Sorry, bigoe59… I don’t have any knowledge of such a site. However, it seems that “Ben-Hur” did not open at the Astor, but at the George M Cohan Theatre. I was able to search the NY Times website, and found the original film review for “Ben-Hur” (as it appeared in the December 31, 1925 edition), which not only confirms the engagement at the Cohan, but also references the ongoing engagement of “The Big Parade” at the Astor. By the way, an entry in the trivia section on imdb.com for “The Big Parade” claims that the film played the Astor for 96 weeks.
My only question to you is why didn’t you post this inquiry on the Astor page? I’m sure it’ll be pointed out by others, that this exchange goes off-topic for the Embassy listing!
SWC, I’m thankful that you’ve photographed surviving portions of the Keith’s interior, and that you’ve been kind enough to share them here. Please don’t withdraw any posts or photos based solely on the petty criticisms of others.
Wow… Thanks for sharing this. Nice set of shots of the Duece, just as I remember it. Actually, towards the tail end of the few years I spent going to movies in the area. By ‘86, I was an infrequent visitor – and then, rarely for a flick, anymore. But these are great!
Bigjoe59… The decision to cut “2001” was made by Kubrick, himself, who thought that the film could use a bit of tightening, as well as one or two inserts to connect the monolith with the idea to use the animal bone as a weapon. Similarly, with “The Shining” (which came some years after the age of roadshows), Kubrick decided to excise the film’s original coda, as unecessarily explanatory. In both cases, Kubrick having complete control over the way he intended his films to be shown, the trims were either destroyed or locked away in some personal vault.
If the Kubrick Estate is in possession of this material, it is possible that these will one day find their way into the market, but, thus far, Kubrick’s curators have been very faithful to preserving the presentation of his work in strict accordance with his wishes. I don’t think longer cuts will ever be in order, but I could envision the trims making it into an “extras” feature on future DVD/Blu-Ray releases. It would also be great to see the abandoned pie-fight sequence from Dr Strangelove, while we’re at it…
bijoe59… the film would have been a United Artists property, if not owned by Kramer himself. MGM’s ownsership of UA (and therefore IAMMMMW) would not have occured until some 15 or 16 years after the film was edited for general release.
Probably the 4K version of the general release that is the basis of the forthcoming Criterion Blu-Ray release, I suspect. The Blu-Ray, will evidently include a hi-def digital transfer of an even longer approximation of the roadshow cut, in a 197-minute version, assembled by Robert A Harris (natch). It is said to include scenes that have been returned to the film for the first time since its original release. I wonder if this includes an audio-and-stills-only recreation of the lost phone call between Spencer Tracy and Buster Keaton. The material for the release also says that both versions of the film will feature 5.1 surround audio.
I’ll be 3000 miles away in NYC, so, whichever version is screened at the Dome, I’ll have to settle for Criterion release in January.
I seem to recall there might have been a bit of a platform stage in front of the screen, but certainly nothing by way of theatrical facilities. Didn’t stop a hell of a show from going down in front of numerous Rocky Horror screenings, back in the day! If my memory is correct, it was no more than a slight, raised platform, maybe a few inches above the floor ahead of the first row. I could be completely mistaken about that.
Stevenle… Back around that same period, I sometimes gobbled those microdots, 5 and 6 at a time. I watched the Earth split open and melt on several occasions. But, gotta say, I enjoyed the ride – and emerged from the smoking ashes, unscathed. Thankfully, particulary for those dearest to me, I haven’t travelled down that rabbit hole in a couple of decades, now.
Coincidentally, this pic, also from October, 1931, and posted back in May of 2012, shows the marquee advertising what appears to be essentially the same bill. Barto & Mann seem to be listed on the marquee in place of Al Trahan?
I remember, when I was a kid, those lines used to zig-zag along a cordoned off path in the plaza between 51st and 50th Street, like the queue for a popular theme park ride. I’m pretty sure it fed from the plaza directly onto 50th Street and then up to the main box office. I suppose that helped contain the line as much as possible from having to use precious cross street sidewalk space. Of course, the crowds were no where near as large in the ‘70’s as they probably were during the Hall’s height as a cinema.
Yes, I should have clarified that. National Amusements (at least when Sunrise Cinemas opened in Valley Stream) was last 8 rows, if I recall. I remember you could look back and see the blue fog of cigarette smoke swirling in the light from the projector.
Agreed. I did rotate the view all the way around. Interestingly, the view facing east must be an older image, because the larger warehouse isn’t there. A couple of smaller buildings are depicted, which must have been razed to make way for the warehouse. The office structure appears pretty much the same from all angles.
In your Bing Map link, there is a blue circle marking the approximate location of 14 Geddes. If you move to the right there are two buildings with peaked roofs. The second one, the smaller of the two, with a grey roof – which appears to have a rear bay door open – is the one I presume to be the original Hollywood Theatre structure. It seems about the right size for a small, single level, 300 seat movie house. And this is the building that now has a VP Supply Corp sign hanging above its entrance, as can be viewed from down the block in the street view set at the top of this page (if you were to zoom-in).
But, as you say, still not sure which building is number 14.
Thanks for that info, RK. It was getting awful lonely in here, all by myself. Territory Wholesale Supply lives on, sort of, via acquisition by the company VP Supply. They list a Holley address at 14 Geddes Street, but I am unsure if this was the exact location of the former Hollywood Theatre. It appears that VP occupies two buildings, the smaller of which is the grey one-story building I refer to in the first comment above, with a stepped facade. I believe that this building is the original Hollywood Theatre structure. VP also owns the larger grey building just next door, with peaked roof. This is likely their warehouse, and appears to be a much newer structure. I’m not sure which of these belongs to the address of 14 Geddes. Either way, a street view along this portion of Geddes, is still not made possible by Google maps, so we can’t get a good look at the building.
Photos are set democratically by the most # of views for any particular image within that theater’s photo set. I do not believe there is an override available to administrators.
Interesting, back in 1914, no representation of the Roman Catholic Church in that statement. Rockville Centre, of course, would become the seat for the Diocese of Long Island.
This raises a question as to what remains, if anything, of the theater’s interior? The lower level is clearly a parking lot, with driveway located at what used to be the foyer wall at the back of the house. But, is there anything left above the garage and at the front of the house? Perhaps the proscenium? Ceiling and balcony? Wonder if they’d allow whatever remains to be photographed for posterity.
Truth, Mike. Only new seats in the building are those in the two newest rooms – the stage area auditorium, and the tiny auditorium up front in the former retail space. In the 4 main rooms, are the same creaky red seats I remember sitting in for films like “1941,” “Rocky II,” “The Muppet Movie,” and “Dawn of the Dead” back in 1979!
Here is a direct link to a page on the Lynbrook Village website, where one can open minutes from previous Board meetings. If one were to click on the link for the 8/12/2013 meeting (the latest meeting at this time), a PDF document will open. At the bottom of page 5, are the following minutes:
“Special Village Counsel Jack Libert introduced Regal Theatre/Bluenfled Development Group (RTBDG) to discuss their intended redevelopment of the Lynbrook Movie Theater at 325 Merrick Road. David Blumenfeld and Jerry Grewe, representing Regal Cinemas, discussed the existing condition of the Theatre. Mr Grewe indicated that the proposed project would encompass all parcels owned by Regal, and provide 15 screens with modern theatre amenities. Chris Robinson of RMS Engineering, representing RTBDG, advised that the existing structure would be demolished, and a new structure would be constructed having a front entrance facing east on Hempstead Avenue, a drop off traffic lane in Patrick Henry Park, and parking provided off site utilizing available spaces on streets and in municipal parking lots.”
After listing those who commented (with no details as to what those comments may have expressed), the minutes go on to read:
“Mr Grewe added that the existing theater has 1700 seats, and the porposed theatre would have 3150 seats, take 12 months to construct, have staggered movie times to minimize traffic congestion, and possible reprogramming of pedestrian crosswalk times on Merrick Road by Nassau County. The Mayor thanked all for their comments and requested that the applicants advise Jack Libert regularly on the status of filing of a formal application.”
So, we now know that the intention is to demolish and construct an entirely new structure. We also know that this is still pretty early in the process, although, it would appear that Regal has a finalized vision for the redevelopment. I wonder how the discussion went, between all those who commented. It might not have even been a discussion, merely various points of view from various Chamber of Commerce representatives and, perhaps, a few local business owners and/or citizens. I can’t imagine they would have been too happy with the projects proposal to utilize only off-site parking.
There really isn’t much by way of convenient street parking in the immediate vicinity. The municipal lot on Forrest Avenue, which serves the storefronts on Atlantic Avenue, would probably bear the brunt of the load – thus necessitating the reprogramming of pedestrian crosswalk lights. Crossing Merrick Avenue at that intersection has always been a tricky proposition.
The ad from October 7, 1933, recently posted by Tinseltoes would corroborate AlAlvarez’s post above, that the theater was advertised as the Lenox Little Theatre. Is there any confirmation as to whether or not the Little officially came before the Lenox in the theater’s appellation?
Nice photo. Here’s an active link.
Sorry, bigoe59… I don’t have any knowledge of such a site. However, it seems that “Ben-Hur” did not open at the Astor, but at the George M Cohan Theatre. I was able to search the NY Times website, and found the original film review for “Ben-Hur” (as it appeared in the December 31, 1925 edition), which not only confirms the engagement at the Cohan, but also references the ongoing engagement of “The Big Parade” at the Astor. By the way, an entry in the trivia section on imdb.com for “The Big Parade” claims that the film played the Astor for 96 weeks.
My only question to you is why didn’t you post this inquiry on the Astor page? I’m sure it’ll be pointed out by others, that this exchange goes off-topic for the Embassy listing!
SWC, I’m thankful that you’ve photographed surviving portions of the Keith’s interior, and that you’ve been kind enough to share them here. Please don’t withdraw any posts or photos based solely on the petty criticisms of others.
Wow… Thanks for sharing this. Nice set of shots of the Duece, just as I remember it. Actually, towards the tail end of the few years I spent going to movies in the area. By ‘86, I was an infrequent visitor – and then, rarely for a flick, anymore. But these are great!
Bigjoe59… The decision to cut “2001” was made by Kubrick, himself, who thought that the film could use a bit of tightening, as well as one or two inserts to connect the monolith with the idea to use the animal bone as a weapon. Similarly, with “The Shining” (which came some years after the age of roadshows), Kubrick decided to excise the film’s original coda, as unecessarily explanatory. In both cases, Kubrick having complete control over the way he intended his films to be shown, the trims were either destroyed or locked away in some personal vault.
If the Kubrick Estate is in possession of this material, it is possible that these will one day find their way into the market, but, thus far, Kubrick’s curators have been very faithful to preserving the presentation of his work in strict accordance with his wishes. I don’t think longer cuts will ever be in order, but I could envision the trims making it into an “extras” feature on future DVD/Blu-Ray releases. It would also be great to see the abandoned pie-fight sequence from Dr Strangelove, while we’re at it…
bijoe59… the film would have been a United Artists property, if not owned by Kramer himself. MGM’s ownsership of UA (and therefore IAMMMMW) would not have occured until some 15 or 16 years after the film was edited for general release.
Probably the 4K version of the general release that is the basis of the forthcoming Criterion Blu-Ray release, I suspect. The Blu-Ray, will evidently include a hi-def digital transfer of an even longer approximation of the roadshow cut, in a 197-minute version, assembled by Robert A Harris (natch). It is said to include scenes that have been returned to the film for the first time since its original release. I wonder if this includes an audio-and-stills-only recreation of the lost phone call between Spencer Tracy and Buster Keaton. The material for the release also says that both versions of the film will feature 5.1 surround audio.
I’ll be 3000 miles away in NYC, so, whichever version is screened at the Dome, I’ll have to settle for Criterion release in January.
I smell a new listing forthcoming…
I seem to recall there might have been a bit of a platform stage in front of the screen, but certainly nothing by way of theatrical facilities. Didn’t stop a hell of a show from going down in front of numerous Rocky Horror screenings, back in the day! If my memory is correct, it was no more than a slight, raised platform, maybe a few inches above the floor ahead of the first row. I could be completely mistaken about that.
Stevenle… Back around that same period, I sometimes gobbled those microdots, 5 and 6 at a time. I watched the Earth split open and melt on several occasions. But, gotta say, I enjoyed the ride – and emerged from the smoking ashes, unscathed. Thankfully, particulary for those dearest to me, I haven’t travelled down that rabbit hole in a couple of decades, now.
Coincidentally, this pic, also from October, 1931, and posted back in May of 2012, shows the marquee advertising what appears to be essentially the same bill. Barto & Mann seem to be listed on the marquee in place of Al Trahan?
Wow… 1931! I wonder how big that “giant” television screen was – not to mention how grainy or fuzzy the image was, at that size!
I remember, when I was a kid, those lines used to zig-zag along a cordoned off path in the plaza between 51st and 50th Street, like the queue for a popular theme park ride. I’m pretty sure it fed from the plaza directly onto 50th Street and then up to the main box office. I suppose that helped contain the line as much as possible from having to use precious cross street sidewalk space. Of course, the crowds were no where near as large in the ‘70’s as they probably were during the Hall’s height as a cinema.
Yes, I should have clarified that. National Amusements (at least when Sunrise Cinemas opened in Valley Stream) was last 8 rows, if I recall. I remember you could look back and see the blue fog of cigarette smoke swirling in the light from the projector.
Agreed. I did rotate the view all the way around. Interestingly, the view facing east must be an older image, because the larger warehouse isn’t there. A couple of smaller buildings are depicted, which must have been razed to make way for the warehouse. The office structure appears pretty much the same from all angles.
I remember that smoking policy was pretty standard in most chains. Or up in the balcony only, where they had them.
In your Bing Map link, there is a blue circle marking the approximate location of 14 Geddes. If you move to the right there are two buildings with peaked roofs. The second one, the smaller of the two, with a grey roof – which appears to have a rear bay door open – is the one I presume to be the original Hollywood Theatre structure. It seems about the right size for a small, single level, 300 seat movie house. And this is the building that now has a VP Supply Corp sign hanging above its entrance, as can be viewed from down the block in the street view set at the top of this page (if you were to zoom-in).
But, as you say, still not sure which building is number 14.
Thanks for that info, RK. It was getting awful lonely in here, all by myself. Territory Wholesale Supply lives on, sort of, via acquisition by the company VP Supply. They list a Holley address at 14 Geddes Street, but I am unsure if this was the exact location of the former Hollywood Theatre. It appears that VP occupies two buildings, the smaller of which is the grey one-story building I refer to in the first comment above, with a stepped facade. I believe that this building is the original Hollywood Theatre structure. VP also owns the larger grey building just next door, with peaked roof. This is likely their warehouse, and appears to be a much newer structure. I’m not sure which of these belongs to the address of 14 Geddes. Either way, a street view along this portion of Geddes, is still not made possible by Google maps, so we can’t get a good look at the building.
Boooo!
Photos are set democratically by the most # of views for any particular image within that theater’s photo set. I do not believe there is an override available to administrators.
Interesting, back in 1914, no representation of the Roman Catholic Church in that statement. Rockville Centre, of course, would become the seat for the Diocese of Long Island.
This raises a question as to what remains, if anything, of the theater’s interior? The lower level is clearly a parking lot, with driveway located at what used to be the foyer wall at the back of the house. But, is there anything left above the garage and at the front of the house? Perhaps the proscenium? Ceiling and balcony? Wonder if they’d allow whatever remains to be photographed for posterity.
Truth, Mike. Only new seats in the building are those in the two newest rooms – the stage area auditorium, and the tiny auditorium up front in the former retail space. In the 4 main rooms, are the same creaky red seats I remember sitting in for films like “1941,” “Rocky II,” “The Muppet Movie,” and “Dawn of the Dead” back in 1979!
Here is a direct link to a page on the Lynbrook Village website, where one can open minutes from previous Board meetings. If one were to click on the link for the 8/12/2013 meeting (the latest meeting at this time), a PDF document will open. At the bottom of page 5, are the following minutes:
“Special Village Counsel Jack Libert introduced Regal Theatre/Bluenfled Development Group (RTBDG) to discuss their intended redevelopment of the Lynbrook Movie Theater at 325 Merrick Road. David Blumenfeld and Jerry Grewe, representing Regal Cinemas, discussed the existing condition of the Theatre. Mr Grewe indicated that the proposed project would encompass all parcels owned by Regal, and provide 15 screens with modern theatre amenities. Chris Robinson of RMS Engineering, representing RTBDG, advised that the existing structure would be demolished, and a new structure would be constructed having a front entrance facing east on Hempstead Avenue, a drop off traffic lane in Patrick Henry Park, and parking provided off site utilizing available spaces on streets and in municipal parking lots.”
After listing those who commented (with no details as to what those comments may have expressed), the minutes go on to read:
“Mr Grewe added that the existing theater has 1700 seats, and the porposed theatre would have 3150 seats, take 12 months to construct, have staggered movie times to minimize traffic congestion, and possible reprogramming of pedestrian crosswalk times on Merrick Road by Nassau County. The Mayor thanked all for their comments and requested that the applicants advise Jack Libert regularly on the status of filing of a formal application.”
So, we now know that the intention is to demolish and construct an entirely new structure. We also know that this is still pretty early in the process, although, it would appear that Regal has a finalized vision for the redevelopment. I wonder how the discussion went, between all those who commented. It might not have even been a discussion, merely various points of view from various Chamber of Commerce representatives and, perhaps, a few local business owners and/or citizens. I can’t imagine they would have been too happy with the projects proposal to utilize only off-site parking.
There really isn’t much by way of convenient street parking in the immediate vicinity. The municipal lot on Forrest Avenue, which serves the storefronts on Atlantic Avenue, would probably bear the brunt of the load – thus necessitating the reprogramming of pedestrian crosswalk lights. Crossing Merrick Avenue at that intersection has always been a tricky proposition.
The ad from October 7, 1933, recently posted by Tinseltoes would corroborate AlAlvarez’s post above, that the theater was advertised as the Lenox Little Theatre. Is there any confirmation as to whether or not the Little officially came before the Lenox in the theater’s appellation?