I’m sure many folks might consider these beyond salvation at this point, but I’d add the RKO Keith’s Flushing and the Loew’s Kings to this list. Perhaps the Kings is at least a more likely candidate for resurrection since the idea seems to have the support of the Borough President. The Keith’s, on the other hand, seems to be an eyesore that the local politicians just want to go away.
This week’s edition of the free Long Island Press newspaper features a reproduction of an original poster heralding the opening of this All-Weather theatre on the front page. The main feature is about lost LI landmarks such as the Drive-In, Nunley’s Amusement Park and the Commack Arena.
The image may be seen here – at least until the next edition of the Press comes out and the website updated. I’ll try to scan an image of the cover into my photobucket album over the weekend and post it here for posterity.
Hey Woody. I was in the same boat with you. I’m still not a fan of ABBA – you’d never find them in my CD collection or on my iPod – but I had a great time after having been dragged to this show as well! Great series of photographs you’ve been sharing around CT lately. Thanks!
Just for kicks (and to pick up on discussions in other pages on CT), those 1960’s prices would translate as follows in 2006 dollars:
Matinees would be $9 & $10
Eves would be $14.70 & $18.70
Kids would be $6 at all times
Interesting to how that stacks up to today’s prices – although, we are talking about a hard ticket at a large deluxe suburban theatre. Has a seating capacity ever been noted on this page for any of the Syosset’s configurations? The data up top is blank on that score.
The release of BR has been slowly expanding to other cities, due to the popularity of its initial runs in LA and NY (both of which have been extended and expanded to other screens). I’m not sure where its posted, ceasar, but you may be able to check the WB site to see if any engagements are planned near your neck of the woods.
Nope. I live in Lynbrook. But up until May of this year (and when that Squire photo was taken) I lived in Bayside, Queens. I’ve definitely logged some miles driving around the area to get photos of certain cinemas – as you can see from my photobucket album!
Justin… I know its a hike for you, but if you ever needed a reason to come into NYC, checking out the DLP presentation of “Blade Runner: The Final Cut” at the Ziegfeld was surely a great one! Unfortunately, as of this week, the midnight showings at the Zieg have run their course and the movie is only playing at Landmark’s Sunshine Cinemas and the AMC Empire 25.
As for the general topic being discussed here… I, too, find myself going less and less often to the movies – and pretty much for many of the same reasons as have been recounted above. Having said that, I still maintain that there is no better way to enjoy a movie than at a theatre, in the company of other cinema enthusiasts. As comfy as my den is and as crisp an audio/visual experience as my 60" HDTV and surround sound system affords me, I’d still choose the cinema experience as a preferrable ideal. Unfortunately, a lot of things get in the way of an enjoyable movie-going experience these days, but it is possible to avoid many of those pitfalls – at least here in NY.
Aside from the many discounts that are available for those willing to hunt them down, there are alternatives to the local multiplex – where it seems that the collective experience is often about anything BUT the movie playing on screen. There are many theatres out there in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Nassau (and probably other areas nearby) where you’ll find the patrons respectful, courteous and enthusiastic about watching the movie and not networking with friends (either in person or via cell phone texting) or making the auditorium an extension of their family room.
There’s nothing we can do to avoid those annoying commercials and canned pre-show video presentations, but who even pays attention to those anymore? That’s where you can enjoy some pre-show conversation with your better half or friends – and at the Ziegfeld, they tend to play those at a very hushed volume so that they don’t intrude upon pre-show chatter. As for the trailers – I love them and always have. Overpriced concessions? Sure… so, I keep it minimal by getting a combo popcorn and large soda to share while sneaking in my own bag of M&M’s from the store! Who says you need a full hot dog or pizza meal in a movie theatre?
I hope that the day never comes when I decide to pack it in and give up the movie-going experience alltogether.
Oh, and there are some Broadway shows still running despite the strike. It seems that the theatres housing “Xanadu,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Mary Poppins” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” are operating under a separate contract with Local 1 than the affected theatres. Additionally, all of the non-profit Roundabout Theatre productions are still going on.
Interesting how that corresponds to the $25 reserved-seat admission for the so-called “roadshow” engagement of “Dreamgirls” this past Christmas. I wonder if the distributors and exhibitors for that engagement used that inflation calcuator to arrive at their price?
How do 1955 general admission prices compare with today’s? What was a typical NYC general admission price in ‘55… 90 cents? That would translate to $6.52 – so in that respect today’s GA tickets are way more expensive in terms of inflationary dollars. Anyone have an accurate GA figure for NYC in 1955?
Thank Bob. For those interested, here’s a link to the article referred to above. The excellent peice includes several photos – including one looking out over the stage and into the auditorium from that rear-screen projection booth that was discussed above and that has since been removed.
Hey guys… How about a news item to give the rest of us details as to how the meet-up in LA went last week? I’m sure many CT members would love to know the turn out and what sort of discussions took place and any other details or even photos (if anyone had their camera with them).
I think the introductory remarks are referring (erroneously) to the Guild Theatre being located on the southern perimeter of the Radio City Music Hall building. While the Guild is on the southern perimeter of the block on which RCMH is situated, the building itself – although attached to RCMH – is a separate building, erected at a later date.
As for Sixth Avenue… I would agree that the Avenue of the Americas tag never really stuck with most New Yorkers – just as most folks don’t refer to Seventh Avenue as “Fashion Avenue.” However, I’ve seen a number of advertisements and TV commercials that refer to business addresses on Avenue of the Americas. I’d also agree that insofar as NYC is concerned, the words “east” and “west” should correspond with directional movement along the cross streets on the City’s grids, just as “north” and “south” should apply along the borough’s avenues – with all due respect to actual lines of longitude and lattitude! I believe Broadway is the only thoroughfare in Manhattan that actually runs more or less due north and south for any great stretch, though I’m sure other streets in Greenwich Village and lower Manhattan have similar, if shorter, runs.
Longislandmovies… are we really in a top 10 trend these last two years in terms of attendance? Or is it in terms of box office dollars? It is my understanding that in 1946, weekly movie attendance in this country peaked at about 90 million patrons! To your point, the industry is still raking it in, but I think its in terms of revenue as opposed to seats being filled. In the final analysis, I suppose, the revenue is the bottom line. But I’d love to see inflation-adjusted comparisons of the revenues in those peak attendance years of the 1940’s to revenues in the last couple of years.
Wow… Look at that roof damage! The inside must in a complete shambles! The motif of the tower above the corner entrance appears nearly identical to that of Lamb’s Loew’s 175th Street Theatre, albeit on a somewhat smaller scale.
Bravo, Ken. Your itinerary for the 2007 CTA(UK) tour of NY theatres seems to have been impeccably organized and has yielded some spectacular photographic results. Good show!
I’d love to know what the strategy at WB was, going in to this release. Was this sort of roll out planned all along with prints struck for those markets where DLP bookings were not feasible? Or was the expansion and striking of prints (if that is indeed the case) a response to the success of the limited initial NY and LA engagements? The DVD will be out in a little over a month – I can’t imagine WB could have ever expected this release to be as popular or as expansive as it has turned out. I also wonder what hope this holds for similar re-releases in the future. Of course, with this being a new version “final cut” of a venerated cult-classic, the model may be somewhat unique.
It’ll be interesting to see how those engagements go around the country. Thanks, DavidMorgan. I presume they’re all DLP – I doubt any prints are being struck.
I’ve been working down the road from this multiplex for the past couple of weeks. While these sorts of megaplex cinemas are not my cup of tea when it comes to theatre aesthetics, this sprawling building is rather impressive when lit at night. I think that’s mostly due to the look of the center lobby glass atrium that faces the intersection of Rt. 110 and Conklin Avenue. How big are the theaters themselves – looks like the building is large enough to offer some fairly sizeable rooms. I presume the classics are merely DVD’s projected onto the screen rather than actual 35 mm film presentations?
I only wish that theatre chains would at least make an attempt to name their cinemas with a bit more style and originality. The generic “MULTIPLEX CINEMAS” signage on the building speaks to a stunning lack of imagination and promises none of the magic that movies (at their best) have to offer. In any event, this place sure looks more inviting (as far as cineplexes go) than the shabby looking UA Multiplex down the road.
It certainly appears that way from the images you captured and shared with us, Ken. I imagine that annexing the building on Livingston (behind the stagehouse) greatly added to the circulation spaces. Or, am I mistaken and was that building always a part of the Metropolitan’s footprint?
The former Globe Theatre is now a VIM footwear store. At least the entrance foyer and former lobby space. It is located right across the street from the new parking garage adjacent to the new Prudential Center.
With Prudential Center having just opened just a few blocks away, I’d wager that much of the real estate in the area will be ripe for redevelopment in the coming few years. This would probably be a good time for shutter bugs to get themselves to downtown Newark and document what remains along the Broad Street corridor before it is all re-zoned and re-built beyond recognition.
Thanks, Ken. Interesting about the various colored lighting circuits behind the decorative side wall & ceiling panels in the auditorium to change atmosphere. I wonder if we’ll ever see those restored in our lifetime!
Gorgeous shots, Ken. Many thanks. I take it that the color scheme is entirely new… wasn’t the original comprised of much darker hues? I was at the theatre a few weeks back, but didn’t have time to get inside. I took a few exterior shots, but nothing I thought worth posting. Both of the theatre’s original street facades (Fulton St and Smith St) have been completely replaced and a new entrance added through an adjacent office building on Livingston Street behind the stage housing.
The auditorium side wall on Gallatin Place has been shorn of its upper exterior fire escape – the outline of which can still be seen in this image. Given the size of the balcony, I’m surprised the small staircase that remains is sufficient means for emergency egress. I presume there are other new fire exits within the complex?
I’m sure many folks might consider these beyond salvation at this point, but I’d add the RKO Keith’s Flushing and the Loew’s Kings to this list. Perhaps the Kings is at least a more likely candidate for resurrection since the idea seems to have the support of the Borough President. The Keith’s, on the other hand, seems to be an eyesore that the local politicians just want to go away.
This week’s edition of the free Long Island Press newspaper features a reproduction of an original poster heralding the opening of this All-Weather theatre on the front page. The main feature is about lost LI landmarks such as the Drive-In, Nunley’s Amusement Park and the Commack Arena.
The image may be seen here – at least until the next edition of the Press comes out and the website updated. I’ll try to scan an image of the cover into my photobucket album over the weekend and post it here for posterity.
Hey Woody. I was in the same boat with you. I’m still not a fan of ABBA – you’d never find them in my CD collection or on my iPod – but I had a great time after having been dragged to this show as well! Great series of photographs you’ve been sharing around CT lately. Thanks!
Just for kicks (and to pick up on discussions in other pages on CT), those 1960’s prices would translate as follows in 2006 dollars:
Interesting to how that stacks up to today’s prices – although, we are talking about a hard ticket at a large deluxe suburban theatre. Has a seating capacity ever been noted on this page for any of the Syosset’s configurations? The data up top is blank on that score.
The dollar conversion is as per this website’s calculator.
The release of BR has been slowly expanding to other cities, due to the popularity of its initial runs in LA and NY (both of which have been extended and expanded to other screens). I’m not sure where its posted, ceasar, but you may be able to check the WB site to see if any engagements are planned near your neck of the woods.
Nope. I live in Lynbrook. But up until May of this year (and when that Squire photo was taken) I lived in Bayside, Queens. I’ve definitely logged some miles driving around the area to get photos of certain cinemas – as you can see from my photobucket album!
Justin… I know its a hike for you, but if you ever needed a reason to come into NYC, checking out the DLP presentation of “Blade Runner: The Final Cut” at the Ziegfeld was surely a great one! Unfortunately, as of this week, the midnight showings at the Zieg have run their course and the movie is only playing at Landmark’s Sunshine Cinemas and the AMC Empire 25.
As for the general topic being discussed here… I, too, find myself going less and less often to the movies – and pretty much for many of the same reasons as have been recounted above. Having said that, I still maintain that there is no better way to enjoy a movie than at a theatre, in the company of other cinema enthusiasts. As comfy as my den is and as crisp an audio/visual experience as my 60" HDTV and surround sound system affords me, I’d still choose the cinema experience as a preferrable ideal. Unfortunately, a lot of things get in the way of an enjoyable movie-going experience these days, but it is possible to avoid many of those pitfalls – at least here in NY.
Aside from the many discounts that are available for those willing to hunt them down, there are alternatives to the local multiplex – where it seems that the collective experience is often about anything BUT the movie playing on screen. There are many theatres out there in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Nassau (and probably other areas nearby) where you’ll find the patrons respectful, courteous and enthusiastic about watching the movie and not networking with friends (either in person or via cell phone texting) or making the auditorium an extension of their family room.
There’s nothing we can do to avoid those annoying commercials and canned pre-show video presentations, but who even pays attention to those anymore? That’s where you can enjoy some pre-show conversation with your better half or friends – and at the Ziegfeld, they tend to play those at a very hushed volume so that they don’t intrude upon pre-show chatter. As for the trailers – I love them and always have. Overpriced concessions? Sure… so, I keep it minimal by getting a combo popcorn and large soda to share while sneaking in my own bag of M&M’s from the store! Who says you need a full hot dog or pizza meal in a movie theatre?
I hope that the day never comes when I decide to pack it in and give up the movie-going experience alltogether.
Oh, and there are some Broadway shows still running despite the strike. It seems that the theatres housing “Xanadu,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Mary Poppins” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” are operating under a separate contract with Local 1 than the affected theatres. Additionally, all of the non-profit Roundabout Theatre productions are still going on.
Interesting how that corresponds to the $25 reserved-seat admission for the so-called “roadshow” engagement of “Dreamgirls” this past Christmas. I wonder if the distributors and exhibitors for that engagement used that inflation calcuator to arrive at their price?
How do 1955 general admission prices compare with today’s? What was a typical NYC general admission price in ‘55… 90 cents? That would translate to $6.52 – so in that respect today’s GA tickets are way more expensive in terms of inflationary dollars. Anyone have an accurate GA figure for NYC in 1955?
Forgive my typo… i before e in piece!
Thank Bob. For those interested, here’s a link to the article referred to above. The excellent peice includes several photos – including one looking out over the stage and into the auditorium from that rear-screen projection booth that was discussed above and that has since been removed.
Hey guys… How about a news item to give the rest of us details as to how the meet-up in LA went last week? I’m sure many CT members would love to know the turn out and what sort of discussions took place and any other details or even photos (if anyone had their camera with them).
Thanks, Joe. By the way, you rabble still have to pay for access to NYT articles published prior to 1981.
I think the introductory remarks are referring (erroneously) to the Guild Theatre being located on the southern perimeter of the Radio City Music Hall building. While the Guild is on the southern perimeter of the block on which RCMH is situated, the building itself – although attached to RCMH – is a separate building, erected at a later date.
As for Sixth Avenue… I would agree that the Avenue of the Americas tag never really stuck with most New Yorkers – just as most folks don’t refer to Seventh Avenue as “Fashion Avenue.” However, I’ve seen a number of advertisements and TV commercials that refer to business addresses on Avenue of the Americas. I’d also agree that insofar as NYC is concerned, the words “east” and “west” should correspond with directional movement along the cross streets on the City’s grids, just as “north” and “south” should apply along the borough’s avenues – with all due respect to actual lines of longitude and lattitude! I believe Broadway is the only thoroughfare in Manhattan that actually runs more or less due north and south for any great stretch, though I’m sure other streets in Greenwich Village and lower Manhattan have similar, if shorter, runs.
Longislandmovies… are we really in a top 10 trend these last two years in terms of attendance? Or is it in terms of box office dollars? It is my understanding that in 1946, weekly movie attendance in this country peaked at about 90 million patrons! To your point, the industry is still raking it in, but I think its in terms of revenue as opposed to seats being filled. In the final analysis, I suppose, the revenue is the bottom line. But I’d love to see inflation-adjusted comparisons of the revenues in those peak attendance years of the 1940’s to revenues in the last couple of years.
Wow… Look at that roof damage! The inside must in a complete shambles! The motif of the tower above the corner entrance appears nearly identical to that of Lamb’s Loew’s 175th Street Theatre, albeit on a somewhat smaller scale.
Bravo, Ken. Your itinerary for the 2007 CTA(UK) tour of NY theatres seems to have been impeccably organized and has yielded some spectacular photographic results. Good show!
I’d love to know what the strategy at WB was, going in to this release. Was this sort of roll out planned all along with prints struck for those markets where DLP bookings were not feasible? Or was the expansion and striking of prints (if that is indeed the case) a response to the success of the limited initial NY and LA engagements? The DVD will be out in a little over a month – I can’t imagine WB could have ever expected this release to be as popular or as expansive as it has turned out. I also wonder what hope this holds for similar re-releases in the future. Of course, with this being a new version “final cut” of a venerated cult-classic, the model may be somewhat unique.
It’ll be interesting to see how those engagements go around the country. Thanks, DavidMorgan. I presume they’re all DLP – I doubt any prints are being struck.
I’ve been working down the road from this multiplex for the past couple of weeks. While these sorts of megaplex cinemas are not my cup of tea when it comes to theatre aesthetics, this sprawling building is rather impressive when lit at night. I think that’s mostly due to the look of the center lobby glass atrium that faces the intersection of Rt. 110 and Conklin Avenue. How big are the theaters themselves – looks like the building is large enough to offer some fairly sizeable rooms. I presume the classics are merely DVD’s projected onto the screen rather than actual 35 mm film presentations?
I only wish that theatre chains would at least make an attempt to name their cinemas with a bit more style and originality. The generic “MULTIPLEX CINEMAS” signage on the building speaks to a stunning lack of imagination and promises none of the magic that movies (at their best) have to offer. In any event, this place sure looks more inviting (as far as cineplexes go) than the shabby looking UA Multiplex down the road.
It certainly appears that way from the images you captured and shared with us, Ken. I imagine that annexing the building on Livingston (behind the stagehouse) greatly added to the circulation spaces. Or, am I mistaken and was that building always a part of the Metropolitan’s footprint?
The former Globe Theatre is now a VIM footwear store. At least the entrance foyer and former lobby space. It is located right across the street from the new parking garage adjacent to the new Prudential Center.
With Prudential Center having just opened just a few blocks away, I’d wager that much of the real estate in the area will be ripe for redevelopment in the coming few years. This would probably be a good time for shutter bugs to get themselves to downtown Newark and document what remains along the Broad Street corridor before it is all re-zoned and re-built beyond recognition.
Thanks, Ken. Interesting about the various colored lighting circuits behind the decorative side wall & ceiling panels in the auditorium to change atmosphere. I wonder if we’ll ever see those restored in our lifetime!
Gorgeous shots, Ken. Many thanks. I take it that the color scheme is entirely new… wasn’t the original comprised of much darker hues? I was at the theatre a few weeks back, but didn’t have time to get inside. I took a few exterior shots, but nothing I thought worth posting. Both of the theatre’s original street facades (Fulton St and Smith St) have been completely replaced and a new entrance added through an adjacent office building on Livingston Street behind the stage housing.
The auditorium side wall on Gallatin Place has been shorn of its upper exterior fire escape – the outline of which can still be seen in this image. Given the size of the balcony, I’m surprised the small staircase that remains is sufficient means for emergency egress. I presume there are other new fire exits within the complex?
I was thinking the same thing, McGinty. And Jeffrey1955, you missed your calling – or, are you a comedy writer? As usual, thanks for the laugh!