Comments from Hyford

Showing 10 comments

Hyford
Hyford commented about St. James Theatre on Aug 31, 2015 at 7:55 am

Henry Rosenberg (the father of Walter) built this theater. Rosenberg was the grandson of Oscar Hammerstein I, and uncle of Oscar Hammerstein II. Rosenberg(s) changed their name to Reade at the start of WWI

Hyford
Hyford commented about Savoy Theatre on Apr 23, 2008 at 7:26 pm

As to Ruthck stating that “Asbury in general is just dead.” I believe he hasn’t been there in many a moon. They have spent more than 15 million dollars thus far in restoring themselves! New buildings, new homes and new streets! It is ‘the’ place as The New York Times has reported twice in the past year.

Hyford
Hyford commented about Savoy Theatre on Apr 23, 2008 at 7:22 pm

Walter Rosenberg and his brother Henry were cousins of Willie Hammerstein, hence Walter Reade Jr was second cousin to Oscar Hammerstein 2nd. The Rosenbergs and the Hammersteins were related by marriage.

Hyford
Hyford commented about Hammerstein's Victoria Theatre on Feb 23, 2008 at 5:33 am

To answer Bway’s question: Hammerstein’s Ballrooom, located on 34th Street west of 8th Avenue was oreiginally the Manhattan Opera House. Built by Oscar Hammerstein in 1904. It was used by him solely for presenting opera (in direct competetion with the Metropolitan Opera) who ultimately paid him $10 million in 1910 to stop producting opera (for ten years) as they were both losing money. The theatre was then used as a legititmate theatre. Never for the presentation of films.

Hyford
Hyford commented about Old Post Office Cinema on Feb 18, 2008 at 7:57 am

The Edwards Theatre location is exactly where the current theatre showing films in Easthampton is. Rumor has it that the Edwards was being forced out of business and arson was a very strong rumor but never proven. Independently owned. It was Spanish in style very much on the style of the Plaza Theatre on East 58th Street in new York City.

Hyford
Hyford commented about Loew's Lexington Theatre on Feb 11, 2008 at 12:00 pm

It was Hammerstein’s intention of presenting American opera in his new theatre since his contract which he entered into in 1910 with The Met (in which they gave him $10 million) forbidding him from presenting classical opera in America for ten years. (He had been their major competition at his Manhattan Opera House on West 34th Street opposite Penna Station).
The only show is was able to present at the Lexington was Irving Berlin’s “Yip, Yip, Yaphank.”

Hyford
Hyford commented about Loew's Lexington Theatre on Feb 11, 2008 at 11:48 am

Oscar Hammertein, the builder, was the grandfather of the lyricist, Oscar Hammertein II.

Hyford
Hyford commented about Avenue U Theatre on Feb 11, 2008 at 7:17 am

Doesn’t Anybody want to speak about Century’s AVENUE J?

Hyford
Hyford commented about Landmark Theatre on Feb 5, 2008 at 1:37 pm

Well, cinema fans, if you want to imagine someone coming into the Loew’s State in 1955, while attending Syracuse University. It was the first performance of “Love Me or Leave Me” starring Doris Day being presented in CinemaScope and 6-track Sterophonic sound. I was sitting in the Loge (where I would always sit.
Suddenly, midway thru the film, Doris Day is presented singing “Shaking the Blues Away” I was blown away by the sound, the film and this incredable theatre I was watching this movie in!

Thank God for Syracuse, New York for preserving this landmark!!!

Hyford
Hyford commented about Strand Theatre on Feb 5, 2008 at 12:24 pm

I know for a fact that Finkles does use it for storage. I often patronize the store and a salesman takes me across the street to The Strand many times for my items. The theatre had been gutted by fire and Finkles purchased it for a much needed warehouse. The theatre specialized in foreign films and it was a perfect venue for the area.
Yes, the area could use a movie house of this kind.