Here’s the “about us” page from the catering hall’s official website. If you scroll down, there is an image of the hall as it appeared in 1965. I was able to download a copy of this photo and will add it to this theater’s photo galery, along with a couple of shots I took about 5 or 6 years ago. Looks like the facade was redone in what was “contemporary” for 1965 (think of the World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows), but it appears that the original marquee may still have been in use, albeit with a good re-dressing.
Looking at the photo you posted on August 11, 2010, also appears they removed at least two decorative elements from the main facade above the marquee: what appears to be a glazed terra cotta set of wings high on the center elevation and two series of carvings or “drawings” on either side. I wonder why the interior was stripped so drastically? Meanwhile, in Jersey City, the Witnesses have painstakingly preserved original Stanley Theatre auditorium.
Nope. That is the front of the theater, Tinseltoes. I uploaded some pics I took a few years back and included a pair of views of the theater’s rear wall from the next block over (which had to be viewed through the backyards of the neighboring houses).
Agree with TInseltoes. And the street view and map location are still way off, despite the corrected zip code. The photo I uploaded clearly shows the address of the theater was/is 1614 Hillside Avenue. Not sure what else is needed to get the map corrected. In the meanwhile, please re-set the street view so it might be updated for a proper view.
According to the Dwarf Giraffe website the theater was purchased in 1966 and had been used as a Jewish Temple in the years since the Rialto closed. The Athletic League gutted the “theater floor” – per their description – for conversion to a gym. There are photo galleries on the website that show numerous views of the space, and indeed, it appears the room was gutted to the bare brick walls. However, it is possible that the ceiling – which consists of several widely spaced cross beams with either a tin or coffered motif in the recesses and crown molding (all painted white) – may be original to the theater.
The theater ends where the roofline drops a few feet. The two doors seen here are original fire escape exits – one for each of the twin screens in the cinema. The drop from entrance level in the mall down to 14th Road, makes the theater look much larger than it actually was. The auditoriums themselves sat a good story and ½ above street level here.
Both the street view and the map for this theater are way off. The theater was (and building still is) just east of New Hyde Park Rd on Hillside Avenue. The zip code should be corrected to 11040 (not 11004) and the street view re-set so it may be corrected.
Correction – this is the actual rear ceiling over upper balcony near back wall.
Correction – this is ceiling detail from upper balcony at rear of theater near projection booth.
Correction to description – this (and auditorium views that follow) taken from upper balcony cross aisle.
Correction to description – this (and auditorium views that follow) taken from upper balcony cross aisle.
Actually this torchiere stands at entryway between rotunda and inner lobby… just on the rotunda side.
I would have to agree with you, Willburg145. Particularly since the interior was gutted and only the facade remains intact.
Bad Day at Black Rock?
“Frankly, my dear… I don’t give a damn!”
Dorothy on the yellow brick road
Richard Burton in Cleopatra
Scarlet O'Hara descending the stairs…
Oliver Hardy from “Way Out West”
Hmmm. Looks like The Sheik recast for Ava Gardner? This one escapes me.
On the way to Oz
Guessing Katherine Hepburn from “Pat and Mike”
Robin Hood
Cleopatra?
Street view above is completely off and should be re-set for correction.
Here’s the “about us” page from the catering hall’s official website. If you scroll down, there is an image of the hall as it appeared in 1965. I was able to download a copy of this photo and will add it to this theater’s photo galery, along with a couple of shots I took about 5 or 6 years ago. Looks like the facade was redone in what was “contemporary” for 1965 (think of the World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows), but it appears that the original marquee may still have been in use, albeit with a good re-dressing.
Looking at the photo you posted on August 11, 2010, also appears they removed at least two decorative elements from the main facade above the marquee: what appears to be a glazed terra cotta set of wings high on the center elevation and two series of carvings or “drawings” on either side. I wonder why the interior was stripped so drastically? Meanwhile, in Jersey City, the Witnesses have painstakingly preserved original Stanley Theatre auditorium.
Nope. That is the front of the theater, Tinseltoes. I uploaded some pics I took a few years back and included a pair of views of the theater’s rear wall from the next block over (which had to be viewed through the backyards of the neighboring houses).
Agree with TInseltoes. And the street view and map location are still way off, despite the corrected zip code. The photo I uploaded clearly shows the address of the theater was/is 1614 Hillside Avenue. Not sure what else is needed to get the map corrected. In the meanwhile, please re-set the street view so it might be updated for a proper view.
According to the Dwarf Giraffe website the theater was purchased in 1966 and had been used as a Jewish Temple in the years since the Rialto closed. The Athletic League gutted the “theater floor” – per their description – for conversion to a gym. There are photo galleries on the website that show numerous views of the space, and indeed, it appears the room was gutted to the bare brick walls. However, it is possible that the ceiling – which consists of several widely spaced cross beams with either a tin or coffered motif in the recesses and crown molding (all painted white) – may be original to the theater.
The theater ends where the roofline drops a few feet. The two doors seen here are original fire escape exits – one for each of the twin screens in the cinema. The drop from entrance level in the mall down to 14th Road, makes the theater look much larger than it actually was. The auditoriums themselves sat a good story and ½ above street level here.
Both the street view and the map for this theater are way off. The theater was (and building still is) just east of New Hyde Park Rd on Hillside Avenue. The zip code should be corrected to 11040 (not 11004) and the street view re-set so it may be corrected.