Kings Theatre
1027 Flatbush Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11226
1027 Flatbush Avenue,
Brooklyn,
NY
11226
86 people
favorited this theater
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R.H.
There is a committee formed to open the Kings. If you would like to help, you can reach them through this website
Http://www.ic.sunysb.edu/Stu/awaseniu/loews.htm
I took my video camera to Flatbush, and it does seem to be a Phoenix from the ashes. There are new stores there along side the Sears that has been there seemingly forever. These are stores you see in a shopping mall. It was great to see it rising. However, the bird still needs to brush off some of the ashes. Some of the smaller, ‘junkier’ shops were still there, and if they clean their act it will be phenomenal. I see a good future that Flatbush can be proud of.
I may not remember this group of bums (too young), or the stadium they played in, but there is another thing Brooklyn would need to do to be great. Rebuild the Field of Ebbet’s and bring back the Dodgers.
Theaterat, I was just confirming why the theater was abandoned in the first place. As you say, the surrounding blocks did turn into a hell in the ‘70s. At the time, it appeared the only future for the neighborhood was that of a bad sci-fi movie. Thankfully, as I stated above, the neighborhood is showing signs of improvement. As someone who is proud of his Brooklyn roots, nothing would make me happier than to see the Kings open, refurbished, and full of people. Mayor Bloomberg and BBP Markowitz just saved the B&B Carousel(l) in Coney from being lost forever. Maybe the Kings can be their next project. Granted, it will be somewhat more expensive.
Guys,,, Yes, Rudy DID turn around NY. Times sq is now a family attraction, tourists are coming Downtown, So Ho, the East and West villages are always crowded, Tribeca is happening, Midtown buzzes, etc, etc, etc. However, aside from now trendy Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights and Park Slope( wich seem to be extentions of Manhattan more than Brooklyn neighborhoods), the boro is still being refered to an “outre boro”. Granted, Flatbush was a hell in the 70s and most of the 80s, but it too has come back with a very lively Carribean flavor. If we can get people to look past the “outer boro” label and experience Brooklyn for ALL its vibrant areas , tjis would be a first step to the re-opening of the majestic Kings.
As far as the Kings is concerned, rlvjr is correct. I was born and raised in Brooklyn. By the mid-1970’s, the once beautiful section of Flatbush where the theater is located had degenerated into a near war zone. Many were afraid to drive down that stretch of Flatbush Ave with their windows down. Worrying about leaving your car unattended for two hours took away whatever enjoyment the film and theater provided. The City was literally falling apart. Thirty years may allow some to look back with rose colored glasses, but many of us remember all too well the horror of those years. Thankfully, the neighborhood is finally showing signs of turning around. Thank God for Rudy. However, those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Let’s hope that never happens.
However, I should add that I agree with rlvjr on one thing. The city is now back to being a tourist mecca. (Yes, even after that fateful and depressing day in September, 2001) It was in the doldrums for a while. They should rebuild and restore theaters. New York is known for arts and artistry. The Loew’s Wonder Theaters could be real cathedrals of the performing arts. In the 1970s, New York was known for things like “ladies of the evening”, and other forms of vice. Today it’s known for arts, and family attractions. Restore some theaters for family attractions like concerts, plays, and movies.
No, no, no;
I would say that it was the drop in attendance, and a threatened tax on movies. When the Kings closed the VCR, had just hit the home, and HBO started on television. People did not want to go to the local theater because in a few months the movie would be on television, or on tape. People also did not go to theaters out here on Long Island because of the technology. Also, the mayor wanted a tax on all theaters. I remember riding through Queens about that time and seeing one theater marquis with perhaps the words “Don’t Support the Movie Tax”. It was not bad press about New York City, it was a drop in attendance that was caused by technology, and the threatened city tax.
YOUNG PEOPLE might not know what caused the loss of LOEW’S KINGS and all the other great movie palaces in New York City. It was BAD GOVERNMENT, the kind of rotten leadership New Yorkers voted for decade after decade. The 1960’s saw a 100,000 drop in New York’s population. The 1970’s a drop of 800,000; almost a million people left New York during those 20 years. Who left? Middle and upper class white people. Replaced by who? Thousands of welfare recipients. Crime during that era was 500% higher than since Rudy cleaned things up. Niel Simon did a smash hit comedy abiut the insanity of even VISTING New York. NYC was the laughing stock of the world. Garbage, crime, unions, worse. NBC-TV did a movie “Train of Terror” which taught teen punks how they could rob and intimidate Subway riders —– with nobody stopping them. Within 12 hours, the NYC Subway system was a world of fear, as Subway crime climbed into the stratosphere. Remember, NYC’s government was so stupid the city literally went bankrupt. The Feds had to rescue NYC from their own brain-dead government with big-time loans and demands for reform. Meanwhile, LOEW’S as well as RKO and others watched their beautiful theaters turn into serious financial losses. Now that New York has regained their senses, restoration of LOEW’S Wonder Theaters would be great. But be aware of just why they all went to the dogs.
Maybe I should say that I plan to call him in the next few weeks. We should be visiting Staten Island soon, which is closed to the Kings then my town of Holtsville, Long Island.
I am also planning on speaking with the Loew’s Jersey, a restored thater in Jersey City. I want to tape inside the building for the documentary so I can show what a restored theater looks like. That should fire the imagination.
I planned on meeting with Bruce 1, but that has to be placed on hold for a few weeks. One of my family is in the hospital.
I may try a corporation called Castle Construction, they may be able to work with us. They are presently working on the Suffolk Theater in Riverhead, a restoration.
Well, after two weeks without a computer (I used one in the library one day and didn’t like it), I am finally back. I was looking at the site above that had the fight. That fight was in 1964, and it was part of the King history. It was during the Ali Frasier Fight that a fire broke out in the projection room. This, however, did not close the Kings which is constructed of fire retardant materials. The theater went on for another 15 years.
The Loew’s Kings is ‘The Heart of Brooklyn’ and if you listen hard, you can still hear it beating! As we already know, NYC owns the Crown Jewel Of Brooklyn and there seems to be some delay in issuing a Request For Proposal. Hopefully, we can find a developer who sees the potential of the third largest performance venue in the entire city. Hopefully, some greedy real estate developer will not see it as a ‘shopping mall’. Just remember, it’s not over until the fat lady sings. Who would you nominate as that fat lady?
There is an interior pic here from Cinematour
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Closed circuit fights were shown at the King’s in the 70’s.
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I spoke with Bruce 1 and the meeting should happen soon.
Here is the ad from when Jerry toured the Loew’s theatres playing “The Bellhop”.
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Robert, thanks for that memory,I was at the Big A Amityville when GWTW played. We had continuous shows every day in four track mag sound. I believe most of the L.I theatres played it that way, although the Central had no mag capabilities, HUGE wall to wall screen however.
When Gone With The Wind completed its enormously successful 70 mm roadshow at the Rivoli, MGM sent it out again on wide release.
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Bruce 1;
Can we meet Monday beneath the King’s Marquis?
Mr. Rankin;
Before I forget, thanks for the information.
Theaterat;
I would not be discouraged about the Kings. It may be in sad shape but the building still shows grandeur. There is no reason why you can’t volunteer at two theaters.
Theaterat;
I was unable to get in, so I filmed the outside. Frankly, Marcus Loew would be turning over in his grave, but I think the theater can be helped.
Everyone;
I am looking for pictures taken inside the Kings. Anything from old home movies to photos. I want the historic stuff. Does anyone on this page have it?
In 1968, my James Madison High School graduation was held at the “Kings” and it was truly spectacular. I have such wonderful memories of that theatre and Flatbush Avenue in general. Shopping at the “old” Macy’s and Sears. Even Loehmann’s on Duryea Place. I now drive past these locations and, even with the changes, the memories have not faded!!
Susan Heifetz….
Gustavelifting…What happened when you went to the Kings?Was there anybody there? Hope you did not make the trip from Long Island for nothing. You may be able to film inside the Jersey. If I were you, I would ask the president(or somebody with the publicity dept) if it will be OK. I guess you can go on a weekend day while the volunteers are restorinmg the balcony seats, this would probably be a good time to get in. There is no air conditioning so you will probably sweat like a pig.While you are there make sure to see the Stanley wich is about a block away- right over and accross the railroad bridge. This magnificent theater is now a Jehova`s Witness temple, but they DO give tours and allow visitors to see it. Believe me, you will NOT be dissapointed!It is worth seeing, and you will be amazed at what they did to it. Please let me know how you made out if you go. I1m thinking about volunteering myself in the near future if nothing develops with the Kings.