RobertR: That link works nicely…I know I’ve seen that picture before…I think it’s in the book “Lost New York”. I was so curious about this that I actually took a quick walk to see what went up in its place and I have to say that it’s pathetic. A completely unremarkable black and glass building. Just take a look at the “lovely” building that took the place of the Roxy. If you stand on the southwest corner of 7th and 50th, you can clearly see where the Sports Illustrated building is nestled exactly where the Roxy once stood.
Can you imagine at the time this was done that the architects and builders thought this was progress?
From this site I’m learning so much about Rockefeller Center. So there were three theaters in the Center at one time. In addition to the Music Hall, there was The Guild and The Center. Amazing.
Question regarding The Rockettes: correct me if I’m wrong but the only time they seem to work as the Rockettes is during the Christmas “Spectacular”. What do these women do the rest of the year? Or are the current Rockettes hired as new every year?
In the “olden” days (sorry…) did the Rockettes perform at every stage show?
This theater was on Jerusalam Ave waaaaaaaaaaaaay in the back. It came right before you went over the bridge into Merrick. Red brick shopping center, right? Yep, this place closed long before I was old enough to be able to go there but I knew people who had been there. Said it was legendary.
Uniondale has changed a lot since the 70’s. So many things changed on LI from the early 70’s through the 80’s that a counter culture place like this was doomed.
The ending message that scrolled with narration basically praised Jesus as being the most remembered and greatest leader of all time even after 2000+ years. I wish I could get a transcript of it. Not only was it over the top but it went on forever. I kept thinking “who are they doing this for?” It was like something you’d see at a PTL fundraiser. It was creepy. And I’m not trying to offend anyone because I was raised Catholic and such. I just thought it was too heavy handed for the setting and especially considering the light stuff that came before.
I’m glad to hear that I wasn’t wrong about the Nativity starting off the old show. If you think about it, it made sense: that’s what Christmas is about, fundamentally speaking. And there was absolutely NOTHING offensive about it. It was simply beautiful.
Geez…I haven’t thought about the Old Venice in a long time. Breaks my heart to think about it because my family used to go there a lot for dinner and then up to the theater afterwards for a movie. Then across the street to Carvels after the movie. It was such a nice neighborhood then.
I can’t imagine the place is still there. The area where it was is weirdly run down. It’s not the place I grew up in. If anyone is a real 70’s Baldwinite, you’d also know about Howies. The name should be enough to evoke memories.
Glad to see someone else posted something about my beloved Century’s Baldwin. It seems so forgotten now it’s like a ghost.
Just one more thing (and I sincerely apologize for beating a dead horse here) but I wonder if the reason why the put the Nativity at the end rather than the beginning like the shows I saw was because people actually MIGHT get up and walk out because they were offended by the ending message.
Was the Nativity scene I remember always at the beginning of the Christmas show?
Vincent: I saw your hilarious posting about the Christmas show on the Ziegfeld site and you also say the same thing here about it’s strange Christian Fundamentalist bent. I think what you’re referring to (and we “discussed” this here previously) is that ludicrous speech at the end with it scrolling on the screen. It’s message is so UN-subtle it’s like getting hit over the head. That pushed me over the edge into out and out loathing of the “new” Nativity. The old shows may have morphed into one continuous one in my mind but they never did anything like that back then.
It’s “message” is so heavy handed that they probably should send out a warning to the audience that all non Christians may want to leave the auditorium prior to the Nativity scene.
Even as a kid, I was not into religon and such but the Nativity I saw then could’ve made me relgious…it was that good.
I have to say this once again: The Rockettes were as good as I remember them. If the numbers have dwindled, it had no effect on the presentation. They were outstanding. They did a finale where they were Santa’s reindeer that was as good as anything I remember from the shows as a kid. It was the stuff before this scene and others that was appalling and worse, BORING and pointless (what the HELL was with that toy making factory set? Even my daugther said it looked tacky). If the show was simply the Rockettes “doing-their-thing” it would’ve been a winner. Less is more is definately the key to this kind of show. And that goes for the ticket prices too.
I know I saw the terrible “The Slipper and the Rose” (an absure “reworking” of Cinderella) in 1976…it was the last Christmas show I saw at RCMH. Like KenRoe, we loved the Christmas show so much that year that we saw it twice but exited before we’d have to sit through the movie again.
The first time I saw the Christmas show was with “1776” and it was packed. I was way too young to understand or like the movie. But I loved the Christmas show. Every year after that until 1976, we went to see the show and the movie. Funny thing is I can only remember one other movie besides Slipper and 1776 and that was “The Sunshine Boys” which must’ve been 1975. My parents laughed their heads off at that one but I didn’t think much of it at the age of 9. Again, I loved the show. I don’t remember exactly what was performed…the shows have all kind of morphed into on another.
Ironically, in 1976, for the Bicentennial, my school and (it seemed) all the other school districts in Nassau County saw a special screening of “1776” at the un-multiplexed Lynbrook. I can remember sitting in the high balcony and looking down at the “orchestra” seats and thinking how big the place was. God, that theater was, to me, the Radio City Music Hall of LI. I absolutely LOVED that place.
Vincent: I truly hate to disagree with you about the wooden soldiers and I will bow to your memory but I swear I saw it more than once. Yes, I did see the show when “1776” played there (hated it…imagine a 6 year old sitting through a movie like that!). I think I saw it the last time I saw the show which was in 1976 or 1977 with a terrible movie called “The Slipper and the Rose”. Look, I’m probably wrong. But I’m not wrong about the Nativity which we “discussed” here before. Do you know when they did away with the old one and put on the “new” Nativity?
Don Rosen: The Pequa was always a nice theater up until it closed. Never could understand why they closed it.
As for the Massapequa Drive In, where it was they did build a Jerry Lewis Twin. Do you remember that one? It was all the way in the back. I think the building is still there but I don’t know what it is now. That was the first theater that didn’t have a curtain and I hated it.
Patsy: don’t get me wrong about the Rockettes. They were wonderful and my daughter LOVED them. Each and every single time they came out and did their “thing”, which was not just them lining up and kicking their legs (which they did) but a lot more, she got very into it. It was all this nonsensical filler in the show that made it so lame and LONG. And the Hall itself awed my daughter but she did make the impressive remark about how the speakers on the side and especially down the middle of the arch marred it’s look (very observant and accurate for an 8 year old).
When I saw the show last in 1977, there was none of this filler in the show. It started with the AWESOME Nativity, then then the Rockettes doing their leg kicking thing, then the Santa Clauses, then the Rocketttes as the Wooden Soldiers…then there was an ice skating thing…my mind gets hazy here…I remember they used the turntable to make it look like people were skating and “snow” would fall. I believe there was maybe one or two more scenes and that was it. Quick (about 45 minutes), dazzling and incredibly satisfying.
You’ll get more Christmas spirit by walking around Rockefeller Center and 5th Avenue than you would or will seeing this show. And you’ll save a bundle.
Vincent: I’m sure we’ve gone back and forth on this same issue on the Nativity but as far as I’m concerned, it can’t be said enough. When I saw the Nativity as a kid, it nearly brought tears to my eyes and I was not a weepy kid. My heart would be pounding…it was truly awe inspiring.
But now? God it’s so pathetic and lame it’s not worthy to be discussed in the same breath with the original.
And as I walked around Rockefeller Center this afternoon and saw the hordes waiting on line for the “show”, I thought about what a scam they are getting into. It made me feel so sad.
If they cut the show by 45 minutes, lowered the prices and returned the old Nativity, people would go bonkers for this thing. There is not a single person that has seen this new version who says they will ever see it again. To them, once is enough. So right now, the RCMH show is playing strictly to people’s memories (like mine) and to people with little kids looking for a holiday distraction. But they’re not going to get any return business. It’s too expensive and totally not worth it.
I went by the old Guild this afternoon. The Build a Bear workshop store is temporary until their 5th Avenue store is completed (imagine what that place will be like…the epitome of chain store insanity).
The doors directly under The Guild’s old marquee are the theater’s doors complete with the turnstile and box office. You can’t make out much of the theater from the Build a Bear store. The upstairs area is closed off.
Patsy: you had asked on another theater listing about the Christmas “Spectacular”. I took my 8 year old daughter on the day after Thanksgiving. I had VERY fond memories of the Christmas show when I was a kid in the 70’s…very vivid especially of the Nativity.
Well, now the more I’ve thought and thought about it I realize what a complete, absolute RIP OFF the current show is. Just read my posts above to get an idea. To charge $77 and UP for what is basically a hyped up amusement park show is absurd. Yes, the Rockettes were great and they were one of the few things that kept my daughter very interested. But the rest was stupid story padding to up the running time to 90 minutes (to make people feel as though they got their money’s worth). And the biggest disappointment of all was that the Nativity was not the one I remember and gave me goose-pimples as a kid. Again, if you read the posts above, you will see this.
To think that my Mom used to take me and my brother to see this every year in the 70’s and we loved it and it cost next to nothing. And it was absolutely beautiful. And it’s been replaced with this piece of crap. It’s appalling.
The only thankful thing I can say about it is that it keeps RCMH alive and in use. At least when I walk by it now, I remember the Christmas show when I saw it as a kid.
I cannot imagine MOMO continuing to run films here on a regular basis. It’s way to far away from their main venue in midtown.
I was in this theater a lot during the mid 80’s. The best words to describe it are cozy and cute. And RED. Lots of RED, I remember. No, it wasn’t big at all but it really felt like a classic NY movie theater. Not overwhelming but nicely urban and comforting. I loved this place and was happy to hear from this site that it’s still up and running.
If and when some rocket scientist developer realizes the potential for this space for retail, it’s a goner like The Guild.
I know this subject has been posted above by Warren but everyday I pass by 750 7th Ave where The Rivoli once stood and puzzle as to how such a big theater sat on such a tiny piece of property. The balcony alone must’ve been pretty steep. It’s hard to conceive of this space without any photos of the interior. I haven’t been able to find any on the internet or anything…
What an absolute charmer this theater is!!! I loved this place and would go out of my way to see something here even if it meant it was playing in a “better” venue.
How this place is still up and running I don’t know but I hope somehow it gets landmarked. What a cute place! One of the best theaters in NYC.
So…what about the one on or around 137th and Broadway that has a McDonalds in it now? It has the words Gotham Theater written there and it’s clearly recognizable as a theater. Do you if this is listed?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but there’s another “Gotham” theater located around 138th Street and Broadway. I drove past it today. It’s been converted into retail with a McDonalds where the main entrance to the theater must’ve been. The “Gotham Theater” name is still on the building.
There’s a theater located just off Broadway at 160th Street. It looks as though the auditorium runs parallel to Broadway. Does anyone know if this theater is listed? Right now it’s a supermarket (must be a big one…) called Superextra or something like that.
Drove past this theater this morning on my way to work (I drive in occasionally). I like to drive down Broadway and see if I can spot any places where theaters are or were.
Anyway…from the outside, this theater looks fantastic. Very brightly lit and such. I could see they had “The Incredibles” and “The Motorcycle Diaries” playing which is good because it will hopefully draw more of a mixed crowd. Great to see it up and running.
“The idea is that the new multiplex will replace the Tenplex & Route 17 theatres – the same company is building it.”
And what will become of the Paramus 10 plex? Oh, yeah…if it closes, it’ll be REAL hard to sell that space. Jesus…can you imagine what the HELL they’ll try to build there? That space is HUGE.
So that’s probably why the Tenplex is getting so run down. Why invest in something that’s soon (they hope) to close. But there’s still a lot of litigation with regards to that space at the Plaza, right? It’s not a done deal…
RobertR: That link works nicely…I know I’ve seen that picture before…I think it’s in the book “Lost New York”. I was so curious about this that I actually took a quick walk to see what went up in its place and I have to say that it’s pathetic. A completely unremarkable black and glass building. Just take a look at the “lovely” building that took the place of the Roxy. If you stand on the southwest corner of 7th and 50th, you can clearly see where the Sports Illustrated building is nestled exactly where the Roxy once stood.
Can you imagine at the time this was done that the architects and builders thought this was progress?
From this site I’m learning so much about Rockefeller Center. So there were three theaters in the Center at one time. In addition to the Music Hall, there was The Guild and The Center. Amazing.
RobertR: where on that page you sent as a link is the photograph?
Question regarding The Rockettes: correct me if I’m wrong but the only time they seem to work as the Rockettes is during the Christmas “Spectacular”. What do these women do the rest of the year? Or are the current Rockettes hired as new every year?
In the “olden” days (sorry…) did the Rockettes perform at every stage show?
This theater was on Jerusalam Ave waaaaaaaaaaaaay in the back. It came right before you went over the bridge into Merrick. Red brick shopping center, right? Yep, this place closed long before I was old enough to be able to go there but I knew people who had been there. Said it was legendary.
Uniondale has changed a lot since the 70’s. So many things changed on LI from the early 70’s through the 80’s that a counter culture place like this was doomed.
The ending message that scrolled with narration basically praised Jesus as being the most remembered and greatest leader of all time even after 2000+ years. I wish I could get a transcript of it. Not only was it over the top but it went on forever. I kept thinking “who are they doing this for?” It was like something you’d see at a PTL fundraiser. It was creepy. And I’m not trying to offend anyone because I was raised Catholic and such. I just thought it was too heavy handed for the setting and especially considering the light stuff that came before.
I’m glad to hear that I wasn’t wrong about the Nativity starting off the old show. If you think about it, it made sense: that’s what Christmas is about, fundamentally speaking. And there was absolutely NOTHING offensive about it. It was simply beautiful.
Geez…I haven’t thought about the Old Venice in a long time. Breaks my heart to think about it because my family used to go there a lot for dinner and then up to the theater afterwards for a movie. Then across the street to Carvels after the movie. It was such a nice neighborhood then.
I can’t imagine the place is still there. The area where it was is weirdly run down. It’s not the place I grew up in. If anyone is a real 70’s Baldwinite, you’d also know about Howies. The name should be enough to evoke memories.
Glad to see someone else posted something about my beloved Century’s Baldwin. It seems so forgotten now it’s like a ghost.
Just one more thing (and I sincerely apologize for beating a dead horse here) but I wonder if the reason why the put the Nativity at the end rather than the beginning like the shows I saw was because people actually MIGHT get up and walk out because they were offended by the ending message.
Was the Nativity scene I remember always at the beginning of the Christmas show?
Vincent: I saw your hilarious posting about the Christmas show on the Ziegfeld site and you also say the same thing here about it’s strange Christian Fundamentalist bent. I think what you’re referring to (and we “discussed” this here previously) is that ludicrous speech at the end with it scrolling on the screen. It’s message is so UN-subtle it’s like getting hit over the head. That pushed me over the edge into out and out loathing of the “new” Nativity. The old shows may have morphed into one continuous one in my mind but they never did anything like that back then.
It’s “message” is so heavy handed that they probably should send out a warning to the audience that all non Christians may want to leave the auditorium prior to the Nativity scene.
Even as a kid, I was not into religon and such but the Nativity I saw then could’ve made me relgious…it was that good.
I have to say this once again: The Rockettes were as good as I remember them. If the numbers have dwindled, it had no effect on the presentation. They were outstanding. They did a finale where they were Santa’s reindeer that was as good as anything I remember from the shows as a kid. It was the stuff before this scene and others that was appalling and worse, BORING and pointless (what the HELL was with that toy making factory set? Even my daugther said it looked tacky). If the show was simply the Rockettes “doing-their-thing” it would’ve been a winner. Less is more is definately the key to this kind of show. And that goes for the ticket prices too.
I know I saw the terrible “The Slipper and the Rose” (an absure “reworking” of Cinderella) in 1976…it was the last Christmas show I saw at RCMH. Like KenRoe, we loved the Christmas show so much that year that we saw it twice but exited before we’d have to sit through the movie again.
The first time I saw the Christmas show was with “1776” and it was packed. I was way too young to understand or like the movie. But I loved the Christmas show. Every year after that until 1976, we went to see the show and the movie. Funny thing is I can only remember one other movie besides Slipper and 1776 and that was “The Sunshine Boys” which must’ve been 1975. My parents laughed their heads off at that one but I didn’t think much of it at the age of 9. Again, I loved the show. I don’t remember exactly what was performed…the shows have all kind of morphed into on another.
Ironically, in 1976, for the Bicentennial, my school and (it seemed) all the other school districts in Nassau County saw a special screening of “1776” at the un-multiplexed Lynbrook. I can remember sitting in the high balcony and looking down at the “orchestra” seats and thinking how big the place was. God, that theater was, to me, the Radio City Music Hall of LI. I absolutely LOVED that place.
Vincent: I truly hate to disagree with you about the wooden soldiers and I will bow to your memory but I swear I saw it more than once. Yes, I did see the show when “1776” played there (hated it…imagine a 6 year old sitting through a movie like that!). I think I saw it the last time I saw the show which was in 1976 or 1977 with a terrible movie called “The Slipper and the Rose”. Look, I’m probably wrong. But I’m not wrong about the Nativity which we “discussed” here before. Do you know when they did away with the old one and put on the “new” Nativity?
Don Rosen: The Pequa was always a nice theater up until it closed. Never could understand why they closed it.
As for the Massapequa Drive In, where it was they did build a Jerry Lewis Twin. Do you remember that one? It was all the way in the back. I think the building is still there but I don’t know what it is now. That was the first theater that didn’t have a curtain and I hated it.
Patsy: don’t get me wrong about the Rockettes. They were wonderful and my daughter LOVED them. Each and every single time they came out and did their “thing”, which was not just them lining up and kicking their legs (which they did) but a lot more, she got very into it. It was all this nonsensical filler in the show that made it so lame and LONG. And the Hall itself awed my daughter but she did make the impressive remark about how the speakers on the side and especially down the middle of the arch marred it’s look (very observant and accurate for an 8 year old).
When I saw the show last in 1977, there was none of this filler in the show. It started with the AWESOME Nativity, then then the Rockettes doing their leg kicking thing, then the Santa Clauses, then the Rocketttes as the Wooden Soldiers…then there was an ice skating thing…my mind gets hazy here…I remember they used the turntable to make it look like people were skating and “snow” would fall. I believe there was maybe one or two more scenes and that was it. Quick (about 45 minutes), dazzling and incredibly satisfying.
You’ll get more Christmas spirit by walking around Rockefeller Center and 5th Avenue than you would or will seeing this show. And you’ll save a bundle.
Vincent: I’m sure we’ve gone back and forth on this same issue on the Nativity but as far as I’m concerned, it can’t be said enough. When I saw the Nativity as a kid, it nearly brought tears to my eyes and I was not a weepy kid. My heart would be pounding…it was truly awe inspiring.
But now? God it’s so pathetic and lame it’s not worthy to be discussed in the same breath with the original.
And as I walked around Rockefeller Center this afternoon and saw the hordes waiting on line for the “show”, I thought about what a scam they are getting into. It made me feel so sad.
If they cut the show by 45 minutes, lowered the prices and returned the old Nativity, people would go bonkers for this thing. There is not a single person that has seen this new version who says they will ever see it again. To them, once is enough. So right now, the RCMH show is playing strictly to people’s memories (like mine) and to people with little kids looking for a holiday distraction. But they’re not going to get any return business. It’s too expensive and totally not worth it.
Ugh. I’m getting into a funk just writing this.
I went by the old Guild this afternoon. The Build a Bear workshop store is temporary until their 5th Avenue store is completed (imagine what that place will be like…the epitome of chain store insanity).
The doors directly under The Guild’s old marquee are the theater’s doors complete with the turnstile and box office. You can’t make out much of the theater from the Build a Bear store. The upstairs area is closed off.
Sad…
Patsy: you had asked on another theater listing about the Christmas “Spectacular”. I took my 8 year old daughter on the day after Thanksgiving. I had VERY fond memories of the Christmas show when I was a kid in the 70’s…very vivid especially of the Nativity.
Well, now the more I’ve thought and thought about it I realize what a complete, absolute RIP OFF the current show is. Just read my posts above to get an idea. To charge $77 and UP for what is basically a hyped up amusement park show is absurd. Yes, the Rockettes were great and they were one of the few things that kept my daughter very interested. But the rest was stupid story padding to up the running time to 90 minutes (to make people feel as though they got their money’s worth). And the biggest disappointment of all was that the Nativity was not the one I remember and gave me goose-pimples as a kid. Again, if you read the posts above, you will see this.
To think that my Mom used to take me and my brother to see this every year in the 70’s and we loved it and it cost next to nothing. And it was absolutely beautiful. And it’s been replaced with this piece of crap. It’s appalling.
The only thankful thing I can say about it is that it keeps RCMH alive and in use. At least when I walk by it now, I remember the Christmas show when I saw it as a kid.
I cannot imagine MOMO continuing to run films here on a regular basis. It’s way to far away from their main venue in midtown.
I was in this theater a lot during the mid 80’s. The best words to describe it are cozy and cute. And RED. Lots of RED, I remember. No, it wasn’t big at all but it really felt like a classic NY movie theater. Not overwhelming but nicely urban and comforting. I loved this place and was happy to hear from this site that it’s still up and running.
If and when some rocket scientist developer realizes the potential for this space for retail, it’s a goner like The Guild.
I know this subject has been posted above by Warren but everyday I pass by 750 7th Ave where The Rivoli once stood and puzzle as to how such a big theater sat on such a tiny piece of property. The balcony alone must’ve been pretty steep. It’s hard to conceive of this space without any photos of the interior. I haven’t been able to find any on the internet or anything…
What an absolute charmer this theater is!!! I loved this place and would go out of my way to see something here even if it meant it was playing in a “better” venue.
How this place is still up and running I don’t know but I hope somehow it gets landmarked. What a cute place! One of the best theaters in NYC.
It’s still recognizable as a theater when drive by it on Broadway but it’s all retail with a two story McDonalds taking up most of the space…
Warren…thank you..that’s the one!
So…what about the one on or around 137th and Broadway that has a McDonalds in it now? It has the words Gotham Theater written there and it’s clearly recognizable as a theater. Do you if this is listed?
Thanks again…
Correct me if I’m wrong, but there’s another “Gotham” theater located around 138th Street and Broadway. I drove past it today. It’s been converted into retail with a McDonalds where the main entrance to the theater must’ve been. The “Gotham Theater” name is still on the building.
There’s a theater located just off Broadway at 160th Street. It looks as though the auditorium runs parallel to Broadway. Does anyone know if this theater is listed? Right now it’s a supermarket (must be a big one…) called Superextra or something like that.
Drove past this theater this morning on my way to work (I drive in occasionally). I like to drive down Broadway and see if I can spot any places where theaters are or were.
Anyway…from the outside, this theater looks fantastic. Very brightly lit and such. I could see they had “The Incredibles” and “The Motorcycle Diaries” playing which is good because it will hopefully draw more of a mixed crowd. Great to see it up and running.
The Gentleman who did this should be canonized.
“The idea is that the new multiplex will replace the Tenplex & Route 17 theatres – the same company is building it.”
And what will become of the Paramus 10 plex? Oh, yeah…if it closes, it’ll be REAL hard to sell that space. Jesus…can you imagine what the HELL they’ll try to build there? That space is HUGE.
So that’s probably why the Tenplex is getting so run down. Why invest in something that’s soon (they hope) to close. But there’s still a lot of litigation with regards to that space at the Plaza, right? It’s not a done deal…