skeeelz
I agree 100% this was a true New York institution, I had many happy times here seeing double and triple features. I would not want to see a wide screen stereo epic here, but all the old classics played well here since they were filmed in the old academy ratio. Plus the brownies and coffee and people talking to each other in the lobby between features. Sadly these days are gone forever, at least in NY.
And at that time running past midnight was still time and a half for the projectionist. Meanwhile you would more then make up for it from the concession profits. When the show is starting people run right for the seats and skip refreshments.
I am planning on seeing Aviator this weekend and plan on looking for a theatre that has a big screen to try to get that epic feel. I may drive to the Lafayette since it opens there on Christmas day. I am so sick of shoe-box theatres.
Warren
Were weekly changes the norm all the way up to premiere showcase? I know for a film like Ten Commandments that it would wind up being held over, but what about a strong grossing normal film? I guess this is why films had such strength in those days to keep moving down the circut tiers and then to the late run neighborhood houses.
I live in Forest Hills in Queens and although my area has stayed nice many other areas have gotten so bad. I looked at houses in Nassau but all the areas I would live in have taxes of 8 to 10,000 a year. Great Neck, Manhasset and Garden City are still top areas. The weird thing is the Loews Roosevelt Field is in Garden City but is drawing a rough crowd at times.
I had a great time, I brought two friends who went crazy when they saw how incredible the theatre was. The prints were awesome, seeing a real technicolor print was the best part. My friend and I were just discussing the recent DVD version of Meet Me In St Louis. Although the print says resored they always seem to tone down the color on these transfers to make them more realistic looking. Real IB-Tecnicolor of the 30’s and 40’s had a bright almost gaudy looking color. This is what made these films have that special look. The cartoon you guys ran captured that perfectly. My friends want to see almost every classic you have on your spring program.
Oh another Coliseum job. I heard Queens Theatre Circut was having hard times that may be why this took so long and the Ridgewood has had no maintenance done to it. Hopefully this place will do well for them. I am sure when they reopen the double bills will be gone.
Years ago the turnstyle was not that uncommon for neighborhood houses. When I ran the Drake and Haven we had a turnstyle. The Cinemart had one until we twinned it. Most of the porno theatres used turnstyles and even the Cinema Village had one. Some other places I remember with them were Brooklyn Heights Cinema and The Austin. I always thought they were totally tackey for Manhattan. Embassy 72nd Street had one.
Warren
You are correct since Interboro it was the Main Street Playhouse, then Main Street Twin and when it was quaded it became the Main Street Cinema, which it has been ever since. The manager here for many years was named Flo Deane, she worked for many years at the Lefferts before she came here.
Century’s has such a precense in Long Island but they seemed to stall in the late 80’s before they were bought up by RKO. I dont know if it was that they did not multip-plex their theatres soon enough or they had cash problems. They had so many key locations.
skeeelz
I agree 100% this was a true New York institution, I had many happy times here seeing double and triple features. I would not want to see a wide screen stereo epic here, but all the old classics played well here since they were filmed in the old academy ratio. Plus the brownies and coffee and people talking to each other in the lobby between features. Sadly these days are gone forever, at least in NY.
I hope someone in New York puts in one of those ultra screens but wont hold my breath :(
Are they able to keep the Loews name? I am curious about this for the Jersey City also?
What part of Brooklyn is this? I have never heard mention of this theatre before.
And at that time running past midnight was still time and a half for the projectionist. Meanwhile you would more then make up for it from the concession profits. When the show is starting people run right for the seats and skip refreshments.
They are in a free booking zone they can pretty much play anything they want.
What a shame they hacked the place apart and it’s still just a twin.
I am planning on seeing Aviator this weekend and plan on looking for a theatre that has a big screen to try to get that epic feel. I may drive to the Lafayette since it opens there on Christmas day. I am so sick of shoe-box theatres.
Warren
Were weekly changes the norm all the way up to premiere showcase? I know for a film like Ten Commandments that it would wind up being held over, but what about a strong grossing normal film? I guess this is why films had such strength in those days to keep moving down the circut tiers and then to the late run neighborhood houses.
This is the begining of the end for the Castro. Sadly it will join the Sutton and Cinema 1-2-3 as beloved theatres destroyed.
CConnolly
No amusing stories about seeing Ghost at the Westbury? Back then they still used to get people into the theatre at least.
I live in Forest Hills in Queens and although my area has stayed nice many other areas have gotten so bad. I looked at houses in Nassau but all the areas I would live in have taxes of 8 to 10,000 a year. Great Neck, Manhasset and Garden City are still top areas. The weird thing is the Loews Roosevelt Field is in Garden City but is drawing a rough crowd at times.
Was that another movie theatre across the sreet that says playhouse on the top?
Pete
I had a great time, I brought two friends who went crazy when they saw how incredible the theatre was. The prints were awesome, seeing a real technicolor print was the best part. My friend and I were just discussing the recent DVD version of Meet Me In St Louis. Although the print says resored they always seem to tone down the color on these transfers to make them more realistic looking. Real IB-Tecnicolor of the 30’s and 40’s had a bright almost gaudy looking color. This is what made these films have that special look. The cartoon you guys ran captured that perfectly. My friends want to see almost every classic you have on your spring program.
Maybe there will be an auditorium there?
So there were still theatres showing only silent films into the 30’s?
Oh another Coliseum job. I heard Queens Theatre Circut was having hard times that may be why this took so long and the Ridgewood has had no maintenance done to it. Hopefully this place will do well for them. I am sure when they reopen the double bills will be gone.
I’ll be there
As far as twins go the State was one of the better jobs. The upstairs theatre was still a palace.
The Austin is now the Kew Gardens Cinemas, the Astro is the wrong name of the theatre I am thinking of.
Benjamin
Years ago the turnstyle was not that uncommon for neighborhood houses. When I ran the Drake and Haven we had a turnstyle. The Cinemart had one until we twinned it. Most of the porno theatres used turnstyles and even the Cinema Village had one. Some other places I remember with them were Brooklyn Heights Cinema and The Austin. I always thought they were totally tackey for Manhattan. Embassy 72nd Street had one.
Warren
You are correct since Interboro it was the Main Street Playhouse, then Main Street Twin and when it was quaded it became the Main Street Cinema, which it has been ever since. The manager here for many years was named Flo Deane, she worked for many years at the Lefferts before she came here.
Century’s has such a precense in Long Island but they seemed to stall in the late 80’s before they were bought up by RKO. I dont know if it was that they did not multip-plex their theatres soon enough or they had cash problems. They had so many key locations.
The downstairs restrooms need to be replaced so bad, the mens room is vile.
Don
No that is the Hollwywood Twin Cinema on 8th Avenue, which is not that far away from this theatre.