Good observation, Chris. Thanks. I, too, remember the Madison Street fire escape exit side of the Ridgewood Theater always looking unsightly, shabby, and littered with broken glass ans other debris. I wonder how the people who lived on the opposite side of Madison Street between Myrtle and Cypress Avenues felt about that.
Great shot, Panzer65. But why not post the link on the page of a Manhattan theatre in the Times Square area, as close as you can get to Broadway and 38th Street ?
This is all well and good, but let’s remember that the owner of the Ridgewood Theatre will NOT re-open it as a cinema until he is convinced that he will make money in doing so.
That is not a judgment, either good or bad, on him. That is merely how our capitalist economy works.
You’re welcome, Panzer65. My pleasure. BTW, I think it’s spelled “trouper”, but I know what you mean. I can easily walk past and observe the Ridgewood Theatre once a month. Therefore, I will continue to post these updates.
Landmark preservation and designation is all well and good, but I’ll believe that something is being done with the Ridgewood Theatre, besides talk and posting, when I see it with my own eyes.
I passed by the Ridgewood Theatre about 10:50 a.m. this morning, Friday May 21 2010.
Call (917) 578 7701 is no longer on the marquee.
The gate was down, closing off the outer lobby. No posters in the windows of the box office. Three doors to the inner lobby were open. I could feel cold air wafting out. Either the air conditioner was on inside, or else it was the cooler air of the last few days, especially this raw, rainy, windy past Tuesday, May 18, 2010.
Between the gate and the doors to the inner lobby, in the outer lobby, was a pink play dollhouse and a bicycle.
Thanks, Jayar1. My father was born nearby in Bushwick Hospital at Putnam and Howard Avenues, then went to live at 1044 Putnam Avenue, a few doors away.
Thanks, Jayar1. For some as yet unknown reason, I could not get through the first three links. The images I could get to, I have seen already elsewhere, but thanks for re-posting them.
In the plan views (orchestra and balcony) Broadway is the diagonal on the upper left, Howard Avenue is horizontal and on the bottom, and Madison Street is vertical on the right side.
Thanks for your quip, Dramatrauma. I know Veggie Tales very well !
LuisV, I don’t think anyone thinks the interior of the Ridgewood Theatre is an architectural marvel. It’s just that, unlike other theatres, we haven’t seen many images of its interior in all its former one-screen glory.
I think the other main concern about the Ridgewood is that it be restored soon to an open, functioning, in-business movie theatre, in an area where one is sorely needed and hopefully missed.
When I saw “Blow Out” at the Ridgewood in late July 1981, I think it was already three cinemas. “Wolfen” was playing there then also, and another film I don’t remember.
You and me both, Panzer. I’m glad I made you laugh !
My most recent and vivid memory is of the elliptical balcony lobby when I saw “Friday The 13th” in the balcony cinema of the Ridgewood on Tuesday June 17th 1980.
A boxing match was being shown on closed circuit TV on the orchestra level screen below.
That was my first experience of the multiplexing of the Ridgewood.
The next film I remember seeing on the orchestra level screen of the Ridgewood was “The Howling” on Friday March 13th 1981, when (YES !!!) there was a FULL MOON !
Before I got up and left the theatre, I remember being afraid that some creep was going to think he was a werewolf and attack me !
Good observation, Chris. Thanks. I, too, remember the Madison Street fire escape exit side of the Ridgewood Theater always looking unsightly, shabby, and littered with broken glass ans other debris. I wonder how the people who lived on the opposite side of Madison Street between Myrtle and Cypress Avenues felt about that.
Yes. Many television shows were vaudeville, many came from radio.
Fred Allen once referred to TV (television) as “tired vaudeville”.
OK, P65, thanks.
Great shot, Panzer65. But why not post the link on the page of a Manhattan theatre in the Times Square area, as close as you can get to Broadway and 38th Street ?
Hopefully not, Tinseltoes. Thanks for posting the link.
That’s the Madison Street “exit” side of the theatre. I’ll take a look next month when I pass by.
Thanks for the update !
This is all well and good, but let’s remember that the owner of the Ridgewood Theatre will NOT re-open it as a cinema until he is convinced that he will make money in doing so.
That is not a judgment, either good or bad, on him. That is merely how our capitalist economy works.
Thanks, Mike. I’d like to go on doing what I can to help.
Mike, I think you’re one of the real “troupers” here, not me. I merely walk by once a month because it’s on my way.
You’re welcome, Mike, and thanks again for all your hard work.
You’re welcome, Panzer65. My pleasure. BTW, I think it’s spelled “trouper”, but I know what you mean. I can easily walk past and observe the Ridgewood Theatre once a month. Therefore, I will continue to post these updates.
Landmark preservation and designation is all well and good, but I’ll believe that something is being done with the Ridgewood Theatre, besides talk and posting, when I see it with my own eyes.
I passed by the Ridgewood Theatre about 10:50 a.m. this morning, Friday May 21 2010.
Call (917) 578 7701 is no longer on the marquee.
The gate was down, closing off the outer lobby. No posters in the windows of the box office. Three doors to the inner lobby were open. I could feel cold air wafting out. Either the air conditioner was on inside, or else it was the cooler air of the last few days, especially this raw, rainy, windy past Tuesday, May 18, 2010.
Between the gate and the doors to the inner lobby, in the outer lobby, was a pink play dollhouse and a bicycle.
I could see no activity within the inner lobby.
Thanks, Jayar1. Welcome to Cinema Treasures.
Thanks, Jayar1. My father was born nearby in Bushwick Hospital at Putnam and Howard Avenues, then went to live at 1044 Putnam Avenue, a few doors away.
Thanks, Jayar1. For some as yet unknown reason, I could not get through the first three links. The images I could get to, I have seen already elsewhere, but thanks for re-posting them.
In the plan views (orchestra and balcony) Broadway is the diagonal on the upper left, Howard Avenue is horizontal and on the bottom, and Madison Street is vertical on the right side.
Thanks, Jayar1 and John D. That’s an interesting pose struck by Mae West in that movie ad.
Thanks, LuisV. I’m glad to read we’re in agreement on this.
Thanks for your quip, Dramatrauma. I know Veggie Tales very well !
LuisV, I don’t think anyone thinks the interior of the Ridgewood Theatre is an architectural marvel. It’s just that, unlike other theatres, we haven’t seen many images of its interior in all its former one-screen glory.
I think the other main concern about the Ridgewood is that it be restored soon to an open, functioning, in-business movie theatre, in an area where one is sorely needed and hopefully missed.
Thanks, jwbailer !
Panzer65, less of a mystery than the RKO Madison Theatre, which was made into a store on the ground level.
Thanks anyway !
Thanks, jwbailer ! Do you have any interior photos ?
Good explanation, Bway.
Thanks for the heads-up, Mike.
Thanks !
When I saw “Blow Out” at the Ridgewood in late July 1981, I think it was already three cinemas. “Wolfen” was playing there then also, and another film I don’t remember.
You and me both, Panzer. I’m glad I made you laugh !
My most recent and vivid memory is of the elliptical balcony lobby when I saw “Friday The 13th” in the balcony cinema of the Ridgewood on Tuesday June 17th 1980.
A boxing match was being shown on closed circuit TV on the orchestra level screen below.
That was my first experience of the multiplexing of the Ridgewood.
The next film I remember seeing on the orchestra level screen of the Ridgewood was “The Howling” on Friday March 13th 1981, when (YES !!!) there was a FULL MOON !
Before I got up and left the theatre, I remember being afraid that some creep was going to think he was a werewolf and attack me !