Well, this Manhattanite promises to make the trek to Flatbush once the Kings is up and running. I’ve already convinced friends to break out their passports for Jersey City. They were happy they did. I believe getting at least some of them to Brooklyn will be easy. I’m looking forward to it.
There is realistic hope for the Kings. Brooklyn has changed drastically over the last decade. Older buildings such as the former Board of Education and Williamsburg Savings Bank tower are currently being converted to luxury condos with apartments selling for over one million. A Billion+ entertainment complex is planned for Coney Island, and Brooklyn will have it’s own version of Madison Square Garden featuring the Nets. A large cultural center in the middle of Flatbush Ave is viable. The political forces appear to be for it. The time is right. I believe the Kings will be restored.
Parts of the original curved marquee may still exist behind the updated one. If you stand under the marquee on Flatbush Ave and look up, it appears that might be the case.
Vincent, we do share common ground. The Kings can use a bunch of passionate people as the Jersey is fortunate enough to have. Hopefully one day the two of us, with some others, can show up with some brooms and large supply of Endust. Anything is possible as long as it’s still standing. The good news is the Borough President appears to be on our side.
Vincent, your venom should then be directed to Mayor Wagner. Much of your list of landmarks fell to the wreckers under his watch. You can also add the Roxy, Brooklyn Paramount, Ebbets Field, the Polo Grounds, and countless other structures to Wagner’s list.
Vincent, this really isn’t the place for a lefty hissy fit. The fact that we can contemplate the resurrection of abandoned theaters rather than worry about simple survival five years after the worst attack on American soil is a testament to past and current leadership.
I saw Fantasia from the balcony of a sold-out Nostrand around 1975. They would schedule classic Disney films throughout the summer during the ‘70’s. The place was always packed with us kids. It was a lot of fun.
jmen2465—I agree, Manhattan has lost a large number of theaters over the last thirty years. However, we aren’t running on empty yet. We do still have a little place called Radio City Music Hall.
Jim—The Jehovah’s Witnesses already have the huge former Albemarle Theatre on Flatbush Ave. It’s unlikely they would need a second theater within such a short distance.
EdSolero—I think you’re right about summer ‘74 for the Apes fest. I remember the Nostrand being sold out. The line stretched around the block. It was so popular that a couple of weeks later, the Nostrand began showing a double feature of “Planet” and “Battle”. I remember my dad taking my brother and I back for that one. We even stuck around and watched “Planet” a second time. It provided my mom with one of the few quiet days of the summer! In case you’re interested, all five films, the TV show, and the Saturday morning cartoon are being re-released as a special DVD box set at the end of March.
Theaterat—I got to spend the day watching all the Apes films at the Nostrand in Brooklyn. I was only eight, but had a great time! If the Jersey shows them, I’ll try to track down the friends I was with that day and bring them along.
Anyone who questions 10 Million for the Marboro site should take a look at some current Brooklyn real estate listings. Slightly better than average houses are selling for around 1 million. As Brooklyn continues its renaissance, the remaining theaters in tenuous shape will vanish. I hope something is done with the Loew’s Kings before a developer discovers it.
stevenotero, It was the Earl Carroll Theatre. It was torn down in 1990.
Interesting article. I wonder what a post-war, 6,000+ seat movie palace in Times Square would have looked like?
And the grand prize was usually a cool bike. Sorry you didn’t win Fred, but it must have been fun to be on.
Tinseltoes is correct. The Shore Hotel is a lowrise building on the same side of Surf Ave as Nathan’s.
I had no problem viewing. Make sure you have quicktime installed. That might be the problem.
RobertR, Great picture. I also liked the one you posted on the Loew’s State board. Keep ‘em coming!
Well, this Manhattanite promises to make the trek to Flatbush once the Kings is up and running. I’ve already convinced friends to break out their passports for Jersey City. They were happy they did. I believe getting at least some of them to Brooklyn will be easy. I’m looking forward to it.
On a more optimistic note, the Beacon would benefit from a Radio City-type restoration. It was Cablevision who wrote quite a large check for it.
There is realistic hope for the Kings. Brooklyn has changed drastically over the last decade. Older buildings such as the former Board of Education and Williamsburg Savings Bank tower are currently being converted to luxury condos with apartments selling for over one million. A Billion+ entertainment complex is planned for Coney Island, and Brooklyn will have it’s own version of Madison Square Garden featuring the Nets. A large cultural center in the middle of Flatbush Ave is viable. The political forces appear to be for it. The time is right. I believe the Kings will be restored.
Parts of the original curved marquee may still exist behind the updated one. If you stand under the marquee on Flatbush Ave and look up, it appears that might be the case.
Vincent, we do share common ground. The Kings can use a bunch of passionate people as the Jersey is fortunate enough to have. Hopefully one day the two of us, with some others, can show up with some brooms and large supply of Endust. Anything is possible as long as it’s still standing. The good news is the Borough President appears to be on our side.
Vincent, your venom should then be directed to Mayor Wagner. Much of your list of landmarks fell to the wreckers under his watch. You can also add the Roxy, Brooklyn Paramount, Ebbets Field, the Polo Grounds, and countless other structures to Wagner’s list.
Vincent, this really isn’t the place for a lefty hissy fit. The fact that we can contemplate the resurrection of abandoned theaters rather than worry about simple survival five years after the worst attack on American soil is a testament to past and current leadership.
I saw Fantasia from the balcony of a sold-out Nostrand around 1975. They would schedule classic Disney films throughout the summer during the ‘70’s. The place was always packed with us kids. It was a lot of fun.
I just viewed those pictures from 2001. I also expected much more visible damage after reading some of the posts. Maybe there really is hope!
jmen2465—I agree, Manhattan has lost a large number of theaters over the last thirty years. However, we aren’t running on empty yet. We do still have a little place called Radio City Music Hall.
Jim—The Jehovah’s Witnesses already have the huge former Albemarle Theatre on Flatbush Ave. It’s unlikely they would need a second theater within such a short distance.
EdSolero—I think you’re right about summer ‘74 for the Apes fest. I remember the Nostrand being sold out. The line stretched around the block. It was so popular that a couple of weeks later, the Nostrand began showing a double feature of “Planet” and “Battle”. I remember my dad taking my brother and I back for that one. We even stuck around and watched “Planet” a second time. It provided my mom with one of the few quiet days of the summer! In case you’re interested, all five films, the TV show, and the Saturday morning cartoon are being re-released as a special DVD box set at the end of March.
Theaterat—I got to spend the day watching all the Apes films at the Nostrand in Brooklyn. I was only eight, but had a great time! If the Jersey shows them, I’ll try to track down the friends I was with that day and bring them along.
Anyone who questions 10 Million for the Marboro site should take a look at some current Brooklyn real estate listings. Slightly better than average houses are selling for around 1 million. As Brooklyn continues its renaissance, the remaining theaters in tenuous shape will vanish. I hope something is done with the Loew’s Kings before a developer discovers it.
EdSolero—Actually, at times the traffic back then was more dangerous. Every street and avenue was two-way.
Gustavelifting—Try
.gov
Vincent—Ted Turner claims to have lost most of his money in the AOL-Time Warner debacle. Better look elsewhere.
Yes, Bond 45 has a great sign. I’d like to see more like it.
Toys R Us hasn’t closed.