I remember that year of the MGM revivals that p7350 mentioned, I went to see all of them. When I was in college in 1979-80 they were presenting morning musicals for a few months on that awesome screen.
Is it true the college is moving out of this space? I have been told that the theatre is pretty intact inside. About ten years they had a rock and roll reunion concert presenting many of the acts that played here during the Alan Freed and Murray The K shows.
What happened to the space next store where UA had the mini twin? I remember at the end UA ran this place so into the ground it was disgusting. I am just glad it is open and was not torn down. Alot was said about ripping out the arch to put in the d-150 screen. Couldent it have been re-created? More sense might have been to put in a huge 150 or Cinerama screen rather then the unimpressive one there now.
The Elmwood used to be so well maintained except in its last few years when its closing was pending and a new mega-plex planned for across the street in the Queens Center. That all fell through the Elmwood and magnificent Trylon sit shuttered.
I remember the original electronic marquee Cinema 5 had was screwed up alot and either had old titles flashing or nothing at all. They later redid it with a better electronic/conventional one. I am not sure if Cinema 5 did that or Loews.
Someone also reminded me that when the indian movies stopped playing they renamed the place The Queens Kung Fu Cinema and played those films. The policy lasted about a month.
I loved this theatre I first discovered it in the seventies when it ran a reserved seat engagement of an Italian version of Aida with Sophia Loren lip syncing to someone elses voice. It was made in the fifties and never released here until then. A truely bizzare film, I have not heard of it since then. If I am correct the distributor was 21st Century Distribution who released all those dubbed Italian horror films.
I was always suprised Loews closed this theatre, it had parking and could have easily added more screens. I dont even think theres many theatres in the same booking zone.
Another one bites the dust but I am not suprised, Loews is getting like UA taking viable theatres running them into the ground and selling them for other uses. The Elmwood, The Trylon, Oriental, Smithhaven Mall, The Walt Whitman and now The Astor Plaza and The State.
This is sin but I am not suprised Loews is getting like United Artists running theatres into the ground and then closing them. Has anyone seen the condition of the 2 multiplexes in Fresh Meadows?
I could have sworn Woody Allen used The Kent, I remember the owner telling me that was how they afforded the original twinning after the closing for the movie shoot. It was stupid to not remodel the Kingsway it’s such a densely populated area for a triplex thats only open nights.
I remember the last year or so RKO-Century did not renew the lease on the Jamaica Avenue entrance and it was turned into a store. The 165st entrance was opened for the first time in decades. They half assed re-lit the 1930’s marquee. After a shooting in which a security guard got killed the theatre closed. It seems like retail is in the lobbies only and the theatre may be intact inside.
It is so sad, yet amusing how many theatre histories contain the line “UA ran the theatre into the ground”. In NY the list is endless.
This is so magnificent, in NY we tear down theatres like this unfortunately.
So the yeshiva plan is out the window? I knew Angel and Arthur well also having been in the biz until about 9 years ago.
I remember that year of the MGM revivals that p7350 mentioned, I went to see all of them. When I was in college in 1979-80 they were presenting morning musicals for a few months on that awesome screen.
Why dont they do to this what they did to the Midway?
Is it true the college is moving out of this space? I have been told that the theatre is pretty intact inside. About ten years they had a rock and roll reunion concert presenting many of the acts that played here during the Alan Freed and Murray The K shows.
Thats why I brought up the former twin, couldent they have used that for 2 more screening rooms?
Any updates on this theatre?
What happened to the space next store where UA had the mini twin? I remember at the end UA ran this place so into the ground it was disgusting. I am just glad it is open and was not torn down. Alot was said about ripping out the arch to put in the d-150 screen. Couldent it have been re-created? More sense might have been to put in a huge 150 or Cinerama screen rather then the unimpressive one there now.
Loews used to take such care with their theatres, they are qwuickly becoming the new UA. Run them down, loose attendance and close them.
Wow I never heard of this theatre? Any idea where it was?
I am suprised UA has not closed this yet, the current condition is hoorrible.
The Elmwood used to be so well maintained except in its last few years when its closing was pending and a new mega-plex planned for across the street in the Queens Center. That all fell through the Elmwood and magnificent Trylon sit shuttered.
I remember the original electronic marquee Cinema 5 had was screwed up alot and either had old titles flashing or nothing at all. They later redid it with a better electronic/conventional one. I am not sure if Cinema 5 did that or Loews.
Someone also reminded me that when the indian movies stopped playing they renamed the place The Queens Kung Fu Cinema and played those films. The policy lasted about a month.
I loved this theatre I first discovered it in the seventies when it ran a reserved seat engagement of an Italian version of Aida with Sophia Loren lip syncing to someone elses voice. It was made in the fifties and never released here until then. A truely bizzare film, I have not heard of it since then. If I am correct the distributor was 21st Century Distribution who released all those dubbed Italian horror films.
I think I remember reading that later on it screened second run fims.
I was always suprised Loews closed this theatre, it had parking and could have easily added more screens. I dont even think theres many theatres in the same booking zone.
Enjoy it now they are closing it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another one bites the dust but I am not suprised, Loews is getting like UA taking viable theatres running them into the ground and selling them for other uses. The Elmwood, The Trylon, Oriental, Smithhaven Mall, The Walt Whitman and now The Astor Plaza and The State.
This is sin but I am not suprised Loews is getting like United Artists running theatres into the ground and then closing them. Has anyone seen the condition of the 2 multiplexes in Fresh Meadows?
Absolutely Orlando, I have a block ad that RKO used to run in Newsday showing all the discount theatres and the Valley Stream was one of them.
I could have sworn Woody Allen used The Kent, I remember the owner telling me that was how they afforded the original twinning after the closing for the movie shoot. It was stupid to not remodel the Kingsway it’s such a densely populated area for a triplex thats only open nights.
I remember the last year or so RKO-Century did not renew the lease on the Jamaica Avenue entrance and it was turned into a store. The 165st entrance was opened for the first time in decades. They half assed re-lit the 1930’s marquee. After a shooting in which a security guard got killed the theatre closed. It seems like retail is in the lobbies only and the theatre may be intact inside.
One thing I forgot to add the building was originally a firehouse.