I was in there just the other day, looking around. Despite its present use as an adult bookstore and peepshow, there is still plenty to see of the old theatre.
I passed this theater again today. It is a shame that the only surviving Times Square movie house is shuttered. As the last of a breed it should be treasured, and by more than just us. I wonder if anyone could make a go of a single screen theatre nowadays…look at the trouble filling the Astor Plaza and the Ziegfeld. But those two are really new houses, not classics. Since the Mayfair (the DeMille? anything but Embassy 2-3-4!!!) is the only movie house directly on Times Square, with that wraparound sign above it still is use, it seems a perfect spot for premieres, exclusives, maybe even a spot for the much-desired Cinerama revival, a wish that seems to crop up on many of these message boards. We have this possible treasure just sitting there. What’s a fanatic to do?
So AMC is still running this house, though not as a movie theater? If so, that’s pretty remarkable. I wonder if any other chains have repurposed their venues without selling or ababndoning them.
I saw the 7-½ Percent Solution here. I must say the new Loew’s is a beauty for a modern theater, big lobby, high ceilings, large cinemas with big screens and good sound. If it wasn’t so off my path I would go more often.
I went to the Pilgrim in the early 1980’s when it was an adult theatre. They had closed off the balcony but guys were up there anyway, doing their thing. It was a big beautiful house, and the boxes were still intact. Quite a trip for my first time in Boston. It is still standing?
I lived in downtown Brooklyn in the 1980’s and I could see the top floors and roof of the theatre, at the same angle as in the post card. I would have had a perfect view of that big rooftop sign. Alas, I was only a few decades too late.
Since this theater was known as Loew’s Kameo for almost 40 years, then owned by Loew’s until it closed, maybe it should be listed as Loew’s Kameo.
I remember being driven past this jewel on Eastern Parkway when I was a boy, and it seemed that “I, A Woman” played here for a long time. (It’s funny how my childhood theatre memories are; see Loew’s Hillside listing for my burlesque memories.)
I saw Amadeus here around 1984, on a school assignment from my music class at Brooklyn College. It was a discount theatre, and it hadn’t been twinned or anything. I enjoyed the size and airiness of the house, and I’m sorry I didn’t go more often, but the next thing I knew it was closed. I always look for it when I’m on Avenue J.
I have been here, and it had that dark, old-fashioned movie house smell, and not the good kind. More like a classic itch. I went by again on Saturday night, 11:00pm, 6/5/04. The marquee was lighted, but the place was closed. On the Marquee was “Lord of the Rings” “Cheaper by the Dozen” “Baby Daddy” and “Torque.” And a sign that matinees were $3.50, evenings $5.50. Anyone know why it closed or what the plans are? I guess they left the lights on by accident!
In the new Elaine Stritch show on HBO, there is a nice color clip of Times Square in the 50’s, with a good clear shot of this theatre, marquee blazing, showing “Cinerama Holiday.” It comes about 20 to 30 minutes into the show.
These are the most heartbreaking photos I have yet seen on this site. I’ve never been to Dayton but I feel like crying anyway. Thanks for the eye-opener.
I remember passing this theater several times in a car during the late 1960s. I was a boy but I clearly remember that they had a burlesque show running at the time. The word “Follies” is so burned in my brain that a few years later when I saw a friend with a “Mad Follies” magazine, I thought it had to do with strippers! I see the walls of the building all the time when I’m in Jamaica on business, and I’m glad this little mystery has been solved for me.
The aspect ratio was correct during Casablanca, but the image was small in relation to the proscenium. When the Music Hall showed films on a regular basis, did they really use so little of the available space?
As to the sound, I did see several movies there during the movie/stage show era, and don’t recall any sound problems.
I think that when theaters aren’t regularly showing films, but do show the occasional movie, when they do play a movie the equipment and the projectionists aren’t always up to speed. If a projectionist comes in and find that the bulb isn’t bright enough, or the speakers aren’t working right, there is very little he or she can do about it.
I saw Casablanca here during a film festival a few years ago, and the image seemed small to me, considering the space available, and the sound was terrible. It was all echoes and tinny, and if I didn’t already know the movie so well, I wouldn’t have known what all the Casablanca fuss was about.
I was in there just the other day, looking around. Despite its present use as an adult bookstore and peepshow, there is still plenty to see of the old theatre.
I passed this theater again today. It is a shame that the only surviving Times Square movie house is shuttered. As the last of a breed it should be treasured, and by more than just us. I wonder if anyone could make a go of a single screen theatre nowadays…look at the trouble filling the Astor Plaza and the Ziegfeld. But those two are really new houses, not classics. Since the Mayfair (the DeMille? anything but Embassy 2-3-4!!!) is the only movie house directly on Times Square, with that wraparound sign above it still is use, it seems a perfect spot for premieres, exclusives, maybe even a spot for the much-desired Cinerama revival, a wish that seems to crop up on many of these message boards. We have this possible treasure just sitting there. What’s a fanatic to do?
I saw the restored print of My Fair Lady here a few years ago, and both it and the theater were gorgeous.
I don’t think it’s an Edwards house anymore.
So AMC is still running this house, though not as a movie theater? If so, that’s pretty remarkable. I wonder if any other chains have repurposed their venues without selling or ababndoning them.
When I was there the marquee was still up and there was a nice vertical sign, as I recall.
I saw the 7-½ Percent Solution here. I must say the new Loew’s is a beauty for a modern theater, big lobby, high ceilings, large cinemas with big screens and good sound. If it wasn’t so off my path I would go more often.
I went to the Pilgrim in the early 1980’s when it was an adult theatre. They had closed off the balcony but guys were up there anyway, doing their thing. It was a big beautiful house, and the boxes were still intact. Quite a trip for my first time in Boston. It is still standing?
I lived in downtown Brooklyn in the 1980’s and I could see the top floors and roof of the theatre, at the same angle as in the post card. I would have had a perfect view of that big rooftop sign. Alas, I was only a few decades too late.
Excellent photo! But according to the text, it was supposed to be a picture of the truck!
Since this theater was known as Loew’s Kameo for almost 40 years, then owned by Loew’s until it closed, maybe it should be listed as Loew’s Kameo.
I remember being driven past this jewel on Eastern Parkway when I was a boy, and it seemed that “I, A Woman” played here for a long time. (It’s funny how my childhood theatre memories are; see Loew’s Hillside listing for my burlesque memories.)
I saw Amadeus here around 1984, on a school assignment from my music class at Brooklyn College. It was a discount theatre, and it hadn’t been twinned or anything. I enjoyed the size and airiness of the house, and I’m sorry I didn’t go more often, but the next thing I knew it was closed. I always look for it when I’m on Avenue J.
I have been here, and it had that dark, old-fashioned movie house smell, and not the good kind. More like a classic itch. I went by again on Saturday night, 11:00pm, 6/5/04. The marquee was lighted, but the place was closed. On the Marquee was “Lord of the Rings” “Cheaper by the Dozen” “Baby Daddy” and “Torque.” And a sign that matinees were $3.50, evenings $5.50. Anyone know why it closed or what the plans are? I guess they left the lights on by accident!
Nice Brooklyn link above. Thanks.
Yes, for a true Broadway classic this listing and message board is a little sparse.
In the new Elaine Stritch show on HBO, there is a nice color clip of Times Square in the 50’s, with a good clear shot of this theatre, marquee blazing, showing “Cinerama Holiday.” It comes about 20 to 30 minutes into the show.
These are the most heartbreaking photos I have yet seen on this site. I’ve never been to Dayton but I feel like crying anyway. Thanks for the eye-opener.
What year did this open?
I remember passing this theater several times in a car during the late 1960s. I was a boy but I clearly remember that they had a burlesque show running at the time. The word “Follies” is so burned in my brain that a few years later when I saw a friend with a “Mad Follies” magazine, I thought it had to do with strippers! I see the walls of the building all the time when I’m in Jamaica on business, and I’m glad this little mystery has been solved for me.
The aspect ratio was correct during Casablanca, but the image was small in relation to the proscenium. When the Music Hall showed films on a regular basis, did they really use so little of the available space?
As to the sound, I did see several movies there during the movie/stage show era, and don’t recall any sound problems.
I think that when theaters aren’t regularly showing films, but do show the occasional movie, when they do play a movie the equipment and the projectionists aren’t always up to speed. If a projectionist comes in and find that the bulb isn’t bright enough, or the speakers aren’t working right, there is very little he or she can do about it.
I saw Casablanca here during a film festival a few years ago, and the image seemed small to me, considering the space available, and the sound was terrible. It was all echoes and tinny, and if I didn’t already know the movie so well, I wouldn’t have known what all the Casablanca fuss was about.
This listing needs an update.
I saw “Malcolm X” there, and you could smoke in the balcony, which many did!
I heard that it played Spenish language movies before it closed.
“Troy” premiere was here tonight (5/10/04.