The New Theater

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Uploaded on: March 24, 2016

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I’ve uploaded a photo of the sadly now demolished the “New theater” which is facing west. The photo was probably taken very early in 1954. The Hammel Houses construction can be seen in the rear. As for the main front view photo, the theater is actually facing north/east and I believe that photo was taken much later than 1955 (mid 60’s I’d guess). In the front face photo, the windows appear to be boarded up. Also, in the late 50’s and very early 60’s, there was a store where the empty lot sits causing me to guess that the photo was taken sometime early to mid 60’s. I read somewhere in an earlier post regarding the “now playing information” was probably obtained from the caption of a completely different “New Theater” photo taken sometime in the 1950’s. In the photo I’ve uploaded, one can see the title of the movie now playing, displayed on the marquee. I’ve been to the New Theater (they’ve shown Abbott & Costello)and I’ve also lived in the Hammel Houses just a block west from the theater. The Hammel Houses opened in Sept of 1954 not 55 as stated. For those interested, I’ve put up a LINK of the original site of the “New Theater”. The theater stood where the steps are seen, just at the right of the lamp post. As you will see, today apartment buildings occupies the space where the New theater once stood. Also an old brown brick NY telephone Co. building can be seen on the corner in the 2 photos. The phone company building still stands today. One other note. There was another theater photo posted and debated upon, yes, it was certainly that of the “Park Theater” which years later became, the now defunct “Ocean View Pasta Cafe”. I know the owners and they’ve kept the interior intact and I verified it. The Park theater building still stands today and located about 2 mile west of where the “New Theater” once stood. In 1968 at the “Park Theater” I watched Clint Eastwood’s “Hang Em High” a great western.(Click or Copy/Paste Link and Scroll down to see today’s photo of the Park theater)

http://forgotten-ny.com/2007/12/sweet-116-memorials-and-flophouses-in-rockaway-park/