The Kingsway theatre brings back many memories, but fast moving changes in technology are making movie theatres something from another era. At least with awareness, there are some theatres that have been (and hopefully others that will be) saved. It is important for our young and future generation to have a chance to see these beautiful buildings.
I am sure all the members appreciate, as I do, all the continued work you and your associates have put into CINEMA TREASURES. On such a large site, problems are expected to happen periodically.
The key word is service. As entertaining as it may be, that is not the main goal-obviously. It still is a church. It would be nice someday to see the place return as a fully functional theatre as it was intended to be.
I realize that the Walker is 100% intact, as Robert says in the above post. That is why I feel something should be done before years go by and it is too late. This beautiful theatre is a treasure for the boro of Brooklyn. It is something that should be done for future generations. As a performing arts center it could bring back some of the culture Brooklyn has lost. Unlike theatres, it is certainly financially possible.
I agree with Jim, but what a shame that profit should be the major priority of a university. With foresight, intelligence and creative minds the Paramount might have been incorporated into the university in a different way. Other universities have done it. At one time L.I.U. got major donations. Perhaps they could have worked out some plan then.
The more I hear about the phenomenal costs it would take to restore former movie palaces in Brooklyn, the more convinced I am that the beautiful Walker should someday be considered before more alterations or eventual destruction takes place.
If L.I.U. restored the auditorium, it would be part of developing an excellent music & theatre department. It would make the university stand out. I am sure they have many gifted people who could write grants. An area for a gym could be found close to the campus.
There were a few stores on 15th avenue. It was a block from the bus,
and the nearest theatres were the Culver on 18th avenue & McDonald, and the Radio on 13th avenue and 42nd street. It managed to survive
for over 25 years.
The destruction of the Rivoli theatre is another result of the Broadway district being revamped for skyscrapers that are
more profitable. Unfortunately, the character and appearance of Broadway has and is changing-and not for the better. A certain charm has been lost. It is now being geered for the tourists and the rich. Culture has taken a “side seat.” It is now an area of mega glitz.
Lostmemory, do you know if it fell into disrepair? I never heard it played, nor remember seeing the console. How I wish I could have tried it out when I lived near the theatre. What about Loew’s 46 Street theatre? I realizes that most fancy theatres had organs installed in those years.
What a travesty if this magnificent theatre was demolished. A list of the name of all those who are involved to do this foul deed should be publicized and letters of protest sent to them.
I recall the beautiful crystal chandeliers when I went with my dad to see “Titanic” with Barbara Stanwyck & Clifton Webb at this theatre. In those years, the movie palaces around DeKalb avenue made the area exciting.
L.I.U. should consider starting a project to restore the auditorium of the Brooklyn Paramount. As a university, it would be doing Brooklyn and future generations a great cultural service. It was a stunning theatre, and the organ has a beautiful sound.
I agree with many of the members'opinion that the exterior of the New Amsterdam should have restored to its original appearance. It would have been more consistent to the overall appearance of the renovation.
Since the stage opening was more narrow than producers liked, was stage sets and scenery abandoned and a curtain used for a backdrop during the stage shows?
The Fortway was one of the less gaudy atmospheric theatres, but still distinctively beautiful. Once it was multiplexed it looked crowded and lost the original ambiance. The building is now guttered out- a shell of what was once a movie theatre. Unfortunately, this is a typical loss of our times. If a building loses productivity, it will be knocked down or altered. Real estate is expensive in New York. Making a profit is most important.
The Kingsway theatre brings back many memories, but fast moving changes in technology are making movie theatres something from another era. At least with awareness, there are some theatres that have been (and hopefully others that will be) saved. It is important for our young and future generation to have a chance to see these beautiful buildings.
I am sure all the members appreciate, as I do, all the continued work you and your associates have put into CINEMA TREASURES. On such a large site, problems are expected to happen periodically.
The key word is service. As entertaining as it may be, that is not the main goal-obviously. It still is a church. It would be nice someday to see the place return as a fully functional theatre as it was intended to be.
correction for the above post: Unlike other theatres that are closed, it is certainly finacally possible to restore.
I realize that the Walker is 100% intact, as Robert says in the above post. That is why I feel something should be done before years go by and it is too late. This beautiful theatre is a treasure for the boro of Brooklyn. It is something that should be done for future generations. As a performing arts center it could bring back some of the culture Brooklyn has lost. Unlike theatres, it is certainly financially possible.
I agree with Jim, but what a shame that profit should be the major priority of a university. With foresight, intelligence and creative minds the Paramount might have been incorporated into the university in a different way. Other universities have done it. At one time L.I.U. got major donations. Perhaps they could have worked out some plan then.
The more I hear about the phenomenal costs it would take to restore former movie palaces in Brooklyn, the more convinced I am that the beautiful Walker should someday be considered before more alterations or eventual destruction takes place.
If L.I.U. restored the auditorium, it would be part of developing an excellent music & theatre department. It would make the university stand out. I am sure they have many gifted people who could write grants. An area for a gym could be found close to the campus.
It is good to know that some people are doing creative things with the El Rey theatre to make it viable.
There were a few stores on 15th avenue. It was a block from the bus,
and the nearest theatres were the Culver on 18th avenue & McDonald, and the Radio on 13th avenue and 42nd street. It managed to survive
for over 25 years.
The destruction of the Rivoli theatre is another result of the Broadway district being revamped for skyscrapers that are
more profitable. Unfortunately, the character and appearance of Broadway has and is changing-and not for the better. A certain charm has been lost. It is now being geered for the tourists and the rich. Culture has taken a “side seat.” It is now an area of mega glitz.
What progress has been made on renovating this theatre since 2004.
I hope there has been progress made.
Thank you,lostmemory. I am sure both theatre organs were not in workable condition when I was young, or perhaps removed by then.
Lostmemory, do you know if it fell into disrepair? I never heard it played, nor remember seeing the console. How I wish I could have tried it out when I lived near the theatre. What about Loew’s 46 Street theatre? I realizes that most fancy theatres had organs installed in those years.
What a travesty if this magnificent theatre was demolished. A list of the name of all those who are involved to do this foul deed should be publicized and letters of protest sent to them.
While the theatre’s design has been influenced by American theatres,
it still has its own distinct atmosphere.
The one thing I do not recall seeing in this theatre or
Loew’s 46th Street was an organ. Does any member know for sure?
I recall the beautiful crystal chandeliers when I went with my dad to see “Titanic” with Barbara Stanwyck & Clifton Webb at this theatre. In those years, the movie palaces around DeKalb avenue made the area exciting.
L.I.U. should consider starting a project to restore the auditorium of the Brooklyn Paramount. As a university, it would be doing Brooklyn and future generations a great cultural service. It was a stunning theatre, and the organ has a beautiful sound.
I agree with many of the members'opinion that the exterior of the New Amsterdam should have restored to its original appearance. It would have been more consistent to the overall appearance of the renovation.
Since the stage opening was more narrow than producers liked, was stage sets and scenery abandoned and a curtain used for a backdrop during the stage shows?
The Fortway was one of the less gaudy atmospheric theatres, but still distinctively beautiful. Once it was multiplexed it looked crowded and lost the original ambiance. The building is now guttered out- a shell of what was once a movie theatre. Unfortunately, this is a typical loss of our times. If a building loses productivity, it will be knocked down or altered. Real estate is expensive in New York. Making a profit is most important.
Unfortunately, like most movie houses, the organ was neglected and not in workable condition for many years.
The Oceana was an attractive neighborhood theatre. It was was close to the once fashionable Manhattan Beach.
The Flatbush theatre was very attractive and had a large stage. The acoustics were very good.