Terrace Theater
361 W. 23rd Street,
New York,
NY
10011
361 W. 23rd Street,
New York,
NY
10011
2 people
favorited this theater
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Found weekly listings in New York and Cue magazines. Theater closed 4/28/1960 before the neighborhood was torn down for the ILGWU Co-ops. Programming format in the 1950’s…..Thurs-Sat recent films 2 weeks after Loew’s Sheridan in nearby Greenwich Village, revivals Sun-Mon, Tues-Wed. Many WB re-issues, more foreign films than I expected.
Photo added to gallery
My continuing search for anything on this theater has led me to a February 11-12, 1959 booking (the latest date that I can verify of the theater’s existence) of the re-release of KING SOLOMON’s MINES which had been making the rounds with SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS although the listing only mentioned one film.
An item in the April 17, 1935, issue of The Film Daily said that the new theater to be built at 361 W. 23rd Street was located on the site of the former home of actress Lily Langtry.
ad for the Terrace Theater Christmas 1955
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This is from Boxoffice magazine, January 1938:
New York-Singular evidence of the public’s taste in regard to motion picture programs manifested itself when the Terrace Theater, opened November 2 by the Brandt Circuit, turned to a dual bill policy after a two months' trial with single features.
“There was nothing we could do about it. It seems the public has become accustomed to double features”, “Bingo” Brandt said.
Anyone have any idea when the Terrace closed? I think it was before the RKO 23rd Street closed in 1960. We have AL’s account of the pistol whipping in late ‘57. But nothing after that.
1942 picture:
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And once in the 50s, as I posted in April ‘06.
Still searching for that 50s programming from my misspent youth. My dad would go down to the newsstand on 23rd & 8th for the Night Owl edition around 8pm, and I’d make him wait while I watched the Terrace marquee change in the distance.
I assume that the Terrace went to double features after the RKO 23rd Street opened in ‘38 with double bills. The films in Warren’s ad were RKO and Universal films which the RKO circuit would have played after the Broadway opening.
I recall The Terrace showing a lot of MGM & Paramount, in the 50s, which they may have booked after they played at the nearest Loew’s theater, The Sheridan.
But I also recall the Realart re-releases, Roy Rogers Republic films, and a Francis the Talking Mule (U-I- film) so the RKO may have passed on some of the lesser U-I double features.
The search continues…..
Warren, you’ll find the Terrace shows up again sporadically in 42, 43, 48 and 49 in the NYT.
The first images that I’ve found in a 5 year search. It’s 1941, before my time there. If anyone has images of The Terrace please let me know. Thanks to Kenardo in Chelsea for this one:
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Damn. That’s good work, Warren. Your a true history detective. I wonder what Walter Brennan’s characterization of Judge Roy Bean from “The Westerner” would have made of the story!
Thanks, Warren. Now all I need is a photo and programming from the 50s. Jerry
NYT article on 2-4-27 mentions the sale of Jenny “The Swedish Nightingale” Lind’s home at 361 West 23rd Street in Chelsea. Previous poster mentions an organ being installed in the same year 1927 at The Terrace so I believe that the address listed in my 1956 Film Yearbook as 361 West 23rd Street for The Terrace is in error.
Here’s the article:
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Here’s the pic:
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Still looking for photos and info on the theater. Help! jerry
AlAlvarez,
Although I wasn’t looking for the Apollo (42nd Street), I do have a few ad copies from the NY Times microfiche of the 1950s. So you should see a bundle of them out there. jerry
Unfortunately no pictures and no sign of this place in the fifties. Are you sure that ad above was from the Times? I can find no references to the Apollo in the Times during that period either.
Any listings from the 50s, Al? The escaped female lifers sounds like a better screenplay, Will. Did the November ‘57 story have any photos of the theater, Al? jerry
I show the Terrace in some scattered New York Times listings in the thirties and forties.
In August 1943 two escaped female “lifers” were captured here after escaping from Clinton Prison by climbing down with tied bedsheets.
In November 1957, the cashier was pistol whipped and robbed.
Some bookings
December 1937
The Perfect Specimen
Ali Baba Goes to Town
December 1942
Sleepytime Gal/Atlantic Convoy
January 1943
Apache Trail/Affairs of Martha
December 1948
Luxury Liner/A Night at the Opera
I want to hear more about the body in the lower lounge. Sounds like great screen play material.
Searching all of the NY tImes from the 50s, I see only one mention of The Terrace. Unfortunately, it is this. I can’t imagine this theater showing an “art” film. jerry
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I added this theater about 18 months ago and am still amazed that a Manhattan theater hasn’t received one posting from someone who remembers this great Chelsea theater. Help! I’m still looking for photos, booking info. Anything. Thanks.
Sorry to see that there haven’t been any postings on this theater since it is a childhood memory but I’d like to hear from folks who remember being there.
Anyone have info or photos? jerry k
Thanks, Warren. Will do.
According to the 1956 Yearbook of Motion Pictures, The Terrace was part of the Brandt Theater chain and officially sat 597. Anyone know where the Brandt booking archives are kept????
The theater was a bit further west than the current Chelsea West Cinemas on 23rd St. Does anyone have programming information for the theater. The NY Times has only one listing in the 1950s (I Am A Camera) but my recollection was more of the Universal-International fare that I mentioned earlier. Anyone know where this info is available? Jerry