I can post some photos of the interior, later. Look for the link I will post soon.
This theater was built in 1915 clearly as a vaudeville theater as it had a big stage that protruded forward – entirely pointless if only movies were being shown. And 1915 was before the age of the Movie Palaces some of which had travelling stage shows.
WRESTLING took place there in the early 1960’s, often televised locally. It became a center for Bingo for many years.
I was a kid when the theater was showing movies: Tom Thumb. The Man From Laramie, Forbidden Planet, Old Yeller, and Samson and Delilah, were a few I recall seeing there. I also could see the flashing lights of the marquee sign from my window.
I will. as I said, post that link for interior photos, subsequently.
BTW, the McDonalds is still there as of today!
>> Architect: Unknown <<
Well, it WAS on the corner in white marble before McDonalds covered it over. It did give the name and “1915”. Anyone recall the architect’s name on it?
We just lost the nearby Fortway so I feel nostalgic for it.
>> The Alpine will be gone way before 2011.
posted by RobertR on Jul 15, 2005 at 6:18am <<
You care to explain that?? Business always seem good at the Alpine, and with the Fortway gone it is obvious people who would have gone there will in large part go to the Alpine instead.
If the Alpine ever goes, it will likely be the end of me going to movie theaters. It will be DVDs forever.
Bay Ridge theaters that have closed: Elektra (now Food City); Harbor (now a gym); Dyker (now Radio Shack and Modells); Stanley (a bank);
Bay Ridge (NY Sports Club).
>> The last fillm to play there was “The Promise”, starring Kathleen Quinlan.
posted by RobertR on Jan 9, 2004 at 2:51pm <<
That was also the last time stage shows were presented with the Rockettes BETWEEN feature films. A bad movie, which I sat through three times to see the stage shows as at the time it appeared the theater was doomed and finished. But many people, including then Lt Gov of NYS, Mary Anne Krupsak, organized and saved the landmark. I can still hear the theme song of “The Promise” echoing in my head! Ugh.
Damn. I had meant to see it before it closed. I NEVER thought they’d close it at the start of the Summer season, which I assume would be profitable in terms of the movies, and school being out. I was there many many times, including before it was a multiplex. I also enjoyed the nearly a mile walk from Third Ave and 74 St, where I am, up to Ft Hamilton Parkway. Saw “Dumb and Dumber” in that big first theater, “Mark of Zorro”, “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon”, “X-Files”, etc. The last one I saw was “I, Robot” in that big first theater. The only problem with the place was upstairs sound leaked into one theater from the other, which could be disconcerting. Spent a lot of time at the Fortway, alone and on dates, over many years. Saw the “Terminattor” films there. I sure will miss it and those long walks home which I enjoyed as I’d think about the film on the way. RIP to a friend. :(
>> Status: open <<
You may wish to correct that at the top of the page! :)
PHOTOS!
Here is the interior:
View link
I can post some photos of the interior, later. Look for the link I will post soon.
This theater was built in 1915 clearly as a vaudeville theater as it had a big stage that protruded forward – entirely pointless if only movies were being shown. And 1915 was before the age of the Movie Palaces some of which had travelling stage shows.
WRESTLING took place there in the early 1960’s, often televised locally. It became a center for Bingo for many years.
I was a kid when the theater was showing movies: Tom Thumb. The Man From Laramie, Forbidden Planet, Old Yeller, and Samson and Delilah, were a few I recall seeing there. I also could see the flashing lights of the marquee sign from my window.
I will. as I said, post that link for interior photos, subsequently.
BTW, the McDonalds is still there as of today!
>> Architect: Unknown <<
Well, it WAS on the corner in white marble before McDonalds covered it over. It did give the name and “1915”. Anyone recall the architect’s name on it?
We just lost the nearby Fortway so I feel nostalgic for it.
>> The Alpine will be gone way before 2011.
posted by RobertR on Jul 15, 2005 at 6:18am <<
You care to explain that?? Business always seem good at the Alpine, and with the Fortway gone it is obvious people who would have gone there will in large part go to the Alpine instead.
If the Alpine ever goes, it will likely be the end of me going to movie theaters. It will be DVDs forever.
Bay Ridge theaters that have closed: Elektra (now Food City); Harbor (now a gym); Dyker (now Radio Shack and Modells); Stanley (a bank);
Bay Ridge (NY Sports Club).
>> The last fillm to play there was “The Promise”, starring Kathleen Quinlan.
posted by RobertR on Jan 9, 2004 at 2:51pm <<
That was also the last time stage shows were presented with the Rockettes BETWEEN feature films. A bad movie, which I sat through three times to see the stage shows as at the time it appeared the theater was doomed and finished. But many people, including then Lt Gov of NYS, Mary Anne Krupsak, organized and saved the landmark. I can still hear the theme song of “The Promise” echoing in my head! Ugh.
Damn. I had meant to see it before it closed. I NEVER thought they’d close it at the start of the Summer season, which I assume would be profitable in terms of the movies, and school being out. I was there many many times, including before it was a multiplex. I also enjoyed the nearly a mile walk from Third Ave and 74 St, where I am, up to Ft Hamilton Parkway. Saw “Dumb and Dumber” in that big first theater, “Mark of Zorro”, “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon”, “X-Files”, etc. The last one I saw was “I, Robot” in that big first theater. The only problem with the place was upstairs sound leaked into one theater from the other, which could be disconcerting. Spent a lot of time at the Fortway, alone and on dates, over many years. Saw the “Terminattor” films there. I sure will miss it and those long walks home which I enjoyed as I’d think about the film on the way. RIP to a friend. :(