The Litchfield Opera House opened on November 8, 1900 with the drama “The Marble Heart”. Seating in the U-shaped auditorium was provided for 400 on the main level and 200 upstairs.
Thanks for the complements Ed. I never saw the original colour scheme when it was operating as a movie theatre, but I would imagine it was darker and that the current Brooklyn Tabernacle prefered a lighter scheme.
On our tour of the building last week, I was amazed at the huge amount of foyer and circulation spaces that are inside the building. All areas have been renovated to the highest standards.
There is a New Singer Theatre listed in the 1926 edition of Film Daily Yearbook, located at 375 Stone Avenue, Brooklyn (600 seats). It is listed until at least 1930.
The Lee brothers are the operators of the auto-repair shop. I met up with a couple of Asian gentlemen who allowed access to the building. From what I remember, there was only a little trace of decorative detail and I think I remember the remains of an original light fitting still hanging. It’s worth asking if you can take a look if you are around the area.
There is a December 1938 photograph taken at night (re-opening night perhaps?) on page 57 of the book ‘The Amber Valley Gazeteer of Greater London’s Suburban Cinemas 1946-1986’ by Malcolm Webb Published 1986. It shows the ‘new’ Art Deco style frontage designed by George Coles outlined in neon tube lighting with a ‘State’ vertical name sign. I have never seen photographs of the original 1910 designed building.
I believe the Grand Opera House has been damaged by IRA bombs on at least two occasions which resulted in its closure. Each time it wasa restored and re-opened. The bombs were not aimed at the theatre itself but occured in the close vicinity.
A set of photographs of the Granada Clapham Junction here:
View link
A set of photographs of the Gala Bingo Club (former Regal Cinema):
View link
The Litchfield Opera House opened on November 8, 1900 with the drama “The Marble Heart”. Seating in the U-shaped auditorium was provided for 400 on the main level and 200 upstairs.
Here are a few photographs I took on the Cinema Theatre Association(UK) visit to NYC’s movie theatres that I organised in November 2007:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1936118091/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1936972624/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1936143135/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1936987238/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1936987682/
Some photographs that I took on the Cinema Theatre Association(UK) visit to New York theatres that I organised in November 2007:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1935940084/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1935110199/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1935121753/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1935970666/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1935976860/
Views of the long-closed roof theatre:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1935985744/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1935990684/
Some vintage photographs and history here:
View link
and here:
View link
Thanks for the complements Ed. I never saw the original colour scheme when it was operating as a movie theatre, but I would imagine it was darker and that the current Brooklyn Tabernacle prefered a lighter scheme.
On our tour of the building last week, I was amazed at the huge amount of foyer and circulation spaces that are inside the building. All areas have been renovated to the highest standards.
A set of photographs that I took in October 2007 during the Cinema Theatre Association(UK) visit to the theatres of New York that I organised:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1918472381/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1918492067/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1918503201/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1918525225/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1919362928/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1919374634/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1918558781/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1918569279/
A scan of a photograph I took in 1998 of the closed down Cineplex Odeon quad, showing the original facade on the main Fulton Street entrance:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1906346199/
The same view, taken in June 2006 of the altered facade. This is now a secondary entrance to the Brooklyn Tabernacle:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1907338159/
A set of interior photographs I took on the November 2007 Cinema Theatre Association(UK) visit that I organised to New York’s theatres:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1908266196/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1908282018/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1908292788/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1908303322/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1907496833/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1907507815/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1907522167/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1908369334/
Here are two photographs of the building which I took in October 2007 during the Cinema Theatre Association(UK) visit to New York that I organised:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1906011896/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1906019928/
The American Motion Picture Directory;1914-1915 edition lists a Royal Theatre at 235 Avenue A.
Opened by the year 1926 and operating as the New Singer Theater until about 1930.
A photograph of the former American Movies building which I took in October 2007:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1893857575/
There is a New Singer Theatre listed in the 1926 edition of Film Daily Yearbook, located at 375 Stone Avenue, Brooklyn (600 seats). It is listed until at least 1930.
I don’t have any records in my documents for a New Singer (or Singer) Theatre operating in Manhattan as a movie theatre.
The Lee brothers are the operators of the auto-repair shop. I met up with a couple of Asian gentlemen who allowed access to the building. From what I remember, there was only a little trace of decorative detail and I think I remember the remains of an original light fitting still hanging. It’s worth asking if you can take a look if you are around the area.
In the 1914-1915 edition of American Motion Picture Directory the Astor Theatre is listed at 133 Second Avenue.
The New Law Theatre and the St. Marks Theatre are both listed under their respective addresses in the 1926 edition of Film Daily Yearbook.
The St. Marks Theatre is listed on this site here:
/theaters/11089/
The 1926 edition of Film Daily Yearbook lists the St. Marks Theatre (600 seats) at 133 Second Avenue.
Two photographs of the former Court Theatre that I took in June 2006:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1891431062/
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1890609831/
A photograph of the New Law Theatre building that I took in October 2007:
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/1890178878/
There is a December 1938 photograph taken at night (re-opening night perhaps?) on page 57 of the book ‘The Amber Valley Gazeteer of Greater London’s Suburban Cinemas 1946-1986’ by Malcolm Webb Published 1986. It shows the ‘new’ Art Deco style frontage designed by George Coles outlined in neon tube lighting with a ‘State’ vertical name sign. I have never seen photographs of the original 1910 designed building.
I believe the Grand Opera House has been damaged by IRA bombs on at least two occasions which resulted in its closure. Each time it wasa restored and re-opened. The bombs were not aimed at the theatre itself but occured in the close vicinity.
A night view from December 2006:
View link
An August 2006 photograph of the Bijou Theatre:
http://flickr.com/photos/23056599@N00/212235432/