They also did a tour, sorry I missed it. In looking at the photo’s it looks like the original projection windows have been covered up and there is an air conditioner in one of them. I wonder what the former projection room is used for currently by the church?
That’s a great story Fred, Thank You. Reel Film (pardon the pun) almost has an organic quality to it that just can’t be easily replicated with a bunch of bits & bytes from a DCP version, in the same way vinyl records had a warmth and texture to them that no CD ever matched. I also to make it a point to check the program of any repertory film house program to make sure it;s being shown in 35mm or 70mm format, when this type of film presentation is done well, nothing else can even come close.
I have checked the NYC Dept. of Buildings site and apparently a few permits have been filed to do some sort of interior demolition work. Also a year or two prior to that there had been a permit filed to do a conversion from Commercial to Mixed-Use & Residential, that one has seemed to go nowhere for now. BTW, the Furniture store that used to occupy the Loew’s 46th Street has now moved over to McDonald Avenue.
Is there any chance of the Vertical sign being put back? I thought that since the exterior was a landmark the owner would be required to replace it. This October will be three years since Sandy destroyed the original one.
The old vertical stayed on for a very long time, I remember taking pictures of it around 2000. Although the neon letters were off, you could still make out the outline of the former LOEW’S name. I would assume when the Terra Cotta got fixed, they would have to make sure the support structure underneath would have to be up to code as well.
Does Regal Entertainment also change the outside signage from United Artists Theatres to Regal Cinemas once renovations are compete? AMC does this once they renovate any former Loews Theatres or Cineplex Odeon Cinemas branded location, the old name comes off & they become a AMC branded theatre.
This theatre was equipped with 70MM film projection capabilities, which was pretty rare at the time for a nabe theatre at the time. Even towards the end of it’s existence it was still in pretty good shape and well maintained by Loews Cineplex. I think we are almost at the 10 year anniversary mark of it’s closing.
This Loew’s Wonder Theatre seemed to last the longest as an actual regular movie theatre finally being closed by Loews (Sony at the time) in January of 1994. I’m sure being a quad at the time helped extend it’s run.
There is an article in today’s AM New York that states this building will be turned into a luxury housing apartment building which will include a smaller high end movie Theatre underneath & retail, that will feature independent films. The article also states that the plans are still fluid and could go in a number of different ways. I guess only time will tell what will eventually happen to the Pavilion.
There is a photo online of that sign underneath the marquee online just as Orlando describes. Also that original sign was covered up by another sign that simply said “Welcome To Loew’s Kings Showcase Theatre” I wonder where both those signs are today? I hope they were saved for prosperity.
Wow, with Ebinger’s next door, I wonder if anyone was able to successfully smuggle in their famous Blackout Cake into the Beverly Theatre, to nosh on during the feature.
Robboehm, The Brooklyn Eagle Ad I have dated Sunday November 12th 1939 lists the Parkside as a Century Circuit Theatre, it’s also listed in several Century Circuit programs from 1942 that I have as well. Hope this info helps!
I believe the decorations are intact, but the original seats have been replaced. Loews Cineplex merged with AMC Entertainment in January 2006, they kept the AMC name for the combined company & they were bought by a Chinese Company named Wanda Group a few years ago. Also as they renovate the former Loews theatres they are replacing signage with the AMC nameplate, like on 84th Street.
Orlando! Thank your for the amazing description of the original neon! Did the Kings originally use milk glass letter to spell out the titles of the films that were playing? I see that the Jersey originally had a French Curve marquee similar to the Kings, but nowhere near as ornate. Both were replaced in 1949, that the Jersey still has. I wish someone saved the neon letter from the former Kings marquee, although the Loew’s name was off of it at the end.
That’s also why when the big Palaces that still show movies, we should make an effort to go and experience what it’s like to see a wonderful movie in a real Movie Palace. Most people in our society today think the plain Jane nondescript box they see movies in at their local multiplex is how people have always experienced movies, boy are they wrong!
Also don’t forget about the change the in exhibition landscape, the end of exclusive roadshow runs for these big theatres and the beginning the the showcase neighborhood engagements – where the same motion picture opened everywhere simultaneously, also must have hit these big houses very hard. They must have had a lot of empty seats unfortunately, and still had to pay to heat, cool these auditoriums no matter how may patrons were watching films/
Yes, and if the ones that survived had not become “Houses Of Worship” or “Performing Arts Centers” they would be unfortunately no longer be with us as well.
They also did a tour, sorry I missed it. In looking at the photo’s it looks like the original projection windows have been covered up and there is an air conditioner in one of them. I wonder what the former projection room is used for currently by the church?
That’s a great story Fred, Thank You. Reel Film (pardon the pun) almost has an organic quality to it that just can’t be easily replicated with a bunch of bits & bytes from a DCP version, in the same way vinyl records had a warmth and texture to them that no CD ever matched. I also to make it a point to check the program of any repertory film house program to make sure it;s being shown in 35mm or 70mm format, when this type of film presentation is done well, nothing else can even come close.
I have checked the NYC Dept. of Buildings site and apparently a few permits have been filed to do some sort of interior demolition work. Also a year or two prior to that there had been a permit filed to do a conversion from Commercial to Mixed-Use & Residential, that one has seemed to go nowhere for now. BTW, the Furniture store that used to occupy the Loew’s 46th Street has now moved over to McDonald Avenue.
Thanks for the update!
Is there any chance of the Vertical sign being put back? I thought that since the exterior was a landmark the owner would be required to replace it. This October will be three years since Sandy destroyed the original one.
The old vertical stayed on for a very long time, I remember taking pictures of it around 2000. Although the neon letters were off, you could still make out the outline of the former LOEW’S name. I would assume when the Terra Cotta got fixed, they would have to make sure the support structure underneath would have to be up to code as well.
Does Regal Entertainment also change the outside signage from United Artists Theatres to Regal Cinemas once renovations are compete? AMC does this once they renovate any former Loews Theatres or Cineplex Odeon Cinemas branded location, the old name comes off & they become a AMC branded theatre.
It’s now been 20 years since it closed, one of the most ornate theatres that Bensonhurst ever had. Well at least it still exists in our memories.
This theatre was equipped with 70MM film projection capabilities, which was pretty rare at the time for a nabe theatre at the time. Even towards the end of it’s existence it was still in pretty good shape and well maintained by Loews Cineplex. I think we are almost at the 10 year anniversary mark of it’s closing.
This Loew’s Wonder Theatre seemed to last the longest as an actual regular movie theatre finally being closed by Loews (Sony at the time) in January of 1994. I’m sure being a quad at the time helped extend it’s run.
Here is a story from The Real Deal: http://therealdeal.com/blog/2015/04/22/park-slopes-pavilion-theater-to-go-resi/
Here is the AM New York Link: http://www.amny.com/entertainment/park-slope-s-pavilion-theater-closing-to-make-way-for-apartment-complex-1.10314751
There is an article in today’s AM New York that states this building will be turned into a luxury housing apartment building which will include a smaller high end movie Theatre underneath & retail, that will feature independent films. The article also states that the plans are still fluid and could go in a number of different ways. I guess only time will tell what will eventually happen to the Pavilion.
Walked by today & it seems that part of the Rite Aid signage has crumbled away, They don’t make construction materials like they used to.
The Sheepshead Theatre closed as a movie theatre in 1970, approximately 17 years before the UA Movies @ Sheepshead Bay would open for business.
What an ugly new building! They at lease could have kept the lobby like the RKO 81st St & Filmore East, but that’s progress I suppose.
There is a photo online of that sign underneath the marquee online just as Orlando describes. Also that original sign was covered up by another sign that simply said “Welcome To Loew’s Kings Showcase Theatre” I wonder where both those signs are today? I hope they were saved for prosperity.
Wow, with Ebinger’s next door, I wonder if anyone was able to successfully smuggle in their famous Blackout Cake into the Beverly Theatre, to nosh on during the feature.
Robboehm, The Brooklyn Eagle Ad I have dated Sunday November 12th 1939 lists the Parkside as a Century Circuit Theatre, it’s also listed in several Century Circuit programs from 1942 that I have as well. Hope this info helps!
Isn’t it supposed to be installed later this year? That’s what the manager told me when I saw Interstellar there last year.
I believe the decorations are intact, but the original seats have been replaced. Loews Cineplex merged with AMC Entertainment in January 2006, they kept the AMC name for the combined company & they were bought by a Chinese Company named Wanda Group a few years ago. Also as they renovate the former Loews theatres they are replacing signage with the AMC nameplate, like on 84th Street.
Orlando! Thank your for the amazing description of the original neon! Did the Kings originally use milk glass letter to spell out the titles of the films that were playing? I see that the Jersey originally had a French Curve marquee similar to the Kings, but nowhere near as ornate. Both were replaced in 1949, that the Jersey still has. I wish someone saved the neon letter from the former Kings marquee, although the Loew’s name was off of it at the end.
That’s also why when the big Palaces that still show movies, we should make an effort to go and experience what it’s like to see a wonderful movie in a real Movie Palace. Most people in our society today think the plain Jane nondescript box they see movies in at their local multiplex is how people have always experienced movies, boy are they wrong!
Also don’t forget about the change the in exhibition landscape, the end of exclusive roadshow runs for these big theatres and the beginning the the showcase neighborhood engagements – where the same motion picture opened everywhere simultaneously, also must have hit these big houses very hard. They must have had a lot of empty seats unfortunately, and still had to pay to heat, cool these auditoriums no matter how may patrons were watching films/
Yes, and if the ones that survived had not become “Houses Of Worship” or “Performing Arts Centers” they would be unfortunately no longer be with us as well.