The Town of Hempstead granted Landmark status to the theater on October 2, 2019 which assures that it will not be demolished. It is one of the few Art Deco structures left in the town. Although those elements are probably no longer internally visible after it was chopped up into six auditoriums, the facade, despite the marquee change, is representative.
When interviewed prior to the opening a representative of AMC didn’t divulge the total seating capacity but indicated that the auditoriums seated between 45 and 181.
Went by the theater today. They have upgraded the pylon (see photos) to a sign which indicates the phone number and web domain, neither of which are currently functioning. Box office area has seen some activity as have a couple of other areas. Maybe sometime in 2020?
In the January 4, 1953 Motion Picture Trade Practices was a note from the owner of the theater giving some statistics of it’s operation and indicating that he would soon be opening the Aggie (see elsewhere on CT). See photo section.
Al, there are actually some comfortable seats in Broadway theaters. The worst, however, is the second balcony in the St. James meant for people with small legs.
2,200 for a single screen theater built on Long Island after World War II was a big thing. A number of Hollywood stars were there for the opening. I remember seeing the newsreel of the opening that Century showed in it’s theaters after the event.
And for one of those art films was the only time I was ever in the theater. There was no balcony and the ceiling was quite low. I think it was those metallic squares from way back when.
ridethetrain Such troubles also caused a delay in the rebuild of the Shore in Huntington. All the beams were in place for both the exterior and interior. It was interesting to see how they nested the auditoriums. Sorry I didn’t have a camera with me at that time.
Most people don’t remember but, way back when, Loew’s was looking to acquire Century. Didn’t happen. After Century was taken over by Almi, RKO and Cineplex Odeon, Loew’s actually accomplished this only to be wiped out by AMC. Ever notice that the serial management of theaters parallels that of banks?
Let’s face it there are darn few treasures on CT since the palaces of old are mostly gone or chopped up into little pieces. So the Belasco, which is an elegant space, is welcome.
When AMC took over the Century chain on Long Island all the unique signage, particularly on the Meadows in Fresh Meadows, just became the red AMC which is very similar to the AMF bowling alleys. The names of the theaters are not even displayed anymore.
When I used to summer on Shelter Island I would ferry over and go to the movies when it was it’s original self. Since I moved to Manorville I don’t “do” Shelter Island and although I get to Greenport several times a year I have not been in the theater since it was modified.
Closed for the season Labor Day but opened two days in October for some sort of TV festival. I don’t know how this place survives on a season of less than 10 weeks.
The Town of Hempstead granted Landmark status to the theater on October 2, 2019 which assures that it will not be demolished. It is one of the few Art Deco structures left in the town. Although those elements are probably no longer internally visible after it was chopped up into six auditoriums, the facade, despite the marquee change, is representative.
When interviewed prior to the opening a representative of AMC didn’t divulge the total seating capacity but indicated that the auditoriums seated between 45 and 181.
Wonder if the small, neighborhood Elwood will be able to survive this.
Went by the theater today. They have upgraded the pylon (see photos) to a sign which indicates the phone number and web domain, neither of which are currently functioning. Box office area has seen some activity as have a couple of other areas. Maybe sometime in 2020?
Added photo showing billboard announcing the forthcoming drive – in.
In the January 4, 1953 Motion Picture Trade Practices was a note from the owner of the theater giving some statistics of it’s operation and indicating that he would soon be opening the Aggie (see elsewhere on CT). See photo section.
Al, there are actually some comfortable seats in Broadway theaters. The worst, however, is the second balcony in the St. James meant for people with small legs.
Well that took a long time from when it was demolished.
And before that by Skouras.
Maybe that British company that took over the Lyric and Hudson will step in.
Renovations long completed. Need to update.
2,200 for a single screen theater built on Long Island after World War II was a big thing. A number of Hollywood stars were there for the opening. I remember seeing the newsreel of the opening that Century showed in it’s theaters after the event.
Far cry from the 2,200 it started life with.
If the Historical Society is correct the theater only lasted one year after the renovation touted in the ad in the photo section.
And for one of those art films was the only time I was ever in the theater. There was no balcony and the ceiling was quite low. I think it was those metallic squares from way back when.
And the Commack Cinemas succumbed to the Deer Park Multiplex.
ridethetrain Such troubles also caused a delay in the rebuild of the Shore in Huntington. All the beams were in place for both the exterior and interior. It was interesting to see how they nested the auditoriums. Sorry I didn’t have a camera with me at that time.
Most people don’t remember but, way back when, Loew’s was looking to acquire Century. Didn’t happen. After Century was taken over by Almi, RKO and Cineplex Odeon, Loew’s actually accomplished this only to be wiped out by AMC. Ever notice that the serial management of theaters parallels that of banks?
Ridethetrain- you come up with some amazing statistics. What is your source?
Hopefully it won’t have a vermin problem like Levittown.
Let’s face it there are darn few treasures on CT since the palaces of old are mostly gone or chopped up into little pieces. So the Belasco, which is an elegant space, is welcome.
The current local residents were not in residence when the Cambria was operating. Neighborhood changed.
When AMC took over the Century chain on Long Island all the unique signage, particularly on the Meadows in Fresh Meadows, just became the red AMC which is very similar to the AMF bowling alleys. The names of the theaters are not even displayed anymore.
When I used to summer on Shelter Island I would ferry over and go to the movies when it was it’s original self. Since I moved to Manorville I don’t “do” Shelter Island and although I get to Greenport several times a year I have not been in the theater since it was modified.
I which he’d retained the old signage, however.
Closed for the season Labor Day but opened two days in October for some sort of TV festival. I don’t know how this place survives on a season of less than 10 weeks.