When this theatre opened, Loews/Sony was overwhelmed by its success. For the first several weeks of operation, staff personnel from Loews' theatres throughout the tri-state area were being utilized to help operate the theatre. Due to the peak-business time of year during which the location opened (Thanksgiving season), many of these ushers, cashiers, and concession attendants were working 30-40 hour weeks at their ‘home’ theatres and an additional 30-40 hours at Lincoln Square (receiving the corresponding overtime pay of course, as well as reimbursement for travel expenses). The company’s internal auditors were even drafted to perform all cash handling tasks (cash pulls, bank deposits, etc.)!
Due in part to this bad experience, Loews created a “Corporate Trainer” program, in which the cream-of-the-crop employees from throughout the circuit were trained to assist with theatre openings. In later years, Corporate Trainer teams of 20 or more people were dispatched throughout the nation (and, in fact, internationally) to take part in theatre openings.
In retrospect, the 33,000 attendance of the Lincoln Square’s opening weekend does not, to my mind, seem quite as overwhelming as it appeared to be at the time. However, in the era of modern multiplexes, it must be noted that Lincoln Square opened in uncharted territory. Manhattan’s more unique multiplexes that have opened since, such as the AMC Empire and the Loews E-Walk, probably owe their existence in large part to Lincoln Square’s success.
The theatre was once operated by Fox Metropolitan Playhouses. It was in operation by by at least 1928. I’ve seen some reports stating that it was a two-story brick structure, some that it was three-stories.
On this date in 1939, about 200 patrons were evacuated for 40 minutes while a fire that started on the roof was extinguished. (Apparently, a lit cigarette had been tossed under a wooden structure which had been built on the roof for open-air performances earlier in that decade.)
Current Department of Finance records, which should be taken with a grain of salt (they can be woefully out-of-date), show that the address' current “occupancy code” is that of a church/synagogue. In support of this designation, other web searches show the address as a Spanish church (Arca De Refugio).
Both address searches and DOB inquiries do show that the property is currently occupied by J&R. The last Public Assembly Permit listed for the location is dated 1944 so, in theory, the theatre was still operating at that point.
The theatre was apparently located in a four-story structure on property owned by the Jay Gould family from 1881-1946. An earlier, five-story structure had, at various times, housed the New York World, Daily News, and New York Times as tenants but was apparently demolished in 1916.
As mentioned in my summary, the theatre was operational no later than 1919 (there was a quickly-extinguished projection booth fire in June of that year). In 1926, Loews acquired a 32-year lease on the facility but, by 1939, the property was leased to Douglas Amusement Corporation (which apparently operated several upper Manhattan and Bronx theatres).
In 1946, the structure was sold by a corporation comprised of Gould’s heirs and was slated for renovations to make it suitable for retail space.
I’ve found some reference to 1950s and 60s operation of a Horn&Hardat Automat in the basement of a structure at this location. Does that ring any bells for anyone?
This theatre opened no earlier than 1922 (it was under construction when sold to the operator of the City Hall Theatre in August of 1922). It was operated for a time by Loew’s and, judging by the photo at this link, http://bronxblotter.home.mindspring.com/old/freeman_old.jpg,
featured Spanish programming in the 1970s.
Images from 2002 can be found here: View link View link
The Chester opened as a Keith-Albee house and featured both vaudeville and film. In 1957, a home-made bomb was found in the second floor mens room of the theatre (then under the RKO banner). The device had fizzled out of its own volition and the 1000 patrons in the auditorium were none the wiser.
I believe this theatre did not open until 1927 or later (a February 1927 NY Times articles says that the theatre “will be opened by the Consolidated Amusement Enterprises”) and that it closed in 1958. It was purchased by a realty investor, who planned to convert the site into a bowling alley, in 1960.
I don’t have too much to add. After its initial closing, the Teatro Puerto Rico was purchased by a developer in late 1984. The balcony of the original theatre was then used as two 300-seat movie theatres, one showing films in Spanish and the other in English, which opened in September 1985.
After a renovation lasting more than two years and costing more than $1.2 million, the concert hall portion of the facility (the main level of the original auditorium) opened in September of 1987. The hall was reported to contain 1400 seats.
You think 4100 is a lot? Check out the listing for the Loews Ridgefield Park, this theatre’s ‘competition’ for much of the 1990s. Before its largest auditorium was tripled, taking the screen count from 10 to 12, that theatre accommodated 4802!
About halfway down the page located at this site
http://asburypark.net/news/choice/
is a photo and brief history of this theatre.
This theatre is already listed on the site:
/theaters/6643/
Perhaps the descriptions should me merged.
The theatre’s “chain” needs to be listed as Loews Cineplex Entertainment and the “firm” as Gensler and Associates.
When this theatre opened, Loews/Sony was overwhelmed by its success. For the first several weeks of operation, staff personnel from Loews' theatres throughout the tri-state area were being utilized to help operate the theatre. Due to the peak-business time of year during which the location opened (Thanksgiving season), many of these ushers, cashiers, and concession attendants were working 30-40 hour weeks at their ‘home’ theatres and an additional 30-40 hours at Lincoln Square (receiving the corresponding overtime pay of course, as well as reimbursement for travel expenses). The company’s internal auditors were even drafted to perform all cash handling tasks (cash pulls, bank deposits, etc.)!
Due in part to this bad experience, Loews created a “Corporate Trainer” program, in which the cream-of-the-crop employees from throughout the circuit were trained to assist with theatre openings. In later years, Corporate Trainer teams of 20 or more people were dispatched throughout the nation (and, in fact, internationally) to take part in theatre openings.
In retrospect, the 33,000 attendance of the Lincoln Square’s opening weekend does not, to my mind, seem quite as overwhelming as it appeared to be at the time. However, in the era of modern multiplexes, it must be noted that Lincoln Square opened in uncharted territory. Manhattan’s more unique multiplexes that have opened since, such as the AMC Empire and the Loews E-Walk, probably owe their existence in large part to Lincoln Square’s success.
The theatre was once operated by Fox Metropolitan Playhouses. It was in operation by by at least 1928. I’ve seen some reports stating that it was a two-story brick structure, some that it was three-stories.
On this date in 1939, about 200 patrons were evacuated for 40 minutes while a fire that started on the roof was extinguished. (Apparently, a lit cigarette had been tossed under a wooden structure which had been built on the roof for open-air performances earlier in that decade.)
Current Department of Finance records, which should be taken with a grain of salt (they can be woefully out-of-date), show that the address' current “occupancy code” is that of a church/synagogue. In support of this designation, other web searches show the address as a Spanish church (Arca De Refugio).
Both address searches and DOB inquiries do show that the property is currently occupied by J&R. The last Public Assembly Permit listed for the location is dated 1944 so, in theory, the theatre was still operating at that point.
The theatre was apparently located in a four-story structure on property owned by the Jay Gould family from 1881-1946. An earlier, five-story structure had, at various times, housed the New York World, Daily News, and New York Times as tenants but was apparently demolished in 1916.
As mentioned in my summary, the theatre was operational no later than 1919 (there was a quickly-extinguished projection booth fire in June of that year). In 1926, Loews acquired a 32-year lease on the facility but, by 1939, the property was leased to Douglas Amusement Corporation (which apparently operated several upper Manhattan and Bronx theatres).
In 1946, the structure was sold by a corporation comprised of Gould’s heirs and was slated for renovations to make it suitable for retail space.
I’ve found some reference to 1950s and 60s operation of a Horn&Hardat Automat in the basement of a structure at this location. Does that ring any bells for anyone?
This theatre opened no earlier than 1922 (it was under construction when sold to the operator of the City Hall Theatre in August of 1922). It was operated for a time by Loew’s and, judging by the photo at this link,
http://bronxblotter.home.mindspring.com/old/freeman_old.jpg,
featured Spanish programming in the 1970s.
Images from 2002 can be found here:
View link
View link
Images from September 2002 can be found here:
View link
View link
The Chester opened as a Keith-Albee house and featured both vaudeville and film. In 1957, a home-made bomb was found in the second floor mens room of the theatre (then under the RKO banner). The device had fizzled out of its own volition and the 1000 patrons in the auditorium were none the wiser.
I believe this theatre did not open until 1927 or later (a February 1927 NY Times articles says that the theatre “will be opened by the Consolidated Amusement Enterprises”) and that it closed in 1958. It was purchased by a realty investor, who planned to convert the site into a bowling alley, in 1960.
Another recent image of the Fleetwood, as well as many other Bronx theatres, can be found here:
View link
A 2001 image:
View link
Photos of the Chester in 2002:
View link
View link
View link
View link
View link
At the time of its closing, the Astor had 1427 seats.
The theatre can be glimpsed in this 1940s photo:
View link
This is the site in 2002:
View link
I don’t have too much to add. After its initial closing, the Teatro Puerto Rico was purchased by a developer in late 1984. The balcony of the original theatre was then used as two 300-seat movie theatres, one showing films in Spanish and the other in English, which opened in September 1985.
After a renovation lasting more than two years and costing more than $1.2 million, the concert hall portion of the facility (the main level of the original auditorium) opened in September of 1987. The hall was reported to contain 1400 seats.
A vintage image of the theatre (though mostly obscured by a trolley car) can be found here:
View link
Images from 2002:
View link
View link
View link
View link
View link
You think 4100 is a lot? Check out the listing for the Loews Ridgefield Park, this theatre’s ‘competition’ for much of the 1990s. Before its largest auditorium was tripled, taking the screen count from 10 to 12, that theatre accommodated 4802!
This Cinerama theater opened to the public on March 24, 1966. It featured a 90-foot screen and contained 1346 seats.
As of 1988, in its 10 screen configuration, the theater’s total seating capacity was 4100.
The Route 4 theater was one of only 3 in New Jersey, and 32 nationwide, to open “Star Wars” on May 25, 1977.
A vintage image can be found here:
View link
A 1948 image of the theatre can be found here:
View link
A 2002 image is here:
View link
The theater’s address is 265 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231.