Chopin Theatre
910 Manhattan Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11222
910 Manhattan Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11222
5 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 108 comments
1986 makes absolutely no sense. First, the American closed in – at the latest – the early 1970’s, and only reopened as the Chopin several years later. Second, the building to the right, which was an American Legion Hall, was demolished in the early 1960’s – and replaced by the McDonald’s that currently occupies the space about 10 years later.
My guess is that 1956 makes a lot more sense than 1986. Still, it’s a terrific photo. So, thanks LM – and let the discussion begin!
Bway, my sense is that the Starbucks takes up more than the old lobby, which I vaguely remember as being a pretty modest affair, and probably includes a portion – but only a portion – of the old theater proper.
With regard to the club, this is located on the second floor in space that had independently functioned as a bingo hall.
I have to stop in there one day. I haven’t been near there since it was the Burger King. I believe just the lobby is starbucks, does anyone know if the club is still using the auditorium?
On my way to attending a walking tour in Greenpoint, I stopped in at the Starbucks situated in the Chopin’s former lobby. It is actually rather nice. They stripped back the walls to its solid brick base – something even the movie theater did not do – and mounted a number of old movie posters on the walls, I am sure as a kind of an homage to the old movie house. This made for a rather atmospheric and pleasant touch. The fact that the movies selected were rather arty – the antithesis of the American/Chopin’s regular fare – did not seriously blunt the sincerity of the intent. (As I noted previously, the Chopin would have served as a terrific indy theater if it had been able to survive for a few more years and benefited from Greenpoint’s gentrification.)
Thanks so much for the photo, Warren. I guess the “American” sign disappeared pretty early – and it did clutter the pristine view of the American eagle at the roof! This sign was history way before my time.
The broad view of the adjacent building now situated at the McDonald’s restaurant site, which once hosted an American Legion Post, confirms my previous note that both buildings were architectually very compatible and were probably built at the same time.
I wouldn’t place THAT Starbucks on the endangered list. While it is situated slightly north of Greenpoint’s main commercial district, it’s right next to a buzy – at least for the G train – subway station and in very close proximity to the very gentrified Greenpoint Historic district. These residents surely constitute a strong customer base – just as would have been the case for the Chopin had it survived. My guess is that this place only closes if another Starbucks opens in a more centralized part of Greenpoint.
By the way, the property now occupied by the McDonald restaurant at the Manhattan/Greenpoint Ave. corner once hosted an American Legion Hall and possibly some other government related functions. Architecturally speaking, it was quite compatible with the movie house. This gave the block a strongly “American” appearance.
We’re in a similar situation here in Los Angeles. Lots of gentrification in the downtown area, but some of the theaters on Broadway have been out of commission for so long that it’s doubtful films could ever be shown again.
LM, I think the night club is actually situated on the second floor, which was never part of the movie house. It hosted a Bingo Hall for many years, including the period when the American/Chopin was operating as a movie house.
Ken, I believe the Starbucks is only situated – at least for public use – in the old lobby area. The main theater area is either not being used or is serving as a storage area. Beyond that, I cannot add anything.
Hope this is helpful.
I assume the Starbucks is in the lobby. Is the back of the house still suitable for showing films?
Thanks for the comment.
While a Starbucks is probably preferable to a Burger King or – a once co-occupant – Roy Rogers, it is no replacement for the wonderful ambience of the American/Chopin. As I previously noted, this theater could have become a quirky art house if it had been able to stay alive for a few more years and benefitted from the gentrification of Greenpoint. But that was not to be.
Any other comments from former American/Chopin fans is really appreciated.
Current occupant:
http://tinyurl.com/5bxbq2
One more thing.
The American was the strongest of Greenpoint’s second run houses and the last to close. It usually featured triple bills every day that ran, on average, for three days and were then replaced by another slate.
Finally, the American was Greenpoint’s premier “Dish Nite” venue. I do not know the number of plates, saucers and gravy bowls that my mother, grandmother and aunt collected during the 50’s and 60’s. People in my family are still eating off them!
While most posters know this theater as the Chopin, for the great portion of its existence, it was known as the American. The American Eagle that still soars over its central exterior entrance provides the best example of its lineage.
The American/Chopin was a very unusual venue. Because of some not very well considered renovations conducted during its early years, an enclosed corridor was created at the extreme left of the theater. This took away a number of seats and resulted in a “center” aisle that was situated far to the left of center. The corrider served no purpose and just wasted space. Since no structural changes when the American reopened as the Chopin, this situation continued to exist during the latter’s run.
If the Chopin had been able to survive until the recent gentrification of Greenpoint took hold, it would have become a great Art House or Indy theater. The crazy configuration of its central aisle would have been looked at as a quirky plus – like the wrong sloping of the Thalia. But this was not to be – and it has become a Starbucks instead!
LuisV, I agree, and thank you for so saying. Unfortunately, I would not know where to begin looking for such a list. Perhaps Patrick Crowley and the other owners and managers of Cinema Treasures could be of some help.
Is there a list of the 10 oldest theaters that are still operating as such? Sad to say, I think such a list might include some of the multiplexes since we’ve lost so many of the single screens. The Ridgewood would have to be #1 on the list.
Yes, Ed, the Ridgewood Theatre opened on Saturday, December 23, 1916. It had its 90-year anniversary on Saturday, December 23, 2006.
Hey Peter… The Ridgewood opened in 1916, didn’t it? Back in 1979 it didn’t crack the list, if #10 was opened in 1913. Of course, today – and for a number of years now – it would have to be #1 on that same list.
Perhaps Time Out New York magazine, Ed Solero.
I think they missed the Ridgewood Theater somehow.
I know about the Chopin, Variety PhotoPlay, and the Plaza, though I’ve never been to the Plaza. I must have passed the Edison thousands of times going to and fro my former church at 2726 Broadway, February 1980 through April 1985.
Thanks, Jennifer… Would that be New York Magazine? Does the list include opening dates (or years) for the nine other theatres?
I also presume that this list is limited to purpose built cinemas – as opposed to playhouse or vaudeville theatre conversions (in which case the Victory on 42nd Street might have topped the roster).
From a March 2, 1979 “New York” column called “Page of Lists” titled “The Longest-Running Movie Theaters” The Chopin is number 10 on the list and reads: 910 Manhattan Ave, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, was the American when it began in 1913, and atop the two story building there still looms a huge golden eagle that was the theater’s original symbol. The inside has been completely renovated, and all that is left is the original bathroom equiptment – ancient toilets and urinals. The theater shows second-run features.
Just as an FYI here is the list:
1.) Variety Photoplays (110 3rd Ave)
2.) The Metropolitan (235 East 14th St)
3.) The Plaza (314 Flatbush Avenue)
4.) The Nova (3587 Broadway)
5.) The Heights (150 Wadsworth Avenue)
6.) The Astral (544 West 181s St)
7.) The Edison (2704 Broadway)
8.) The Capri (15 East Fordham Rd)
9.) The Eagle (1852 Third Ave)
10.) The Chopin
Thanks, Lost Memory.
Thanks, Warren.
I saw it on the best real estate development web site in the city: curbed.com which I usually find to be a very reliable website. Latte’s Everyone?
It looks pretty official, this park slope website says the interior already looks like they typical chain:
View link
I wonder if it’s just a hoax. The link I posted supports what Luis has heard too….but then again, you know how we can believe everything that’s printed on the internet….haha. Luis, where did you hear about it from? Perhaps it may be a more reliable sourse than the link I just happened to find by googling, which may be correct, but like I said….who knows….