Carmine, great post….perhaps though, you should copy and paste it in the Loew’s Kings page instead, as more people looking to read about the Kings will probably see it there as opposed to here under the Empire.
Lost, why don’t you try emailing one of the webmasters or Bryan? They may not see your message here, as they probably don’t read every post posted under every theater.
With all these corpses, I guess this is fitting for the RKO Madison, considering we all heard Mae West’s corpse was in the balcony of the Madison Theater not too long ago….
The Jericho Turnpike – Jamaica Avenue controvery for the proper name for this theater is now official. It can be changed to Jericho Turnpike. For years, the Nassau side of this road was called “Jericho Turnpike” (The theater was always actually on “jericho”, not Jamaica), but now they official changed the Queens side of the road from the Nassau Border to the Cross Island Parkway to “Jericho Turnpike”. It can be officially changed above.
Here’s the article:
Too bad it didn'thappen.
As for the “evils” of cutting up an old theater into a “multiplex”, it’s a two sided street. What’s worse, take for example the Ridgewood Theatre in Ridgewood. It was cut up into 5 screens (two in the orchestra and three in the balcony). However, it is STILL puttering on, and showing movies after all these years, long after most theaters have been closed, altered, or worse, demolished. Is that worse than the fate of the 46th St, that never was cut up, but is rotting before their eyes being used as a warehouse? Or worse, like the RKO Madison, still existing, never cut up for multiplexing, but compltetely gutted? It’s a tough question. Multiplexing “may” have allowed the theater to survive, and still show movies like it’s supposed to….but then again, the glory of the interior would be altered and harmed. Hard to say what’s worse….
For me, I much rather see the Ridgewood cut up, but still showing movies, rather than being used as a furniture store warehouse…..
I think cinematour is cool for research, and some information, but I never found any interest in their message board. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I read through them occasionally, and they seem a little bit too “into” it. I like theaters and all, but I’m not “that” into it like they all seem to be. A bit to serious for me.
This site is much more casual, and wouldn’t want it to be anything like the forums at cinematour. It’s not by “cup of tea” so to speak.
The problem here is that the damage is already done. The theater is all but gone inside from what I’ve heard. The former owner destroyed it, and whatever he didn’t was probably destroyed through the ravages of time over the following 20 years. It’s over, whether we like it or not. Nothing can bring the theater back, as much of what was the theater is already gone.
Considering the damp, humid nature of New Orleans on a good day, I can’t imagine them leaving wood, etc instruments in the basement, even under normal circumstances!! Basements even in dry areas are usually damp, forget those in humid areas!
Doesn’t sound like something a smart theater management would do!
Wow, thanks Warren. Hard to believe it’s the same theater photographed in March (see my march 2005 post above).
Truthfully though, I can readily piture the scene today from the old photos though.
The Nokia Theater has a pretty well booked line up for the coming weeks alread. Pretty impressive considering it’s brand new. There are only a few nights that the theater is dark.
Yeah, I didn’t remember the chandeliers either. They looked “older”, but I guess they were added now then. They are in the main auditorium. I used the word “chandelier” as I don’t know what else to call them. They are HUGE, round light fixtures, surrounded in crystal. Again, they didn’t look “new”, but don’t know if they are from the Aster Plaza days or not.
I was on 42nd Street last night (I attended a concert in the old Astor Plaza, now the Nokia Theater that opened up Oct 1), and I haven’t been there in about a year. I couldn’t even recognize Times Square! Nothing’s familiar anymore, it seems to be changing by the day!
I have to agree with Ed on this one. While I think Disney did a fantastic job on the theater in general, the one thing they should have done differently is restoring the exterior to the original appearance rather than the 1930’s look it has now.
Bob, thanks for the info on the Lion King. I didn’t know it was moving to the Minskoff.
Well, I visited the “Astor Plaza” Theater last night, although of course it is now the Nokia Theatre. (I know it may hurt, but I believe in keeping with the policy of this website, it may have to be changed above, and Unfortunately, “Astor Plaza” may now have to become the secondary name. Anyway, “closed/renovating” can also be changed to “open”.
Well, last night was the second night of the new theater. The new marquee was beautiful. My visit there was sort of bittersweet, as it’s a shame that it is no longer the Astor Plaza…but it is attractive. “Social Distortion” was the first band to open up the new Nokia Theatre, and that’s who I went to see. (they are also playing Tuesday and Wed of this week there).
The escalators look similar to the way it always was, but that’s where it ends. Everything is new, and nothing really remains of the old Astor Plaza. At the bottom of the escalators, is a bar area. Once inside the auditorium, it has been completely redone. The seats have been completely ripped out, and the front two tiers now has hardwood floors. This concert was general admission, so those two tiers are standing room, like most of this type of concerts are.
The rear back tier still has all the seats, but it was closed off from the first two tiers with thick blaock draperies.
The only thing I believe remains from the Astor Plaza are four huge round crystal chandeliers, and they were lit when we all came in, and during the breaks between the three bands that played there last night. They were out during the concert. There are also two VIP areas on either side of the stage, that are reached with two stairways on either side, from the second tier.
There is also another bar area down the hall, and a “concession area” selling stuff like chips and Snapple in another area. The hall is lined with attractive floral print carpet.
The place of course was fresh and brand new smelling, of course that was also muted a bit with the smell of alcohol. Strange seeing people walking around with alcohol and wave dancing in the middle of the Astor Plaza…
All told, again, it was sort of bittersweet being there last night, but must say the Nokia Theatre is attractive. At least it’s still some sort of theater, even if a concert venue. It’s better than being cut up into retail space. It’s in good hands, even if not the beloved Astor Plaza anymore.
Thank you Warren. Apparently, the building changed very little, as the building is readily similar to my photo linked above, aside from a coat of white paint on the front.
Your photo has to be from the late 1930’s or later, as the Fulton Street El was already demolished. From the 1800’s to the 1930’s, the Fulton St El rumbled over Fulton St, until the IND subway was built under Fulton Street (current A train) during the Depression. The El was then demolished.
When the Howard was built, it was built “under” the el.
Carmine, great post….perhaps though, you should copy and paste it in the Loew’s Kings page instead, as more people looking to read about the Kings will probably see it there as opposed to here under the Empire.
Lost, why don’t you try emailing one of the webmasters or Bryan? They may not see your message here, as they probably don’t read every post posted under every theater.
Bill, there’s no link or photo in your post. Please repost the link to the photo, as I am sure we would all love to see it!
With all these corpses, I guess this is fitting for the RKO Madison, considering we all heard Mae West’s corpse was in the balcony of the Madison Theater not too long ago….
The Jericho Turnpike – Jamaica Avenue controvery for the proper name for this theater is now official. It can be changed to Jericho Turnpike. For years, the Nassau side of this road was called “Jericho Turnpike” (The theater was always actually on “jericho”, not Jamaica), but now they official changed the Queens side of the road from the Nassau Border to the Cross Island Parkway to “Jericho Turnpike”. It can be officially changed above.
Here’s the article:
View link
Too bad it didn'thappen.
As for the “evils” of cutting up an old theater into a “multiplex”, it’s a two sided street. What’s worse, take for example the Ridgewood Theatre in Ridgewood. It was cut up into 5 screens (two in the orchestra and three in the balcony). However, it is STILL puttering on, and showing movies after all these years, long after most theaters have been closed, altered, or worse, demolished. Is that worse than the fate of the 46th St, that never was cut up, but is rotting before their eyes being used as a warehouse? Or worse, like the RKO Madison, still existing, never cut up for multiplexing, but compltetely gutted? It’s a tough question. Multiplexing “may” have allowed the theater to survive, and still show movies like it’s supposed to….but then again, the glory of the interior would be altered and harmed. Hard to say what’s worse….
For me, I much rather see the Ridgewood cut up, but still showing movies, rather than being used as a furniture store warehouse…..
Here’s a photo of the Kenmore in the 50’s…Marilyn Monroe on the Marquee:
http://www.davesrailpix.com/nyc/htm/bqt426.htm
Here’s a photo of the Beverly in what looks like the 1950’s:
http://www.davesrailpix.com/nyc/htm/bqt429.htm
Wow Warren, that’s a great photo:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/Gloria.jpg
That is such an incredibly reality shaking photo for her to be on the stage, amid the rubble of the theater.
The Broadway Theater, near the Bway-Myrtle Ave elevated station is listed on the site:
/theaters/3987/
Ugh. Just horrible. What a shame, everything was so beautiful in the “before photos”:
http://cinematreasures.org/news/13577_0_1_0_C/
Unfortunately, the damge appears to have already been done. What a travesty!
I think cinematour is cool for research, and some information, but I never found any interest in their message board. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I read through them occasionally, and they seem a little bit too “into” it. I like theaters and all, but I’m not “that” into it like they all seem to be. A bit to serious for me.
This site is much more casual, and wouldn’t want it to be anything like the forums at cinematour. It’s not by “cup of tea” so to speak.
The problem here is that the damage is already done. The theater is all but gone inside from what I’ve heard. The former owner destroyed it, and whatever he didn’t was probably destroyed through the ravages of time over the following 20 years. It’s over, whether we like it or not. Nothing can bring the theater back, as much of what was the theater is already gone.
Considering the damp, humid nature of New Orleans on a good day, I can’t imagine them leaving wood, etc instruments in the basement, even under normal circumstances!! Basements even in dry areas are usually damp, forget those in humid areas!
Doesn’t sound like something a smart theater management would do!
Wow, thanks Warren. Hard to believe it’s the same theater photographed in March (see my march 2005 post above).
Truthfully though, I can readily piture the scene today from the old photos though.
Ah yes, right next to/near Ben’s “Kosher” Deli….or whatever it’s called now…
The Nokia Theater has a pretty well booked line up for the coming weeks alread. Pretty impressive considering it’s brand new. There are only a few nights that the theater is dark.
http://www.nokiatheatrenyc.com/showsoverview.php
Yeah, I didn’t remember the chandeliers either. They looked “older”, but I guess they were added now then. They are in the main auditorium. I used the word “chandelier” as I don’t know what else to call them. They are HUGE, round light fixtures, surrounded in crystal. Again, they didn’t look “new”, but don’t know if they are from the Aster Plaza days or not.
Chuck, did you take all your photos down? I noticed on another theater too that I couldn’t access a photo you posted.
I was on 42nd Street last night (I attended a concert in the old Astor Plaza, now the Nokia Theater that opened up Oct 1), and I haven’t been there in about a year. I couldn’t even recognize Times Square! Nothing’s familiar anymore, it seems to be changing by the day!
I have to agree with Ed on this one. While I think Disney did a fantastic job on the theater in general, the one thing they should have done differently is restoring the exterior to the original appearance rather than the 1930’s look it has now.
Bob, thanks for the info on the Lion King. I didn’t know it was moving to the Minskoff.
Well, I visited the “Astor Plaza” Theater last night, although of course it is now the Nokia Theatre. (I know it may hurt, but I believe in keeping with the policy of this website, it may have to be changed above, and Unfortunately, “Astor Plaza” may now have to become the secondary name. Anyway, “closed/renovating” can also be changed to “open”.
Well, last night was the second night of the new theater. The new marquee was beautiful. My visit there was sort of bittersweet, as it’s a shame that it is no longer the Astor Plaza…but it is attractive. “Social Distortion” was the first band to open up the new Nokia Theatre, and that’s who I went to see. (they are also playing Tuesday and Wed of this week there).
The escalators look similar to the way it always was, but that’s where it ends. Everything is new, and nothing really remains of the old Astor Plaza. At the bottom of the escalators, is a bar area. Once inside the auditorium, it has been completely redone. The seats have been completely ripped out, and the front two tiers now has hardwood floors. This concert was general admission, so those two tiers are standing room, like most of this type of concerts are.
The rear back tier still has all the seats, but it was closed off from the first two tiers with thick blaock draperies.
The only thing I believe remains from the Astor Plaza are four huge round crystal chandeliers, and they were lit when we all came in, and during the breaks between the three bands that played there last night. They were out during the concert. There are also two VIP areas on either side of the stage, that are reached with two stairways on either side, from the second tier.
There is also another bar area down the hall, and a “concession area” selling stuff like chips and Snapple in another area. The hall is lined with attractive floral print carpet.
The place of course was fresh and brand new smelling, of course that was also muted a bit with the smell of alcohol. Strange seeing people walking around with alcohol and wave dancing in the middle of the Astor Plaza…
All told, again, it was sort of bittersweet being there last night, but must say the Nokia Theatre is attractive. At least it’s still some sort of theater, even if a concert venue. It’s better than being cut up into retail space. It’s in good hands, even if not the beloved Astor Plaza anymore.
Wow, looks much more “presentable” than the “Playpen” marquee it has now flashing on and off….
Thank you Warren. Apparently, the building changed very little, as the building is readily similar to my photo linked above, aside from a coat of white paint on the front.
Your photo has to be from the late 1930’s or later, as the Fulton Street El was already demolished. From the 1800’s to the 1930’s, the Fulton St El rumbled over Fulton St, until the IND subway was built under Fulton Street (current A train) during the Depression. The El was then demolished.
When the Howard was built, it was built “under” the el.
Wow, this little theater actually had a Wulitzer!?