. There was a decent sized concession stand and some leather couches. The walls were grey, black and white and decorated with posters of coming attractions. Then there were the doors to the auditorium which when you entered had a large wide isle in the back. If you went into the theatre it had three secions and two aisles. In the rear left (if you were facing the screen) were the stairs to the second floor lounge, rest rooms and projection booth. There was no balcony. The theatre if I rember right was painted grey with black trim. On either side of the screen were two neon sculptures that were lit at intermission and blinked to the beat of the music. The sound system was top notch at least when it was an independant and a City Cinemas. I was only there 2x when UA had the place and the films I saw were mono revivals. The place was always clean, slightly a little ruff around the edges at times, but by no means run down. I believe when City Cinemas booked it they did some painting and might have put down new carpets. I don’t think there was ever a platter it was always 2 projectors with 6000 foot reels.
Marialivia
Could you shed some light on the snacks you used to sell back in the 40’s? I know from pictures I have seen nothing came in the obnoxious sizes it does now.
It’s funny but nobody has ever tried the Brew & Movie idea in New York. There are still loads of closed neighborhood houses to adapt. Anyone have any thoughts on why this never was tried here?
No damage was done to the walker when it was quaded. Three small auditoriums were built on the orchestra under the balcony and all the original walls, ceiling, screen etc were visible from the balcony theatre.
I remember once seeing a film at The Selwyn, a horror film no less and a rat ran down the isle. You would have sworn it was part of the show, a girl screamed and ran down the isle waving her arms in the air. Most of the audience told her to shut the f%$# up and watch the movie. LOL, ah the good old days.
I saw the Three Stooges short at the 8th Street Playhouse when they did that incredible 3-D summer. I am not sure if they screened Fort Ti, I would have gone to see it.
Anyone who wants to know what real IB Technicolor is, hopefully saw the print this morning of Easter Parade. One of the friends I was with was one of those non-believers who thought the DVD was incredible. When he saw the vivid Technicolor on the screen he said “OMG now I know what you have been talking about”. He said he never saw shades of yellow, purple and blue before like that. Rich deep vivid colors. The Lafayette is a treasure from the projection, to the mighty Wurlitzer to the vintage Looney Toon with Bugs Bunny. I half expected to walk outside and it was 1945, you guys are the best !!!!!!
The saddest part is that with Cinema 1-2-3 closing it only leaves the Clearview-plex and the 59th Street East. The East side once abounded with top notch cinemas, and unless that zoning law gets changed there will be no new ones. Too bad the Manhattan 1 & 2 and the Gotham (Trans-Lux) did not hang in awhile they would have all the bookings they needed.
When you first walked in the box office was on your right and was a window in the center of the wall, and I believe the managers office was behind it. You walked past the ticket taker and the next area of the lobby was larger. There was a decent sized concession stand and some leather couches. The walls were grey, black and white and decorated with posters of coming attractions. Then there were the doors to the auditorium which when you entered had a large wide isle in the back. If you went into the theatre it had three secions and two aisles. In the rear left (if you were facing the screen) were the stairs to the second floor lounge, rest rooms and projection booth. There was no balcony. The theatre if I rember right was painted grey with black trim. On either side of the screen were two neon sculptures that were lit at intermission and blinked to the beat of the music. The sound system was top notch at least when it was an independant and a City Cinemas. I was only there 2x when UA had the place and the films I saw were mono revivals. The place was always clean, slightly a little ruff around the edges at times, but by no means run down. I believe when City Cinemas booked it they did some painting and might have put down new carpets. I don’t think there was ever a platter it was always 2 projectors with 6000 foot reels.
Town and Country only had a few NY theatres, were they bigger elsewhere?
This was always a class house.
Marialivia
Could you shed some light on the snacks you used to sell back in the 40’s? I know from pictures I have seen nothing came in the obnoxious sizes it does now.
It’s funny but nobody has ever tried the Brew & Movie idea in New York. There are still loads of closed neighborhood houses to adapt. Anyone have any thoughts on why this never was tried here?
Was this ever plexed? There are so many titles on the marquee.
No damage was done to the walker when it was quaded. Three small auditoriums were built on the orchestra under the balcony and all the original walls, ceiling, screen etc were visible from the balcony theatre.
This house always seemed larger then 586 seats.
I thought City Cinemas had the Gramercy when frank was running revival there? Am I remembering wrong?
The Walker is 100% intact behind all the false plaster board walls.
Plus the Sutton, D.W. Griffith, Plaza and Lido East.
Thats another question I have. How come they don’t curve screens anymore?
I remember once seeing a film at The Selwyn, a horror film no less and a rat ran down the isle. You would have sworn it was part of the show, a girl screamed and ran down the isle waving her arms in the air. Most of the audience told her to shut the f%$# up and watch the movie. LOL, ah the good old days.
I saw the Three Stooges short at the 8th Street Playhouse when they did that incredible 3-D summer. I am not sure if they screened Fort Ti, I would have gone to see it.
Wow what great news, shows a theatre can find life again after 20 years.
It’s funny I have never come across anyone who has even mentioned this theatre or attended it.
Am I crazy or did this theatre have a description until recently?
I never heard of the Cinerama film called “The Golden Head” can anyone shed some light on it?
I hope this place survives. I drove past the monstrosity UA Sheepsead Bay today, I can’t believe it’s the choice for most Brooklyn movie goers.
Anyone who wants to know what real IB Technicolor is, hopefully saw the print this morning of Easter Parade. One of the friends I was with was one of those non-believers who thought the DVD was incredible. When he saw the vivid Technicolor on the screen he said “OMG now I know what you have been talking about”. He said he never saw shades of yellow, purple and blue before like that. Rich deep vivid colors. The Lafayette is a treasure from the projection, to the mighty Wurlitzer to the vintage Looney Toon with Bugs Bunny. I half expected to walk outside and it was 1945, you guys are the best !!!!!!
How odd to black out the attraction panels on the sides?
This theatre did good grosses, does anyone know why it closed?
I have never seen this night shot of the Paramount and other marquees.
View link
The Plaza is showing The Ring 2 with a co-feature that is not listed in the paper.
The saddest part is that with Cinema 1-2-3 closing it only leaves the Clearview-plex and the 59th Street East. The East side once abounded with top notch cinemas, and unless that zoning law gets changed there will be no new ones. Too bad the Manhattan 1 & 2 and the Gotham (Trans-Lux) did not hang in awhile they would have all the bookings they needed.