It ticks me off when a theatre is called the itch, not for any sanitary reasons, but because of uncomfortable seats. I was there once, as the Arcade, to see some film not available at any of the neighbs. I only remember the ceiling being fairly low compared to my home theatre, the Bellerose, which was so high it could have accommodated a substantial balcony.
At least they won’t have to worry about the marquee blowing off. I remember a hurricane way back when when the marquee of the Green Acres wound up on the parking lot with the letters in tact. The movie? A revival of Gone With the Wind. True. I wish there were camera phones in those days.
Went by today. It doesn’t seem as tho' anything has been done since I was there at the end of the year. As far as the fire escape situation is concerned they’ve only boarded over the openings so maybe there is still hope. The church web site still talks about the new venue. The problem might be money or permits. The renovation of the Paramount in Stapleton was aborted due to all the problems with permits. When you have an 80 year old building that’s been sitting there, unused, for years there’s got to be a lot to do to bring it up to code. For the Paramount even approval to light the marquee couldn’t be obtained.
The small stage was about 30 inches above the main floor and accessible by three steps to the side. In the portion which is exposed in the antique store (one half of the whole) the stage was at best 9 x 12 with a small enclosed area to the side (wing/dressing room). The ceiling over the stage was very old wood. If, in fact, it was the original the space above the stage was about what is now standard in a house. So with the narrowness of the stage, a width of, maybe, 24 feet and no special height, there would be sever limits to any live performance/vaudeville.
Well, the RKO Jefferson became the Jefferson. Most of the Century Long Island theatres on CT are not identified as such, but some are. Fortunately, the new logic makes it easier to find things. If we really want to go into some questionable logic why are theatres on military bases listed? They’re not really for the public. Some of the mental hospitals had theatres, which are well documented, should they be on?
They’re going to have to move their butts on this. When I did my August 18th posting the front of the building was open at the balcony level and they were still filling a dumpster.
That’s the way they do it. I keep reading similar comments on most of the theatres. Century was about the only one that had a good maintenance reputation. UA, Cineplex, etc. just let things slide. Hey, most of these places are leased anyway so the company has no real interest in maintaining them.
Although the bulk of the shopping center was torn down, particularly the area which housed Sachs 34th Street (laterly Gimbels) I believe that the portion which housed the Bar Harbor, the left most side at Merrick Road was just renovated. The line of the building which subsequently housed an eatery looks exactly the same as it did previously.
While at a convention a number of years ago a cocktail party, with dancing, was scheduled in the spaceous lobby. We were also treated to a concert on the magnificent organ.
Church still hasn’t opened. According to the church site they were planning on having 2,500 seats in the new building; that means they’re including the huge balcony. Yet they removed the fire escapes from the exterior. Different requirements for churches. Faith?
Now that’s impressive. Unfortunately, most movie goers never really saw the auditorium. In the day all the Century theatres had continuous performances from 1 PM. The lights never were up. I was in the Queens twice, once up, once down and the only thing that really registered was the enormity of the balcony, which must have seated as many, or more, than the orchestra.
Deliberately made a point of driving by. Same derelict building surrounded by a chain link fence. Even the banner proclaiming “Blight to light” is looking blighted.
It ticks me off when a theatre is called the itch, not for any sanitary reasons, but because of uncomfortable seats. I was there once, as the Arcade, to see some film not available at any of the neighbs. I only remember the ceiling being fairly low compared to my home theatre, the Bellerose, which was so high it could have accommodated a substantial balcony.
There was originally a plan to have multiple theatres on the site and called Cinema City. Then the bottom dropped out of the movie business.
At least they won’t have to worry about the marquee blowing off. I remember a hurricane way back when when the marquee of the Green Acres wound up on the parking lot with the letters in tact. The movie? A revival of Gone With the Wind. True. I wish there were camera phones in those days.
The church’s web site talks about having acquired a 2,500 seat facility. That means balcony included.
Went by today. It doesn’t seem as tho' anything has been done since I was there at the end of the year. As far as the fire escape situation is concerned they’ve only boarded over the openings so maybe there is still hope. The church web site still talks about the new venue. The problem might be money or permits. The renovation of the Paramount in Stapleton was aborted due to all the problems with permits. When you have an 80 year old building that’s been sitting there, unused, for years there’s got to be a lot to do to bring it up to code. For the Paramount even approval to light the marquee couldn’t be obtained.
The small stage was about 30 inches above the main floor and accessible by three steps to the side. In the portion which is exposed in the antique store (one half of the whole) the stage was at best 9 x 12 with a small enclosed area to the side (wing/dressing room). The ceiling over the stage was very old wood. If, in fact, it was the original the space above the stage was about what is now standard in a house. So with the narrowness of the stage, a width of, maybe, 24 feet and no special height, there would be sever limits to any live performance/vaudeville.
Well, the RKO Jefferson became the Jefferson. Most of the Century Long Island theatres on CT are not identified as such, but some are. Fortunately, the new logic makes it easier to find things. If we really want to go into some questionable logic why are theatres on military bases listed? They’re not really for the public. Some of the mental hospitals had theatres, which are well documented, should they be on?
They’re going to have to move their butts on this. When I did my August 18th posting the front of the building was open at the balcony level and they were still filling a dumpster.
That’s the way they do it. I keep reading similar comments on most of the theatres. Century was about the only one that had a good maintenance reputation. UA, Cineplex, etc. just let things slide. Hey, most of these places are leased anyway so the company has no real interest in maintaining them.
Using curtains in the presentations was a common Century practice used to great advantage by some. See my references at the Bellerose site.
Although the bulk of the shopping center was torn down, particularly the area which housed Sachs 34th Street (laterly Gimbels) I believe that the portion which housed the Bar Harbor, the left most side at Merrick Road was just renovated. The line of the building which subsequently housed an eatery looks exactly the same as it did previously.
Moviegoer click on about in the heading and follow the prompts to notify the folks at CT about an update.
Well I put the correct address in but the Google map hasn’t been updated. Is that something that takes time?
The theatre was an auto parts store for awhile. Now it’s Famous Footwear.
While at a convention a number of years ago a cocktail party, with dancing, was scheduled in the spaceous lobby. We were also treated to a concert on the magnificent organ.
Church still hasn’t opened. According to the church site they were planning on having 2,500 seats in the new building; that means they’re including the huge balcony. Yet they removed the fire escapes from the exterior. Different requirements for churches. Faith?
Wow, the opening description of the theatre just blew me away.
Wonder if the organ was still around when it was converted to a skating rink. That would have been cool to have the heritage as part of the modern.
Just look on CT for a new Albemarle interior photo
It certainly won’t look the same but it still could be really good. Check out the Albemarle in Brooklyn after it’s modification.
So they had a Wurlitzer. What I find odd about the drug store is that they left the set back at the entrance. They’re losing a lot of retail space.
wonder what it will look like after the church finishes their modifications.
Now that’s impressive. Unfortunately, most movie goers never really saw the auditorium. In the day all the Century theatres had continuous performances from 1 PM. The lights never were up. I was in the Queens twice, once up, once down and the only thing that really registered was the enormity of the balcony, which must have seated as many, or more, than the orchestra.
They’re still in the demolition phase so the October date which was originally given is unlikely.
Deliberately made a point of driving by. Same derelict building surrounded by a chain link fence. Even the banner proclaiming “Blight to light” is looking blighted.