True. Century never programmed this theater properly. It never booked movies to fill its size. no surprise that during the Century Theater purge of the early ‘70s, it was one of the first to go.
I recently discovered that this theater’s building might still exist. The entrance sits on the Southeast corner of Flatbush and Myrtle in what is now a fast-food chicken restuarant, Behind it is a building that looks like it could’ve been a theater. WIndows have been cut into it. Its name most likely came from the old—now extinct—Myrtle Avenue Line which connected to the also now extinct Myrtle Avenue Station on the Brighton Line (between Dekalb and the Manhattan Bridge.)
I notice that the Widdy Catering Hall as it is now called ocassionally runs Mid-Eastern Music concerts there. Also when the Spiritual Leader of Hammas was recently killed, news stations covered a memorial that took placed there. The interior walls of the theater have been painting a sickly shade of red.
With the exception of the St. Mark Place wall and the rear wall facing Flatbush Avenue, this building is almost gone. It even appears that they are taking down the modern facade put up by the church during their ownership days. This building looks like it will be gone for good in a matter of days or a week or two.
Photos of this theater—both its silent-era incarnation and its later “talkies” complete with plastic and neon marquee—can be seen in the “Bay Ridge” picture book, part of the series on different neighborhoods. You can find it at Barnes & Nobel’s and Borders.
There was also a Glenwood Theater on Flatbush Avenue near Glenwood Road. I have seen a picture of it with its distinct vertical blade sign running above the marque. For years it was a rug and carpet store, but now it’s a Super Wash and Dry Center. From soap operas to soap suds…
Recently was inside the Key Food. Facing in from the street the right hand side of the store was the theater. The right wall, running from front to back, has breaks in it where you can see the moulding slope—as the floor would have done in its theater days. At the front of the store hanging down from the entrance area is what appears to be the old projection booth, which now serves as an office.
I would assume that Clearview makes back some of its loses on the Zigfield when it four-walls the place for the many red-carpet world premieres it does for studios. The theater has a lot of prestige in the industry for these star-studded events, and I am sure that the theater is going anywhere…yet.
On a recent walk on Jamaica from 145th to the old Valencia, I noticed a building on the Southside of Jamaica whose facade looked a movie theater and was now used for retail. Was this the old Savoy? (I vaguely remember driving past it as a child and seeing it wide white plastic and neon-lit marquee.) Also diagonally across Jamaica from the Valencia is a now-covered marquee that advertizes the discount store it fronts. Was this once a theater? And if so, what was its name?
Thank you Orlando.
Don’t think so. This theater was gone before the ‘70s. Would like to know exactly where it was situated though. Anybody have an idea?
The theater, as well as the short-lived Loew’s/Clearview Showplace, are both sites of high-rise apartment buildings.
True. Century never programmed this theater properly. It never booked movies to fill its size. no surprise that during the Century Theater purge of the early ‘70s, it was one of the first to go.
I think there was also one in Rockaway Park, NY that later became a XXX before becoming the Surfside Twins. Now it’s closed.
I recently discovered that this theater’s building might still exist. The entrance sits on the Southeast corner of Flatbush and Myrtle in what is now a fast-food chicken restuarant, Behind it is a building that looks like it could’ve been a theater. WIndows have been cut into it. Its name most likely came from the old—now extinct—Myrtle Avenue Line which connected to the also now extinct Myrtle Avenue Station on the Brighton Line (between Dekalb and the Manhattan Bridge.)
It’s now rubble. Signs on the safety walls surrounding the site show pictures of exciting new apartment buildings coming soon.
It’s now completely demolished. Make way for more condos, most likely.
Additional photo of the marquee exist in the Post Office next door.
I notice that the Widdy Catering Hall as it is now called ocassionally runs Mid-Eastern Music concerts there. Also when the Spiritual Leader of Hammas was recently killed, news stations covered a memorial that took placed there. The interior walls of the theater have been painting a sickly shade of red.
It screened XXX in its waning days as a movie house, as well as showing closed-circuit boxing “events”.
New seats have gone into this theater and it will reopen shortly.
Passed by it last night and it is still retail.
With the exception of the St. Mark Place wall and the rear wall facing Flatbush Avenue, this building is almost gone. It even appears that they are taking down the modern facade put up by the church during their ownership days. This building looks like it will be gone for good in a matter of days or a week or two.
The site is now a parking lot.
Photos of this theater—both its silent-era incarnation and its later “talkies” complete with plastic and neon marquee—can be seen in the “Bay Ridge” picture book, part of the series on different neighborhoods. You can find it at Barnes & Nobel’s and Borders.
I saw “Woodstock” here and I recall it being a small unattractive theater.
Was this theater ever known as the RKO 55th Street before WNET turned it into a television studio?
There was also a Glenwood Theater on Flatbush Avenue near Glenwood Road. I have seen a picture of it with its distinct vertical blade sign running above the marque. For years it was a rug and carpet store, but now it’s a Super Wash and Dry Center. From soap operas to soap suds…
Recently was inside the Key Food. Facing in from the street the right hand side of the store was the theater. The right wall, running from front to back, has breaks in it where you can see the moulding slope—as the floor would have done in its theater days. At the front of the store hanging down from the entrance area is what appears to be the old projection booth, which now serves as an office.
Interested in knowing if the building that housed the Traymore still stands—like the Quentin?
I would assume that Clearview makes back some of its loses on the Zigfield when it four-walls the place for the many red-carpet world premieres it does for studios. The theater has a lot of prestige in the industry for these star-studded events, and I am sure that the theater is going anywhere…yet.
Then I apologize as I thought the church building (formerly the Rainbow) was the Graham.
On a recent walk on Jamaica from 145th to the old Valencia, I noticed a building on the Southside of Jamaica whose facade looked a movie theater and was now used for retail. Was this the old Savoy? (I vaguely remember driving past it as a child and seeing it wide white plastic and neon-lit marquee.) Also diagonally across Jamaica from the Valencia is a now-covered marquee that advertizes the discount store it fronts. Was this once a theater? And if so, what was its name?
Didn’t they build a school on the site of the Carlton?