StGeorge , thanks for the info on the larger screen. Do you know if The Exorcist was still a DVD presentation? If not I would have attended had I known.
As a fan of this theatre I would like to thank Vito for his info and the assistance he gave the new owners in their attempts to restore the theatre. The owners deserve thanks for what they tried very hard to accomplish.
Oh and also during the afternoon screenings some of the (10) people there were fielding cel phone calls. And a baby was there. It has become impossible to not be a part of other people’s lives. I think I’ll make a documentary on this and be part of next year’s festival.
I don’t know him personally , the Paramount issue came up on the Lane theatre page about the closing of Uncle Vinnies. I do pass by there and if I see the front gate open I will see what I can do.
Agreed ,Italian. Recall how the city crucified Mrs.Rosemary when she was restoring the St.George. It was a miracle she pulled it off , probably only because there were some political heavyweights in her rolodex. If she had been left at the mercy of city agencies the theatre would still be closed today.
The status should be changed to simply “closed” , sadly. I am informed by Vito that despite extensive renovations , the theatre became a money pit and it was just not practical for the owners to go any further with the project. Cutting their losses may have been the best move , as it is doubtful the business would have thrived in this economy. Add in the lack of parking and the borderline at best neighborhood and the odds of sucsess are pretty slim. A good example is the failure of Uncle vinnies Comedy Club at the Lane theatre.
I had a feeling the old gal would become a money pit! Hate to say it Vito but maybe it’s better the owner cut his losses. I just don’t see how the place would have thrived in this economy. A poster mentioned that Uncle Vinnies in Point Pleasent still does well but that is in a resort/vacation area where people go for entertainment.
SI Italian , while I agree with your disappointment over the failure of Uncle Vinnies , I think we have to realize that the past 2 years have been a very tough time to open a business. When it was first announced I wished the owners well , but I did state concerns over the economy,and the lack of parking in the area. As you pointed out there are many shuttered businesses on the Lane , and on Hylan Blvd. as well. The same goes for the owners of the Paramount , who put so much into renovating that theatre only to see their catering business / entertainment hall never even get off the ground.
I just called the Jersey club where a rep confirmed that the S.I. club has indeed gone under. Since it’s been fully renovated , could it possibly become a restaurant or other venue? I’d hate to see it fall into disrepair again.
The other day I passed by on the bus. The doors were wide open , and it looked like the interior was vacant. The marquee is gone. I think someone bought it and may be preparing it for demolition….
Well there was a movie event here tonight and I’m sorry to say I am still disappointed. Of course it was still worth the trip just to be in the magnificently restored theatre. But the balcony was closed for a private party , and the films were once again DVD presebtations. I thought a projection system was being installed. Maybe next time….
Ronnie , I found a reference book at the St.George library called Going To The Movies On Staten Island. There was a second Palace Theatre in Tottenville, it opened in 1918 and closed in 1928. There is a clearer photo of the Port Richmond Palace and you were right , it does say Vaudeville on the sign.
The book Going To The Movies On Staten Island wrongly states both this theatre and the Jerry Lewis Cinema on Forest Ave were demolished after closing. Is the building still vacant?
The filming last week was for a new TV series called “Smash” , a Spielberg production about aspiring theatre performers.
StGeorge , thanks for the info on the larger screen. Do you know if The Exorcist was still a DVD presentation? If not I would have attended had I known.
As a fan of this theatre I would like to thank Vito for his info and the assistance he gave the new owners in their attempts to restore the theatre. The owners deserve thanks for what they tried very hard to accomplish.
Oh and also during the afternoon screenings some of the (10) people there were fielding cel phone calls. And a baby was there. It has become impossible to not be a part of other people’s lives. I think I’ll make a documentary on this and be part of next year’s festival.
I don’t know him personally , the Paramount issue came up on the Lane theatre page about the closing of Uncle Vinnies. I do pass by there and if I see the front gate open I will see what I can do.
Agreed ,Italian. Recall how the city crucified Mrs.Rosemary when she was restoring the St.George. It was a miracle she pulled it off , probably only because there were some political heavyweights in her rolodex. If she had been left at the mercy of city agencies the theatre would still be closed today.
The status should be changed to simply “closed” , sadly. I am informed by Vito that despite extensive renovations , the theatre became a money pit and it was just not practical for the owners to go any further with the project. Cutting their losses may have been the best move , as it is doubtful the business would have thrived in this economy. Add in the lack of parking and the borderline at best neighborhood and the odds of sucsess are pretty slim. A good example is the failure of Uncle vinnies Comedy Club at the Lane theatre.
I just came from the film fest. Of course they were DVD’s and the balcony was once again closed. I was not amused.
I had a feeling the old gal would become a money pit! Hate to say it Vito but maybe it’s better the owner cut his losses. I just don’t see how the place would have thrived in this economy. A poster mentioned that Uncle Vinnies in Point Pleasent still does well but that is in a resort/vacation area where people go for entertainment.
SI Italian , while I agree with your disappointment over the failure of Uncle Vinnies , I think we have to realize that the past 2 years have been a very tough time to open a business. When it was first announced I wished the owners well , but I did state concerns over the economy,and the lack of parking in the area. As you pointed out there are many shuttered businesses on the Lane , and on Hylan Blvd. as well. The same goes for the owners of the Paramount , who put so much into renovating that theatre only to see their catering business / entertainment hall never even get off the ground.
I’m sure I saw the original Walking Tall here in the early “70s. I intend to check out the visitor’s center / theatre.
I just called the Jersey club where a rep confirmed that the S.I. club has indeed gone under. Since it’s been fully renovated , could it possibly become a restaurant or other venue? I’d hate to see it fall into disrepair again.
Sorry to hear it , but I did predict it in my old posts. Is The Paramount plan also dead in the water?
The other day I passed by on the bus. The doors were wide open , and it looked like the interior was vacant. The marquee is gone. I think someone bought it and may be preparing it for demolition….
That website has been up for over a year. I drive past quite often and nothing at all is going on there. Seems like they hit a roadblock once again.
I second that.
I have to assume it is dead in the water at this time.
Well there was a movie event here tonight and I’m sorry to say I am still disappointed. Of course it was still worth the trip just to be in the magnificently restored theatre. But the balcony was closed for a private party , and the films were once again DVD presebtations. I thought a projection system was being installed. Maybe next time….
Can anyone advise of any news? It still has not opened for business….
The theatre is now a Magic Tree store.
This site has a 1940’s video of New Dorp Lane with a shot of what must be the old New Dorp Theatre : http://oldstatenisland.tripod.com/east_shore.htm
Great old photos, including the Castleton are at View link
The theatre closed in 1928. A photo and more info can be found at http://oldstatenisland.tripod.com/
Ronnie , I found a reference book at the St.George library called Going To The Movies On Staten Island. There was a second Palace Theatre in Tottenville, it opened in 1918 and closed in 1928. There is a clearer photo of the Port Richmond Palace and you were right , it does say Vaudeville on the sign.
The book Going To The Movies On Staten Island wrongly states both this theatre and the Jerry Lewis Cinema on Forest Ave were demolished after closing. Is the building still vacant?