My imagination? very few theaters had benches, seats, places to sit in the lobby; but the Whitman did as I recall ?? I loved the blue (and green mixed in ?) color scheme.
Ironic, me and my high school girlfriend saw “Animal House” at the Syosset . I saw “Sgt. Pepper” at the York in Huntington Station to a near empty house. I wanted my money back!
was “Alien” some sort of exclusive to Syosset in 1979? Me and my then high school girlfriend drove there to see it. We lived in East Northport so for the life of me, I cannot think of why we didn’t see it in Commack or Huntington? (the Larkfield theater would NEVER get a new bit hit movie-yet we could walk to our homes from it! LOL) Ditto “Animal House” from the same year. This theater reminded me of the original Shore in Huntington before it was a “1 & 2”.
Warren G. Harris: I love that movie “The People Next Door” ! I’d love to hear more stories you may have. The INTERIOR of the suburban homes looked so realistic —that was a studio in NYC? I wish this movie would come out on DVD.
I collect old newspapers just for the movie ads. Here is the problem; people only saved key dates; both World Wars, John Kennedy shot (1963), Robert Kennedy shot (1968) , Men Land on the Moon (1969), Nixon resigns (1974), Elvis dies (1977), John Lennon shot (1980). That’s it! Nothing happened in 1964, 1965,1966,1967,1970,1971,1972,1973,1975,1976 , 1978, and 1979! I can tell you every damn movie that played on those dates by memory! LOL. YES: local libraries have micro-film machines with built in Xerox capabilities. I have found gem movie ads from my childhood that way.
Ed Solero! Thank you for those “Dawn of the Dead” stories! I first saw it at the Commack Drive in, and it was the only time that I went back and the same movie the following week! It’s one of my all time favorites. Ever better story; one of my best friends lives in Massapequa and saw “Dawn…” at the Sunrise Mall! At the time, the Sunrise Mall looked very similar to the “Dawn of the Dead” mall—ironic to say the least.
Just check my old Newsdays and I’m puzzled: 1) Newsday listed the Route 110 drive in as “Huntington” .It’s listed in the same column with …“York”….“Whitman”…..etc. And of course we all know it’s Melville; but moreover ; in this JULY 1976 edition of Newsday; NO Route 110 listed! It’s traditional for a drive in to close at “the end of the season”, naturally. I could have sworn it was still open in ‘76! Let me get back to my paper pile ………….
My imagination? very few theaters had benches, seats, places to sit in the lobby; but the Whitman did as I recall ?? I loved the blue (and green mixed in ?) color scheme.
One more thought about the Larkfield; I NEVER recall standing on a line to get in. Ever. I think because all they showed was second runs.
Not one mention of the Will Rogers donation can collections and film clip before all RKO movies in the 70s and 80s????? Your thoughts……
also saw “Return to Oz” there and the “Metropolis” reissue.
I was there on the “Little Shop of Horrors” night. Huge crowd. we did not get in!
Ironic, me and my high school girlfriend saw “Animal House” at the Syosset . I saw “Sgt. Pepper” at the York in Huntington Station to a near empty house. I wanted my money back!
was “Alien” some sort of exclusive to Syosset in 1979? Me and my then high school girlfriend drove there to see it. We lived in East Northport so for the life of me, I cannot think of why we didn’t see it in Commack or Huntington? (the Larkfield theater would NEVER get a new bit hit movie-yet we could walk to our homes from it! LOL) Ditto “Animal House” from the same year. This theater reminded me of the original Shore in Huntington before it was a “1 & 2”.
Last movie I saw there was ‘Delores Claiborne" , early to mid 1990s.
There was a Woolworths in the same strip of stores (next door?) . I imagine that many patrons stopped there for candy before the show!
It’s like the monolith from “2001: a Space Odyssey” !
Warren G. Harris: I love that movie “The People Next Door” ! I’d love to hear more stories you may have. The INTERIOR of the suburban homes looked so realistic —that was a studio in NYC? I wish this movie would come out on DVD.
The snack bar !
View link
A standard RKO Twin snack bar, partitioned so that nobody “crosses the line” . The Commack looked just like this one?
View link
I collect old newspapers just for the movie ads. Here is the problem; people only saved key dates; both World Wars, John Kennedy shot (1963), Robert Kennedy shot (1968) , Men Land on the Moon (1969), Nixon resigns (1974), Elvis dies (1977), John Lennon shot (1980). That’s it! Nothing happened in 1964, 1965,1966,1967,1970,1971,1972,1973,1975,1976 , 1978, and 1979! I can tell you every damn movie that played on those dates by memory! LOL. YES: local libraries have micro-film machines with built in Xerox capabilities. I have found gem movie ads from my childhood that way.
I still have dreams about this theater !
Tova ! Any updates & pictures of the lobby !?
“Dawn of the Dead” was released May 1979 by the way.
Ed Solero! Thank you for those “Dawn of the Dead” stories! I first saw it at the Commack Drive in, and it was the only time that I went back and the same movie the following week! It’s one of my all time favorites. Ever better story; one of my best friends lives in Massapequa and saw “Dawn…” at the Sunrise Mall! At the time, the Sunrise Mall looked very similar to the “Dawn of the Dead” mall—ironic to say the least.
P.S. YES! I know it’s not a Johnny All Weather Drive in but I needed a kooky character on there.
Here is a link to my tribute art sign to the Route 110 Drive In Theater!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lanceart/5577355185/
They never showed triple features-who wrote the opening preface ?
I’m not sure the flea markets were open AFTER the drive in closed, but I could be wrong
not listed in 1976
correction: My 1960’s Newsdays listed Route 110 under “Huntington” I should say
Just check my old Newsdays and I’m puzzled: 1) Newsday listed the Route 110 drive in as “Huntington” .It’s listed in the same column with …“York”….“Whitman”…..etc. And of course we all know it’s Melville; but moreover ; in this JULY 1976 edition of Newsday; NO Route 110 listed! It’s traditional for a drive in to close at “the end of the season”, naturally. I could have sworn it was still open in ‘76! Let me get back to my paper pile ………….