Kings Theatre
1027 Flatbush Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11226
1027 Flatbush Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11226
86 people
favorited this theater
Showing 726 - 750 of 1,564 comments
I think we should all agree with luis V. This theater should be one of the top performing arts places in the borough.
Those are great photos. The building is not in terrible shape: certainly no worse than many others that have been restored.
Well stated, Luis. Your posting pretty well sums up my attitude on the situation.
Those are some of the best photos I have seen yet.
What incredible pictures, it’s still a beauty.
Gustavelifting…..I was at the tour of the theater given for potential developers back in October (read my posting from 10/29) and Markowitz (ideally) wants the theater to be used for the performing arts. However, the city will listen to all proposals. The one basic requirement for ALL plans is that the theater be restored to it’s original splendor. It could be as a theater/performing arts center or as a catering hall, TV production facility, etc. The key is to preserve this historic and vital piece of Brooklyn and Theater history for future generations to enjoy. While I would be greatly disappointed to see the theater used for anything other than movies/entertainment, I would be satisfied to see the building returned to its rightful place as one of Brooklyn’s and New York’s most beautiful restored landmarks.
p.s. Markowitz said during the presentation that he wanted the Kings to be the premier Performing Arts Center in Brooklyn. I think the people at the Brooklyn Academy of Music would be a bit miffed at that. BAM is and will always be the top performings arts center in Brooklyn and one of the top centers of the city. Nonetheless, in a borough of 2.6MM people there is certainly room for a second world class center. The Loew’s Kings should rightly claim that mantle.
Did I read that right? Markowitz wants to restore the Kings as a performing arts center?
That’s what I hoped would happen.
I’m not sure if this link is a repeat, but here are what appear to be fairly recent photos of the Kings' interior. The photos aren’t mine, but I hope who ever owns them doesn’t mind them being posted here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marioletto/
During the Brooklyn Borough President’s State of the Borough address last week he mentioned all of the grand projects on the agenda in 2007. He talked about Atlantic Yards and the new Nets Arena, the New Coney Island Amusement Park/Condo/Retail project, a second Cruise Ship pier in Red Hook, a new amphitheater (also in Coney Island) and The Brooklyn Bridge Park, among others. Last mentioned, but mentioned prominently nonetheless, was the restoration of the Loew’s Kings for use as a performing arts center! Aside from that mention, I haven’t heard about any progress after the RFP was due to the city’s Economic Development Authority. Does anyone else know where the project currently stands? How many proposals were submitted? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
“That’s what movie memories are really all about.”
My recollection of the Loew’s Kings is a very special one. It is really the essence of what these movie theaters mean to us.
I was in high school in the mid 60s and had a big crush on a girl who I thought was the cutest gal in the world. After weeks of building up my courage, I finally asked her out. Our big night came on 1/30/65…..I never forgot it to this day.
I remember picking up my date and her mom said….â€So you young folks are going to movies tonight.†I sheepishly nodded and said “Yes, we areâ€. She said, “Well, you better not be going to the RKO Kenmore.†I think I knew why she said that at the time, but I acted dumb and asked “Why?â€. She quickly answered that the RKO Kenmore was showing “Sex and the Single Girlâ€. Enough said. I got the message loud and clear.
We then left and walked down Flatbush Ave looking to pick out a movie to see. We finally got to the Loew’s Kings which was showing a movie called “Dear Brigitteâ€. It was not one of Hollywood’s greatest productions, but it meant the world to me then and still does today.
That’s what movie memories are really all about.
Loew’s Diamond Anniversary bookings
View link
Re. Bway’s last comment, when were you last in the Keith’s? :-p
Luis;
Thanx too. I have a page still running for that http://www.ic.sunysb.edu/Stu/awaseniu
I’m glad to hear that I don’t have to take it down.
All one needs to do is read the above postings to see that this theater is worth saving and that it is in good enough shape to be saved. What’s different now is that the City’s, and indeed Brooklyn’s, fortunes are dramatically improved and it may now be feasible to restore this grand theater. That is what the Economic Development Corporation is working on. Gustave, you are most definitely not alone! There are many of us who want to see the Kings rise again.
You’re welcome, Al! You are not alone :)
nativeforest;
Thanx, I was wondering whether I was alone.
It’s certainly worth restoring this gem. It is mostly intact & the city is willing to take on a long and costly project. By all means, let them do something special for us, once & for all! They have waited long enough.
I’m still wondering if it’s worth restoring the Kings.
It would probably be almost impossible to locate all the original parts, much less get them back to the KINGS, but getting the only visible part, the console, might someday be possible for enough money; almost anything is ‘For Sale’ for enough money. As for the pipes and relay parts, etc., those could always be fabricated, if need be, if enough money and time are available. The chambers are still there; they have but to be filled, and a number of firms exist that could do the work for a hefty fee.
Can they get the parts again and put it back together in the building?
The Kings Robert Morton organ was broken up for parts. The console, however, still exists and at last report was in a private residence in the Chicago area. The only “Wonder organ” still in it’s original home is the 175th St. As LuisV said, the organ from the Paradise was moved and reinstalled in Loew’s Jersey replacing the original organ that went to the Arlington theatre (former Fox Arlington) in Santa Barbara CA.
Shortyc;
Last I heard it would be over thirty million bucks.
The organ is no longer at The Kings. I believe in above posts you can find where it went. I do know that the Wonder Organ from the Paradise is now at The Jersey and that the Wonder Organ from the 175th St. is still in place and fully restored.
Hello everone, I haven’t been on for a while but from what I am reading here, it looks like the Kings will come back. I also agree with everyone else about the original marquee, I saw an aerial photo of the marquee and it looks like some of the original marquee is still there. I would really love to see this theatre fully restored to what it was (with vertical marquee). One question though, how much millions of dollars would it cost to restore it. Also, does anyone know if the Loews Kings still retains its wonder organ? Thanks
That would be a good idea if the theater is to be used for shows. I mean I really would not like the idea of a theater being used as a banquet hall. It was meant for shows. Furthermore, I am a theater major.