Comments from Ken Roe - Cinema Treasures

Ken Roe commented about Theatre 80 St. Marks on Jul 25, 2006 at 4:12 am

A June 2006 photograph I took of the Theatre 80 St. Mark’s:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/198017626/

Ken Roe commented about Charles Theatre on Jul 25, 2006 at 3:51 am

A June 2006 photograph that I took of the Charles Theatre on a Sunday morning (church was open through the small doorway) although I didn’t venture inside as there was quite a bit of screaming and wailing going on! Peeking through the door into the foyer, I think the auditorium space is still intact as one room and not subdivided:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/198003482/

Ken Roe commented about Trona Theater on Jul 25, 2006 at 2:45 am

Not to be confused with the Trona Theatre, Trona, CA (800 seats), which is listed in Film Daily Yearbook’s from at least 1941 thru 1952.

Ken Roe commented about Symphony Space/Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre on Jul 25, 2006 at 12:20 am

Three photographs I took in July 2003:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/197905110/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/197905257/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/197905449/

Ken Roe commented about Symphony Space/Peter Jay Sharp Theatre on Jul 24, 2006 at 11:49 pm

Four photographs I took in July 2003:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/197893023/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/197893225/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/197893414/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/197893730/

Ken Roe commented about York Theatre on Jul 20, 2006 at 2:54 am

Listed in the American Motion Picture Directory 1914-1915 as the Victor Theatre(the address is given as 1185 First Avenue).

By 1926 and thru until at least 1930 it was known as the East End Theatre, 1187 First Avenue, with a seating capacity given as 569. By 1941 it had be re-named York Theatre which it retained until closure.

Ken Roe commented about Vogue Theatre on Jul 19, 2006 at 11:04 pm

A couple of photographs I took in June 2006(apologies for the delivery truck out front which seemed to be going nowhere fast!):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/193536547/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/193537151/

Ken Roe commented about Lux Theatre on Jul 19, 2006 at 10:52 pm

Listed in Film Daily Yearbooks that I have 1941 thru 1950. (450 seats in the 1940’s and a 512 seat capacity in 1950

Ken Roe commented about Onate Theatre on Jul 19, 2006 at 10:49 pm

The Onate Theater is listed in Film Daily Yearbook; editions 1941 and 1943 but without a seating capacity given. This usually means the theatre had recently opened and details had not been passed to the publishers of F.D.Y. (However two years delay seems like a long time!). In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. the seating capacity is given as 600.

Ken Roe commented about Zia Theater on Jul 19, 2006 at 10:44 pm

The Zia Theater, Los Lunas, NM is listed in editions of Film Daily Yearbook that I have 1941 thru 1950.

Ken Roe commented about Ridgewood Theatre on Jul 19, 2006 at 5:50 am

Regarding York/Yorke Theatres in NYC….The American Motion Picture Directory 1914-1915 lists a York Theatre, 189 Eighth Avenue, Manhattan, NY.

This is still listed in Film Daily Yearbook’s 1926 and 1927 with a seating capacity of 300 but has gone from listings in 1930.

In those same two F.D.Y. is also the Yorke Theatre,723 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY with a seating capacity of 1,260 This remains listed thru 1941. From 1943 it is listed as the Park Theatre and continues as this until at least 1950. It has gone from listings by 1957. I don’t see it listed on Cinematreasures at this present time.

The York Theatre, 1187 First Avenue, Manhattan is the one already listed on CinemaTreasures. This was known as the Victor Theatre in the American Motion Picture Directory 1914-1915. Then the East End Theatre from at least 1926 thru 1930 (in 1941 it is the York and is still listed as the York in 1957).

I wish there was a specific queries page on the Cinema Treasures site where these types of questions could be posted. It would then save blocking up specific theatres with postings that are nothing to do with them.

Ken Roe commented about Vogue Theatre on Jul 19, 2006 at 3:45 am

The 1950 edition of Film Daily Yearbook lists the Vogue Theatre, 20100 S. Moreland Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44122 (in the Shaker Heights district) with a seating capacity of 1,565.

Ken Roe commented about Roulette Performing Arts on Jul 18, 2006 at 4:17 pm

Here is a photgraph I took in June 2006 of the Flora Theatre, now with new brickwork on the facade:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/193043029/

Lost Memory…regarding the ‘other’ Eden Theatre, its listed in the 1926, 1927 and 1930 Film Daily Yearbooks that I have:Eden Theatre, 409 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY seating 500. It gone from listings by 1941. It’s currently not listed on Cinematreasures.

Ken Roe commented about American Theatre on Jul 18, 2006 at 3:29 pm

Various seating capacities are given in the Film Daily Yearbook for the American Theatre over the years…..In 1941=600 seats, In 1943=390 seats and it is listed as (Closed), In 1950 and 1952=542 seats.

Ken Roe commented about Gem Theatre on Jul 18, 2006 at 10:23 am

Here is a photograph I took of the Gem Theatre, now in retail and billiard hall use:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/192825705/

Ken Roe commented about Heights Theater on Jul 18, 2006 at 9:39 am

Here are a couple of photographs I took in May 2006. Nothing has changed on the exterior apart from the removal of the marquee. Inside everything has either been gutted or covered over:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/192797148/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/192797605/

Ken Roe commented about Heights Theater on Jul 18, 2006 at 9:31 am

The Heights Theatre opened in October 1913 according to The Movie Lovers Guide to New York (1987 edition). There is a photograph in the book with the Heights playing ‘3 Big Adult Hits XXX’

Ken Roe commented about Ridgewood Theatre on Jul 18, 2006 at 5:51 am

I can’t see the Towne Theatre, Brooklyn listed on Cinematreasures under that name or its previous name Crystal Theatre. It is the Crystal Theatre, Washington Street nr. Fulton Place with 500 seats in the 1927 Film Daily Yearbook (not listed in 1926) and is still the Crystal, 327 Washington Street with a seating capacity of 529 in the 1930 edition of F.D.Y. By 1941 it has the name Towne Theatre, same address and same seating capacity. It has gone from listings by 1957.

Sorry I can’t find anything on the Brooklyn Theatre aka R.H. Jacobs Brooklyn Theatre at either a Washington St. or Ave address.

Ken Roe commented about New Gallery Cinema on Jul 17, 2006 at 11:55 pm

Malcolm….Nice story, thanks for sharing it with us. The only question that I have is regarding the specific mention of ‘had the usual piano accompaniment’. The New Gallery Cinema was the third cinema in the UK to be equipped with a Wurlitzer Theatre Organ (it was installed in June 1925 and was opened by organist Jack Courtnay) and I would have thought that this would have been used to full advantage, together with the full orchestra that this prestigious West End cinema had.

The Wurlitzer organ is still in situ at the former New Gallery Cinema (now recently converted into a Habitat furniture store) and is played regularly on (I believe) Thursday afternoons and Saturday lunchtime.

Also still surviving is the early sound film clip of George Bernard Shaw which I remember seeing on tv a while ago.

Ken Roe commented about Yam Theatre on Jul 17, 2006 at 11:28 pm

Listed in Film Daily Yearbook’s:1941 and 1943 editions with a seating capacity of 402. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. the seating capacity is 530 and the address is given as; 121 S.E. Main Street (now known as S. Main Avenue).

Ken Roe commented about Home Theater on Jul 17, 2006 at 11:13 pm

Seating capacities seem to vary over the years in edtions of Film Daily Yearbook. In 1941=600. In 1943=800. In 1950=811.

Ken Roe commented about Dixie Theatre on Jul 17, 2006 at 11:06 pm

Listed in the 1950 edition of Film Daily Yearbook with a seating capacity of 450.

Ken Roe commented about Capitol Theater on Jul 17, 2006 at 11:03 pm

Listed as operating in Film Daily Yearbook’s from at least 1941.

Ken Roe commented about Coliseum Cinemas on Jul 17, 2006 at 10:29 am

Two exterior photographs I took in July 2003 when the Coliseum had been closed for a year:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/191897951/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kencta/191912748/

The building was clean and tidy and well maintained. Although I did not have the time to sit and watch a movie, I saw a couple of the screens which had begun their programmes and the picture quality, presentation and sound were very good. Definately a cinema to patronise if you are in the Washinton Heights area, or want a trip away from your local multiplex!

Ken Roe commented about United Palace of Cultural Arts on Jul 17, 2006 at 6:30 am