Jamaica Theatre
155-16 Jamaica Avenue,
Jamaica,
NY
11432
155-16 Jamaica Avenue,
Jamaica,
NY
11432
4 people
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Theater can be seen briefly in the opening to DOG DAY AFTERNOON, where marquee advertises BINGO.
Re several comment above: from the photo I uploaded you can see that the theater is a free standing building and not the one referred to by Bway in 2009.
Movie was from 1948. Have to do some research to determine why the Press published it in 1953; possibly to announce it’s closing.
I’ve uploaded a February 22, 1953 photo obtained courtesy of the Queen Borough Public Library Archives, Long Island Daily Press Photograph Morgue Collection when the Jamaica was still open. It stood empty for a number of years but, since those were different times, was not vandalized.
I never remember the Jamaica ever being open. When I was a teenager I would sometimes take the bus to Jamaica to go shopping. I would pass this empty hulk on my way to Montgomery Wards. In all those years I never saw any sign of vandalism. We live in a different time.
In reference to the comment by Paul Noble, a frequent submitter to Cinema Treasures, regarding Bela Lugosi’s appearance at The Jamaica Theater in 1951: I am currently researching for a book on Lugosi and am interested in any information regarding Lugosi’s Horror and Magic Show that toured NYC area theaters in 1950-1951. Thus, I would really like to get in touch with Paul Noble and discuss more of his memories regarding the Lugosi show at The Jamaica Theater. Paul, if you see this, please contact me at:
Bway….I hate to differ with you, but I, sincerely, do not believe that the building (with the arched window)that you refer to in the extreme left of the photo you posted on April 19th is the Jamaica Theatre. I know there was an arched window above the Jamaica’s marquee, but I do not recall such a tall office building above that.
Further proof is that the building with the neon sign to the left of the arched window building is, unmistakably, the 111 year old Beaux-Arts former Jamaica Savings Bank building, which is located at 161-02 Jamaica Avenue. The Jamaica was located some distance west at 155-16 Jamaica Avenue.
You can just make out the Jamaica at the extreme left of this photo:
http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?96161
I assume Warren’s photo from two posts above (no longer available) refers to Mae West’s 1951 revival of her play “Diamond Lil.”
An exterior shot of the Jamaica with the marquee for this event can be found at:
http://www.maewest.nl/
(Under “Life and Career” – “Later Stage Work”)
I also remember the cartoons. I think they were matinee cartoons meaning after one showing the regular program would follow.
I visited the Skouras New Jamaica (as it was known then) in the early 50’s and saw a live stage show and a double bill, all featuring Bela Lugosi. The stage acts consisted of three appearances by Bela as Count Dracula, rising from his coffin, with green and violet lighting, and at least three interludes with a magician. There were two awful Monogram pictures, with “ape” and “bat” in the titles. In later years, I learned that Lugosi, to support his drug habit and debts, did “bus-and-truck” tours nationally, and this was but one stop on that caravan.
It appears that this theatre didn’t have an organ, since I don’t see organ screens. Is that the case? If so, that seems odd for a theatre like this.
the first movie isaw at the jamaica was this land is mine with charles laughton and maureen o'hara.they also had 8 vaudeville acts. if you missed a film at the merrick you could catch at the jamaica.
Warren…Many thanks for the splendid photo of the interior of the Jamaica Theater circa 1947, as well as all the other theater interior photos and newspaper ads that you have been sharing with us of late.
The photo was probably taken during the period when the Jamaica was presenting “third rate†vaudeville during the late 40’s. It was also during the time when they were part of the “subway circuit†of touring Broadway shows during the summer months. The increased use of the stage in both instances probably accounts for their springing for the new stage curtains.
My recollections of the Jamaica go back over 50 years. I am amazed at how vivid the murals appeared in 1947. I still remember the one above the proscenium arch in a rather faded condition around 1953/54, but not the ones on either side of the arch. But then it could have been the lighting and tricks of memory after all these years.
Can you post any interior photos of the Carlton, Alden, Merrick, Rialto/Savoy and Hillside?
Thanks Erwin. Your description of it does sound very similar to Fox’s other theater, the Ridgewood. Before it was “multiplexed” into 3 and then 5 theaters, the Ridgewood also was “nothing really special”, but did have a “certain ambience” to it, as you describe the Jamaica, and the Ridgewood also was in need of repairs before it was cut up.
If the Jamaica was already “needing maintenence” in the 50’s, it sadly didn’t have a long life as a viable and well kept theater, probably because of all the competition in the Jamaica area.
Bway…The former elevated station was the 160th Street station. The theater was located in essence near the corner of Jamaica Avenue and Parsons Boulevard. The rear and stage housing was on Archer Avenue. The stage door was on Parsons Boulevard up from Archer going toward Jamaica Avenue. The entrance to the theater was a few doors west of Parsons. There was a long inner lobby which led to the auditorium. If memory serves correct (after 50 years), the interior was not too exciting. The overall color was brown with some faded murals above and to the sides of the prosenium arch. In retrospect, the theater may not have been taken care of all that well at that time since it closed in 1957. It was also located on the same block due east of the Savoy, which was directly across from Kings Park.
I have fond memories of the Jamaica. 21 color cartoons on a Saturday matinee, touring Broadway shows on the “Subway Circuit” during the summer and vaudeville in the late 40’s. The theater may have been old, but it had a certain ambience to it.
Which former elevated station was it located near – Sutphin Blvd or 161st St?
What is on the former site currently if anyone knows? I’m trying to picture where this theater was located before being demolished.