RKO Bushwick Theatre

1396 Broadway,
Brooklyn, NY 11221

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Keith-Albee, RKO

Architects: Thomas White Lamb, William H. McElfatrick

Functions: High School

Styles: Beaux-Arts, Greek Revival

Previous Names: Bushwick Theatre

Nearby Theaters

RKO's Bushwick Theatre exterior

The Bushwick Theatre opened on September 11, 1911 and was operated by Percy Williams as a vaudeville theatre. It became part of the B.F. Keith’s chain in 1912. In the summer of 1926 a Wurlitzer 2 manual 8 ranks organ was installed. B.F. Keith operated the theatre until 1930 It became a movie theatre for the RKO-Keiths chain in 1930 and operated until closing in 1969.

Church use followed, for a period of time, then the building fell into disuse and decay for decades.

A high school opened within the shell of the former theatre in March of 2004.

Contributed by Kevin Backmann, William Gabel

Recent comments (view all 436 comments)

johndereszewski
johndereszewski on June 7, 2011 at 9:59 pm

Unfortunately, when I returned from my vacation, I found a response to my “landmark the RKO Bushwick” request in my mailbox. Specifically, the Landmarks Commission noted that, since the building is “too significantly altered to meet the criteria for designation” it will not be recommended for designation.

Given the Commission’s interest in designating other – and frankly less imposing – facades such as the Bushwick and the Shore, I was more than a bit perplexed by this decision.

If anyone wishes to take up the torch on this issue, I would certainly welcome your interest.

johndereszewski
johndereszewski on June 11, 2011 at 11:13 am

In reviewing my last message, I noted a mistake. Specifically, I wished to reference the RIDGEWOOD – not the Bushwick – as a theater whose facade did not architectually match the Bushwick’s. Sorry.

LugosiResearch
LugosiResearch on December 29, 2012 at 9:24 pm

On Tuesday 13 February 1951, Bela “Dracula” Lugosi presented his in person Horror and Magic Stage show at RKO Bushwick. Currently I am conducting research on all things Lugosi; if anyone out there actually saw this show and/or has memorabilia (poster, handbill, photos) related to this show, please contact Bill at Thanks in advance for any assistance!

johndereszewski
johndereszewski on December 30, 2012 at 11:14 am

Hello Lugos, while I cannot help you on this, since I was only one yeat old at the time, your comments raised a few questions that I hope you can address. First, given the fact that this was, at least in part, a “magic show”, was Lugosi actually some sort of a magician as well as an actor or was the “magic” aspect just part of the show? Also, were these 1951 performances made in conjunction with the release of one of his recent movies or were they free standing events – or did they accompany the showing of another movie in which Lugosi did not appear? I know that by 1951, live stage presentations at most movie houses were pretty much limited to celebrity appearances made to boost attendance for the celebrity’s most recently released film, which was being presented on the same date. Did the Lugosi appearances fall into this category or were they somewhat different?

And best of luck on your research.

Will Dunklin
Will Dunklin on March 1, 2014 at 12:40 pm

Wurlitzer’s records show that they shipped a 2-manual, 8 rank pipe organ, Style F, opus 1390 to the Bushwick Theatre in Brooklyn in the summer of 1926. This implies that the Bushwick had started showing movies by that date.

MisterMovie593
MisterMovie593 on September 8, 2014 at 1:37 pm

To John Dereszewski, sorry for my delayed comment. Lugosi was not himself a magician. He had a magician accompany him on these “spook shows”. Generally Lugosi would do three or so separate Dracula scenes with the magic done in between those scenes. On occasion he would help with some of the tricks and sometimes participated in the blackout portion of the show. One of his old Monogram films from the Forties usually was the film on the bill.

johndereszewski
johndereszewski on September 8, 2014 at 2:00 pm

Thanks so much for your response. I hope your research is yielding fruit.

Bway
Bway on November 15, 2018 at 2:22 pm

Here’s the RKO Bushwick in a 1940’s image.

http://nycma.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/detail/NYCMA~7~7~857725~714494?sort=borough%2Cblock%2Clot%2Czip_code&qvq=q:1396%2BBroadway;sort:borough%2Cblock%2Clot%2Czip_code;lc:NYCMA~7~7&mi=0&trs=1

rivest266
rivest266 on October 14, 2020 at 7:51 pm

Grand opening ad posted.

CosmicBraxton
CosmicBraxton on July 12, 2023 at 9:29 pm

This movie theater was featured in the 1987 movie “The Believers”. Lots of interior and exterior shorts early on…

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