The photos should also be posted in the photo section, so that when the comment links are inevitably broken, we will still have the hard copy in the photo section.
OMG, I stopped in today and it is effin' gorgeous! The former lobby is a seating area, with photos and programs from the old theater gracing the walls; the main auditorium is lovingly restored, to a point. The two balconies are there, and the side boxes and proscenium, and there is seating throughout.
There is a big modern-type chandelier but it doesn’t obscure the details in the ceiling. I only spent about three minutes there (the staff was very accomodating) and I can’t wait to return and leisurely take it all in.
And I can’t wait for our intrepid members to start posting photos here, so I can savor this true cinema treasure even more.
I saw many movies here, notably the cannibal holocaust/Ilsa/faces-of-death type of grindhouse gore that the Liberty seemed to specialize in, and it’s a real kick to be back. I’m truly over the moon about this.
Ed, 9/11 was the Democratic primary day, I think, so it was an election day that would lead to the eventual election of Bloomberg in November.
And I’d like the lead photo to be of the Empire as it existed in its heyday, but there doesn’t seem to be a good one in the photo section, nor a photo of the interior.
This was my least favorite of the 42nd Street line-up, and I was not sorry to see it close. It stunk to high heaven and because of its late run bookings and rock bottom prices it seemed to attract an even lower class of patrons than the other houses, if that’s possible! When I was here there was no balcony, only a raised rear mezzanine, like at the new Ziegfeld. But that’s where the similarity ended.
From the wnet.org website, concerning the new Woody Allen documentary. (I guess they forgot to mention that the Jewel Theater is still in business, too!)
Mia Farrow plays a Depression-era waitress who’s mad about the movies in The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985). While the film takes place in New Jersey, the theater where Cecilia (Farrow) sees the madcap comedy The Purple Rose of Comedy over and over again is named after The Jewel movie house in Brooklyn — one of the first movie houses in Allen’s Brooklyn neighborhood to show foreign films. The theater scenes were actually filmed in the Kent Theatre on Coney Island Avenue in Flatbush, still operating today.
I don’t know (or remember) how to hyperlink.
After it switched back from porn, it played mainstream for many, many years.
Here’s the direct link:
http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/7176.html
Who was this sold to?
I saw a comedy show here a few years ago — majestic space, with the salty sea air a nice touch.
Saw the auditorium after the renovation. Nice job and friendly crowd.
Wow! An 1863 seat porno theater. Sorry I missed it. (How does it look inside now with a church in occupancy?)
Hey Bloop! Good to see you still posting here. How’s your newletter?
The photos should also be posted in the photo section, so that when the comment links are inevitably broken, we will still have the hard copy in the photo section.
I always look for it when I drive that part of Route 110.
According to Cinema Treasures, New York City has a garment district and a midtown, but no Times Square.
OMG, I stopped in today and it is effin' gorgeous! The former lobby is a seating area, with photos and programs from the old theater gracing the walls; the main auditorium is lovingly restored, to a point. The two balconies are there, and the side boxes and proscenium, and there is seating throughout.
There is a big modern-type chandelier but it doesn’t obscure the details in the ceiling. I only spent about three minutes there (the staff was very accomodating) and I can’t wait to return and leisurely take it all in.
And I can’t wait for our intrepid members to start posting photos here, so I can savor this true cinema treasure even more.
I saw many movies here, notably the cannibal holocaust/Ilsa/faces-of-death type of grindhouse gore that the Liberty seemed to specialize in, and it’s a real kick to be back. I’m truly over the moon about this.
I’ve requested Times Square Roulette and Down 42nd Street from the library and look forward to reading them. Their descriptions sound interesting.
I bought and read Ghosts of 42nd Street and I think I was disappointed by it, but I can’t remember exactly why. Mike (saps)
Ed, 9/11 was the Democratic primary day, I think, so it was an election day that would lead to the eventual election of Bloomberg in November.
And I’d like the lead photo to be of the Empire as it existed in its heyday, but there doesn’t seem to be a good one in the photo section, nor a photo of the interior.
Justin: GO IN.
You the man!
Let’s get some current photos posted here, quick!
Great news, Ed, and an interesting link to the architectural plans. I hope the reality matches the dream.
(And did you have time to get over to the Fantasy and photograph its restored verticle blade before the elements and inevitable neglect take over?)
LostMemory and Warren G. Harris both stopped posting in 2009. Where’d they go? They added so much to this site.
Justin, have you been inside here yet? (It seems you practically live at the Rockaway!)
Wow! Just like a real movie theater.
This was my least favorite of the 42nd Street line-up, and I was not sorry to see it close. It stunk to high heaven and because of its late run bookings and rock bottom prices it seemed to attract an even lower class of patrons than the other houses, if that’s possible! When I was here there was no balcony, only a raised rear mezzanine, like at the new Ziegfeld. But that’s where the similarity ended.
I don’t know why but this was my favorite heater on the block.
On his TV show George Burns mentioned playing this theater — but I can’t remember if he said they loved him or hated him!
From the wnet.org website, concerning the new Woody Allen documentary. (I guess they forgot to mention that the Jewel Theater is still in business, too!)
Mia Farrow plays a Depression-era waitress who’s mad about the movies in The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985). While the film takes place in New Jersey, the theater where Cecilia (Farrow) sees the madcap comedy The Purple Rose of Comedy over and over again is named after The Jewel movie house in Brooklyn — one of the first movie houses in Allen’s Brooklyn neighborhood to show foreign films. The theater scenes were actually filmed in the Kent Theatre on Coney Island Avenue in Flatbush, still operating today.