Laconia Theatre

3942 White Plains Road,
Bronx, NY 10467

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Brandt Theaters

Architects: Seymour Joseph, J.W. Telson

Functions: Church

Nearby Theaters

The Lanconia Theatre was opened in 1926. It was designed by architect J.W. Telson. In either 1949/1950, it was modernised by architect Seymour Joseph. It was operated by the Brandt Theatres chain for many years.

Contributed by RobertR

Recent comments (view all 9 comments)

jackeboy
jackeboy on July 11, 2005 at 6:39 pm

In the 1970s the Laconia was a porno house.

mauriceski
mauriceski on October 1, 2005 at 5:49 am

the laconia was converted into a church

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on November 28, 2008 at 1:50 pm

The church has had some legal problems recently, according to this article:
http://tinyurl.com/69sobp

Sontaran6
Sontaran6 on December 7, 2008 at 7:29 pm

I had completely forgotten about the Laconia, until this Website inspired this old geezer to reminisce about my movies of yore. When I was a kid, during and after World War II (until 1951 or so, when I went away to College), I explored all the theaters anywhere near “Wakefield” — the Kent (my “neighborhood” movie, over in Woodlawn), the Wakefield (the best of all!), the Craft (OK), the Kimball (up on Yonkers Avenue; also OK); and, when I felt like taking a long walk, the Laconia. The last usually wasn’t worth the walk. In my dotage, I can’t remember why I deemed it the pits; but, I did.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on September 2, 2012 at 1:08 pm

The Laconia Theatre was probably the projected house that was the subject of this item in the January 31, 1926, issue of The Film Daily:

“Theater, stores and offices at White Plains Ave. and 224th St.; owners, Menlo Bldg. Co., 749 E. 216th St.; architect, J. W. Telson, 250 W. 57th St.; to cost $175,000, and seat 1,500.”
If this comment looks familiar, it’s because I originally posted it on the Wakefield Theatre page after misreading the Wakefield’s location on the Google map as 224th street (it’s at 234th Street.)

Seymour Joseph, currently listed as the architect of the Laconia, was born in 1914, so he must have been the architect for a later remodeling of the house. I’ve been unable to find out anything about J.W. Telson, credited as the original architect by The Film Daily.

Richard Mucciolo
Richard Mucciolo on September 19, 2012 at 5:13 pm

I grew up going to the Laconia….in the 40’s….unfortunately I do not have a photo.

joehicks
joehicks on August 5, 2017 at 10:36 am

In the 60s I was able to go alone even under 10 to see movies.

joehicks
joehicks on August 5, 2017 at 10:39 am

Movies that are now rated R The good. the bad, the ugly

stang119
stang119 on March 15, 2021 at 11:06 pm

Why no picture on the home page?

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