Luckily I was in it a number of times over the years when the furniture store was there. A shame another theater has to go but what else would one expect from our throwaway society. Looking forward to see how the Brooklyn Paramount renovation turns out.
Sarcasm noted . Keep dreaming on about saving the Keith’s. I actually did try and save this and the Triboro as well. Got both to the Board Of Estimate before being done in by a corrupt politician. What can you guys say?
I never heard the term you are referring to. It means nothing as I still stand by my statements. Years ago, I was NYC Director of the Theater Historical Society . I have been in old theaters from one coast to another and seen them in all states of repair and disrepair so I do know what I am talking about. Simply not knowing what a term means is not the criteria here. It may be to you but not me.
Anyone who believes that it can be rebuilt is playing fast and loose with reality. To believe this theater will ever function again is kidding themselves.
It cuts both ways. Calling someone racist because you do not agree with Obama shows how over the top the subject is. Racism is like the third rail. You cannot say anything without someone being offended . Free speech in the US is dead. The no English film bit was racist but it matters not as the theater will never again show movies or have stage shows and that is the real tragedy
The theater really belonged to the people of Queens like the Loews Triboro in Astoria did. The bottom line is that the makeup of the Flushing population here matters not. The theater will never reopen as a theater as there is to much damage to it & there is no urgent need for a large theater there and the community is ambivilant.
There would have been interest when it originally closed years after the Triboro could have served the purpose as a Queens Performing Arts Center. Having one in Flushing as opposed to Flushing Meadows park would have been ideal but that ship sailed a long time ago.
A bit of racism re the “white people” remark. “Their” newspaper says it all. I come to Flushing and I feel like a foreigner . Did you know that when the building was first sold by RKO To Huang, it contained a clause that no English language movies could be shown there for 25 years? Not to inclusive if you ask me. Imagine if it had been reversed and it said no oriental films the uproar there would have been. Huang made sure the theater would never operate again as a theater and he succeeded with his destruction of the interior including the landmarked parts.
The bottom line is the theater is to far gone to use as a theater and the community could care less about it. It was after all designed by a white guy Thomas Lamb. All he did was that he was famous theater architect who designed hundreds of theaters the world over. He did very few atmospheric theaters and Queens had 2. The than democratic Boro President Donald Manes made sure we had none.
This is the real shame in this whole mess. The theater can either sit there rotting away or it can be put out of its misery and torn down as it helps no one in its current state.
I totally agree with the last 2 posters. In addition to the house itself, the backstage areas and dressing rooms are probably a disaster. There is no way this can and should be restored.
I was involved originally in the effort to landmark it. I love old theaters and the Keith’s in general. Facts have to be faced. It will never reopen and there is to much damage. Better the lobby be preserved and restored and let the past go and let the old lady have a decent burial. She deserves better than dying a slow death . It is bringing Flushing down in its current condition and it will only get worse. I was one of the parties working on getting Landmark designation so this is not easy for me.
Look at the original movie Naked City. In the opening minute is a scene of NY while the city sleeps.A quick shot shows a cleaning woman with a bucket moping the rotunda . Talk about thankless jobs
This saga will never end. Not content with destroying the Loews Triboro, Democrat Donald Manes (Queens Borough President) turned down landmark designation for the full theater. He gave a sop to preservationists by designating the lobby only. Flash forward to today . This & the Triboru were the result of political shady deals .I worked on both preservation efforts & would never waste my time like this again.
I beg to differ. This was not an office building he created but what was the largest theater built at the time dubbed “The Cathedral Of The Motion Picture”. The Roxy cannot fade in anyones mirror . We are all entitled to our opinion . We will never know. At least Lamb was long gone before they started an all out assault on his theaters.
I read that Ahlschlager died in Texas in 1965. I wonder what his feelings were when he heard his masterpiece would be torn down.It had to be a huge blow.
Times Square theaters were virtually totally destroyed. If the Roman Colisseum were in NY. it would have been torn down years ago for a parking lot or office building.
The movies started out in small nicelodeons. They seem like they are going back to their roots with small theaters, postage size screens & sky high prices. I like 3 D but to pay $ 4 for rental of glasses is beyond the pale. If more movies will come out in 3 D, let people but their own pair of permanent ones like eyeglasses. If the want us to pay for the privelege of renting them everytime, at least use vaseline if you know what I mean.
When Manes killed the Triboro. the stage was set for the Keiths. In NY, it is all about money. The theater was sold as the company that owned it saw a good deal. You can not fault them for that. The fault lies with Manes & the city for being lax. Our elected officials were worthless. The damage done to the theater is too massive. I loved the Keith but give it a decent burial & let it die in peace instead of keeping it on life support. Saving the Keiths is a nice dream but it is time to wake up and smell the coffee.
I had the pleaure of being in the theater in 1986 when a new owner full of high hopes took over. Reality than set in. It was an experience. Only in the US do we destroy our architectural treasures in the name of progress, Very sad.
No one is going to sink a ton of money into what many believe is a white elephant.
It may be too far gone to renovate totally or the cost would simply be too prohibitive. Marshall & Claire would fight tooth & nail against any competiton for the beloved (no idea why) theater in the park.
My guess it continues to sit there & rot away. A sad end to a beautiful theater.
Luckily I was in it a number of times over the years when the furniture store was there. A shame another theater has to go but what else would one expect from our throwaway society. Looking forward to see how the Brooklyn Paramount renovation turns out.
Don’t hold your breath Mikey.
I also think you meant petty and not pretty.
No problem James D
Sarcasm noted . Keep dreaming on about saving the Keith’s. I actually did try and save this and the Triboro as well. Got both to the Board Of Estimate before being done in by a corrupt politician. What can you guys say?
To Robboehm
I never heard the term you are referring to. It means nothing as I still stand by my statements. Years ago, I was NYC Director of the Theater Historical Society . I have been in old theaters from one coast to another and seen them in all states of repair and disrepair so I do know what I am talking about. Simply not knowing what a term means is not the criteria here. It may be to you but not me.
Anyone who believes that it can be rebuilt is playing fast and loose with reality. To believe this theater will ever function again is kidding themselves.
I have been in many theaters all across the country and take my word for it, the Keith’s is toast.
It cuts both ways. Calling someone racist because you do not agree with Obama shows how over the top the subject is. Racism is like the third rail. You cannot say anything without someone being offended . Free speech in the US is dead. The no English film bit was racist but it matters not as the theater will never again show movies or have stage shows and that is the real tragedy
The theater really belonged to the people of Queens like the Loews Triboro in Astoria did. The bottom line is that the makeup of the Flushing population here matters not. The theater will never reopen as a theater as there is to much damage to it & there is no urgent need for a large theater there and the community is ambivilant.
There would have been interest when it originally closed years after the Triboro could have served the purpose as a Queens Performing Arts Center. Having one in Flushing as opposed to Flushing Meadows park would have been ideal but that ship sailed a long time ago.
A bit of racism re the “white people” remark. “Their” newspaper says it all. I come to Flushing and I feel like a foreigner . Did you know that when the building was first sold by RKO To Huang, it contained a clause that no English language movies could be shown there for 25 years? Not to inclusive if you ask me. Imagine if it had been reversed and it said no oriental films the uproar there would have been. Huang made sure the theater would never operate again as a theater and he succeeded with his destruction of the interior including the landmarked parts.
The bottom line is the theater is to far gone to use as a theater and the community could care less about it. It was after all designed by a white guy Thomas Lamb. All he did was that he was famous theater architect who designed hundreds of theaters the world over. He did very few atmospheric theaters and Queens had 2. The than democratic Boro President Donald Manes made sure we had none.
This is the real shame in this whole mess. The theater can either sit there rotting away or it can be put out of its misery and torn down as it helps no one in its current state.
I totally agree with the last 2 posters. In addition to the house itself, the backstage areas and dressing rooms are probably a disaster. There is no way this can and should be restored.
Pictures do not lie and this just proves my point.
I was involved originally in the effort to landmark it. I love old theaters and the Keith’s in general. Facts have to be faced. It will never reopen and there is to much damage. Better the lobby be preserved and restored and let the past go and let the old lady have a decent burial. She deserves better than dying a slow death . It is bringing Flushing down in its current condition and it will only get worse. I was one of the parties working on getting Landmark designation so this is not easy for me.
Look at the original movie Naked City. In the opening minute is a scene of NY while the city sleeps.A quick shot shows a cleaning woman with a bucket moping the rotunda . Talk about thankless jobs
This saga will never end. Not content with destroying the Loews Triboro, Democrat Donald Manes (Queens Borough President) turned down landmark designation for the full theater. He gave a sop to preservationists by designating the lobby only. Flash forward to today . This & the Triboru were the result of political shady deals .I worked on both preservation efforts & would never waste my time like this again.
I beg to differ. This was not an office building he created but what was the largest theater built at the time dubbed “The Cathedral Of The Motion Picture”. The Roxy cannot fade in anyones mirror . We are all entitled to our opinion . We will never know. At least Lamb was long gone before they started an all out assault on his theaters.
I read that Ahlschlager died in Texas in 1965. I wonder what his feelings were when he heard his masterpiece would be torn down.It had to be a huge blow.
They could screen Wax in 2 D I believe.
No House of Wax. The movie that started his horror film career. I do not get that at all.
I met him backstage during thr run of Darling Of The Day. He was very nice and talked to me for about 10/15 minutes. His films stand the test of time.
Times Square theaters were virtually totally destroyed. If the Roman Colisseum were in NY. it would have been torn down years ago for a parking lot or office building.
The movies started out in small nicelodeons. They seem like they are going back to their roots with small theaters, postage size screens & sky high prices. I like 3 D but to pay $ 4 for rental of glasses is beyond the pale. If more movies will come out in 3 D, let people but their own pair of permanent ones like eyeglasses. If the want us to pay for the privelege of renting them everytime, at least use vaseline if you know what I mean.
I agree
When Manes killed the Triboro. the stage was set for the Keiths. In NY, it is all about money. The theater was sold as the company that owned it saw a good deal. You can not fault them for that. The fault lies with Manes & the city for being lax. Our elected officials were worthless. The damage done to the theater is too massive. I loved the Keith but give it a decent burial & let it die in peace instead of keeping it on life support. Saving the Keiths is a nice dream but it is time to wake up and smell the coffee.
You would be surprised. With their food source long gone they might not be that big of a problem.
I had the pleaure of being in the theater in 1986 when a new owner full of high hopes took over. Reality than set in. It was an experience. Only in the US do we destroy our architectural treasures in the name of progress, Very sad.
I believe putting it on the Federal Register only means you cannot use Federal money to knock it down.
No one is going to sink a ton of money into what many believe is a white elephant.
It may be too far gone to renovate totally or the cost would simply be too prohibitive. Marshall & Claire would fight tooth & nail against any competiton for the beloved (no idea why) theater in the park.
My guess it continues to sit there & rot away. A sad end to a beautiful theater.