Unsavable? That’s a little extreme. Why would you say “unsavabe”. Obviously, the theatre needs a tremendous amount of work, but after view it, I wouldn’t say “unsavable”. Take the RKO Keith’s Flushing, and I’ll agree, “that’s unsavable”. But I don’t believe the Kings is unsavable.
While the Kings is a diamond in the rough, after viewing the A&E show, it really isn’t “that” bad. By that I mean, it’s not that it appears “unsafe”, and definitely, most of the theater is completely intact and restorable thankfully. While of course it “didn’t look good”, I thought it would be worse considering it’s been closed for 30 years. I really hope they find a way to restore it, and find a use for it.
The opening paragraph for the Midway is incorrect, and should be changed. “After decades as a single screen movie palace” is not completely accurate. I attended movies at the Midway from the early 80’s until the early 90’s, and it was already cut up into four theaters by that point. Of course however, it was the original palace cut up (not as it is now). The balcony was cut in two, and the main floor was cut in two.
She could, but it all depends on how old she was at the time. If she was a teenager, she could still be alive. Chances are slimer and slimer that she’s still alive if she was any older than a teenager.
Quote: I wonder why the Ridgewood theater was advertised as being on Myrtle and Cypress Aves when no portion of the building is actually located at that intersection
The Ridgewood Theater isn’t and was never located in Brooklyn either, but that didn’t stop them from saying it was…haha.
WOW!! Thanks for posting that photo! What a beautiful place the Kings was/is!! It’s in bad shape obviously, but it’s not “that” bad that it’s beyond hope, almost as the RKO Keith’s Flushing is.
When was the last movie played in the Kings?
It’s in a good location, so the Midway should survive pretty well. It was always busy when I used to go there, but that’s a while ago. But it only had to get better since they redid the place. It was always a clean and well kept theater back in the 80’s and early 90’s when I used to go there.
Does anyone know what if any thater ornamentation exists in the Bingo hall? Is it a “diamond in the rough” like the RKO Richmond Hill Keiths, or was it gutted?
It was just slightly saved when they cut through the LIE in the 60’s. IF it was about a half of a block further over, it would have had to have been demolished.
Wow, 1930. It didn’t last long as a theater obviously. It appears vacant right now (at least judging by the photos I linked above, but I don’t know how old those photos are). Some of the photos on that site are at least 5-10 years old, so I don’t know if there is something else in the building now.
What’s the latest on the Cararsie? Was it gutted?
Anyway, here’s the building in an aerial view. Did it have a balcony? It doesn’t appear that big from the air.
Anyone know of any interior photos, either historical or current?
I agree Warren. Perhaps “restoration” was the wrong word. I guess I should have said “renovation”, as of course the building is being very well maintained. The colors are pretty gaudy, but again, at least the paint protects the plaster, and it’s just paint, who knows, one day, it could be “restored”. And of course, as I mentioned somewhere else (I think in the Elmwood page), the church has to make the building suitable for their needs, and that of course means flooding the interior with a lot more light than was necessary as a movie theater. The atmospheric design may have worked for people entering the building and sitting, waiting for a movie or performance to begin, but that may not be apropriate or needed for people coming to religious service.
At least the building is being maintained. It’s not ideal that it’s interior has those really wild colors, the chandelier there, and not showing movies, but it’s obviously a lot better than the alternative. In the meantime, the building is being cared for, and who knows, one day very very far in the future……. That’s a lot more than so many other theaters can ever hope for which are lost forever.
The mall that is on that site at the Metro Ave station was built in the early 70’s for Robert Hall Village, and Bohack supermarket next door. Downstairs was Macys bargain basement where they sold floor sample furniture, etc. Robert Hall closed, and became TSS. Bohack became Waldbaums. Then, TSS closed, and became Caldor, followed by KMart. Meanwhile, they redid the downstairs, and opened up “Metro Mall” which included Pergament, and Waldbaums moved downstairs.Sears Brand Central was the other big store down there. Toys R Us moved into the Waldbaums space upstairs.
I think currently Pergament and Waldbaums both closed, were combined, and now it’s a BJ’s.
Farmer’s Oval is still there, and alive and well. I also had many a good times in that park.
The mall that is on that site at the Metro Ave station was built in the early 70’s for Robert Hall Village, and Bohack supermarket next door. Downstairs was Macys bargain basement where they sold floor sample furniture, etc. Robert Hall closed, and became TSS. Bohack became Waldbaums. Then, TSS closed, and became Caldor, followed by KMart. Meanwhile, they redid the downstairs, and opened up “Metro Mall” which included Pergament, and Waldbaums moved downstairs.Sears Brand Central was the other big store down there. Toys R Us moved into the Waldbaums space upstairs.
I think currently Pergament and Waldbaums both closed, were combined, and now it’s a BJ’s.
Farmer’s Oval is still there, and alive and well. I also had many a good times in that park.
True, well the stage becomes the altar, just with the screen removed. At the Valencia, the Choir sings from the stage, at least that’s what it looks like from the photos.
Jim, for the record, and it’s mentikoned above, what was removed from the Oasis building is everyting except the actual auditorium itself, which is now the CVS store. The stores facing Fresh Pond Rd were all removed, as well as the entire lobby area, etc, which is where the parking lot is today.
Jim, it’s unfortunate that the Valencia is no longer a theater, however, at least the building survives. The church takes very good care of the building, and has actually renovated and restored the interior. There are photos linked far above on this page.
They have chosen extrememly garish and gaudy color schemes for the interior of the Valencia, however, at least it is being well maintained, as the alternative would have been a shame to see it rot like the RKO Keith’s Flushing, or the Kings in Brooklyn, or worse, demolished.
Churches lend themselves well as an after theater use, as they need much of the same features a theater needs. Most of the time, they won’t look all that different when you go into them after conversion to a church, as all the seats remain, the ornamentation, etc. The only thing absent is the screen replaced with an altar.
Yes it is. Perhaps if it had lasted a few more years it would have survived, as the area is improving. If current trends continue, it won’t be long before the vacant land is built on again, probably for new homes. However, the opulent Broadway is unfortunately gone forever. I would LOVE to see a photo of the interior of this theater, but have never been able to find one.
Here’s an aerial shot and you can see the Joy, State Palace, Saenger, and the Orpheum, all in one shot!! If you click on the larger version, you can even zoom in closer. I assume this is probably pre-Katrina.
Unsavable? That’s a little extreme. Why would you say “unsavabe”. Obviously, the theatre needs a tremendous amount of work, but after view it, I wouldn’t say “unsavable”. Take the RKO Keith’s Flushing, and I’ll agree, “that’s unsavable”. But I don’t believe the Kings is unsavable.
While the Kings is a diamond in the rough, after viewing the A&E show, it really isn’t “that” bad. By that I mean, it’s not that it appears “unsafe”, and definitely, most of the theater is completely intact and restorable thankfully. While of course it “didn’t look good”, I thought it would be worse considering it’s been closed for 30 years. I really hope they find a way to restore it, and find a use for it.
The opening paragraph for the Midway is incorrect, and should be changed. “After decades as a single screen movie palace” is not completely accurate. I attended movies at the Midway from the early 80’s until the early 90’s, and it was already cut up into four theaters by that point. Of course however, it was the original palace cut up (not as it is now). The balcony was cut in two, and the main floor was cut in two.
She could, but it all depends on how old she was at the time. If she was a teenager, she could still be alive. Chances are slimer and slimer that she’s still alive if she was any older than a teenager.
Quote:
I wonder why the Ridgewood theater was advertised as being on Myrtle and Cypress Aves when no portion of the building is actually located at that intersection
The Ridgewood Theater isn’t and was never located in Brooklyn either, but that didn’t stop them from saying it was…haha.
And like I said, aside from dirt, some debris, it’s not “that” bad as I said, even in that photo.
WOW!! Thanks for posting that photo! What a beautiful place the Kings was/is!! It’s in bad shape obviously, but it’s not “that” bad that it’s beyond hope, almost as the RKO Keith’s Flushing is.
When was the last movie played in the Kings?
Does anyone know what the other theater in Hampton Bays is called? I don’t think it’s listed on the site.
It’s in a good location, so the Midway should survive pretty well. It was always busy when I used to go there, but that’s a while ago. But it only had to get better since they redid the place. It was always a clean and well kept theater back in the 80’s and early 90’s when I used to go there.
Does anyone know what if any thater ornamentation exists in the Bingo hall? Is it a “diamond in the rough” like the RKO Richmond Hill Keiths, or was it gutted?
It was just slightly saved when they cut through the LIE in the 60’s. IF it was about a half of a block further over, it would have had to have been demolished.
When did it close to movies by the way?
Ken mc are you serious or are you kidding? I guess it really is a “Quickie Theater” if you only got 10 minutes!
Wow, 1930. It didn’t last long as a theater obviously. It appears vacant right now (at least judging by the photos I linked above, but I don’t know how old those photos are). Some of the photos on that site are at least 5-10 years old, so I don’t know if there is something else in the building now.
So where on Manhattan Ave was this?
What’s the latest on the Cararsie? Was it gutted?
Anyway, here’s the building in an aerial view. Did it have a balcony? It doesn’t appear that big from the air.
Anyone know of any interior photos, either historical or current?
View link
It’s an addiction. I would never want to live there again, but I can’t stay away.
I agree Warren. Perhaps “restoration” was the wrong word. I guess I should have said “renovation”, as of course the building is being very well maintained. The colors are pretty gaudy, but again, at least the paint protects the plaster, and it’s just paint, who knows, one day, it could be “restored”. And of course, as I mentioned somewhere else (I think in the Elmwood page), the church has to make the building suitable for their needs, and that of course means flooding the interior with a lot more light than was necessary as a movie theater. The atmospheric design may have worked for people entering the building and sitting, waiting for a movie or performance to begin, but that may not be apropriate or needed for people coming to religious service.
At least the building is being maintained. It’s not ideal that it’s interior has those really wild colors, the chandelier there, and not showing movies, but it’s obviously a lot better than the alternative. In the meantime, the building is being cared for, and who knows, one day very very far in the future……. That’s a lot more than so many other theaters can ever hope for which are lost forever.
The mall that is on that site at the Metro Ave station was built in the early 70’s for Robert Hall Village, and Bohack supermarket next door. Downstairs was Macys bargain basement where they sold floor sample furniture, etc. Robert Hall closed, and became TSS. Bohack became Waldbaums. Then, TSS closed, and became Caldor, followed by KMart. Meanwhile, they redid the downstairs, and opened up “Metro Mall” which included Pergament, and Waldbaums moved downstairs.Sears Brand Central was the other big store down there. Toys R Us moved into the Waldbaums space upstairs.
I think currently Pergament and Waldbaums both closed, were combined, and now it’s a BJ’s.
Farmer’s Oval is still there, and alive and well. I also had many a good times in that park.
The mall that is on that site at the Metro Ave station was built in the early 70’s for Robert Hall Village, and Bohack supermarket next door. Downstairs was Macys bargain basement where they sold floor sample furniture, etc. Robert Hall closed, and became TSS. Bohack became Waldbaums. Then, TSS closed, and became Caldor, followed by KMart. Meanwhile, they redid the downstairs, and opened up “Metro Mall” which included Pergament, and Waldbaums moved downstairs.Sears Brand Central was the other big store down there. Toys R Us moved into the Waldbaums space upstairs.
I think currently Pergament and Waldbaums both closed, were combined, and now it’s a BJ’s.
Farmer’s Oval is still there, and alive and well. I also had many a good times in that park.
True, well the stage becomes the altar, just with the screen removed. At the Valencia, the Choir sings from the stage, at least that’s what it looks like from the photos.
Jim, for the record, and it’s mentikoned above, what was removed from the Oasis building is everyting except the actual auditorium itself, which is now the CVS store. The stores facing Fresh Pond Rd were all removed, as well as the entire lobby area, etc, which is where the parking lot is today.
Jim, it’s unfortunate that the Valencia is no longer a theater, however, at least the building survives. The church takes very good care of the building, and has actually renovated and restored the interior. There are photos linked far above on this page.
They have chosen extrememly garish and gaudy color schemes for the interior of the Valencia, however, at least it is being well maintained, as the alternative would have been a shame to see it rot like the RKO Keith’s Flushing, or the Kings in Brooklyn, or worse, demolished.
Churches lend themselves well as an after theater use, as they need much of the same features a theater needs. Most of the time, they won’t look all that different when you go into them after conversion to a church, as all the seats remain, the ornamentation, etc. The only thing absent is the screen replaced with an altar.
Yes it is. Perhaps if it had lasted a few more years it would have survived, as the area is improving. If current trends continue, it won’t be long before the vacant land is built on again, probably for new homes. However, the opulent Broadway is unfortunately gone forever. I would LOVE to see a photo of the interior of this theater, but have never been able to find one.
Here’s an aerial shot and you can see the Joy, State Palace, Saenger, and the Orpheum, all in one shot!! If you click on the larger version, you can even zoom in closer. I assume this is probably pre-Katrina.
View link
As someone pointed out in the State Palace section, you can also see the Orpheum on the left. FOUR theaters all in one shot!
As someone pointed out in the State Palace section, you can also see the Orpheum on the left. FOUR theaters all in one shot!