Thanks for your post, J.D. I attended both Crossbay I and II. My first time to Crossbay I was in June 1975 to see “Flesh Gordon” and “The Groove Tube” with my dad. We both had a great time and laughed ourselves sore. I was displeased with how dirty and littered Crossbay I had become when I saw “Back To The Future II” there the last Saturday in November 1989, and “Hard Target” the Saturday before Labor Day 1993.
I enjoyed seeing “Silence Of The Lambs” at Crossbay II on Easter Eve 1991, and “Defenseless” there late August 1991. I just missed seeing “Avalon” there in October 1990. Yes, it was utilitarian, but neat and orderly, when I went there.
Yes, Ed, no Van Wyck Expressway and Kew Gardens Interchange between the old, original Kew Gardens (around the LIRR station at Lefferts and Austin) and the newer Kew Gardens Hills.
Thanks for your story, New York Dave. The times I was in Jahn’s in the latter 1980’s, and I think also April 21, 1990, there was a sign in there saying, “This restaurant under the personal supervision of Frank Jahn”. When I asked about this in July 2002 or April 2004, I was told that was no longer true, as Frank Jahn had died in the interim.
Probably true, Ed. I was just thinking how much easier it is to move along Queens Blvd. by subway than it is by LIRR or bus or trolley. But yes, the RKO Keith Richmond Hill and all the movies at Continental and Austin in Forest Hills were within walking distance of the Austin Cinema / Kew Gardens Cinemas.
Thanks for all this information, Warren. I wonder how business picked up once the Independent Subway had been built out to Kew Gardens, and opened. The Union Turnpike / Kew Gardens station opened on December 31, 1936, according to nycsubway.org.
That’s fine, Warren. Short of that, I’ll be happy if the Ridgewood is still showing movies eleven days from now, on Sunday, December 23, 2007, the 91-year anniversary of its opening on Saturday, December 23rd, 1916.
Panzer65, I don’t remember that bowling alley at all, by the bus stop, the Q-55 back to Ridgewood, on the north side of Myrtle Avenue, between Hillside Avenue and Bessemer Street. I only remember a M.A.S.H. clothing store on the northeast corner of Myrtle and Hillside, and a diner on Myrtle near Bessemer St.
I know what you mean about the Richmond Hill Historical Society website. I’ve looked at it a lot myself.
I last ate at the Triangle Hofbrau as a German restuarant on Friday November 11, 1994. In retrospect, I’m glad I did, as it is now gone. By May 1995 it had become Cafe Europa, featuring French and Russian cuisine. By January or June 1997 it had become medical offices.
Many folks have posted on Bushwick Buddies about outings from “The Rink To The Sink” (from the roller skating rink at Hillside and Metropolitan Avenues to “The Kitchen Sink” at Jahn’s).
Speaking of rock ‘n roll shows, the Fox Theatre in St. Louis was the site of the Chuck Berry 60th birthday concert (October 1986) as documented in the 1987 film, “Chuck Berry : Hail Hail Rock 'N Roll !”
Indeed ! Yet, I prefer these old theatres becoming second-rate discount stores, to them being totally gone (like the Commodore near Bway and Marcy Avenue in Williamsburg, Bklyn). At least, if they’ve become stores, we can still walk around inside.
Thanks for the bad news, Theaterat. I can relate to “schlock shop” (my mother used to call them “shit shops”, in contrast to quality stores) because of the RKO Madison Theater in Ridgewood, Queens, having become a Liberty Department Store.
Thanks, J.D.
Yes, LuisV. The beauty of those last four theaters you mentioned spoke for itself, and made itself readily apparent.
Thanks for your post, J.D. I attended both Crossbay I and II. My first time to Crossbay I was in June 1975 to see “Flesh Gordon” and “The Groove Tube” with my dad. We both had a great time and laughed ourselves sore. I was displeased with how dirty and littered Crossbay I had become when I saw “Back To The Future II” there the last Saturday in November 1989, and “Hard Target” the Saturday before Labor Day 1993.
I enjoyed seeing “Silence Of The Lambs” at Crossbay II on Easter Eve 1991, and “Defenseless” there late August 1991. I just missed seeing “Avalon” there in October 1990. Yes, it was utilitarian, but neat and orderly, when I went there.
Thanks for your post about the Casino, J.D., and welcome to Cinema Treasures.
The only film I ever saw at the Casino was “Serpico” in early April 1974.
Well-put, J.D. Thanks for your post.
Panzer65, I agree with you about the destruction and neglect of the historic past by profit and greed.
Yes, Ed, no Van Wyck Expressway and Kew Gardens Interchange between the old, original Kew Gardens (around the LIRR station at Lefferts and Austin) and the newer Kew Gardens Hills.
Thanks for your story, New York Dave. The times I was in Jahn’s in the latter 1980’s, and I think also April 21, 1990, there was a sign in there saying, “This restaurant under the personal supervision of Frank Jahn”. When I asked about this in July 2002 or April 2004, I was told that was no longer true, as Frank Jahn had died in the interim.
Probably true, Ed. I was just thinking how much easier it is to move along Queens Blvd. by subway than it is by LIRR or bus or trolley. But yes, the RKO Keith Richmond Hill and all the movies at Continental and Austin in Forest Hills were within walking distance of the Austin Cinema / Kew Gardens Cinemas.
Don’t worry about Warren, Ed. Thanks for your story.
Thanks for all this information, Warren. I wonder how business picked up once the Independent Subway had been built out to Kew Gardens, and opened. The Union Turnpike / Kew Gardens station opened on December 31, 1936, according to nycsubway.org.
Thanks, Ed.
Thanks, Ed Solero.
I thought you grew up in Laurelton, Queens, though.
That’s fine, Warren. Short of that, I’ll be happy if the Ridgewood is still showing movies eleven days from now, on Sunday, December 23, 2007, the 91-year anniversary of its opening on Saturday, December 23rd, 1916.
Thanks, Warren. That’s fun to know.
Thanks, Panzer65. I’m not sure why I never noticed the bowling alley there.
Thanks, mp775 and br91975.
br91975, that is sad news indeed about the complete gutting of the Astoria’s former theatre space.
Panzer65, I don’t remember that bowling alley at all, by the bus stop, the Q-55 back to Ridgewood, on the north side of Myrtle Avenue, between Hillside Avenue and Bessemer Street. I only remember a M.A.S.H. clothing store on the northeast corner of Myrtle and Hillside, and a diner on Myrtle near Bessemer St.
I know what you mean about the Richmond Hill Historical Society website. I’ve looked at it a lot myself.
As well you should be, Bway. More power to you !
BklynJim, thanks for the recommendation of the Stephen King story, “Cell”.
I don’t own a cell phone, either.
I last ate at the Triangle Hofbrau as a German restuarant on Friday November 11, 1994. In retrospect, I’m glad I did, as it is now gone. By May 1995 it had become Cafe Europa, featuring French and Russian cuisine. By January or June 1997 it had become medical offices.
Many folks have posted on Bushwick Buddies about outings from “The Rink To The Sink” (from the roller skating rink at Hillside and Metropolitan Avenues to “The Kitchen Sink” at Jahn’s).
Speaking of rock ‘n roll shows, the Fox Theatre in St. Louis was the site of the Chuck Berry 60th birthday concert (October 1986) as documented in the 1987 film, “Chuck Berry : Hail Hail Rock 'N Roll !”
Quite probably so, Ace.
I can hear in my mind the prejudiced remarks my family would have made about this incident.
Indeed ! Yet, I prefer these old theatres becoming second-rate discount stores, to them being totally gone (like the Commodore near Bway and Marcy Avenue in Williamsburg, Bklyn). At least, if they’ve become stores, we can still walk around inside.
Thanks for the bad news, Theaterat. I can relate to “schlock shop” (my mother used to call them “shit shops”, in contrast to quality stores) because of the RKO Madison Theater in Ridgewood, Queens, having become a Liberty Department Store.