Joe, you had to go and mention knishes and now I want one. I reacall the little old man with the heated-cart who sold the delicious home made ‘round’ knishes (just like in Coney Island at that time). He usually was in the area of Graham Ave. not far from the Graham, Grand and Rainbow Theatre’s.
Hey Anniegirl, I remember the Charlotte Rousse, a cake covered with whipped cream in a white cardboard cup, topped with a cherry. Yummy!
Also remember the Graham Theatre, and the Grand Theatre just around the corner, and the Rainbow Theatre a few blocks down. I checked these theatres out on this site, and the Rainbow marquee is still evident althought it’s now a church.
As far as that theatre off Havemeyer St. is concerned, it could have been on the side street of S. 1st St. or S. 2nd St., somewhere in that area.
The theatre wasn’t far from the big white building, a massive shopping center on Havemeyer St. that I mentioned in a prior post. Do you recall the building?
Anniegirl, I just knew you would enjoy those awsome pictures of the Aster Theatre on Broadway. I made copies for myself.
Yes, I remember many of the great smells you mentioned and when I went to Ebbetts Field and Prospect Park I smelled the aroma of Bond Bread.
I also recall Havemeyer St. and those barrels of delicious pickles all lined up in front of the stores. Of course the big shopping center loaded with carts, inside the huge white building had numerous aromas. Do you happen to remember the name of the little movie theatre (a glorius dump) on a side street in that area? I recall when a Tarzan double feature was playing with Johnny Weissmuller, and the line of kids was a block long.
Those were the days.
Anniegirl, that was funny about the 5&10. I guess I was just a bad little Catholic boy.
It’s sad to hear about the Navy yard. I recall walking by the area many times in my youth. It’s silly, but I recall a metal pump-like gadget from which a foam-like substance use to drip out of, and had an odd odor in that area, probably near a factory across from the Navy yard. It’s weird how I recollected that.
By the way, go to the Aster Theatre thread and hit on the photos. There are two swell pictures (before and after) at the beginning of Broadway.
Anniegirl, regarding the Williamsburg Theatre, do you recall the programs of coming attractions they use to give out? I kept a bunch of them and somehow they got lost in the shuffel. Too bad.
I do recall going to Woolworth’s on Broadway. It had wooden floors if I’m not mistaken. When I was a kid I stole a paper machet pumpkin filled with candy, and I got caught. After crying and carrying on, they let me go…with the pumpkin.
I do recall the other stores that you mentioned. Do you happen to remember the Aster Theatre below the last stop on the El? It was on the same side of the street as the Marcy Theatre.
Sorry to cause any grief on this thread. We did manage to get off the subject of the Loew’s Meropolitan, and unfortunately it tends to happen.
Louieb, I’ll be posting my reply on the Williamsburg Theatre thread, regarding our discussion.
I will be posting a picture of an old movie ad from the 1940s of the Loew’s Metropolitan, here soon.
Anniegirl, I know what you mean about a theatre getting run down and also about the rodents.
In the 1960s I was living in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn and got acquainted with movie theatre’s in that area.
I do recall Stevens next to the Williamsburg theatre with all those goodies. I use to look in the window.
I also attended the Commodore once in a while and also the Marcy. I believe that of the 4 theatres in that area the Commodore was considered the elite one and charged higher admission that the others.
Wasn’t there a Woolworth’s store not far from the Commodore?
Louieb, you can bring up my recollections about the movie theatre’s we spoke about by hitting lovetheoldtheaters which appears above under my last post. It will take you to the list of theater’s I posted about thus far.
Mrs. Louieb, I recall those Halloween costume party’s that some of the theaters use to have and it was fun. I believe of all the theater’s in that area I went to the Williamsburg the most.
Warren, I actually don’t know what the initials R&F stood for, but I do believe it referred to the Republic Theatre.
Louieb, I posted some recollections under some of the theatre’s that yu mentioned including The Williamsburg, when I lived on South 8th St. as a boy. I also recall the Republic Theatre when it was also called the R&F.
I went to the Liberty Theatre in Liberty, New York (the Catskills) when I moved there in 1969. It was a single screen theatre and showed double features. I recall seeing a double bill of “The Sugarland Express” and “Oklahoma Crude”. In fact, the theatre also got newer releases that were showing in New York City.
It wasn’t that elaborate and had no balcony.
It eventually became a Tri-Cinema. At times it was closed in the wintertime due to poor attendance and would reopen in the spring. I believe it was operating throughout the 1990s and into the year 2000.
I am also surprised that it is closed again, perhaps temporarily.
JoeR, I don’t recall the Rogers Theatre as being very ornate. To me it looked like an ordinary neighborhood movie house with wooden seats, and not very big at all.
My son-in-law will be coming over soon to help me to transfer the color snapshot to the screen at Cinema Treasures. Hopefully you’ll get to see it soon.
JoeR, my memory ain’t in such great shape either. If the Strand Theatre was closer to the Fox, it had to be on the other side of Flatbush Ave., hidden away from the main drag on Fulton St.
I also went to the R&R shows at the Paramount. I recall seeing Mickey & Sylvia singing “Love Is Strange” and The Skyliners doing “Since I Don’t Have You”, and when the lead Jimmy Beaumont couldn’t hit the high notes the audience laughed.
Did you ever hear of The Passions? They came from my neighorhood of Red Hook in Brooklyn.
Those were the days.
JoeB.
I recall the Strand Theatre, which was sort of hidden, away from the Fox, RKO Albee, and nearest to the Paramount in downtown Brooklyn.
I believe that’s where I saw “Calamity Jane” with Doris Day.
I also remember on the side street of the theatre where the exit fire doors were located, there was wino’s unsually hanging around with their bottle of hooch in paper bags, sitting against the wall.
In any event it was a handsome showplace, sadly overshadowed by the other theatre’s in the area.
Many thanks you guys for the information regarding the Capitol Theatre and those fabulous pictures.
It must have been at a great expense to install Cinerama at the Capitol in 1962, only to have it last 6 years when the theatre would closed.
I neglected to report that there wasn’t any stage when I saw Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland in person at the Capitol. The ladies were standing on a platform in front of the curtained screen.
I would imagine there once was a stage for the times that Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney appeared at the theatre in person, among other stars.
Anyone know for sure?
In March 1965 the showing of “Hush…Hush…Sweet Charlotte” at the Loew’s Capitol Theatre in New York coincided with the showing at the Loew’s Metropolitan in Brooklyn.
Both Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland appeared at both theatre’s in person, promoting the movie. Of course I went to both theatre’s for this once in a lifetime treat.
Living in Brooklyn I was familiar with the Metropolitan, however it was my first visit to the beautiful Capitol Theatre.
I took a color snapshot of the Capitol marquee advertising the movie, and which I hope to post here, when I learn how to do it, for all to see.
Asbag, sorry to say that I’m not familiar with the Wilson Theatre.
In my Brooklyn phone book of 1955 under Theatre listings , the Wilson Theatre is not listed.
It was most likely closed prior to that year, or perhaps a name change.
The RKO Albee was one of the most sumptuous movie palaces that I ever had the pleasure of going to in Brooklyn. It was one of my very favorites for grandeur It really looked like a palace once you walked in there.
I recall seeing many outstanding double-bills notably “A Night to Remember” about the Titanic and “The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker” with Clifton Webb, among many others including “Imitation of Life” with Lana Turner.
After I moved away from Brooklyn in 1969 and later got the news that the grand theatre was destroyed, I was heartsick.
The Williamsburg Theatre was my introduction to my love of movies. I lived with my grandparents for a few years who lived on South 8th. St., not far from the Schafer Brewery.
I was introduced to many of the old classics in that theatre like “King Kong”, and also some great Tarzan pictures with Johnny Weissmuller.
However during the week the matron would throw the kids out at 4 O'Clock whether you finished watching the movie or not. I used to go to the adult section and sit next to an elderly person so as not to be noticed. My grandfather use to scout the theatres in that area to find me and drag me home.
I recall that the Williamsburg also gave out programs of coming attractions, which advertised all the terrific films coming soon with small pictures from the original posters.
Of course in the same area on Broadway we had the Aster, the Marcy, and the Commodore, which I also went to.
It was surely movie heaven.
When I lived on Stockton St. I would walk to the Rainbow Theatre on Graham Ave. It was a nice theatre where I recall seeing “Westward the Women” (which the projectionist started in the middle of the picture) and also “Miss Sadie Thompson” with Rita Hayworth, among many other films.
I also recall a nice little old man in that area who sold round hot knishes from a little push cart and they were delicious. Does anyone recall this little fellow?
The Lindy (a dump) and the Graham Theatre were on the same strip, with the Grand Theatre just around the corner, before the Graham. I also believe that the R&F? of the Republic Theatre were in the area.
When I lived on Stockton St. I practically lived in the Rogers Theatre. I recall the boxoffice to the left-facing of the theatre and coming attractions posters above the front doors. It had the old wooden seats, which didn’t seem to matter, since the price of admission was reasonable.
I also use to take an elderly woman in a wheelchair to see a movie there once in a while. I parked her to the right of the theatre behind a seat in the gap where the fire exit doors were. I recall at times when those doors were pushed open and kids would run in for free, causing the sunlight to lighten up the place. Nobody ever moved from their seats, except the person that would get up close the doors.
I saw a great many good to outstanding films at the Rogers, but must admit I was thrown out of the theatre one Easter Sunday. Appropriately “Easter Parade” was playing and I got into a hassle with a wise guy (not my fault) who happened to be related to the owner (a gent with a hook-like nose) and he had me thrown out (the first and only time ever).
I have a nice color snapshot of the theatre circa 1965 when it was already closed. It is on a corner and the marquee is in great shape with the front of the place boarded up. You can also see the El.
After I learn how to post the picture I will definately put it on Cinema Treasures, for all to see.
I took the picture, a few years after we moved from the neighborhood, to send to my brother in Viet Nam, since he and I usually went to the Rogers together. He couldn’t believe it was closed up.
In any event the Rogers Theatre holds a lot of fond memories for me and I was sorry to see it go.
Hello JoeR, I’m also living in Florida now and it’s a beautiful day today. It’s nice meeting you here.
Sorry, I don’t recall the name of your Aunt & Uncle or your cousins. I lived at 178 Stockton St. I’m also in my 60s.
I do realize that the stills could be worth some money and I’m gonna take your advice and check with Ebay. Thanks.
My family and I just about lived at the Rogers Theater on Broadway.
I’m going to that site right now.
louieb, it was me JoeB (lovetheoldtheaters) who posted about the Dixie Cups.
JoeB
Hey you guys…how about the Dixie Cups with pictures of the movie stars under the lids.
Warren, doesn’t the Wilson Theatre have it’s own thread now? I thought this was the Williamsburg thread, and surrounding theatres.
Joe, you had to go and mention knishes and now I want one. I reacall the little old man with the heated-cart who sold the delicious home made ‘round’ knishes (just like in Coney Island at that time). He usually was in the area of Graham Ave. not far from the Graham, Grand and Rainbow Theatre’s.
JoeB
Hey Anniegirl, I remember the Charlotte Rousse, a cake covered with whipped cream in a white cardboard cup, topped with a cherry. Yummy!
Also remember the Graham Theatre, and the Grand Theatre just around the corner, and the Rainbow Theatre a few blocks down. I checked these theatres out on this site, and the Rainbow marquee is still evident althought it’s now a church.
As far as that theatre off Havemeyer St. is concerned, it could have been on the side street of S. 1st St. or S. 2nd St., somewhere in that area.
The theatre wasn’t far from the big white building, a massive shopping center on Havemeyer St. that I mentioned in a prior post. Do you recall the building?
JoeB
Anniegirl, I just knew you would enjoy those awsome pictures of the Aster Theatre on Broadway. I made copies for myself.
Yes, I remember many of the great smells you mentioned and when I went to Ebbetts Field and Prospect Park I smelled the aroma of Bond Bread.
I also recall Havemeyer St. and those barrels of delicious pickles all lined up in front of the stores. Of course the big shopping center loaded with carts, inside the huge white building had numerous aromas. Do you happen to remember the name of the little movie theatre (a glorius dump) on a side street in that area? I recall when a Tarzan double feature was playing with Johnny Weissmuller, and the line of kids was a block long.
Those were the days.
JoeB
Anniegirl, that was funny about the 5&10. I guess I was just a bad little Catholic boy.
It’s sad to hear about the Navy yard. I recall walking by the area many times in my youth. It’s silly, but I recall a metal pump-like gadget from which a foam-like substance use to drip out of, and had an odd odor in that area, probably near a factory across from the Navy yard. It’s weird how I recollected that.
By the way, go to the Aster Theatre thread and hit on the photos. There are two swell pictures (before and after) at the beginning of Broadway.
JoeB
Anniegirl, regarding the Williamsburg Theatre, do you recall the programs of coming attractions they use to give out? I kept a bunch of them and somehow they got lost in the shuffel. Too bad.
I do recall going to Woolworth’s on Broadway. It had wooden floors if I’m not mistaken. When I was a kid I stole a paper machet pumpkin filled with candy, and I got caught. After crying and carrying on, they let me go…with the pumpkin.
I do recall the other stores that you mentioned. Do you happen to remember the Aster Theatre below the last stop on the El? It was on the same side of the street as the Marcy Theatre.
JoeB
Sorry to cause any grief on this thread. We did manage to get off the subject of the Loew’s Meropolitan, and unfortunately it tends to happen.
Louieb, I’ll be posting my reply on the Williamsburg Theatre thread, regarding our discussion.
I will be posting a picture of an old movie ad from the 1940s of the Loew’s Metropolitan, here soon.
JoeB
Anniegirl, I know what you mean about a theatre getting run down and also about the rodents.
In the 1960s I was living in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn and got acquainted with movie theatre’s in that area.
I do recall Stevens next to the Williamsburg theatre with all those goodies. I use to look in the window.
I also attended the Commodore once in a while and also the Marcy. I believe that of the 4 theatres in that area the Commodore was considered the elite one and charged higher admission that the others.
Wasn’t there a Woolworth’s store not far from the Commodore?
JoeB
Louieb, you can bring up my recollections about the movie theatre’s we spoke about by hitting lovetheoldtheaters which appears above under my last post. It will take you to the list of theater’s I posted about thus far.
Mrs. Louieb, I recall those Halloween costume party’s that some of the theaters use to have and it was fun. I believe of all the theater’s in that area I went to the Williamsburg the most.
Warren, I actually don’t know what the initials R&F stood for, but I do believe it referred to the Republic Theatre.
JoeB
Louieb, I posted some recollections under some of the theatre’s that yu mentioned including The Williamsburg, when I lived on South 8th St. as a boy. I also recall the Republic Theatre when it was also called the R&F.
JoeB
It was actually ViviEn Leigh. Though that was a funny reply.
I went to the Liberty Theatre in Liberty, New York (the Catskills) when I moved there in 1969. It was a single screen theatre and showed double features. I recall seeing a double bill of “The Sugarland Express” and “Oklahoma Crude”. In fact, the theatre also got newer releases that were showing in New York City.
It wasn’t that elaborate and had no balcony.
It eventually became a Tri-Cinema. At times it was closed in the wintertime due to poor attendance and would reopen in the spring. I believe it was operating throughout the 1990s and into the year 2000.
I am also surprised that it is closed again, perhaps temporarily.
JoeB
JoeR, I don’t recall the Rogers Theatre as being very ornate. To me it looked like an ordinary neighborhood movie house with wooden seats, and not very big at all.
My son-in-law will be coming over soon to help me to transfer the color snapshot to the screen at Cinema Treasures. Hopefully you’ll get to see it soon.
JoeB
JoeR, my memory ain’t in such great shape either. If the Strand Theatre was closer to the Fox, it had to be on the other side of Flatbush Ave., hidden away from the main drag on Fulton St.
I also went to the R&R shows at the Paramount. I recall seeing Mickey & Sylvia singing “Love Is Strange” and The Skyliners doing “Since I Don’t Have You”, and when the lead Jimmy Beaumont couldn’t hit the high notes the audience laughed.
Did you ever hear of The Passions? They came from my neighorhood of Red Hook in Brooklyn.
Those were the days.
JoeB.
I recall the Strand Theatre, which was sort of hidden, away from the Fox, RKO Albee, and nearest to the Paramount in downtown Brooklyn.
I believe that’s where I saw “Calamity Jane” with Doris Day.
I also remember on the side street of the theatre where the exit fire doors were located, there was wino’s unsually hanging around with their bottle of hooch in paper bags, sitting against the wall.
In any event it was a handsome showplace, sadly overshadowed by the other theatre’s in the area.
Many thanks you guys for the information regarding the Capitol Theatre and those fabulous pictures.
It must have been at a great expense to install Cinerama at the Capitol in 1962, only to have it last 6 years when the theatre would closed.
JoeB
I neglected to report that there wasn’t any stage when I saw Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland in person at the Capitol. The ladies were standing on a platform in front of the curtained screen.
I would imagine there once was a stage for the times that Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney appeared at the theatre in person, among other stars.
Anyone know for sure?
In March 1965 the showing of “Hush…Hush…Sweet Charlotte” at the Loew’s Capitol Theatre in New York coincided with the showing at the Loew’s Metropolitan in Brooklyn.
Both Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland appeared at both theatre’s in person, promoting the movie. Of course I went to both theatre’s for this once in a lifetime treat.
Living in Brooklyn I was familiar with the Metropolitan, however it was my first visit to the beautiful Capitol Theatre.
I took a color snapshot of the Capitol marquee advertising the movie, and which I hope to post here, when I learn how to do it, for all to see.
JoeB.
Asbag, sorry to say that I’m not familiar with the Wilson Theatre.
In my Brooklyn phone book of 1955 under Theatre listings , the Wilson Theatre is not listed.
It was most likely closed prior to that year, or perhaps a name change.
JoeB
The RKO Albee was one of the most sumptuous movie palaces that I ever had the pleasure of going to in Brooklyn. It was one of my very favorites for grandeur It really looked like a palace once you walked in there.
I recall seeing many outstanding double-bills notably “A Night to Remember” about the Titanic and “The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker” with Clifton Webb, among many others including “Imitation of Life” with Lana Turner.
After I moved away from Brooklyn in 1969 and later got the news that the grand theatre was destroyed, I was heartsick.
JoeB
The Williamsburg Theatre was my introduction to my love of movies. I lived with my grandparents for a few years who lived on South 8th. St., not far from the Schafer Brewery.
I was introduced to many of the old classics in that theatre like “King Kong”, and also some great Tarzan pictures with Johnny Weissmuller.
However during the week the matron would throw the kids out at 4 O'Clock whether you finished watching the movie or not. I used to go to the adult section and sit next to an elderly person so as not to be noticed. My grandfather use to scout the theatres in that area to find me and drag me home.
I recall that the Williamsburg also gave out programs of coming attractions, which advertised all the terrific films coming soon with small pictures from the original posters.
Of course in the same area on Broadway we had the Aster, the Marcy, and the Commodore, which I also went to.
It was surely movie heaven.
JoeB.
When I lived on Stockton St. I would walk to the Rainbow Theatre on Graham Ave. It was a nice theatre where I recall seeing “Westward the Women” (which the projectionist started in the middle of the picture) and also “Miss Sadie Thompson” with Rita Hayworth, among many other films.
I also recall a nice little old man in that area who sold round hot knishes from a little push cart and they were delicious. Does anyone recall this little fellow?
The Lindy (a dump) and the Graham Theatre were on the same strip, with the Grand Theatre just around the corner, before the Graham. I also believe that the R&F? of the Republic Theatre were in the area.
JoeB.
When I lived on Stockton St. I practically lived in the Rogers Theatre. I recall the boxoffice to the left-facing of the theatre and coming attractions posters above the front doors. It had the old wooden seats, which didn’t seem to matter, since the price of admission was reasonable.
I also use to take an elderly woman in a wheelchair to see a movie there once in a while. I parked her to the right of the theatre behind a seat in the gap where the fire exit doors were. I recall at times when those doors were pushed open and kids would run in for free, causing the sunlight to lighten up the place. Nobody ever moved from their seats, except the person that would get up close the doors.
I saw a great many good to outstanding films at the Rogers, but must admit I was thrown out of the theatre one Easter Sunday. Appropriately “Easter Parade” was playing and I got into a hassle with a wise guy (not my fault) who happened to be related to the owner (a gent with a hook-like nose) and he had me thrown out (the first and only time ever).
I have a nice color snapshot of the theatre circa 1965 when it was already closed. It is on a corner and the marquee is in great shape with the front of the place boarded up. You can also see the El.
After I learn how to post the picture I will definately put it on Cinema Treasures, for all to see.
I took the picture, a few years after we moved from the neighborhood, to send to my brother in Viet Nam, since he and I usually went to the Rogers together. He couldn’t believe it was closed up.
In any event the Rogers Theatre holds a lot of fond memories for me and I was sorry to see it go.
JoeB
I
Hello JoeR, I’m also living in Florida now and it’s a beautiful day today. It’s nice meeting you here.
Sorry, I don’t recall the name of your Aunt & Uncle or your cousins. I lived at 178 Stockton St. I’m also in my 60s.
I do realize that the stills could be worth some money and I’m gonna take your advice and check with Ebay. Thanks.
My family and I just about lived at the Rogers Theater on Broadway.
I’m going to that site right now.
JoeB