Comments from Dave_M

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Dave_M
Dave_M commented about Parkway Theatre on Sep 11, 2012 at 6:58 pm

Wow… this brings back memories!!

I worked in the Parkway Theatre for many years under the ownership of the Steinbergs (anyone remember Geraldine in the office around the corner?) and, later, Jay and Murray, who also owned the Kent Theater in Yonkers. I never worked for the final owners after Jay and Murray.

I’d say my single most significant memory of the Parkway was, of course, Mary. Anyone familiar with the theatre knows who I’m talking about. She was a fixture in that theatre for many years and was heartbroken when it finally closed, as was I. Mary was like a second mother to me… she has now passed on. I remember Elaine the cashier, and later Tilda the cashier, Joe the doorman, Val the manager, his sons Val and David, Ben and Harry the early projectionists in the 70’s, Sydney the janitor, Max the maintenance guy and many, many more! I still have the tuxedo from the theatre!

I was there before the concession stand was installed, and I remember when it was installed, along with the abstract art pictures.

The Parkway was a beautiful theatre… I’m unsure about the comments left above by SusanMy. She made the Parkway’s staff sound like a bunch of thugs. Totally unjustified. For what it’s worth, I have no memory of her working there.

The lights dimmed at the beginning of the show, the curtains (yes, curtains!) opened, the music faded and the show began! The projectors were well maintained and the shows ran remarkably well. The seats were very comfortable velour. I remember lines of people waiting to get in, extending back over the bridge on the weekends, and a lobby full of waiting patrons!! The most expensive admission price was $3, and that was only for special features. I remember standing in the projection booth when the blackout of ‘75(?) occurred. Fortunately, we had many flashlights and newly installed emergency lighting to help guide everyone out.

It’s a shame that the Parkway had to go, but time marches on I guess. As a side note, the address listed on this site in incorrect. The correct address for the Parkway Theatre is 584 Gramatan Ave. The two phone numbers were 914-664-3311, which got you the showtimes recording and 914-664-6411 which got you a live person. That person might have been me!!