An old question, RobertR, but I just came across this page for the first time today. Laughlin had some problems with the distributors of “Trial of Billy Jack”, but, as the ad seems to indicate, the film did go on to have a pretty major saturation release (since “Billy Jack” in ‘71 was so popular). It was the next film, “Billy Jack Goes to Washington” that Laughlin had to four-wall in abortive engagements in L.A. and one or two other areas. The film never received official theatrical distribution and finally wound up on DVD (in a truncated version) in the late 1990’s. And if you count “Born Losers” from '67, there would be a total of 4 Billy Jack flicks!
So… when did this theater close down? Not that long ago, was it? I swear I can remember seeing “UA Lefferts” listed in newspaper ads and time clocks within the last few years.
Jerry… I don’t know how the listings ran in the ‘50’s and '60’s, but I seem to recall that the NY Post used to list most of the Duece grindhouses in their Movie Time Clock during the late '70’s and '80’s. They used to clump them all together with the prefix “42St” near the beginning of the column. So you’d see “42St Liberty” and “42St Lyric” etc… I don’t think they always listed both (or all three, as the case may be) features, which is why going down to the strip in person was always the best way to select which particular bill of fare to attend.
Warren… When I told my father about the restoration and re-opening of the Paradise, he mentioned that there would be stiff competition from Lehman College. I intended to post that info here, but it slipped my mind. My dad was a professional musician (now retired) and was the keyboard player and arranger for Tito Puente’s band for some 17 years up to the great bandleader’s untimely death a few years ago. The surviving Puente band members are sometimes asked to play Latin jazz festivals and I figured I’d let him know about the Paradise as a potential venue. Not to mention that he grew up in the Bronx (and resides there currently) and spent a number of youthful evenings basking under the twilight sky of the great theater’s auditorium.
The original “News” item and the posting by CinemAFuchs on April 6th indicates that there will be a tour this Saturday, the 22nd, and that there will be a regular Saturday schedule throughout the year. Give a call to the theater’s number provided in that post.
It’s funny how time can play with one’s memory. I’ve always been convinced that the old Colony was located right across the street from the Jackson Theater (now a triplex) also on 82nd Street but on the other side of Roosevelt Avenue. But, it appears I am mistaken. There couldn’t have been a third theater in the vicinity that faced the Jackson, could there have been? Of course, my memories stretch back to when I was no more than 8 or 9 years old and still living in Elmhurst on 41st Ave just off Junction Blvd. I wish someone had a photo of the Colony’s marquee to display here. I think I can picture the style of the letters in my mind’s eye, but – as we now know – I can’t exactly trust that mental image! I also wish someone had a good photo of the old Corona Theater marquee from the 1970’s when it was a bingo hall.
I’m happy one of the photos found some good use on that wonderful site! They also snagged one of my night-time shots of the Fair Theater (via a link to my photobucket page). Surprisingly, there is no mention of the Jackson Theater (now a triplex) on 82nd Street nor its old competitor, the now converted-to-retail Colony Theater just across the way. And what about the former Boulevard Theater on Northern? The forgotten-ny website is usually more thorough in its neighborhood coverage.
HeMan… your mention of the stamped dollar bill intrigues me! I wonder if the management of the Valencia had all of their singles stamped thus in order to commemorate the end of its run in some small way. If so, you have a nice little piece of historical ephemera on your hands. I hope you stashed it away someplace safe!
I haven’t been to this theater in over 20 years, but I’ve been back to Green Acres Mall on a few occasions in recent years. I know some suburbanites probably aren’t too pleased with the current ethnic mix that patronizes the mall, but I don’t know that I ever felt in any danger. There were definitely problems at the Sunrise Cinemas down the road even when I was still in the area living in Laurelton and I know things got rougher later on with some intense rowdiness during the 1986 engagement of the Run-DMC movie “Tougher Than Leather” and a shooting incident in 1990 when “Godfather III” played there. I am unaware of any such incidents at the Green Acres Theater.
While the mall and theaters might still attract their share of rowdy kids on a Friday or Saturday night, I think the village of Valley Stream is still pretty quaint and friendly. When I think of dangerous theaters, I think of the old RKO Alden in Jamaica or the Harris and Anco Theaters on 42nd Street.
Well… we all tend to romanticize our youth, I suppose. But then, I don’t remember the area ever being as desolate as you describe the Tenderloin district to be. It seems there was always plenty of foot traffic along the Duece and around the corner on Times Square proper, there were always crowds. I don’t particularly miss the come-ons from the pimps and drug dealers and phony ID guys or the three card monty games… but I do miss the honky tonk atmosphere and the grindhouses. I miss the colorful displays in the outer vestibules and the cheap double feature thrills they promised (and often delivered). I guess I’ll have to be content with my memories. And I too have enjoyed legitimate productions at the gleamingly renovated Selwyn and New Amsterdam theaters in recent years, not to mention that I’ve been a subscriber to the children’s theater program at the New Victory for several years running now. Yes, it’s very nice to be able to take the kids to see shows on the Duece. But when I stare around before the curtain goes I up, I can’t help but drift back to the days of my youth and recalling with a smile some of the demented sights and sounds I watched unfold on the big soda-stained screens in those creaky old grinders.
Gary… You inspired me. I just sent this comment to Craig on the Cleariew site and even dropped your name.
“Just wanted to drop a line to Craig. I attended a number screenings during the recent Classics series and I’ve already completed the survey above about my excellent experiences during the run (and on other first run occasions as well). I just wanted to thank you again for the terrific series and for the promise of more yet to come in the Fall. In the meanwhile, I hope to support the theater with its coming run of "Mission Impossible III” and always look forward to an opportunity to enjoy a film on the Ziegfeld’s big screen.
If I might suggest a title for a future Classics presentation… I saw in last Sunday’s Times that the Film Forum was running a brand new 35mm print of Terrence Malick’s beautiful 1978 film “Days of Heaven”. I refuse to do this painterly masterpiece the injustice of watching it in the Film Forum’s cramped quarters, but would love to see it spalshed across the 50 foot screen at the Ziegfeld.
I post regularly at the Cinema Treasures site and I know you peruse those comments and appreciate our patronage and suggestions. We certainly appreciate your listening to what we have to say. I’m aware one of our contributors – Gary – provided you with a lengthy list of suggestions and I’m sure he’s been in your ear a lot with various praise and criticisms. I just wanted to take the time – now that I’m in Classics withdrawal – to once again thank you for a wonderful 6 weeks of programming. I hope that we can see more 70mm and I hope we can get closer to the kind of presentation and showmanship that was intended for some of these roadshow era films (such as proper lighting and curtain cues for overture and intermission and a true intermission break where intended). I know you guys strive to bring us the best show possible and it was evident that many kinks were worked out as the series progressed. The kind of showmanship that these films demand is an art that has been greatly lost not only on the part of exhibitors over the years, but, sadly, on the part of the audience as well – in the form of lowered expectations and the general acceptance of mediocrity. How wonderful it would be if you could bring that level of showmanship back to your flagship theater. You folks are its curators and the Ziegfeld is your museum. We look to you to remind those of us who remember (and show those who know no better) what a truly grand and magical experience it once was to attend a Broadway roadshow engagement.
The Times Square area grindhouse distributors operated in a definite sub-culture environment. It’s not surprising that available information about Levene and his colleagues is sketchy.
I say we bring back the scratch ‘n’ sniff “Odorama” cards that accompanied the first release screenings of John Waters' “Polyester”! Man, was that an adventure!
I’ll have to re-organize the album one day so that some of the theaters (particularly those with many photos) have their own sub album. It’ll make it better to navigate and focus on what you want to look at, but it will break many of the links I’ve established on this site. I guess I could just repost some of the links.
I was driving east down Broadway over the weekend and passed by a building on the corner of 41st Street and Broadway just a block past Steinway that looked very much like a former theater. I found this aerial view of the structure on the local.live.com site that has become very popular on these boards of late:
I don’t have an address, but it’s in the 41-xx block on the odd-numbered side of the street. Anyone know anything about this building? It sure looks like an ex-theater, but it may also have been a lodge of some kind (Elks or some other fraternal order)? Any ideas Warren?
Actually, Patsy, both the Valencia in Jamaica, Queens, and the 175th Street in Washington Heights, Manhattan, are actively used and open to all as churches. With the Paradise giving it a go as a live venue and the Jersey running classic revivals, only the Rapp & Rapp Kings is left a neglected hulk, rotting and decaying in Brooklyn and in need of many millions of dollars in restoration work.
Look at the bulging crowds in the side boxes! That had to present some kind of fire code violation – if there was, in fact, any sort of fire code in place at the time – not to mention a strength test for the load bearing trusses!
I would hope that a filmmaker like Nora Ephron would try to do something more about the sad state of multiplex exhibition that to merely write an op-ed piece in the Times. Why couldn’t something like this happen to a Steven Spielberg or George Lucas, who might actually care enough and have sufficient high-powered influence to make some waves over this unforgiveable lack of regard for the product (the very costly product, I might add) manufactured by the industry?
I have to stop speed-reading! Thanks, I see it plain as day in his posting. That’s an amazing reduction in capacity. Assuming the 1957 FDYB (which Warren referenced on the Brooklyn Paramount page) was up-to-date and the Capitol’s capacity had already been reduced to just over 4400 by the late ‘50’s, we’re talkin about a stunning reduction of nearly 3000 seats! Even if the FDYB was incorrect and capacity had been only 3000 (just to pick a round number), we’re talking about half the house removed or hidden behind drapes.
Great find, Jerry. I love it! You might want to check out the local papers and bulletin boards for antique books and ephemera shows. They usually set up for a two-day weekend at a local school or church rec hall. There was one in nearby Garden City last weekend and someone was negotiating with one of the booksellers for a vintage program from the George M. Cohan Theater circa 1919. The program had been neatly stapled through the center binding and taped along the spine as well as having been hole-punched for inclusion in some two-ring binder at some point. It sounds worse than it was, for the pages themselves were in excellent shape. The seller wanted $35. I had to move on before their haggling was concluded.
William… Following up on your March 7th post about the refitting of the Capitol for Cinerama in ‘62, can you tell us what the revised seating capacity was after all those seats were concealed behind draperies? We started touching upon this topic in the Brooklyn Paramount thread, where an article was posted dated 8/21/62 in reference to that theater’s closing and noting its seating capacity of 4144 as being second only to Radio City Music Hall in NYC.
Thanks. Anyway, my memory must be off, since according to the profile above, UA disassociated itself with this theater many years before it closed.
An old question, RobertR, but I just came across this page for the first time today. Laughlin had some problems with the distributors of “Trial of Billy Jack”, but, as the ad seems to indicate, the film did go on to have a pretty major saturation release (since “Billy Jack” in ‘71 was so popular). It was the next film, “Billy Jack Goes to Washington” that Laughlin had to four-wall in abortive engagements in L.A. and one or two other areas. The film never received official theatrical distribution and finally wound up on DVD (in a truncated version) in the late 1990’s. And if you count “Born Losers” from '67, there would be a total of 4 Billy Jack flicks!
So… when did this theater close down? Not that long ago, was it? I swear I can remember seeing “UA Lefferts” listed in newspaper ads and time clocks within the last few years.
Hardbop… You might find this article about the Imaginasian from the Arts & Leisure section of this week’s Sunday NY Times: View link
There is absolutely zero mention of this theater’s history as either the Cine Mailbu or the D.W. Griffith, by the way.
Jerry… I don’t know how the listings ran in the ‘50’s and '60’s, but I seem to recall that the NY Post used to list most of the Duece grindhouses in their Movie Time Clock during the late '70’s and '80’s. They used to clump them all together with the prefix “42St” near the beginning of the column. So you’d see “42St Liberty” and “42St Lyric” etc… I don’t think they always listed both (or all three, as the case may be) features, which is why going down to the strip in person was always the best way to select which particular bill of fare to attend.
Curiouser and curiouser…
Warren… When I told my father about the restoration and re-opening of the Paradise, he mentioned that there would be stiff competition from Lehman College. I intended to post that info here, but it slipped my mind. My dad was a professional musician (now retired) and was the keyboard player and arranger for Tito Puente’s band for some 17 years up to the great bandleader’s untimely death a few years ago. The surviving Puente band members are sometimes asked to play Latin jazz festivals and I figured I’d let him know about the Paradise as a potential venue. Not to mention that he grew up in the Bronx (and resides there currently) and spent a number of youthful evenings basking under the twilight sky of the great theater’s auditorium.
The original “News” item and the posting by CinemAFuchs on April 6th indicates that there will be a tour this Saturday, the 22nd, and that there will be a regular Saturday schedule throughout the year. Give a call to the theater’s number provided in that post.
It’s funny how time can play with one’s memory. I’ve always been convinced that the old Colony was located right across the street from the Jackson Theater (now a triplex) also on 82nd Street but on the other side of Roosevelt Avenue. But, it appears I am mistaken. There couldn’t have been a third theater in the vicinity that faced the Jackson, could there have been? Of course, my memories stretch back to when I was no more than 8 or 9 years old and still living in Elmhurst on 41st Ave just off Junction Blvd. I wish someone had a photo of the Colony’s marquee to display here. I think I can picture the style of the letters in my mind’s eye, but – as we now know – I can’t exactly trust that mental image! I also wish someone had a good photo of the old Corona Theater marquee from the 1970’s when it was a bingo hall.
I’m happy one of the photos found some good use on that wonderful site! They also snagged one of my night-time shots of the Fair Theater (via a link to my photobucket page). Surprisingly, there is no mention of the Jackson Theater (now a triplex) on 82nd Street nor its old competitor, the now converted-to-retail Colony Theater just across the way. And what about the former Boulevard Theater on Northern? The forgotten-ny website is usually more thorough in its neighborhood coverage.
HeMan… your mention of the stamped dollar bill intrigues me! I wonder if the management of the Valencia had all of their singles stamped thus in order to commemorate the end of its run in some small way. If so, you have a nice little piece of historical ephemera on your hands. I hope you stashed it away someplace safe!
I haven’t been to this theater in over 20 years, but I’ve been back to Green Acres Mall on a few occasions in recent years. I know some suburbanites probably aren’t too pleased with the current ethnic mix that patronizes the mall, but I don’t know that I ever felt in any danger. There were definitely problems at the Sunrise Cinemas down the road even when I was still in the area living in Laurelton and I know things got rougher later on with some intense rowdiness during the 1986 engagement of the Run-DMC movie “Tougher Than Leather” and a shooting incident in 1990 when “Godfather III” played there. I am unaware of any such incidents at the Green Acres Theater.
While the mall and theaters might still attract their share of rowdy kids on a Friday or Saturday night, I think the village of Valley Stream is still pretty quaint and friendly. When I think of dangerous theaters, I think of the old RKO Alden in Jamaica or the Harris and Anco Theaters on 42nd Street.
I think “The Odd Couple” is the all time record holder at Radio City.
I think “The Odd Couple” is the all time record holder at Radio City.
Well… we all tend to romanticize our youth, I suppose. But then, I don’t remember the area ever being as desolate as you describe the Tenderloin district to be. It seems there was always plenty of foot traffic along the Duece and around the corner on Times Square proper, there were always crowds. I don’t particularly miss the come-ons from the pimps and drug dealers and phony ID guys or the three card monty games… but I do miss the honky tonk atmosphere and the grindhouses. I miss the colorful displays in the outer vestibules and the cheap double feature thrills they promised (and often delivered). I guess I’ll have to be content with my memories. And I too have enjoyed legitimate productions at the gleamingly renovated Selwyn and New Amsterdam theaters in recent years, not to mention that I’ve been a subscriber to the children’s theater program at the New Victory for several years running now. Yes, it’s very nice to be able to take the kids to see shows on the Duece. But when I stare around before the curtain goes I up, I can’t help but drift back to the days of my youth and recalling with a smile some of the demented sights and sounds I watched unfold on the big soda-stained screens in those creaky old grinders.
Gary… You inspired me. I just sent this comment to Craig on the Cleariew site and even dropped your name.
“Just wanted to drop a line to Craig. I attended a number screenings during the recent Classics series and I’ve already completed the survey above about my excellent experiences during the run (and on other first run occasions as well). I just wanted to thank you again for the terrific series and for the promise of more yet to come in the Fall. In the meanwhile, I hope to support the theater with its coming run of "Mission Impossible III” and always look forward to an opportunity to enjoy a film on the Ziegfeld’s big screen.
If I might suggest a title for a future Classics presentation… I saw in last Sunday’s Times that the Film Forum was running a brand new 35mm print of Terrence Malick’s beautiful 1978 film “Days of Heaven”. I refuse to do this painterly masterpiece the injustice of watching it in the Film Forum’s cramped quarters, but would love to see it spalshed across the 50 foot screen at the Ziegfeld.
I post regularly at the Cinema Treasures site and I know you peruse those comments and appreciate our patronage and suggestions. We certainly appreciate your listening to what we have to say. I’m aware one of our contributors – Gary – provided you with a lengthy list of suggestions and I’m sure he’s been in your ear a lot with various praise and criticisms. I just wanted to take the time – now that I’m in Classics withdrawal – to once again thank you for a wonderful 6 weeks of programming. I hope that we can see more 70mm and I hope we can get closer to the kind of presentation and showmanship that was intended for some of these roadshow era films (such as proper lighting and curtain cues for overture and intermission and a true intermission break where intended). I know you guys strive to bring us the best show possible and it was evident that many kinks were worked out as the series progressed. The kind of showmanship that these films demand is an art that has been greatly lost not only on the part of exhibitors over the years, but, sadly, on the part of the audience as well – in the form of lowered expectations and the general acceptance of mediocrity. How wonderful it would be if you could bring that level of showmanship back to your flagship theater. You folks are its curators and the Ziegfeld is your museum. We look to you to remind those of us who remember (and show those who know no better) what a truly grand and magical experience it once was to attend a Broadway roadshow engagement.
Thanks for your time."
The Times Square area grindhouse distributors operated in a definite sub-culture environment. It’s not surprising that available information about Levene and his colleagues is sketchy.
I say we bring back the scratch ‘n’ sniff “Odorama” cards that accompanied the first release screenings of John Waters' “Polyester”! Man, was that an adventure!
I’ll have to re-organize the album one day so that some of the theaters (particularly those with many photos) have their own sub album. It’ll make it better to navigate and focus on what you want to look at, but it will break many of the links I’ve established on this site. I guess I could just repost some of the links.
I was driving east down Broadway over the weekend and passed by a building on the corner of 41st Street and Broadway just a block past Steinway that looked very much like a former theater. I found this aerial view of the structure on the local.live.com site that has become very popular on these boards of late:
Unkown Astoria Theater?
I don’t have an address, but it’s in the 41-xx block on the odd-numbered side of the street. Anyone know anything about this building? It sure looks like an ex-theater, but it may also have been a lodge of some kind (Elks or some other fraternal order)? Any ideas Warren?
Actually, Patsy, both the Valencia in Jamaica, Queens, and the 175th Street in Washington Heights, Manhattan, are actively used and open to all as churches. With the Paradise giving it a go as a live venue and the Jersey running classic revivals, only the Rapp & Rapp Kings is left a neglected hulk, rotting and decaying in Brooklyn and in need of many millions of dollars in restoration work.
Look at the bulging crowds in the side boxes! That had to present some kind of fire code violation – if there was, in fact, any sort of fire code in place at the time – not to mention a strength test for the load bearing trusses!
I would hope that a filmmaker like Nora Ephron would try to do something more about the sad state of multiplex exhibition that to merely write an op-ed piece in the Times. Why couldn’t something like this happen to a Steven Spielberg or George Lucas, who might actually care enough and have sufficient high-powered influence to make some waves over this unforgiveable lack of regard for the product (the very costly product, I might add) manufactured by the industry?
I have to stop speed-reading! Thanks, I see it plain as day in his posting. That’s an amazing reduction in capacity. Assuming the 1957 FDYB (which Warren referenced on the Brooklyn Paramount page) was up-to-date and the Capitol’s capacity had already been reduced to just over 4400 by the late ‘50’s, we’re talkin about a stunning reduction of nearly 3000 seats! Even if the FDYB was incorrect and capacity had been only 3000 (just to pick a round number), we’re talking about half the house removed or hidden behind drapes.
Great find, Jerry. I love it! You might want to check out the local papers and bulletin boards for antique books and ephemera shows. They usually set up for a two-day weekend at a local school or church rec hall. There was one in nearby Garden City last weekend and someone was negotiating with one of the booksellers for a vintage program from the George M. Cohan Theater circa 1919. The program had been neatly stapled through the center binding and taped along the spine as well as having been hole-punched for inclusion in some two-ring binder at some point. It sounds worse than it was, for the pages themselves were in excellent shape. The seller wanted $35. I had to move on before their haggling was concluded.
William… Following up on your March 7th post about the refitting of the Capitol for Cinerama in ‘62, can you tell us what the revised seating capacity was after all those seats were concealed behind draperies? We started touching upon this topic in the Brooklyn Paramount thread, where an article was posted dated 8/21/62 in reference to that theater’s closing and noting its seating capacity of 4144 as being second only to Radio City Music Hall in NYC.