I know it wasn’t the Cinema Kings Highway. I’m familiar with that theater (at least from the outside) because I had lived in the neighborhood, attended PS 238 down the block, ate at the adjacent Kings Highway Diner millions of times, etc. I’m pretty sure it was the Avalon that showed porn, perhaps for a short time. In fact, I’m embarrased to reveal that I think I can actually remember a name of one of the movies the theater was showing in the early 1980’s: Sex World. I think I remember being shocked when observing that title on the marquee as I was just a little kid at the time. I wish there was a way we can verify this.
I could have sworn that the Avalon showed porn in its final years. I was only a little kid, so I may be wrong or thinking of another theater. Can anyone confirm this?
I grew up in that area in the early 1980’s, attended PS 238 and saw countless movies at the Kingsway, a theater which I loved. Among the movies I attended at that theater were Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, Rambo, Ghostbusters, Superman II and many others, including such “classics” as Blood Beach and Seems Like Old Times. I recall seeing Staying Alive (with John Travolta) in the rear, separate theater with my day camp during a rainy day.
My friends and I had a great time at the Kingsway because although we were significantly under the minimum age, it was quite easy to “sneak” (I use that term loosely) into a rated R movie.
Yes, now that I think back, I recall the staircase located on each side of the theater and the concession stand on each floor. I remember the bathrooms on opposite sides of the second floor as well. And, I vaguely recall the mural that was previously discussed in this forum. I think there were also arcade games at the entrance, if I remember correctly.
If I’m not mistaken, I recall the separate theater in the rear with a mural as well. I’m not sure. I do recall some paintings on the exterior wall by the fire escape, I think.
It would be great if someone can post some photos of the interior.
An earlier poster also referenced Crawford’s which was a few blocks down along Kings Highway. I know this is not the appropriate forum for this kind of question, but I don’t know where else to go. If I remember correctly, I could have sworn that when I was little kid (in 1977/78, I was 5/6 years old) I had purchased records from Crawfords (no, not Music Factory across the street). Can someone confirm that Crawfords sold records at one time? I recall buying several there, including the themes to Star Wars and Close Encounters, and Lookin' for Love by Johnny Lee.
Sonny- Thanks for confirming that Crawfords did sell records in the 1970’s. At least I now know that I’m not crazy (or am I?).
Thanks!
Hi Warren,
Thanks for responding.
I know it wasn’t the Cinema Kings Highway. I’m familiar with that theater (at least from the outside) because I had lived in the neighborhood, attended PS 238 down the block, ate at the adjacent Kings Highway Diner millions of times, etc. I’m pretty sure it was the Avalon that showed porn, perhaps for a short time. In fact, I’m embarrased to reveal that I think I can actually remember a name of one of the movies the theater was showing in the early 1980’s: Sex World. I think I remember being shocked when observing that title on the marquee as I was just a little kid at the time. I wish there was a way we can verify this.
I could have sworn that the Avalon showed porn in its final years. I was only a little kid, so I may be wrong or thinking of another theater. Can anyone confirm this?
I grew up in that area in the early 1980’s, attended PS 238 and saw countless movies at the Kingsway, a theater which I loved. Among the movies I attended at that theater were Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, Rambo, Ghostbusters, Superman II and many others, including such “classics” as Blood Beach and Seems Like Old Times. I recall seeing Staying Alive (with John Travolta) in the rear, separate theater with my day camp during a rainy day.
My friends and I had a great time at the Kingsway because although we were significantly under the minimum age, it was quite easy to “sneak” (I use that term loosely) into a rated R movie.
Yes, now that I think back, I recall the staircase located on each side of the theater and the concession stand on each floor. I remember the bathrooms on opposite sides of the second floor as well. And, I vaguely recall the mural that was previously discussed in this forum. I think there were also arcade games at the entrance, if I remember correctly.
If I’m not mistaken, I recall the separate theater in the rear with a mural as well. I’m not sure. I do recall some paintings on the exterior wall by the fire escape, I think.
It would be great if someone can post some photos of the interior.
An earlier poster also referenced Crawford’s which was a few blocks down along Kings Highway. I know this is not the appropriate forum for this kind of question, but I don’t know where else to go. If I remember correctly, I could have sworn that when I was little kid (in 1977/78, I was 5/6 years old) I had purchased records from Crawfords (no, not Music Factory across the street). Can someone confirm that Crawfords sold records at one time? I recall buying several there, including the themes to Star Wars and Close Encounters, and Lookin' for Love by Johnny Lee.