I recently posted information that the manager of the original Babylon Theatre (Babylon, NY) had been arrested when he tried to exhibit a five reel film on white slavery entitled “Traffic in Souls” in March 1914.
Yet, in May 1914 the Crescent was showing a five reel exposure of white slavery called “Trapped in the Great Metropolis”. Really? Two five reel features on the same subject in 1914? Renamed?
In a very poor picture obtained from the Babylon Historical Society one can see that this is a one story building, the name “Babylon” on the facade and an arcade entrance.
In March 1914 Manager Polley incurred the wrath of Babylon Village President Edward S. Alley when he wanted to exhibit a five reel film entitled “Traffic in Souls” which depicted methods of white slave traffic. A private showing with the film representative and members of clergy was scheduled so Polley could present his case. Alley stormed out. When Polley tried to show the film he was arrested. He subsequently brought a $10,000 suit for damages against Alley which was eventually settled out of court for several hundred.
On November 7, 1935 there was a breakin at the theater.
Thieves didn’t get much but they used lighted newspapers as a light source, the charred remains of which were found. Fortunately no fire resulted.
The exterior walls and signage are all up. Just need to complete a bit of the facade, the parking lot and the interior. I would think CVS will open by July 4th.
The January 24, 1913 article in the South Side Signal (Babylon) from which I extracted information for the creation of this theatre specifically said the lot was at the corner of Deer Park Avenue and George Street. And, latterly, that it was adjacent to Sprague’s Garage (see reference above).
A two year lease was taken on the, at then, Novelty by William D. Eccleston, who was building a chain of theatres, on December 20, 1920. The owner, Henry Kost, tried to break the lease in September 1921 because of late payment of the August rent of $125. Eccleston wanted Kost to take the payment from the receipts of his Comet Theatre in Bellport which Kost managed for him. The rent was paid in court and Eccleston said he would now personally manage the Comet. Kost said that he would take measures to have Eccleston ousted from the Novelty. To be continued.
Other than a notice that the Comet opened in May 1919 I have, to date, found no other references to it other than the court cas.
According to one article the height of the theatre and the building materials used were chosen to resemble the features of the adjacent Sprague Garage. Presumably the garage was on George Street rather than Deer Park Avenue because of the 1919 article about the adjacent 38 foot frontage on Deer Park Avenue.
Under Polley' management a stage was added for a weekly talent night. It was, subsequent, extensively used for other theatrical experience according to news articles.
In December 1917 an ad proclaimed that “The heating plant has been overhauled and enlarged assuring warmth and comfort at all times.”
Polley announced plans to build an Airdrome seating about 800 next to the theatre for the summer of 1914. There is no indication that this ever happened.
In 1919, Eccleston, who leased the theatre purchased the building and an adjacent lot with a 38 foot frontage on Deer Park Avenue with the intention of building a new theatre at an estimated cost of $40,000. There is no indication that the latter occurred.
Doing research on something else I came upon an article indicating that, in 1917, the Regent was in receivership but would be reopening under the management of Nathan Goldstein who operated the Unique and Star in Patchogue. It was subsequently operated by W.D Eccleston until it was acquired by Mike Glynne in 1926. At some point in time it became a Prudential theater.
Notice the parallels of movie exhibitors and banks? Always changing ownership and, sometimes, names.
At one point in 1920 I found a joint ad for the Carlton and Regent under the management of Fitzgibbons. However in 1926 “Mike” Glynne obtained these and others for his circuit. Plans were to do a major rebuild of the Carlton to double it’s capacity and equip it for Broadway type productions. He also purchased land in Bay Shore for a large theatre, which I presume was the Bay Shore from the location given as to the proximity to the Catholic church.
David I believe you are correct. I saw an ad for the Carlton in 1920 which, I believe, had his name. I’ll have to try and track it down and confirm. In 1929 the Bay Shore, Regent (Bay Shore), Patchogue, Rialto (also Patchogue) and Babylon were already operated by Prudential.
The Rialto, and neighboring Patchogue, were acquired by Prudential in August, 1929. At that time Prudential also operated the Bay Shore, Regent (Bay Shore) and Babylon theaters. The Rialto was immediately closed for renovations and the installation of an RCA sound system.
The Patchogue and neighboring Rialto were acquired by Prudential in August, 1929. At that time they also operated the Bay Shore, Regent (Bay Shore) and Babylon theaters.
The Lynbrook will be rebuilt when they finish the Second Avenue Subway in Manhattan and the Long Island Railroad access to Grand Central. A New York reference to things which will never happen in my lifetime.
Already too many performing arts theatres on Long Island: The Space at Westbury, Engermann at Northport, CM at Oakdale, Patchogue, Suffolk in Riverhead, Bolton (Regent) in Patchogue, Smithtown, Paramount in Huntington etc, etc..
There are fewer and fewer movie theaters on Long Island and, it would seem that many of those are struggling.
Between the cost of going to the movies and the fact that, in many areas of Long Island, you have to drive 20 minutes or more to get there, it’s not surprising.
techman, apparently you do not recall the demolition of the Bijou, Helen Hayes and Morosco legits, three in a row, as well as the Astor some 25 years ago. Big shiny building went up which now houses the Marquis.
Sadly, Orlando, the number of people who care is also diminishing. As those of us remember when movie going was a theatrical experience diminish so will interest in any sort of preservation and, the Cinema Treasures site itself. When I first found the site and joined the number of comments was far greater than you see today. Conversely, the number of theaters has increased due to the interest of a few.
As an aside, a large multipurpose theater was being planned in 1927 on Merrick Road at Richmond (current site of the Rosyln Savings Bank). The house on the property was moved and excavation begun but the project was cancelled. Might have been as a result of the Great depression.
Don’t know when it happened but Glen Cove has reopened according to the Movie TimeTable in Newsday. Since they were going to put up a new marquee it would be nice if someone could take a picture.
I recently posted information that the manager of the original Babylon Theatre (Babylon, NY) had been arrested when he tried to exhibit a five reel film on white slavery entitled “Traffic in Souls” in March 1914.
Yet, in May 1914 the Crescent was showing a five reel exposure of white slavery called “Trapped in the Great Metropolis”. Really? Two five reel features on the same subject in 1914? Renamed?
In a very poor picture obtained from the Babylon Historical Society one can see that this is a one story building, the name “Babylon” on the facade and an arcade entrance.
In March 1914 Manager Polley incurred the wrath of Babylon Village President Edward S. Alley when he wanted to exhibit a five reel film entitled “Traffic in Souls” which depicted methods of white slave traffic. A private showing with the film representative and members of clergy was scheduled so Polley could present his case. Alley stormed out. When Polley tried to show the film he was arrested. He subsequently brought a $10,000 suit for damages against Alley which was eventually settled out of court for several hundred.
On November 7, 1935 there was a breakin at the theater.
Thieves didn’t get much but they used lighted newspapers as a light source, the charred remains of which were found. Fortunately no fire resulted.
The exterior walls and signage are all up. Just need to complete a bit of the facade, the parking lot and the interior. I would think CVS will open by July 4th.
Cineplex Odeon ran all their Long Island properties into the ground. They have always been a leader —-in pushing the price point.
The January 24, 1913 article in the South Side Signal (Babylon) from which I extracted information for the creation of this theatre specifically said the lot was at the corner of Deer Park Avenue and George Street. And, latterly, that it was adjacent to Sprague’s Garage (see reference above).
In the day South Country Road was called Main Street.
Are you sure about that Orlando? I thought some of the original structure was retained.
A two year lease was taken on the, at then, Novelty by William D. Eccleston, who was building a chain of theatres, on December 20, 1920. The owner, Henry Kost, tried to break the lease in September 1921 because of late payment of the August rent of $125. Eccleston wanted Kost to take the payment from the receipts of his Comet Theatre in Bellport which Kost managed for him. The rent was paid in court and Eccleston said he would now personally manage the Comet. Kost said that he would take measures to have Eccleston ousted from the Novelty. To be continued.
Other than a notice that the Comet opened in May 1919 I have, to date, found no other references to it other than the court cas.
According to one article the height of the theatre and the building materials used were chosen to resemble the features of the adjacent Sprague Garage. Presumably the garage was on George Street rather than Deer Park Avenue because of the 1919 article about the adjacent 38 foot frontage on Deer Park Avenue.
Under Polley' management a stage was added for a weekly talent night. It was, subsequent, extensively used for other theatrical experience according to news articles.
In December 1917 an ad proclaimed that “The heating plant has been overhauled and enlarged assuring warmth and comfort at all times.”
Polley announced plans to build an Airdrome seating about 800 next to the theatre for the summer of 1914. There is no indication that this ever happened.
In 1919, Eccleston, who leased the theatre purchased the building and an adjacent lot with a 38 foot frontage on Deer Park Avenue with the intention of building a new theatre at an estimated cost of $40,000. There is no indication that the latter occurred.
Doing research on something else I came upon an article indicating that, in 1917, the Regent was in receivership but would be reopening under the management of Nathan Goldstein who operated the Unique and Star in Patchogue. It was subsequently operated by W.D Eccleston until it was acquired by Mike Glynne in 1926. At some point in time it became a Prudential theater.
Notice the parallels of movie exhibitors and banks? Always changing ownership and, sometimes, names.
At one point in 1920 I found a joint ad for the Carlton and Regent under the management of Fitzgibbons. However in 1926 “Mike” Glynne obtained these and others for his circuit. Plans were to do a major rebuild of the Carlton to double it’s capacity and equip it for Broadway type productions. He also purchased land in Bay Shore for a large theatre, which I presume was the Bay Shore from the location given as to the proximity to the Catholic church.
David I believe you are correct. I saw an ad for the Carlton in 1920 which, I believe, had his name. I’ll have to try and track it down and confirm. In 1929 the Bay Shore, Regent (Bay Shore), Patchogue, Rialto (also Patchogue) and Babylon were already operated by Prudential.
The Rialto, and neighboring Patchogue, were acquired by Prudential in August, 1929. At that time Prudential also operated the Bay Shore, Regent (Bay Shore) and Babylon theaters. The Rialto was immediately closed for renovations and the installation of an RCA sound system.
The Patchogue and neighboring Rialto were acquired by Prudential in August, 1929. At that time they also operated the Bay Shore, Regent (Bay Shore) and Babylon theaters.
The Lynbrook will be rebuilt when they finish the Second Avenue Subway in Manhattan and the Long Island Railroad access to Grand Central. A New York reference to things which will never happen in my lifetime.
Already too many performing arts theatres on Long Island: The Space at Westbury, Engermann at Northport, CM at Oakdale, Patchogue, Suffolk in Riverhead, Bolton (Regent) in Patchogue, Smithtown, Paramount in Huntington etc, etc..
There are fewer and fewer movie theaters on Long Island and, it would seem that many of those are struggling.
Between the cost of going to the movies and the fact that, in many areas of Long Island, you have to drive 20 minutes or more to get there, it’s not surprising.
techman, apparently you do not recall the demolition of the Bijou, Helen Hayes and Morosco legits, three in a row, as well as the Astor some 25 years ago. Big shiny building went up which now houses the Marquis.
Sadly, Orlando, the number of people who care is also diminishing. As those of us remember when movie going was a theatrical experience diminish so will interest in any sort of preservation and, the Cinema Treasures site itself. When I first found the site and joined the number of comments was far greater than you see today. Conversely, the number of theaters has increased due to the interest of a few.
As an aside, a large multipurpose theater was being planned in 1927 on Merrick Road at Richmond (current site of the Rosyln Savings Bank). The house on the property was moved and excavation begun but the project was cancelled. Might have been as a result of the Great depression.
Must have been fairly sudden. Showtimes are listed in the Sunday, April 20th Newsday.
Don’t know when it happened but Glen Cove has reopened according to the Movie TimeTable in Newsday. Since they were going to put up a new marquee it would be nice if someone could take a picture.
Contrary to the Starr where the top appears to have been lopped off for later use, the Willoughby added a story or two.