The Verizon Yellow Pages online returns 4031 82nd st. Elmhurst 11373 in response to the search terms ‘Jackson Theatre Queens NY’.
They may use Jackson Heights in the advertising because that #7 train station there is called ‘82nd St-Jackson Heights’.
Addresses on the south side and south of Roosevelt are Elmhurst NY 11373. On the north side and north of Roosevelt are Jackson Heights NY 11372.
According to the previously mentioned book, development the area south of Roosevelt was called Newtown, and re-named Elmhurst in 1906 at the request of the developer of that area. In 1909 The Queensboro Corporation, headed by a man named Edward MacDougall, bought up all the property btwn todays Roosevelt Ave. and Northern Blvd, 70th to 92nd Streets, which then was a collection of small farms and fields called Trains Meadow, and renamed the area Jackson Heights.
Please stop the controversy – upon reviewing my comment (now that I have had sleep), I find that I mis-spelled the name when copying from the book: ‘Airdrome’ is the way it is spelled in the book. I apologize to CT readers for my poor typing and proof reading skills that have fueled further disagreement among members here. I will try to be more careful.
I have the book “Jackson Heights – A Garden in the City” by Daniel Karatzas. It does indeed mention the Airdome, albeit just one paragraph…
“In July 1919, a resident only identified as Mr. McQuade opened the first motion picture theater in Jackson Heights. It was an open-air theater located in a vacant lot at the corner of 82nd Street and Roosevelt Avenue, and called the Jackson Heights Airdome. Two shows were offered each evening, at 8:15 and 9:30. Unfortunately, the opening performance proved to be a disaster: A ‘combination of continued bad weather, disappointment in securing the class of assistants he desired, and lack of opportunity to test out the screen and projecting machines prior to the opening performance were some disappointments’.”
As far as the location is concerned, it has to be either the NE or NW corner of Roosevelt and 82nd, as the south side of Roosevelt is Elmhurst. Having read the entire book previously, it concerns itself only with the development of the area north of Roosevelt. The Jackson Theatre is not mentioned (it’s in Elmhurst). A plot map dated 1919 in the book shows vacant lots on the NE and NW corners, with row houses further into the block.
Hmmm, I guess I got the wrong bus number – Warren is correct – disregard the Q32. After further research, the CORRECT bus number is Q19B – Runs from 74th-Roosevelt to 102nd & Astoria Blvd. It’s been a while since I lived in Jackson Hts.
Here’s a route that involves almost no walking: take the E,F,G or R train to Roosevelt Ave-Jackson Hts; or the #7 to 74th St-Bway – then go to the street and get Jeffrey’s chauffeured limo (aka the Q32 bus) – it will dump you out right in front of the fashionable Fair Theatre.
I wonder what they’re going to do there? Back in the 1970s, it was the only commercial rep house in the Cleveland area. In addition to the films, it’s other claim to fame in those days was being the only theatre in the area with a wine list at the concession stand. What IS the correct wine to serve with popcorn and Twizzlers – red or white??
Warren, I posted the complete entry on the Keith’s from the Diamondstein book under that theatres listing – it gives no reference to the quadding – in fact, it is written as though the theatre was in its original configuration. Perhaps the sub-dividing walls were considered temporary, since they could, as demonstrated here at the Paradise, be removed, thus restoring the room to its original proportions.
The book “The Landmarks of New York” by Barbaralee Diamondstein (published 1988) has the following entry regarding the Keith’s:
RKO KEITH’S FLUSHING THEATER INTERIOR, 1927-28
135-29 to 134-45 Northern Boulevard, Queens
Architect: Thomas Lamb
Designated: February 28, 1984
The RKO Keith’s Flushing Theater is one of the few surviving buildings of the “movie palace” era, which reached its peak in the short period between World War I and the Depression. Part of the vaudeville circuit founded by B.F.Keith, later the Radio-Keith-Orpheum circuit (RKO), this theater opened in 1928 to an audience subscription holders. Thomas Lamb, who designed hundreds of theaters, movie palaces and auditoriums in almost every major American city as well as in Canada, Europe and Australia, designed the Keith’s. This building is one of a handful that Lamb designed in the “atmospheric style” – a type of design for theaters that aimed at producing the illusion of open, outdoor spaces.
The grandeur of the 3,000-seat theater is seen not just in the auditorium, but also in the grand foyer, ticket booth hall, mezzanine promenade, and lounges. The walls of the auditorium – the theater’s main interior space – were built up as stage sets representing a Spanish-style townscape in the “Mexican-Baroque” or so-called Churrigeuresque style, an eighteenth-century modification of the Italian Baroque with Moorish and Gothic decorative elements. Among the Keith’s elaborate “atmospheric” features are its murals, gilded wood and plasterwork, a bright blue ceiling with electric “stars”, and a special machine projecting “clouds” moving across the ceiling – completing the illusion of a Spanish outdoor garden.
I, too, want the Paradise to work and thrive once again. I’m by no means an expert on the ins and outs of operating a landmarked theatre, but doesn’t it just prevent the destruction of the decorative elements of the interior? You can’t go breaking down walls and ceilings and that sort of thing. I’ve never heard of a show that required any of that. The Broadway stage theatres for years have utilized semi-permanent lighting trusses and towers and other rigging affixed to the walls and the front of the balcony that can be removed fairly easily to restore the original integrity of the room. It would seem that the LPC has to have a certain amount of flexibility so the facility can remain viable and generate an income to maintain itself. Considering the amount of money spent on the restoration I’m sure they want to maintain their investment, and once the place gets itself ‘on the map’ they will they will establish a house crew. Right now there is not enough of an income-stream for them to be able to do that.
The one-word answer to that is POLITICS – from what I read over the years the developer, Huang, who has since been convicted of various infractions regarding the Keith’s demise, “persuaded” the late Queens borough president, Donald Manes, and other local pols to intervene on his behalf against Landmarks' enforcement efforts. You’ve heard the old joke – “What did Donald Manes, Rock Hudson and Henry VIII all have in common?” The answer – They all f****d Queens –
According to the book “Landmarks Of New York” by Barbaralee Diamondstein, the following theatre interiors are landmarked:
Biltmore 1987
Eugene O'Neill 1987
Brooks Atkinson 1987
Royal 1987
Majestic 1987
Golden 1987
St. James 1987
Neil Simon 1985
Ed Sullivan 1988
Beacon 1979
Barrymore 1987
Mark Hellinger 1987
Keiths-Flushing 1984
Radio City Music Hall 1978
46th Street 1987
City Center 1983
Embassy I 1987
Martin Beck 1987
Winter Garden 1988
Imperial 1987
Town Hall 1978
Music Box 1987
Ambassador 1985
Plymouth 1987
Henry Miller 1987
Broadhurst 1987
Apollo (125th St.) 1983
Palace 1987
Shubert 1987
Longacre 1987
Helen Hayes 1987
Cort 1987
Booth 1987
Lunt-Fontanne 1987
Belasco 1987
Lyceum 1987
Hudson 1987
New Amsterdam 1979
Carnegie Hall 1967
Virginia 1985
Many, but not all, are also exterior landmarked. The year after the name is the year each was designated a landmark by the New York City Lamdmarks Preservation Commission. The book was published in 1988, so there are probably others that have been designated since then. Most of the Broadway stage theatres were designated in 1987, in response to the destruction of the Morosco, Bijou and [the first] Helen Hayes theaters on the site of the Marriott Hotel. The Broadway theaters, as well as RCMH have remained viable since landmarking, and the production companies don’t appear to have been adversely affected.
But, this isn’t just some ordinary theatre in Kansas – this is what what many would consider to be THE cinema treasure, and known to 99% of people into such things as Loew’s Paradise! This is not a ticket buying site – if it were then you want to have the name match the way the place is being publicized. The Nokia/Astor Plaza, aside from the size of the screen and the mumber of seats used as a single motion picture theatre was an otherwise unremarkable facility. Changing the name there is inconsequential.
I haven’t noticed a listing on this site for the United Church, but there is one for Loew’s 175th Street.
While I have no clue who Daddy Yankee is or what his particular claim to fame may be, I hope he doesn’t attract the type of audience that will trash the place just for the hell of it.
Warren, I disagree: the theatre is famous as “Loew’s Paradise” plus they are keeping the old sign so it should remain listed as it is. Besides, since there is no longer a theatre chain with the name Loew’s, or Loews, what can it hurt?
According to the Dec. 1999 Loews Directory, this theatre is listed as the Cinedome 2. Theatre #1 has 791 seats, and theatre #2 has 738 seats, total of 1529 seats. Both have/had Dolby Stereo and DTS Digital sound. Tickets $6.00/3.50
…oh, man –
You’re right about Izzy – when Chestnut Hill was being prepared to open, even the managers in Cleveland were betting they would give it to Izzy –
There were also the endless mentions about his promotions in the ‘Brass Ring Awards’ those blue sheets that came out monthly – or quarterly – I can’t remember exactly.
Did he retire when AMC took over, or before? Was his last theatre the old Framingham or the new one?
Westwood, Westgate (the newer one outside the mall, now also demolished), Ridge Park, Plaza Chapel Hill and West Market are what I would call “second generation” GCCs – Their big push in the N.E.Ohio market started with Southgate and Chapel Hill Mall, followed a couple of years with Parmatown, Shoregate and Mellett Mall, then after a couple more years Westgate quad was built and the Mayland and Mercury were purchased and upgraded, and a little later Mentor Mall and Randall Park were added. They were all designed by Riseman Associates and the interiors had the same look and feel. The “second generation” cinemas were by a different architect and have a whole different character to them , including different signage and logos. And 3 of them were replacements for originals.
The sign for Manners Big Boy Restaurant, across from the theatre, had the plastic sign-face and fluorescent lights blown out by a heavy wind. They were not allowed to replace it as it was. They had to put up a sign not lit from within, and had to put spotlights on the ground that were aimed up at it.
Roger, you should have tried changing the pylon sign at the Westgate Cinema City – always an adventure – especially the #1 title near the top about 40' high – rocking and swaying in the cold winter wind, you’d need dramamine!
This is the only one of the original group of General Cinema theatres in the Cleveland area still standing – the Parmatown, Southgate, Shoregate, Westgate Quad (and its more recent replacement), Mercury and Mentor Mall Cinemas have all been demolished.
They have always been stupid about that marquee, and signs in general in Mayfield Heights. When General Cinema renovated and twinned the theatre in about 1972 or 73, they wanted to take the MAYLAND letters off the top of it and replace them with their usual style CINEMA letters – but the City of Mayfield Heights would not allow it – it had to stay as-is, the only changes allowed were removal. They gave them a hard time about the large ‘1’ and ‘2’ on the title boards. The marquee at one time had a lot of flashing neon that also had been a bone of contention with the city. One day when the sign company guy was there fixing something else, the clown from the city dept. of buildings was driving by, saw the sign man working on it and stopped and told the sign man to make it stop flashing – which he did – without asking me, or the division manager who had been fighting with them about it for years. Once the flashing was stopped we could not get it re-activated, even though the city had no business telling the sign contractor ANYTHING – he was suppose to deal with the property owner, General Cinema Corp.
The Verizon Yellow Pages online returns 4031 82nd st. Elmhurst 11373 in response to the search terms ‘Jackson Theatre Queens NY’.
They may use Jackson Heights in the advertising because that #7 train station there is called ‘82nd St-Jackson Heights’.
Addresses on the south side and south of Roosevelt are Elmhurst NY 11373. On the north side and north of Roosevelt are Jackson Heights NY 11372.
According to the previously mentioned book, development the area south of Roosevelt was called Newtown, and re-named Elmhurst in 1906 at the request of the developer of that area. In 1909 The Queensboro Corporation, headed by a man named Edward MacDougall, bought up all the property btwn todays Roosevelt Ave. and Northern Blvd, 70th to 92nd Streets, which then was a collection of small farms and fields called Trains Meadow, and renamed the area Jackson Heights.
Please stop the controversy – upon reviewing my comment (now that I have had sleep), I find that I mis-spelled the name when copying from the book: ‘Airdrome’ is the way it is spelled in the book. I apologize to CT readers for my poor typing and proof reading skills that have fueled further disagreement among members here. I will try to be more careful.
I have the book “Jackson Heights – A Garden in the City” by Daniel Karatzas. It does indeed mention the Airdome, albeit just one paragraph…
“In July 1919, a resident only identified as Mr. McQuade opened the first motion picture theater in Jackson Heights. It was an open-air theater located in a vacant lot at the corner of 82nd Street and Roosevelt Avenue, and called the Jackson Heights Airdome. Two shows were offered each evening, at 8:15 and 9:30. Unfortunately, the opening performance proved to be a disaster: A ‘combination of continued bad weather, disappointment in securing the class of assistants he desired, and lack of opportunity to test out the screen and projecting machines prior to the opening performance were some disappointments’.”
As far as the location is concerned, it has to be either the NE or NW corner of Roosevelt and 82nd, as the south side of Roosevelt is Elmhurst. Having read the entire book previously, it concerns itself only with the development of the area north of Roosevelt. The Jackson Theatre is not mentioned (it’s in Elmhurst). A plot map dated 1919 in the book shows vacant lots on the NE and NW corners, with row houses further into the block.
Hmmm, I guess I got the wrong bus number – Warren is correct – disregard the Q32. After further research, the CORRECT bus number is Q19B – Runs from 74th-Roosevelt to 102nd & Astoria Blvd. It’s been a while since I lived in Jackson Hts.
Here’s a route that involves almost no walking: take the E,F,G or R train to Roosevelt Ave-Jackson Hts; or the #7 to 74th St-Bway – then go to the street and get Jeffrey’s chauffeured limo (aka the Q32 bus) – it will dump you out right in front of the fashionable Fair Theatre.
Ed, that’s no scarecrow – that’s one of the drag queens from inside coming up for a bit of air LOL…
I know it’s independent, but does anybody know who, exactly, owns and operates the Parma Theatre?
Ken Black, are you related to Art Black, who was a manager for Butterfield for many years?
I wonder what they’re going to do there? Back in the 1970s, it was the only commercial rep house in the Cleveland area. In addition to the films, it’s other claim to fame in those days was being the only theatre in the area with a wine list at the concession stand. What IS the correct wine to serve with popcorn and Twizzlers – red or white??
Warren, I posted the complete entry on the Keith’s from the Diamondstein book under that theatres listing – it gives no reference to the quadding – in fact, it is written as though the theatre was in its original configuration. Perhaps the sub-dividing walls were considered temporary, since they could, as demonstrated here at the Paradise, be removed, thus restoring the room to its original proportions.
The book “The Landmarks of New York” by Barbaralee Diamondstein (published 1988) has the following entry regarding the Keith’s:
RKO KEITH’S FLUSHING THEATER INTERIOR, 1927-28
135-29 to 134-45 Northern Boulevard, Queens
Architect: Thomas Lamb
Designated: February 28, 1984
The RKO Keith’s Flushing Theater is one of the few surviving buildings of the “movie palace” era, which reached its peak in the short period between World War I and the Depression. Part of the vaudeville circuit founded by B.F.Keith, later the Radio-Keith-Orpheum circuit (RKO), this theater opened in 1928 to an audience subscription holders. Thomas Lamb, who designed hundreds of theaters, movie palaces and auditoriums in almost every major American city as well as in Canada, Europe and Australia, designed the Keith’s. This building is one of a handful that Lamb designed in the “atmospheric style” – a type of design for theaters that aimed at producing the illusion of open, outdoor spaces.
The grandeur of the 3,000-seat theater is seen not just in the auditorium, but also in the grand foyer, ticket booth hall, mezzanine promenade, and lounges. The walls of the auditorium – the theater’s main interior space – were built up as stage sets representing a Spanish-style townscape in the “Mexican-Baroque” or so-called Churrigeuresque style, an eighteenth-century modification of the Italian Baroque with Moorish and Gothic decorative elements. Among the Keith’s elaborate “atmospheric” features are its murals, gilded wood and plasterwork, a bright blue ceiling with electric “stars”, and a special machine projecting “clouds” moving across the ceiling – completing the illusion of a Spanish outdoor garden.
I, too, want the Paradise to work and thrive once again. I’m by no means an expert on the ins and outs of operating a landmarked theatre, but doesn’t it just prevent the destruction of the decorative elements of the interior? You can’t go breaking down walls and ceilings and that sort of thing. I’ve never heard of a show that required any of that. The Broadway stage theatres for years have utilized semi-permanent lighting trusses and towers and other rigging affixed to the walls and the front of the balcony that can be removed fairly easily to restore the original integrity of the room. It would seem that the LPC has to have a certain amount of flexibility so the facility can remain viable and generate an income to maintain itself. Considering the amount of money spent on the restoration I’m sure they want to maintain their investment, and once the place gets itself ‘on the map’ they will they will establish a house crew. Right now there is not enough of an income-stream for them to be able to do that.
The one-word answer to that is POLITICS – from what I read over the years the developer, Huang, who has since been convicted of various infractions regarding the Keith’s demise, “persuaded” the late Queens borough president, Donald Manes, and other local pols to intervene on his behalf against Landmarks' enforcement efforts. You’ve heard the old joke – “What did Donald Manes, Rock Hudson and Henry VIII all have in common?” The answer – They all f****d Queens –
According to the book “Landmarks Of New York” by Barbaralee Diamondstein, the following theatre interiors are landmarked:
Biltmore 1987
Eugene O'Neill 1987
Brooks Atkinson 1987
Royal 1987
Majestic 1987
Golden 1987
St. James 1987
Neil Simon 1985
Ed Sullivan 1988
Beacon 1979
Barrymore 1987
Mark Hellinger 1987
Keiths-Flushing 1984
Radio City Music Hall 1978
46th Street 1987
City Center 1983
Embassy I 1987
Martin Beck 1987
Winter Garden 1988
Imperial 1987
Town Hall 1978
Music Box 1987
Ambassador 1985
Plymouth 1987
Henry Miller 1987
Broadhurst 1987
Apollo (125th St.) 1983
Palace 1987
Shubert 1987
Longacre 1987
Helen Hayes 1987
Cort 1987
Booth 1987
Lunt-Fontanne 1987
Belasco 1987
Lyceum 1987
Hudson 1987
New Amsterdam 1979
Carnegie Hall 1967
Virginia 1985
Many, but not all, are also exterior landmarked. The year after the name is the year each was designated a landmark by the New York City Lamdmarks Preservation Commission. The book was published in 1988, so there are probably others that have been designated since then. Most of the Broadway stage theatres were designated in 1987, in response to the destruction of the Morosco, Bijou and [the first] Helen Hayes theaters on the site of the Marriott Hotel. The Broadway theaters, as well as RCMH have remained viable since landmarking, and the production companies don’t appear to have been adversely affected.
But, this isn’t just some ordinary theatre in Kansas – this is what what many would consider to be THE cinema treasure, and known to 99% of people into such things as Loew’s Paradise! This is not a ticket buying site – if it were then you want to have the name match the way the place is being publicized. The Nokia/Astor Plaza, aside from the size of the screen and the mumber of seats used as a single motion picture theatre was an otherwise unremarkable facility. Changing the name there is inconsequential.
I haven’t noticed a listing on this site for the United Church, but there is one for Loew’s 175th Street.
While I have no clue who Daddy Yankee is or what his particular claim to fame may be, I hope he doesn’t attract the type of audience that will trash the place just for the hell of it.
Warren, I disagree: the theatre is famous as “Loew’s Paradise” plus they are keeping the old sign so it should remain listed as it is. Besides, since there is no longer a theatre chain with the name Loew’s, or Loews, what can it hurt?
According to the Dec. 1999 Loews Directory, this theatre is listed as the Cinedome 2. Theatre #1 has 791 seats, and theatre #2 has 738 seats, total of 1529 seats. Both have/had Dolby Stereo and DTS Digital sound. Tickets $6.00/3.50
Ben Schlanger was involved also with the Beekman and Cinema I & II in New York and also The Cinema in D.C.
…oh, man –
You’re right about Izzy – when Chestnut Hill was being prepared to open, even the managers in Cleveland were betting they would give it to Izzy –
There were also the endless mentions about his promotions in the ‘Brass Ring Awards’ those blue sheets that came out monthly – or quarterly – I can’t remember exactly.
Did he retire when AMC took over, or before? Was his last theatre the old Framingham or the new one?
Didn’t they have the Liberty in Donora at one time?
Westwood, Westgate (the newer one outside the mall, now also demolished), Ridge Park, Plaza Chapel Hill and West Market are what I would call “second generation” GCCs – Their big push in the N.E.Ohio market started with Southgate and Chapel Hill Mall, followed a couple of years with Parmatown, Shoregate and Mellett Mall, then after a couple more years Westgate quad was built and the Mayland and Mercury were purchased and upgraded, and a little later Mentor Mall and Randall Park were added. They were all designed by Riseman Associates and the interiors had the same look and feel. The “second generation” cinemas were by a different architect and have a whole different character to them , including different signage and logos. And 3 of them were replacements for originals.
The sign for Manners Big Boy Restaurant, across from the theatre, had the plastic sign-face and fluorescent lights blown out by a heavy wind. They were not allowed to replace it as it was. They had to put up a sign not lit from within, and had to put spotlights on the ground that were aimed up at it.
Roger, you should have tried changing the pylon sign at the Westgate Cinema City – always an adventure – especially the #1 title near the top about 40' high – rocking and swaying in the cold winter wind, you’d need dramamine!
This is the only one of the original group of General Cinema theatres in the Cleveland area still standing – the Parmatown, Southgate, Shoregate, Westgate Quad (and its more recent replacement), Mercury and Mentor Mall Cinemas have all been demolished.
They have always been stupid about that marquee, and signs in general in Mayfield Heights. When General Cinema renovated and twinned the theatre in about 1972 or 73, they wanted to take the MAYLAND letters off the top of it and replace them with their usual style CINEMA letters – but the City of Mayfield Heights would not allow it – it had to stay as-is, the only changes allowed were removal. They gave them a hard time about the large ‘1’ and ‘2’ on the title boards. The marquee at one time had a lot of flashing neon that also had been a bone of contention with the city. One day when the sign company guy was there fixing something else, the clown from the city dept. of buildings was driving by, saw the sign man working on it and stopped and told the sign man to make it stop flashing – which he did – without asking me, or the division manager who had been fighting with them about it for years. Once the flashing was stopped we could not get it re-activated, even though the city had no business telling the sign contractor ANYTHING – he was suppose to deal with the property owner, General Cinema Corp.
BTW, what is ‘Boneyard’?