The Peconic Bay Shopper for October, a local monthly publication available free, for October 2010 has an article about the Skyway as part of it’s preserving North Fork (Long Island) history. For those not in the area you can view this issue by going to:
academyprintingservices.com/peconic_bay_shopper and excercise the prompt to pull up the October issue. The article contains general information about the development of drive-ins and the specifics of the creation of this, the second on Long Island, after the Sunrise in Valley Stream, by local individuals, the later sale to Prudential and some rememberances. There are a number of pictures of the construction, but they really just show open land, no real construction or the final product. CT doesn’t give the ability to report the number of auto spaces in the formal heading but the article indicates weekend shows would draw 400 to 600 cars. That, figuring the location, is phenominal!
Tinseltoes. If the movie only lasted three weeks, was the stage show held over for the next picture? Alot of production for just three weeks. And what was the next picture and how soon did it come in? Was the Music Hall dark?
In a continued effort to upgrade the theatre the old marquee has been removed. I’m curious to see what will cover the gaping hole in the front of the building. I would presume they would then address the box office, refreshment stand area.
I spoke with the receptionist at Natalie Weinstein Design Associates, the current occupent of the building, she said there is a framed article on the wall which describes the renovation of building which they did and certain “finds”. I’m awaiting a copy of this. To date the only photo I’ve seen is the aerial one I mentioned when I created this site. There is no detail. When I went by the site I was surprised how small the building actually is.
I expect to pursue the expansion of my posting thru the historical society and the library. Hopefully there will be pictures of it “in the day”.
Incidentally, in a conversation with Mr. Fleming, the author of the book, he said he actually has two of the cards advertising what was playing at the theatre. I didn’t explore that any further.
In his book “Images of America – St. James”, Geoffrey K. Fleming includes an aerial view of downtown in 1927, including the theatre. Much of the land is vacant or wooded, an unusual venue for a Calderone theatre. This was probably the smallest of the Calderone playhouses.
Did. They were no help when asked about a theatre. The key is going to be to examine anything about the Casino Hotel/Resort with the hope that there may be a slight reference. It’s a shame that Lost Memory is no longer a part of CT to find out what triggered the posting. Perhaps it was only something in the Directory of American Theatres or the like.
What a wonderful site and history of the theatre and Elvis, too. I was in the Hudson for a performance of Toys in the Attic and it was just a gray lady at that time. I wonder if they let you peak into the theatre now when nothing is going on. It looks spectacular.
Pardon me but I did no such thing. My original comment concerned that fact that three individuals took credit for a posting which only had a theatre name, the city and the state. Then, within days there was a link to a postcard image of the theatre. My presumption being that the postcard was the original triggering event in which case at least the street name, if not the actual address could have been established from square one since there was another theatre image on the postcard and that theatre was already on CT. The rest, as we see is being gradually fleshed out. But this discussion on my original comment seems to never end. I deliberately avoided responding to Joe’s recent comment hoping we’d get on with the business of updating the site and not resorting to personalities.
Billy apologized to me, above, for a comment he had made, I believe you also owe me one.
The Port Washington is a rental property? I remember when Clearview bought the property under the Roslyn. I presumed they owned the handful of free standing theatres they operated on Long Island.
The only Steven Allen program I ever attended was at the Colonial which went legit as the Harkness which was torn down and replaced by an atrium with a rock climbing wall.
Port Washington is a L O N G distance from any big multiplex. Other tenants have been clearing out of this shopping center, could be the rent. Fred, above, said it was a money loser. It’s not in town but it did have the advantage of parking. Not likely to be resurrected by any other chain.
Any idea when the vertical pictured in an earlier link was removed. I know it was gone by the 1950’s when I used to go shopping, by bus, with my mother at Gertz Department Store.
That’s really west. The old legit theatres, subsequently grind houses and now many back to legit end at 275 which is not quite to 8th Avenue. This must be past 10th Avenue. I wonder what kind of a neighborhood that was way back when.
I presume that is the back of the screen? It almost looks like a full building from this shot. Was there any seating other than the auto? Some theatres had bleachers; others had a little structure that sat a couple of dozen people.
I have to agree with the earlier “what were they thinking” comments. The only reason I looked at this when listed as an update was because of the name.
According to an article in the August 26, 1949 Newsday, the opening night proceeds of $ 3,568 were turned over to the local Community Chest by the Skouras Theatre Corp.
By rights I think there should be a separate entry for the Drive In. Theatre is on the same site but it’s a multiplex not a drive in.
Having said that, I was in the Hollywood Ice Cream Parlour on Rt 25, Middle Country Road in Medford last night and among the memoriabilia they had on the wall were two advertising cards for the drive-in.
From the movie times in Newsday it would appear the Strand was shut down for a period of time. Then it appeared in a separate ad. The fiche quality was so poor that I couldn’t tell whether it said Century someplace, but it wasn’t included in the basic Century ad.
Interestingly, Powell specifically asked for Carole. Later he became involved with Jean Harlow and when she died he paid for her mausoleum. He and Myrna Loy also had a strong attraction but decided to do anything about it fearing it would destroy their on screen chemistry.
Came upon a theatre card for Mummenchanz at a garage sale. Had to have it as Bijou memorabilia even though, in black, white and orange (and not glossy) it’s not much to look at.
Who said “Jean”?
Loved “Operation Petticoat” especially the encounters in the narrow corridors with a buxom blonde actress. Joan O'Brien?
The Peconic Bay Shopper for October, a local monthly publication available free, for October 2010 has an article about the Skyway as part of it’s preserving North Fork (Long Island) history. For those not in the area you can view this issue by going to:
academyprintingservices.com/peconic_bay_shopper and excercise the prompt to pull up the October issue. The article contains general information about the development of drive-ins and the specifics of the creation of this, the second on Long Island, after the Sunrise in Valley Stream, by local individuals, the later sale to Prudential and some rememberances. There are a number of pictures of the construction, but they really just show open land, no real construction or the final product. CT doesn’t give the ability to report the number of auto spaces in the formal heading but the article indicates weekend shows would draw 400 to 600 cars. That, figuring the location, is phenominal!
Tinseltoes. If the movie only lasted three weeks, was the stage show held over for the next picture? Alot of production for just three weeks. And what was the next picture and how soon did it come in? Was the Music Hall dark?
In a continued effort to upgrade the theatre the old marquee has been removed. I’m curious to see what will cover the gaping hole in the front of the building. I would presume they would then address the box office, refreshment stand area.
I spoke with the receptionist at Natalie Weinstein Design Associates, the current occupent of the building, she said there is a framed article on the wall which describes the renovation of building which they did and certain “finds”. I’m awaiting a copy of this. To date the only photo I’ve seen is the aerial one I mentioned when I created this site. There is no detail. When I went by the site I was surprised how small the building actually is.
I expect to pursue the expansion of my posting thru the historical society and the library. Hopefully there will be pictures of it “in the day”.
Incidentally, in a conversation with Mr. Fleming, the author of the book, he said he actually has two of the cards advertising what was playing at the theatre. I didn’t explore that any further.
Bands playing in the lobby? When was that? I was there a few time- Support Your Local Sheriff and Blazing Saddles. No band.
In his book “Images of America – St. James”, Geoffrey K. Fleming includes an aerial view of downtown in 1927, including the theatre. Much of the land is vacant or wooded, an unusual venue for a Calderone theatre. This was probably the smallest of the Calderone playhouses.
Did. They were no help when asked about a theatre. The key is going to be to examine anything about the Casino Hotel/Resort with the hope that there may be a slight reference. It’s a shame that Lost Memory is no longer a part of CT to find out what triggered the posting. Perhaps it was only something in the Directory of American Theatres or the like.
Then please excercise it. This has been going on since June.
What a wonderful site and history of the theatre and Elvis, too. I was in the Hudson for a performance of Toys in the Attic and it was just a gray lady at that time. I wonder if they let you peak into the theatre now when nothing is going on. It looks spectacular.
Pardon me but I did no such thing. My original comment concerned that fact that three individuals took credit for a posting which only had a theatre name, the city and the state. Then, within days there was a link to a postcard image of the theatre. My presumption being that the postcard was the original triggering event in which case at least the street name, if not the actual address could have been established from square one since there was another theatre image on the postcard and that theatre was already on CT. The rest, as we see is being gradually fleshed out. But this discussion on my original comment seems to never end. I deliberately avoided responding to Joe’s recent comment hoping we’d get on with the business of updating the site and not resorting to personalities.
Billy apologized to me, above, for a comment he had made, I believe you also owe me one.
The Port Washington is a rental property? I remember when Clearview bought the property under the Roslyn. I presumed they owned the handful of free standing theatres they operated on Long Island.
The only Steven Allen program I ever attended was at the Colonial which went legit as the Harkness which was torn down and replaced by an atrium with a rock climbing wall.
Port Washington is a L O N G distance from any big multiplex. Other tenants have been clearing out of this shopping center, could be the rent. Fred, above, said it was a money loser. It’s not in town but it did have the advantage of parking. Not likely to be resurrected by any other chain.
Any idea when the vertical pictured in an earlier link was removed. I know it was gone by the 1950’s when I used to go shopping, by bus, with my mother at Gertz Department Store.
I presume that is the back of the screen? It almost looks like a full building from this shot. Was there any seating other than the auto? Some theatres had bleachers; others had a little structure that sat a couple of dozen people.
I have to agree with the earlier “what were they thinking” comments. The only reason I looked at this when listed as an update was because of the name.
According to an article in the August 26, 1949 Newsday, the opening night proceeds of $ 3,568 were turned over to the local Community Chest by the Skouras Theatre Corp.
There was also a Two Guys in Patchogue in the old Granada Theatre. There they didn’t even bother to level the pitch.
By rights I think there should be a separate entry for the Drive In. Theatre is on the same site but it’s a multiplex not a drive in.
Having said that, I was in the Hollywood Ice Cream Parlour on Rt 25, Middle Country Road in Medford last night and among the memoriabilia they had on the wall were two advertising cards for the drive-in.
From the movie times in Newsday it would appear the Strand was shut down for a period of time. Then it appeared in a separate ad. The fiche quality was so poor that I couldn’t tell whether it said Century someplace, but it wasn’t included in the basic Century ad.
Interestingly, Powell specifically asked for Carole. Later he became involved with Jean Harlow and when she died he paid for her mausoleum. He and Myrna Loy also had a strong attraction but decided to do anything about it fearing it would destroy their on screen chemistry.
Came upon a theatre card for Mummenchanz at a garage sale. Had to have it as Bijou memorabilia even though, in black, white and orange (and not glossy) it’s not much to look at.