RKO Keith's Theatre
135-35 Northern Boulevard,
Flushing,
NY
11354
135-35 Northern Boulevard,
Flushing,
NY
11354
51 people
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Showing 101 - 125 of 1,324 comments
Neither link works.
I found these two photos of the RKO foyer and lobby online, they seem to be from slightly different angles than others I’ve seen. Part of the sky dome above the foyer appears to have collapsed:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/RKOgrandFoyer2014_zpsijl4oh4f.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b254/davebazooka/RKOticketlobby_zpsp5dyjowo.jpg
Sad my first movie in there was James Bond for your eyes only roger Moore. N be for it closed goast busters
Uploaded day and nighttime photos of the period when a triplex. Didn’t realize the boxy marquee was over the shell of the original humpback/turtle.
Good lord I can’t believe I have not visited this site in over three years. Glad to see the comments and debates are still going on, and also glad to see Ed Solero and others still here! I have been exiled to red state hell and it sucks the big watoozi. I am going to check back here more regularly to still get the feeling I am living in my NYC hometown. Dang…I never got into the Keith’s to photograph! My loss.
Thanks Ed Solero. It sounds similar to what Loews did to the Jersey in Jersey City N.J.
Big problem is there is no community push. The thing with Queens, it is the most diversely populated borough with the majority of the people of more recent origin than when the Keith’s was functioning.
The Keith’s was triplexed by dividing the orchestra level in half right down the middle. The balcony was left intact with a false floor added in front of the first row railing to enclose the twinned orchestra level below and a screen hung from the top of the original proscenium. The balcony was definitely the auditorium of choice in those days, as it was massive and still had the majority of the theater’s architectural features and decor left intact.
As for comparing what is happening with theaters in Brooklyn to the fate of the Keith’s… Hasn’t Queens always received short shrift in matters of preservation???
Some places created auditoriums on the stage area or in dressing rooms. Both present here.
With all the damage you see in different photos, Im sorry to say it will just be way too much to restore this place. And a question, how did RKO triple this place? Under the balconies?
Not all the proposed projects make it to completion: the Paramount in Stapleton, Staten Island was killed by bureaucracy; the Times Square on 42nd Street reno also died. I agree that it’s encouraging when you hear about some of these projects but I think the Keith’s is just too far gone with no real push.
It makes me crazy when I see how they’ve restored the Kings in Brooklyn and now they’re going to restore the Brooklyn Paramount as well. Perhaps I should be hopeful that the tide is turning and perhaps there’s a chance for the Keith’s as well, but with the complete lack of neighborhood interest and the fact that it’s QUEENS after all, I’m not going to hold my breath.
Don’t hold your breath Mikey.
I also think you meant petty and not pretty.
Boys, boys, you’re both pretty.
Now why don’t you each take the high road and delete most of your own recent posts.
Thanks in advance!
No problem James D
Nope all my shots were taken on the same day. Now the billboard sized graffiti on the exterior was done by individuals who break in on a regular basis.
That was back when the Board of Estimate could be influenced by the late QBP Donald Manes and before they were disbanded. Now we have the Board of Standard Approval who extended the time for completion of the RKO condo replacement for the third time by an unprecedented 4 years, but that was over 2 years ago and under a different Mayor. So the fourth developer now has 18 months left to show substantial progress, but alas he does not yet have FAA approval. A demolition by neglect complaint for the lobby, foyer and ticket booth was filed with the LPC forcing him to remove the construction offices abandoned by the second developer and repairing the fence but all work is now monitored by the LPC and no building permits exist. It seems the third developer falsified construction claims with the FAA before selling the property to the fourth developer. Now that the gargantuan Flushing Commons project has begun in an already saturated condo market the RKO developer is not only behind schedule and lacking permits but will be late to market. In 28 years a shovel has never hit the ground.
Sarcasm noted . Keep dreaming on about saving the Keith’s. I actually did try and save this and the Triboro as well. Got both to the Board Of Estimate before being done in by a corrupt politician. What can you guys say?
Looks pretty good..Is this a plaster mold? Probably used it in many other places inside the Keith’s I suppose.
Shhhhh! You’re imagining that!
Wait…I think I see something where there is not supposed to be anything
To Robboehm
I never heard the term you are referring to. It means nothing as I still stand by my statements. Years ago, I was NYC Director of the Theater Historical Society . I have been in old theaters from one coast to another and seen them in all states of repair and disrepair so I do know what I am talking about. Simply not knowing what a term means is not the criteria here. It may be to you but not me.
Anyone who believes that it can be rebuilt is playing fast and loose with reality. To believe this theater will ever function again is kidding themselves.
As long as the steel structure is intact it can be rebuilt.
William McQuade does 340 MP mean anything to you?
I have been in many theaters all across the country and take my word for it, the Keith’s is toast.