RKO White Plains Theatre
223 Main Street,
White Plains,
NY
10601
223 Main Street,
White Plains,
NY
10601
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Keith-Albee, RKO
Architects: Thomas White Lamb
Previous Names: Keith-Albee Theatre, RKO Keith's Theatre
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Perhaps due to its close proximity to New York City, which had so many larger and more spectacular theatres, the Keith-Albee Theatre in Westchester’s county seat of White Plains never received much architectural recognition. Designed by architect Thomas W. Lamb, it first opened on November 1, 1927 with vaudeville and Clara Bow in “Hula” on the screen.
After the 1928 formation of Radio-Keith-Orpheum Corporation, the theatre’s name was changed to RKO Keith’s Theatre, though in newspaper advertising it was often listed as the RKO White Plains Theatre. Always first-run for the area, the theatre survived through many corporate changes at RKO and closed around 1966. It was demolished in 1979, for reasons unknown to me.
Contributed by
Warren G. Harris
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Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
The RKO Keith’s Theatre closed in around 1966.
There are two photos of the theater currently on eBay. Search on 6208173435 and then look at sellers other auctions for the second one. j
To promote his new film “The Ladies Man,” Jerry Lewis appeared on stage at this theater on July 12, 1961.
This was one of the theaters I used to frequent on Saturday afternoons before I was 12. My most vivid memory is sitting in the front row of the loge with my foot on the railing and somehow one of my loafers fell off and landed on someone’s head in the orchestra below. I am sure they were pissed so I never got it back and had to go home with only one shoe!
RKO Theatre White Plains. Does anyone remember my long lost Grandfather ERNEST GEORGE? He died in September 1973 at the age of 76, his death cert. recorded him as Door Man for this theatre. Did you know him or do you know anyone who worked there at this time? I believe the Manager was JOSEPH MARCHETTI, he could be in his 80’s now & there was an Engineer called JACK (surname unknown). Any scrap of information would help me uncover the mystery Ernest went missing in 1925, presumed dead. His UK family never heard from him again, his son, my father is now 85 & we are desparately trying to piece together Ernest’s life in America. Ernest also worked at the Roger Smith Hotel in the late 1950’s/60’s as a Bar Tender. Contact or
I am still trying to locate ANYONE who might have known my Grandfather, ERNEST GEORGE who may have been known as “ABE”, a Door Man/Usher at the RKO Keith’s
I would particularly like to hear from ;–
JOSEPH MARCHETTI the Manager in the late 1960' early 1970’s
(he would have been in his 50’s at the time, lived in Yonkers & went to the RKO in New Rochelle in 1973)
MARGARET (surname unknown) an Usher in her 40’s at that time?
STELLA (surname unknown) Candy Stand Lady, in her 50’s?
Margaret & Stella were unmarried & lived in Mount Vernon
JACK (surname unknown) the ENGINEER, in his 20’s about 5' 10"
with bushy wavy hair.
ANYONE who might have known Abe/Ernest, including a man in his 20’s at that time who worked for a Security Company used by the RKO who would have been on duty on the night the fight between Ali & Frazier was shown – 8th March 1971.
ANYONE who might have know Abe/Ernest from his days at the RKO (he died in September 1973)and or when he worked at the ROGER SMITH HOTEL nearby.
Please contact Michael W George at or
On Friday January 26, 1962, the Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly-Joe DeRita) embarked on a three day promotional tour for their latest feature film, THE THREE STOOGES MEET HERCULES. They were accompanied by “The Herculean Giant” (almost 8 foot tall Dave Ballard) and popular DJ Clay Cole, who was one of the stars of the co-feature, TWIST AROUND THE CLOCK.
On Saturday January 27, they appeared at the RKO White Plains at 2:10 PM.
I remember watching the rock n roll movie WOODSTOCK in 1970 and every seat was taken. The site now contains a 42 story Ritz Carlton hotel on this and adjacent sites.
I worked at the RKO Keith’s back in High School, going to Port Chester High School, circa 1964-65, before I went off to college. I did night and weekend shifts as an “extra” at the Candy Counter. It was run by a small family concern, sadly I forget their names, and my pal Peter got me the job. It was really great to work at this big, classic theater in the mid-60’s. Some of the movies I saw there were ones I’ve never seen again. Yes, I drove all the way from Rye Brook (on the way to White Plains) to downtown White Plains and back for the chance to make minimum wage, but seeing movies, since I could go in (knowing the box office staff) any time to see the movie.
I especially liked the fun and crazyness of the Kid’s Matinees, and working summer weekdays, when sometimes only a dozen or so folks would be there in the afternoon. Also the Special Events, like above - BobFurmanek’s account of special Three Stooges Appearance. What a great memory!
For those of you with the desire to be sure this is the theatre “right at the big corners, by the church and Macy’s (left this location 1996, now 2021 Spring Closing at Galleria) see this fine website of Westchester History. (More Movie Photos there too (like the Pix)…
Looking north on Mamaroneck Avenue toward its intersection with Main Street, December 16, 1958 (RKO-Keith’s Theatre)
https://westchester.pastperfectonline.com/photo/9760EFD5-214E-4E74-BE49-864110872873
Grand opening ad posted.