Comments from Ken Roe

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Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Classic Brighton on Dec 29, 2004 at 2:56 pm

The street address of the Classic Cinema is 129B Western Road, Brighton.

It was modernised into an Art Deco style in 1936.

It closed as a cinema on 31st August 1979 with the films 2The Spaceman & King Arthur" + “The Warriors”.

The last time I visited the building, about 5 years ago, it was use as an amusement arcade.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Empire Theatre on Dec 29, 2004 at 12:55 pm

The architect of the Empire Theatre was Herbert Brewster, it opened with a seating capacity of 1,810.

It went over to showing movies in 1938 and was later part of the Brandt Theatres Circuit. It closed as a movie theatre in 1953.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Palace Theatre on Dec 29, 2004 at 12:45 pm

Film Daily Yearbook’s, 1941 and 1950 give a seating capacity of 500.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on Dec 29, 2004 at 12:42 pm

OK Bryan, can we cancel this listing and transfer comments over to the Regency III listing.

I agree that it should be listed as Stage Door Theatre as it was known as that much longer than Regency III.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Jackson Heights Cinema on Dec 29, 2004 at 12:33 pm

Ok Warren, we will give it the majority view that Krapp was the architect.

I just find it strange that in an architectural magazine like The Architectural Forum was, there would be a ‘mistake’ in captions to photographs of theaters illustrated as having been designed by the architect and writer of the article-Charles Sandblom. Maybe a correction was printed in the following issue, eh?

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Kenmore Theatre on Dec 29, 2004 at 12:13 pm

The opening date of the Keith’s Theater was 17th September 1928, built as a vaudelville theatre for the B.F. Keith Circuit. It went over to a films only policy in 1932.

On the side walls each side of the proscenium arch were a series of three boxes set within a tall arched opening which was draped similar to the proscenium.

The large painted murals by Willy Pogany were set in tall recesses on the side walls from the front to rear of the balcony, possibly four on each sidewall. On a photo I have, it shows two panels, one in the front balcony section which has an elephant ridden by an Indian Raja, the details on the second one, at cross aisle level unfortunately can’t be made out.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Flatbush Theatre on Dec 29, 2004 at 11:39 am

Opened in September 1914, the Flatbush Theatre was a vaudeville theatre on the B.S.Moss circuit. It was known as Werba’s Theatre from 1925 – 1929.

It was equipped with a Wurlitzer 2 Manual/8 Rank theater organ.

In later years it was taken over and operated by the Brandt Theatres Circuit and they closed it in 1952.

I last saw it four years ago when it was being used as a furniture showroom and part office space. It still looked pretty much intact then.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Astor Theatre on Dec 29, 2004 at 11:29 am

Headers for the Astor Theatre need changing;
aka: Trans-Lux Theatre
Screens: 1
Architect: Thomas W. Lamb

The Trans-Lux opened in 1933 and it closed as the Astor in 1977.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Rialto Theatre on Dec 29, 2004 at 11:22 am

The Rialto Theatre opened on 16th March 1916 with the movie “The Ne’re Do Well” starring Harry Lonsdale and Kathlyn Williams. It’s opening seating capacity was 1,542.

The header Function should be changed to; Church

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Shore Theatre on Dec 29, 2004 at 11:06 am

The ‘headers’ for the Shore Theatre need changing as follows;
Architectural Style: French Renaissance
Chain: Loew's
Architectural Firm: Reilly & Hall

Opened as Loew’s Coney Island Theater on 17th June 1925 with the movie “The Sporting Venus” starring Blanche Sweet & Ronald Colman. Film stars Ben Lyon and Mae Bush attended the opening.

A week after opening, an attraction on the stage was The Hilton Sisters-a pair of Siamese Twins who were born joined together.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Kings Theatre on Dec 29, 2004 at 10:08 am

The Loew’s Kings was joint 2nd/3rd to open of the five ‘Wonder Theaters’. It opened on the same day (7th September 1929) as the Loew’s Paradise, Bronx, New York.

The opening programme at the Loew’s Kings was the ‘part talkie’ movie “Evangeline” starring Dolores Del Rio and Robert Drew. On stage was a revue “Frills and Fancies”, Wesley Eddy and his Kings of Syncopation and the Chester Hale Girls.

It is the 25th largest movie theater built in the USA.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Embassy Theatre on Dec 29, 2004 at 9:43 am

The address was Moody Street, Waltham, MA.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on Dec 29, 2004 at 8:44 am

The original architectural style of the Academy Picture Palace was Moorish. It was re-modelled by Gaumont into an Art Deco style in the 1930’s.

The Academy was demolished in 1974 and an office block – Academy House – was built on the site.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on Dec 29, 2004 at 5:54 am

That looks like a very nice terra cotta facade on the building. I will check it out when I am in San Francisco in February.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Sutter Cinema on Dec 28, 2004 at 8:16 am

The advert I have in the S.F. Chronicle 24th Nov 1976 lists the Sutter Street Theatre playing ‘Live Burlesque’ opening daily at 11am with adult films and live shows daily at 12 noon, 2:30, 5:30 9:00.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Regal Theatre on Dec 28, 2004 at 8:03 am

I have it still listed as the Bijou, operated by the Mitchell Brothers in the S.F. Chronicle dated 24 Nov 1976

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Bijou Cinema on Dec 28, 2004 at 7:14 am

The current Spartacus International Gay Guide 2004/2005 lists the ‘All Male Jewel Theatre’ operating at the former Bijou Theatre.

The current status need to be changed to; Open, Function; Adult Movies

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Avenue Theatre on Dec 28, 2004 at 6:12 am

In a copy of the San Francisco Chronicle I have for Wed, Nov 24th 1976, the Avenue Theatre is listed under the ‘International’ section screening Bela Lugosi “The Midnight Girl” + “The Monster Walks” (1940) for one day only!

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about American Theatre on Dec 28, 2004 at 6:02 am

The Film Daily Yearbook, 1941 gives a seating capacity of the American Theatre as 1,210.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Alhambra Theatre on Dec 28, 2004 at 5:59 am

The Alhambra was operating as a twin screen cinema in November 1976.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Alexandria Theatre on Dec 28, 2004 at 5:55 am

By coincidence, I happen to have a copy of the San Francisco Chronicle dated Wed Nov 24, 1976, which according to the introduction to this theatre above, was the opening date of the Alexandria as a triple screen cinema.

Films advertised on this date were;
Screen 1. “Shout at the Devil” + “Hard Times"
Screen 2. "Super Bug, Super Agent” + “Magic Christmas Tree"
Screen 3. "Singing in the Rain” + “The Wizard of Oz”

Evening shows only with the main feature showing twice, commencing at 6:30pm.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about David Cinema on Dec 28, 2004 at 5:23 am

br91975;

This was a second David Cinema, located on W. 54th St which operated until about 1999.

My initial posting was for the original David Cinema, 238 West 55th Street which was operating in the mid 1970’s. I have listing guides from that era which show it at that address.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about Gaiety Burlesk on Dec 27, 2004 at 3:59 pm

You are correct Robert.

I have a current guide which states the Gaiety Theatre still operates as New York’s oldest gay burlesque. The status should now read; Open, Function; Live Performance space.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about 777 Theatre on Dec 27, 2004 at 2:56 pm

Thanks Warren,
I will give the Eros I a new page listing of its own.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe commented about 777 Theatre on Dec 27, 2004 at 1:19 pm

I have a listing for an Eros I Cinema operating gay male porn in 1976.

Its street address is 732 8th Avenue, near 46th Street. Could this be one of the Hollywood Twin Cinemas?