Hey Astyanax… I just updated the street view to face the Lindsay Park housing looking across Manhattan Avenue from Seigel Street. Since the stretch of Seigel Street where the theater was located is no longer in existence, I believe this is the best mapping we can obtain, without entering a completely false address to move the marker closer to Leonard Street or Broadway.
Thanks, Patrick. Yes, I’m still subscribed to the theaters I was following before the switch. However, there are a great number of theaters that I used to follow going back to 2003 and all of those subscriptions were lost back in 2008-2009 due to a technical issue with the site that impacted comment notifications for all members. Unfortunately, that was during a time when I was pretty much inactive on CT and I had only recently started re-susbcribing to theater pages – within the last few months, actually. I had been using the historical list from the old member profile page to re-visit and re-subscribe to all of those other threads I had lost track of during my inactivity. No big deal. I’ll eventually find my way back around to the theaters that matter most to me. In fact, I’m sure it’ll be more fun re-discovering many of those lost theater comment threads by navigating around the new database!
Looking forward to details on the new code for embedding links in comments. Thanks again!
The new site design will take some getting used to, but I think it looks and “feels” great. Only thing I miss, so far, is the list of theaters that I had previously commented on, which we were able to find in our old profile pages. I was going to use that list to go back and re-subscribe for various theater notifications. I almost wish I would have screen-captured the old list before the transition was made to the new site (my list went back almost 8 years and featured hundreds of theater pages), but that is a minor issue.
Looking forward to adding some of my personal photos to the various theater pages! Going to be a lot of fun. I just hope that we can all exercise some self-control and try not to add redundant shots that show the same views that others may have already posted before. I can see the galleries sort of running away with excessive and duplicate photos.
Also… since there is no longer a “preview” for new comments, can I assume that we are to use the same html commands as before to add links within our comments?
Anyway… thanks a bunch, guys. I think you’ve knocked this one out of the park!
Agree with Bway… That would be an awesome feature. To be able to turn on notifications for specific theatre pages without having to make a comment. Looking forward to seeing the new site once the bugs have been exterminated! Thanks again, guys!
Wow! What’s the ETA? I’m looking forward to the upgrade. Curious to see how the “add a photo” feature will work. As always, many great thanks to Patrick and Ross for providing this site, free of subscription fees! Break a leg on the relaunch!
From the photos above, it appears that the theatre’s marquee was nicely refurbished sometime between 2006 and 2009. I imagine it was done for the 2007 season, which marked the 75th Anniversary of the Criterion’s opening. This would explain the addition of the “1932” at the crown of the marquee’s main facing.
Ken mc… the two buildings (the current google map streetview image with the Nassau Garage inscription and the 1986 image of the FIne Arts that Robert R posted) are definitely one and the same. The theatre must have opened as a conversion of the original auto dealership.
Here’s a photo of the Nassau Garage building as it originally looked circa 1910. The address noted by the Hempstead Library for this photo is 78 Main Street. There’s no question that this is the same building as the Fine Arts building from the 1986 photo. That fact is particularly evident in studying the current google map image and comparing it to the ‘86 shot. Given that it’s a double lot, it is possible that the building covers the addresses 78 and 80 Main Street.
Here is a photo looking up Main Street from Fulton Ave, dated March 1, 1973, in which you can see the illuminated marquee of the Fine Arts in the background, down the block.
And here is the incongruous image mentioned above by rvb that depicts the “Old Fulton Theatre,” described as being on the east side of Main Street just north of Fulton, and with the sign saying that a modern 500 seat theatre was to be erected on the site. That just doesn’t wash with the Nassau Garage history noted above. Curious as to what the true story of these theaters is. Could the “Old Fulton” have been located at a different location on the block? And is it possible that the new theatre was not erected on that same parcel, but rather carved out of the Nassau Garage space due to some long-forgotten economic or logistical reasons? We may never know…
Here’s an image of the block where the Hempstead Theatre would eventually rise. In fact, according to the notes under this photo, there is a sign on the 2nd building from the left that announces the theatre to be built on that site. Unfortunately, you can’t zoom in on this image to see it for yourself.
Here’s another pic showing the theatre’s entrance and part of the canopy as it appeared in 1931/32. The data provided by the Hempstead Library on this photo dates it circa 1932. The title featured on the marquee opened in the USA on August 22, 1931, according to IMDB.COM.
These images were posted here earlier, but the links are no longer working.
Isn’t it remarkable that with all that stunning architecture still intact, and only a cheap wall down the middle downstairs and false stage in the balcony dividing the spaces (easily reversible), that this theatre was not awarded full interior and exterior landmark designation? Amazing how easily corruptible the system is and how easily strings can be pulled to determine the outcome of what would seem to be a no-brainer review and consideration. Absolutely criminal and tragic.
The image comes from the digitized collection of the Great Neck Library. The information provided about the image notes that the Airdome had an “earth floor” and would exhibit motion pictures after the sun went down. No dates provided, but this is obviously early in the 20th Century. Oh… and it was owned by a “Mr. Duck!”
You really can’t make out much apart from the apparent capacity crowd, but that looks like a projection booth in the back of the room (and raised seating only on the side sections). Click on the image to zoom in and click on the thumbnail to move the “red box” and change the area of detail shown in the larger image.
There are a plethora of images of the Calderone Theatre (as well as other Long Island theatres built by the Calderones) on the excellent Long Island Library Resources Council’s Long Island Memories website – where a sample of photographic collections from various regional libraries have been digitized for easy access. Among the collections is one that focuses on the Calderones from the Hofstra University Library’s archives.
This image of the Calderone’s auditorium under construction starts off the series of images pertaining particularly to this theatre. You may click anywhere on the image to zoom in for a closer look. Click on the thumbnail image to move the “red box” around and change the area of detail viewed in the larger image. You may advance to the next image by clicking “Next” in the upper right side of the page header.
Excellent images well worth spending the time to peruse. And once you move past the Calderone Theatre itself, a number of other Calderone projects may be found, including the Mineola Theatre, the Cove Theatre, the Hempstead Theatre and others.
Here’s a vintage image dated circa late 1930’s, showing the original marquee and Tudor Revival facade. Marquee has no titles, announcing only “Current Feature Attractions.”
This image is from the Calderone Theatre collection of Hofstra University’s Library, digitized for the excellent Long Island Librarry Resources Council’s Long Island Memories website.
Click on the image to zoom in for detail. Change the area of detail by clicking on the smaller thumbnail image to move the “red box” around.
I wonder if the restoration plans include a return to the original facade?
The excellent Long Island Library Resources Council’s Long Island Memories website includes a number of images concerning the Cove, digitized from the extensive Calderone Theatres collection of Hofstra University’s Library.
The following interior images are found on the excellent Long Island Librarry Resources Council’s Long Island Memories website – under the extensive Calderone Theatre collection of Hofstra University’s Library:
If you start with this photo of Frank Calderone standing in the auditorium of the Mineola sometime in the 1960’s, you can access a number of images associated with this theatre from the terrific Long Island Library Resources Council’s Long Island Memories website. Click “Next” in the upper right corner of the page header to advance through the photographs. Click on the images to zoom in for detail and click on the thumbnail to move the “red box” around to change the area of detail viewed in the larger image.
They include outstanding images of the exterior such as this one and interior shots like this one. Some of these may have been posted here previously, but they are well worth the time spent scrolling through.
All of these are from Hofstra University Library’s Calderone Theatre collection.
From the Long Island Librarry Resources Council’s Long Island Memories website – this view of the ground-breaking for the Valley Stream Theatre, dated circa 1926. Here is another image of the same.
Both of these are a part of the extensive Calderone Theatre collection of the Hofstra University Library. I must say, I was very disappointed that there were no more than these two images associated with this particular theatre. Perhaps the library contains additional photographs that have yet to be digitized. I must call and find out what kind of access one might be allowed for research purposes if not a student of the University.
According to the info provided for this image from the Hofstra collection, Frank Calderone addresses the audience at the former Rivoli at the occasion of his donating the theatre to Adelphi University on May 10, 1978.
Click “Next” at the upper right side of the page header and you will be able to view several other images associated with the Rivoli, including a closer view of the alternate W. Columbia St entrance for the theatre (also dated May 10, 1978) as well as an image of the theatre’s ground-breaking and an artist’s architectural rendering of the theatre’s exterior.
Oh and Robert… Could the film you described in the introductory comments above be “Kronos?” I seem to recall that sci-fi flick has some rather cheaply rendered alien machines that sort of “marched” around on four legs that looked like firing pistons! Can’t remember much else about the movie except for that!
Here’s a 1971 photo that reveals the theatre was known for a time as Calderone 2, no doubt due to its proximity to the Calderone Theatre, just one block away on N. Franklin Avenue, at the end of W. Columbia Street – which is shown here being re-christened in honor of the Calderones. And here is another shot showing the full Main Street facade as well as the alternate marquee and entrance around the corner on W. Columbia. It was actually this entrance which was used, as the big Main St marquee announces (“Entranc Around Corner”). You can also see the fly tower rising over the top of the facade to the left.
These pics come from Hofstra University’s excellent Calderone Theatre Collection. If you click on the photos, you may zoom in on the image. You may also click on the thumbnail to move the “red box” around to change the area of detail you are viewing in the bigger image.
By the way, the building that replaced this theatre is called Rivoli House. Oh, and there is no evidence of W. Columbia Street still being known as “Calderone Way!”
I agree Keller. What kills me is that the TS interior was supposed to be protected, never mind that Ecko backed out of the deal AFTER the place was butchered to make way for their store. Enjoyed plenty of double features in that old theatre. Heartbreaking.
Welcome to CT, Keller. Did they really gut the Times Square? That’s disappointing. The development corporation really screwed the pooch on these two theaters that were under their “protection.” Too bad they couldn’t wait out the economy.
Interesting to note that when the Theatre Republic first opened its doors on September 27, 1900, the premiere engagement was the drama “Sag Harbor” from playwrite James A Herne. The show would feature the Broadway debut of Lionel Barrymore, who was born 133 years ago today.
While his stage career would last some 25 years – before he switched to working exclusively in films – he would only return to the stage of the Theatre Republic once (in its post-Belasco incarnation) in a 1917 production of “Peter Ibbetson.” He did, however, return to the Deuce to appear in a short-lived staging of “Macbeth” at the Apollo in 1921 (the 2nd ever production at that theatre) as well as another short-lived drama, “The Piker” near then end of his stage career in 1925 at the Eltinge (later Empire) Theatre.
Jerry Kovar has this image of the Chelsea Theatre in his photobucket album. The photo shows the view looking north on Eighth Avenue towards the corner of West 26th Street.
The theatre, the apartments (or offices) above and the two smaller buildings to the left of the theatre entrance are gone and replaced by a corner parking lot. The rest of the block to the south of the theatre, starting with the small two story building to the Chelsea’s right, are still intact, as is the tall building on the opposite corner across W. 26th.
Hey Astyanax… I just updated the street view to face the Lindsay Park housing looking across Manhattan Avenue from Seigel Street. Since the stretch of Seigel Street where the theater was located is no longer in existence, I believe this is the best mapping we can obtain, without entering a completely false address to move the marker closer to Leonard Street or Broadway.
Thanks, Patrick. Yes, I’m still subscribed to the theaters I was following before the switch. However, there are a great number of theaters that I used to follow going back to 2003 and all of those subscriptions were lost back in 2008-2009 due to a technical issue with the site that impacted comment notifications for all members. Unfortunately, that was during a time when I was pretty much inactive on CT and I had only recently started re-susbcribing to theater pages – within the last few months, actually. I had been using the historical list from the old member profile page to re-visit and re-subscribe to all of those other threads I had lost track of during my inactivity. No big deal. I’ll eventually find my way back around to the theaters that matter most to me. In fact, I’m sure it’ll be more fun re-discovering many of those lost theater comment threads by navigating around the new database!
Looking forward to details on the new code for embedding links in comments. Thanks again!
The new site design will take some getting used to, but I think it looks and “feels” great. Only thing I miss, so far, is the list of theaters that I had previously commented on, which we were able to find in our old profile pages. I was going to use that list to go back and re-subscribe for various theater notifications. I almost wish I would have screen-captured the old list before the transition was made to the new site (my list went back almost 8 years and featured hundreds of theater pages), but that is a minor issue.
Looking forward to adding some of my personal photos to the various theater pages! Going to be a lot of fun. I just hope that we can all exercise some self-control and try not to add redundant shots that show the same views that others may have already posted before. I can see the galleries sort of running away with excessive and duplicate photos.
Also… since there is no longer a “preview” for new comments, can I assume that we are to use the same html commands as before to add links within our comments?
Anyway… thanks a bunch, guys. I think you’ve knocked this one out of the park!
Agree with Bway… That would be an awesome feature. To be able to turn on notifications for specific theatre pages without having to make a comment. Looking forward to seeing the new site once the bugs have been exterminated! Thanks again, guys!
Wow! What’s the ETA? I’m looking forward to the upgrade. Curious to see how the “add a photo” feature will work. As always, many great thanks to Patrick and Ross for providing this site, free of subscription fees! Break a leg on the relaunch!
From the photos above, it appears that the theatre’s marquee was nicely refurbished sometime between 2006 and 2009. I imagine it was done for the 2007 season, which marked the 75th Anniversary of the Criterion’s opening. This would explain the addition of the “1932” at the crown of the marquee’s main facing.
Ken mc… the two buildings (the current google map streetview image with the Nassau Garage inscription and the 1986 image of the FIne Arts that Robert R posted) are definitely one and the same. The theatre must have opened as a conversion of the original auto dealership.
Here’s a photo of the Nassau Garage building as it originally looked circa 1910. The address noted by the Hempstead Library for this photo is 78 Main Street. There’s no question that this is the same building as the Fine Arts building from the 1986 photo. That fact is particularly evident in studying the current google map image and comparing it to the ‘86 shot. Given that it’s a double lot, it is possible that the building covers the addresses 78 and 80 Main Street.
Here is a photo looking up Main Street from Fulton Ave, dated March 1, 1973, in which you can see the illuminated marquee of the Fine Arts in the background, down the block.
And here is the incongruous image mentioned above by rvb that depicts the “Old Fulton Theatre,” described as being on the east side of Main Street just north of Fulton, and with the sign saying that a modern 500 seat theatre was to be erected on the site. That just doesn’t wash with the Nassau Garage history noted above. Curious as to what the true story of these theaters is. Could the “Old Fulton” have been located at a different location on the block? And is it possible that the new theatre was not erected on that same parcel, but rather carved out of the Nassau Garage space due to some long-forgotten economic or logistical reasons? We may never know…
I did indeed notice that, rvb.
Here’s an image of the block where the Hempstead Theatre would eventually rise. In fact, according to the notes under this photo, there is a sign on the 2nd building from the left that announces the theatre to be built on that site. Unfortunately, you can’t zoom in on this image to see it for yourself.
Here’s another pic showing the theatre’s entrance and part of the canopy as it appeared in 1931/32. The data provided by the Hempstead Library on this photo dates it circa 1932. The title featured on the marquee opened in the USA on August 22, 1931, according to IMDB.COM.
These images were posted here earlier, but the links are no longer working.
Isn’t it remarkable that with all that stunning architecture still intact, and only a cheap wall down the middle downstairs and false stage in the balcony dividing the spaces (easily reversible), that this theatre was not awarded full interior and exterior landmark designation? Amazing how easily corruptible the system is and how easily strings can be pulled to determine the outcome of what would seem to be a no-brainer review and consideration. Absolutely criminal and tragic.
Here’s a curious photo of something that was called the Great Neck Village Airdome.
The image comes from the digitized collection of the Great Neck Library. The information provided about the image notes that the Airdome had an “earth floor” and would exhibit motion pictures after the sun went down. No dates provided, but this is obviously early in the 20th Century. Oh… and it was owned by a “Mr. Duck!”
You really can’t make out much apart from the apparent capacity crowd, but that looks like a projection booth in the back of the room (and raised seating only on the side sections). Click on the image to zoom in and click on the thumbnail to move the “red box” and change the area of detail shown in the larger image.
There are a plethora of images of the Calderone Theatre (as well as other Long Island theatres built by the Calderones) on the excellent Long Island Library Resources Council’s Long Island Memories website – where a sample of photographic collections from various regional libraries have been digitized for easy access. Among the collections is one that focuses on the Calderones from the Hofstra University Library’s archives.
This image of the Calderone’s auditorium under construction starts off the series of images pertaining particularly to this theatre. You may click anywhere on the image to zoom in for a closer look. Click on the thumbnail image to move the “red box” around and change the area of detail viewed in the larger image. You may advance to the next image by clicking “Next” in the upper right side of the page header.
Excellent images well worth spending the time to peruse. And once you move past the Calderone Theatre itself, a number of other Calderone projects may be found, including the Mineola Theatre, the Cove Theatre, the Hempstead Theatre and others.
Here’s a vintage image dated circa late 1930’s, showing the original marquee and Tudor Revival facade. Marquee has no titles, announcing only “Current Feature Attractions.”
This image is from the Calderone Theatre collection of Hofstra University’s Library, digitized for the excellent Long Island Librarry Resources Council’s Long Island Memories website.
Click on the image to zoom in for detail. Change the area of detail by clicking on the smaller thumbnail image to move the “red box” around.
I wonder if the restoration plans include a return to the original facade?
The excellent Long Island Library Resources Council’s Long Island Memories website includes a number of images concerning the Cove, digitized from the extensive Calderone Theatres collection of Hofstra University’s Library.
A view of the house from the stage
Entrance c. 1970
View from balcony left – I had these seats for a 1982 concert
Alt view of house from stage
Grand Opening – marquee dated Aug 12, 1927
Alt. view from balcony
So opening date verified August 12, 1927.
Click on the image to zoom in. Click on the thumbnail image to move the “red box” and change the area of detail to be viewed in the larger image.
The following interior images are found on the excellent Long Island Librarry Resources Council’s Long Island Memories website – under the extensive Calderone Theatre collection of Hofstra University’s Library:
Slightly larger version of pic previously posted by Warren
View of proscenium and house from rear of loge
View of house from stage
Alt view of house from stage
Click on the images to zoom in and click on thumbnail image to move “red box” and change area of detail viewed in the larger image.
If you start with this photo of Frank Calderone standing in the auditorium of the Mineola sometime in the 1960’s, you can access a number of images associated with this theatre from the terrific Long Island Library Resources Council’s Long Island Memories website. Click “Next” in the upper right corner of the page header to advance through the photographs. Click on the images to zoom in for detail and click on the thumbnail to move the “red box” around to change the area of detail viewed in the larger image.
They include outstanding images of the exterior such as this one and interior shots like this one. Some of these may have been posted here previously, but they are well worth the time spent scrolling through.
All of these are from Hofstra University Library’s Calderone Theatre collection.
From the Long Island Librarry Resources Council’s Long Island Memories website – this view of the ground-breaking for the Valley Stream Theatre, dated circa 1926. Here is another image of the same.
Both of these are a part of the extensive Calderone Theatre collection of the Hofstra University Library. I must say, I was very disappointed that there were no more than these two images associated with this particular theatre. Perhaps the library contains additional photographs that have yet to be digitized. I must call and find out what kind of access one might be allowed for research purposes if not a student of the University.
According to the info provided for this image from the Hofstra collection, Frank Calderone addresses the audience at the former Rivoli at the occasion of his donating the theatre to Adelphi University on May 10, 1978.
Click “Next” at the upper right side of the page header and you will be able to view several other images associated with the Rivoli, including a closer view of the alternate W. Columbia St entrance for the theatre (also dated May 10, 1978) as well as an image of the theatre’s ground-breaking and an artist’s architectural rendering of the theatre’s exterior.
Oh and Robert… Could the film you described in the introductory comments above be “Kronos?” I seem to recall that sci-fi flick has some rather cheaply rendered alien machines that sort of “marched” around on four legs that looked like firing pistons! Can’t remember much else about the movie except for that!
Here’s a 1971 photo that reveals the theatre was known for a time as Calderone 2, no doubt due to its proximity to the Calderone Theatre, just one block away on N. Franklin Avenue, at the end of W. Columbia Street – which is shown here being re-christened in honor of the Calderones. And here is another shot showing the full Main Street facade as well as the alternate marquee and entrance around the corner on W. Columbia. It was actually this entrance which was used, as the big Main St marquee announces (“Entranc Around Corner”). You can also see the fly tower rising over the top of the facade to the left.
These pics come from Hofstra University’s excellent Calderone Theatre Collection. If you click on the photos, you may zoom in on the image. You may also click on the thumbnail to move the “red box” around to change the area of detail you are viewing in the bigger image.
By the way, the building that replaced this theatre is called Rivoli House. Oh, and there is no evidence of W. Columbia Street still being known as “Calderone Way!”
I agree Keller. What kills me is that the TS interior was supposed to be protected, never mind that Ecko backed out of the deal AFTER the place was butchered to make way for their store. Enjoyed plenty of double features in that old theatre. Heartbreaking.
Welcome to CT, Keller. Did they really gut the Times Square? That’s disappointing. The development corporation really screwed the pooch on these two theaters that were under their “protection.” Too bad they couldn’t wait out the economy.
Interesting to note that when the Theatre Republic first opened its doors on September 27, 1900, the premiere engagement was the drama “Sag Harbor” from playwrite James A Herne. The show would feature the Broadway debut of Lionel Barrymore, who was born 133 years ago today.
While his stage career would last some 25 years – before he switched to working exclusively in films – he would only return to the stage of the Theatre Republic once (in its post-Belasco incarnation) in a 1917 production of “Peter Ibbetson.” He did, however, return to the Deuce to appear in a short-lived staging of “Macbeth” at the Apollo in 1921 (the 2nd ever production at that theatre) as well as another short-lived drama, “The Piker” near then end of his stage career in 1925 at the Eltinge (later Empire) Theatre.
Sounds like fun!
Jerry Kovar has this image of the Chelsea Theatre in his photobucket album. The photo shows the view looking north on Eighth Avenue towards the corner of West 26th Street.
The theatre, the apartments (or offices) above and the two smaller buildings to the left of the theatre entrance are gone and replaced by a corner parking lot. The rest of the block to the south of the theatre, starting with the small two story building to the Chelsea’s right, are still intact, as is the tall building on the opposite corner across W. 26th.
Usually don’t get out east, rvb, but thanks for the tips! Will keep them in mind if I ever find myself out there.