Theatre was named for a local woman, Paula Foil McMahan Julander.
Theatre is being renovated along with the revitalization of other buildings. The black brick facade has been removed which was placed over the original stucco. Image of it’s removal in the photo section. Also an image of a portion of the original marquee.
Building appears to be abandoned and derelict. Some letters from the last movies are on the marquee. Show windows are bare and broken. Lobby doors are papered over.
Had the good fortune of getting a tour of the NFAC today. I was in town and walked in. First time I’d been in the building in over 50 years. The main area was very inviting. The met the owner, Tony, and he explained that when he took over he did nothing to change the configuration previously put in place: original auditorium now houses two screens, the small theatre in the back, which must have been dressing rooms at one time, is currently used for storage, and the balcony, seating over 300, is being prepped for live productions, the first of which is scheduled later this week: Brooklyn Ballet Theatre. This is where the bulk of true renovations, not just repair or upgrade, are taking place. In fact, what could very well be the original carpeting and seats are still in place. Seats look good the carpet could use a good cleaning.
Later in the year an elevator and dressing rooms will be installed. The former lobby, which had been converted to a small cafe has been named the Metro Cafe paying homage to the original theatre which stood on this site until it was destroyed by a hurricane. The former exit doors are now the entrance. There are a number of old photos of the facade taken over time, theatre cards and an old Air Conditioned banner from days past on display.
Standard sized doors are now labeled as emergency exits. There is also a green light above each. The one for Theatre One faces the parking lot and is at the eastern corner of the building. Three more doors are on the eastern wall of the theatre about 12 feet from the parking lot and are almost adjacent to each other. ??? I presume the doors on the building facing Montauk Highway, which are not labelled, will service all five auditoriums.
Apparently this is still not a dead issue. The landscaping in front of the theatre has been refreshed for Spring. Handicapped parking spaces have been outlined by the entrance with appropriate signage attached to the building.
Wonder when the lease is up. May happen before the theatre finally reopens.
Apparently this is still not a dead issue. The landscaping in front of the theatre has been refreshed for Spring. Handicapped parking spaces have been painted by the rear entrance with appropriate signage on the back of the building.
Wonder how long the lease is. It may be up before the theatre finally reopens.
Cool- Since you found an image of the Bellerose on the Astoria Historical site I went there to try and find pictures of the Bellaire, Island (Hollis) and Garden (Springfield Gardens) theatres since there are none on CT. Struck out.
Cool- Happy to see that. I’d been trying for years to get an image. Two features and follies? Interesting. By the time I attended there was not much of a stage. Wonder if there were dressing rooms?
Odd that the Astoria Historical Society had something. Bellerose isn’t in Queens County.
Uploaded a 1930 photo of the Bellerose with its original marquee. In my day it was modified to have glass side panels with black letters. The front remained unchanged. The theatre name was white on a green background with the running light areas yellow.
On either side of the front sign board were banks of lights. A single yellow in the middle, then orange and, finally, red. When activated there was the impression of outward movement radiating from the single yellow bulb.
In this photo the second story windows appear to be functional. They were “bricked” over, as you can see, at some point in time.
This should be listed as closed. From the advertising on the pylon it would seem that, except for wrestling, there is nothing of an entertainment, much less movie experience, available. Should just be a matter of time before they remove the sign “Cinemas” at the entrance.
The three doors on the eastern wall, from the parking lot, are 2,5,4.
Theatre was named for a local woman, Paula Foil McMahan Julander.
Theatre is being renovated along with the revitalization of other buildings. The black brick facade has been removed which was placed over the original stucco. Image of it’s removal in the photo section. Also an image of a portion of the original marquee.
Pfohl’s are a prominent family in Mt. Pleasant.
Building appears to be abandoned and derelict. Some letters from the last movies are on the marquee. Show windows are bare and broken. Lobby doors are papered over.
Two current films and one classic available this week.
Films are to be new releases and art films. A major premiere is supposed to happen. ???
Had the good fortune of getting a tour of the NFAC today. I was in town and walked in. First time I’d been in the building in over 50 years. The main area was very inviting. The met the owner, Tony, and he explained that when he took over he did nothing to change the configuration previously put in place: original auditorium now houses two screens, the small theatre in the back, which must have been dressing rooms at one time, is currently used for storage, and the balcony, seating over 300, is being prepped for live productions, the first of which is scheduled later this week: Brooklyn Ballet Theatre. This is where the bulk of true renovations, not just repair or upgrade, are taking place. In fact, what could very well be the original carpeting and seats are still in place. Seats look good the carpet could use a good cleaning.
Later in the year an elevator and dressing rooms will be installed. The former lobby, which had been converted to a small cafe has been named the Metro Cafe paying homage to the original theatre which stood on this site until it was destroyed by a hurricane. The former exit doors are now the entrance. There are a number of old photos of the facade taken over time, theatre cards and an old Air Conditioned banner from days past on display.
Good luck Tony!!
Standard sized doors are now labeled as emergency exits. There is also a green light above each. The one for Theatre One faces the parking lot and is at the eastern corner of the building. Three more doors are on the eastern wall of the theatre about 12 feet from the parking lot and are almost adjacent to each other. ??? I presume the doors on the building facing Montauk Highway, which are not labelled, will service all five auditoriums.
Uploaded a 1948 photo of the Regent.
Classic films are shown one Sunday a month at 1 PM. Generally it’s the last Sunday.
Uploaded a 1954 ad as the Encina.
Apparently this is still not a dead issue. The landscaping in front of the theatre has been refreshed for Spring. Handicapped parking spaces have been outlined by the entrance with appropriate signage attached to the building.
Wonder when the lease is up. May happen before the theatre finally reopens.
Apparently this is still not a dead issue. The landscaping in front of the theatre has been refreshed for Spring. Handicapped parking spaces have been painted by the rear entrance with appropriate signage on the back of the building.
Wonder how long the lease is. It may be up before the theatre finally reopens.
Closed May 31, 1986. Low income Starland Heights built on the premises.
The theatre was bought by the Boulton family, renovated it, replaced the marquee and is now an intimate space for live theatre events.
Cool- Since you found an image of the Bellerose on the Astoria Historical site I went there to try and find pictures of the Bellaire, Island (Hollis) and Garden (Springfield Gardens) theatres since there are none on CT. Struck out.
Cool- Happy to see that. I’d been trying for years to get an image. Two features and follies? Interesting. By the time I attended there was not much of a stage. Wonder if there were dressing rooms?
Odd that the Astoria Historical Society had something. Bellerose isn’t in Queens County.
Uploaded a 1930 photo of the Bellerose with its original marquee. In my day it was modified to have glass side panels with black letters. The front remained unchanged. The theatre name was white on a green background with the running light areas yellow.
On either side of the front sign board were banks of lights. A single yellow in the middle, then orange and, finally, red. When activated there was the impression of outward movement radiating from the single yellow bulb.
In this photo the second story windows appear to be functional. They were “bricked” over, as you can see, at some point in time.
The Wurlitzer organ which was in the Highway Theater was moved to the Alameda in 1928.
Uploaded Al Monnor News photos of the fire from the Oregon Historical Society.
The theater’s Wurlitzer Organ was moved to the Alameda Theatre in 1928.
Regal opened the Tangram in Flushing in November 2021.
Regal Tangram opened in Flushing in November 2021.
This should be listed as closed. From the advertising on the pylon it would seem that, except for wrestling, there is nothing of an entertainment, much less movie experience, available. Should just be a matter of time before they remove the sign “Cinemas” at the entrance.
I understand that one of the auditoriums had some water damage.