Kings Theatre

As has been brought out in previous comments, the largest source of images of the KINGS is the 1980 movie MEMOIRS OF A MOVIE PALACE at a branch of the NY Public Library. Reportedly they will not loan it, so one must view the VHS there.

Vintage photos are seen in the 1927 book AMERICAN THEATRES OF TODAY which was issued as two volumes, and in the second volume it is pictured or mentioned on pages: 30, 37, 48, and 158-9.

An especially nice photo of it is on page 159 of THE BEST REMAINING SEATS: THE STORY OF THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE MOVIE PALACE by the late Ben M. Hall.

Most all of these photos are available for a fee from the Theatre Historical Soc. (www.historictheatres.org) by contacting them. Offer to pay for xeroxes first, and then select which images you want them to reproduce for you. Fees are listed on their site under Archive.
It is quite possible that local libraries and historical societies and museums will also have more, along with such as the Avery Architectural Library at Columbia University, where they have a collection of the THSA’s MARQUEE magazine in which they have published a few photos of the LOEW’S KINGS. One often has to dig around to find vintage photos. Best Wishes.

Actually my aunts mother lived a few blocks away and we went there to visit her and she way saying she was dying to see this film, so my uncle took all of us. I found out Barbra worked there a few years later.

Good luck Gustavelifting, you are to be commended for your dedication to giving the Kings a new life.

I’m afraid that HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD would only make one think that yours was another cinephile pic, rather than about the theatre itself. The Brooklyn song I have never heard.

WHO ELSE WANTS TO JOIN US? The theater is worth saving because of the many famous people who worked there. Imagine Barbra Streisand, Henry Winkler, or Sly Stallone taking you down the aisle to your seat.

Okday

I ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO JOIN IN THAT MEETING BETWEEN BRUCE 1, THEATERAT, AND MYSELF. The more the merrier, so to speak. I would like to get a tentative date from Bruce 1.

The Brooklyn Borough President has not scheduled any press conference regarding the Loew’s Kings. I made the suggestion and, at this time, no decision has been made.

As has already been pointed out, we shouldn’t expect the city to pay for the restoration. However, it is quite realistic to assume that they will offer a package of incentives to the developer. As far as Mr Rankin’s suggestion, as usual, it’s a good one. At this point, I’m unsure of my plans, but certainly, it would be a worthwhile convention!

Bob Furmanek also make a good point. Unless you are the either the developer or the theater operator, you may lose control. From the very start, I wasn’t looking for the glory or the responsibility of running the Loew’s Kings. What I hoped is to influence theater operators and or developers to restore this magnificent theatre.

As far as a meeting, so far, theaterat and gustav and myself are willing to meet. No date has been set and in the meantime, I hope a few others will want to join us.

This announcement appeared on today’s NewsFlash bulletin from the Theatre Historical Society, and it may be of interest to any who have the time and money to attend this League of Historic American Theatres convention, which they call their “Ramble”. These people are the professionals in historic theatre restoration and operation, so valuable information and contacts may be obtained. Perhaps this is just the impetus that the Friends of the Kings needs. If a few of you fellows can attend, perhaps sharing the cost of a hotel room, then you may have a concrete beginning, though I still am of the opinion that the state of the KINGS is such that only a big money investor can bring it to life. I cannot attend, but Best Wishes to any who can.
“Have you made plans yet to come to Kansas City in July for the 29th Annual LHAT Conference and Theatre Tour? > > CREATING A LEGACY: HISTORIC THEATRES IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL > > Main Conference: July 20-23, 2005 > Optional Pre-Conference Theatre Ramble: July 19th > > Headquarters Hotel: The Fairmont Kansas City at the Plaza > > > REGISTRATION > > Registration will open soon for the conference, BUT YOU CAN RESERVE YOUR HOTEL ROOM NOW. > > For reservation information, click here: View link The LHAT group rate is available through June 24th. > > > 2005 CONFERENCE BROCHURE > > LHAT members will automatically receive by mail the 2005 conference registration brochure AS SOON as it is available. If you are not an active member or are not sure you are on the LHAT mailing list and would like to receive a brochure, please email us at with your contact information. > > All the details we currently have available about the conference are on our website now: http://www.lhat.org/conference_theatre.asp > > There you will find details about the conference schedule, special and optional events, educational workshops, theatre tours, accommodations, Kansas City and registration fees. > > > WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO ATTEND? > > We all share a common appreciation for the cultural and architectural heritage that historic theatres represent in our communities. We share the goals of carefully restoring, refitting and effectively operating our theatres. However, our industry is comprised of a diverse group of individuals and organizations that have differing needs at various stages of project maturity. > > Recognizing these realities, our Annual Conference is designed to address those disparate interests. Whether you are: > > – Starting to mobilize a community around a visionary dream > – Just beginning to select an architect, mount a funding campaign, or launch the construction phase > – In the early years of operating, programming and marketing a historic theatre > – Or, a veteran who has been at it for years > > your focus is on sustaining the viability of a historic theatre and on future-driven imperatives. At the LHAT 2005 Conference, there will be invaluable resources and professional development opportunities for everyone! > > Join hundreds of your colleagues from across North America in Kansas City this July. Reconnect with your peers. Enrich your own professional capacity through our respective successes, challenges and fresh ideas. We can all return home with a renewed spirit in the noble cause that each us strives to uphold every day of the year. > > > For questions, further information or if you are unable to access the above links, please contact the LHAT office at or call toll-free (877) 627-0833. > > > > > For more Information call 410-659-9533”

RE the Jersey… To quote Siskel and Roeper..“the balcony is now closed”.The volunteers working at the Jersey are going to rehab the balcony soon- if it now. Just to give you an idea of what that will entail will be to renovate hundreds of seats. They will be removed and years of grime, chewing gom, soda (and other )spills will have to be cleaned among other things.This is a major renovation task that undoubtely will have to be done at the Kings.Ain`t gonna happen overnight! Be prepared.

When is Markowitz going to hold that press conference again? I know it’s on the June 1, but I don’t know the time.

Bruce 1;
I can meet with you sometime the week of June 6. We would have to make it in the afternoon because my mother is coming with me, and she would like to visit Greenwood Cemetery for Father’s Day.