This shot of the Times Square sandwiched between the Apollo & Lyric in 1967 will give you some idea of the programming for the Times Square which boasted ALWAYS TWO ACTION HITS.
In November 1969, the bookings for the week went like this:
SAT…..Prehistoric Women & War Wagon
SUN…..Goliath and the Vampire & California
Mon & Tues…Sons of Katie Elder & King’s Pirate
Wed & Thurs…Cyborg 2087 & Tall Women
Fri & Sat….Hellfighters & Bandolero
My investigation skills indicate that the shot was taken not too long after the image that appears in Marc Eliot’s book….Down 42nd Street. The features at the Harris in Marc’s book are shown here at the Anco. And the Empire has the same double bill…The Professionals & Attempt to Kill. j
Joe,
I just posted a 50s shot of the Empire.
Here it is: View link
42nd had all of the Warner Bros re-releases in the mid-late 50s. I know that I too saw The Roaring 20s there, maybe the same day as you. Also remember seeing: Black Legion, Capt Blood, Sea Hawk, Oklahoma Kid, Desperate Journey. I’ve been trying to recreate the double/triple features that I saw on 42nd in the 50s-60s. Got a long way to go. j
I found some that will interest you (while I was searching for 1950s-1960s 42nd Street images -in case anyone knows of any) at www.corbis.com Search on “42nd Street”, “Times Square”, “marquee”
Warren mentions above that the theater closed with a showing of The Viscount which imdb lists as a May ‘67 release date. I have an RKO ad from after the R&R show, on April 12,1967 with showings at the 58 St of ALFIE & CARRY ON CABBY & TIJUANA BRASS short. j
Included in the ‘Blues Project Anthology’ CD is a copy of the advertisement for the show. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles are listed for Sat & Sun only. Then, Mitch Ryder took over. Others, I didn’t mention earlier….Jim & Jean, The Chicago Loop, Mandala, Hardly-Worthit Players.
The Who had the instrument destruction thing going at the time. Keith Moon walking around with a bass drum around his waist.
Continuous performances “morning ‘til night”. Must have gotten expensive for Keith over 9 days.
I have a copy of a the NYT article about the history (and closing) of the theater. June 1, 1960 for anyone interested. Has a shot of the marquee at that time.
I was standing on the 23rd Street side while it burned, after the closing, but didn’t have the heart to copy the article.
I also copied ads of many of the films that I saw there, from the NYT microfilm.
So, since I’m not near Lincoln Center any longer, this will have to do. Thanks again. (Don’t forget the Terrace on 23rd; would love to see images of that one – lol), jk
I think the Deep Throat confusion lies in the fact that
“Deep Throat II” was made for the Drive-In/mainstream crowd with an “R” rating in 1974, two years after the stir caused by the original. There was also “Linda Lovelace for President” in 1975 and “R” rated, as well. jerry the k
Sorry to see that there haven’t been any postings on this theater since it is a childhood memory but I’d like to hear from folks who remember being there.
This theater opened in 1963 and disappointed a community who had anxiously awaited the replacement to the old RKO on 23rd & 8th.
The theater opened….. searchlights, red carpet and the 3 Stooges (Joe DeRita vintage, in tuxes)getting out of a limo…. in early 1963 with Orson Welles' THE TRIAL, I believe. This crushed me, family and friends who were used to seeing weekly double features…. Rodan, House on Haunted Hill, Audie Murphy westerns, etc. at the old, majestic RKO. We still had to trek up the the RKO 58th St to see the “normal” RKO programming.
After about 6 months of protests, the theater switched to the “normal” fare in the summer of 1963. I remember being away in New Jersey when I saw the ad in the Daily News and I couldn’t wait to get home to AIP’s beach and horror flics. The classics.
In 1965 RKO reverted back to its original concept and THE PAWNBROKER played there for what seemed like years. Then the 1st run of CARRY ON CLEO (single feature) debuted while also playing at one other RKO theater…..you guessed it….the 58th St! By now, we would just go up to 42nd Street and find the RKO-Loew’s programming at cheaper prices.
The theater eventually returned to the normal RKO fare.
Gerald,
Great mix. And amazing foresight to keep a log!!!
I have been trying to recreate the films that I saw in the 50s & 60s in the theaters that didn’t advertise regularly: Terrace (23rd St)and all of the 42nd Street theaters. If you have a spreadsheet or any way to email that portion of your list…..I’d greatly appreciate it. I’m on this great treasure hunt. j
You are our Time Machine. An escape from the drudgery of the impotent movie going experience of today. Would it be too corny to say “Thanks for the Memories”. Long lost memories that this site has graciously resurrected. j
You bring back a great memory (or great mammary) of seeing Meyer’s “LORNA” there in ‘65. My research of my mis-spent youth shows that the co-feature was “LOVE THE ITALIAN WAY” with Elke Sommer. Great stuff for a 15 year old. j
Thanks, Warren. Speaking of the “two-day bills”, I’m looking at an ad from 1959 where the RKO’s (except Albee, Palace)all played a new double feature (of revivals) for 1 day only!
Ad reads “TODAY ONLY…TAKE YOUR CHOICE….54 GREAT PICTURES * 27 DIFFERENT SHOWS”
Unfortunately my RKO 23 got Brigitte Bardot (bad news for a 9 year old) paired with Pork Chop Hill. Now that I think about it, I guess the two films did go together. j
How exactly did the “product split” work in Brooklyn? I noticed in the ads from the 50s, the Albee usually played the same “A” film that hit my RKO 23rd St immediately afterwards but that the Albee frequently had a different “B” picture. I also noticed the the Allied Artist Bowery Boys series always played Brooklyn but never my Manhattan RKO/Loew’s theaters.
I have an ad from the 50s when the Apollo was showing NANA with Charles Boyer. The distributor’s ad reads “spicy adult cinema package”. As Gerald mentions. “sex sells”….that’s Marketing 101.
But “grandad of porn”, “stupid history games”???? That ad, like most, was prepared by the film’s distributor. And if the Apollo is to be signaled out….‘respectable’ theaters such as the Beekman, Art, Gramercy, Symphony can also be attibuted to the parenting of porno. They are listed in the ad, as well.
If you were there, you know that the Apollo had some of the most respectable programming on the street. As far removed from porno as the Times Square’s action fare.
JACK D…..please contact me at .com I would like to discuss the programming on 42nd during the 50s – 60s. Thanks.
Watching MIDNIGHT COWBOY last night with a lot of great shots of the Empire, Victory, Lyric from 1967. Great example of Empire’s programming in the shot: FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD & TARZAN and the VALLEY OF GOLD. Went back and froze the DVD in several spots for a lot of great detail.
Silver Screens website has some of the images View link
Still looking for booking info for the Empire in 50s & 60s.
Jerry the K
This shot of the Times Square sandwiched between the Apollo & Lyric in 1967 will give you some idea of the programming for the Times Square which boasted ALWAYS TWO ACTION HITS.
In November 1969, the bookings for the week went like this:
SAT…..Prehistoric Women & War Wagon
SUN…..Goliath and the Vampire & California
Mon & Tues…Sons of Katie Elder & King’s Pirate
Wed & Thurs…Cyborg 2087 & Tall Women
Fri & Sat….Hellfighters & Bandolero
3 different John Wayne bookings in one week.
View link
Another image…..old but not as old. January 1967.
My investigation skills indicate that the shot was taken not too long after the image that appears in Marc Eliot’s book….Down 42nd Street. The features at the Harris in Marc’s book are shown here at the Anco. And the Empire has the same double bill…The Professionals & Attempt to Kill. j
View link
Joe,
I just posted a 50s shot of the Empire.
Here it is:
View link
42nd had all of the Warner Bros re-releases in the mid-late 50s. I know that I too saw The Roaring 20s there, maybe the same day as you. Also remember seeing: Black Legion, Capt Blood, Sea Hawk, Oklahoma Kid, Desperate Journey. I’ve been trying to recreate the double/triple features that I saw on 42nd in the 50s-60s. Got a long way to go. j
42nd has always had some fun, creative programming. Here’s an Empire double bill when Liz Taylor broke up Debbie Reynolds' marriage to Eddie Fisher:
View link
Here is the Apollo during better times….1967 j
View link
I found some that will interest you (while I was searching for 1950s-1960s 42nd Street images -in case anyone knows of any) at www.corbis.com Search on “42nd Street”, “Times Square”, “marquee”
RobertR,
That’s the best shot of the ANCO that I’ve seen. Where did you find it?
I too went through all of your photo album, great stuff. j
LM,
Warren mentions above that the theater closed with a showing of The Viscount which imdb lists as a May ‘67 release date. I have an RKO ad from after the R&R show, on April 12,1967 with showings at the 58 St of ALFIE & CARRY ON CABBY & TIJUANA BRASS short. j
LM,
Check out my post from March 16. Great shows.
Included in the ‘Blues Project Anthology’ CD is a copy of the advertisement for the show. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles are listed for Sat & Sun only. Then, Mitch Ryder took over. Others, I didn’t mention earlier….Jim & Jean, The Chicago Loop, Mandala, Hardly-Worthit Players.
The Who had the instrument destruction thing going at the time. Keith Moon walking around with a bass drum around his waist.
Continuous performances “morning ‘til night”. Must have gotten expensive for Keith over 9 days.
jerry the k
Great stuff, as always, Warren. You’re hitting all my favorite neighborhod theaters from the 50s.
Did the Sheridan actually book a new show for Tuesday only back then? During my time (mid 50s+), the programming changed every Wednesday.
I recall that they had posters for the upcoming movies down the sides of the theater, past the bus in the image.
Keep it up, Warren. And don’t forget my Terrace on 23rd St. lol. j
I have a copy of a the NYT article about the history (and closing) of the theater. June 1, 1960 for anyone interested. Has a shot of the marquee at that time.
I was standing on the 23rd Street side while it burned, after the closing, but didn’t have the heart to copy the article.
I also copied ads of many of the films that I saw there, from the NYT microfilm.
So, since I’m not near Lincoln Center any longer, this will have to do. Thanks again. (Don’t forget the Terrace on 23rd; would love to see images of that one – lol), jk
Warren, you’d make a great private investigator. I lived a tad to the right at 24th & 8th; somewhat after this photo.
How about some interior shots of the long entrance way and the beautiful concession area. You can do it!
Thanks. jerry
I think the Deep Throat confusion lies in the fact that
“Deep Throat II” was made for the Drive-In/mainstream crowd with an “R” rating in 1974, two years after the stir caused by the original. There was also “Linda Lovelace for President” in 1975 and “R” rated, as well. jerry the k
Sorry to see that there haven’t been any postings on this theater since it is a childhood memory but I’d like to hear from folks who remember being there.
Anyone have info or photos? jerry k
This theater opened in 1963 and disappointed a community who had anxiously awaited the replacement to the old RKO on 23rd & 8th.
The theater opened….. searchlights, red carpet and the 3 Stooges (Joe DeRita vintage, in tuxes)getting out of a limo…. in early 1963 with Orson Welles' THE TRIAL, I believe. This crushed me, family and friends who were used to seeing weekly double features…. Rodan, House on Haunted Hill, Audie Murphy westerns, etc. at the old, majestic RKO. We still had to trek up the the RKO 58th St to see the “normal” RKO programming.
After about 6 months of protests, the theater switched to the “normal” fare in the summer of 1963. I remember being away in New Jersey when I saw the ad in the Daily News and I couldn’t wait to get home to AIP’s beach and horror flics. The classics.
In 1965 RKO reverted back to its original concept and THE PAWNBROKER played there for what seemed like years. Then the 1st run of CARRY ON CLEO (single feature) debuted while also playing at one other RKO theater…..you guessed it….the 58th St! By now, we would just go up to 42nd Street and find the RKO-Loew’s programming at cheaper prices.
The theater eventually returned to the normal RKO fare.
Warren,
What was the source for the bottom image. I’d like to see more shots of this great theater. Jerry K
Thanks, Gerald. My email is listed in my profile. The search continues…..j
Gerald,
Great mix. And amazing foresight to keep a log!!!
I have been trying to recreate the films that I saw in the 50s & 60s in the theaters that didn’t advertise regularly: Terrace (23rd St)and all of the 42nd Street theaters. If you have a spreadsheet or any way to email that portion of your list…..I’d greatly appreciate it. I’m on this great treasure hunt. j
Gerald,
I bet thet you remember the other movies. What were they? j
You are our Time Machine. An escape from the drudgery of the impotent movie going experience of today. Would it be too corny to say “Thanks for the Memories”. Long lost memories that this site has graciously resurrected. j
RobertR,
You bring back a great memory (or great mammary) of seeing Meyer’s “LORNA” there in ‘65. My research of my mis-spent youth shows that the co-feature was “LOVE THE ITALIAN WAY” with Elke Sommer. Great stuff for a 15 year old. j
Thanks, Warren. Speaking of the “two-day bills”, I’m looking at an ad from 1959 where the RKO’s (except Albee, Palace)all played a new double feature (of revivals) for 1 day only!
Ad reads “TODAY ONLY…TAKE YOUR CHOICE….54 GREAT PICTURES * 27 DIFFERENT SHOWS”
Unfortunately my RKO 23 got Brigitte Bardot (bad news for a 9 year old) paired with Pork Chop Hill. Now that I think about it, I guess the two films did go together. j
Warren,
How exactly did the “product split” work in Brooklyn? I noticed in the ads from the 50s, the Albee usually played the same “A” film that hit my RKO 23rd St immediately afterwards but that the Albee frequently had a different “B” picture. I also noticed the the Allied Artist Bowery Boys series always played Brooklyn but never my Manhattan RKO/Loew’s theaters.
AlAlvarez,
I have an ad from the 50s when the Apollo was showing NANA with Charles Boyer. The distributor’s ad reads “spicy adult cinema package”. As Gerald mentions. “sex sells”….that’s Marketing 101.
But “grandad of porn”, “stupid history games”???? That ad, like most, was prepared by the film’s distributor. And if the Apollo is to be signaled out….‘respectable’ theaters such as the Beekman, Art, Gramercy, Symphony can also be attibuted to the parenting of porno. They are listed in the ad, as well.
If you were there, you know that the Apollo had some of the most respectable programming on the street. As far removed from porno as the Times Square’s action fare.
JACK D…..please contact me at .com I would like to discuss the programming on 42nd during the 50s – 60s. Thanks.
Jerry
Watching MIDNIGHT COWBOY last night with a lot of great shots of the Empire, Victory, Lyric from 1967. Great example of Empire’s programming in the shot: FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD & TARZAN and the VALLEY OF GOLD. Went back and froze the DVD in several spots for a lot of great detail.
Silver Screens website has some of the images
View link
Still looking for booking info for the Empire in 50s & 60s.
Jerry the K