Silver Star Playhouse

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The theater, if it existed until the 1960’s was probably torn down to make way for Chatham Green, a high rise coop, first of its kind in Chinatown, which was established in 1962. My grandmother, Harold’s wife, and my aunt and uncle were among the first residents.

from frankmondial re 1960s Chinese films in Park Row: Hello. I am Australian-based and very interested especially in comments from jflundy on both the Silver Star and Venice theatres. If I understand you correctly, both theatres were on Park Row and at some time showed Chinese films. From research on the life of Esther Eng, whose “Esther Eng” restaurant was located firstly in upper Manhattan then in Pell Street, Chinatown, in the 1960s – she rented a theatre in “Park Row” (again in the 1960s I think) to show Chinese films. She herself had directed Chinese films in Hong Kong and the US during the 1930s and 1940s as well as, from around 1950, operating 5 restaurants in Manhattan until her death in 1970 – including Bo Bo on Mott Street from 1950. My information suggests she distributed and exhibited Chinese films in a Park Row theatre – perhaps the Silver Star or the Venice? I’d be glad to hear anything that either refutes or confirms the idea of either of those two theatres being the one she rented in the 1960s. Thank you very much.

Yes, Bway. The one behind it is the Venice.

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The Film Daily Yearbooks list this as the Park Row in 1945 and the Silver Star in 1946.

The 1995 hardcover “By the El: The Third Avenue El at Mid-Century” Stelter book referenced by J.F. Lundy was out-of-print (and out-of-price range!) until recently. A softcover second edition, complete with modern updates, has been published and is available for a modest $19.95. The theater shots alone from this book were worth every penny. I was able to secure a copy last December at the NYC Transit Museum Annex store in Grand Central Station. Hopefully, some CTer with access to the book and a scanner can post a pic of the Silver Star atop this page.

[As an aside, should I mention the new Chinese Christmas film sequel to “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon?” is called “Crouching Reindeer, Hidden Log?]

Ouch…

The Silver Star Theatre, as it was also known at some point in the 1940s, specialized in Chinese films. The theater name and marquee were written entirely in Chinese characters, translated this week by a lady friend of mine. (Thank you, Linlin!)

It is not listed in my 1944 redbook edition of the “Complete Street Guide to Manhattan and the Bronx,” but for whatever reason, many other prominent NYC theaters were omitted. The Park Row address above agrees with its proximity to Chinatown: Pell, Mott and Doyers Streets are all within rock-throwing distance. Silver Star was accessible by two elevated lines which shared trackage in lower Manhattan from South Ferry to Chatham Square, the station closest to the theater – the 2nd Ave. El (until 1942) and the Third Ave. El (until it, too, ceased NYC operations May 12, 1955).

A brief shot of the Silver Star Theatre – in color – is available on Mark1Video’s VHS tape, “New York Els Vol. 1.” (It also has one of the Variety Photoplay Show Theatre on 3rd Ave. & 14th St.) I plan to obtain the DVD version in the near future and hopefully can transfer a pic of each to their respective CT pages. Stay tuned…