See photo section for May 21, 1947 ad featuring a stage appearance by Jack Benny. Jack Benny and Bob Hope were then tied for favorite comedian in that, the heyday of radio. Film being shown was enough to discourage people from seeing it twice to stay for a second stage show.
Armed with my trusty magnifying glass I scanned the photo on Page 42 of the book. A sign on the facade and a vertical, in fact, do read Arverne Pier Danse. So they probably were directly across from each other.
I would go for the Pier at Gaston because of the ad. Therefore, the reference to it being at Vernam in Old Rockaway, New York, in Early Photographs by Vincent Seyfried and William Asadorian would seem to be incorrect. They, however, say that Vernam became 67th whereas other sources say Gaston did.
They also maintain that the Boardwalk was directly across from the Arverne Pier and was known as the Arverne Pier Danse Movie Palace.
Amending an earlier comment. In light of later information indicating ground was broken for the theater in April 1929, it is apparent that the aerial photograph labelled 1927 was taken at a later date. The when may be tough to establish.
Would that be Cantonese, Mandarin, etc.? Or, despite the dialects is it all written the same? I know with some of the Scandinavian languages, although the vocabulary is the same, and it sounds the same, words are spelled differently.
First time, and, in color, the public had seen America’s most popular couple, Lucy and Desi, on the big screen. Opening day February 18, 1954. See photos.
Apparently the problem with the first set of 1914 partners had to do with money; particularly the failure to pay bills. One of the partners was actually in a fist fight over an unpaid bill with a printer.
According to one retrospective mentioning the theatre decades after it’s passing, business was good.
Carousel opened with a formal premiere on February 16, 1956 with regular, continuous, performances starting the next day. There was also an ice skating review, albeit shorter for this feature, because of the length of the film. See photos.
Loew’s 175 Street opened on February 22, 1930 (in those days the George Washington National Holiday). It was the last of the “wonder theatres” in the NY-NJ area; preceded by the Valencia, Paradise, Kings and Jersey City. See opening ad in the photos section.
I have seen ads for the theatre for just Yiddish productions during the course of a week. So it’s possible that this was a combo situation. Is KKK the precursor to or a rip off Abie’s Irish Rose?
Ad from March 14, 1935 upload in the photos section announcing that Shirley Temple would appear to leave her handprints that evening. The film, The Little Colonel, had opened at the Chinese, and also at the downtown Loew’s State, the day before.
Longtime Rockaway historian, Emil Lucev, happened to contact the Rockaway Park Wave and spoke to my contact. Apparently there was a prior Arverne Theatre which burnt down in the Great Arverne Fire of 1922. Have to do some research to determine if the new was built on the same site as the old but now have some new resources to check.
Roof gardens were quite popular. The Park, down the road, which became the Belle Terre also had one.
As far as seating capacities I’m amazed that they would be so large. There were probably more than a dozen theaters on the Rockaway Peninsula at that time when, for many, their operation was seasonal, as was the Arverne.
I got some information on the St. James from Geoffrey K. Fleming and found the image of the original (see the other CT listing) in his book. This theatre building also appears in his book as a 1927 aerial view. I have not been able to determine when it was built or obtain an exterior photo of the facade in it’s day. Tried with the Buildings and Tax Department but their records only go back to the 1940s. When I visited this theatre a couple of years ago Ruth let me go upstairs where I photoed the restored ceiling decoration. One of these days I’ll upload them.
I only got wind of the St. James when I was looking for something else in an old Newsday Movie Time Table.
Since this was a Calderone Theatre acquired by the son of Salvatore, who was the theatre magnet, and died in 1929, there would be nothing in the Calderone collection at Hofstra.
I’ve tried looking at the newspaper records which are available on line but found no activity. I did find, however, references to other theatrical activity in the town (but didn’t record that).
The 1932 Film Daily showed a capacity of over 1,000 whereas the 1928, on which I based my entry, showed 300. Which, if either is correct? Needs more research.
Well, I’ll correct the address. But if the theatre was only built in 1922, there must have been a previous, probably, open air, theatre. I’m going to go back and see if the earlier references carry the same address.
From the Thursday, June 12, 1930 Rockaway Park Wave: “The Arverne Theatre located at the Boulevard and Beach 62nd Street will open for the season Saturday and will show during the season, the latest released in talking pictures.
The interior of the theatre has been repainted and redecorated and a new roof and ceiling has been built. Entirely newly renovated, it is now one of the handsomest theatres in the Rockaways. There has also been installed a $22,000 Western Electric System which is one of the best installations for talking pictures.
It is assured that the house will be more popular this year than ever before and this popularity will be well deserved."
Comments: In those days the street was known as “Boulevard Avenue”,
$22,000 sounds a lot for a sound system when one hears about $80,000 to convert to digital these days. The building, itself, probably didn’t cost anything near that.
“A new roof and ceiling has been built”. Does this imply that it was an open air venue previously? Or would they have said it is now enclosed?? Open air theaters, particularly in summer communities, were quite common at that time.
Re all above. The Arverne Pier Theatre went for a swim out to sea in 1914. Despite it’s being at the water’s edge the pilings and bulkheads supporting the Boardwalk held for many years. Per the notation with the postcard it was still viable in 1939.
Cost was reported $50,000 which, presumably, included the pier itself.
Across the boardwalk was the Arverne Pier Danse [sic] which was subsequently renamed the Boardwalk. See CT listing for that.
An aside. Fox’s lease was for five years. Ironic.
See photo section for May 21, 1947 ad featuring a stage appearance by Jack Benny. Jack Benny and Bob Hope were then tied for favorite comedian in that, the heyday of radio. Film being shown was enough to discourage people from seeing it twice to stay for a second stage show.
Armed with my trusty magnifying glass I scanned the photo on Page 42 of the book. A sign on the facade and a vertical, in fact, do read Arverne Pier Danse. So they probably were directly across from each other.
I would go for the Pier at Gaston because of the ad. Therefore, the reference to it being at Vernam in Old Rockaway, New York, in Early Photographs by Vincent Seyfried and William Asadorian would seem to be incorrect. They, however, say that Vernam became 67th whereas other sources say Gaston did.
They also maintain that the Boardwalk was directly across from the Arverne Pier and was known as the Arverne Pier Danse Movie Palace.
Oy vey.
Amending an earlier comment. In light of later information indicating ground was broken for the theater in April 1929, it is apparent that the aerial photograph labelled 1927 was taken at a later date. The when may be tough to establish.
Would that be Cantonese, Mandarin, etc.? Or, despite the dialects is it all written the same? I know with some of the Scandinavian languages, although the vocabulary is the same, and it sounds the same, words are spelled differently.
First time, and, in color, the public had seen America’s most popular couple, Lucy and Desi, on the big screen. Opening day February 18, 1954. See photos.
Apparently the problem with the first set of 1914 partners had to do with money; particularly the failure to pay bills. One of the partners was actually in a fist fight over an unpaid bill with a printer.
According to one retrospective mentioning the theatre decades after it’s passing, business was good.
Good business can never win with bad management.
The only feature remaining from the Park is the iconic Parachute Jump. Across from the park was the Tilyou Theater (see elsewhere on CT)
Carousel opened with a formal premiere on February 16, 1956 with regular, continuous, performances starting the next day. There was also an ice skating review, albeit shorter for this feature, because of the length of the film. See photos.
Why not just create an entry for the Pier and upload the photo there. There has been enough information to set this up discussed above.
Been waiting forever for the Time Square unveiling.
Loew’s 175 Street opened on February 22, 1930 (in those days the George Washington National Holiday). It was the last of the “wonder theatres” in the NY-NJ area; preceded by the Valencia, Paradise, Kings and Jersey City. See opening ad in the photos section.
I have seen ads for the theatre for just Yiddish productions during the course of a week. So it’s possible that this was a combo situation. Is KKK the precursor to or a rip off Abie’s Irish Rose?
Ad from March 14, 1935 upload in the photos section announcing that Shirley Temple would appear to leave her handprints that evening. The film, The Little Colonel, had opened at the Chinese, and also at the downtown Loew’s State, the day before.
Longtime Rockaway historian, Emil Lucev, happened to contact the Rockaway Park Wave and spoke to my contact. Apparently there was a prior Arverne Theatre which burnt down in the Great Arverne Fire of 1922. Have to do some research to determine if the new was built on the same site as the old but now have some new resources to check.
Roof gardens were quite popular. The Park, down the road, which became the Belle Terre also had one.
As far as seating capacities I’m amazed that they would be so large. There were probably more than a dozen theaters on the Rockaway Peninsula at that time when, for many, their operation was seasonal, as was the Arverne.
Shirley Temple made her Mark(er) in June 1934. See photo section.
Remembering Shirley Temple. The Little Colonel opened at RCMH on March 21, 1935. See photo section.
I got some information on the St. James from Geoffrey K. Fleming and found the image of the original (see the other CT listing) in his book. This theatre building also appears in his book as a 1927 aerial view. I have not been able to determine when it was built or obtain an exterior photo of the facade in it’s day. Tried with the Buildings and Tax Department but their records only go back to the 1940s. When I visited this theatre a couple of years ago Ruth let me go upstairs where I photoed the restored ceiling decoration. One of these days I’ll upload them.
I only got wind of the St. James when I was looking for something else in an old Newsday Movie Time Table.
Since this was a Calderone Theatre acquired by the son of Salvatore, who was the theatre magnet, and died in 1929, there would be nothing in the Calderone collection at Hofstra.
I’ve tried looking at the newspaper records which are available on line but found no activity. I did find, however, references to other theatrical activity in the town (but didn’t record that).
The 1932 Film Daily showed a capacity of over 1,000 whereas the 1928, on which I based my entry, showed 300. Which, if either is correct? Needs more research.
Aha. I had seen the reference but not the date of appearance. I’ll still do some digging.
Built in 1922. New roof in 1930. Not a good thing.
Well, I’ll correct the address. But if the theatre was only built in 1922, there must have been a previous, probably, open air, theatre. I’m going to go back and see if the earlier references carry the same address.
From the Thursday, June 12, 1930 Rockaway Park Wave: “The Arverne Theatre located at the Boulevard and Beach 62nd Street will open for the season Saturday and will show during the season, the latest released in talking pictures.
The interior of the theatre has been repainted and redecorated and a new roof and ceiling has been built. Entirely newly renovated, it is now one of the handsomest theatres in the Rockaways. There has also been installed a $22,000 Western Electric System which is one of the best installations for talking pictures.
It is assured that the house will be more popular this year than ever before and this popularity will be well deserved."
Comments: In those days the street was known as “Boulevard Avenue”,
$22,000 sounds a lot for a sound system when one hears about $80,000 to convert to digital these days. The building, itself, probably didn’t cost anything near that.
“A new roof and ceiling has been built”. Does this imply that it was an open air venue previously? Or would they have said it is now enclosed?? Open air theaters, particularly in summer communities, were quite common at that time.
Re all above. The Arverne Pier Theatre went for a swim out to sea in 1914. Despite it’s being at the water’s edge the pilings and bulkheads supporting the Boardwalk held for many years. Per the notation with the postcard it was still viable in 1939.