At one time the Mount Bethel Church took over the theater and the rest of the building. It now appears to be closed and there is some scaffolding where the entrance was.
Theatre suffered an estimated $50,000 in damages from the ravages of the severe storm Tuesday, September 25th. They hope to be open by the weekend none-the-less.
Well, maybe this will finally put the space to use. As I mentioned earlier the property cannot be used as a theater anymore because of some changes to the zoning laws involving a loading dock.
Shall we also discuss Cineplex Odeon and their inability to run theaters and stay out of bankruptcy or the deplorable conditions of UA theaters or Clearview?
Prudential published a guide for all its theaters (as did Century) which was mailed to your home or available at the theater so there was no need to check the listings in Newsday. Also, since Prudential was generally single feature, evening starting times were 7 and 9. Matinees were at 2 on Saturdays and Sundays. Out east, during the summer, they also had matinees on rainy days.
Passed by a little while ago. Nothing seems to have changed. Figured out how they plan on going from 5 to 8 screens, assuming they ever get the 5 from the existing 3. They plan on taking over the building next door which houses the liquor store. When you look at the artists conception of the new South Bay you can see that. Incidentally there is also no new information on the Facebook page.
The theater opened in 1932. Among the features were the large projection booth, fireproof construction (the roof was processed steel), wall coverings designed to aid acoustics and a marquee.
AMinton – if you have the image in your picture or download files, just go to the top of this page and click on photos. When you are there click add photo, and do it.
The photo is quite a few years old. The owners illegally added three screens to the venue (interestingly they were lawyers). They were then forced back to the original 7. I got the figure of 9 from a current advertisement appearing in the newspaper. Have no idea when the new two were added.
Island Cinemas is back to 9 screens (hopefully legal this time). They also now serve lunch and dinner from noon to 10 PM each day via the newly opened Castaway Cafe. Very upscale sounding operation in a questionable area.
This is now a Showcase Cinema offering recliners and reserved seating.
It appears as though the renovation work has been stopped for some time. The scaffolding is in place and the facade is boarded over.
At one time the Mount Bethel Church took over the theater and the rest of the building. It now appears to be closed and there is some scaffolding where the entrance was.
The Charter school has closed and the building is now for sale.
They’ve stripped the exterior from the marquee and there are building materials on the roof but no other signs of activity since I passed in August.
The building now houses a martial arts institute called Dynamics. I wonder if any of the original decor of the theater is now visible. Have to check.
Theatre suffered an estimated $50,000 in damages from the ravages of the severe storm Tuesday, September 25th. They hope to be open by the weekend none-the-less.
Well, maybe this will finally put the space to use. As I mentioned earlier the property cannot be used as a theater anymore because of some changes to the zoning laws involving a loading dock.
Shall we also discuss Cineplex Odeon and their inability to run theaters and stay out of bankruptcy or the deplorable conditions of UA theaters or Clearview?
Uploaded a photo of Main Street from the 1960s with the marquee of the Riverhead appearing on the right.
They should have left the exterior the way it was in 1954 before they whitewashed the building and “modernized” the marquee. See photo section.
markp I grew up in Bellerose. The projectionist there was a real showman. Made for a great experience. Some details on the Bellerose site.
Prudential published a guide for all its theaters (as did Century) which was mailed to your home or available at the theater so there was no need to check the listings in Newsday. Also, since Prudential was generally single feature, evening starting times were 7 and 9. Matinees were at 2 on Saturdays and Sundays. Out east, during the summer, they also had matinees on rainy days.
Passed by a little while ago. Nothing seems to have changed. Figured out how they plan on going from 5 to 8 screens, assuming they ever get the 5 from the existing 3. They plan on taking over the building next door which houses the liquor store. When you look at the artists conception of the new South Bay you can see that. Incidentally there is also no new information on the Facebook page.
What happened to the plan to raise the theater one story to provide retail space? They keep booking shows there.
That water pipe issue is taking too long to resolve.
Any work being done is on the inside. Seem to be more dumpsters.
Uploaded an early, colorized, street shot.
Uploaded a better image of the theater.
The theater opened in 1932. Among the features were the large projection booth, fireproof construction (the roof was processed steel), wall coverings designed to aid acoustics and a marquee.
AMinton – if you have the image in your picture or download files, just go to the top of this page and click on photos. When you are there click add photo, and do it.
Interior and exterior shots appear in current Turner Classic Movie promotions.
The photo is quite a few years old. The owners illegally added three screens to the venue (interestingly they were lawyers). They were then forced back to the original 7. I got the figure of 9 from a current advertisement appearing in the newspaper. Have no idea when the new two were added.
Island Cinemas is back to 9 screens (hopefully legal this time). They also now serve lunch and dinner from noon to 10 PM each day via the newly opened Castaway Cafe. Very upscale sounding operation in a questionable area.
fred1, I went by the original release for the cost. The original opening date was deferred more than 6 months. May have been cost overruns.