I remember as a 12 year old, they close for renovations to make it a quad. I remember it was close for quite a while to make the twin a quad. Like most of those kind of neighborhood theaters, they built the giant wall down the middle the theater to twin it. So they had two theaters each with a balcony. After smoking came out of failure in the smoking balcony as (well not just for young lovers to make out hot and heavy causing smoke) but the smoking area. It was very disappointing when it finally opened. Calling this a quad was an overstatement. The balcony was always small even as single theater so it fit 100 people tops, with quading they just close off the entire balcony on both sits and put in two screens. I always thought it would have been better as a triple because how much money can you make from 50 people sitting there for two hours unless, they really pushed the concession stand. 100 would have seen better and took the entire balcony to one theater. But anyway, since Clearview took it over, those small balcony theaters are stll there but now the all theaters have been halved. Mr. K is right the Franklin Square is a good neighborhood so that why theater stays in Business. As an MBA though, I agree with strong community, but I think the biggest issue is access. The next closest theaters are in Lynbrook, Herrick, Roosevelt Fld, or Rockville Center. The studios and distributors do have a 7 mile rule they try to stick with for theater owners that a movies unless huge like the new store wars will only play in theaters 7 miles apart. But for movies for West Hempstead, Western Garden City, Stewart Manor, Floral Park, it really is the “only came in town” for first run Hollywood Movies, a lot which is by default. A lot of problems with these local theaters was parking. Franklin Square has municipal parking lots all around the Franklin, so even though I grew up around the theater, I still believe it was saved the multiplex boom by multiplexing, granted kind of poorly, but also having he parking that could accomodate people as local downtown are main drags no longer were pedestrian zones, but care zones. The nearby Floral, long gone, so beautiful, like a great movie house, with beautiful inside archetecture that made it look like an old movie palace you would see in the city. But unfortunately, they had one small town parking lot across the street. So though I spent many my teenage years at the Franklin and have fond memories, I wish there was a way to make it bigger. Being the only game in town really this side of Nassau Boulevard and its, “quading” of the balcony and now the retail store taken over next store. It may have six theaters, but you are almost forced to go to Roosevelt Raceway on the first Friday and Saturday of a big movie, because it is all sold out. A limitation caused by a theater with 50 seats.
Here is something I wrote about the Park East but I think it also belongs here too. The Jericho Tpke Hillside Cluster of Theaters were my home are, and one by one, they all closed. These were the theaters I grew up with until I was 14. Without them I would not a film and tv producer today. Because of the enjoyment from them, maybe want a career in the biz. Anyway, this I started writing about Park East but soon became all about the old century theaters
I am always sad to drive down Jericho Turnpike where there were so many theaters. I am only in my early 30s but I remember, along Jericho there as the Bellrose, Floral, and the Park East. For a young kid it was easy to reach by bus. It is sad when I pull out of the staples and the Park East Restaurant, especailly because now that Pathmark shopping center has declined. The old original Pergament is the Goodwill and even the Pathmark there has declined. I do not believe it is the area, because a block away the Walbaum shopping center is an eyesore. I think the problem with Park East was the non-constant movie program. I mean it was owned be Century theaters and a new company. I always felt the company was run by idiots and programmed by the blind leading the blind. I remember the Park East the worst example. The movies would open there on the standard opening weekend, but it seemed they waited until all of Nassau county to see the movie. I remember one instance as a pre-teen when Ghostbuster opened I believe July 4th weekend. It stayed there for two months. Even something like Titanic would stop yielding profit after a month. I think Century had idiots running it because they did it all over their chain. Working in the entertainment industry now, I know that when theaters open a movie first weekend is 90% for the studio and 10% to the studio, then the next week 80% for study and 20% for theater. Until by the 4th week it was a 50-50 split. That is why the concession in theaters are. Even then popcorn was ridiculous. I quote comedian Rita Rudner “Going to movies beside seeing the movie. The prices for the concession are ridiculous. Three dollars for a small tiny bag of popcorn. Popcorn cost 13 cents a "sylo??”(Spelled write? Sylo meeting the tall building on a farm with the round top) Instead of trying to reach the 50-50 profits, which by that time no one is in the theater, what is the point of showing the movie. I mean don’t get me wrong, Ghostbusters was a great movies, but I even remember seeing one movie there that played forever, and when I went to the matinee, myself and my friend were the only ones in the theater. What is the point of running a movie with two people in theater.
The theater was huge and the resisted mutliplexing. In that area, between Garden City, and the lower part of the weathy northern Long Island suburbs, that area could be ripe for a new theater even built into the shopping center similar the Malverne. Where Charlie’s is, the restaurants has changed so much. But with the dying shopping center, you can even make small art house type theaters in Northern Nassau, even the Malverne is like watching in the living room. But the area around New Hyde Park and Franklin Sq, Garden City, Floral Park and Garden City South has no real movie theater. The park east inside was mordern, and not as much as tradgedy like the Floral theater, which was crime, but close because lack of bargain. If anyone were to ask where the perfect place for a theater and Nasssau would be I would say, that area. The Herricks is nice, but growing up I watched it go from a twin to a quad. With fewer and fewer seats. The Park East maybe gone, but there is a huge opportunity for the right person and art film lover. The new Pergament, one of the biggest stores in the former chain has sat idle for years. It has lot of parking, great corner, and is empty. Anyone who remembers that store, knows if is perfect for someone to develop. It was one of the first real “box stores” so you have a huge building of just open space and parking. It is just a shame that now people from Floral Park east need to go to the mall or the Raceway to see a movies, with decent sound and not feeling like watching a moving in your living room. For me, unless I a really, really want to see a movie, I by pass the Franklin or the Herricks for waiting for the DVD, the sound is better on my own TV! The other thing I miss is bargain matinee. Remember when that was 1PM. Now with the Loews theaters, their first show “bargain” which is barely a bargain saving a $1.50 is at 9am. I think the movie going experience is ruined on the weekend when you have to get up at 7:30 am to see a movie. After a long work week, even an amazing movie, would put me to sleep getting that early.
So, there one sad thing about, the Floral, Park East, Westbury Twin, Bellrose, (the theater that became the appliance store Eldee and then an office building) in addition also the RKO Century Alan on Hillside ave, these films were in my neighborhood. The west side of Garden City, near New Hyde Park road. My mother preferred them, because she did not want leave me and friends at a young age at the mall because of the bus hub and the bad element could be there. But the saddest thing of the closure is that today in my early 30’s I am a producer of film and television. These long gone theaters were the theaters that maybe love movies and one day work in the biz and make them. Who knows if I went to these giant multiplex at Roosefelt Field or Green Acres and my movie experience was see films at a time with no stadium seeding, not much better sound, and thin walls that in those days, if you were watching a quiet scene in a film, and and action film was in the theater next door, the soundproofing was horrible if any, and on top of that, the only benefit of Roosevelt Field was the size of the theater. The seats were still crapp and until the Raceway Opened, every two years, they would keep cutting theaters in half, to make more theaters. The one godsend of the raceway is at least the Roosevelt field theater has allowed Roosevelt Field to reopen with less theaters and more space instead of trying to show every movie out.
One other memory I am sure you all have of the teaters of Jericho Tpk and areas around it. Remember during the matinee, as security for the kids, she would walk up and down the aisle almost row by row to make sure, the kids are ok, and no one is harassing or doing anything wrong. I think back now as an adult, knowing more about life and now with the church scandals and crack down on sex offenders, if someone is sexual harrassing you in the theater, who would these elderly ushers with flashlights who were also considered security guards, could have helped you even if someone was bothering you. If remember, these theater were skeletoned staffed. A ticket book clerk, a ticket ripper, maybe one or two concession persons and the manager/projectionist. Looking back, if would love to have seen these elderly, usher/security women taking on a 200 pound man.
Those are the days, that were great growing up, encouraged me to go into the film and entertainment world. But that history is gone. Maybe someone can make a highlight reel for me like for Cinema Paradiso or artifacts from these old theaters.
However, not only going to film school, but an MBA, that area is still perfect for a well managed theater, especailly showing movies like the Malverne or Angelica. I look at the Pergament Local Box store across from the old Park East. It has been for rent for so long, it would be perfect for an Arthouse theater and house the parking. Either that but a store also missing from this nook of Nassau county, Trader Joes. But I would trade Joe for a theater anyday!
I am always sad to drive down Jericho Turnpike where there were so many theaters. I am only in my early 30s but I remember, along Jericho there as the Bellrose, Floral, and the Park East. For a young kid it was easy to reach by bus. It is sad when I pull out of the staples and the Park East Restaurant, especailly because now that Pathmark shopping center has declined. The old original Pergament is the Goodwill and even the Pathmark there has declined. I do not believe it is the area, because a block away the Walbaum shopping center is an eyesore. I think the problem with Park East was the non-constant movie program. I mean it was owned be Century theaters and a new company. I always felt the company was run by idiots and programmed by the blind leading the blind. I remember the Park East the worst example. The movies would open there on the standard opening weekend, but it seemed they waited until all of Nassau county to see the movie. I remember one instance as a pre-teen when Ghostbuster opened I believe July 4th weekend. It stayed there for two months. Even something like Titanic would stop yielding profit after a month. I think Century had idiots running it because they did it all over their chain. Working in the entertainment industry now, I know that when theaters open a movie first weekend is 90% for the studio and 10% to the studio, then the next week 80% for study and 20% for theater. Until by the 4th week it was a 50-50 split. That is why the concession in theaters are. Even then popcorn was ridiculous. I quote comedian Rita Rudner “Going to movies beside seeing the movie. The prices for the concession are ridiculous. Three dollars for a small tiny bag of popcorn. Popcorn cost 13 cents a "sylo??”(Spelled write? Sylo meeting the tall building on a farm with the round top) Instead of trying to reach the 50-50 profits, which by that time no one is in the theater, what is the point of showing the movie. I mean don’t get me wrong, Ghostbusters was a great movies, but I even remember seeing one movie there that played forever, and when I went to the matinee, myself and my friend were the only ones in the theater. What is the point of running a movie with two people in theater.
The theater was huge and the resisted mutliplexing. In that area, between Garden City, and the lower part of the weathy northern Long Island suburbs, that area could be ripe for a new theater even built into the shopping center similar the Malverne. Where Charlie’s is, the restaurants has changed so much. But with the dying shopping center, you can even make small art house type theaters in Northern Nassau, even the Malverne is like watching in the living room. But the area around New Hyde Park and Franklin Sq, Garden City, Floral Park and Garden City South has no real movie theater. The park east inside was mordern, and not as much as tradgedy like the Floral theater, which was crime, but close because lack of bargain. If anyone were to ask where the perfect place for a theater and Nasssau would be I would say, that area. The Herricks is nice, but growing up I watched it go from a twin to a quad. With fewer and fewer seats. The Park East maybe gone, but there is a huge opportunity for the right person and art film lover. The new Pergament, one of the biggest stores in the former chain has sat idle for years. It has lot of parking, great corner, and is empty. Anyone who remembers that store, knows if is perfect for someone to develop. It was one of the first real “box stores” so you have a huge building of just open space and parking. It is just a shame that now people from Floral Park east need to go to the mall or the Raceway to see a movies, with decent sound and not feeling like watching a moving in your living room. For me, unless I a really, really want to see a movie, I by pass the Franklin or the Herricks for waiting for the DVD, the sound is better on my own TV! The other thing I miss is bargain matinee. Remember when that was 1PM. Now with the Loews theaters, their first show “bargain” which is barely a bargain saving a $1.50 is at 9am. I think the movie going experience is ruined on the weekend when you have to get up at 7:30 am to see a movie. After a long work week, even an amazing movie, would put me to sleep getting that early.
So, there one sad thing about, the Floral, Park East, Westbury Twin, Bellrose, (the theater that became the appliance store Eldee and then an office building) in addition also the RKO Century Alan on Hillside ave, these films were in my neighborhood. The west side of Garden City, near New Hyde Park road. My mother preferred them, because she did not want leave me and friends at a young age at the mall because of the bus hub and the bad element could be there. But the saddest thing of the closure is that today in my early 30’s I am a producer of film and television. These long gone theaters were the theaters that maybe love movies and one day work in the biz and make them. Who knows if I went to these giant multiplex at Roosefelt Field or Green Acres and my movie experience was see films at a time with no stadium seeding, not much better sound, and thin walls that in those days, if you were watching a quiet scene in a film, and and action film was in the theater next door, the soundproofing was horrible if any, and on top of that, the only benefit of Roosevelt Field was the size of the theater. The seats were still crapp and until the Raceway Opened, every two years, they would keep cutting theaters in half, to make more theaters. The one godsend of the raceway is at least the Roosevelt field theater has allowed Roosevelt Field to reopen with less theaters and more space instead of trying to show every movie out.
One other memory I am sure you all have of the teaters of Jericho Tpk and areas around it. Remember during the matinee, as security for the kids, she would walk up and down the aisle almost row by row to make sure, the kids are ok, and no one is harassing or doing anything wrong. I think back now as an adult, knowing more about life and now with the church scandals and crack down on sex offenders, if someone is sexual harrassing you in the theater, who would these elderly ushers with flashlights who were also considered security guards, could have helped you even if someone was bothering you. If remember, these theater were skeletoned staffed. A ticket book clerk, a ticket ripper, maybe one or two concession persons and the manager/projectionist. Looking back, if would love to have seen these elderly, usher/security women taking on a 200 pound man.
Those are the days, that were great growing up, encouraged me to go into the film and entertainment world. But that history is gone. Maybe someone can make a highlight reel for me like for Cinema Paradiso or artifacts from these old theaters.
However, not only going to film school, but an MBA, that area is still perfect for a well managed theater, especailly showing movies like the Malverne or Angelica. I look at the Pergament Local Box store across from the old Park East. It has been for rent for so long, it would be perfect for an Arthouse theater and house the parking. Either that but a store also missing from this nook of Nassau county, Trader Joes. But I would trade Joe for a theater anyday!
Guys,
Once again, I suggest we go out for drinks or something or maybe get a room at the Willimsburg Historical Society and brain storm. As I said, we can get a move theater in Williamsburg maybe not the Commodore though. As I said before, during the 1910’s through 1930’s there were vaudville theaters on almost every corner in Williamsburg. I know from experience, sometimes behind these warehouse are places that were once something “glorious”. Because everyone is waiting for rezoning, maybe besides trying the save the Commodore, maybe behind what we think are just warehouses are empty theaters with seats taken out, but just used as a warehouse and the paint is chipping and the chandaliers are gone. If I remember correctly, the Commodore was in pretty bad shape before it closed. Noise from the elevated train etc. If can find one of these vaudville theaters I think we might have a case to stop that building from being rezoned, much to the chagrin of the owner.
I think we definitely need a theater in Wiliamburg, both a mainstream cinema and also a Sunshine type theater. That kind of theater can be not for profit like the Angelica was up until 10 years ago. If you like the Sunshine theater, think about where it came from why it is located where it is located. They did not build that theater from scratch, I think they got a lot of money from the state and city historical redevelopment funds, plus tax abatements etc. I do not remember what was there before, but I now it was not a theater. Maybe a large storefront or a warehouse. But that place was really and old Jewish Vaudville theaer that Sunshine found and restored to a movie theater. I am sure this is true in Williamsburg, there are buildings like this used for just warehousing etc. Even next to the Broadway Diner, there is an old German vaudville theater that was cut in half but Robert Moses’s BQE. It might be nice to renovate but for a business sense both that place and the Commodore are bad locations.
If we can all meet and brainstorm, and study the history of the neighborhood, find addresses of old theaters, knock on doors, talk to those at the senior center, I think we have a very very good chance to find a place like this.
I have been on this website for about three years, have tried to set up tentative meetings but always seems to fall through because I get busy or others get busy or others just like to claim about evil capitalism and how Williamsburg is being “destroyed”. The latter are the people I hate the most because they are the first to complain but are the ones with no action.
So guys, is anyone interested in doing this? I would be happy to organize the first meeting. But I cannot do all this alone. I even took the information to Katherine Oliver the film commissioner about saving it and she told me she could help only if we find the actualy architect. Well is you scroll back, I said, this is not my area and can someone find these things out for me. But all I got were suggestions, comments and criticism on finding the architect and what I did wrong which I felt was not fair. I had hoped that someone in this area would take the next step and get the information for me. After all, I did take some action, but instead of people stepping forward, all people wanted to do was tell people what to do, instead of doing it themselves and helping me and the cause. As I said, I am busy too, and I am not a total innocent in that I have gotten busy and had to cancel appointments with people and then they get busy etc etc.
So everyone, if you want to do this, and save things, not just the Commodore because it could be too late, but save other theaters behind the metal gates, lets meet and start an advocacy group and preservation group. In a year, after the hood is rezoned, condos and high rises will be going up unopposed. Now I am all free business and enterprise, but when it has to do with our neighborhood, we should at least need a say it how it is done. That is why this area, one to three stops from the subway took so long to gentrify. Some of it was the warehouse and the stench, others was the contamination. You know, I was even told that, that empty lot, along Bedford right before McCarren Park was suppose to be a mini mall including a small multiplex. The reason it never happened? The land is contaminated from the old paint factory and there is not a fight as to who is responsible to pay for clean up, the new owner, old owner, the city, insurance companies etc. So sorry to say guys and I am sure you have heard this before, but the land west of the BQE, the most trendy part, is a victim of toxic dumping. I know there is a group against a power station, but with today’s laws, whether it goes up or not, it is not going to contaminate the land for future generations.
So we seem to have this long conversation lasting 4 years starting April 23rd. Lets finally all get together, and find everyone’s expertise to try to save to Commodore or some behind the scenes old vaudville house, or finding someone to open a theater in Williamsburg. I know that a lot of you would be against a Loews or AMC, but there are theaters that maybe chains, but they are franchised and are mostly small business owners. Being that it would be locally owned by some franshee like that, we can talk to him about the type of films to show etc. I am very tired of the Commodore issue, and as we talk, property value has more than doubled. This neighborhood has changed and is getting better and better. A theater here would be a smashing success, as there are so many young people in the burg and the surround areas who most pay $10 for a movies plus, deal with the subway and travel to Manhattan or Brooklyn heights to see a movies. Open a theater here, will keep our money in the burg, and circulated back into out local economy. Some of you might ask, why have the chains and places like Loews not opened here yet? I can tell you the answers from an MBA point of view. The 2000 census. Though alot of lived here during the last census, the real explosion of Williamsburg happened after 2000. There were no real condos and home ownership among the 18-34 crowd as well as incomes were lower. So if you pull the 2000 census, you would not believe what you see. It says the area is like 90% hispanic, and a very high number of residents and I am not saying just hispanics or singling them out, are on public assistance. So the average income with assets etc, is not worth it for a national company to invest in such an area. It is the local contracters who see the potential and building the condos and other things making the neighborhood attractive in the 2010 census. So if not before then, by 2010, you will see an explosion of investment and national chains arriving. So lets try to save to Commodore another secret theater or try to find investors to open our own movie theater here in the burg, before it gets out of our hands. I am not talking a radical, or liberal, or tree hugging organization. I think we should have a committee or organization that is all inclusive whose goal is to do the things I explained above. I would consider it a Theater advocate/historical preserving/ and alternative committee to the community board, which if you have been to a meeting is a mess. Works very slowly, and really does not represent or have representatives from the “new” Williamsburg.
So here is the deal. After reading this, and please excuse the grammar and spelling as I am in a hurry. I will check off notification. If you are all interested in starting a group and breaking all our talents down to different committees to either save the Commodore or find other theaters etc… Please just leave a message on the website that you are in. Then I will leave an e-mail address you can all e-mail your personal information and when I have a head count, I will set up a time and a place to meet. We are all passionate about a Williamsburg and our neighborhood. So instead of hiding between a website to complain or give good ideas and expect others to do them, lets work together after 5 years of discussion. I hope his letter will empower everyone to get involved. Even if you are busy, first off, it is one meeting, and second, any time you can give or even help with contacts and connections if you are too busy, that would work. But whether it is complaining, having ideas, or attempts to find information, whether you have been negative or positive, the ultimate bottom live is we all have a love of the Commodore, a movie theater in Williamsburg and our hood. So lets all meet at least once, just to see if we can move from page to action or at least have drinks with people you have corresponding with and putting a face with a name and comment.
Maybe the Commodore can be Tarantino’s retirement theater….
Tarantino: I’m not directing next Jason movie
Note to New Line: Don’t take Jason Voorhees' hockey mask off the shelf just yet. Last week, according to the Hollywood Reporter, the studio was said to be in talks with Quentin Tarantino to write and direct The Ultimate Jason Voorhees Movie, which would mark the 12th installment of the Friday the 13th franchise, as well as the director’s first job for a studio other than Miramax. But the report was premature, Tarantino said over the weekend. The Kill Bill filmmaker was in London to accept the Icon of the Decade award from Empire, the British movie magazine, and he told Empire that, while New Line had spoken to him about a Jason movie, he was not planning to make one.
‘'Whats happening with Friday The 13th? Nothing at all! Its a complete lie,’‘ he told Empire, whose awards were chosen by a poll of 12,000 readers. ’‘I like Jason and everything, but Ive no intention of directing a movie! New Line talked to me about it, but it was a complete fabrication, that article. I would love to do a horror film. Im just saying its not going to be Friday the 13th.’'
Tarantino said his next project would probably be his long-gestating World War II drama Inglorious Bastards, though he said he had yet to compile the scenes he’s written into a shooting script. ‘'I hope to give you at least 15 more years of movies,’‘ said the 41-year-old, who added that he would then quit filmmaking and Hollywood altogether. ’‘I’m not going to be this old guy that keeps cranking them out. My plan is to have a theater by that time in some small town and I will be the manager — this crazy old movie guy,’‘ the former video store clerk said. ’‘I’ve made enough money that nobody even needs to show up at the theater. It’s just having something to do.’'
The Commodore is for sale? They are trying to unload it? Does anyone know the price they were asking, because what things are worth on paper in tax records is not usually the price in Williamsburg
I talked to Andrew. Even though he has contact, they still want 3 million. About the wait, I have no answers. But remember, this is THERE property and they can do whatever they want. They could wait 5 years to make changes.
As for city records, finding an architect is not my thing. I do not know the first thing about it. If someone could find the information it would be helpful, but I do not have the time or resources to do a search.
The firm is there, but not the architect. Also, the website is not sufficient. We need hard evidence, such as building records, public records etc listing the architect not just the firm.
Capitalism and ownership is the reason for the Commodore’s demise. There might be abandoned building and empty lots, but the owners of the Commodore do not own the other locations. So they are changing their own property.
Actually, it is probably being taken down, or being renovated for non theater use. I spoke to the owner about buying it. They were difficult Hasidic Jews who bought it probably for a Yeshiva. I asked them about purchasing it because it was a landmark. The ask for $3 million which I know is double what they paid. Being an MBA, I was willing to accept the challenge and was willing to try to save it.
However, it seemed fruitless with these owners. They would not let me see inside the theater, take pictures etc, unless I showed them I had 3 million. When I said, in order to raise this money, I needed to be able to make a presentation to investors as well as at least take pictures of the interior. They refused, and bascially wanted me to raise the money and buy the theater sight unseen which I think is ridiculous and also, a sign that even if I raised the money without seeing it, they were not going to sell anyway.
The other route I took to save the Commodore is during a meeting I had with Katherine Oliver, the NYC Film Commissioner, I brought up the plight of the Commodore, handed her my research and told her, it was the last of the old vaudville houses which once were on every block in Williamsburg. I could not understand why it was not “Landmarked.” She investigated the theater for me and told me that even though she agrees that a theater like the Commodore should be saved, the problem why it was not landmarked it because there is no architect on file. The city Landmark committee did investigate landmarking the theater, but the rules on Landmarking state that in order to proceed, there must be an architect named.
I think this is an unfortunate rule, but that is the procedure. I do have a relationship with Katherine Oliver that if an architect is found, we can move swiftly on this, but we need absolute proof to do this. So if anyone has, hard documentation, I would welcome it, and immediately, talk to the Mayor’s Office and the preservation department to get an injunction to stop further constuction until Landmark status can be explored.
Well there was a real estate deal but it fell through, and if that does not work out, there are other placces that a movie theater can open. If you are such a cynic, you can make some phone calls for us and find out since you seem to know a lot about the real estate market.
Yes, I am either this theater or at least getting converting a warehouse or even buying one of these Pentacostal type churches and making an Angelika like theater. You know I have studied Williamsburg at the turn of the century and I am working with the family of Betty Smith who wrote “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” and I do know that at the turn of the century, Williamsburg had vaudeville houses on every block. Some are churches, some or warehouses, some have been converted to stores. I think the first two things is to find out about the Commodore but also go the to Brooklyn public library and find out where these old theaters were. You never know what you can find behind these warehouses. Look at the Eckerds/Genovese in Greenpoint, walk in there and it is a movie theater with the drug store stock. The theater except for the seats are more or less intact including the balcony that they use for storage. Go in there you will be amazed. I am sure there must be a warehouse or store, or chuch that has the same thing behind the brick spaced facaded.
I am getting together with Eric in the near future. Anyone interested can e-mail at and we can talk to see if our visions are “together” and start assigning research and business plan stuff to each other.
Can I ask you, what made you buy the building in the first place. Did you get for a steal?
I am sure you could have gotten Magic Johnson theaters to look at it and open a theater and renovate. He opens theaters in Black Neighborhoods like Harlem and South Central LA. But I guess it is too late for that.
Getz,
You owned the building? Is the city renting from you? One of the men from the Mason hall gave me the info I posted, that the school opened this semester. Is the city renting the building from you or were you a victim of eminent domain?
Do you have pictures of the old interior that could be sent via e-mail. All of us on here would love to see them. Is there anything left of the interior incorporated into the school?
Eric,
I would be interesting in talking to you about opening a theater in Williamsburg, either this one or another theater. If it does re-open I think it needs to be like a Film Forum or the Angelika. It is only a matter of time before Loews comes to Williamsburg. In fact that vacant land on Bedford Ave right before the park was suppose to be a multiplex I am told, but it was an old paint factory that dumped toxins into the soil. Now there has been an ongoing to dispute as to who pays for the cleanup, the one who illegally dumped or the new owner. I do believe an article about the theater, about the ticket taker who owned the stock that kept the theater open as long as it could. They tried to get financing to keep it open but it fell through. So the ticket taker finally gave in an sold his shares.
Eric,
I would be interesting in talking to you about opening a theater in Williamsburg, either this one or another theater. If it does re-open I think it needs to be like a Film Forum or the Angelika. It is only a matter of time before Loews comes to Williamsburg. In fact that vacant land on Bedford Ave right before the park was suppose to be a multiplex I am told, but it was an old paint factory that dumped toxins into the soil. Now there has been an ongoing to dispute as to who pays for the cleanup, the one who illegally dumped or the new owner. I do believe an article about the theater, about the ticket taker who owned the stock that kept the theater open as long as it could. They tried to get financing to keep it open but it fell through. So the ticket taker finally gave in an sold his shares.
Philip is correct with the majority of his history of the place with the exception of the church part, at least now. Today, it is a medical building for the Williamsburg Community center and is affiliated with Woodhull hospital. So instead of now housing porn, it probably give out condoms and brochures for safe sex. Many of you who live in Williamsburg now might not notice the building because it only looks like a theater if you look closely, but it is next to one groovy bars in the burg, I believe called “Smalls.” I will send a picture of the medical building/theater as it stands today.
Hi, All, some good new and bad news on this theater. In the last two years the ciy took over the theater and rebuilt the entire thing, but saved the outside and the facade which have gotten a face lift and looks great. The bad new is the city took it over and opened up as a public school as a the Bushwick High School for Social Justice. It opened for the first time this semester. We can thank the city for saving the building and the outside facade. It looks beautiful. But unfortunate, not having been inside, I am sure the inside was completely changed.
I remember as a 12 year old, they close for renovations to make it a quad. I remember it was close for quite a while to make the twin a quad. Like most of those kind of neighborhood theaters, they built the giant wall down the middle the theater to twin it. So they had two theaters each with a balcony. After smoking came out of failure in the smoking balcony as (well not just for young lovers to make out hot and heavy causing smoke) but the smoking area. It was very disappointing when it finally opened. Calling this a quad was an overstatement. The balcony was always small even as single theater so it fit 100 people tops, with quading they just close off the entire balcony on both sits and put in two screens. I always thought it would have been better as a triple because how much money can you make from 50 people sitting there for two hours unless, they really pushed the concession stand. 100 would have seen better and took the entire balcony to one theater. But anyway, since Clearview took it over, those small balcony theaters are stll there but now the all theaters have been halved. Mr. K is right the Franklin Square is a good neighborhood so that why theater stays in Business. As an MBA though, I agree with strong community, but I think the biggest issue is access. The next closest theaters are in Lynbrook, Herrick, Roosevelt Fld, or Rockville Center. The studios and distributors do have a 7 mile rule they try to stick with for theater owners that a movies unless huge like the new store wars will only play in theaters 7 miles apart. But for movies for West Hempstead, Western Garden City, Stewart Manor, Floral Park, it really is the “only came in town” for first run Hollywood Movies, a lot which is by default. A lot of problems with these local theaters was parking. Franklin Square has municipal parking lots all around the Franklin, so even though I grew up around the theater, I still believe it was saved the multiplex boom by multiplexing, granted kind of poorly, but also having he parking that could accomodate people as local downtown are main drags no longer were pedestrian zones, but care zones. The nearby Floral, long gone, so beautiful, like a great movie house, with beautiful inside archetecture that made it look like an old movie palace you would see in the city. But unfortunately, they had one small town parking lot across the street. So though I spent many my teenage years at the Franklin and have fond memories, I wish there was a way to make it bigger. Being the only game in town really this side of Nassau Boulevard and its, “quading” of the balcony and now the retail store taken over next store. It may have six theaters, but you are almost forced to go to Roosevelt Raceway on the first Friday and Saturday of a big movie, because it is all sold out. A limitation caused by a theater with 50 seats.
Here is something I wrote about the Park East but I think it also belongs here too. The Jericho Tpke Hillside Cluster of Theaters were my home are, and one by one, they all closed. These were the theaters I grew up with until I was 14. Without them I would not a film and tv producer today. Because of the enjoyment from them, maybe want a career in the biz. Anyway, this I started writing about Park East but soon became all about the old century theaters
I am always sad to drive down Jericho Turnpike where there were so many theaters. I am only in my early 30s but I remember, along Jericho there as the Bellrose, Floral, and the Park East. For a young kid it was easy to reach by bus. It is sad when I pull out of the staples and the Park East Restaurant, especailly because now that Pathmark shopping center has declined. The old original Pergament is the Goodwill and even the Pathmark there has declined. I do not believe it is the area, because a block away the Walbaum shopping center is an eyesore. I think the problem with Park East was the non-constant movie program. I mean it was owned be Century theaters and a new company. I always felt the company was run by idiots and programmed by the blind leading the blind. I remember the Park East the worst example. The movies would open there on the standard opening weekend, but it seemed they waited until all of Nassau county to see the movie. I remember one instance as a pre-teen when Ghostbuster opened I believe July 4th weekend. It stayed there for two months. Even something like Titanic would stop yielding profit after a month. I think Century had idiots running it because they did it all over their chain. Working in the entertainment industry now, I know that when theaters open a movie first weekend is 90% for the studio and 10% to the studio, then the next week 80% for study and 20% for theater. Until by the 4th week it was a 50-50 split. That is why the concession in theaters are. Even then popcorn was ridiculous. I quote comedian Rita Rudner “Going to movies beside seeing the movie. The prices for the concession are ridiculous. Three dollars for a small tiny bag of popcorn. Popcorn cost 13 cents a "sylo??”(Spelled write? Sylo meeting the tall building on a farm with the round top) Instead of trying to reach the 50-50 profits, which by that time no one is in the theater, what is the point of showing the movie. I mean don’t get me wrong, Ghostbusters was a great movies, but I even remember seeing one movie there that played forever, and when I went to the matinee, myself and my friend were the only ones in the theater. What is the point of running a movie with two people in theater.
The theater was huge and the resisted mutliplexing. In that area, between Garden City, and the lower part of the weathy northern Long Island suburbs, that area could be ripe for a new theater even built into the shopping center similar the Malverne. Where Charlie’s is, the restaurants has changed so much. But with the dying shopping center, you can even make small art house type theaters in Northern Nassau, even the Malverne is like watching in the living room. But the area around New Hyde Park and Franklin Sq, Garden City, Floral Park and Garden City South has no real movie theater. The park east inside was mordern, and not as much as tradgedy like the Floral theater, which was crime, but close because lack of bargain. If anyone were to ask where the perfect place for a theater and Nasssau would be I would say, that area. The Herricks is nice, but growing up I watched it go from a twin to a quad. With fewer and fewer seats. The Park East maybe gone, but there is a huge opportunity for the right person and art film lover. The new Pergament, one of the biggest stores in the former chain has sat idle for years. It has lot of parking, great corner, and is empty. Anyone who remembers that store, knows if is perfect for someone to develop. It was one of the first real “box stores” so you have a huge building of just open space and parking. It is just a shame that now people from Floral Park east need to go to the mall or the Raceway to see a movies, with decent sound and not feeling like watching a moving in your living room. For me, unless I a really, really want to see a movie, I by pass the Franklin or the Herricks for waiting for the DVD, the sound is better on my own TV! The other thing I miss is bargain matinee. Remember when that was 1PM. Now with the Loews theaters, their first show “bargain” which is barely a bargain saving a $1.50 is at 9am. I think the movie going experience is ruined on the weekend when you have to get up at 7:30 am to see a movie. After a long work week, even an amazing movie, would put me to sleep getting that early.
So, there one sad thing about, the Floral, Park East, Westbury Twin, Bellrose, (the theater that became the appliance store Eldee and then an office building) in addition also the RKO Century Alan on Hillside ave, these films were in my neighborhood. The west side of Garden City, near New Hyde Park road. My mother preferred them, because she did not want leave me and friends at a young age at the mall because of the bus hub and the bad element could be there. But the saddest thing of the closure is that today in my early 30’s I am a producer of film and television. These long gone theaters were the theaters that maybe love movies and one day work in the biz and make them. Who knows if I went to these giant multiplex at Roosefelt Field or Green Acres and my movie experience was see films at a time with no stadium seeding, not much better sound, and thin walls that in those days, if you were watching a quiet scene in a film, and and action film was in the theater next door, the soundproofing was horrible if any, and on top of that, the only benefit of Roosevelt Field was the size of the theater. The seats were still crapp and until the Raceway Opened, every two years, they would keep cutting theaters in half, to make more theaters. The one godsend of the raceway is at least the Roosevelt field theater has allowed Roosevelt Field to reopen with less theaters and more space instead of trying to show every movie out.
One other memory I am sure you all have of the teaters of Jericho Tpk and areas around it. Remember during the matinee, as security for the kids, she would walk up and down the aisle almost row by row to make sure, the kids are ok, and no one is harassing or doing anything wrong. I think back now as an adult, knowing more about life and now with the church scandals and crack down on sex offenders, if someone is sexual harrassing you in the theater, who would these elderly ushers with flashlights who were also considered security guards, could have helped you even if someone was bothering you. If remember, these theater were skeletoned staffed. A ticket book clerk, a ticket ripper, maybe one or two concession persons and the manager/projectionist. Looking back, if would love to have seen these elderly, usher/security women taking on a 200 pound man.
Those are the days, that were great growing up, encouraged me to go into the film and entertainment world. But that history is gone. Maybe someone can make a highlight reel for me like for Cinema Paradiso or artifacts from these old theaters.
However, not only going to film school, but an MBA, that area is still perfect for a well managed theater, especailly showing movies like the Malverne or Angelica. I look at the Pergament Local Box store across from the old Park East. It has been for rent for so long, it would be perfect for an Arthouse theater and house the parking. Either that but a store also missing from this nook of Nassau county, Trader Joes. But I would trade Joe for a theater anyday!
I am always sad to drive down Jericho Turnpike where there were so many theaters. I am only in my early 30s but I remember, along Jericho there as the Bellrose, Floral, and the Park East. For a young kid it was easy to reach by bus. It is sad when I pull out of the staples and the Park East Restaurant, especailly because now that Pathmark shopping center has declined. The old original Pergament is the Goodwill and even the Pathmark there has declined. I do not believe it is the area, because a block away the Walbaum shopping center is an eyesore. I think the problem with Park East was the non-constant movie program. I mean it was owned be Century theaters and a new company. I always felt the company was run by idiots and programmed by the blind leading the blind. I remember the Park East the worst example. The movies would open there on the standard opening weekend, but it seemed they waited until all of Nassau county to see the movie. I remember one instance as a pre-teen when Ghostbuster opened I believe July 4th weekend. It stayed there for two months. Even something like Titanic would stop yielding profit after a month. I think Century had idiots running it because they did it all over their chain. Working in the entertainment industry now, I know that when theaters open a movie first weekend is 90% for the studio and 10% to the studio, then the next week 80% for study and 20% for theater. Until by the 4th week it was a 50-50 split. That is why the concession in theaters are. Even then popcorn was ridiculous. I quote comedian Rita Rudner “Going to movies beside seeing the movie. The prices for the concession are ridiculous. Three dollars for a small tiny bag of popcorn. Popcorn cost 13 cents a "sylo??”(Spelled write? Sylo meeting the tall building on a farm with the round top) Instead of trying to reach the 50-50 profits, which by that time no one is in the theater, what is the point of showing the movie. I mean don’t get me wrong, Ghostbusters was a great movies, but I even remember seeing one movie there that played forever, and when I went to the matinee, myself and my friend were the only ones in the theater. What is the point of running a movie with two people in theater.
The theater was huge and the resisted mutliplexing. In that area, between Garden City, and the lower part of the weathy northern Long Island suburbs, that area could be ripe for a new theater even built into the shopping center similar the Malverne. Where Charlie’s is, the restaurants has changed so much. But with the dying shopping center, you can even make small art house type theaters in Northern Nassau, even the Malverne is like watching in the living room. But the area around New Hyde Park and Franklin Sq, Garden City, Floral Park and Garden City South has no real movie theater. The park east inside was mordern, and not as much as tradgedy like the Floral theater, which was crime, but close because lack of bargain. If anyone were to ask where the perfect place for a theater and Nasssau would be I would say, that area. The Herricks is nice, but growing up I watched it go from a twin to a quad. With fewer and fewer seats. The Park East maybe gone, but there is a huge opportunity for the right person and art film lover. The new Pergament, one of the biggest stores in the former chain has sat idle for years. It has lot of parking, great corner, and is empty. Anyone who remembers that store, knows if is perfect for someone to develop. It was one of the first real “box stores” so you have a huge building of just open space and parking. It is just a shame that now people from Floral Park east need to go to the mall or the Raceway to see a movies, with decent sound and not feeling like watching a moving in your living room. For me, unless I a really, really want to see a movie, I by pass the Franklin or the Herricks for waiting for the DVD, the sound is better on my own TV! The other thing I miss is bargain matinee. Remember when that was 1PM. Now with the Loews theaters, their first show “bargain” which is barely a bargain saving a $1.50 is at 9am. I think the movie going experience is ruined on the weekend when you have to get up at 7:30 am to see a movie. After a long work week, even an amazing movie, would put me to sleep getting that early.
So, there one sad thing about, the Floral, Park East, Westbury Twin, Bellrose, (the theater that became the appliance store Eldee and then an office building) in addition also the RKO Century Alan on Hillside ave, these films were in my neighborhood. The west side of Garden City, near New Hyde Park road. My mother preferred them, because she did not want leave me and friends at a young age at the mall because of the bus hub and the bad element could be there. But the saddest thing of the closure is that today in my early 30’s I am a producer of film and television. These long gone theaters were the theaters that maybe love movies and one day work in the biz and make them. Who knows if I went to these giant multiplex at Roosefelt Field or Green Acres and my movie experience was see films at a time with no stadium seeding, not much better sound, and thin walls that in those days, if you were watching a quiet scene in a film, and and action film was in the theater next door, the soundproofing was horrible if any, and on top of that, the only benefit of Roosevelt Field was the size of the theater. The seats were still crapp and until the Raceway Opened, every two years, they would keep cutting theaters in half, to make more theaters. The one godsend of the raceway is at least the Roosevelt field theater has allowed Roosevelt Field to reopen with less theaters and more space instead of trying to show every movie out.
One other memory I am sure you all have of the teaters of Jericho Tpk and areas around it. Remember during the matinee, as security for the kids, she would walk up and down the aisle almost row by row to make sure, the kids are ok, and no one is harassing or doing anything wrong. I think back now as an adult, knowing more about life and now with the church scandals and crack down on sex offenders, if someone is sexual harrassing you in the theater, who would these elderly ushers with flashlights who were also considered security guards, could have helped you even if someone was bothering you. If remember, these theater were skeletoned staffed. A ticket book clerk, a ticket ripper, maybe one or two concession persons and the manager/projectionist. Looking back, if would love to have seen these elderly, usher/security women taking on a 200 pound man.
Those are the days, that were great growing up, encouraged me to go into the film and entertainment world. But that history is gone. Maybe someone can make a highlight reel for me like for Cinema Paradiso or artifacts from these old theaters.
However, not only going to film school, but an MBA, that area is still perfect for a well managed theater, especailly showing movies like the Malverne or Angelica. I look at the Pergament Local Box store across from the old Park East. It has been for rent for so long, it would be perfect for an Arthouse theater and house the parking. Either that but a store also missing from this nook of Nassau county, Trader Joes. But I would trade Joe for a theater anyday!
Guys,
Once again, I suggest we go out for drinks or something or maybe get a room at the Willimsburg Historical Society and brain storm. As I said, we can get a move theater in Williamsburg maybe not the Commodore though. As I said before, during the 1910’s through 1930’s there were vaudville theaters on almost every corner in Williamsburg. I know from experience, sometimes behind these warehouse are places that were once something “glorious”. Because everyone is waiting for rezoning, maybe besides trying the save the Commodore, maybe behind what we think are just warehouses are empty theaters with seats taken out, but just used as a warehouse and the paint is chipping and the chandaliers are gone. If I remember correctly, the Commodore was in pretty bad shape before it closed. Noise from the elevated train etc. If can find one of these vaudville theaters I think we might have a case to stop that building from being rezoned, much to the chagrin of the owner.
I think we definitely need a theater in Wiliamburg, both a mainstream cinema and also a Sunshine type theater. That kind of theater can be not for profit like the Angelica was up until 10 years ago. If you like the Sunshine theater, think about where it came from why it is located where it is located. They did not build that theater from scratch, I think they got a lot of money from the state and city historical redevelopment funds, plus tax abatements etc. I do not remember what was there before, but I now it was not a theater. Maybe a large storefront or a warehouse. But that place was really and old Jewish Vaudville theaer that Sunshine found and restored to a movie theater. I am sure this is true in Williamsburg, there are buildings like this used for just warehousing etc. Even next to the Broadway Diner, there is an old German vaudville theater that was cut in half but Robert Moses’s BQE. It might be nice to renovate but for a business sense both that place and the Commodore are bad locations.
If we can all meet and brainstorm, and study the history of the neighborhood, find addresses of old theaters, knock on doors, talk to those at the senior center, I think we have a very very good chance to find a place like this.
I have been on this website for about three years, have tried to set up tentative meetings but always seems to fall through because I get busy or others get busy or others just like to claim about evil capitalism and how Williamsburg is being “destroyed”. The latter are the people I hate the most because they are the first to complain but are the ones with no action.
So guys, is anyone interested in doing this? I would be happy to organize the first meeting. But I cannot do all this alone. I even took the information to Katherine Oliver the film commissioner about saving it and she told me she could help only if we find the actualy architect. Well is you scroll back, I said, this is not my area and can someone find these things out for me. But all I got were suggestions, comments and criticism on finding the architect and what I did wrong which I felt was not fair. I had hoped that someone in this area would take the next step and get the information for me. After all, I did take some action, but instead of people stepping forward, all people wanted to do was tell people what to do, instead of doing it themselves and helping me and the cause. As I said, I am busy too, and I am not a total innocent in that I have gotten busy and had to cancel appointments with people and then they get busy etc etc.
So everyone, if you want to do this, and save things, not just the Commodore because it could be too late, but save other theaters behind the metal gates, lets meet and start an advocacy group and preservation group. In a year, after the hood is rezoned, condos and high rises will be going up unopposed. Now I am all free business and enterprise, but when it has to do with our neighborhood, we should at least need a say it how it is done. That is why this area, one to three stops from the subway took so long to gentrify. Some of it was the warehouse and the stench, others was the contamination. You know, I was even told that, that empty lot, along Bedford right before McCarren Park was suppose to be a mini mall including a small multiplex. The reason it never happened? The land is contaminated from the old paint factory and there is not a fight as to who is responsible to pay for clean up, the new owner, old owner, the city, insurance companies etc. So sorry to say guys and I am sure you have heard this before, but the land west of the BQE, the most trendy part, is a victim of toxic dumping. I know there is a group against a power station, but with today’s laws, whether it goes up or not, it is not going to contaminate the land for future generations.
So we seem to have this long conversation lasting 4 years starting April 23rd. Lets finally all get together, and find everyone’s expertise to try to save to Commodore or some behind the scenes old vaudville house, or finding someone to open a theater in Williamsburg. I know that a lot of you would be against a Loews or AMC, but there are theaters that maybe chains, but they are franchised and are mostly small business owners. Being that it would be locally owned by some franshee like that, we can talk to him about the type of films to show etc. I am very tired of the Commodore issue, and as we talk, property value has more than doubled. This neighborhood has changed and is getting better and better. A theater here would be a smashing success, as there are so many young people in the burg and the surround areas who most pay $10 for a movies plus, deal with the subway and travel to Manhattan or Brooklyn heights to see a movies. Open a theater here, will keep our money in the burg, and circulated back into out local economy. Some of you might ask, why have the chains and places like Loews not opened here yet? I can tell you the answers from an MBA point of view. The 2000 census. Though alot of lived here during the last census, the real explosion of Williamsburg happened after 2000. There were no real condos and home ownership among the 18-34 crowd as well as incomes were lower. So if you pull the 2000 census, you would not believe what you see. It says the area is like 90% hispanic, and a very high number of residents and I am not saying just hispanics or singling them out, are on public assistance. So the average income with assets etc, is not worth it for a national company to invest in such an area. It is the local contracters who see the potential and building the condos and other things making the neighborhood attractive in the 2010 census. So if not before then, by 2010, you will see an explosion of investment and national chains arriving. So lets try to save to Commodore another secret theater or try to find investors to open our own movie theater here in the burg, before it gets out of our hands. I am not talking a radical, or liberal, or tree hugging organization. I think we should have a committee or organization that is all inclusive whose goal is to do the things I explained above. I would consider it a Theater advocate/historical preserving/ and alternative committee to the community board, which if you have been to a meeting is a mess. Works very slowly, and really does not represent or have representatives from the “new” Williamsburg.
So here is the deal. After reading this, and please excuse the grammar and spelling as I am in a hurry. I will check off notification. If you are all interested in starting a group and breaking all our talents down to different committees to either save the Commodore or find other theaters etc… Please just leave a message on the website that you are in. Then I will leave an e-mail address you can all e-mail your personal information and when I have a head count, I will set up a time and a place to meet. We are all passionate about a Williamsburg and our neighborhood. So instead of hiding between a website to complain or give good ideas and expect others to do them, lets work together after 5 years of discussion. I hope his letter will empower everyone to get involved. Even if you are busy, first off, it is one meeting, and second, any time you can give or even help with contacts and connections if you are too busy, that would work. But whether it is complaining, having ideas, or attempts to find information, whether you have been negative or positive, the ultimate bottom live is we all have a love of the Commodore, a movie theater in Williamsburg and our hood. So lets all meet at least once, just to see if we can move from page to action or at least have drinks with people you have corresponding with and putting a face with a name and comment.
Ligg
Maybe the Commodore can be Tarantino’s retirement theater….
Tarantino: I’m not directing next Jason movie
Note to New Line: Don’t take Jason Voorhees' hockey mask off the shelf just yet. Last week, according to the Hollywood Reporter, the studio was said to be in talks with Quentin Tarantino to write and direct The Ultimate Jason Voorhees Movie, which would mark the 12th installment of the Friday the 13th franchise, as well as the director’s first job for a studio other than Miramax. But the report was premature, Tarantino said over the weekend. The Kill Bill filmmaker was in London to accept the Icon of the Decade award from Empire, the British movie magazine, and he told Empire that, while New Line had spoken to him about a Jason movie, he was not planning to make one.
‘'Whats happening with Friday The 13th? Nothing at all! Its a complete lie,’‘ he told Empire, whose awards were chosen by a poll of 12,000 readers. ’‘I like Jason and everything, but Ive no intention of directing a movie! New Line talked to me about it, but it was a complete fabrication, that article. I would love to do a horror film. Im just saying its not going to be Friday the 13th.’'
Tarantino said his next project would probably be his long-gestating World War II drama Inglorious Bastards, though he said he had yet to compile the scenes he’s written into a shooting script. ‘'I hope to give you at least 15 more years of movies,’‘ said the 41-year-old, who added that he would then quit filmmaking and Hollywood altogether. ’‘I’m not going to be this old guy that keeps cranking them out. My plan is to have a theater by that time in some small town and I will be the manager — this crazy old movie guy,’‘ the former video store clerk said. ’‘I’ve made enough money that nobody even needs to show up at the theater. It’s just having something to do.’'
Copyright 2005
The Commodore is for sale? They are trying to unload it? Does anyone know the price they were asking, because what things are worth on paper in tax records is not usually the price in Williamsburg
I made a mistake. It should say “THEIR” property
I talked to Andrew. Even though he has contact, they still want 3 million. About the wait, I have no answers. But remember, this is THERE property and they can do whatever they want. They could wait 5 years to make changes.
As for city records, finding an architect is not my thing. I do not know the first thing about it. If someone could find the information it would be helpful, but I do not have the time or resources to do a search.
The firm is there, but not the architect. Also, the website is not sufficient. We need hard evidence, such as building records, public records etc listing the architect not just the firm.
Capitalism and ownership is the reason for the Commodore’s demise. There might be abandoned building and empty lots, but the owners of the Commodore do not own the other locations. So they are changing their own property.
RE: Seats Removed.
Actually, it is probably being taken down, or being renovated for non theater use. I spoke to the owner about buying it. They were difficult Hasidic Jews who bought it probably for a Yeshiva. I asked them about purchasing it because it was a landmark. The ask for $3 million which I know is double what they paid. Being an MBA, I was willing to accept the challenge and was willing to try to save it.
However, it seemed fruitless with these owners. They would not let me see inside the theater, take pictures etc, unless I showed them I had 3 million. When I said, in order to raise this money, I needed to be able to make a presentation to investors as well as at least take pictures of the interior. They refused, and bascially wanted me to raise the money and buy the theater sight unseen which I think is ridiculous and also, a sign that even if I raised the money without seeing it, they were not going to sell anyway.
The other route I took to save the Commodore is during a meeting I had with Katherine Oliver, the NYC Film Commissioner, I brought up the plight of the Commodore, handed her my research and told her, it was the last of the old vaudville houses which once were on every block in Williamsburg. I could not understand why it was not “Landmarked.” She investigated the theater for me and told me that even though she agrees that a theater like the Commodore should be saved, the problem why it was not landmarked it because there is no architect on file. The city Landmark committee did investigate landmarking the theater, but the rules on Landmarking state that in order to proceed, there must be an architect named.
I think this is an unfortunate rule, but that is the procedure. I do have a relationship with Katherine Oliver that if an architect is found, we can move swiftly on this, but we need absolute proof to do this. So if anyone has, hard documentation, I would welcome it, and immediately, talk to the Mayor’s Office and the preservation department to get an injunction to stop further constuction until Landmark status can be explored.
Well there was a real estate deal but it fell through, and if that does not work out, there are other placces that a movie theater can open. If you are such a cynic, you can make some phone calls for us and find out since you seem to know a lot about the real estate market.
Yes, I am either this theater or at least getting converting a warehouse or even buying one of these Pentacostal type churches and making an Angelika like theater. You know I have studied Williamsburg at the turn of the century and I am working with the family of Betty Smith who wrote “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” and I do know that at the turn of the century, Williamsburg had vaudeville houses on every block. Some are churches, some or warehouses, some have been converted to stores. I think the first two things is to find out about the Commodore but also go the to Brooklyn public library and find out where these old theaters were. You never know what you can find behind these warehouses. Look at the Eckerds/Genovese in Greenpoint, walk in there and it is a movie theater with the drug store stock. The theater except for the seats are more or less intact including the balcony that they use for storage. Go in there you will be amazed. I am sure there must be a warehouse or store, or chuch that has the same thing behind the brick spaced facaded.
I am getting together with Eric in the near future. Anyone interested can e-mail at and we can talk to see if our visions are “together” and start assigning research and business plan stuff to each other.
Adam
Can I ask you, what made you buy the building in the first place. Did you get for a steal?
I am sure you could have gotten Magic Johnson theaters to look at it and open a theater and renovate. He opens theaters in Black Neighborhoods like Harlem and South Central LA. But I guess it is too late for that.
Getz,
You owned the building? Is the city renting from you? One of the men from the Mason hall gave me the info I posted, that the school opened this semester. Is the city renting the building from you or were you a victim of eminent domain?
Do you have pictures of the old interior that could be sent via e-mail. All of us on here would love to see them. Is there anything left of the interior incorporated into the school?
Adam
Adam
Eric,
I would be interesting in talking to you about opening a theater in Williamsburg, either this one or another theater. If it does re-open I think it needs to be like a Film Forum or the Angelika. It is only a matter of time before Loews comes to Williamsburg. In fact that vacant land on Bedford Ave right before the park was suppose to be a multiplex I am told, but it was an old paint factory that dumped toxins into the soil. Now there has been an ongoing to dispute as to who pays for the cleanup, the one who illegally dumped or the new owner. I do believe an article about the theater, about the ticket taker who owned the stock that kept the theater open as long as it could. They tried to get financing to keep it open but it fell through. So the ticket taker finally gave in an sold his shares.
Adam
Adam
Eric,
I would be interesting in talking to you about opening a theater in Williamsburg, either this one or another theater. If it does re-open I think it needs to be like a Film Forum or the Angelika. It is only a matter of time before Loews comes to Williamsburg. In fact that vacant land on Bedford Ave right before the park was suppose to be a multiplex I am told, but it was an old paint factory that dumped toxins into the soil. Now there has been an ongoing to dispute as to who pays for the cleanup, the one who illegally dumped or the new owner. I do believe an article about the theater, about the ticket taker who owned the stock that kept the theater open as long as it could. They tried to get financing to keep it open but it fell through. So the ticket taker finally gave in an sold his shares.
Adam
Adam
Orlando, I also would like to see the pictures that you took. Could you send them to ? Thanks! And as I said, I send a picture of the new high school.
One other thing, I will go back there in the next week with a digital camera with updated pictures of the place.
Philip is correct with the majority of his history of the place with the exception of the church part, at least now. Today, it is a medical building for the Williamsburg Community center and is affiliated with Woodhull hospital. So instead of now housing porn, it probably give out condoms and brochures for safe sex. Many of you who live in Williamsburg now might not notice the building because it only looks like a theater if you look closely, but it is next to one groovy bars in the burg, I believe called “Smalls.” I will send a picture of the medical building/theater as it stands today.
Hi, All, some good new and bad news on this theater. In the last two years the ciy took over the theater and rebuilt the entire thing, but saved the outside and the facade which have gotten a face lift and looks great. The bad new is the city took it over and opened up as a public school as a the Bushwick High School for Social Justice. It opened for the first time this semester. We can thank the city for saving the building and the outside facade. It looks beautiful. But unfortunate, not having been inside, I am sure the inside was completely changed.