Hollis Cinema
191-12 Jamaica Avenue,
Hollis,
NY
11423
191-12 Jamaica Avenue,
Hollis,
NY
11423
3 people
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Associated Prudential Theaters Inc., Playhouse Operating Co.
Functions: Church
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Hollis Theatre, Hollis Art Theatre, Hollis Repertory Cinema
Nearby Theaters
The Hollis Cinema was located in the Hollis Section of Queens. It was opened by 1927 when it was operated by the Playhouse Operating Co. chain. In the 1940’s it was operated by Prudential Circuit. It last featured adult entertainment in the early-1970’s. In 1978 it “found God” and is well preserved today as a church.
The canopy and marquee are gone. Brick replaced the original lobby doors.
Contributed by
MartyBraun
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Recent comments (view all 16 comments)
my mom told me about a dumpy theater in Hollis that even in the 30’s was known as “the itch”, and showed movies that had been out for awhile. I don’t think it was this one though. Any ideas what it could have been?
To the best of my knowledge there were only two theatres in Hollis. This one and the Island. The Island had a very old looking incandescent lit marquee. I attended one performance at the Hollis in the 1950s. I thought it was clean and attractive. My only negative was the projectionist on that day was totally incompetent. He never made smooth transitions between the reels and he could be heard cursing loudly when things didn’t go right. I remember the usherette, yes usherette, saying she didn’t understand his problem because he was union.
Thank you, it WAS The Island. My mom remembered the name. She remembers seeing Intermezzo and Pygmalion there.
MarkieS, I just went back to the Island site to see if there was a photo, the links no longer exist, and found a posting from you dated June 18, 2009 in which you mentioned your mother, at age 81, referring to the Island as “the itch” and seeing Intermezzo there.
Thanks so much for doing all that checking!
I actually remember seeing Rocky 2 in that theater which premiered in 1979. So I know that theater didn’t “find God” until at least 1980. And the zip code is 11423.
I was never in the Bellaire but the exterior certainly looked “itchy”. I remember hearing stories about how the Bellaire would have water on the floor after a rain. I found it really odd when it was converted into a two level bowling alley. The lower one must have really flooded. I was in the Hollis once, see an earlier posting. I found the surroundings pleasant even though the projectionist on that day was totally incompetent missing cues, cursing loudly at his own frustrations, etc..
Uploaded photo as the Hollis Cinema. Before it was a cinema it was just Hollis in neon letters where the new signage appears.
Uploaded an ad from 1933 which Texas2step added to Century’s Floral. Indicates the Hollis along with the Floral, Bellaire, Bellerose and Park (Rockaway Park) were part of the Playco circuit. Never heard of that one.
Saw a piece of an ad for the Hollis which dated back to 1928. Theater was probably opened in 1926 or 1927 since all the other theaters in the PLAYCO ad I uploaded opened in that period.