RKO Hamilton Theatre
3560 Broadway,
New York,
NY
10031
3560 Broadway,
New York,
NY
10031
14 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 81 comments
The RKO Hamilton closed in March along with the RKO Chester. The RKO Marble Hill changed hands later on and the RKO Palace was sold and closed in July and became a Broadway live theatre which it is 51 years later. Another loss was the RKO Greenpoint. “Harlow” closed the Palace first run and also closed the Greenpoint second run with “Operation C.I.A.”. The Hamilton and the Chester closed with “Send Me No Flowers” and “Taggart” in March 1965.
There is also the problem of contradictory sources. Always get that from Historical Societies. Also have found totally contradictory newspaper sources.
The RKO Hamilton closed in 1965, still an RKO house. Mr Gabel and Mr Lambros haven’t done their research accurately. I have checked and double checked my files for accuracy. Remember Cinema Treasures is as good as the people who contribute to it. All statements should be double checked, but by who?
We are losing, by degrees, the structures that make New York City special. Pretty soon this town will look like every other city. When will we learn, that almost every real estate investor is only looking for the fast return? How will a condo on the site of the Hamilton contribute to the history and to what makes New York special? It won’t, but it will make this developer some money.
Is Harry Cipriani the only group that sees potential in these beautiful old spaces? Look at the old Bowery Bank branch across from Grand Central Terminal or the Cipriani Ballroom on Wall Street. The idea is not copy protected, so why isn’t any other developer trying to use what is there. Why do we have to lose the old Loew’s Victoria and potentially the Hamilton?
These places, so much part of the fabric of this city, are irreplaceable on many levels. No one does that kind of plasterwork anymore for one thing. Another aspect of the possible destruction of the Hamilton is, to quote Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, “Is it not cruel to let our city die by degrees, stripped of all her proud monuments, until there will be nothing left of all her history and beauty to inspire our children? If they are not inspired by the past of our city, where will they find the strength to fight for her future? Americans care about their past, but for short term gain they ignore it and tear down everything that matters. Maybe… this is the time to take a stand, to reverse the tide, so that we won’t all end up in a uniform world of steel and glass boxes.” We will be judged no by what we have built, but by what we have destroyed.
so is this theatre landmark protected? who actually owns it today? I’m interested to know if that’s the reason why there are stores all around the ground level but there is such a massive un-used (and potentially valuable) space just behind it just decaying. i guess it just costs too much money to re-habilitate the space and the owners are just happy to rent the ground floor commercial space.
Wow, great spread of photos and article!
I recently photographed the Hamilton. Check out the post at After the Final Curtain
Very cool! Thanks!
Thank you KenRoe. And thank you Kevin for posting. The last shot is incredibly tragic. That graffiti was not there on the boxes when I was there. However, the fact that there is not even more “artwork” makes me think that whatever entry way used by the “artists” (I am being invredibly nice) has been sealed. Frustrating though, that this sort of thing happened and that the perpetuators do not realize what it is they are defacing.
I thought there was nothing left of the interior of the Claremont. This is very exciting news. I grew up in a building designed by the architect of the Claremont.
I tried to cut and paste the address above but it took me to a Wikipedia page. I would love to see your recent pictures.
I wonder how many old, abandoned theatres there are still left in New York. I mean there is this one, plus Loews Kings, Loews Canal, I think a couple of old RKOs….would be interesting to know how many are left.
I forgot to ask, were was this new graffiti? Was it the theater? There was some up in the dressing rooms but that is all I remember.
Dear Mr. Bradon,
I was fortunate enough to have spent a good deal of time in the Hamilton back in 2006. It sounds to me like the space is in the same condition now as I saw it back then. I am glad that you saw beauty that this space still possesses, even in it’s current condition. I remember feeling like I had just smoked 2 packs of cigarettes when I finally did leave.
I have noticed over the years, looking at blueprints of other theaters of the same vintage, that corners were cut to save money in areas that were not open to the theatergoer. No risers on stairs to save money or steeper staircases to save save space for example. The projection booth was not original to the theater and was added later, hence the awkward access ladders.
I hope that you took pictures of your adventure and that the property manager remembered how to turn on the lights (he did not remember how to in 2006).
I spent about four hours inside the theater on 4/9/11.I will add to this blogging site.It now is sporting fresh grafitti inside as well as outside on the fire escape area wall.The lead paint and asbestos haven(no one is interested in acquiring this property for this reason). Noticed some wonderfull unsafe features like the front of the balcony is olny about 1 foot high and there was never a railing there for safety.The stairs to the dressing room are small and steep.The projection booth can olny be entered via a metal ladder there is one on each side of the booth.There are pidgens living in it compleat with nest and eggs.They enter through a open window.Some of the theater seats have ashtrays on the rear near the top how cool!As previous bloggs tell any thing of value grew legs and walked out,brass railings,exit signs gone along with all of the toilets and urinals.The original audio amplifer is in the projection booth it is built into the room on I beams and some electrical meters and dimmers are still intact inside.The switching board for the stage lights is still behind the stage.Some interesting features were included in the theater.There are two large double doors behind the stage one on each side suitable for driving through and exiting the rich and famous.On each side there are 3 booths (no safety rails here either).They each have there own stairs and coat closets,suitable for the upper class to remain exclusive.The rear area has 3 doors in a row and there looks to be a ticket area and a coat room for common people.This makes 3 enterance areas for the theater.This theater after 98 years is still tremendous and one of the most awe inspireing adventures I have taken.It still has the energy it is famous for.Kevin Bradon.
Does anyone know what happened to the mural above the proscenium?
View link
with the 2000 NYCLPC Landmark Designation Report
Kevin, for other buildings, How do you determine the film number? Is it arranged by section and lot? Did youview both the 1930’s verion, and the 1980’s version?
For those in need who go to 31 Chambers Street to veiw the Hamilton RKO shot.This will save some time, its on film #E-1388 section 2078 lot#1.One grainy shot taken from the midway in front of the now C-Town market.Showing retail stores on the first floor.Also on the same film is a good shot of the Bunny theater at 3589 Broadway,with billboards above the building selling beer and cars.I an seeking any information as to what the front Broadway building of the Hamilton was used for there are odd looking lighting fixtures on the third floor remaining.I am a 13 year area resident of the
The mechanics of most theatres are identical as is building and fire code.
Gravity is not just a good idea, it’s the law.
Bwaynightowl….I remember a similar opening being made in the fire curtain of the RKO keiths in Richmond Hill. They cut a doorway into the old curtain there, currently used as a bingo/flea market.
On 12/24/06, Life’s Too Short asked why the fire curtain had an opening in it instead of being raised.
View link
Without actually seeing it, my experience tells me it was probably brought in and tied off as a security measure. Most theatres still have fire curtains although they probably aren’t asbestos. Unlike the Empire Theatre on 42nd St that had an image of the Half Moon sailing up the Hudson (I helped to strike it), this fire curtain isn’t decorated or particularly interesting. Fire curtains are by nature very heavy and are counterweighted. The pipe ends travel in “smoke pocketsâ€, L-shaped angle iron that prevent the curtain from billowing upstage in the event of a fire in the flys.
I presume that what happened here was that the last one out of the stagehouse either removed weights from the arbor before bringing in the curtain which would leave the pipe greatly out of weight and almost impossible to raise. Or the curtain was flown in and the arbor chained off at the top. Either way, it would leave access to the stage limited the house fire doors left and right which could be locked. Without the means to raise the curtain, the only option would be to slice into the curtain and cut the bottom batten or pipe.
Do they still use the old auditorium for a warehouse, or is the whole auditorium now used for retail? What remains?
Here’s a street view from google of the Hamilton:
View link
Is this theater still used as a warehouse, or do they now use the whole auditorium for retail?
Here is a google street view of the Hamilton:
View link
Dear Life’s Too Short,
That is indeed sunlight streaming through the open exit doors, I know because I took that picture. When I was fortuanate enough to visit the theatre the property manager, who knew nothing about the property, could not figure out how to turn the lights on so he opened the fire doors on the south side of the auditorium.
The collection of original pictures, that I took, can be found in the many links I put up above or in a better link that Ed Solero generously put up for us (and made viewing the original pictures that I took easier to view). If there is any problem I will gladly repost the pictures that I took as I wanted to share them with other CT members.
I am sorry that some of the pictures are dark but as I said there was no light in the theatre when I took the pictures. I posted them believeing that this is how I saw it and it was a “better than not having them at all†situation
Gary Dennis
Movie Place NYC
I recently found this website and would like to let you guys know that it is a joy to find others with an interest in the history of this beautiful neighborhood. I grew up on 147th st and Broadway along with my 7 brothers and sisters. As a matter of fact my mom who is now 94 God bless her still lives in the same apartment after 60 plus years. So I can remember when the area was a lot different than it is now. In my search for additional info I came across some information that I think you guys would enjoy. Apparently between 1939 and 1940 for tax purposes the city took photos of each and every building in the five boroughs. The city has recently made these photos available to the public. Just google the “New york City Minicpal Archives” for additional info. Or better yet if you have the time take a trip to the archives at 31 Chambers St in Manhattan. there is no charge to view the pics which you will find after a little research assisted by one of the employees. even that is very interesting to do since you have to look through old maps and documents to locate the desired photo(s) There is however a fee to obtain copies of the photos of the building The fee is $35-$50 which is a little steep but worth it for the memories (Priceless!)Anywho Peace to all and Good luck in your search. I will be around let me know how it went