Hope the Journal Times article may get some influencial people interested in the resotration of the Uptown/Majestic before it gets too late to be done.
What a shame it will be when the Alpine closes, as mentioned by THEATERAT on his March 5 post. With all of the technological imporovement and changes, this century is losing so much glamour and fun that the movie entertainment once offered. Like many members of my age, it was an era I am glad to have lived in. Hopefully some people will try to bring it back in some form, or keep what ever is left of it alive.
Wishing much success to the new owners of the Grand. I am sure the loyalty and love they have for this theatre will make it and outstanding entertainment edifice.
I remember the beautiful multi colored lights in the auditorium. Yes,
the Brooklyn Paramount was absolutely stunning. The lose of this and other movie palace masterpieces of architectural design is very sad as one retrospectively looks back. In reality, to restore this theatre would be staggering in price- most of the theatre would have to be reproduced since so much of the original interior is gone. Of course if someone thinks they can do it-more power to them!
Both Flatbush and DeKalb areas of Brooklyn were nice little “Broadway” theatre districts-espcially as I remember them in the 1940’s and 50’s when I was a child. There were also so many beautiful neighborhood theatres in Brooklyn then. Now they are mostly all gone- the results of a continually progressing technological society that lacks enough historical sentimentally.
The theatre you are mentioning, East Coast Rocker, was the Harbor theatre located at 9215 4th Avenue, Brooklyn. More information about it can be found on this site.
How true! When I gave a background of the movie palaces to many of my young theatre arts students, they became angry that so many of these theatres were destroyed. Of course the modern young generation can not miss what they don’t know exsisted. That it is why it is important to save some of theatres that are left and use them in a positive way as centers of the arts. It usually enhances the community as well. Also,book,documentaries, lectures, and sites such as CINEMA TREASURES are important in educating the public in this subject all our members are so dedicated to.
Correction for above post, last sentence. : Where I live now, many theatres in the Upstate NY region have been saved and are used as cultutal centers; Proctor’s theatre in Schenectady, the Palace in Albany, and the Glove in Gloversville.
There was political pressure from the religous sector at the time of Loew’s 46th Street & the Boro Park. As I mentioned in an above post, I spoke with the manager of Loew’s 46th Street shortly before it closed, and he told me the theatre was doing well and there were plans to refurbish it- (That was the time they were having concerts and bingo during the morning or day)then it suddenly closed. Of course with the changing times these type of theatres eventually would have closed as movie theatres, but may have survived as an arts center-given the right neighborhood support. Those type of people-many cultured and interested in the arts- had moved. Where I live now, many theatres in the regio have been saved are used as cultural centers-Proctors' theatre in Schenectady, The Palace in Albany, and the GLove in Gloversville.
When I had some rough years as a teenager in the late 1950’s, the Boro Park and Loew’s 46th Street were the places that I could go to for a few hours and escape. It was not only the features they showed, but the atmosphere of the two theatres that comforted me.
Borough Park also had a large Italian population. When Loew’s 46th Street had a one time showing of THE GREAT CARUSO as an anniversary retrospective of MGM in 1964, the auditorium was packed; And this was on a weekday at 6:30 P.M.! (It was a double feature,the other film was SHOWBOAT) The ambiance of this beautiful movie palace added so much to the enjoyment of viewing this film.
If there would have not been that neighborhood dispute in the late 1960’s, perhaps the Boro Park could have at least survived in some form or other-as the West End on 52nd street. Ehile having 2,346 seats, the auditorium still had to me had a nice cozy, intimate feeling. The theatre was a real charmer!
Loew’s 46th Street had a fairly large stage and high fly. (As mentioned in a former post, I performed on it as one of the acts of a Saturday morning talent show sponsored by the Dodger’s Knot Hole Gang)The theatre needed a lot of renovations even by the mid fifties.
I vaguely remember at that time there was a woman manager who was very proud of the theatre.
I am expressing my own personal opinion- Comments should be directly related to the theatre. Some of the comments completely go off into another direction. I also wold be interested in knowing what Mr. Crowley or Mr.Melnick feel, and if they have any suggested guidelines.
I hope that a Wurlitzer organ can be again be put into the theatre.
I think many people in the region, such as myself, would go to hear it. WIth the right creative programing, this beautifully restored theatre should be able to survive in this century.
I take pride in being a member of Cinema Treasures and find most of the other contributing members are intelligent and courteous. Posting irrelevant comments is selfish misleading, and wastes space; Calling it “thread drift” still doesn’t change the situation.
The area surrounding Loew’s 46th Street and Loew’s Boro Park was very nice through the mid 1950’s- then families began moving out to the suburbs, etc. As the Hasidic community moved into the area,and the older generation died off, the physical appearance of Brough Park began changing as well- part of this was the closing of The 46th Street and Boro Park.
Like Proctors'theatre in Schenectady, New York, it is good to know
how well The Palace theatre is being developed to serve the people in the 21st century.
Hope the Journal Times article may get some influencial people interested in the resotration of the Uptown/Majestic before it gets too late to be done.
I join all the other members in congratulating Patrick, Ross, and the staff of CINEMA TREASURES.
Correction on my March 6 post- spelling typo on the word improvement.
Also, totally agree with RobertR.
What a shame it will be when the Alpine closes, as mentioned by THEATERAT on his March 5 post. With all of the technological imporovement and changes, this century is losing so much glamour and fun that the movie entertainment once offered. Like many members of my age, it was an era I am glad to have lived in. Hopefully some people will try to bring it back in some form, or keep what ever is left of it alive.
Wishing much success to the new owners of the Grand. I am sure the loyalty and love they have for this theatre will make it and outstanding entertainment edifice.
I remember the beautiful multi colored lights in the auditorium. Yes,
the Brooklyn Paramount was absolutely stunning. The lose of this and other movie palace masterpieces of architectural design is very sad as one retrospectively looks back. In reality, to restore this theatre would be staggering in price- most of the theatre would have to be reproduced since so much of the original interior is gone. Of course if someone thinks they can do it-more power to them!
Nice to know this theatre is being preserved and remaining functional.
Thanks for the wonderful historic theatrical pictures you contribute, Warren.
Both Flatbush and DeKalb areas of Brooklyn were nice little “Broadway” theatre districts-espcially as I remember them in the 1940’s and 50’s when I was a child. There were also so many beautiful neighborhood theatres in Brooklyn then. Now they are mostly all gone- the results of a continually progressing technological society that lacks enough historical sentimentally.
The theatre you are mentioning, East Coast Rocker, was the Harbor theatre located at 9215 4th Avenue, Brooklyn. More information about it can be found on this site.
How true! When I gave a background of the movie palaces to many of my young theatre arts students, they became angry that so many of these theatres were destroyed. Of course the modern young generation can not miss what they don’t know exsisted. That it is why it is important to save some of theatres that are left and use them in a positive way as centers of the arts. It usually enhances the community as well. Also,book,documentaries, lectures, and sites such as CINEMA TREASURES are important in educating the public in this subject all our members are so dedicated to.
Correction for above post, last sentence. : Where I live now, many theatres in the Upstate NY region have been saved and are used as cultutal centers; Proctor’s theatre in Schenectady, the Palace in Albany, and the Glove in Gloversville.
There was political pressure from the religous sector at the time of Loew’s 46th Street & the Boro Park. As I mentioned in an above post, I spoke with the manager of Loew’s 46th Street shortly before it closed, and he told me the theatre was doing well and there were plans to refurbish it- (That was the time they were having concerts and bingo during the morning or day)then it suddenly closed. Of course with the changing times these type of theatres eventually would have closed as movie theatres, but may have survived as an arts center-given the right neighborhood support. Those type of people-many cultured and interested in the arts- had moved. Where I live now, many theatres in the regio have been saved are used as cultural centers-Proctors' theatre in Schenectady, The Palace in Albany, and the GLove in Gloversville.
When I had some rough years as a teenager in the late 1950’s, the Boro Park and Loew’s 46th Street were the places that I could go to for a few hours and escape. It was not only the features they showed, but the atmosphere of the two theatres that comforted me.
Borough Park also had a large Italian population. When Loew’s 46th Street had a one time showing of THE GREAT CARUSO as an anniversary retrospective of MGM in 1964, the auditorium was packed; And this was on a weekday at 6:30 P.M.! (It was a double feature,the other film was SHOWBOAT) The ambiance of this beautiful movie palace added so much to the enjoyment of viewing this film.
Very well said, Theatrerat.
If there would have not been that neighborhood dispute in the late 1960’s, perhaps the Boro Park could have at least survived in some form or other-as the West End on 52nd street. Ehile having 2,346 seats, the auditorium still had to me had a nice cozy, intimate feeling. The theatre was a real charmer!
Loew’s 46th Street had a fairly large stage and high fly. (As mentioned in a former post, I performed on it as one of the acts of a Saturday morning talent show sponsored by the Dodger’s Knot Hole Gang)The theatre needed a lot of renovations even by the mid fifties.
I vaguely remember at that time there was a woman manager who was very proud of the theatre.
Thanks, Ed. I don’t get to New York much anymore and really appreciate looking at the pictures you took.
Thank for theinformation,Pasty. I feel more showmanship and creativity is needed at this theatre- like Procotrs' has in Schenectady,NY.
I am expressing my own personal opinion- Comments should be directly related to the theatre. Some of the comments completely go off into another direction. I also wold be interested in knowing what Mr. Crowley or Mr.Melnick feel, and if they have any suggested guidelines.
I hope that a Wurlitzer organ can be again be put into the theatre.
I think many people in the region, such as myself, would go to hear it. WIth the right creative programing, this beautifully restored theatre should be able to survive in this century.
I take pride in being a member of Cinema Treasures and find most of the other contributing members are intelligent and courteous. Posting irrelevant comments is selfish misleading, and wastes space; Calling it “thread drift” still doesn’t change the situation.
The area surrounding Loew’s 46th Street and Loew’s Boro Park was very nice through the mid 1950’s- then families began moving out to the suburbs, etc. As the Hasidic community moved into the area,and the older generation died off, the physical appearance of Brough Park began changing as well- part of this was the closing of The 46th Street and Boro Park.
Like Proctors'theatre in Schenectady, New York, it is good to know
how well The Palace theatre is being developed to serve the people in the 21st century.