Some sources say that the theater was destroyed in that fire. Wrong. Unlike the, supposedly, fireproof Edwards (East Hampton) and Rialto (Patchogue), the Babylon survived it’s fire. For the other two the walls came down. The original Capitol/Babylon walls still survive. Only the street facing facade is different.
And re the South Bay again, if they knew they were going to tear down and rebuild why go digital now?
If the theater has not been profitable for 20 years why did Clearview keep it and why did Bow Tie take it over? And re the South Bay it has parking. Have they gone digital or can we expect their subsequent closure?
Regional demographics are a major influence and cannot be denied. If the product doesn’t appeal to the neighborhood, or if the neighborhood is not friendly to the exhibitor that’s it. Look at the CT stats. Only ¼ of the theaters are open, and not, necessarily showing movies. Why so few? TV and other options, the economy, the age factor and, demographics.
Apparently the theater is no more. A 15,000 feet gourmet Russian supermarket is due to open on the site offering 40 varieties of caviar. It’s called Gourmanoff. Foods of Bulgaria, Uzbekistan and Latvia will also be featured.
Nothing further on the demolition. The Village Trustees have requested a detailed timetable re the demolition because of the impact it will have on the village’s main drag.
Went to the Hampton Arts the day I saw the reference to the kickstart program. There were some black and white copies of an innocuous flyer. I only saw it because I was looking for it. Was it there when I was there previously? Didn’t see anyone else glance at it. They’re going to have to be more aggressive.
I see by the headlines on CT that the Hampton Arts must complete its $125,000 kickstart for digital upgrade by the end of the month. When I mentioned the upgrade to the manager in the fall there was no plan. After the winter hiatus I’ve been back about a half dozen times. Never saw anything about funding. Wonder who they’ve approached? Doesn’t seem like the general public.
They must be keeping it a secret from the general public. I go there at least once a month and have never seen anything about it. Last fall I asked the manager about converting to digital . No comment. Then they closed for the winter. Kind of late in the game. Most theaters were doing their kickstarting more than a year ago.
Pete, you are correct. The Opera House was “in town” on the west side of the road just south of Main Street. The theater by the water was the Playhouse. See elsewhere on CT.
The most impressive thing about this theater was the entrance. I was surprised at the tiny and low ceilings auditorium. Once would hope the long entrance will be preserved in whatever the iteration of the building takes.
CenturyBill do you have any Century memorabilia? I remember they used to print a movie guide. Wonder what ever happened to the comedy and tragedy masks at the Glen Oaks.
There was also the need to premiere something to be eligible for Academy Award nominations. That was often done in LA. Then NY and wherever would follow suit.
Century built the Prospect in Flushing and leased it to Loew’s. Loew’s built the Manor in Brooklyn and leased it to Century who renamed it Vogue. Century also built the Merrick in Jamaica and leased it to Skouras, and, goodness knows, what else between which parties. The Propect returned as Century after the breakup of Loew’s and the Merrick also. Then there is the matter of the Century castoffs that became Springer. Springer, supposedly, an in law of Al Schwartz the founder. If you look extensively on CT you will also see a number of other theatres built by Century, not only the Suffolk in Riverhead mentioned in my December 8, 2013. comment.
Then there is the Century Skouras relationship where advertisements list certain theatres under both names while, elsewhere on the same page, there are venues just listed as Century. Subsequently, the “joint” theatres are either or.
And were all of the Lamb theatres unique? Were there a number of designs repeated at various locations with just a change in the facade to reflect the name or to conform with local requirements?
In more recent years chains have built cookie cutter venues on Long Island.
Mike (saps. It seems to me they should not show the chain operating the theatre. They change so often. Meadows had Cineplex Odeon forever; Shore still does.
It was different when management was more permanent and you could have your RKO, Loew’s or Century.
Where the Fantasy is located you can see it from the LIRR. It would be good advertising. For something like the Shore it’s in Huntington but off the beaten path so it’s not really a factor. The original marquee on the original Shore just had the name, as did the Alan in New Hyde Park. In later years signboards were added to both.
Now, more than ever it’s time to try to get inside and take pictures. It was announced that The Village of Great Neck Estates Board will hold a public hearing on August 6 (2014)on a plan to raze the theatre to make way for a new apartment building with retail space and parking. The latter is something which is sorely needed.
There are attempts to have the building given Landmark status. At the minimum the Historical Society wants the facade preserved.
Anybody see the facade? Doesn’t look like anything, much less a theatre.
Some sources say that the theater was destroyed in that fire. Wrong. Unlike the, supposedly, fireproof Edwards (East Hampton) and Rialto (Patchogue), the Babylon survived it’s fire. For the other two the walls came down. The original Capitol/Babylon walls still survive. Only the street facing facade is different.
And re the South Bay again, if they knew they were going to tear down and rebuild why go digital now?
If the theater has not been profitable for 20 years why did Clearview keep it and why did Bow Tie take it over? And re the South Bay it has parking. Have they gone digital or can we expect their subsequent closure?
Glad they went with Lyric. The remaining facade on 43 Street is what it’s all about.
Regional demographics are a major influence and cannot be denied. If the product doesn’t appeal to the neighborhood, or if the neighborhood is not friendly to the exhibitor that’s it. Look at the CT stats. Only ¼ of the theaters are open, and not, necessarily showing movies. Why so few? TV and other options, the economy, the age factor and, demographics.
Apparently the theater is no more. A 15,000 feet gourmet Russian supermarket is due to open on the site offering 40 varieties of caviar. It’s called Gourmanoff. Foods of Bulgaria, Uzbekistan and Latvia will also be featured.
Next hearing is September 8th.
Nothing further on the demolition. The Village Trustees have requested a detailed timetable re the demolition because of the impact it will have on the village’s main drag.
Waiting for someone to post photos of the current facade.
Went to the Hampton Arts the day I saw the reference to the kickstart program. There were some black and white copies of an innocuous flyer. I only saw it because I was looking for it. Was it there when I was there previously? Didn’t see anyone else glance at it. They’re going to have to be more aggressive.
I see by the headlines on CT that the Hampton Arts must complete its $125,000 kickstart for digital upgrade by the end of the month. When I mentioned the upgrade to the manager in the fall there was no plan. After the winter hiatus I’ve been back about a half dozen times. Never saw anything about funding. Wonder who they’ve approached? Doesn’t seem like the general public.
They must be keeping it a secret from the general public. I go there at least once a month and have never seen anything about it. Last fall I asked the manager about converting to digital . No comment. Then they closed for the winter. Kind of late in the game. Most theaters were doing their kickstarting more than a year ago.
Shortly after the closure of the Worlds Fair I saw a live production of Come Back Little Sheba with Jan Sterling.
Pete, you are correct. The Opera House was “in town” on the west side of the road just south of Main Street. The theater by the water was the Playhouse. See elsewhere on CT.
The most impressive thing about this theater was the entrance. I was surprised at the tiny and low ceilings auditorium. Once would hope the long entrance will be preserved in whatever the iteration of the building takes.
CenturyBill, an after thought. what was the seating capacity at the Glen Oaks?
CenturyBill do you have any Century memorabilia? I remember they used to print a movie guide. Wonder what ever happened to the comedy and tragedy masks at the Glen Oaks.
There was also the need to premiere something to be eligible for Academy Award nominations. That was often done in LA. Then NY and wherever would follow suit.
Well if the change to digital didn’t kill enough theatres this ruling should take out a lot more.
Century built the Prospect in Flushing and leased it to Loew’s. Loew’s built the Manor in Brooklyn and leased it to Century who renamed it Vogue. Century also built the Merrick in Jamaica and leased it to Skouras, and, goodness knows, what else between which parties. The Propect returned as Century after the breakup of Loew’s and the Merrick also. Then there is the matter of the Century castoffs that became Springer. Springer, supposedly, an in law of Al Schwartz the founder. If you look extensively on CT you will also see a number of other theatres built by Century, not only the Suffolk in Riverhead mentioned in my December 8, 2013. comment.
Then there is the Century Skouras relationship where advertisements list certain theatres under both names while, elsewhere on the same page, there are venues just listed as Century. Subsequently, the “joint” theatres are either or.
What gives? Both Seth and BigJoe have triple entries? How did that happen guys? You can remove the duplicates at your end.
Would be nice to actually have pictures of the theatres on Cinema Treasures.
And were all of the Lamb theatres unique? Were there a number of designs repeated at various locations with just a change in the facade to reflect the name or to conform with local requirements?
In more recent years chains have built cookie cutter venues on Long Island.
BigJoe- Anything other than 8th to Broadway and above 50th is off the beaten path for a go to destination. Music Hall being the exception.
Mike (saps. It seems to me they should not show the chain operating the theatre. They change so often. Meadows had Cineplex Odeon forever; Shore still does. It was different when management was more permanent and you could have your RKO, Loew’s or Century.
Where the Fantasy is located you can see it from the LIRR. It would be good advertising. For something like the Shore it’s in Huntington but off the beaten path so it’s not really a factor. The original marquee on the original Shore just had the name, as did the Alan in New Hyde Park. In later years signboards were added to both.
Now, more than ever it’s time to try to get inside and take pictures. It was announced that The Village of Great Neck Estates Board will hold a public hearing on August 6 (2014)on a plan to raze the theatre to make way for a new apartment building with retail space and parking. The latter is something which is sorely needed.
There are attempts to have the building given Landmark status. At the minimum the Historical Society wants the facade preserved.
Anybody see the facade? Doesn’t look like anything, much less a theatre.