This was one of the first movie palaces I remember going to when I was a kid. I’ve been back many times, first sneaking in to church services, and then on tours given by the church. I love the place, but hopefully they’ll repaint the lobby one day (yuck.)
Yes, the pipes from the organ will never be installed, but ACE did purchase the console from NYTOS for $50,000 in late 2015. They said it was so they could create a digital version of the organ, but who knows if that will actually happen.
They do? I’ve never heard of you before reading your posts on this page. If you did save the Kings, that should be celebrated, not hidden. I’m sure a lot of the people on this page would love to hear how that happened.
I was 10 years old when the Kings closed, but I did see films at other movie palaces, including the Valencia and the RKO Keiths. I’ve been following the Kings possible return since the early 90s, and have visited the theater since it reopened.
I’ve never heard your name beyond this site before, so what exactly do you mean by “As a matter of fact, if it weren’t for me, there would be no Kings Theatre today.” ?
“If you haven’t lived and experienced it first hand, then regrettably you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I’ve read some stupid statements on Cinema Treasures in the past, but that was by far the stupidest. I agree that Cinema Treasures can be inaccurate, but such is the case with a lot of user edited postings (such as wikipedia.) I guess everyone who attended movie palaces in their heyday should write everything down so that everyone else can know exactly what to talk about.
At the same time we should probably stop listening to historians about ancient Greece, the Civil War, etc because they were born long after it happened and obviously don’t know what they are talking about.
There are a number of them, but off the top of my head let’s – the Paramount Theatre in Boston, MA. It was restored by Emerson College in the mid/late 00s, and the school uses it as a theater.
The thing about the Keith’s is that a lot of the work has already been done. The seats have been removed, the stage has been stripped, and the asbestos has been removed. Of course it will need a new ceiling and roof, but it’s still partially done.
I agree with that there is no urgent need, and the community is ambivalent, but not with the first part of your statement. Theaters in much worse shape than the Keiths have been restored and reopened across the country. It definitely could happen, but it will not.
No racism intended William. Don’t read into things that aren’t there. All I am trying to say is that the small group of people who are nostalgic about the Keith’s and would like it restored should ask the current residents of Flushing what they would like to see happen to the building. After all, they are the ones who would benefit from it the most.
They already have those things. And yes, I’m sure that most of the people currently living in Flushing, who did not live there when the theater was open (or have parents who lived there when it was) have no idea what is behind that dilapidated façade. I mean, just look at the front of the building. It looks like an old warehouse now.
I don’t know what they print in their newspaper, but I’m sure it’s stories that are relevant to their culture. Not stories about a group of white people who miss a theater they went to 40 years ago.
I don’t think there have been many efforts to inform the residents of Flushing about the theater in over a decade. Have there been any articles on the Keith’s in any of the Chinese newspapers?
Not to mention Flushing already has a performing arts center. Two if you count the Kupferberg Center for the Arts.
It would be nice to see it restored, but I feel like the majority of the people behind the “Save the Keiths” group no longer live in the area, and are trying to get it rebuilt out of nostalgia, not what would be in the best interest of the current residents of Flushing. I really doubt the current residents even know or care about the theater.
Oh there’s a lot being done. You just have to walk around the outside of the building to see that. As of late July the back of the building looks completely different from the photo’s Ken Roe posted.
That’s nice that all of the Youngstown theater stuff comes from you, but you still live in Youngstown, and while your city may be getting better, it still sucks.
Maybe the news will start using the Uptown Theatre as a backdrop now.
I’d agree with you if we could see more of them, but it’s only like 4 photos of the theater then the office building. I’d love to see the building saved, but I doubt it will come from a youtube video that only 260 people have watched.
What a beautiful space.
This was one of the first movie palaces I remember going to when I was a kid. I’ve been back many times, first sneaking in to church services, and then on tours given by the church. I love the place, but hopefully they’ll repaint the lobby one day (yuck.)
Maybe next time post a link to the article instead of copying a wall of text.
Got my copy today. What a fantastic record of the Kings Theatre. I love seeing the theater come back to life. Great job to everyone involved!
Yes, the pipes from the organ will never be installed, but ACE did purchase the console from NYTOS for $50,000 in late 2015. They said it was so they could create a digital version of the organ, but who knows if that will actually happen.
Orlando,
They do? I’ve never heard of you before reading your posts on this page. If you did save the Kings, that should be celebrated, not hidden. I’m sure a lot of the people on this page would love to hear how that happened.
Mike – I stand by what I said earlier.
I was 10 years old when the Kings closed, but I did see films at other movie palaces, including the Valencia and the RKO Keiths. I’ve been following the Kings possible return since the early 90s, and have visited the theater since it reopened.
I’ve never heard your name beyond this site before, so what exactly do you mean by “As a matter of fact, if it weren’t for me, there would be no Kings Theatre today.” ?
“If you haven’t lived and experienced it first hand, then regrettably you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I’ve read some stupid statements on Cinema Treasures in the past, but that was by far the stupidest. I agree that Cinema Treasures can be inaccurate, but such is the case with a lot of user edited postings (such as wikipedia.) I guess everyone who attended movie palaces in their heyday should write everything down so that everyone else can know exactly what to talk about.
At the same time we should probably stop listening to historians about ancient Greece, the Civil War, etc because they were born long after it happened and obviously don’t know what they are talking about.
Scott,
There are a number of them, but off the top of my head let’s – the Paramount Theatre in Boston, MA. It was restored by Emerson College in the mid/late 00s, and the school uses it as a theater.
The thing about the Keith’s is that a lot of the work has already been done. The seats have been removed, the stage has been stripped, and the asbestos has been removed. Of course it will need a new ceiling and roof, but it’s still partially done.
I agree with that there is no urgent need, and the community is ambivalent, but not with the first part of your statement. Theaters in much worse shape than the Keiths have been restored and reopened across the country. It definitely could happen, but it will not.
No racism intended William. Don’t read into things that aren’t there. All I am trying to say is that the small group of people who are nostalgic about the Keith’s and would like it restored should ask the current residents of Flushing what they would like to see happen to the building. After all, they are the ones who would benefit from it the most.
They already have those things. And yes, I’m sure that most of the people currently living in Flushing, who did not live there when the theater was open (or have parents who lived there when it was) have no idea what is behind that dilapidated façade. I mean, just look at the front of the building. It looks like an old warehouse now.
I don’t know what they print in their newspaper, but I’m sure it’s stories that are relevant to their culture. Not stories about a group of white people who miss a theater they went to 40 years ago.
Yes, 44% of the population in Flushing are Asian.
No, Flushing has the second largest Chinese population in NYC, after Chinatown in Manhattan.
I don’t think there have been many efforts to inform the residents of Flushing about the theater in over a decade. Have there been any articles on the Keith’s in any of the Chinese newspapers?
Not to mention Flushing already has a performing arts center. Two if you count the Kupferberg Center for the Arts.
It would be nice to see it restored, but I feel like the majority of the people behind the “Save the Keiths” group no longer live in the area, and are trying to get it rebuilt out of nostalgia, not what would be in the best interest of the current residents of Flushing. I really doubt the current residents even know or care about the theater.
Oh there’s a lot being done. You just have to walk around the outside of the building to see that. As of late July the back of the building looks completely different from the photo’s Ken Roe posted.
That’s nice that all of the Youngstown theater stuff comes from you, but you still live in Youngstown, and while your city may be getting better, it still sucks.
Maybe the news will start using the Uptown Theatre as a backdrop now.
“Once this is done shutterbugs will no longer have this eyesore to photograph and put up on the internet, ”
Wow, someone sounds a bit jealous. I guess you never made it inside huh Wolfgirl?
I’d agree with you if we could see more of them, but it’s only like 4 photos of the theater then the office building. I’d love to see the building saved, but I doubt it will come from a youtube video that only 260 people have watched.
That video is boring. I’d like to see more of the theater, not the abandoned office building.