I am glad to hear the marquee is still there. The information was told to me by someone passing by. I have moved from the neighborhood and have not seen the place in 4 years. I think it is doubtful that the building will be restored to a theatre. The majority of Boro Park would not approve because of religous convictions.
The Radio was originally called The Royale Theatre. It was built sometime before World War One. I remember in the 1950’s it showed a great deal of old cowboy films. The theatre is now a mini market.
The Walker theatre’s ceiling was dark blue, representing the sky. It was in the “atomspheric” stlye as the interior was designed to make you think you were outside. (The Walker was in many ways like a small version of Chicago’s Paradise theatre) When I took a private tour of the THE WALKER years ago, I spoke with the caretaker who was there when the theatre opened. He gave me a great deal of information.
By smaller version of the Roxy, I meant that the Beacon Theatre was
built as a movie palace. The interior is different but incorporated some of the features of the Roxy.
The Roxy theatre was originally intended to be the flagship theatre of the William Fox theatre chain in New York, but Fox did not have enough financial support to see it through. The only other theatre built that was suppose to be a part of this chain was The Beacon theatre, a smaller version of the Roxy, located on 74th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. It is still used for concerts & shows.
In 1974, The Kings theatre reopened for a special show. The main feature was BLAZING SADDLES. Towards the end of the film,
the projector caught on fire… The Morton “Wonder Organ” was workable through the 1960’s. It was removed from the theatre shortly before or after the theatre closed… Graduation ceremonies for New Utrecht High School was held at this theatre in 1960.
Sorry for the misspelling of Walter Reade, but it has been a long time since I have seen his name in print. Other premiers I saw during the 1970’s at this theatre were THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT & TOMMY.
I went to the MUSIC HALL many times through the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s. I still have many of the programs throughout those decades.
I and many friends signed petitions to save the theatre back in 1978. I was there on the evening that was suppose to be the final
show, It was a benefit performance for the Vairety CLub Foundatrion of New York.(April 18, 1978) Happily, the theatre was saved. S.L.“Roxy” Rothafel,father of the movie palace, got the idea for the
“SUNBURST” stage when watching the sun setting while aboard a ship.
I went to the Roxy many times in the 1950’s when I was young. I still have the original Roxy programs of DAMN YANKEES & THE SEVENTH VOYAGE OF SINBAD, which played there a short time before it closed. The 3 Kimball console organ was no longer used. The instrument had a unique sound system that came from the orchestra pit.
I was there on the opening day of the theatre. They showed a few movies dealing with Ziegfeld. Included was “The Great Ziegfeld,” and “The Ziegfeld Follies.” A reception was held in the concession area where champagne was served. Many of the original Ziegfeld “girls” attended. Although senior citizens, they still maintained a poise & beauty that singled them out from the average woman…I also saw Lowell Thomas introduced in the theatre when they showed his “This Is Cinerama.” It was owned by Walter Reed Theatres for a while. One should put this beautiful movie theatre in perspective and not get carried away, comparing it to other theatres.
I have been told that the building was recently bought by another furniture store. The marquee has been removed and new alterations have been made to accommodate the store.
The Walker theater was opened in 1927 with movies & stage shows. Live shows were dropped when sound films shortly came in. It was
named for the then New York mayor, Jimmy Walker. The WALKER was a very beautiful “atmospheric” theatre. You felt you were in a garden of a chateau. There was a Wurlitzer organ which was restored by an organ society shortly before the theatre was divided into quads. (At first the auditorium and balcony was split into two theatres. Little damage was done to it at that time) United Artists owned the theatre for a while. The stage was occasionally used for shows until the late 1970’s. Shallow Junior High School used it for their graduations.
Loew’s 46th Street theatre (formely The Universal) was originally
called “The theatre of delightful surprises.” Even after showing continuous movies after sound films, it did have stage shows & concerts.(Ex:Loew’s “West-End vaudeville circuit, concert recitals-including the great Jewish cantor Yosel Rosenblatt.) During the early 1950’s, The Brooklyn Dodgers sponsered Happy Felton’s talent shows for neighborhood children on Saturday mornings. Local dance studios had shows there as well. After Loew’s sold it in the 1960’s, many famous stars appeared there & it became known as the theatre of stars. (During weekday afternoons, Bingo was played.) The manager
told me the theatre was doing well, so I was surprised when it closed in 1973.
told me the theatre was doing well, so I was surprised when it
closed in 1973.
The handsome Boro Park Theatre was a originally a B.F.Keith theatre before Loew’s bought it. It was built just before or after W.W.I A picture of the facade can be seen in “When Brooklyn Was The World” by Elliot Willensky. Its interior was neo-classic. There were marble box seats on each side of the proscenium with a big lantern type chandlier above them. The auditorium had a dome ceiling and a balcony. The Acoustics & sightlines were excellent. Continous movies were shown after sound films, but there were occasional stage shows.
When the theatre was privately bought in the 1960’s, it began presenting live Yiddish musicals-besides movies. A big dispute arose
with the religous sector, who wanted the theatre closed on their
Sabbath. In retaliation, the owner began to exclusively show “X”
rated films. The theatre shortly closed and was torn down.
I am glad to hear the marquee is still there. The information was told to me by someone passing by. I have moved from the neighborhood and have not seen the place in 4 years. I think it is doubtful that the building will be restored to a theatre. The majority of Boro Park would not approve because of religous convictions.
The Radio was originally called The Royale Theatre. It was built sometime before World War One. I remember in the 1950’s it showed a great deal of old cowboy films. The theatre is now a mini market.
The Walker theatre’s ceiling was dark blue, representing the sky. It was in the “atomspheric” stlye as the interior was designed to make you think you were outside. (The Walker was in many ways like a small version of Chicago’s Paradise theatre) When I took a private tour of the THE WALKER years ago, I spoke with the caretaker who was there when the theatre opened. He gave me a great deal of information.
By smaller version of the Roxy, I meant that the Beacon Theatre was
built as a movie palace. The interior is different but incorporated some of the features of the Roxy.
The Roxy theatre was originally intended to be the flagship theatre of the William Fox theatre chain in New York, but Fox did not have enough financial support to see it through. The only other theatre built that was suppose to be a part of this chain was The Beacon theatre, a smaller version of the Roxy, located on 74th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. It is still used for concerts & shows.
In 1974, The Kings theatre reopened for a special show. The main feature was BLAZING SADDLES. Towards the end of the film,
the projector caught on fire… The Morton “Wonder Organ” was workable through the 1960’s. It was removed from the theatre shortly before or after the theatre closed… Graduation ceremonies for New Utrecht High School was held at this theatre in 1960.
Sorry for the misspelling of Walter Reade, but it has been a long time since I have seen his name in print. Other premiers I saw during the 1970’s at this theatre were THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT & TOMMY.
I went to the MUSIC HALL many times through the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s. I still have many of the programs throughout those decades.
I and many friends signed petitions to save the theatre back in 1978. I was there on the evening that was suppose to be the final
show, It was a benefit performance for the Vairety CLub Foundatrion of New York.(April 18, 1978) Happily, the theatre was saved. S.L.“Roxy” Rothafel,father of the movie palace, got the idea for the
“SUNBURST” stage when watching the sun setting while aboard a ship.
I went to the Roxy many times in the 1950’s when I was young. I still have the original Roxy programs of DAMN YANKEES & THE SEVENTH VOYAGE OF SINBAD, which played there a short time before it closed. The 3 Kimball console organ was no longer used. The instrument had a unique sound system that came from the orchestra pit.
I was there on the opening day of the theatre. They showed a few movies dealing with Ziegfeld. Included was “The Great Ziegfeld,” and “The Ziegfeld Follies.” A reception was held in the concession area where champagne was served. Many of the original Ziegfeld “girls” attended. Although senior citizens, they still maintained a poise & beauty that singled them out from the average woman…I also saw Lowell Thomas introduced in the theatre when they showed his “This Is Cinerama.” It was owned by Walter Reed Theatres for a while. One should put this beautiful movie theatre in perspective and not get carried away, comparing it to other theatres.
I have been told that the building was recently bought by another furniture store. The marquee has been removed and new alterations have been made to accommodate the store.
The Walker theater was opened in 1927 with movies & stage shows. Live shows were dropped when sound films shortly came in. It was
named for the then New York mayor, Jimmy Walker. The WALKER was a very beautiful “atmospheric” theatre. You felt you were in a garden of a chateau. There was a Wurlitzer organ which was restored by an organ society shortly before the theatre was divided into quads. (At first the auditorium and balcony was split into two theatres. Little damage was done to it at that time) United Artists owned the theatre for a while. The stage was occasionally used for shows until the late 1970’s. Shallow Junior High School used it for their graduations.
Loew’s 46th Street theatre (formely The Universal) was originally
called “The theatre of delightful surprises.” Even after showing continuous movies after sound films, it did have stage shows & concerts.(Ex:Loew’s “West-End vaudeville circuit, concert recitals-including the great Jewish cantor Yosel Rosenblatt.) During the early 1950’s, The Brooklyn Dodgers sponsered Happy Felton’s talent shows for neighborhood children on Saturday mornings. Local dance studios had shows there as well. After Loew’s sold it in the 1960’s, many famous stars appeared there & it became known as the theatre of stars. (During weekday afternoons, Bingo was played.) The manager
told me the theatre was doing well, so I was surprised when it closed in 1973.
told me the theatre was doing well, so I was surprised when it
closed in 1973.
The handsome Boro Park Theatre was a originally a B.F.Keith theatre before Loew’s bought it. It was built just before or after W.W.I A picture of the facade can be seen in “When Brooklyn Was The World” by Elliot Willensky. Its interior was neo-classic. There were marble box seats on each side of the proscenium with a big lantern type chandlier above them. The auditorium had a dome ceiling and a balcony. The Acoustics & sightlines were excellent. Continous movies were shown after sound films, but there were occasional stage shows.
When the theatre was privately bought in the 1960’s, it began presenting live Yiddish musicals-besides movies. A big dispute arose
with the religous sector, who wanted the theatre closed on their
Sabbath. In retaliation, the owner began to exclusively show “X”
rated films. The theatre shortly closed and was torn down.