Hi, Guys ! This is the real Frankie speaking ! One of my goals is to get to the Ridgewood, even though I live in what we used to call South Brooklyn. Would love to see the Rodgewood. I’ve never been. I don’t blame you all for over-reacting to Warren. Well-informed as he is, and wonderful as his pictures are, he is King Misogynist !!! I’ve castigated him about it before, but he keeps on tickin' ! Glad you all agree with me. he needs to be buried alive in cement under the Loew’s Kings !!! Comforting thought: there’s only ONE of him ! He’s the greatest living argument against cloning ! Anyway, boys, I went to a local movie on Saturday afternoon, and not only was it a full house, —– but nobody talked ! Will report back when I check out the Ridgewood. Have gun, kids —– and don’t let The Warren bite !!!
Thanks for those photos, Ken. I have been curious about this place recently. I live just over on the other side of Prospect Park West. Sad to learn it’s being sold. Would have loved to get a look inside. Imagine if some crazy rich movie nut bought it & reopened it ? “The NEW New Venus” ?
My sisters, my niece and I have been vacationing here for about 10 years. The Opera House is indeed stunning. We saw a marvelous ballet company there. There is now a new movieplex to replace the old one across the street on Kennedy which had deteriorated, and is now a church. The plex is great, but the Opera House is magic from another era.
I’m out here, fellas, reading all your great updates on my neighborhood. You guys are TERRIFIC ! If ya wanna cry, check out the apartment tower that’s going up right behind the site of the 16th Street Theater below Fifth Avenue. At least someone’s LIVING INSIDE the old Globe on 15th above Fifth !!!
You guys are GREAT ! You finally found the Minerva ! This is fascinating ! I live on 22nd Street, but used to live on Seventh between 20th & 21st. If it closed in ‘40, I never saw it open, as I was born in '43. Everytime I pass by I look at it and, seeing how the neighborhood has become so hot recently, I think: imagine how well a cozy little neighborhood theater would do now !
I lived in the neighborhood from ‘68 to '76, when all those movie theaters were open. I took my 2 kid sisters to see “Airport” at the Kenmore in '70. Heart-breaking to see all the violence & destruction. Last thing I saw there was Lily in “Incredible Shrinking Woman.”
Finally ! I KNEW this theater existed ! I had its address in a Brooklyn newspaper clipping from the ‘80s. I live in that neighborhood and pass that superette all the time. Now if someone could confirm the Minerva on Seventh & 14th in The Slope ! The building is still there as a new apartment complex with a dumb top floor added, and the entrance on 14th.
Yes, RobertR, isn’t it a wonderful dream ? I just wonder if people in Bensonhurst would support it. I know I’d come there from South Brooklyn all the time. I spoke to Marty Markowitz at the Prospect Park concert last night, and he claims to have a kind of combo public/private plan for the Loew’s Kings during his last 3 years. Better than nothing, but it would take a real miracle to pull THAT off ! Meanwhile, we have the Loew’s Jersey City to look forward to in the fall !
All the Koreans taking over 18th Avenue might scare away any possible “developers-theater lovers”. But if stars like Debbie Reynolds can play the Bronx and Rita Moreno & Mitzi Gaynor can play Brooklyn College and The Redgraves & Cate Blanchett can play BAM, maybe the Walker is ripe for renaissance !
Brooklyn Jim: That theater was the Loew’s Kameo, and it still exists as a church. I used to teach 4th grade at St. Gregory’s School on New York Avenue & St. John’s Place from ‘68 to '74. Would love to see the inside of the Kameo, as I still live in “South Brooklyn”.
They don’t seem to be thinking in terms of classic films, but in February I went with a friend to see a full stage production of “Mame”, and not only was it excellent, but to actually see a musical in a classic old theater on Staten Island was a heady experience ! The friend I went with played “Mame” herself in Bay Ridge last month. That’s about as close as we get in Brooklyn to such an experience ! No more subway circuit; no more Loew’s Kings ! I had to traipse up to the Bronx to see Debbie Reynolds
yesterday ! PS – Still the complete entertainer !
Why can no one learn the proper use of the apostrophe ? IT DRIVES ME N-U-T-S-S-S !!!
Correct: “Adam’s Rib”. Wrong: “Secret’s and
Lie’s.” I’m surprised Warren didn’t harrumph about this one !!!
I too am a great fan of this theater, and have joyfully attended several times. However, the print of “The Grapes of Wrath” was atrocious (although they did say they can’t be guaranteed good prints), they played the reels of “The Whole Town’s Talking” out of order, and had to stop to fix it, but the print of “Liberty Valance” was sparkling. Yes, I agree they should show some of the neglected oldies, especially Paramount, UA, and Columbia films that you hardly ever see anymore, assuming they’re available. Since Marty Markowitz will probably continue to just stuff his fat, self-aggrandizing ass at street festivals, leaving the Loew’s Kings to wither and die, I’ll continue to trek over here from Brooklyn.
Hey, Robert R: I know this is 2 years after your comment, but I couldn’t resist ! If that double bill of Gypsy and Music Man was in 1967, I took my 2 kid sisters to see it at the RKO Prospect in Park Slope (now a supermarket – sob !) when I was on leave from the Army.
Film Forum needs to show some of the Paramount, Columbia, and United Artists product that TMC never seems to show. I think we’d all pay money for goodies not on TV or video. Too much repeating, TMC !!! And how about Dottie Lamour for star-of-the-month ??? Any Dottie fans out there ???
My Brooklyn will never make a comeback again, now that they are constructing apartment skyscrapers on residential side streets in the South Slope. My block has an 8 story phallic symbol which will forever block out the sun from my front door. The site of the former 16th Street Theater below 5th Avenue has one now that went up FAST. Brooklyn is now Manhattan. At one time there were at least 6 movie theaters within walking distance of my home. Now there’s ONE. On a recent Monday night I went there to see “Akeela and the Bee” in the largest division at the Pavilion —– I was the ONLY ONE THERE ! The movie was wonderful, but —– maybe it’s not just the developers.
That’s right, saps ! I saw “Romeo & Juliet” at the Astor and “Mame” at the Rialto. Hey, savage ! How come Warren didn’t destroy you for misspelling “definitely” ? Consider yourself lucky !
Hi, Guys ! This is the real Frankie speaking ! One of my goals is to get to the Ridgewood, even though I live in what we used to call South Brooklyn. Would love to see the Rodgewood. I’ve never been. I don’t blame you all for over-reacting to Warren. Well-informed as he is, and wonderful as his pictures are, he is King Misogynist !!! I’ve castigated him about it before, but he keeps on tickin' ! Glad you all agree with me. he needs to be buried alive in cement under the Loew’s Kings !!! Comforting thought: there’s only ONE of him ! He’s the greatest living argument against cloning ! Anyway, boys, I went to a local movie on Saturday afternoon, and not only was it a full house, —– but nobody talked ! Will report back when I check out the Ridgewood. Have gun, kids —– and don’t let The Warren bite !!!
Thanks for those photos, Ken. I have been curious about this place recently. I live just over on the other side of Prospect Park West. Sad to learn it’s being sold. Would have loved to get a look inside. Imagine if some crazy rich movie nut bought it & reopened it ? “The NEW New Venus” ?
My sisters, my niece and I have been vacationing here for about 10 years. The Opera House is indeed stunning. We saw a marvelous ballet company there. There is now a new movieplex to replace the old one across the street on Kennedy which had deteriorated, and is now a church. The plex is great, but the Opera House is magic from another era.
I’m out here, fellas, reading all your great updates on my neighborhood. You guys are TERRIFIC ! If ya wanna cry, check out the apartment tower that’s going up right behind the site of the 16th Street Theater below Fifth Avenue. At least someone’s LIVING INSIDE the old Globe on 15th above Fifth !!!
You guys are GREAT ! You finally found the Minerva ! This is fascinating ! I live on 22nd Street, but used to live on Seventh between 20th & 21st. If it closed in ‘40, I never saw it open, as I was born in '43. Everytime I pass by I look at it and, seeing how the neighborhood has become so hot recently, I think: imagine how well a cozy little neighborhood theater would do now !
I lived in the neighborhood from ‘68 to '76, when all those movie theaters were open. I took my 2 kid sisters to see “Airport” at the Kenmore in '70. Heart-breaking to see all the violence & destruction. Last thing I saw there was Lily in “Incredible Shrinking Woman.”
Finally ! I KNEW this theater existed ! I had its address in a Brooklyn newspaper clipping from the ‘80s. I live in that neighborhood and pass that superette all the time. Now if someone could confirm the Minerva on Seventh & 14th in The Slope ! The building is still there as a new apartment complex with a dumb top floor added, and the entrance on 14th.
Warren gives good photo —– but MY GOD, he is picayune !!!
Yes, RobertR, isn’t it a wonderful dream ? I just wonder if people in Bensonhurst would support it. I know I’d come there from South Brooklyn all the time. I spoke to Marty Markowitz at the Prospect Park concert last night, and he claims to have a kind of combo public/private plan for the Loew’s Kings during his last 3 years. Better than nothing, but it would take a real miracle to pull THAT off ! Meanwhile, we have the Loew’s Jersey City to look forward to in the fall !
All the Koreans taking over 18th Avenue might scare away any possible “developers-theater lovers”. But if stars like Debbie Reynolds can play the Bronx and Rita Moreno & Mitzi Gaynor can play Brooklyn College and The Redgraves & Cate Blanchett can play BAM, maybe the Walker is ripe for renaissance !
The last movie to play here was “A Pyromaniac’s Love Story.” A long way from “Moonstruck”, which I saw there one cold winter’s night !
My friend & I saw the worst movie I ever saw at this theater. I gave him back his $7.00 ! “Everybody Wins” starring Debra Winger.
Brooklyn Jim: That theater was the Loew’s Kameo, and it still exists as a church. I used to teach 4th grade at St. Gregory’s School on New York Avenue & St. John’s Place from ‘68 to '74. Would love to see the inside of the Kameo, as I still live in “South Brooklyn”.
There was a Chinese theater called the Rosemary right near the Manhattan Bridge, I believe.
“Queen Of Outer Space” ? Ah, yes ! Zsa-Zsa uttered one of the screen’s great lines:
“I HATE dot kveen !!!”
I remember this place well. I worked nearby and saw “Cuckoo’s Nest” and “Chorus Line” there.
They don’t seem to be thinking in terms of classic films, but in February I went with a friend to see a full stage production of “Mame”, and not only was it excellent, but to actually see a musical in a classic old theater on Staten Island was a heady experience ! The friend I went with played “Mame” herself in Bay Ridge last month. That’s about as close as we get in Brooklyn to such an experience ! No more subway circuit; no more Loew’s Kings ! I had to traipse up to the Bronx to see Debbie Reynolds
yesterday ! PS – Still the complete entertainer !
I remember there was a big line to see a revival of “Fantasia” sometime in the 60’s or 70’s.
Why can no one learn the proper use of the apostrophe ? IT DRIVES ME N-U-T-S-S-S !!!
Correct: “Adam’s Rib”. Wrong: “Secret’s and
Lie’s.” I’m surprised Warren didn’t harrumph about this one !!!
I too am a great fan of this theater, and have joyfully attended several times. However, the print of “The Grapes of Wrath” was atrocious (although they did say they can’t be guaranteed good prints), they played the reels of “The Whole Town’s Talking” out of order, and had to stop to fix it, but the print of “Liberty Valance” was sparkling. Yes, I agree they should show some of the neglected oldies, especially Paramount, UA, and Columbia films that you hardly ever see anymore, assuming they’re available. Since Marty Markowitz will probably continue to just stuff his fat, self-aggrandizing ass at street festivals, leaving the Loew’s Kings to wither and die, I’ll continue to trek over here from Brooklyn.
Hey, Robert R: I know this is 2 years after your comment, but I couldn’t resist ! If that double bill of Gypsy and Music Man was in 1967, I took my 2 kid sisters to see it at the RKO Prospect in Park Slope (now a supermarket – sob !) when I was on leave from the Army.
Film Forum needs to show some of the Paramount, Columbia, and United Artists product that TMC never seems to show. I think we’d all pay money for goodies not on TV or video. Too much repeating, TMC !!! And how about Dottie Lamour for star-of-the-month ??? Any Dottie fans out there ???
My Brooklyn will never make a comeback again, now that they are constructing apartment skyscrapers on residential side streets in the South Slope. My block has an 8 story phallic symbol which will forever block out the sun from my front door. The site of the former 16th Street Theater below 5th Avenue has one now that went up FAST. Brooklyn is now Manhattan. At one time there were at least 6 movie theaters within walking distance of my home. Now there’s ONE. On a recent Monday night I went there to see “Akeela and the Bee” in the largest division at the Pavilion —– I was the ONLY ONE THERE ! The movie was wonderful, but —– maybe it’s not just the developers.
That’s right, saps ! I saw “Romeo & Juliet” at the Astor and “Mame” at the Rialto. Hey, savage ! How come Warren didn’t destroy you for misspelling “definitely” ? Consider yourself lucky !
In ‘73 or '74 I took my Father’s girlfriend Rita here to see Lucy in “Mame.” I liked it !