There were four theatres in Westport, all last operated by Loews. The Fine Arts 1&2, listed here, was an old single-screen moviehouse. Behind it, on Jesup Rd., was the Fine Arts 3. A bit further up the Post Road was the Fine Arts 4, and the Post Cinema was a mile further east on the Post Rd. The FA3, FA4, and Post Cinema have all been converted to retail. In the 70’s, they were part of the Nutmeg Circuit, which merged with Carroll’s Cinemas of Syracuse, NY, to form CinemaNational. In 1987, USA Cinemas bought CinemaNational, and in 1988, Loews bought USA. Also part of this chain in Southwestern CT were the Wilton Cinema in Wilton (now part of a TJ Maxx), the Greenwich Twin (now Clearview Cinemas), the Community (now non-profit) and County Cinema (cabinet store) in Fairfield, the Norwalk Theatre (now closed-last used as a nightclub) and the Norwalk 1 & 2 (now the 4-screen Garden Cinemas) in Norwalk. The Fine Arts in Brookfield was also a part of this group, as was the Colony 5 in Wallingford (retail space).
Yes, this was actually two sixplexes. The indoor theatre (1-6) was located on the second floor of the mall near JC Penney. It is now occupied by an FYE store and other retailers. They were small houses, and the projectors used mirrors to bounce the images down to the screens, since the height apparently wasn’t there. The Rockaway Outer 6 (screens 7-12) was actually a pretty nice theatre, given the fact that it was a late-70’s era sixplex. It was well maintained right up to the end, and the presentation was pretty good. It closed in August of 2002, and was demolished later to make way for a Best Buy store. Loews is planning a new 14 or 16 plex with the upcoming mall expansion.
The theatre was opened by Walter Reade in the mid-1960’s as “Cinema 10”, a single screen, 1000-seat house. Nelson-Ferman, a local operator, took over the house soon thereafter and divided it into four auditoriums, the largest with 350 seats. A few years later, a new building was added, containing a small lobby, new restrooms, and two small houses upstairs. Originally, the two small houses were accessed by an outside door as they showed adult fare, while the four downstairs showed first-run films. That combo didn’t last long, and porno was moved over to Nelson-Ferman’s K Cinema in the K-Mart Plaza, about 5 miles east on Route 10 (now a Blockbuster Video Store). The Cinema 10 was then a six plex, and the outside entrance for the adult houses was bricked up as a new entryway was created inside. In 1990, another expansion brought a new facade, with a new lobby, new concession stand, and four additional auditoriums. Now the Cinema 10 really had 10 screens! Clearview Cinemas bought the interests of the Nelson-Ferman Organization a few years ago, and now operates this high-grossing plex, which was recently renovated. Plans are in the works to add an addition, while eliminating the two small houses upstairs.
There are several Proctor’s Theatres still standing, but not operating as theatres:
-Troy, NY: Closed in 1977. Recently purchased by Rensselaer Polytechnic Instutute. Office portion to be turned into hotel; unknown as to what will become of the double-balcony auditorium.
-Mt. Vernon, NY: Auditorium gutted in 1995 and filled in with office space.
-New Rochelle, NY: Auditorium gutted in late 90’s and repurposed for school and office space.
-Yonkers, NY: Auditorium gutted and turned into office space.
-Newark, NJ: Piggyback theater still standing abandoned. Saw a picture recently of current state of upstairs ‘penthouse’ auditorium—wall and ceiling tapestries have fallen and are draped over the seats.
Sorry-I posted under the wrong theatre earlier (Corona Theatre). Today’s NY Post lists the Corona Plaza with “THEATRE OPENS DEC 22” in their movie clock!
When visiting you should also look at the poster cases—the outside ones are made of metal and the inside are wooden. All bear the name of their original owner on top of the cases—“LOEW’S”. The marquee is also the original—the current attraction boards are attached to it. Most lighting fixtures are original, and the rest rooms are pretty much original as well. The owner keeps it very, very clean.
The current layout is as follows:
The orchestra level has a dividing wall right down the middle. In each of the two auditoriums, the back quarter has been walled off creating two more, totaling four downstairs. Two seat approx 380 each; two seat approx 80 each.
The balcony was also twinned—one side seats approx 250. The other side was divided again creating two auditoriums, each seating 105. The total is seven.
The operation of the American is top-notch. A great place to see a movie!
I have four copies of “Memoirs of a Movie Palace” that I used on the buses for the THS Conclave in 2002. We watched them on our way to the Kings for our tour. I recently found them, and will donate them to THSA in January when we have our Mid-Year Board Meeting.
Gerald—
I am the General Manager of Bow Tie Cinemas—-the Company (formerly known as B.S. Moss Enterprises) that opened the Criterion. I am on site most every day and will be until our next one opens…please be sure to ask for me and say “HI” when you come next!!
My ex-landlord, Mike Percoco, was the last operator to run the Kimball as a movie house. He closed it after competition came to town in the form of the Cross County Multiplex, located nearby.
I took Roger into the building to photograph. The owner is seeking to do a true restoration, and I’ve given him some materials from the Theatre Historical Society (I’m the NYC Area Director) to use as reference. The large bar in the middle of the lobby will serve as a bar/concession area. Such things are necessary these days. The goldfish fountain should be restored.
The Hartsdale Theatres were actually comprised of two buildings in adjacent shopping centers. Hartsdale 1 & 2 (which opened as a single) is now a Coconuts Music store. Hartsdale 3 & 4, on the right of the shopping center next door, is now part of a Bed, Bath & Beyond store. Both are located on Central Ave. in Hartsdale, just south of Route 119.
The Atrium has nine screens. It was built in the 90’s in the shell of a former department store. The theatre shares an entrance with a furniture store. The store’s owners also own the theatre.
The original name of this Drive-In was the Garden Auto-Torium
There were four theatres in Westport, all last operated by Loews. The Fine Arts 1&2, listed here, was an old single-screen moviehouse. Behind it, on Jesup Rd., was the Fine Arts 3. A bit further up the Post Road was the Fine Arts 4, and the Post Cinema was a mile further east on the Post Rd. The FA3, FA4, and Post Cinema have all been converted to retail. In the 70’s, they were part of the Nutmeg Circuit, which merged with Carroll’s Cinemas of Syracuse, NY, to form CinemaNational. In 1987, USA Cinemas bought CinemaNational, and in 1988, Loews bought USA. Also part of this chain in Southwestern CT were the Wilton Cinema in Wilton (now part of a TJ Maxx), the Greenwich Twin (now Clearview Cinemas), the Community (now non-profit) and County Cinema (cabinet store) in Fairfield, the Norwalk Theatre (now closed-last used as a nightclub) and the Norwalk 1 & 2 (now the 4-screen Garden Cinemas) in Norwalk. The Fine Arts in Brookfield was also a part of this group, as was the Colony 5 in Wallingford (retail space).
Yes, this was actually two sixplexes. The indoor theatre (1-6) was located on the second floor of the mall near JC Penney. It is now occupied by an FYE store and other retailers. They were small houses, and the projectors used mirrors to bounce the images down to the screens, since the height apparently wasn’t there. The Rockaway Outer 6 (screens 7-12) was actually a pretty nice theatre, given the fact that it was a late-70’s era sixplex. It was well maintained right up to the end, and the presentation was pretty good. It closed in August of 2002, and was demolished later to make way for a Best Buy store. Loews is planning a new 14 or 16 plex with the upcoming mall expansion.
The theatre was opened by Walter Reade in the mid-1960’s as “Cinema 10”, a single screen, 1000-seat house. Nelson-Ferman, a local operator, took over the house soon thereafter and divided it into four auditoriums, the largest with 350 seats. A few years later, a new building was added, containing a small lobby, new restrooms, and two small houses upstairs. Originally, the two small houses were accessed by an outside door as they showed adult fare, while the four downstairs showed first-run films. That combo didn’t last long, and porno was moved over to Nelson-Ferman’s K Cinema in the K-Mart Plaza, about 5 miles east on Route 10 (now a Blockbuster Video Store). The Cinema 10 was then a six plex, and the outside entrance for the adult houses was bricked up as a new entryway was created inside. In 1990, another expansion brought a new facade, with a new lobby, new concession stand, and four additional auditoriums. Now the Cinema 10 really had 10 screens! Clearview Cinemas bought the interests of the Nelson-Ferman Organization a few years ago, and now operates this high-grossing plex, which was recently renovated. Plans are in the works to add an addition, while eliminating the two small houses upstairs.
Yes, we offer real butter on our popcorn. One taste and you’ll be hooked!
The landlord is NYU. They want to build a new hospital facility on the site.
The Grand Avenue Cinema is NOT in a ‘free zone’ for booking. It cannot play day-and-date with the Loews Cineplex Fantasy or Oceanside.
There are several Proctor’s Theatres still standing, but not operating as theatres:
-Troy, NY: Closed in 1977. Recently purchased by Rensselaer Polytechnic Instutute. Office portion to be turned into hotel; unknown as to what will become of the double-balcony auditorium.
-Mt. Vernon, NY: Auditorium gutted in 1995 and filled in with office space.
-New Rochelle, NY: Auditorium gutted in late 90’s and repurposed for school and office space.
-Yonkers, NY: Auditorium gutted and turned into office space.
-Newark, NJ: Piggyback theater still standing abandoned. Saw a picture recently of current state of upstairs ‘penthouse’ auditorium—wall and ceiling tapestries have fallen and are draped over the seats.
Mr. Proctor is buried in Larchmont, NY.
My understanding is that all auditoriums (I’m not sure how many it wound up being) are in the former balcony.
Scott, I am the NYC Metro Area Director for the Theatre Historical Society of America—please contact me at:
Sorry-I posted under the wrong theatre earlier (Corona Theatre). Today’s NY Post lists the Corona Plaza with “THEATRE OPENS DEC 22” in their movie clock!
The Movie Clock in today’s New York Posts lists “Theater Opens Dec 22” for the Corona Plaza. The auditoriums will probably be in the balcony.
When visiting you should also look at the poster cases—the outside ones are made of metal and the inside are wooden. All bear the name of their original owner on top of the cases—“LOEW’S”. The marquee is also the original—the current attraction boards are attached to it. Most lighting fixtures are original, and the rest rooms are pretty much original as well. The owner keeps it very, very clean.
The current layout is as follows:
The orchestra level has a dividing wall right down the middle. In each of the two auditoriums, the back quarter has been walled off creating two more, totaling four downstairs. Two seat approx 380 each; two seat approx 80 each.
The balcony was also twinned—one side seats approx 250. The other side was divided again creating two auditoriums, each seating 105. The total is seven.
The operation of the American is top-notch. A great place to see a movie!
I have four copies of “Memoirs of a Movie Palace” that I used on the buses for the THS Conclave in 2002. We watched them on our way to the Kings for our tour. I recently found them, and will donate them to THSA in January when we have our Mid-Year Board Meeting.
Gerald—
I am the General Manager of Bow Tie Cinemas—-the Company (formerly known as B.S. Moss Enterprises) that opened the Criterion. I am on site most every day and will be until our next one opens…please be sure to ask for me and say “HI” when you come next!!
My ex-landlord, Mike Percoco, was the last operator to run the Kimball as a movie house. He closed it after competition came to town in the form of the Cross County Multiplex, located nearby.
This theatre never had a balcony….
I believe this is the building that now houses a CVS drug store…
The house is still open—showing Bollywood fare.
I took Roger into the building to photograph. The owner is seeking to do a true restoration, and I’ve given him some materials from the Theatre Historical Society (I’m the NYC Area Director) to use as reference. The large bar in the middle of the lobby will serve as a bar/concession area. Such things are necessary these days. The goldfish fountain should be restored.
Work is progressing nicely at The Paradise! It’s slated for a February Grand Opening, but may be ready sooner!
The theatre seats approximately 250 in each house. The screens are decent size, and the presentation is very good. All equipment and seats are new.
Hey—longislandmovies, Rose wants to know if you’re initals are M.C.??
The Hartsdale Theatres were actually comprised of two buildings in adjacent shopping centers. Hartsdale 1 & 2 (which opened as a single) is now a Coconuts Music store. Hartsdale 3 & 4, on the right of the shopping center next door, is now part of a Bed, Bath & Beyond store. Both are located on Central Ave. in Hartsdale, just south of Route 119.
The Atrium has nine screens. It was built in the 90’s in the shell of a former department store. The theatre shares an entrance with a furniture store. The store’s owners also own the theatre.