Parkway Theatre

elnoetic on November 8, 2014 at 11:05 pm

I worked at the Parkway in the early 1960’s while in High School, and have many fond memories. I explored every inch of that building, including the air-conditioning system and the water-cooled condenser on the roof. The architecture was certainly first-class, and I have just realized that it was very similar to my favorite restaurant in the world: Nepenthe, in Big Sur, high on a cliff. Nepenthe was built at about the same time, designed by Rowan Maiden, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. Nepenthe was built of Redwood and glass, and is still there.

Oh, and Mary…She was a down to earth and fun-loving person, who made working there a pure pleasure and joyous event. She had a wonderful sense of humour. I remember every fourth of July, she would set off firecrackers in the planter in front of the theater, unnerving Elaine the cashier so much that Elaine’s red wig would fly off her head and there would be all this cash flying up in the air in the ticket booth where Elaine worked. She was an observer of personalities, and would tell you everything about everybody. Some of which I hesitate to repeat here. I am so sorry to hear that she is gone. In my mind she is still there in her black and white uniform taking care of everything. The theater was her life. I remember her telling me that she would have a shot of Seagram’s every morning in her morning coffee. I believe her full name was Mary Mileto (or possibly Miozzi). She had an adopted family member, a boy she was bringing up all alone.

I remember Val Suprenaut, the manager, well, and Benny and Harry the projectionists. Everybody there made working there a warm and joyous atmosphere.

I was there to set up the in-person appearance on a Saturday afternoon of Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon for the premier of Beach Blanket Bingo (I think that was the movie). I worked many movies, including Mary Poppins, Marnie, Seven Days in May, and many others. I remember Mrs. Fliashnick sitting by the ticket stand on the settee observing all…A very elegant woman with very good taste. I am not sure where the name came from, but maybe Mr. Fliashnick was the name of her new husband after Mr. Steinberg died. I remember Bard another usher.

I left for the University of Denver in September of 1965, but would often return to visit, especially at Christmas time, where there was an especially warm atmosphere there, and I even filled in working there, if needed.

I am currently living in Nipomo, California on 20 acres but I remember it all in great detail, as if it were yesterday.

Richard Dubriske P.O. Box 1685 Nipomo, California 93444

Dave_M on September 11, 2012 at 9:58 pm

Wow… this brings back memories!!

I worked in the Parkway Theatre for many years under the ownership of the Steinbergs (anyone remember Geraldine in the office around the corner?) and, later, Jay and Murray, who also owned the Kent Theater in Yonkers. I never worked for the final owners after Jay and Murray.

I’d say my single most significant memory of the Parkway was, of course, Mary. Anyone familiar with the theatre knows who I’m talking about. She was a fixture in that theatre for many years and was heartbroken when it finally closed, as was I. Mary was like a second mother to me… she has now passed on. I remember Elaine the cashier, and later Tilda the cashier, Joe the doorman, Val the manager, his sons Val and David, Ben and Harry the early projectionists in the 70’s, Sydney the janitor, Max the maintenance guy and many, many more! I still have the tuxedo from the theatre!

I was there before the concession stand was installed, and I remember when it was installed, along with the abstract art pictures.

The Parkway was a beautiful theatre… I’m unsure about the comments left above by SusanMy. She made the Parkway’s staff sound like a bunch of thugs. Totally unjustified. For what it’s worth, I have no memory of her working there.

The lights dimmed at the beginning of the show, the curtains (yes, curtains!) opened, the music faded and the show began! The projectors were well maintained and the shows ran remarkably well. The seats were very comfortable velour. I remember lines of people waiting to get in, extending back over the bridge on the weekends, and a lobby full of waiting patrons!! The most expensive admission price was $3, and that was only for special features. I remember standing in the projection booth when the blackout of ‘75(?) occurred. Fortunately, we had many flashlights and newly installed emergency lighting to help guide everyone out.

It’s a shame that the Parkway had to go, but time marches on I guess. As a side note, the address listed on this site in incorrect. The correct address for the Parkway Theatre is 584 Gramatan Ave. The two phone numbers were 914-664-3311, which got you the showtimes recording and 914-664-6411 which got you a live person. That person might have been me!!

smayer on August 31, 2011 at 3:08 pm

Nate….like my cousin, Bob Mayer who commented above, I, too ,knew the Parkway very well…in the late 50’s and early 60’s. My dad was an optometrist right around the corner and my sister and I would go to all the Saturday matinees for kids. Christmas time was particularly fun there..They always played Leroy Anderson’s “Sleighride” while we waited for the film to begin. As I got older, I’d take my high school dates there (at night of course!) It was a great little theatre. I saw it had become a funeral home the last time I was in Mt. Vernon. I, too, remember your grandparents and swimming in the pool at their lovely home in Greenwich. Please send regards to your father and uncle from the Mayer family.

SusanMy on July 30, 2009 at 11:53 pm

Wow, this really brings back memories. I grew up (and my parents still live) just about ¼ mile north of the former Parkway Theater. I remember seeing a double feature of Grease and Saturday Night Fever (watered-down PG version) as a kid back in the seventies, as well as The Verdict (as pictured on the marquis in Lost Memory’s photo) in the early eighties. And guess what? I worked concessions there when I was in high school. There was a creepy manager, a pothead projectionist (you could get a contact high just sticking your head in the booth), a sketchy janitor (more than once I ended up having to clean the bathrooms), and us two girls working the concessions stand. I have such fond memories of sneaking friends in and sitting in back during Dangerous Liaisons and Mississippi Burning, among others (not Beaches, though—couldn’t stand it).

It was a truly beautiful theater and it breaks my heart whenever I pass where it used to be. The Bayou does not occupy the Parkway’s old space. It’s always been next door to the Parkway although the restaurant’s expansion a couple years ago may have pushed a bit into the old theater space. The theater abutted/overlooked the Cross County Parkway (hence the name. )I don’t think I’ll ever get over seeing a funeral home where that lovely movie house was (and IMHO should still be).

springfever on March 23, 2008 at 9:29 pm

I would be interested in hearing from Robert Steinberg, who along with Freddie, were sons of Nat & Terry. I spent considerable time at the magnificent home in Greenwich as a youngster, and also at the Parkway as I had a lifetime pass from the Steinberg family. Bob Mayer

lgk697386 on July 24, 2006 at 3:32 pm

This theater was one of the only places to see Mary Poppins in Westchester when it had its wide release. I was there opening night and the place was packed. I always thought the lounge was cool….and a lot of what is described above remained intact into the 60s and 70s. Saw the Exorcist there.

It still looks the same from the outside…..even as a funeral parlor.

TheaterBuff1 on December 10, 2005 at 11:42 pm

Er, today it’s a funeral home/restaurant? Is this a case of life imitating art, ala “Soylent Green”?