It just seems odd to me that UA would build a new complex around that theatre. It had been closed for a long time prior to the drive-ins closing was it not?
My friend Steve Young used to be the District Manager for Brandt theatres. He has a million great stories about these houses. I wish he would get on-line and share his memories.
They may have loved the business but even putting aside their abuse of customers, they knew nothing about booking. To play Paramount movies just because they shipped free was sheer lunacy. They could have picked up the prints themselves if they did not want to pay Long Island Film Shipping to do it. Many of the art distributors would not service them anymore, for reasons I wont go into on here. They never would offer a bargain matinee and acted like it was a privilege to be allowed to see a movie there. It worked for awhile when they were about the only place in Nassau County to see an art film. The minute the Malverne and Manhasset and later Kew Gardens went art nobody in their right mind went there anymore. That theatre could have even went $3 and played second run moveovers and would have done alot more then it took in. One last thing, I wish I could remember the double feature that one of the film companies released in the early 90’s (so rare even then)but they actually put one film in each screen and charged a seperate admission for each. Every place else it was a double feature. I can guarantee they reported the grosses from just one side and not the total, if anyone was crazy enough to see them there.
Boy, the days of exclusive runs. It seems that even now when a film opens exclusive in Manhattan and does boffo buisness they open it everywhere within a few weeks.
I go to this theatre alot, and have never seen it empty. The weekends it sells out and even weeknights they get a good crowd. It’s nice to be able to park right outside, even when it’s crowded.
The sign “Cinema” seems to jog a memory of seeing other LI mall theatres with this name. Was thios maybe the original Roosevelt Field theatre as a single screen? I think it may have opened into the mall when it was built. I know later on all the Century Theatres had the huge Century name in script on them, at least the newer ones.
5/5/89 Scandal
6/9 Dead Poets Society
8/25 Uncle Buck (moveover)
9/15 Shirley Valentine
10/27 Sex Lies & Videotape (moveover)
11/3 Crimes & Misdeamenors
12/15 Blaze
1/5 My Left Foot
2/2 Stanley & Iris
2/23 Where the Heart Is
3/9 Madhouse
3/23 Pretty Woman
6/15 Dick Tracy
This was a huge single screen theatre with curtains and very comfortable seats. It had a large blacony and would guess the seating at maybe 1800? Maybe longislandmovies can tell us more. I think this was always one of Centurys big moneymakers.
There is alot of activity here in the last few days. Does anyone know exactly what they are doing with the interior? What a sin destroying this art deco little treasure.
Wow this must have been an awesome place to see movies. I wish they had included a shot of the auditorium. The patio is such a unique idea. Did this theatre play roadshows?
Are any more movie events planned? It would have been fun to do something for Halloween. It could have coincided with that big horror & sci-fi show they hold every year in Secaucus.
Speaking of the LED marquees, I walked by Chelsea East today and theirs was totally screwed up, you could barely make out some of the titles. This is Clearviews top money making house in Manhattan, you think they would pay more attention to it.
Has anyone seen anything going on here?
It just seems odd to me that UA would build a new complex around that theatre. It had been closed for a long time prior to the drive-ins closing was it not?
I would love to know the real reason this is being delayed. That area could use a new theatre in it.
Gustavelifting
I’m not sure I get what you were saying, the indoor theatre from the drive-In days is part of the current multi-plex?
My friend Steve Young used to be the District Manager for Brandt theatres. He has a million great stories about these houses. I wish he would get on-line and share his memories.
Thank god this theatre is not in New York or it would have been torn down already. This place is as beautiful as a church.
longislandmovies
Can you tell us if the Roosevelt Field theatre ever opened inside the mall?
They may have loved the business but even putting aside their abuse of customers, they knew nothing about booking. To play Paramount movies just because they shipped free was sheer lunacy. They could have picked up the prints themselves if they did not want to pay Long Island Film Shipping to do it. Many of the art distributors would not service them anymore, for reasons I wont go into on here. They never would offer a bargain matinee and acted like it was a privilege to be allowed to see a movie there. It worked for awhile when they were about the only place in Nassau County to see an art film. The minute the Malverne and Manhasset and later Kew Gardens went art nobody in their right mind went there anymore. That theatre could have even went $3 and played second run moveovers and would have done alot more then it took in. One last thing, I wish I could remember the double feature that one of the film companies released in the early 90’s (so rare even then)but they actually put one film in each screen and charged a seperate admission for each. Every place else it was a double feature. I can guarantee they reported the grosses from just one side and not the total, if anyone was crazy enough to see them there.
longislandmovies, how did this theatre do box office wise? I know when I was going there in the 80’s it was never that crowded.
Boy, the days of exclusive runs. It seems that even now when a film opens exclusive in Manhattan and does boffo buisness they open it everywhere within a few weeks.
Were all of their houses end of the run?
The Bellrose did not have the script, and I dont think the Floral did either.
Orlando- No I drove the car there. Stupid me though I forgot to bring my camera. Are any more movie events planned?
I go to this theatre alot, and have never seen it empty. The weekends it sells out and even weeknights they get a good crowd. It’s nice to be able to park right outside, even when it’s crowded.
Wow, I learned something today. I never knew about this theatre. How many theatres did the Springer chain operate?
Wow thats alot of seats between the two houses. Was it roadshow at The Rivoli?
Great web site, I remember the RKO twin buit not the Mayfair.
The sign “Cinema” seems to jog a memory of seeing other LI mall theatres with this name. Was thios maybe the original Roosevelt Field theatre as a single screen? I think it may have opened into the mall when it was built. I know later on all the Century Theatres had the huge Century name in script on them, at least the newer ones.
The way they describe keeping the lobby and just using the balcony is similar to The Colliseum Cinemas here in NY.
Here are some of the Trylon Bookings for 89-90
5/5/89 Scandal
6/9 Dead Poets Society
8/25 Uncle Buck (moveover)
9/15 Shirley Valentine
10/27 Sex Lies & Videotape (moveover)
11/3 Crimes & Misdeamenors
12/15 Blaze
1/5 My Left Foot
2/2 Stanley & Iris
2/23 Where the Heart Is
3/9 Madhouse
3/23 Pretty Woman
6/15 Dick Tracy
This was a huge single screen theatre with curtains and very comfortable seats. It had a large blacony and would guess the seating at maybe 1800? Maybe longislandmovies can tell us more. I think this was always one of Centurys big moneymakers.
There is alot of activity here in the last few days. Does anyone know exactly what they are doing with the interior? What a sin destroying this art deco little treasure.
Wow this must have been an awesome place to see movies. I wish they had included a shot of the auditorium. The patio is such a unique idea. Did this theatre play roadshows?
Are any more movie events planned? It would have been fun to do something for Halloween. It could have coincided with that big horror & sci-fi show they hold every year in Secaucus.
Speaking of the LED marquees, I walked by Chelsea East today and theirs was totally screwed up, you could barely make out some of the titles. This is Clearviews top money making house in Manhattan, you think they would pay more attention to it.
I will as soon as the add a photo feature is back.