Carver Theatre
1927 Fulton Street,
Brooklyn,
NY
11233
1927 Fulton Street,
Brooklyn,
NY
11233
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I know Jackie Gleason is most famously linked to the Halsey Theatre, but the Normandy would have been closer to his childhood home of 328 Chauncey Street, just 4 blocks up Howard and around the corner. I see how the theater was listed as catering to “Negro” audiences under the name Howard Theatre in the 1930’s, and things being what they were in those days, I wonder if a young Gleason may have ever made his way down to the Normandy – particularly before its changeover to the Howard.
After some digging, I’ve discovered that the Parthenon was designed by architect Harry A. Yarish. Yarish designed a couple of projects for Weingarten, but so far the Normandy/Carver is the only Weingarten house I’ve found attributed to Montrose Morris Sons.
Just one small correction: the old Parthenon was known as – as was the Carver – Weingarten’s. I got the spelling wrong. But the names are definitely the same in both cases.
Thanks so much for linking this article. I noticed that this theater was built for someone named Weingartner and that its structure is not unlike that of the old Parthenon Theatre, which existed along the Brooklyn/Queens border in Bushwick/Ridgewood. In addition, the Parthenon was originally known as “Weingartner’s Rarthenon”. This got me to think if: (1) the same Weingartner owned both theaters; and (2)both theaters were designed by the same firm. Food for thought.
This page from the Brownstoner weblog provides a brief history of the Normandy Theatre, which was built for Herman Weingarten in 1919, and was designed by the architectural firm Montrose Morris Sons.
Here’s a link to the Carver/Howard when it was known as the Normandy Theatre on Fulton Street & Howard Avenue.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=brooklyn+&catpagesize=25&ProductID=30614
In taking a second look at the picture, I noticed that it was snapped AFTER the Normandy had become the Howard, whose name dimly appears on the awning. The far more prominent “Normandy” sign reflects an era that had already passed. Seeing the Carver’s two former names in the same photograph is very interesting and pretty unique.
A photo of the Carver when it was the Normandy. Enjoy – and also take a look of the other shots of fulton St. in the attachment.
View link
Here’s a google street view of the Howard Theater as it appears today:
View link
Warren,
A friend sent me a slightly larger image. The marquee reads:
BANKO 16 WAYS TO WIN PLUS 5 BIG JACKPOTS
FREE COMIC BOOKS TO ALL KIDDIES
WED FREE DISHWARE
You can hold on to the medal. Jerry
Here’s an aerial view of the Normandy/Howard. Compare to my current photo linked above, and Warren’s historic view.
View link
Thank you Warren. Apparently, the building changed very little, as the building is readily similar to my photo linked above, aside from a coat of white paint on the front.
Your photo has to be from the late 1930’s or later, as the Fulton Street El was already demolished. From the 1800’s to the 1930’s, the Fulton St El rumbled over Fulton St, until the IND subway was built under Fulton Street (current A train) during the Depression. The El was then demolished.
When the Howard was built, it was built “under” the el.
It is still some sort of church (Plkeasant Grove), and the building survives.
Here is a photo I took of it yesterday:
Click here for photo
Harry Brock did reopen this theatre as the Carver Theatre which closed for good in the late fifties.