Greetings! I’d like to add a few corrections to the caption below the photograph. But first, my opinion is that this photo was Not from 1954 rather a little later. This photo depicts boarded up windows and posted advertisements. There is also No lettering for the movie that is presently being featured. I posted a photo of the New Theater with a lit up marquee and it’s from later 1954 or early 55. My photo shows area facing west and it does show a Hammel building under construction however, there are 5+ unviewable buildings behind the one being built. The New Theater (or Theatre) was located at 8008 Rockaway “Beach” Boulevard, Rockaway Beach, NY 11693 and was Not on “Rockaway Boulevard” (Rock Blvd begins in Nassau county, Long Island and continues through Jamaica, Queens and then on to Ozone park, Queens). Secondly, the photograph of the closed theater states the camera location as facing south when actually it stands from Beach 81 street facing North - East (toward B.80 street) My elementary school P.S. 183 is just up the block on B.80 street. Thirdly, yes the NYC Hammel Houses were built in 1954 however, families were already moved in by then. I lived there ½ block from the New Theater and I’ve been to this theater several times. Once to see Abbott & Costello. The luncheonette and candy store to the right of the theater was “Fanny’s” along with her husband George they were the proprietors. Doctor Blum was upstairs from the diner. “Lena’s” candy store was to the left (out of photo veiw) along with the NY Telephone company building (corner of B.81 street and still standing today!). As for the discussion on the “Park Theater”, “robboehm” is correct that the Park is a different theater altogether. It was located almost 2 miles away on B.116 street just feet from the boardwalk. I went there in 1966 to see “Hang Em High” Update! Sadly, The Park Theater has now been demolished (noted June 2021).
The correct theater address was 61-14 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Arverne, NY 11692. There is no Rockaway Park Blvd. Although I don’t have a vivid memory of the theater, I lived in the Rockaways since the 1950’s. We’d visit friends up the block on B.61 street, just feet away from the theater. If you look behind the theater building, one can see the elevated Long Island Rail Road tracks which went through the Rockaways. In 1956, the line was purchased by the City of New York.
The theater was located to the Left of MAYS Department store (just to the left of Models) and to the right of National Wholesale Liquidators. As for the person who mentioned TSS, he is thinking of the RKO on the opposite side of the street about ¾ mile south on Rockaway Blvd. TSS (Time Square Stores) which was originally “Bargan Town” in the 50s & 60s, was ½ mile on the RKO side of the blvd. I use to work there.
The theater entrance appears to have been on the corner of Westchester ave and Tiffany street. It wasn’t at the “Furniture Store” entrance.
Interesting that Colin Luther Powell, born on April 5, 1937, was reared in the ethnically mixed Hunts Point section of the South Bronx.
The young Mr. Powell graduated from Morris High School in the Bronx. By his own account, he was a mediocre student, carrying a C average at the City College of New York as a geology major.
“I’m sure Colin visted this theater as a youth living in the neighborhood” Thank you Comfortably Cool for alerting us to this fact.
I am interested in acquiring this property. I’ve met and spoken with someone in previous times. My plan is to restore the great old theatre to it’s original natural beauty. This will become a multi purpose facility such as for plays, meetings, films, vocal/ choir rehearsals, museum tours and much, much more. Negotiations are not active and still pending. Anyone with any ideas or wishing to communicate regarding this theater, or simply wish to comment, I can be reached at
I was fortunate enough to live across the street while the theater was still in operation in 1999 with it’s unique look. After moving out and returned for a drive through the old neighborhood, I cried.
The Jerry Lewis Theater was located at 103-22 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Rockaway Beach, NY 11693. It rented a corner store front in a new mini mall. However, it only lasted a very short time when the “Surfside Twin” opened up and took over operations. Today the theaters are long gone. (Note: The above location map is incorrect)
I inquired about renting this property and I was informed on Feb 15, 2016 that the property now houses a lumber yard. Too bad as I was really interested in it’s space & history. Anyone have any more historical info?
Greetings! I’d like to add a few corrections to the caption below the photograph. But first, my opinion is that this photo was Not from 1954 rather a little later. This photo depicts boarded up windows and posted advertisements. There is also No lettering for the movie that is presently being featured. I posted a photo of the New Theater with a lit up marquee and it’s from later 1954 or early 55. My photo shows area facing west and it does show a Hammel building under construction however, there are 5+ unviewable buildings behind the one being built. The New Theater (or Theatre) was located at 8008 Rockaway “Beach” Boulevard, Rockaway Beach, NY 11693 and was Not on “Rockaway Boulevard” (Rock Blvd begins in Nassau county, Long Island and continues through Jamaica, Queens and then on to Ozone park, Queens). Secondly, the photograph of the closed theater states the camera location as facing south when actually it stands from Beach 81 street facing North - East (toward B.80 street) My elementary school P.S. 183 is just up the block on B.80 street. Thirdly, yes the NYC Hammel Houses were built in 1954 however, families were already moved in by then. I lived there ½ block from the New Theater and I’ve been to this theater several times. Once to see Abbott & Costello. The luncheonette and candy store to the right of the theater was “Fanny’s” along with her husband George they were the proprietors. Doctor Blum was upstairs from the diner. “Lena’s” candy store was to the left (out of photo veiw) along with the NY Telephone company building (corner of B.81 street and still standing today!). As for the discussion on the “Park Theater”, “robboehm” is correct that the Park is a different theater altogether. It was located almost 2 miles away on B.116 street just feet from the boardwalk. I went there in 1966 to see “Hang Em High” Update! Sadly, The Park Theater has now been demolished (noted June 2021).
The correct theater address was 61-14 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Arverne, NY 11692. There is no Rockaway Park Blvd. Although I don’t have a vivid memory of the theater, I lived in the Rockaways since the 1950’s. We’d visit friends up the block on B.61 street, just feet away from the theater. If you look behind the theater building, one can see the elevated Long Island Rail Road tracks which went through the Rockaways. In 1956, the line was purchased by the City of New York.
The theater was located to the Left of MAYS Department store.
The theater was located to the Left of MAYS Department store (just to the left of Models) and to the right of National Wholesale Liquidators. As for the person who mentioned TSS, he is thinking of the RKO on the opposite side of the street about ¾ mile south on Rockaway Blvd. TSS (Time Square Stores) which was originally “Bargan Town” in the 50s & 60s, was ½ mile on the RKO side of the blvd. I use to work there.
The theater entrance appears to have been on the corner of Westchester ave and Tiffany street. It wasn’t at the “Furniture Store” entrance.
Interesting that Colin Luther Powell, born on April 5, 1937, was reared in the ethnically mixed Hunts Point section of the South Bronx.
The young Mr. Powell graduated from Morris High School in the Bronx. By his own account, he was a mediocre student, carrying a C average at the City College of New York as a geology major.
“I’m sure Colin visted this theater as a youth living in the neighborhood” Thank you Comfortably Cool for alerting us to this fact.
I am interested in acquiring this property. I’ve met and spoken with someone in previous times. My plan is to restore the great old theatre to it’s original natural beauty. This will become a multi purpose facility such as for plays, meetings, films, vocal/ choir rehearsals, museum tours and much, much more. Negotiations are not active and still pending. Anyone with any ideas or wishing to communicate regarding this theater, or simply wish to comment, I can be reached at
Here is a side/rear view of The Pitkin Theater in Brooklyn. The photo was taken in 1930. I thought I’d add this to the collection.
I was fortunate enough to live across the street while the theater was still in operation in 1999 with it’s unique look. After moving out and returned for a drive through the old neighborhood, I cried.
The Jerry Lewis Theater was located at 103-22 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Rockaway Beach, NY 11693. It rented a corner store front in a new mini mall. However, it only lasted a very short time when the “Surfside Twin” opened up and took over operations. Today the theaters are long gone. (Note: The above location map is incorrect)
I inquired about renting this property and I was informed on Feb 15, 2016 that the property now houses a lumber yard. Too bad as I was really interested in it’s space & history. Anyone have any more historical info?