The Sept. 10 screening of “City Lights” drew over 600 customers, some first time visitors were in awe of the theatre. It was preceeded by a Chaplin short “By The Sea” which was accompanied by the original organ on the lift which has been electrified. Thanks Mike Fitelstein.
In correction, Mrs. Dorothy Panzica gave the Kings Theatre 12 furnishings most of which are in the upstairs lounge to the right of the bar. The two high back wooden carved chairs are in the grand lobby to the left of the grand staircase.
I met Dorothy Panzica over 45 years ago when passes the the LOEW’S KINGS where called in from the Granada Theatre. In those days, the managers where a friendly group and the six theatres cross honored passes. That day she was called by the cashier and greeted me at the door. She walked me through the foyer and inner lobby to the auditorium door. She tried to coax me to come work at LOEW’S KINGS, but I was well entrenched in the Granada Theatre by then. Still, I will remember that day and still do 50 years later and meeting her. I safe guard the original 9 furnishings still used and on display at the theatre. All should visit Mrs. Panzica’s gift from the former Loew’s Kings when visiting the theatre. Without her kindness and generosity, furniture of the theatre are there for all to enjoy. So, go see them. Mrs. Panzica’s spirit will live long within the LOEW’S KINGS, an Brooklyn institution and landmark.
REST IN PEACE, forever in my mind, those were the days.
Love and Sympathy
ORLANDO LOPES
Loyal Supporter of the LOEW'S KINGS
When opened it was known as the Mark Strand Theatre, which was told to me first in 1969 by a matron at the Granada Theatre. When older I saw the Mark Strand ads in the Eagle. This matron also worked at the Stone, Stadium, and the Supreme as well as the Ambassador Theatres in Brooklyn. Her name was Betty and she was a doll and wonderful woman.
Early in his career, Mr Lewis worked at the Loew’s State Theatre as an usher where he was dismissed for trying to unionize the ushers because even Loew’s overworked and paid their employees peanuts. Goodbye Jerry, I was the right age to enjoy your movies on television, saw your movie “Which Way To The Front?” in the very empty RKO Kenmore in Brooklyn on a Sunday matinee at 13 years old. I walked by the Loew’s Kings while they played “Don’t Raise The Bridge, Lower The River” inside. At Century’s Whitman we played “Hardly Working” for two weeks, to no business in late 1980. I saw “The Nutty Professor” at a screening at UA Farmingdale some years back. There might be imitators, but there was only one Jerry Lewis!
Shame on the Oscars and it's community for not givig him a Life Achievement Awards. They dole them out to much inferior actors today.
Tom, I worked in Syosset and the D-150 in 1977 and during that winter’s blizzard, I was “strand"ed for 3 days at the theatre. I lived on pre-popped corn and a couple of Nestle Crunch bars. The M.D. Mr. Logue made sure I was paid for the closed days. At the Syosset, we played "Semi-Tough”, “Pete’s Dragon” and “House Calls” At the Cinema D-150, I remember “Coma” during blizzard,
and “The Goodbye Girl” whose credits I never missed because the “Goodbye Girl” theme played as the house curtain closed. 40 years ago, how time flies. I was 21 years young.
To Long Islnd Movies,when will I get an invite to your Plaza theatre, I know that I will have to pay for the popcorn and soda, even the ticket but the tour will be free but you must give it! Ha, ha, ha. I know you didn’t care for M.V,\but that made me next to last manager. Closed in 1985 with “Emerald Forest” and matinees of “Rainbow Brite”. I bought the last ticket sold on closing night. I asked Mata not to tear it. There was a cricket in the theatre which added to the crickets in the movie. That was “Live Effects” first presented here. Closed in 1985. Opened in 1964 with “King Of Kings” with Jeffrey Hunter and would later work at (2014-2017). The Kings of Kings is in Brooklyn, NY.
While I was posting a comment, it was wiped out by this sight, so I’ll keep it to myself. That is Batman at the Morton Village Theatre. Great place to work at. One of the two I adored. Spent 1980-1983 there. Wonderful staff,
Lots of sellouts, no concessions business!
This Casino is not on Church Avenue, as it would have been closer to Flatbush Ave, some doors down from the Flatbush Theatre. Church Avenue runs from Flatbush to Bedford Aves and that puts the theatre near Bedford Ave. which is where the Post Office was and still is. Another point is that there was never an el on Church Avenue. This might be the Casino (Old Montauk, Crescent) on Flatbush Avenue near Fulton Street.
The former Loew’s Kings showed movies, Kings Theatre is performing arts at the average of 50 shows a year,if that many and is dark about 300 days. “Showing Movies” above should be changed to “Performing Arts”.
Last post over 6 years ago. This past Sunday at dusk, I walked past the former Flatbush Theatre Building and the upper windows for the offices are being replaced along with some alterations. I was pleasantly suprised to see the added projection booth with the port holes still in place in the upper rear wall. After 65 years of being closed, a part of the theatre was in still in place. I will try to get a peek. Got some photos… I don’t post.
The nighttime construction lights that were on afforded me this view from the past.
Actually saw the underside of balcony and saw three circular of original plaster plus part of the front side of the balcony left detail upstairs this past Saturday.
If the store stays one level, ?, it might remain. Loved to see what I saw for the last time.
To John above, this is not a perfect world so when the box office experiences problems with today’s ticket selling methods, we do our best. Would it be right to start the movie and have people interrupt you while the orchestra is playing. We are not ill-mannered, unprepared inconsiderate staff! Doors open at 7:00 and traffic to the theatre on show nights is heavy. As with most shows PATRONS have no consideration when they show up through the first hour (8-9). and are angry. To those who come late, TOUGH LUCK! The theatre is three times the normal theatre it takes time to seat people. The Jersey deals with unreserved seats and has about 150 persons per movie screening.
I’m sorry you had a bad time at Kings Theatre, Had you stayed,the orchestra that played got a standing ovation. There were no complaints as the over 2,500 audience was exiting, why didn’t you say something when you left in the middle of the show???
This doesn’t go for all patrons but “COME EARLY and BE ON TIME. Don’t blame the staff for your woes. There is a management team ready to help you.
This is for John, stay in New Jersey and don’t pollute
Brooklyn with your presence!
It’s L O E W ‘ S not Lowe’s. Nice photo though.
The Sept. 10 screening of “City Lights” drew over 600 customers, some first time visitors were in awe of the theatre. It was preceeded by a Chaplin short “By The Sea” which was accompanied by the original organ on the lift which has been electrified. Thanks Mike Fitelstein.
In correction, Mrs. Dorothy Panzica gave the Kings Theatre 12 furnishings most of which are in the upstairs lounge to the right of the bar. The two high back wooden carved chairs are in the grand lobby to the left of the grand staircase.
Wrong building, the one to the left is the former Midwout Theatre, you can see the ironwork for the small vertical sign it had.
I met Dorothy Panzica over 45 years ago when passes the the LOEW’S KINGS where called in from the Granada Theatre. In those days, the managers where a friendly group and the six theatres cross honored passes. That day she was called by the cashier and greeted me at the door. She walked me through the foyer and inner lobby to the auditorium door. She tried to coax me to come work at LOEW’S KINGS, but I was well entrenched in the Granada Theatre by then. Still, I will remember that day and still do 50 years later and meeting her. I safe guard the original 9 furnishings still used and on display at the theatre. All should visit Mrs. Panzica’s gift from the former Loew’s Kings when visiting the theatre. Without her kindness and generosity, furniture of the theatre are there for all to enjoy. So, go see them. Mrs. Panzica’s spirit will live long within the LOEW’S KINGS, an Brooklyn institution and landmark.
When opened it was known as the Mark Strand Theatre, which was told to me first in 1969 by a matron at the Granada Theatre. When older I saw the Mark Strand ads in the Eagle. This matron also worked at the Stone, Stadium, and the Supreme as well as the Ambassador Theatres in Brooklyn. Her name was Betty and she was a doll and wonderful woman.
Early in his career, Mr Lewis worked at the Loew’s State Theatre as an usher where he was dismissed for trying to unionize the ushers because even Loew’s overworked and paid their employees peanuts. Goodbye Jerry, I was the right age to enjoy your movies on television, saw your movie “Which Way To The Front?” in the very empty RKO Kenmore in Brooklyn on a Sunday matinee at 13 years old. I walked by the Loew’s Kings while they played “Don’t Raise The Bridge, Lower The River” inside. At Century’s Whitman we played “Hardly Working” for two weeks, to no business in late 1980. I saw “The Nutty Professor” at a screening at UA Farmingdale some years back. There might be imitators, but there was only one Jerry Lewis!
Nice.
Tom, I worked in Syosset and the D-150 in 1977 and during that winter’s blizzard, I was “strand"ed for 3 days at the theatre. I lived on pre-popped corn and a couple of Nestle Crunch bars. The M.D. Mr. Logue made sure I was paid for the closed days. At the Syosset, we played "Semi-Tough”, “Pete’s Dragon” and “House Calls” At the Cinema D-150, I remember “Coma” during blizzard, and “The Goodbye Girl” whose credits I never missed because the “Goodbye Girl” theme played as the house curtain closed. 40 years ago, how time flies. I was 21 years young.
Thanks C.C. I just love these ads and you add a lot to this sight, and that’s why I still tune in because of people like you.
I visited this theatre when it was closed and not in bad shape. The lounges were downstairs.
When it was Movieland, I played Personal Best here.
In 1967, I saw this at the RKO-Stanley Warner KENMORE.
In 1967, I saw this at the RKO-Stanley Warner KENMORE.
Love the ads, keep ‘em coming. I’m a now a displaced Long Islander now back home in Brooklyn, Thank God!
Hello Paul,
To Long Islnd Movies,when will I get an invite to your Plaza theatre, I know that I will have to pay for the popcorn and soda, even the ticket but the tour will be free but you must give it! Ha, ha, ha. I know you didn’t care for M.V,\but that made me next to last manager. Closed in 1985 with “Emerald Forest” and matinees of “Rainbow Brite”. I bought the last ticket sold on closing night. I asked Mata not to tear it. There was a cricket in the theatre which added to the crickets in the movie. That was “Live Effects” first presented here. Closed in 1985. Opened in 1964 with “King Of Kings” with Jeffrey Hunter and would later work at (2014-2017). The Kings of Kings is in Brooklyn, NY.
PS Wrong address, it was 998 Old Country Road, Plainview.
While I was posting a comment, it was wiped out by this sight, so I’ll keep it to myself. That is Batman at the Morton Village Theatre. Great place to work at. One of the two I adored. Spent 1980-1983 there. Wonderful staff, Lots of sellouts, no concessions business!
This Casino is not on Church Avenue, as it would have been closer to Flatbush Ave, some doors down from the Flatbush Theatre. Church Avenue runs from Flatbush to Bedford Aves and that puts the theatre near Bedford Ave. which is where the Post Office was and still is. Another point is that there was never an el on Church Avenue. This might be the Casino (Old Montauk, Crescent) on Flatbush Avenue near Fulton Street.
The former Loew’s Kings showed movies, Kings Theatre is performing arts at the average of 50 shows a year,if that many and is dark about 300 days. “Showing Movies” above should be changed to “Performing Arts”.
Last post over 6 years ago. This past Sunday at dusk, I walked past the former Flatbush Theatre Building and the upper windows for the offices are being replaced along with some alterations. I was pleasantly suprised to see the added projection booth with the port holes still in place in the upper rear wall. After 65 years of being closed, a part of the theatre was in still in place. I will try to get a peek. Got some photos… I don’t post. The nighttime construction lights that were on afforded me this view from the past.
Is the auditorium being restored in some way or the other?
Actually saw the underside of balcony and saw three circular of original plaster plus part of the front side of the balcony left detail upstairs this past Saturday. If the store stays one level, ?, it might remain. Loved to see what I saw for the last time.
To John above, this is not a perfect world so when the box office experiences problems with today’s ticket selling methods, we do our best. Would it be right to start the movie and have people interrupt you while the orchestra is playing. We are not ill-mannered, unprepared inconsiderate staff! Doors open at 7:00 and traffic to the theatre on show nights is heavy. As with most shows PATRONS have no consideration when they show up through the first hour (8-9). and are angry. To those who come late, TOUGH LUCK! The theatre is three times the normal theatre it takes time to seat people. The Jersey deals with unreserved seats and has about 150 persons per movie screening. I’m sorry you had a bad time at Kings Theatre, Had you stayed,the orchestra that played got a standing ovation. There were no complaints as the over 2,500 audience was exiting, why didn’t you say something when you left in the middle of the show??? This doesn’t go for all patrons but “COME EARLY and BE ON TIME. Don’t blame the staff for your woes. There is a management team ready to help you. This is for John, stay in New Jersey and don’t pollute Brooklyn with your presence!