Kismet Theatre

785 DeKalb Avenue,
Brooklyn, NY 11206

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Fox Circuit, Interboro Circuit Inc., Small-Strausberg Circuit

Firms: Shampan & Shampan

Styles: Adam

Previous Names: Fox Kismet Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Kismet Theatre

The Kismet Theatre was located at DeKalb Avenue and Marcy Avenue in the Bedford-Stuyvesant district of Brooklyn. It opened on April 22, 1922 with Vera Gordon in “Your Best Friend” plus vaudeville on the stage. There were three bas-relief stone panels located on the facade above the entrance, which depicted scenes from William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Nights Dream”. Originally an independent, it was taken over by Fox Theatres, and later was part of the Interboro chain.

The Kismet Theatre closed in 1962 and became a church until around 2006. It lay unused and was demolished in 2009.

Contributed by frank tilelli

Recent comments (view all 11 comments)

EcRocker
EcRocker on January 5, 2006 at 6:36 pm

My parents used to live around the corner from the Kismet. My father used to be a part time usher there to earn some extra income. I personaly have no memory of the place cause shortly after i was born they moved to Coney Island.

kennydave
kennydave on June 5, 2007 at 10:25 am

Actually went to the Kismet many times as a kid. It was located on Dekalb between Tompkins and Throop Aves (not Marcy) right across the street from the first Waldbaums supermarket. The first picture I remember seeing there was Bambi, somwhere about 1947. When I was a little older my friends and I would get Saturday +PAL passes and spend winter Saturdays watching the customary double feature, four cartoons, serial, and newsreel. I remember also seeing yo-yo contests there. I was a wonderful place, and not bug infested when I was there.

Bway
Bway on August 21, 2008 at 11:40 am

I think the Kismet is a church.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on November 26, 2008 at 6:26 pm

Listed in the 1940 Brooklyn yellow pages. Phone number was EVergrn 8-6148.

EcRocker
EcRocker on January 19, 2009 at 9:00 pm

I never got to see the inside of the building. My parents moved out of the area when I was 6 months old. LOL I think I said that before. What i would like to do is pick out some theatres that are closed but still standing and check them out. Maybe even the insides.

EcRocker
EcRocker on January 20, 2009 at 2:36 pm

I am closer to DC then Balt. Plus Baltimore is a pain in the butt to get to.

EcRocker
EcRocker on January 20, 2009 at 3:15 pm

LOL but if I was in L.I. I could take the LIRR to the city where as there is no direct public transit to Baltimore.

doowopluvr101
doowopluvr101 on April 4, 2009 at 8:08 pm

11:00 Mass at St. Ambrose, Then across street to the kismet for a double feature and frivolous socializing. Topped off with pizza from “the burger flame” right next door. Life was good.

St, Ambrose is now Mount Pitsgah Baptist
“The Burger Flame” is now flameless prefab housing
“The Kismet” is now a huge hole in the ground………………..

Life was good.

hifein
hifein on December 22, 2013 at 7:55 pm

used to go on saturday and spend the whole afternoon there. sticky floors and a thousand cartoons. full of noisy kids. remember being in a yoyo contest on the stage and came in second. many memories of the old neighborhood.

Comfortably Cool
Comfortably Cool on August 15, 2019 at 6:16 am

Listed as Fox Kismet in 1930 neighborhood directory displayed here

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