My parents are always talking about how the Valencia in it’s day was like seeing a movie in Manhattan. I guess if they had something that few theatres had back then like “Magnascope” it must have been special.
Is the whole auditorium there? I was only in this theatre once and it happened to be one of those horrible balcony theatres. It was so steep and the screen was off to one side and so far away. I thought I rmember hearing part of the orchestra had been converted to retail space but I could be wrong. That would leave this the last remaining Broadway movie house still standing from the glory days.
I agree, even if The Westbury theatre was in good shape they would not be in the running for the same shows as the Music Fair. I think the Westbury Twin had seating of 1200 so it’s half the size.
I always meant to post this ironic story on this page. I used to have a friend and his dad was a policeman in Bushwink during the turbulant late 60’s. Alot of times my friend would go with his father to work and spend the entire day seeing the movies at The RKO Bushwick, Loews Gates and Monroe which were all within a few blocks of each other. One day he told his father he wanted to see the films at the Bushwick and his father said no, there was too much going on in the area right now and it was not a good idea. After his father left for work, he took the train there himself and went to see a double bill of Gypsy and Music Man. When he came out of the theatre there were police, ambulances and fire trucks all over the place. During the 5 hours of fantasy he had no idea that racial tensions had flared up and fires were being set all over to burn down Bushwick. Ah those great old musicals !!!!!!!!!1
The projector in the orchestra was the later years when all of the XXX theatres went video. The theatre originally ran film from the original projection booth with zenon 16mm projectors. If not RKO, who operated the Tivoli during the vaudeville and mvie years?
Another sad reminder of how prestiges these east side houses were. The downfall began when they became Cineplex houses and they put the standard pink and silver marquee. I never understood when they first renovated it was still the Baronet-Coronet but then someone made the moronic decision to rename it Coronet I & II. Did anyone ever hear why? I also caused the landmark sign with the crowns to be destroyed. Better it lives on only in our memories then be desecrated.
I for got all about the two indoor cinemas on the property. Did the screen inside the drive in play the same film as the drive in till it was torn down? I remember Cinemas Bayshore I think I might have seen Rocky Horror there with friends from Stoneybrook. I guess we should make a listing for it.
Add to it’s demise the fact that United Artists was running it, they let the Cinema 150 here in Syosset slip away.
My parents are always talking about how the Valencia in it’s day was like seeing a movie in Manhattan. I guess if they had something that few theatres had back then like “Magnascope” it must have been special.
I remember “A Room With A View” playing here for almost a year to packed houses.
Is the whole auditorium there? I was only in this theatre once and it happened to be one of those horrible balcony theatres. It was so steep and the screen was off to one side and so far away. I thought I rmember hearing part of the orchestra had been converted to retail space but I could be wrong. That would leave this the last remaining Broadway movie house still standing from the glory days.
The marquee shown here is just like the one RKO had on The Palace on Broadway when they ran movies there.
I agree, even if The Westbury theatre was in good shape they would not be in the running for the same shows as the Music Fair. I think the Westbury Twin had seating of 1200 so it’s half the size.
I think this is the same idea the owners of The Westbury Twin had, but thats a soap opera of itself.
I remember those color scemes and the marquee which said North and South instead of 1 & 2
There was a time when The Cinemart was the most popular discount house in Queens. It was not unusual for the lines to be around the corner.
Is this theagtre still standing closed?
Good luck it will make a wonderful thetre when restored
What an increduble auditorium, I hope they get the funding they need.
What I always remember about the Showplace was that it’s colors of golds and browns were drab, but very common for theatres of that time peroid.
Yes it still is used for bingo, I passed there last night.
YOUR NOT KIDDING THIS IS DOING IT RIGHT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I always meant to post this ironic story on this page. I used to have a friend and his dad was a policeman in Bushwink during the turbulant late 60’s. Alot of times my friend would go with his father to work and spend the entire day seeing the movies at The RKO Bushwick, Loews Gates and Monroe which were all within a few blocks of each other. One day he told his father he wanted to see the films at the Bushwick and his father said no, there was too much going on in the area right now and it was not a good idea. After his father left for work, he took the train there himself and went to see a double bill of Gypsy and Music Man. When he came out of the theatre there were police, ambulances and fire trucks all over the place. During the 5 hours of fantasy he had no idea that racial tensions had flared up and fires were being set all over to burn down Bushwick. Ah those great old musicals !!!!!!!!!1
WOW Hello Dolly and Darling Lily did you bring lunch and dinner? :)
This is an interesting peice of trivia. I wonder who they had handeling the day to day operations of the theatre during “Thunderball”.
The Embassy also stayed here because they were hoping to get space for theatres in the new building if they were already tenenats.
The projector in the orchestra was the later years when all of the XXX theatres went video. The theatre originally ran film from the original projection booth with zenon 16mm projectors. If not RKO, who operated the Tivoli during the vaudeville and mvie years?
Another sad reminder of how prestiges these east side houses were. The downfall began when they became Cineplex houses and they put the standard pink and silver marquee. I never understood when they first renovated it was still the Baronet-Coronet but then someone made the moronic decision to rename it Coronet I & II. Did anyone ever hear why? I also caused the landmark sign with the crowns to be destroyed. Better it lives on only in our memories then be desecrated.
I for got all about the two indoor cinemas on the property. Did the screen inside the drive in play the same film as the drive in till it was torn down? I remember Cinemas Bayshore I think I might have seen Rocky Horror there with friends from Stoneybrook. I guess we should make a listing for it.
Even worse was that the four theatres were all in the balcony, the auditorium was long ago gutted for retail use.
Actually the full name of this theatre was The Bayshore Sunrise Drive In.
It was open until the early 90’s, operated by the same owner as Cinema Kings Highway.