The RKO Alden did not even have a Jamaica Avenue entrance when first built, it was open on the 164th Street side. When Loews opened the Valenica RKO took a lease on a store and put up a marquee, and made a new front entrance. The Utopia theatre also had a thin tiny front that went to the rear where most of the theatre was built.
I remember when they spent all that money restoring the Queens Theatre in Queens Village. The theatre did no buisness, and that neighborhood is nowhere as dangerous as where the Paradise is. I only hope the restoration of the Paradise is not in vain.
I am trying to see if I got this right. When 70mm was installed the screen was hung high and the orchestra was not used? Then they built two new cinemas under the balcony?
No it’s not common although there were a few NY houses that had it. Century’s Avalon in Brooklyn, Theatre 80 St Marks in the East Village and I think one or two of the Trans-Lux houses when they only ran newsreels.
In 1954 for a theatre to have no curtain was really odd wasent it? I remember years ago every theatre, even the dives had a curtain. Its funny I cant recall if there was a curtain or not in the 70’s & 80’s. One hysterical thing the footlights under the screen or curtain were fluorescent, which I have never seen before because they make an ugly light. Well the bulb all the way to the left was green and all the other ones were white. It used to cast the ugliest green hue that looked so out of place. Also when the side maskings opened the screen had a patch that only was obviouse when a Cinemascope movie was played. They did put in a new screen however about 5 years before they closed.
I never saw this theatre listed in the newspapers. Another theatre I dont think is on this site is Montauk Movies, I remember it was a single screen that closed in the deadest winter months. I dont see it in the papers anymore, it must have dides.
As far as I know the Wagner was the only Ridgewood theatre to show porn. Although, in the early days alot of X features played regular theatres, so you never know.
Does anyone know what the years German films were played, then Spanish and finally porno? The above post mentions porno in 1969 but I’m not sure about that. I do remember after the Wagner closed the Oasis and Ridgewood sometimes booked a German film one weekday or a few times ran a German print of their current feature.
The Arion was always a run down theatre but it was never dirty. They ran the greatest double bills here. When I would miss something first run I knew it would come sooner or later to the Arion. They also ran offbeat and foreign films.
One thing I know for sure the theatre was in Nesconset. I was looking through and old issue of Cue and the drive-in is listed as Smithtown Drive-In but under the town of Nesconset. The magazine was from May of 1979, so it was still open then.
The RKO Alden did not even have a Jamaica Avenue entrance when first built, it was open on the 164th Street side. When Loews opened the Valenica RKO took a lease on a store and put up a marquee, and made a new front entrance. The Utopia theatre also had a thin tiny front that went to the rear where most of the theatre was built.
I remember when they spent all that money restoring the Queens Theatre in Queens Village. The theatre did no buisness, and that neighborhood is nowhere as dangerous as where the Paradise is. I only hope the restoration of the Paradise is not in vain.
Is it even run by a chain?
No the Ridgewood is run as an independant by the Diaz brothers who also own the Jackson & Plaza.
I am trying to see if I got this right. When 70mm was installed the screen was hung high and the orchestra was not used? Then they built two new cinemas under the balcony?
No it’s not common although there were a few NY houses that had it. Century’s Avalon in Brooklyn, Theatre 80 St Marks in the East Village and I think one or two of the Trans-Lux houses when they only ran newsreels.
RKO recieved a very generous multi-million dollar payout because of the loss of the basement theatres. I had a friend in the home office at the time.
In 1954 for a theatre to have no curtain was really odd wasent it? I remember years ago every theatre, even the dives had a curtain. Its funny I cant recall if there was a curtain or not in the 70’s & 80’s. One hysterical thing the footlights under the screen or curtain were fluorescent, which I have never seen before because they make an ugly light. Well the bulb all the way to the left was green and all the other ones were white. It used to cast the ugliest green hue that looked so out of place. Also when the side maskings opened the screen had a patch that only was obviouse when a Cinemascope movie was played. They did put in a new screen however about 5 years before they closed.
No I was talking about Crossbay 2. This place is like 10 years old and looks like its 50. Even on the outside all the lights are burned out.
Was this ever a circut house?
Already the place is crapped up.
I never saw this theatre listed in the newspapers. Another theatre I dont think is on this site is Montauk Movies, I remember it was a single screen that closed in the deadest winter months. I dont see it in the papers anymore, it must have dides.
I wish someone had pictures of the planes parked watching the movies.
Sorry, dumb mistake on my part. I saw the web address had UK in it, but with those 2 you never knew what was going to happen.
As far as I know the Wagner was the only Ridgewood theatre to show porn. Although, in the early days alot of X features played regular theatres, so you never know.
Nope just “Let’s Spend the Night Together”, which I first saw at Centurys Floral.
More X titles
Beaverly Hills Cop
Star Whores
I played that X rated Pinocchio at the Cinema Village on a double bill with Flesh Gordon.
This is one drive-In I never heard of. What a shame the place got torn down for no reason.
THANKS, I was spelling it wrong.
There used to be a listing for Century’s Bellrose but I cant find it?
Does anyone know what the years German films were played, then Spanish and finally porno? The above post mentions porno in 1969 but I’m not sure about that. I do remember after the Wagner closed the Oasis and Ridgewood sometimes booked a German film one weekday or a few times ran a German print of their current feature.
The Arion was always a run down theatre but it was never dirty. They ran the greatest double bills here. When I would miss something first run I knew it would come sooner or later to the Arion. They also ran offbeat and foreign films.
The Regent is an open theatre? I cant find it listed on Moviephone?
One thing I know for sure the theatre was in Nesconset. I was looking through and old issue of Cue and the drive-in is listed as Smithtown Drive-In but under the town of Nesconset. The magazine was from May of 1979, so it was still open then.
If I remember right the Smithtown Drive-In also had an indoor screen?
Was this built as a BS Moss house? All of their newer theatres were named Movieland something. Who runs this now?