Ridgewood Theatre
55-27 Myrtle Avenue,
Ridgewood,
NY
11385
55-27 Myrtle Avenue,
Ridgewood,
NY
11385
31 people
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Most theatres that advertised in the Chat usually did so on a regular basis with a display ad and/or pressed release. The Ridgewood was an exception, at least initially. After the opening announcement of December 23, 1916, the theatre does not advertise again until April 28th, 1917. A release states that “Wm. Fox’s thrilling photoplay at the Ridgewood”. It is the film “The Honor System”—“that wonderful master Metro drama of a thousand thrills, the greatest story of human interest ever told.” For some reason the vaudeville acts from the previous week are also listed: James Thornton (monologue & songs), Hazel Haslew (sketch), Arthur Georg (piano & vocals), Bell & Fredo (character singing, talking and musical number), Gehan & Spencer (dancers) and Commodore Tom (no specialty listed but “a great favorite with the women and children).
Finally on May 5th, 1917, there is an ad for William Fox’s Ridgewood Theatre” showing May 7th-9th Valeska Surratt “in a picturization of Rider Haggard’s She”. There are also “6 Big Vaudeville Acts.” “Afternoons, 3000 seat, 10c”. Evenings: 10c, 15c and 25c.
After this, ads and releases appear weekly in the Chat. It was not unusual for a theatre not to advertise in the local paper (relaying on other means)but so many of the theatres (large and small) did so on regular basis in the Chat.
Anyway there is a change on June 9th with a joint ad for William Fox’s Bedford & Ridgewood Theatres. Both showing the exact same films. June 11th-13th it is Mary Pickford in “A Romance of the Redwoods”. There is also “Superior Vaudeville.” Admission “Aft'ns 10-15c” “Evenings: 10c, 15c, 25c” “Continuous 1 to 11pm” (this changes to a two-a-day format during the summer.
As stated previously, the Bedford and the Ridgewood were built by the Levy Brothers. They are listed as the owners in 1919 and again in 1923. However in April 1924, the Bedford is purchased from the Levy Brothers by Frank A. Keeney. The theatre opening as Keeney’s Bedford in May of 24. Two years later he would sell to Loew’s. What was the Levy Brothers involvement with William Fox? On April 20th, Lostmemory mentioned a Julia Levy (any relation?)
Very interesting! The survey work being done could have been to build the surrounding stores that may have been built after the Ridgewood. Can’t wait for the rest of the “double-feature”.
Lost, I also will grab the popcorn – although hopefully not from the Ridgewood! The last time I had the Ridgewood’s popcorn I got sick from it – although granted that was 14 or 15 years ago, so hopefully it’s better by now agian…..
In The Weekly Chat for Saturday, December 23rd, 1916 there is an ad for the Ridgewood Theatre: “Opens Saturday Night, Dec. 23rd”, “6 Big Acts Vaudeville And Superior Photo Plays”, “Complete Change of Progam Every Monday and Thursday”, “Continous Performances, 1 to 11pm.”, “Afternoons: 3,000 Seats 10c Evenings 10c, 15c, and 25c” (a small “c” actually used).
Fortunately, since this is the Chat, there is an accompanying article.
Excerpts:
“Ridgewood, which was a farming section but a few years ago, has rapidly grown to a city in itself is evidenced from the fact that today it will see opened a theatre as large as any Brooklyn playhouse and far more beautiful."
The theatre "has a seating capacity of 3,000 and involves an expenditure of $350,000”.
It was bult by “the well known Levy Brothers, who also constructed the Bedford and Fifth Avenue theatres."
"The front is made up of glazed terra cotta and a spacious lobby is provided."
"The interior is decorated in marble and red silk moire tapestry."
"On the entrance to the mezzanine arcade there is a large promenade and on both the orchestra and mezzanine floors are to be found lounging rooms for both ladies and men."
”…so designed so that is it clear of all poles and the elevation of the seats is such that it permits a full view of the stage even to the last row. There are roomy lodges on the balcony and two tiers of boxes.“
"The new theatre is readily accessible to all trolley lines.”
No William Fox. This will be explained in part two.
The following is an excerpt from an article (actually a press release) in the Weekly Chat for January 19th, 1918. As it turns out, the Ridgewood wasn’t always advertised as being in Brooklyn:
“William Fox has just completed the installing of his new $25,000 M. P. Moller organ and it will be in operation at the Ridgewood Theatre commencing Monday, January 21st. This organ will be a treat to all patrons of Queens handsomest playhouse.”
The program for the week:
Monday through Wednesday: Mary Garden in “Thais” and the 10th episode of “Who is Number One?”
“Big Novelty for Monday night, January 21st a war song contest between writers of war songs during the days of 1776, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War and the World Conflict.”
Thursday-Sunday it is Geraldine Farrar in “The Devil Stone”. Also Fatty Arbuckle “in two reels entitled Out West” and the Hearst Pathe News “with the latest news from the front”.
On Friday night, “big novelty dance contest”
Where was the Oasis theater? I rememebr the name, but can’t place it.
Thanks for the help.
Dan G
Warren;
There may be another possibility. The Levy Brothers were builders involved in real estate not theatre operators as such. In the Eagle, on the opening of the Fifth Avenue Theatre, (Mach 26th, 1911) no mention is made of the brothers. However it is clear from later articles that the Levys not only built the theatre but owned it until selling the space in 1923 (no matter who actually ran the theatre during that time period).
Upon completing the Boro Park, they immediately leased it to B.F. Keith’s. I know the article says “sold” but this seems doubtful since two years later the Levys are selling the building to Marcus Loew Theatrical Enterprises, Inc.
The Levy Brothers apparently were investors in various neighborhoods. According to the 1923 article they entered the “Boro Park field about ten years ago, and built many small homes and apartments in the section.”
The Levys also seem to build at some point upscale (better quality) theatres where these places were lacking (this was true of Park Slope in 1911 and also Boro Park in 1923). We need to hear from the Ridgewood people about that neighborhood.
So did the Levy Brothers build the Ridgewood in 1915, kept the ownership and leased the theatre to William Fox?
Lostmemory, there was a brief reference to the Gold Theater in the CT listing for the High Theater, also on Sands St.
Yes, maybe so.
Thank you webmasters for the house cleaning and removed messages. It is much appreciated, even if mine make no sense now with the missing ones.
Maybe now we can back to what we all enjoy here, talkinf about theaters.
Tom (or whatever your name is), your aliases have been known for months already, all 50 of them. Do I really have to post the whole list? I knew you were “Otto” long before this incident. You have been everything from FastEddie to Sally G (all versions of her) to SG Coglin to MagicLantern to Don Novak to SG Cogan to EdWood to SI Carmine to Edwin Yost to MovieCritic to KodakDude to Astanayx to Krull to RidgewoodBill to John Franz to SG Cogan to S-G Cogan to Sally. And the list goes on and on, and I have my suspiscions about some other names too, some of which may be “regulars†here, but I will not mention names.
And that’s fine, I don’t care, as long as you are productive on the site. But don’t think you are fooling anyone. We may not always respond, but ever since the “Sally†incident I have been on to all the aliases. I admit you got me then, but that was the only time since.
Sorry about that, the Etude, 5406 3rd Avenue is in Brooklyn.
No problem locating these theatres. However these is a problem with the exact address of the Progress on Graham. The original listing is under the owner’s name (an all too common practice of the period): Samuel Goodman 1912-1914. It becomes the Variey Theatre in 1914 and at the end of the decade the Progress. In the early 1930s it is renamed the Lindy and closed circa 1954. Now the problem with the exact address. The address for this theatre is usually given as 118 Graham. However Samual Goodman is sometimes given as 116 Graham. While in the early FDYBs, the address is given variously as 110 Graham or 118 Graham. Finally after 1931 (don’t have FDYB for 30) the address remains 118 Graham. Did Goodman or the Variety move next door from 116 to 118? Somehow I doubt that.The seating capacity is a consistent 600.
The Etude is a bit easier. With a seating capacity of 453 the theatre was at 54-06 3rd Avenue. Listed in Trows (1912) once again under owner’s name— Elias Bernstein at 54-08. Finally listes as the Etude circa 1915 and in the mid-30s becomes the Alben. Closing around 1962. I think Bernstein’s is the Etude.
Well I only ask “Mr Burger” because you always mention her when talking about the RKO Madison’s balcony.
I dont know Mae West Mr Bway why you ask. I know more theatres for everyone. Etude theatre an Progress theatre in Brooklyn. You welcome help you self.
Lostmemory;
There were five theatres in Brooklyn—at various times—operating under the name Montauk (one was legit). In addition to these, there was the Montauk Arcade at 2540 Pitkin. A theatre belonging to William Fulmer is listed at this address in 1912-1913. The name of the theatre is not given. By 1914, it is finally listed as the Montauk Arcade (sc. 500). It is listed in the 1926-29 FDYBs (don’t have 1930), sometimes just as the Montauk. Closed shortly after that.
There is a Westchester Hippodrome listed at 1423 Williamsbridge Road in “The American Motion Picture Directory : a Cyclopedic Directory of the Motion Picture Industry 1914-15”
With a seating capacity of 600, The Select Theatre was at 1671 Pitkin. It opened as the Chester circa 1913/1914. It became the Select about 10 years later. It appears under that name in the 1926 Film Daily Yearbook. The theatre seems to have closed a few years after that (not listed in the 1929 Film Daily Yearbook).
With 300 seats, the other Select was at 1425 Williamsbridge Road. At least it is listed at that address in the 1926 FDYB. Not listed in 27.
Actually yes, please email it to me. I know I saved it somewhere on my computer, but forgot what I filed it under, so can’t find it.
I haven’t checked if it is on this site yet, if not, and if anyone knows anything about it, maybe it should be added.
I wonder if Mae West ever performed there.
I went to librery today read some theatre books. I have a nice time there I go back there soon. A lady helped me find some Brooklyn theatres I add some here. First I need help because in book I read about a Select theatre was on Pitkin avenue but no more detail. Maybe some one could know this theatre maybe help me.
The niche marketing concept is certainly intriguing. Driving through Greenpoint on a Sunday afternoon, you see some of the Polish residents lined-up in front of a storefront showing films from their homeland. Whether this is enought to regularly fill a theatre is the question. The Ridgewood definitely fills a neighborhood need. With some renovation and innovative programming it can still survive.
The only other option that may also work if they don’t decide to renovate the theater to compete, may be to do as the Jackson Heights Triplex did, and cater to the either the growing Polish or Hispanic population in Ridgewood. Again, the status quo won’t work once the Atlas Multiplex opens in nearby Glendale. It’s either renovate and keep the nearby residents of Ridgewood, Maspeth, Bushwick, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Greenpoint, East New York, Glendale, etc residents from going a littler further to Glendale and the brand new Altlas multiplex, keep going with the semi-rundown and definitely dated auditoriums they have now, but cater to some ethnic population and find a niche, or turn off the lights and the projection rooms forever.
As I said in another post under a different theater, the new Altlas Multiplex may spell the end of the Ridgewood Theatre. It’s long continuous run may finally come to an end. The Ridgewood is the sole surving theatre in that area of Queens and Brooklyn, there isn’t another theater for miles. (I believe the Forest Hills theaters are the closest), and those are certainly not “around the corner”. However, with a modern multiplex “almost” in walking distance from Ridgewood, the Ridgewood Theatre will fel the pull. The mangagement may be forced to either renovate the theater or “turn off the lights” without beginning a reel of film. Either way the status quo won’t do it. The Ridgewood Theatre has come upon a critical fork in the road that will decide it’s future, or non-future, and this fork will probably be as important as it’s life-saving decision to be cut up into a multiplex was in the early 1980’s.
With Regal building the 15 screen Atlas in Glendale, what does this mean for the future of the Ridgewood?
Grew up thru the 50’s in Glendale (St. Felix at Cooper and 61st St.). How many hours we spent at the Ridgewood and Madison (Myrtle Ave.), the Glenwood (Myrtle w. of Fresh Pond Rd.) and the Oasis (Fresh Pond Rd.)!!!! Every Sat. a.m. the Ridgewood and Madison would compete for double feature sci-fi or monster flicks with promotionals and extras. 1962 – my first ‘date’ at the Ridgewood ended in disaster trying to ‘cop’ my first ‘feel’. Devastating then, a hoot now! How many times we got thrown out of the Madison (parents didn’t like us going to the Madison….always ‘trouble’ there) by the lady usher in white dress/shoes with the heavy flashlight. Glad you guys are there…..lots of memories and thanks, Monica, for keeping the spirit of ‘neighborhood’ alive even in this year 2005!
Billster