Loew's Oriental Theatre

The February 13th 1995 Issue of New York Magazine rated the Sony Theatres Oriental “The Best in Brooklyn”, here is what they had to say about the screen (size, whiteness): “The landmark theatre has been hacked into three theatres, all with semi-grand screens; the largest is 37' x 17'”.

And here is the assesment about the seats (comfort, legroom, views): “Old and creaky, but you have an excellent chance of scoring some extra legroom in one of the upper cinemas (in what used to be the theatre’s balcony), and the raking is spendidly steep”.

We can’t always use the tired blame by placing “stuff” on teenagers. Example; I’ve lived in Arizona for over 40 years. One of my hobbies when I arrived here was to seek out ghost towns. Arizona is loaded with them. I discovered many and some appeared to have been abandoned just days before I arrived which is actually not the case. I walked through the towns not disturbing anything. There were shelves with can goods and tables with dishes and silverware just as they were placed when the buidings were inhabited. I left everything undisturbed. I returned twenty years later and it appeared that the town never existed. All that was left were the foundations. All I can say is I was glad I got to see the town before the dumb adults pick it bare for their souveniers. My kudos to the unlucky homeless that had the sense and decency to live and let live. Theaterat tell you buddy I said thanks.

Anni3May…. When my friend was living at the Oriental along with the other homeless people, there was a STRICT policy on who could enter. Most of these people were over 30 years of age, and the LAST thing they wanted was to see the theater vandalized. After all, if they were to be discovered, the charge of “breaking in” was bad enough and they really did not want charges of vandalism added to that. In retrospect, there was really nothing of value in there anyway and chances were probably good that no charges would be levied against them anyway.I did go in to visit my friend a few times. Even though his wife put him out, he did have a job and worked a regular schedule. Entry to the theater was afforded through the backstage area, wich was on Bay 19th.st. behind the theater and right before the first apartment house. It would have been to risky to use the entrance on Bay 20th.st, because of its close location to the private homes. As I stated in my entry, you had to be careful when you walked in the lobby because there was a good chance that someone outside on 86th. st would be able to see inside.When Marshalls opened, I got a look inside and the entire orchestra level{first floor} was completely gutted. There is a very good chance that the balcony may still be intact, but when I asked one of the managers- a very obnoxious Russian woman, she just blew me off by saying everything is gone,yet one of the salesgirls says the balcony AND the mezzanine is still there ans is an employee`s lounge!I tend to believe her. Anyway it is a damn shame that this theater was neglected and closed. At one time Bensonhurst had the Deluxe, the Walker, the Benson the Marboro, and the Oriental. Now all we have are memories.

Theaterrat I remember the homeless people at the Oriental in 1995/96. I had plans to stay there also but I was only 15 and stopped atempting to get in after seeing people in there through the front gate, whoever it was certainly showed themselves to stop a few stupid teens from trying to break in. Well I remember climbing up the old fire escape staircase on the outside of the building which probably had 3 screws left to hold it up, the whole thing shifted with your weight from side to side. On the opposite side, and I asume this is where you enetred the building? There was a burntdown/abandoned 3 family house next door this is where I stayed, from the 3rd floor window I caught sights of the back and side of the theater and looked for some entrance swearing I’d come back and get in someday. I really envy you, to see all the history in that building that was even hidden when it was open Amazing! I too was there to use the bathroom at Marshalls 5 years ago and although I can’t remember too much of the inside from when I was 11ish and saw Hocus Pocus there, it does seem as if some things are intact above the first floor, the walls, the staircase, probably just not worth the money to tear everything down. (Unlike the theater on 18th ave between 64th +63rd which must be completely gutted, I’ve been through the first floor stores and the second floor doctors office.)
Maybe one day someone will realize how completely obsured it is to be using such a beautiful landmark as a one floor department store and turn it back into a theater, even though it would be very different apperance wise the structure of the building, the floor plans basically would still be the same. Maybe hang some original pictures in the lobby WoW!

Tommy X (if you are still out there)…Russell Crowe is at it again! Saw him on Letterman a few days after the “cell phone” incident, and I hate to say it but he came accross as a jerk! Great actor- to be sure, but every other word he says is “ya know”! Also “Cinderella Man” is a fairly good movie even though most critics panned it.

Hollywood memories. There are so many and I definitely am not the writing expert. Saturday was my day. The movies cost all of 7 cents. With that you received two movies, at least two serials and of course the very popular races. The races would be of crazy people going through obstacles courses or car races that were more like demolition derbies. Each racer, car or person, wore a number. This number would be on a ticket that was given as you entered the theatre. The winning numbers would go on stage and receive a token prize. It wasn’t the prize but the acclaim by your friends for being the lucky winner. As they would say “you lucky dog”.

If I went to the movies during the week you could only get in after 3 pm. Then you’d have to sit in the children’s section which always had a matron watching over us. At 6 pm all children were “supposed” to leave. We’d ask to ask adults to buy our tickets so that we could go in after the designated hours.

I remember that they would put the film canister out by an exit door on 78th St. for the pickup and delivery of the films. Could you imagine that happening today? I never heard of anyone stealing the films. What a tragedy if that happened. The public would be without a movie for the next few days.

When December 7th came I was in the movie with my friends. They stopped the film and the theatre almost completely emptied. I wish I could remember the movie.

If I remember it was on Wednesday’s when they had dish night. They would give one dish per ticket. My mother and grandmother were regulars for this night. We ate off these dishes forever. My mom even gave my wife and me a full set when we got married. I eventually gave them away but I understand that they have real value today. When someone dropped a dishes there was always a big round of applause. Rarely, but not often, the Hollywood would have some form a stage entertainment. It was usually an Italian radio show’s soap opera actors. This didn’t happen very often as the Senate and the Walker had that venue pretty covered up. The big Italian soap opera was a show called “Pasquale C.O.D.” They also had some operatic singers come through from time to time.

I also remember that after the movies I had to pass Freytag’s on 79th and 17th. If I could I’d stop for the best ice cream cone on earth. This too has passed into oblivion.

I can’t remember when it became the Hollywood Terrace. I know that I attended a few weddings there and if I remember, I think it became a dance hall somewhere along the line. When it first opened as a catering hall the builders/owners didn’t level the theatre floor and it was a joke. That lasted a very short time and the floor was leveled. Many won’t remember that because it last only a “New York minute”.

I hope that this has jogged a few memories.
Thanks for listening.
Larry

Reading all the posts on the Oriental sure brought back fond memories. I was raised on 79th and 18th. My youth was about movies. I remember the Hollywood, Benson, Oriental, Walker, The Garden, The New Garden, The Kingsway, The Marlboro, The Jewel (showed three movies)and the many theatres in the city that all had live shows. The Hollyuwood was a favorite because on Saturday it held the crazy races and had loads of cartoons and serials. What else could a youngster asked for? I’m in my 70’s now and in Arizona but I still have a love for good old Broohlyn and Besonhurst. I’d love to have some interior pictures of the old stately lady.

I believe that made for TV movie was on NBC, not HBO. I took a picture of the Loew’s marquee when they were filming it. The scene outside the Loew’s takes place at the start of the film.

I remember I saw Gladiator on a whim and came out stunned. He just killed me. I was a fan from then on. I don’t know how he does it. I wish there were more like him, at least in an acting sense. It’s amazing to see the physical transformations from character to character. The choices are just great to watch.

Hahaha, Rat, That’s a rant that rings so true. And that’s the business I actually crave to be in! I always swore that if I made it, I’d try my hardest to bring back some modicum of class to Hollywood. It will be tough though with the likes of Vin “Did I mention I was a bouncer in New York?” Diesel and Sandra “They threw a whole lot of chash my way to make a sequel nobody asked for” Bullock. And by the way, it’s more like ten bucks. And I loved Master and Commander. The guy may be an arrogant sob, but he certainly can act.

…And I don’t remeber a single one of those pictures, you?

“I guess, almost needless to say, the owners of the Loew’s Oriental or Marshall’s just didn’t care much about the uniqueness of the space they were working with. ”

I think you’re right. And what a true shame it is. I just can’t believe the complete disregard for living history. I still wish I could just get someone there to tell me if there is or isn’t anything left. I know I’m obsessing but it seems such a crime to have it all gone for nothing but a B-list department store.

No damage was done to the walker when it was quaded. Three small auditoriums were built on the orchestra under the balcony and all the original walls, ceiling, screen etc were visible from the balcony theatre.