I’m not sure if I’m reading disapproval into the last few replies, but do some Cinema Treasurists think each site is only about ONE movie theatre and only that?
Or am I misinterpreting “"Let’s stay on topic…” amd “we did manage to get off the subject of the Loew’s Metropolitan..”
My friends and I went to movie theatres and their next-door places, all over Brooklyn and Manhattan—and later, in Queens. Is that off topic? I contacted this site, not because it was my weekly theatre, but because we went there occasionally and I thought my high school graduation might have taken place there. In which case it would be one of my Cinema Treasures.
I didn’t grow up in Anniegirl’s neighborhood, but I was smiling as I read her description of that shopping street, because I was on the phone last week to Oregon with my childhood friend, Rose—and we were remembering not only the Avalon, Kingsway, Triangle movie theatres on Kings Highway (all gone!) but the delis, record shop, Rainbow Shop, candy store, girl’s clothing store, Woolworths, Kresge’s, Perelman’s Pianos and many more. Then Saturday at a jazz concert I met a retired dentist who also went to James Madison H.S. He said: Do you remember our school song?
And I sang at a table in the Citicorp deli: “Madison! We’re ever loyal to thee—Madison! we will be true….”
You can see, like many on this site—I have nothing against nostalgia!
The former Alexanders was on the corner of Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing, where thousands of commuters to and from Manhattan and Long Island milled about near subways, busses, a taxi stand and the Long Island Railroad. Talk about LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION! Why build blocks away on the site of the RKO Keith? Is the price not right?
The former Alexanders was on the corner of Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing, where thousands of commuters to and from Manhattan and Long Island milled about near subways, busses, a taxi stand and the Long Island Railroad. Talk about LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION! Why build blocks away on the site of the RKO Keith? Is the price not right?
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry over this description of Meenakshi Srinivajan. The photo was certainly a surprise. I know many people in show biz who also must actually support themselves with their business skills. Including me. But I don’t look that good. Did she design that awful new building? My feeling is that the political insiders are most responsible for the proposed further destruction of the RKO Keith. I think it started before she was born! Keep digging. Francesca
I did agree with Warren and all the rest of the RKO Keith supporters that the Board of so-called Standards and useless-Appeals made an awful decision and that Ms. Srinivasan showed bad judgement about this tasteless design.
I just don’t like using nationality or gender as an excuse for an attack. Francesca Blumenthal
Warren: I don’t agree with Meenakshi Srinivasan or the rest of the Board Of Standards and Appeals (an ironic name in itself)—but if her name was John Smith would you complain as much about her credentials? You’d be surprised how some people react to my name.
By the way, who is George Bush and what were his credentials to run for President of the U.S.A? FB
I must agree with Jeffrey about not blaming “foreigners”. That is a dangerous attitude. Although when I lived in Flushing I found I was not welcome in some stores, and part of that non-welcome was that no signs indicated what they sold were in English.
But America was built mostly on the influx of foreigners—and especially in New York. That is what gives this city it’s special flavor and excitement. Each nationality tends to cling together at first, but sooner or later their particular contributions enriches us all. I think in this case it is a matter not of nationality, but of certain businessmen and politicians going after money. Which happens anywhere by both foreigners and Americans. Francesca
I agree with Jeffrey1955 that the artist’s rendering of what is supposed to be a “revival” looks funereal. I liken it to a plastic coffin. Is there any chance that the Queens Museum or some other museum could find a billionaire film fanatic and a more respectful, congenial place to re-create that RKO Keith lobby? A number of years ago the Queens Museum did an entire exhibit about movie palaces, with objects left over from other murdered theatres. They played my song “Movie Palaces” during the exhibit, which is how I learned about it. But maybe there is a bigger more appropriate venue where that lobby could actually live and make people happy. Not on Northern Boulevard. Francesca
Helen Marshall seems mainly interested in getting publicity for herself. Perhaps she hopes to eventually become the first black female President of the USA. I read several of the weekly Queens newspapers, and every issue has several photos (and often more) of Marshall at various events. I once e-mailed the editors to limit her photos to one per issue, but I never received any replies, and the Marshall flood continues.
posted by Warren on Dec 16, 2005 at 7:03am
I think they should call it the Donald Manes Memorial Monstrosity.
posted by Jeffrey1955 on Dec 16, 2005 at 7:43am
12/16/05
I would never wish either Donald Manes or Helen Marshall an early death. Or any personal trauma.
However the item about Helen Marshall’s multi-issue, multi- photographic publicity reminded me that the same thing was going on in decades past with multiple photos of Donald Manes in every single issue of a Flushing newspaper when I lived there. How naive do such people think the voters are? Well, judging from what’s happening now, maybe there’s more naivite than is wise and helpful.
Anyway, it is up to those of us who speak their minds to help rescue not only the movie theatres, the landmarks, but most important— the children and young people and everyone else from the simplistic statements and photo opportunities of ambitious politicians. I am waiting to hear from wise politicians who care about all of us. And not just about photo ops. Francesca
Re Warren’s very sad last post, not really unexpected, I find it ironic
that the final desecration of the RKO Keith has been approved by the NYC
Board called STANDARDS and APPEALS. Who gave them that name?
To Warren: I know the exact date my mother went into labor with me at the Loew’s Metropolitan. but no way will I publish it for the whole world to see. I keep thinking I’m 30. Francesca
Now I remember where Sally and I had the most lavish daily banana splits and sundaes after a movie at THE PALACE (Now BEACH CINEMA). It was THE FRANCIS SWEET SHOP on Main Street. You’d think they’d have made us fat, but we spent so many hours jumping the waves that I always lost 10 lbs. every summer. If I can find my childhood friend Sally, maybe we can come to your party. Francesca
When I was a kid my family spent several sunny summers in Bradley Beach, New Jersey. My friend Sally and I saw at least two, maybe three movies every week at The Palace. Because the program changed every few days. The name seemed ironic, even then, because we were New Yorkers, used to more palatial theatres, but we loved that every seat had a good view—and the price for children was only 7 cents! I do remember me and Sally crying our eyes out at “Lassie Come Home”, even after we left the theatre and walked home down Main Street. We comforted ourselves with sundaes at the Sweet Shop. I don’t know the exact year, but I’m sure the film experts out there can age me significantly.
Absolutely HORRIBLE! What that Saran wrap front has to do with the original
Keith is ridiculous. It also has nothing to do with the neighborhood where I lived for 20 years. Or with the people who live there now. Who approved this desecration?
When I was growing up near Kings Highway and Ocean Avenue there was a choice of so many fine movie theatres big and small: the Avalon, the Kingsway, Triangle, Jewel, Vogue, and more. People of all ages went to them at least once a week. And then we’d subway on Saturdays to Manhattan to glory in the further splendors of the Roxy, the Capitol, the Paramount. etcetera, Now I see from these pages they are ALL GONE! Are there any movie theatres left in that big busy neighborhood AT ALL? Aside from those who read “Cinema Treasures”, will anyone growing up today even know such things existed?
And can anyone tell me what was the source of that distinctive and exciting movie house smell? I’m not talking popcorn—I used to think it was the smell of Film. Francesca
As I remember it, the Vogue was the first neighborhood theatre to show foreign films after World War II. My teenage friends and I were thrilled to see Italian and French movies with subtitles—and especially a Russian film called “The Stone Flower”. We had such a crush on its hero that I even remember his name: Vladimir Druzhnekov! So to us The Vogue Theater was our special schoolhouse—a place that made us feel worldly and sophisticated.
Francesca
Thank you, Warren, for your kind comments. There is no commercial recording of Movie Palaces. I do have it on cassette recorded at revues. But no way of transmitting it here. It is from my 1989 and 1995 show “Life Is Not Like The Movies”—so you see the subject has always been front and center with me. I am very impressed with your involvement and knowledge of movie palaces. Do you know Jerry Rotondi who risked his life trying to save the Keith? Francesca
The morning I saw that sign on its marquee announced the proposed destruction of the RKO Keith, I was on my way to work in Manhattan. In that time it took to get to my office, I’d written this lyric, which has since been performed in NY cabarets, the Queens Museum and elsewhere:
“MOVIE PALACES”
They’re tearing down the RKO Keith on Northern Boulevard
And I’m taking it hard.
Remember starlit ceiling, scarlet walls?
Waiting for the matinee in Tudor halls
Seats of ruby velvet, carpeted aisles,
Luminous tears and flashbulb smiles.
Movie palaces were shining, shining all over town.
There we found the silver lining and spangled gown.
Remember marble statues, Raisinets?
Gold braid on the uniforms of usherettes,
In their gilded cages, pretty cashiers,
The thrill when dimmers dimmed the chandeliers?
Movie palaces were glowing, glowing a million nights.
Movie palaces were showing our lives in lights.
Remember tinkling fountains, three hour shows?
And all those couples necking in the dark back rows,
Moorish balconies and Renaissance doors—
And on the screen, their dreams were yours!
The Loew’s Valencia, the Loew’s Alhambra,
The Paramount, the Paradise, the Fox—
The Capitol, the Avalon, the Rivoli, the Tivoli,
The Strand, the Majestic, the Roxy…ahh the Roxy!
Remember angels flying round the dome,
Restrooms reminiscent of the baths of Rome,
Satin sofas that belonged at Versailles,
Cathedral arches soaring to the sky,
All our castles in the air
Came down to earth for everyone to share.
You didn’t have to be a millionaire.
Just one tiny ticket you were there…
And so it’s not surprising when you find
Movie palaces keep rising in your mind!
My mother claims that she went into labor with me at the Loew’s Metropolitan. The movie was so good that she insisted on staying on to the end, although the maternity hospital was in Manhattan. I believe my fascination with movies and movie palaces began that night. Francesca
I’m not sure if I’m reading disapproval into the last few replies, but do some Cinema Treasurists think each site is only about ONE movie theatre and only that?
Or am I misinterpreting “"Let’s stay on topic…” amd “we did manage to get off the subject of the Loew’s Metropolitan..”
My friends and I went to movie theatres and their next-door places, all over Brooklyn and Manhattan—and later, in Queens. Is that off topic? I contacted this site, not because it was my weekly theatre, but because we went there occasionally and I thought my high school graduation might have taken place there. In which case it would be one of my Cinema Treasures.
I didn’t grow up in Anniegirl’s neighborhood, but I was smiling as I read her description of that shopping street, because I was on the phone last week to Oregon with my childhood friend, Rose—and we were remembering not only the Avalon, Kingsway, Triangle movie theatres on Kings Highway (all gone!) but the delis, record shop, Rainbow Shop, candy store, girl’s clothing store, Woolworths, Kresge’s, Perelman’s Pianos and many more. Then Saturday at a jazz concert I met a retired dentist who also went to James Madison H.S. He said: Do you remember our school song?
And I sang at a table in the Citicorp deli: “Madison! We’re ever loyal to thee—Madison! we will be true….”
You can see, like many on this site—I have nothing against nostalgia!
The former Alexanders was on the corner of Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing, where thousands of commuters to and from Manhattan and Long Island milled about near subways, busses, a taxi stand and the Long Island Railroad. Talk about LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION! Why build blocks away on the site of the RKO Keith? Is the price not right?
The former Alexanders was on the corner of Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing, where thousands of commuters to and from Manhattan and Long Island milled about near subways, busses, a taxi stand and the Long Island Railroad. Talk about LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION! Why build blocks away on the site of the RKO Keith? Is the price not right?
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry over this description of Meenakshi Srinivajan. The photo was certainly a surprise. I know many people in show biz who also must actually support themselves with their business skills. Including me. But I don’t look that good. Did she design that awful new building? My feeling is that the political insiders are most responsible for the proposed further destruction of the RKO Keith. I think it started before she was born! Keep digging. Francesca
Re: Jeffrey1944 response.
I did agree with Warren and all the rest of the RKO Keith supporters that the Board of so-called Standards and useless-Appeals made an awful decision and that Ms. Srinivasan showed bad judgement about this tasteless design.
I just don’t like using nationality or gender as an excuse for an attack. Francesca Blumenthal
Warren: I don’t agree with Meenakshi Srinivasan or the rest of the Board Of Standards and Appeals (an ironic name in itself)—but if her name was John Smith would you complain as much about her credentials? You’d be surprised how some people react to my name.
By the way, who is George Bush and what were his credentials to run for President of the U.S.A? FB
I must agree with Jeffrey about not blaming “foreigners”. That is a dangerous attitude. Although when I lived in Flushing I found I was not welcome in some stores, and part of that non-welcome was that no signs indicated what they sold were in English.
But America was built mostly on the influx of foreigners—and especially in New York. That is what gives this city it’s special flavor and excitement. Each nationality tends to cling together at first, but sooner or later their particular contributions enriches us all. I think in this case it is a matter not of nationality, but of certain businessmen and politicians going after money. Which happens anywhere by both foreigners and Americans. Francesca
I agree with Jeffrey1955 that the artist’s rendering of what is supposed to be a “revival” looks funereal. I liken it to a plastic coffin. Is there any chance that the Queens Museum or some other museum could find a billionaire film fanatic and a more respectful, congenial place to re-create that RKO Keith lobby? A number of years ago the Queens Museum did an entire exhibit about movie palaces, with objects left over from other murdered theatres. They played my song “Movie Palaces” during the exhibit, which is how I learned about it. But maybe there is a bigger more appropriate venue where that lobby could actually live and make people happy. Not on Northern Boulevard. Francesca
Helen Marshall seems mainly interested in getting publicity for herself. Perhaps she hopes to eventually become the first black female President of the USA. I read several of the weekly Queens newspapers, and every issue has several photos (and often more) of Marshall at various events. I once e-mailed the editors to limit her photos to one per issue, but I never received any replies, and the Marshall flood continues.
posted by Warren on Dec 16, 2005 at 7:03am
I think they should call it the Donald Manes Memorial Monstrosity.
posted by Jeffrey1955 on Dec 16, 2005 at 7:43am
12/16/05
I would never wish either Donald Manes or Helen Marshall an early death. Or any personal trauma.
However the item about Helen Marshall’s multi-issue, multi- photographic publicity reminded me that the same thing was going on in decades past with multiple photos of Donald Manes in every single issue of a Flushing newspaper when I lived there. How naive do such people think the voters are? Well, judging from what’s happening now, maybe there’s more naivite than is wise and helpful.
Anyway, it is up to those of us who speak their minds to help rescue not only the movie theatres, the landmarks, but most important— the children and young people and everyone else from the simplistic statements and photo opportunities of ambitious politicians. I am waiting to hear from wise politicians who care about all of us. And not just about photo ops. Francesca
Re Warren’s very sad last post, not really unexpected, I find it ironic
that the final desecration of the RKO Keith has been approved by the NYC
Board called STANDARDS and APPEALS. Who gave them that name?
To Warren: I know the exact date my mother went into labor with me at the Loew’s Metropolitan. but no way will I publish it for the whole world to see. I keep thinking I’m 30. Francesca
Sad, sad, sad.
Now I remember where Sally and I had the most lavish daily banana splits and sundaes after a movie at THE PALACE (Now BEACH CINEMA). It was THE FRANCIS SWEET SHOP on Main Street. You’d think they’d have made us fat, but we spent so many hours jumping the waves that I always lost 10 lbs. every summer. If I can find my childhood friend Sally, maybe we can come to your party. Francesca
When I was a kid my family spent several sunny summers in Bradley Beach, New Jersey. My friend Sally and I saw at least two, maybe three movies every week at The Palace. Because the program changed every few days. The name seemed ironic, even then, because we were New Yorkers, used to more palatial theatres, but we loved that every seat had a good view—and the price for children was only 7 cents! I do remember me and Sally crying our eyes out at “Lassie Come Home”, even after we left the theatre and walked home down Main Street. We comforted ourselves with sundaes at the Sweet Shop. I don’t know the exact year, but I’m sure the film experts out there can age me significantly.
Absolutely HORRIBLE! What that Saran wrap front has to do with the original
Keith is ridiculous. It also has nothing to do with the neighborhood where I lived for 20 years. Or with the people who live there now. Who approved this desecration?
When I was growing up near Kings Highway and Ocean Avenue there was a choice of so many fine movie theatres big and small: the Avalon, the Kingsway, Triangle, Jewel, Vogue, and more. People of all ages went to them at least once a week. And then we’d subway on Saturdays to Manhattan to glory in the further splendors of the Roxy, the Capitol, the Paramount. etcetera, Now I see from these pages they are ALL GONE! Are there any movie theatres left in that big busy neighborhood AT ALL? Aside from those who read “Cinema Treasures”, will anyone growing up today even know such things existed?
And can anyone tell me what was the source of that distinctive and exciting movie house smell? I’m not talking popcorn—I used to think it was the smell of Film. Francesca
As I remember it, the Vogue was the first neighborhood theatre to show foreign films after World War II. My teenage friends and I were thrilled to see Italian and French movies with subtitles—and especially a Russian film called “The Stone Flower”. We had such a crush on its hero that I even remember his name: Vladimir Druzhnekov! So to us The Vogue Theater was our special schoolhouse—a place that made us feel worldly and sophisticated.
Francesca
Thank you, Warren, for your kind comments. There is no commercial recording of Movie Palaces. I do have it on cassette recorded at revues. But no way of transmitting it here. It is from my 1989 and 1995 show “Life Is Not Like The Movies”—so you see the subject has always been front and center with me. I am very impressed with your involvement and knowledge of movie palaces. Do you know Jerry Rotondi who risked his life trying to save the Keith? Francesca
The morning I saw that sign on its marquee announced the proposed destruction of the RKO Keith, I was on my way to work in Manhattan. In that time it took to get to my office, I’d written this lyric, which has since been performed in NY cabarets, the Queens Museum and elsewhere:
“MOVIE PALACES”
They’re tearing down the RKO Keith on Northern Boulevard
And I’m taking it hard.
Remember starlit ceiling, scarlet walls?
Waiting for the matinee in Tudor halls
Seats of ruby velvet, carpeted aisles,
Luminous tears and flashbulb smiles.
Movie palaces were shining, shining all over town.
There we found the silver lining and spangled gown.
Remember marble statues, Raisinets?
Gold braid on the uniforms of usherettes,
In their gilded cages, pretty cashiers,
The thrill when dimmers dimmed the chandeliers?
Movie palaces were glowing, glowing a million nights.
Movie palaces were showing our lives in lights.
Remember tinkling fountains, three hour shows?
And all those couples necking in the dark back rows,
Moorish balconies and Renaissance doors—
And on the screen, their dreams were yours!
The Loew’s Valencia, the Loew’s Alhambra,
The Paramount, the Paradise, the Fox—
The Capitol, the Avalon, the Rivoli, the Tivoli,
The Strand, the Majestic, the Roxy…ahh the Roxy!
Remember angels flying round the dome,
Restrooms reminiscent of the baths of Rome,
Satin sofas that belonged at Versailles,
Cathedral arches soaring to the sky,
All our castles in the air
Came down to earth for everyone to share.
You didn’t have to be a millionaire.
Just one tiny ticket you were there…
And so it’s not surprising when you find
Movie palaces keep rising in your mind!
©1988 Francesca Blumenthal & Addy Fieger
My mother claims that she went into labor with me at the Loew’s Metropolitan. The movie was so good that she insisted on staying on to the end, although the maternity hospital was in Manhattan. I believe my fascination with movies and movie palaces began that night. Francesca