North Fork Arts Center at the Sapan Greenport Theatre
211 E. Front Street,
Greenport,
NY
11944
211 E. Front Street,
Greenport,
NY
11944
4 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 75 of 94 comments
Figuring the size of most early eastern Suffolk County theatres, 1,000 is large. Except for the original Southampton and the Suffolk you’re talking 200, 300, 400.
I never could figure out why this large theatre was built in the first place in 1939. Grant you the closest theatres were in Riverhead but this was so large before it was quaded. When my parents and I used to vacation on Shelter Island we, too, like a previous posting, took the ferry over and walked to the theatre. I don’t recall it being particularly full, even in season. It now only operates for the summer. It’s all well and good that the signage from the old Beekman has been used, but it looks lost on the front of the building particularly with the very impressive blade.
Single screen days
View link
The architect was John Eberson.
The previous theater on the site was destroyed in the big hurricane of 1938. It may have been called the Opera House at one point. Postcard view linked above could be of site on which Greenport Theater of today sits.
SMITHTOWN THEATRE ON MAIN STREET 25 OR 25A…..
I GET THE TWO ROADS MISSED UP…
LIKE MOST OF THE SINGLE THEATRES FROM THE EARLY 20’S..HAD A STAGE LIFE, MOVIE LIFE,NOW PERFORMING ARTS…
THE PLAYHOUSE IN GREATNECK HAD A LARGE STAGE FLYING SCREEN AND A LARGE BAND PIT…TWO FLOORS OF DRESSING ROOMS…ONLY WISH SOMEONE IN A GREATNECK WOULD HAVE TURNED IT INTO A PERFORMING ARTS CENTER..
THE SQUIRE WAS A CAR SHOW ROOM AND SERVICE CENTER IN AN OTHER LIFE
I have a Town Theatre, Smithtown Branch, NY with a seating capacity of 220, listed in the 1943 edition of Film Daily Yearbook as (Closed). It doesn’t appear in the 1941 edition of F.D.Y. that I have or the 1950 edition.
Smithtown had the 605 seat Smithtown Theatre operating in 1941 & 1943.
The Greenport Opera House is listed as a movie theatre in the American Motion Picture Directory 1914-1915 edition. I will add a page for it.
yes ,theater was a greenport opera house ,not the same as this theater..
www.greenporttheater.com
Thats good to hear ….always liked this theater…..
I SPENT THIS PAST WEEKEND IN GREENPORT…IT IS A GREAT LITTLE TOWN
WITH OUT THE HAMPTON GRIDLOCK…
AS FOR THE THEATRE…IN GREAT SHAPE FROM THE STREET TO SCREENS..
AND VERY CLEAN…THE BOX OFFICE ONE OF THOSE 4X4 STAND A
LONES…STAFF VERY FRIENDLY…I MET M.O.D. JESSEY VERY BRIGHT YOUNG
MAN..TOLD ME THE CURRENT OWNER HAD IT FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS..
I TOLD HIM ABOUT CT..WE SHOULD HEAR FROM HIM SOON…
WAS NICE TO SEE AN OLD THEATRE THAT WASN’T A CHURCH OR FLEA MARKET..
OH YEAH, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SUNNY AND 85.. THERE WAS STILL A LOT
OF PEOPLE GOING TO THE AFTERNOON SHOWS…
GO GREEN….GREENPORT THAT IS!
To chelydra; I think you might be confusing the Drive-In which was right at the corner of Chapel Lane and Route 25.
I do however remember the original Greenport Theater. My Grandmother had a summer home on Ram Island, Shelter Island, and we’d drive to the Ferry and park, and go across on foot. She’d treat us to a movie and dinner at Mitchell’s. Anyone remember Mitchell’s? Back then it was a big screen theater. Late 60’s Early 70’s.
great web site…………..
Thanks! I just noticed that, they look great!. Unfortunately, those photos are a part of a slideshow, and you can’t pause it to look at the photo carefully.
Greenporttheater.com shows quite a few interior shots, including of the Beekman signs.
I’ll take them next time I’m there.
Wow, that is just amazing. Anyone have any photos of the signs in theater 1?
Nice theater , i hope it does well…
Yes, the Beekman room is now theater #1. The original balcony. The beekman signs are on either side of the screen, fully functional with neon.
Special thanks should go to this theater for saving and reusing the two marquee signs from the now-lost Beekman theater (Upper East Side, NYC). The site mentions a “Beekman Room” and there is an image of a screen with the distinctive signage to either side. The Beekman name will live on through this, which is fortunate.
Yes, the Greenport has undergone huge renovations. The seat are not new. They have been painted and reupholstered. Also, a new marquee has been installed complete with a blade running from the roof down to the top of the marquee. There will be more renovations ahead including upgraded sound and screen maskings. A lot of work has been done to improve the picture and sound already. All of the projection equipment has been repaired or upgraded. Opening night sold out 2 of the shows.
The Greenport Theatre was been fully restored over the winter — in addition to the new cafe and the lobby renovations that took place last year, the carpets, the seats, the acoustic wall-padding are all brand new. A stroke of genuis, the Theatre doubles as an art gallery — terrific stuff hanging on the walls. The whole thing is tasteful, beautiful, fun, and most importantly, judging from the crowds this weekened, it inspires folks to hang out at the movies this summer. Website here: http://www.greenporttheater.com/ Special screenings and live performances throughout the summer and fall. (By the way, it seems to be called the “Greenport Theatre” now, instead of Greenport Village Cinema.)
Did you see the photos that are hanging in the lobby? They are amazing. There are about 4 or 5 from about the 1930’s to about the 1950’s or so. The roof was entirely replaced at some point.
Does anyone have old/historic photos of this theater? i have new photos of the lobby that I can post.