For all you fans who frequented Brownsville’s theaters I am pleased to announce the release of Brooklyn’s Historic Brownsville, a 228-page hardcover photographic history of Brownsville including images of the Pitkin, Sutter, Ambassador, Stone and others, as well as the schools, synagogues and institutions that were the heart of this neighborhood. For more details visit www.tapeshare.com/BrownsvilleBook.html
For all you fans who frequented Brownsville’s theaters I am pleased to announce the release of Brooklyn’s Historic Brownsville, a 228-page hardcover photographic history of Brownsville including images of the Pitkin, Sutter, Ambassador, Stone and others, as well as the schools, synagogues and institutions that were the heart of this neighborhood. For more details visit www.tapeshare.com/BrownsvilleBook.html
Hi John- I can probably help with a picture of the Winnie. We are embarking on a Greenpoint book project and can welcome your local experience with the theatres and the area. Drop me a line
Rick
Interesting updates. I’m wondering if anyone knows whether the Parthenon was built from scratch or if they renovated the brick trolley barn that sat in this location.
Pardon the plug here, but I have just completed a book on the East New York-Cypress Hills area with Brian Merlis and we have included images of many of the theaters in the neighborhood which are now long gone, including the Warwick, Embassy, Miller, Lyric, Kinema, Biltmore, Euclid, and Premier. Anyone interested can visit http://www.tapeshare.com/Order.html
We may have to tweak some of the early history of the Warwick. I came across an article dated September 20, 1914 announcing the opening of Marcus Loew’s Warwick Theater. I also found a 1939 article announcing a “Jitterbug” show (dance contests and amateur nights were common in the local theaters) and a 1947 blurb on Italian-version films appearing there. Anyone interested in the articles can visit http://www.tapeshare.com/Jerome.html
To “Pastime”, I remember Moe’s and Heise’s quite well, having lived around the corner on Ashford Street. Visit http://www.tapeshare.com/Cleveland.html for an early view of Moe’s.
I found an article from a 1917 Brooklyn Eagle that makes reference to 4 obscure theaters in the East New York area, including the Sheridan. It reads “A big motion picture carnival has been arranged by the Home Defense League of the 153rd District, East New York.."
It goes on to name the Sheridan, the Cleveland (On Pitkin and Cleveland, I don’t believe that is listed on this site), the Norwood,
(listed as Fulton and Richmond? we know it as Fulton and Hale) and the Sheffield on Sheffield Avenue. Ironically only the Sheridan lasts in the sound era yet all of these are still standing!
This article gives us an interesting time stamp for these theaters, and raises one mystery. Was the Norwood originally on Richmond Street, and then turned into the Embassy, with a "new” Norwood appearing in the building that would become Hale Lanes?
Great stuff Warren, much appreciated. I have seen a picture of the
Euclid dated October 1940 ( “Ma, He’s Making Eyes” was on the marquee) so it must have been on its last legs at that time. The buildings were cleared for a shopping center and parking so the addresses and tax lots have changed.
Yes, I did use the search engine but I may have missed the
Premier. On the Pitkin/Cleveland, I believe the address is
2386 Pitkin (the entrance faced Pitkin), but because so
many buildings have been demolished over there the addresses
can be thrown off. This building was converted to a mattress
factory in 1935 so it may have only served as a silent theater.
Hello gents, not sure where to post this but I am continuing my research on the East New York area and am trying to find information on a number of theaters missing from this site. If anyone has information from the old theater guides that would help. Here’s the list:
Euclid Theater (Euclid and Pitkin)
Unknown name (southwest corner , Cleveland and Pitkin, the
structure is still standing)
Premiere Theater (Sutter Avenue near Hinsdale)
New Blake Theater (Southwest corner Schenck and Blake)
Unknown name (3386 Fulton, south side between Autumn/Hemlock)
I can confirm Warren’s picture is the Lyric Theater that was
located at 2245 Pitkin Avenue off Hendrix Street. I don’t have a
closing date but a CO was issued for a factory at this location in
1954.
Many thanks Warren. I forgot to add I discovered a New York Times
article dated Sept. 24, 1958. During demolition of the building
the wall facing Fulton Street collapsed and disrupted El service
for several hours. So now we know the date the building came down.
Thanks Brooklyn Jim. I did discover one tidbit on the Gotham; Mae West performed there as a teenager in Hal Clarendon’s stock theater company back in 1907. As far as the Norwood, I am going to try to
track down some theater ads and also check the development maps
over at the NY Public Library.
Thanks LM. The insurance maps show there was a wood frame structure
back in 1908 on that lot so that sounds like the replacement. I'll
see if I can find a map between 1914 and 1925 that might indicate
the use of the building.
Brooklyn Jim, I spoke with my uncle on the Gotham Lanes; It was a
16 Lane facility, with 4 lanes upstairs with the billiard tables
and 12 downstairs. That was in 1943, so its possible in your time
they didn’t use the downstairs. My uncle claims the owner told him
at one time there was an outdoor bowling facility across the
street though looking at old maps I can’t figure out where it
would have been. He also mentioned the Gotham Lanes was a hangout
for number runners and other seedy elements. He was working there
underage because everyone 18 and over was off in the armed services.
Colorful stuff.
Thanks Brooklyn Jim for the kind words and any information you
can dig up. I did confirm the building that housed the Gotham
Lanes is gone, the area is now a parking lot for the Wartburg
Home for the Aged which is a block in the other direction.
Does anyone know if the Brooklyn Eagle would have carried ads
for those local theaters in the 1920s? That would be one source
to check on the existence and dates for the Norwood.
That would be the Gotham Lanes, Brooklyn Jim. My Uncle actually
worked as a Pinboy there in the 1930s when pinsetting was manual.
Unfortunately because it was under the El the tax photo of the
location is completely immersed in shadow. The original Gotham
Theater, one block over, used to have lanes but they were destroyed in a fire. I have provided a lot of that history under the Gotham
Theater entry for this site. At one point there was the Gotham
Theater (building gone) Gotham Hotel (still standing) and the
Gotham Lanes (Not sure). I assume there was an ownership connection
but I have no details.
I can add that the 1929 plat maps show the corner as empty
and the adjacent structure on Fulton all as one tax lot,
Block 3960 lot 21. The structure, which starts 102 feet in on
Fulton off of Hale, is marked “Theater”. My theory is that they
add on to the theater in 1929 with the one story brick structure and
it starts life as a roller rink. The earliest ad I have for the
bowling alley dates to 1938 and advertises only 10 lanes. In 1944
they expand, hence the new CO. If anyone recalls Hale Lanes the
lanes ran parallel to Hale, not Fulton, so it was potentially a
major renovation. The building still stands in its entirety, you
can see it on my site at http://www.tapeshare.com/Hale.html
Hi Gents, didn’t realize we started a page for the Norwood. It
gets better. The building that went up in 1926 was not on the corner
but one lot over. The corner was empty, but they received a CO
for an “open-air” theater seating 700+!. We can assume they were silent films, can you imagine watching a movie with the roar of
the El overhead! In 1929 a CO is issued for a roller rink; I'm
guessing the one story structure is added on by then. That building,
by the way, is still standing. Yes, we’re dying for a photo, but
can anyone provide background on “Open air” theaters of the era?
The Gotham Theater began life as William Bennett’s Casino in 1890;
a casino back then was not a gambling house but a public place for entertainment. It had bowling alleys in the basement, a theater on
the main floor, and billiard tables on the second floor. The Casino
is gutted by fire in September 1893. It reopens in February 1896 as
the Brooklyn Music Hall, which eventually goes out of business and
is replaced by the Gotham in 1901.
I have an image of the location from 1941 and the building is gone.
So we know it disappears somewhere between 1934 and 1941. If anyone
would like to see images they can be found on my site at http://www.tapeshare.com/Gotham.html
I am researching Hale Bowling Lanes, which sat at 3118-20
Fulton Street (southeast corner of Fulton and Hale Ave.) The
original CO for the building was issued in 1926 for a 555 seat
theater. The 1929 Plat maps also show the location as a theater.
It became a bowling alley in the 1930s but I have no history of any
theater and was wondering if it was listed in the Yearbook. Thanks-
If you want to email me offline I can be reached at
Welcome back Robbie! You raise an interesting question; what
year did the theater close? We know it was closed down for several years before the building was demolished but does anyone know the closing date? By the way the grandson of “Pinkys”, the drugstore
across the street contacted me and in some of the photos he sent me
the Warwick is visible across the street. They have been added to my website.
You’re quite welcome BrooklynJim. Drop me a line at if you want to share some memories. My father lived across from the Warwick Theater on the south side of Fulton.
The theater was not air conditioned, so they often kept the side
doors open for ventilation. Neighboring houses could actually see
the screen from their homes, no sound of course.
I can see your confusion. The tax lots and addresses were
merged over time so when people research this they often
get thrown off. If you visit my website you can see a lot
of shots of the area over time. Unfortunately a shot of
the Gem has eluded me so far.
Sorry, but that is not a photo of the Gem Theater. The Gem
was torn down to make room for the expansion of that bank building
and a parking lot/drive thru. The Adelphi/Gem sat where that
parking lot is now.
As Onni confirmed, the Adelphi
was renovated and a CO dated July 25, 1932 was issued after
the renovation.
For all you fans who frequented Brownsville’s theaters I am pleased to announce the release of Brooklyn’s Historic Brownsville, a 228-page hardcover photographic history of Brownsville including images of the Pitkin, Sutter, Ambassador, Stone and others, as well as the schools, synagogues and institutions that were the heart of this neighborhood. For more details visit www.tapeshare.com/BrownsvilleBook.html
For all you fans who frequented Brownsville’s theaters I am pleased to announce the release of Brooklyn’s Historic Brownsville, a 228-page hardcover photographic history of Brownsville including images of the Pitkin, Sutter, Ambassador, Stone and others, as well as the schools, synagogues and institutions that were the heart of this neighborhood. For more details visit www.tapeshare.com/BrownsvilleBook.html
Hi John- I can probably help with a picture of the Winnie. We are embarking on a Greenpoint book project and can welcome your local experience with the theatres and the area. Drop me a line Rick
Interesting updates. I’m wondering if anyone knows whether the Parthenon was built from scratch or if they renovated the brick trolley barn that sat in this location.
Pardon the plug here, but I have just completed a book on the East New York-Cypress Hills area with Brian Merlis and we have included images of many of the theaters in the neighborhood which are now long gone, including the Warwick, Embassy, Miller, Lyric, Kinema, Biltmore, Euclid, and Premier. Anyone interested can visit http://www.tapeshare.com/Order.html
We may have to tweak some of the early history of the Warwick. I came across an article dated September 20, 1914 announcing the opening of Marcus Loew’s Warwick Theater. I also found a 1939 article announcing a “Jitterbug” show (dance contests and amateur nights were common in the local theaters) and a 1947 blurb on Italian-version films appearing there. Anyone interested in the articles can visit http://www.tapeshare.com/Jerome.html
To “Pastime”, I remember Moe’s and Heise’s quite well, having lived around the corner on Ashford Street. Visit http://www.tapeshare.com/Cleveland.html for an early view of Moe’s.
I found an article from a 1917 Brooklyn Eagle that makes reference to 4 obscure theaters in the East New York area, including the Sheridan. It reads “A big motion picture carnival has been arranged by the Home Defense League of the 153rd District, East New York.."
It goes on to name the Sheridan, the Cleveland (On Pitkin and Cleveland, I don’t believe that is listed on this site), the Norwood,
(listed as Fulton and Richmond? we know it as Fulton and Hale) and the Sheffield on Sheffield Avenue. Ironically only the Sheridan lasts in the sound era yet all of these are still standing!
This article gives us an interesting time stamp for these theaters, and raises one mystery. Was the Norwood originally on Richmond Street, and then turned into the Embassy, with a "new” Norwood appearing in the building that would become Hale Lanes?
Great stuff Warren, much appreciated. I have seen a picture of the
Euclid dated October 1940 ( “Ma, He’s Making Eyes” was on the marquee) so it must have been on its last legs at that time. The buildings were cleared for a shopping center and parking so the addresses and tax lots have changed.
Yes, I did use the search engine but I may have missed the
Premier. On the Pitkin/Cleveland, I believe the address is
2386 Pitkin (the entrance faced Pitkin), but because so
many buildings have been demolished over there the addresses
can be thrown off. This building was converted to a mattress
factory in 1935 so it may have only served as a silent theater.
Thanks Warren
Hello gents, not sure where to post this but I am continuing my research on the East New York area and am trying to find information on a number of theaters missing from this site. If anyone has information from the old theater guides that would help. Here’s the list:
Euclid Theater (Euclid and Pitkin)
Unknown name (southwest corner , Cleveland and Pitkin, the
structure is still standing)
Premiere Theater (Sutter Avenue near Hinsdale)
New Blake Theater (Southwest corner Schenck and Blake)
Unknown name (3386 Fulton, south side between Autumn/Hemlock)
Feel free to contact directly at
Rick Gomes
The East New York Project
I can confirm Warren’s picture is the Lyric Theater that was
located at 2245 Pitkin Avenue off Hendrix Street. I don’t have a
closing date but a CO was issued for a factory at this location in
1954.
Many thanks Warren. I forgot to add I discovered a New York Times
article dated Sept. 24, 1958. During demolition of the building
the wall facing Fulton Street collapsed and disrupted El service
for several hours. So now we know the date the building came down.
Thanks Brooklyn Jim. I did discover one tidbit on the Gotham; Mae West performed there as a teenager in Hal Clarendon’s stock theater company back in 1907. As far as the Norwood, I am going to try to
track down some theater ads and also check the development maps
over at the NY Public Library.
Thanks LM. The insurance maps show there was a wood frame structure
back in 1908 on that lot so that sounds like the replacement. I'll
see if I can find a map between 1914 and 1925 that might indicate
the use of the building.
Brooklyn Jim, I spoke with my uncle on the Gotham Lanes; It was a
16 Lane facility, with 4 lanes upstairs with the billiard tables
and 12 downstairs. That was in 1943, so its possible in your time
they didn’t use the downstairs. My uncle claims the owner told him
at one time there was an outdoor bowling facility across the
street though looking at old maps I can’t figure out where it
would have been. He also mentioned the Gotham Lanes was a hangout
for number runners and other seedy elements. He was working there
underage because everyone 18 and over was off in the armed services.
Colorful stuff.
Thanks Brooklyn Jim for the kind words and any information you
can dig up. I did confirm the building that housed the Gotham
Lanes is gone, the area is now a parking lot for the Wartburg
Home for the Aged which is a block in the other direction.
Does anyone know if the Brooklyn Eagle would have carried ads
for those local theaters in the 1920s? That would be one source
to check on the existence and dates for the Norwood.
That would be the Gotham Lanes, Brooklyn Jim. My Uncle actually
worked as a Pinboy there in the 1930s when pinsetting was manual.
Unfortunately because it was under the El the tax photo of the
location is completely immersed in shadow. The original Gotham
Theater, one block over, used to have lanes but they were destroyed in a fire. I have provided a lot of that history under the Gotham
Theater entry for this site. At one point there was the Gotham
Theater (building gone) Gotham Hotel (still standing) and the
Gotham Lanes (Not sure). I assume there was an ownership connection
but I have no details.
I can add that the 1929 plat maps show the corner as empty
and the adjacent structure on Fulton all as one tax lot,
Block 3960 lot 21. The structure, which starts 102 feet in on
Fulton off of Hale, is marked “Theater”. My theory is that they
add on to the theater in 1929 with the one story brick structure and
it starts life as a roller rink. The earliest ad I have for the
bowling alley dates to 1938 and advertises only 10 lanes. In 1944
they expand, hence the new CO. If anyone recalls Hale Lanes the
lanes ran parallel to Hale, not Fulton, so it was potentially a
major renovation. The building still stands in its entirety, you
can see it on my site at http://www.tapeshare.com/Hale.html
Hi Gents, didn’t realize we started a page for the Norwood. It
gets better. The building that went up in 1926 was not on the corner
but one lot over. The corner was empty, but they received a CO
for an “open-air” theater seating 700+!. We can assume they were silent films, can you imagine watching a movie with the roar of
the El overhead! In 1929 a CO is issued for a roller rink; I'm
guessing the one story structure is added on by then. That building,
by the way, is still standing. Yes, we’re dying for a photo, but
can anyone provide background on “Open air” theaters of the era?
The Gotham Theater began life as William Bennett’s Casino in 1890;
a casino back then was not a gambling house but a public place for entertainment. It had bowling alleys in the basement, a theater on
the main floor, and billiard tables on the second floor. The Casino
is gutted by fire in September 1893. It reopens in February 1896 as
the Brooklyn Music Hall, which eventually goes out of business and
is replaced by the Gotham in 1901.
I have an image of the location from 1941 and the building is gone.
So we know it disappears somewhere between 1934 and 1941. If anyone
would like to see images they can be found on my site at
http://www.tapeshare.com/Gotham.html
I am researching Hale Bowling Lanes, which sat at 3118-20
Fulton Street (southeast corner of Fulton and Hale Ave.) The
original CO for the building was issued in 1926 for a 555 seat
theater. The 1929 Plat maps also show the location as a theater.
It became a bowling alley in the 1930s but I have no history of any
theater and was wondering if it was listed in the Yearbook. Thanks-
If you want to email me offline I can be reached at
Thanks Warren, I assume you meant “1953” and “1954”? Do you own any of those Film Theater Yearbooks circa 1930? I’m trying to investigate
something.
Welcome back Robbie! You raise an interesting question; what
year did the theater close? We know it was closed down for several years before the building was demolished but does anyone know the closing date? By the way the grandson of “Pinkys”, the drugstore
across the street contacted me and in some of the photos he sent me
the Warwick is visible across the street. They have been added to my website.
You’re quite welcome BrooklynJim. Drop me a line at if you want to share some memories. My father lived across from the Warwick Theater on the south side of Fulton.
The theater was not air conditioned, so they often kept the side
doors open for ventilation. Neighboring houses could actually see
the screen from their homes, no sound of course.
For those wanting to see more pix of the area and read some
more stories about the theater, I invite you to my site
dedicated to East New York:
http://www.tapeshare.com/Jerome.html
I can see your confusion. The tax lots and addresses were
merged over time so when people research this they often
get thrown off. If you visit my website you can see a lot
of shots of the area over time. Unfortunately a shot of
the Gem has eluded me so far.
Sorry, but that is not a photo of the Gem Theater. The Gem
was torn down to make room for the expansion of that bank building
and a parking lot/drive thru. The Adelphi/Gem sat where that
parking lot is now.
As Onni confirmed, the Adelphi
was renovated and a CO dated July 25, 1932 was issued after
the renovation.